I really don't know what's going on. I looked out of my window just now and a large glowing canvas sphere about 2 feet in diameter had been placed on the lawn just outside my building. Some students (?) have now switched the light off and deflated the sphere and left it on the ground, after doing something bizarre with a crumpled red cloth.
The webcam is grainy at this resolution and in this light - I may attempt some image enhancement on this later.
The same sphere, taken with a shorter exposure. You may be able to make out a tripod and something resembling a packed lunch underneath it.
These are cones.