I saw UFO's tonight

When I say UFO, I literally mean that, I could not identify these flying objects. I am not sure as to what they were exactly or their origin.

This was about 9:30 PM in the southeastern sky near Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii.

These objects at first I thought were planes, except, they were moving too slowly. Then, I thought they were helicopters.

At first I saw three, flying in a formation of an equilateral formation at about a 45 degree angle from me in the sky. I estimate their speed to be about 100 mph, and the altitude of the one at the apex was maybe about 16,000 feet, and the two at the bottom about 11,000. They flew slowly away, disappearing into the clouds. Two more appeared, and disappeared into the clouds. They had orange-red lights. The last one looked almost like it was soaring, because it moved left and right like a glider or a bird soaring.

The most strange thing to me was the formation of one being so much higher than the others, and them forming an equilateral triangle. I knew it couldn't be fireworks because they stayed in the air so long.

I am guessing military aircraft.

I'm Guessing Chinese Lanterns.

originally posted by: Soloprotocol
I'm Guessing Chinese Lanterns.

Will they travel at 100mph though?

It was new years eve so I imagine there were enough of them about.

a reply to: AzothPendragon

They had orange-red lights

New years eve + orange lights in the sky = Lanterns.

originally posted by: nonspecific

originally posted by: Soloprotocol
I'm Guessing Chinese Lanterns.

Will they travel at 100mph though?

It was new years eve so I imagine there were enough of them about.

yes, if the wind at that altitude is 100mph.

a reply to: Soloprotocol

Fair enough it is new years day lol.

But assuming that the OP judged the speed and altitude correctly could it remain alight at that speed and height?

originally posted by: nonspecific
a reply to: Soloprotocol

Fair enough it is new years day lol.

But assuming that the OP judged the speed and altitude correctly could it remain alight at that speed and height?

What did the op use to measure the Height and speed with. ? Unless you know the size of the objects in question judging distance and speed is nigh on impossible unless you have a frame of reference.

a reply to: Soloprotocol

yes, if the wind at that altitude is 100mph.

A Chinese lantern surviving and functioning in 100 mph winds?

a reply to: donktheclown

We don't know that the wind speed was 100 mph or what the wind speed actually was at the level the lanterns were flying /floating.

Crazy. I never heard of flying Chinese lanterns, and I am part Chinese. Now, I think that's what they were. I probably misjudged the distance and speed because I assumed they were aircraft, so they probably were a lot closer, than I assumed They were really high, though. High enough to disappear behind clouds.

The equilateral triangle formation could easily have been a coincidence.

I want to make one now, and fly it on Chinese New Year.

Thanks everyone for helping me solve this.

originally posted by: AzothPendragon
Crazy. I never heard of flying Chinese lanterns, and I am part Chinese. Now, I think that's what they were. I probably misjudged the distance and speed because I assumed they were aircraft, so they probably were a lot closer, than I assumed They were really high, though. High enough to disappear behind clouds.

The equilateral triangle formation could easily have been a coincidence.

I want to make one now, and fly it on Chinese New Year.

Thanks everyone for helping me solve this.

Hey, easy mistake to make if you have never seen one. certainly had me scratching my head when i first clapped my eyes on one. You dont need to make one, you can buy them in the UK for a quid a time. I doubt they will be any dearer anywhere else.

What you could do is tie 10 together using very light gauge wire, space them out evenly in a circle. Attach a micro fan somewhere in the chain. Light all ten, get the fan going, let loose.

Then sit back here and wait for the posts flying in.

a reply to: Soloprotocol
Sky lanterns are illegal in Honolulu.

But then so are aerial fireworks. These are not officially sanctioned displays, btw.




As a point of reference, for the OP

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: Soloprotocol
Sky lanterns are illegal in Honolulu.

i'm guessing fire hazzard..?

a reply to: Soloprotocol

Yeah. I would think so.

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: Soloprotocol

Yeah. I would think so.

Over here they are more concerned about Cows choking on them....seriously, you couldn't make this stuff up....if you weren't a mentalist.

originally posted by: gortex
a reply to: donktheclown

We don't know that the wind speed was 100 mph or what the wind speed actually was at the level the lanterns were flying /floating.

I think he was more meaning 100mph winds is category 2 hurricane speeds.