Aircraft marking lights
I've often seen aircraft with their landing lights on by the time they're in this area, though more usually when I lived in Hopatcong where I was almost right under them a good number of times.
The bright lights you see on aircraft are actually called approach lights, not "landing" lights as they have no purpose in landing the aircraft. Their purpose is to enable the people in the airfield tower to "see" the aircraft on its approach to the field. The FAA sets the time and distance for each field where lights are required, Newark is approx 40-50 miles out, that's why you see them come on over the Warren/Morris area on approach from the west.
Jul '20
Approach lighting is on the ground.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Approach_lighting_system
The term "landing light" (as installed on an aircraft) is described in multiple federal regulations, such as 14 CFR.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/25.1383
Also, look at the overhead panel for an A320 in the attached picture. Notice in the "EXT LT" (exterior lighting) section, there are multiple switches for "LAND".
Boeing also uses the same term.
Here's a panel from a 747.
"LANDING" light switches are aligned next to "taxi, runway turn off, strobe, beacon" switches.
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