An illustration of the first flight by Professor Jacques Charles, December 1, 1783. His choice of travel must have looked quite mysterious to onlookers.

A “mystery object” fell from the sky in Norfolk, Virginia, last week, sparking much excitement among residents, the vast majority of whom do not believe police claims that the item was nothing more than a “weather balloon”.

The mystery object fell into a residential neighbourhood in the suburb last Tuesday night, after which time the immediate area was cordoned off and residents were evacuated from their homes.

Reportedly, military personnel, police officers and government operatives arrived in the area to carry out investigations into the object, and eyewitnesses were said to be reporting that it resembled a balloon or had a “structure similar to styrofoam”.

Initial contact with the object was carried out via robot, and following that, there was consultation with NASA experts, The Register reported. The object was then loaded onto a government vehicle and removed from the neighbourhood, and residents were allowed to return to their homes.

Official spokesman, Battalion Chief Julian Williamson, said at a press conference: “Investigators made contact with the package and determined it to be…a weather balloon.”

Mr Williamson also offered guidance on what to do if another such object fell to earth: “Do not investigate on your own. Just call the authorities,” he said.