Rob asks: “Any idea what this is, 5G?”
A bit different from the the inauguration cell towers and that’s definitely a wifi signal – so gotta be 5G right?
What the Helen of Troy is This
“Dear PoPville,
Hoping someone might have some ideas….
There has been a strange plane flying circles over NW DC/Bethesda down to 395 & back for the last 20 minutes or so, I’ve been watching it on Flight Rader & it’s stayed between 5,000-5,300 ft.
It’s passed within hearing distance of me about 6 times.
In any event, since it’s in restricted airspace & I don’t see/hear any fighter jets chasing it, I have to assume it’s Gov’t, but who & for what reason.”
“Dear PoPville,
On a walk this weekend I noticed a copper looking tag/plaque way up high in the tall tree in the triangle park at Mass Ave/35th St NW/Fulton St NW, just south of St Sophia’s. I’ve walked by here many, many times before and never noticed it, but the sun was hitting at just the right angle for it to flash in the corner of my eye. I thought at first it was a mylar balloon or something similar caught in the branches, but getting as close as I could it’s obviously a large metal tag or plate of some sort (about license plate size?) zip-tied to one of the boughs. (more…)
Photo by Erin
Many, many rounds of cannon fire/booms reported to us this morning. This comes up every few months, just enough time to forget why it’s happening for a minute :)
From a previous discussion revealed by old guard alum:
“The Old Guard’s Presidential Salute Battery conducts rehearsals (aka Blank-Fire Crew Drills) on Thursday mornings starting at 0700 in Arlington National Cemetery and on Ft. Myer. These drills are used to rehearse for upcoming ceremonies and certify new Soldiers on the ceremonial 105mm howitzer cannons. They do the drills before the cemetery opens for the day. The modified howitzers can only fire blank rounds; no projectiles.
During changes in the seasons (usually late spring or early fall), the sound from the blank shots tends to travel further and more residents hear it. Not sure if it has something to do with the changing temp… foliage…?”
I know it’s not Thursday but this is still my guess.
Doug also notes: “So this has to be the answer, the cadence is def cannon-salute-esque
Gotta be some sort of weather/atmospheric situation this am that’s making the noise carry more than usual though”
And Brad shares the article “Here’s Why Sound Carries Farther on Cold Days”
Thanks to Maggie for sending from Prospect Street, NW. (more…)
Thanks to Jillian for sending from “Alpaca sighting at New Hampshire and Park in NW!”
Rodrigo writes: “Instead of biking, I finally took the Metro home and noticed all these sensors on the walls of L’Enfant Plaza; anyone know what these are for?”
WMATA replied: “Hi Rodrigo, good eye and great question! These sensors were put in from our Engineering Department. Happy Friday!”
“Those sensors monitor geographical shifts in stations.”
“Dear PoPville,
What is the building with two tall smoke stacks at the western end of the actual Navy Yard, just across from La Famosa? For the several weeks I have lived nearby, there has been nothing to see here. Now, for the second day in a row, there is a huge amount of smoke coming out at the bottom of the building (not even out of the smoke stacks) and a very loud whir of machinery. (more…)
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Photo by Chris Alexander
Update: “Last night’s lighting outage at the Washington Monument was caused by the failure of the timeclock that turns the lights on each evening and off in the morning. While the faulty part is being replaced, the lights will be operated manually to ensure the monument is lit each night.”
8:49pm The National Park Service reported: “The exterior lights of the Washington Monument are currently out. We are investigating and will have them restored as soon as possible.” (more…)
Photo by Andrew Leyden
Still getting questions about the beams of light folks are spotting so thanks to Andrew for sharing his truly spectacular photo with us from last night: “D.C. pillar of light rehearsals over the reflecting pool as seen from Arlington Cemetery.”
More photos: (more…)