Posted On: July 17, 2022

Black triangles are UFOs reported as having a triangular shape and dark color, typically observed at night. They are often described as large, silent, hovering, and slow-moving, and usually display pulsating, colored lights. These strange objects have been seen multiple times in the US, from the early eighties all the way to the early two thousands.

A declassified report from the UK Ministry of Defence, addressing Unidentified Aerial Phenomena within the UK Air Defence Region and code-named Project Condign includes analyses of these black triangle sightings. The report includes a statement that "the majority, if not all, of the hitherto unexplained reports, may well be due to atmospheric gaseous electrically charged buoyant plasmas" that are "capable of being transported at enormous speeds under the influence and balance 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.

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 has frequently been reported as black 'craft,' often triangular and even up to hundreds of feet in length." A recommendation in the report is 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. The report also speculates 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 The Project Condign report was not peer-reviewed, and some authors have cast doubt on its scientific veracity.

Here are some civilian reports of said objects, each with limited yet intriguing detail.

1980s Hudson Valley sightings
During the early 1980s, several hundred people claimed to have witnessed UFOs flying over, or near, 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 of which were tracked to a local airport and parking lot, were ultralight aircraft flying in formation.

1997 Phoenix Lights incident
A widely reported appearance of black triangles involved the "Phoenix Lights" events, during which multiple unidentified objects were observed near Phoenix, Arizona, and were videotaped by both the local media and residents beginning on Thursday, March 13, 1997. Some of the observed objects and 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 stars of the night sky. An official report from the US Air Force concluded that the military had been locally testing aircraft-launched flares during that time period.

2000 Southern Illinois incident
The "St. Clair Triangle" or "UFO Over Illinois" 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, UFOs Over Illinois, and an episode of Proof Positive. Science writer Brian Dunning has reported that the observed object was identified by the FAA as an advertising blimp operated by the American Blimp Company.

2004–2006 Tinley Park Lights
Three red lights hovering in a triangular formation were seen by multiple witnesses in Tinley Park and Oak Forest, Illinois, on August 21, 2004, two months later on October 31, 2004, again on October 1, 2005, and once again on October 31, 2006. The lights were photographed and captured on video by some witnesses. According to some ufologists, the video evidence suggests that the lights kept the geometrical shape and moved as if they were attached to each other through a dark object. The incident was examined in a Dateline NBC episode on May 18, 2008, and in the episode "Invasion Illinois" of the television series UFO Hunters premiered on The History Channel on October 29, 2008.

Classified military aircraft may be responsible for a number of these black triangle UFO reports. Several such sightings have been reported over Antelope Valley, an area of desert in southern California. This stretch of desert draws people interested in potential "black project" aircraft because it is close to several known military research and testing areas, such as Edwards Air Force Base in California, and United States Air Force Plant 42. A geographic analysis by the now-inactive National Institute for Discovery Science suggested that black triangles might be U.S. Air Force craft. But of course, we have no way of knowing. Let us know what you think of the black triangles in the comments below.

Posted On: July 17, 2022

Black triangles are UFOs reported as having a triangular shape and dark color, typically observed at night. They are often described as large, silent, hovering, and slow-moving, and usually display pulsating, colored lights. These strange objects have been seen multiple times in the US, from the early eighties all the way to the early two thousands.

A declassified report from the UK Ministry of Defence, addressing Unidentified Aerial Phenomena within the UK Air Defence Region and code-named Project Condign includes analyses of these black triangle sightings. The report includes a statement that "the majority, if not all, of the hitherto unexplained reports, may well be due to atmospheric gaseous electrically charged buoyant plasmas" that are "capable of being transported at enormous speeds under the influence and balance 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.

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 has frequently been reported as black 'craft,' often triangular and even up to hundreds of feet in length." A recommendation in the report is 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. The report also speculates 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 have cast doubt on its scientific veracity.

Here are some civilian reports of said objects, each with limited yet intriguing detail.

1980s Hudson Valley sightings
During the early 1980s, several hundred people claimed to have witnessed UFOs flying over, or near, 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 of which were tracked to a local airport and parking lot, were ultralight aircraft flying in formation.

1997 Phoenix Lights incident
A widely reported appearance of black triangles involved the "Phoenix Lights" events, during which multiple unidentified objects were observed near Phoenix, Arizona, and were videotaped by both the local media and residents beginning on Thursday, March 13, 1997. Some of the observed objects and 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 stars of the night sky. An official report from the US Air Force concluded that the military had been locally testing aircraft-launched flares during that time period.

2000 Southern Illinois incident
The "St. Clair Triangle" or "UFO Over Illinois" 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, UFOs Over Illinois, and an episode of Proof Positive. Science writer Brian Dunning has reported that the observed object was identified by the FAA as an advertising blimp operated by the American Blimp Company.

2004–2006 Tinley Park Lights
Three red lights hovering in a triangular formation were seen by multiple witnesses in Tinley Park and Oak Forest, Illinois, on August 21, 2004, two months later on October 31, 2004, again on October 1, 2005, and once again on October 31, 2006. The lights were photographed and captured on video by some witnesses. According to some ufologists, the video evidence suggests that the lights kept the geometrical shape and moved as if they were attached to each other through a dark object. The incident was examined in a Dateline NBC episode on May 18, 2008, and in the episode "Invasion Illinois" of the television series UFO Hunters premiered on The History Channel on October 29, 2008.

Classified military aircraft may be responsible for a number of these black triangle UFO reports. Several such sightings have been reported over Antelope Valley, an area of desert in southern California. This stretch of desert draws people interested in potential "black project" aircraft because it is close to several known military research and testing areas, such as Edwards Air Force Base in California, and United States Air Force Plant 42. A geographic analysis by the now-inactive National Institute for Discovery Science suggested that black triangles might be U.S. Air Force craft. But of course, we have no way of knowing. Let us know what you think of the black triangles in the comments below.