Unknown object photographed by my son.

[The shadow]

Taken by my son Ian this morning outside early. No window glare. Location it was taken by memorial high school Madison Wi. Any ideas what it is?

He was outside when he took it and seen it with his own eyes witnesses were Anna his fiancee and Adam his best friend Adam fist saw saw it and Ian snapped the pic. His friend Adam said maybe swap gas? Time 7;35 AM Oct 7th 2025. He texted me about it at work. He said it was just there and gone . Lasted about 1 minute did not move. I will talk to him about it tonight. Any questions to ask please post them. I'm taking the sighting seriously as Ian is not hoaxing his FB post reflects a WTF moment.

 

[pigfarmer]

Very cool pic, no idea what it is. I'm guessing you meant Oct 6 @ 7:35PM. My guess would be some sort of contrail illuminated by the setting sun.

I fiddled with FlightAware, FlightTracker etc looking for flights last evening out of MSN but to get the historical data it looks like you need to make a free account for a trial, which I didn't do. Have a look.

 

[The shadow]

It's 7:35 AM this morning

 

[pigfarmer]

It's 7:35 AM this morning

Sorry. Same applies though.

I live next to a small airport and have seen similar which is why I am suggesting you check what flights may have been in that area at that time. The flight tracking apps generally give live data free but historical data behind a paywall or free trials. I just didn't want to sign up for any more free trials but if you want to research that pic that would be a logical next step. .

 

[The shadow]

A month of questioning and investigating has revealed nothing. My efforts to learn what they saw were fruitless.
No business has advertising balloons
My best guess is solar refraction in the clouds
Looking at it close it seems to be a natural event . And not an artificial craft