Late-Night Host Pokes Fun As Astronomers Debunk Hogan's MD Drone Claims

DAVIDSONVILLE, MD — Days after former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said he saw dozens of large drones in the sky above his Anne Arundel County home, astronomers are debunking his claims, saying the lights he spotted were "clearly" a constellation of stars.

Hogan posted a video on Friday about bright lights in the night sky, saying he witnessed the activity around 9:45 p.m. and it lasted for about 45 minutes.

“Late Show” host Stephen Colbert poked fun at Hogan during his Monday night monologue, saying that was not the former governor's only drone sighting.

"Oh my God, there's a giant ladle coming for me! And a smaller ladle too like pouring into the bigger one!" Colbert joked alongside a satirical X post from the governor showing an image of the Big and Little Dipper constellations.

• RELATED: Former MD Gov. Hogan Spots Drones Over Home, Slams 'Negligent Response' By Feds

Hogan also slammed the federal government's response to the growing number of drone sightings reported in numerous states including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Virginia and Ohio.

"Like many who have observed these drones, I do not know if this increasing activity over our skies is a threat to public safety or national security," Hogan said. "But the public is growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the complete lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of the federal government."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has received thousands of tips since opening an investigation into the mysterious drone sightings. Federal authorities said Monday evening that the sightings have included legal commercial drones, hobbyist and law enforcement drones, manned aircraft, helicopters and even stars mistakenly reported as drones.

In Hogan's case, experts say what he witnessed might not have been an aircraft but the constellation Orion. His original X post now includes a community note stating, "The stars at the 39-second mark are recognizably the constellation Orion. From this you can determine that the bright lights behind the trees are the stars Sirius and Procyon.

The note continues, "No anomalous objects are apparent in this video."

In an interview with the Baltimore Sun, University of Maryland Observatory director Elizabeth Warner said Monday that it was immediately apparent to her that Hogan’s video depicted Orion.

“I would be extremely embarrassed if I were him,” Warner told the Sun. “It’s so clearly a constellation of stars through trees.”

In a statement shared on Facebook on Monday, Hogan said that while some of what people are seeing may involve planes or other objects, federal officials still need to offer more explanation about their origin or purpose.

"It is absolutely critical that the agencies and leaders tasked with safeguarding our national security stop gaslighting the American people," Hogan said. "Their lack of response to date is disgraceful and dangerous. People are clamoring for answers and aren’t getting any. That has to change immediately."