Small Transport
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Conflict NMAC
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related
During cruise at 10;000 feet MSL; on a revenue flight enroute to Bakersfield California; I flew underneath a small unidentifiable object. Weather conditions at the time were VFR but hazy; I was just crossing the mountain tops into the flat land around Bakersfield when the event happened; I was located on the 141 degree radial from the Shafter (EHF) VOR at approximately 35 DME. While looking ahead and piloting; a small light from outside and above me caught my eye. When I looked up I was flying 25 to 50 feet below a small round object with what looked like a light on the bottom side of it. I initially reported this to Bakersfield Approach as a drone; but I flew by it so quickly and the range at which I spotted it; I can't say with 100% certainty what it was. I would say it's possible it could've been a balloon with the sun reflecting off of it as well. Fortunately; nothing happened and I proceeded to Bakersfield for a normal landing.Being as I don't know 100% what the object was it's hard to say what 'caused' it. If it was in fact a drone and not a balloon then it was most likely being illegally operated.Unfortunately due to the haze preventing me from seeing it sooner; and the rate of closure with the object there wasn't any time to react. I reported the event to Bakersfield Approach.Not much to suggest other than asking pilots to remain vigilant in their scans outside as best they can with the given weather conditions.
Pilot reported an encounter with either a drone or a balloon during cruise near Bakersfield; CA.