<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Wild theories have emerged as mysterious "glowing orange orbs" were seen in the sky across parts of the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="" title="NSW"><span>NSW</span></a><span> Hunter region.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Residents north-west of Newcastle, between Singleton, Cessnock and East Maitland, reported seeing display on Sunday night.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The lights appeared in the sky one by one and remained there before later disappearing.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/newcastle-to-sydney-high-speed-rail-government-announces-tenders/a00ce10e-648d-402d-94f7-d03c41d45acf" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Major update for $61bn high-speed train between Newcastle and Sydney</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Residents have speculated it could be anything from "aliens" to "government drones".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Everyone should start packing their bags and run for the hills," one person said on social media. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Wonder if this is the real reason they just made that 'Australia wide' siren that will go off on our phones," another said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-hunter-region-mysterious-glowing-orange-orbs-seen-across-sky/5a260cc3-c02a-49bd-8fdd-ab5157d10dff" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Not sure if I should report it," a third added. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some were even worried it may have something to do with the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-attacks-iran-middle-east-war-widens-to-include-militias-as-israeli-and-american-planes-pound-iran/15701ee3-65c8-45ed-a7c3-39d63aca3022" rel="" target="_blank" title="US-Israeli war in Iran"><span>US-Israeli war in Iran</span></a><span>. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/blood-moon-2026-total-lunar-eclipse-when-how-to-watch-best-visibility-australia-everything-to-know/56e27a09-21b0-436e-b4dc-bd7b12fad938" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>A rare blood moon will rise tonight - here's how to see it</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hunter MP Dan Repacholi has set the record straight and said the lights were part of a "totally normal" military exercise at the Singleton base.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Look, I hate to disappoint but it wasn't ET popping into the Hunter for a cheeky wine tour," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"What people were seeing were military illumination flares used during nighttime training exercises at the Singleton Base.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They're dropped from aircraft with a small parachute attached and burn really bright for a few minutes while slowly drifting down.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Because of the low cloud cover, the light reflects back down and makes them look like glowing orange orbs just hanging there in the sky."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/tropical-cyclone-queensland-moderate-chance-of-system-forming-in-coral-sea-weather-news/ba7fb3c7-3d60-4a6c-a680-d91f2d826274" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Cyclone threat puts northern Australia on high alert</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Singleton base, which covers 14,000 hectares, includes the Lone Pine Barracks and the Training Area.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is a key army training facility where all infantry soldiers undertake their initial training and is one of the country's major live-fire and tactical training ranges.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>