The Chinese 'spy balloon' may pass over the Evansville/Henderson area Friday evening

Staff report
Chinese spy balloon spotted in US airspace

Like so much else in the world, it seems, even the Chinese "spy balloon" apparently will have a tie to the Tri-State.

Accuweather reported Friday afternoon that the balloon was floating eastward from the St. Louis area, and its path seemed to be taking it toward the skies above the Evansville/Henderson metro area.

But will it be visible here? The biggest factor at play here would be daylight. The sunset tonight in Evansville is 5:16 p.m., and the balloon likely will arrive after then. It's unclear what time the balloon would pass over Evansville, and the Pentagon isn't confirming where the balloon is at any given time.

Here's what the EarthSky website said about looking for the balloon from the ground:

If you’re under the path of the balloon, which is up to 3-bus-lengths long, you should be able to easily spot it under clear skies. Some reports say the balloon is flying as high as 60,000 feet, or about 11 miles up (18,000 meters). The balloon is sailing through the layer of Earth’s atmosphere called the stratosphere. That’s well above where airplanes fly, at around 32,000 feet (10,000 meters).

EarthSky website

Accuweather's estimated path for the balloon, based on wind patterns.

At its current speed, it is expected to be off America's East Coast by Saturday evening.

On Thursday, the Pentagon announced it had spotted what it identified as a spy balloon flying over the U.S.

China disputed that characterization, calling it  a “civilian airship” that blew off course.

The airship is used for meteorological and other research, the Chinese government said in a statement in which it expressed regret for the balloon's “unintended entry” into U.S. airspace.

NOAA's projected path for the balloon takes it near the Evansville and Henderson areas.

U.S. officials stand by their assessment. 

“We know that it’s a surveillance balloon,” Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, later told reporters.

Some information contributed by USA TODAY.