Wikipedia

Black triangle (UFO)

(Redirected from TR-3 Black Manta)

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.

Drawing of the Phoenix Lights, an example of a black triangle UFO sighting

British sightings and UK Ministry of Defence Report

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"An example UAP formation of the triangular type," depicted in a Technical Memorandum on the subject of UAP commissioned by the British government.[1] In 2011, a Belgian man revealed that this photo was a hoax he created using a piece of styrofoam and four lightbulbs.[2]

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.[3][4]

The report states that the majority, if not all sightings can be attributed to "buoyant plasmas" that are capable of traveling at enormous speeds under the influence of electrical charges in the atmosphere.[5] The report also notes that "at least some" of the black triangle observations likely arise from meteor entry into the atmosphere.[6] 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.[7]

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."[8]

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.[9]

The Project Condign report was not peer-reviewed, and some authors doubt its scientific validity.[10] According to a report published by The Guardian, the study's author was unable to communicate with experts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".[11]

Other sightings

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1980s Hudson Valley sightings

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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.[12][13]

1989–1992 Belgian wave

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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.[14][15]

1997 Phoenix Lights incident

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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, 13 March 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

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The "St. Clair Triangle", "UFO Over Illinois", "Southern Illinois UFO", or "Highland, Illinois UFO" sighting occurred on 5 January 2000 over the towns of Highland, Dupo, Lebanon, Shiloh, Summerfield, Millstadt, and O'Fallon, Illinois, beginning shortly after 4:00 am.[16] 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.[17][18][16]

2004–2006 Tinley Park Lights

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Three hovering red lights were seen by multiple witnesses in Tinley Park and Oak Forest, Illinois, on 21 August 2004, two months later on 31 October 2004, again on 1 October 2005, and once again on 31 October 2006. Some witnesses photographed the lights and captured them on video. According to some ufologists, the video evidence suggests that the lights kept the triangular geometrical shape they formed and moved as if they were attached through a dark object. The incident was examined in a Dateline NBC episode on 18 May 2008, and in the episode "Invasion Illinois" of the television series UFO Hunters, which premiered on The History Channel on 29 October 2008.[19][20][21]

2008 Stephenville, Texas

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Around 8 January 2008, approximately 40 people saw a large triangular UFO in Stephenville, Texas.[22][23] One witness, a veteran pilot, estimated the object was half a mile wide and one mile long.[22] Military officials in West Texas denied witness reports that fighter jets had pursued the object.[22]

Military aircraft

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The "TR-3B ASTRA", a rumored top-secret, anti-gravity reconnaissance aircraft developed under a Black project.

Classified military aircraft may be responsible for many 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 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.[24]

