This is the second in a two-part series about the history of the "flying triangles". This installment will examine the commonly reported characteristics of the objects, in addition to presenting two distinctly different theories regarding their possible origins.

Reports of flying triangles, boomerangs, wings, etc., became increasingly prevalent during the early 1980's, through the 1990's. While there were some variations in descriptions being reported from witnesses from all over the world, there are some strikingly similar characteristics as well. While most witnesses describe a regular triangular shape, some reports mention rounded corners. In general, there is no sound associated with the objects, although some have described hearing a loud rumbling noise. The flying triangles are generally silent unless the witness is located directly beneath the object, and it is flying slow and low.

Probably the most striking of all the characteristics are the presence of lights. These lights can be divided into three groups: white flashes, colored lights, and an orange glow. Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the triangle reports are brilliant, almost blinding white flashes. These usually, but not always, occur when the craft rapidly accelerates or decelerates. Most recently, a local triangular object reported in White Oak, Pennsylvania back in January of this year reported just this type of occurrence before the object just suddenly vanished. Flashes also occur in pairs, as it appears the craft often hovers, or flies very slowly for roughly five minutes before taking off, in a flash, at a tremendous speed, only to "stop on a dime" five seconds later. Some reports describe two closely timed flashes some distance apart. Still other witnesses report lights flashing red and blue. Whatever these craft are, they do not conform to standard aeronautical practice. Colors of the lights vary from read and blue, in addition to green, yellow and white. Lights at the tips are also commonly reported as a white light on the leading tip, and an orange light in the center. Finally, a yellow/orange glow is observed just prior to taking off in a flash.

The triangles appear to have two commonly reported speeds of travel - hovering very slowly, and extremely fast. Most of the craft appear to travel at very low altitudes. Typical reports describe "just above the roof-tops", or "passing directly over the tree line".

Are these crafts terrestrial, or extra-terrestrial in origin?

There are basically two theories of thought about the suspected origins of the flying triangles. Either they are terrestrial, meaning of this earth in design, and functioning under highly top-secret cover, or they are extra-terrestrial. It is generally accepted that the triangles more closely resemble other UFO's, rather than public-known conventional aircraft in design, propulsion, and use. Nearly all UFO's combine the ability to move silently, although some are reported to emit humming or whirring noises when observed at close range; the ability to change speed and direction in an instant; and a range of speeds from hovering and very slow, up wards to extremely fast - some reports claim speeds beyond Mach 10. They also often give off electro-magnetic effects, including interference with televisions and radios, car electrical systems, etc. It appears in all these craft, including the flying triangle, the ability to be propelled by some sort of electro-magnetic device which could also act as an anti-gravity force-field providing for inertia-free acceleration/deceleration and flight.

There is evidence that a consortium of scientists test-flew an aircraft 150 miles in Canada, in 1987, using a microwave energy force and that, theoretically, an aircraft powered in this fashion would be able to fly almost indefinitely, provided the power continued to be beamed at it. Several of the "new generation" stealth aircraft are remotely piloted vehicles.

So, what are these things, and where are they coming from? - That is a question that continues to baffle both the UFO and scientific communities. Many of the observations seem to come from areas that are located within close proximity of Air Force bases, and thus some credence to the argument that these are secret military tests. The stealth bomber certainly fits the description of a flying triangle, to some extent. However, reports of triangular-shaped objects come in from every corner of the globe, many of which are thousands of miles from the nearest military facility. Could these be secret military experiments that the government conveniently exploits the public UFO misconception as a cover-up? Other theorists offer that these are indeed earthly crafts, but have been "reverse-engineered" from actual extra-terrestrial vehicles that have been recovered by the military. Still others maintain that these are visitors from beyond.

We may never know the truth, but the fact is that the flying triangles are not going away. The most recent statistical report from the Mutual UFO Network (Mufon) received 72 reports of triangular-shaped objects in April, 2009 alone.