They sit in a circle and think about what it could be.

A mysterious black ring appeared in the sky above a freeway in Williamsburg, Virginia – prompting dozens of astonished passersby to snap photos of the floating phenomenon.

According to WAVY TV 10, starting at about 11 a.m. Tuesday, viewers took nearly a dozen photos of the ominous dark circle from various angles hovering over the northern part of the city.

But according to Ron Stepp, one of several people who sent the footage to the local station, the possible “smoke ring” disappeared completely within ten minutes.

Witnesses suspected a fire or explosion was responsible for the spooky sight – but when the ring appeared, no one had been reported in the area, James City County Fire Department officials told the outlet.

Ricky Mathews, a meteorologist at the station, suspects that the strange circle was created by concentrated rising fire – possibly pyrotechnics staged for a film.

A second meteorologist, Steve Fundaroindustrial, said it could have been caused by industrial work or a deliberate explosion.

Residents have since described the sight as “crazy” and asked on social media “WHAT THE…?”