At least some of the proposed military types may be fictitious.[25][26] The Northrop TR-3A Black Manta is a speculative surveillance aircraft purported to belong to the United States Air Force and to have been developed under a black project. It was said to be a subsonic stealth spy plane with a flying wing design. It was alleged to have been used in the Gulf War to provide laser designation for Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk bombers, for targeting to use with laser-guided bombs (since the F-117 possesses a laser designator, the reason for both aircraft being utilized is unclear). There is little evidence to support the TR-3's existence; however, it is possible that black triangle UFO reports associated with Black Manta could be a technology demonstrator for a potential new-generation tactical reconnaissance aircraft, and/or that "TR-3" refers to a Technical Refresh of an existing program.[25][26] Q Geoscientist Ben McGee has identified border patrol drones with infrared anti-collision or identification lights to explain some black triangles.[27]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "UAP In the UK Air Defence Region: Executive Summary, Defence Intelligence Staff (2000), p. 1". Mod.uk. 2007-02-20. Archived from the original on 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  2. ↑ "Photos d'ovnis : la plus célèbre était fausse". Science et vie. 29 September 2011. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023.
  3. ↑ "Unidentified Aerial Phenomena in the UK Air Defense Region: Executive Summary" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-04-22. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  4. ↑ "UAP In the UK Air Defence Region". Mod.uk. 2007-02-20. Archived from the original on 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  5. ↑ "UAP In the UK Air Defence Region: Volume 3 Executive Summary, Defence Intelligence Staff (2000), p. 2" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-08-06. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  6. ↑ Beckett, Anthony M. (1 April 2026). Proto-UFOs, Poltergeist & Plasma-Craft: A Study of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena and Things That Go Bump in the Night. Idea Press. p. 223-230. ISBN 978-1-0369-7332-2.
  7. ↑ "UAP In the UK Air Defence Region: Executive Summary, Defence Intelligence Staff (2000), p. 11". Mod.uk. 2007-02-20. Archived from the original on 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  8. ↑ "UAP In the UK Air Defence Region: Executive Summary, Defence Intelligence Staff (2000), p. 7". Mod.uk. 2007-02-20. Archived from the original on 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  9. ↑ "UAP In the UK Air Defence Region: Executive Summary, Defence Intelligence Staff (2000), pp. 7–8". Mod.uk. 2007-02-20. Archived from the original on 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  10. ↑ Stenhoff, Mark; James, Adrian (2016). Extreme weather : forty years of the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. pp. 227–228. ISBN 978-1118949962.
  11. ↑ Randerson, James (22 February 2007). "Could we have hitched a ride on UFOs?". The Guardian. "The nature of the security classification meant he was unable to discuss the study with scientists who might have been able to advise him on the credibility of the conclusions he reached," says Clarke. This explains Project Condign's baffling conclusion - that UAPs are real, but caused by strange plasmas, which are on the fringes of scientific understanding. "He ended up trying to explain one mystery by reference to another," says Pope.
  12. ↑ Dunning, Brian. "The Hudson Valley UFO Mystery". Skeptoid. Skeptoid Media, Inc. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  13. ↑ Schmalz, Jeffrey (1984-08-25). "Strange Sights Brighten the Night Skies Upstate". The New York Times. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  14. ↑ "Le mystère du célèbre OVNI des années 90 élucidé : "Une supercherie"". RTL. August 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  15. ↑ Dunning, Brian (2016-09-27). "Skeptoid #538: The Belgian UFO Wave". Skeptoid. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  16. 1 2 Stage, William (2000-04-05). "Space Case – Witnesses testify in the mystery of the Metro East UFO". Riverfront Times. Euclid Media Group LLC. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
  17. ↑ Dunning, Brian. "The St. Clair Triangle UFO". Skeptoid. Skeptoid Media Inc. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
  18. ↑ Mack, Eric. "Debunking my own UFO sighting, 14 years later". cnet.com. CNET. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  19. ↑ "ABC7Chicago.com: Lights in sky over Tinley Park have UFO believers looking up". 17 February 2007. Archived from the original on 17 February 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  20. ↑ Dekker, Julie. "Remembering the 'Tinley Park lights'". ChicagoTribune.com. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  21. ↑ "Tinley Park UFO sightings — discuss". ChicagoTribune.com. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  22. 1 2 3 Joiner, Angelia (10 January 2008). "Possible UFO Sighting". Stephenville Empire-Tribune. Stephenville, Texas.
  23. ↑ "Dozens Claim They Spotted UFO in Texas". All Things Considered. National Public Radio. 16 January 2008.
  24. ↑ "David, L. 2004, Sept. "Flying Triangle" sightings on the rise, NBC News". NBC News. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013.
  25. 1 2 Pope, Gregory T. Archive link: "America's New Secret Aircraft", Popular Mechanics, Vol. 168, No. 12, December 1991.
  26. 1 2 Mystery Aircraft: TR-3A, Global Security. (retrieved 28 March 2022)
  27. ↑ Wolchover, Natalie (2012-07-18). "'Invisible UFOs' Fill the Skies". LiveScience. Future US, Inc. Retrieved 2020-09-28.

Further reading

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  • "TR-3A Evolved From Classified Prototypes, Based on Tactical Penetrator Concept" Aviation Week & Space Technology, 10 June 1991. pp. 20–21
  • “Triangular Recon Aircraft May be Supporting F-117A” AW&ST, 10 June 1991. p. 20. William Scott
  • "America's New Secret Aircraft" Popular Mechanics, December 1991. pp. 32–35. Gregory T. Pope
  • "Possible Black Aircraft Seen Flying In Formation with F-117As KC-135s." Aviation Week, 9 March 1992. pp. 66–67
  • Popular Science, March 1993
  • "Stealth Watchers" Wired, Issue 2.02 February 1994. Phil Patton (article)
  • NBC Nightly News, 6 August 1997 segment showing U-2 with a triangle on undercarriage (CIA, USAF)
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