Yeah, it’s just a plane.

Sure, we’re used to the familiar sounds of government officials buzzing around Washington in a fleet of helicopters, seemingly omnipresent in the city’s skies. While not clogging up streets, the executive branch, along with many other agencies with their own choppers, can often be seen hovering over D.C. Tonight, though, the skies will be unusually busy due to massive military exercise.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, is testing its air defense system over Washington tonight. Jets and helicopters will scramble to area skies through Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. So, don’t worry. Those lights in the evening sky aren’t the Mother Ship taking us all back Omicron Persei 8. It’s just the government taking their toys out for a spin.

Photo by Flickr user amishah.