Black triangle (UFO)

200px|right|thumb|Drawing of the [[Phoenix Lights, an example of a black triangle UFO sighting]]

Black triangles are UFOs reported as having a triangular shape and dark color, typically observed at night, described as large, silent, hovering, moving slowly, and displaying pulsating, colored lights which they can turn off.

British sightings and UK Ministry of Defence Report

thumb|250px|"An example UAP formation of the triangular type," depicted in a Technical Memorandum on the subject of [[Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon|UAP commissioned by the British government. In 2011, a Belgian man revealed that this photo was a hoax he created using a piece of styrofoam and four lightbulbs.]]

A declassified report from the UK Ministry of Defence, addressing Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) within the UK Air Defence Region and code named Project Condign, includes analyses of black triangle sightings.

The report states that the majority, if not all sightings can be attributed to "buoyant plasmas" that are capable and of traveling at enormous speeds under the influence of electrical charges in the atmosphere. The report also notes that "at least some" of the black triangle observations likely arise from meteor entry into the atmosphere. Additionally, the authors recommend that no attempt be made on the part of aircraft to intercept or outmaneuver these objects, and instead to place them astern to mitigate the risk of collision.

Regarding the triangular shapes, the report also states: "Occasionally ... it seems that a field with, as yet, undetermined characteristics, can exist between certain charged buoyant objects in loose formation, such that, depending on the viewing aspect, the intervening space between them forms an area (viewed as a shape, often triangular) from which the reflection of light does not occur. This is a key finding in the attribution of what have frequently been reported as black 'craft,' often triangular and even up to hundreds of feet in length."

The report also states that the hypothesized plasma formations, through their "magnetic, electric or electromagnetic" fields, could have the potential to induce in observers vivid, but mainly incorrect, perceptions.

The Project Condign report was not peer-reviewed, and some authors doubt its scientific validity. According to a report published by The Guardian, the study's author was unable to communicate with experts who might have been able to advise him about the credibility of his findings, due to Project Condign's classified status. This explains the report's "baffling" conclusions, which are on the "fringes of scientific understanding".

Other sightings

1980s Hudson Valley sightings

During the early 1980s, several hundred people claimed to have witnessed UFOs flying over, or near to, the Hudson River in New York state. These sightings involved hovering or slowly flying V-shaped objects rimmed with colorful lights. Several pilots claimed responsibility for these UFOs, reporting that the objects, some tracked to a local airport and parking lot, were ultralight aircraft flown in formation.

1989–1992 Belgian wave

The Belgian UFO wave began in November 1989. The events of 29 November were documented by over thirty different groups of witnesses and three separate groups of police officers. All of the reports related to a large object flying at a low altitude. The craft was flat and triangular, with lights underneath. This giant craft did not make a sound as it slowly moved across the landscape of Belgium.

Black triangle UFOs have been claimed to be visible to radar. During the 1989–1990 Belgian UFO wave, two Belgian Air Force F-16s attempted to intercept an object detected by radar, but the pilots did not report seeing an object.

The Belgian UFO wave has been disputed by skeptics, and a famous photograph associated with the wave has been revealed as a hoax.

1997 Phoenix Lights incident

A widely reported appearance(s) of black triangles involved the "Phoenix Lights" events, during which multiple unidentified objects were observed near Phoenix, Arizona and videotaped by both the local media and residents beginning on Thursday, March 13, 1997. Some observed objects/lights appeared to be grouped in a large "V" formation that lingered for several minutes. Some residents reported one of the black triangles to be over a mile wide and that it drifted slowly over their houses, blocking out the night sky's stars.

An official report from the US Air Force concluded that the military had been locally testing aircraft-launched flares during that period.

2000 Southern Illinois incident

The "St. Clair Triangle", "UFO Over Illinois", "Southern Illinois UFO", or "Highland, Illinois UFO" sighting occurred on January 5, 2000 over the towns of Highland, Dupo, Lebanon, Shiloh, Summerfield, Millstadt, and O'Fallon, Illinois, beginning shortly after 4:00 am. The incident was featured in several television shows including Seeing is Believing, a Discovery Channel special UFOs Over Illinois, and an episode of the Syfy series Proof Positive. Sufjan Stevens included this incident in the song "Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois" from his 2005 album Illinois. The FAA said sighting reports may have been due to an advertising blimp operated in the area by the American Blimp Company.

2008 Stephenville, Texas

Around 8 January 2008, approximately 40 people saw a large triangular UFO in Stephenville, Texas. One witness, a veteran pilot, estimated the object was half a mile wide and one mile long.

At least some of the proposed military types may be fictitious.

Geoscientist Ben McGee has identified border patrol drones with infrared anti-collision or identification lights to explain some black triangles.

References

External links

UAP In the UK Air Defence Region Full Text (PDF)
TR-3A at Federation of American Scientists