Obviously similar phenomena has explanations not involving ETs but this is how they prepare us. The explanations make less sense, more questions are asked, allowing more to be revealed.

For every mystery smoke ring there's a cloaked Arcturian craft nearby.

https://www.tv4.se/artikel/3tneTXjLrgHM2d11yFyVPc/egendomlig-roekring-oever-trollhaettan-efter-blixtnedslag