Questions remain about the unidentified object that hit over Alaska

(CNN, KYMA/KECY) – Questions remain this weekend about an unidentified object shot down over Alaska by the U.S.

It is not yet clear what the object is or what its purpose was, and government officials have not yet indicated that there is any connection to the Chinese balloon that was shot down last weekend.

“We currently do not have further details about the object, including a description of its capabilities, purpose or origin,” said Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, Pentagon spokesman.

“Mountain Object”

President Joe Biden called it a “success” after the US shot down a “tall object” off the coast of Alaska on Friday.

Many questions remain, but the object, described as roughly the size of a small car, was first spotted on Thursday.

While investigators determined the object was a drone, a Pentagon press secretary said it posed a reasonable threat to civilian air traffic because it was flying at 40,000 feet.

Retired Major General James Spider Marks, a military analyst, said, “It could be a drone, it could be a balloon… it could be any number of things, and we just don’t know. And the forensics will reveal all of that.”

Big, unanswered questions

Another unanswered question is where the object came from, as recovery efforts continue to find what’s left.

James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, said: “It doesn’t seem to represent the technology that appears to be on the Chinese balloon, just because of its size.”

It comes nearly a week after US warplanes shot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina.

The US Navy and Coast Guard are still working to recover the debris.

“The USS Carter Hall remains near the wreckage area and is leading recovery efforts,” Ryder said.

Currently, the US is not indicating a connection between the unidentified object and the Chinese balloon.