Mysterious UFOs fly in formation as astronomers report triangle of lights vanishing 'in the blink of an eye'

A group of astronomers reported watching two formations of mysterious lights race silently above their observatory before one vanished in an instant.

Eight members of the Salford Astronomical Society, a volunteer-run, not-for-profit astronomy club, were said to have witnessed the encounters over Salford, England, on October 7.

The first involved glowing orange orbs moving together across the sky.

Just 25 minutes later, a different arrangement appeared overhead, this time resembling a triangle.

The witnesses described both displays as unusually fast and unlike conventional aircraft.

Their account estimated speeds exceeding 500mph and placed the closest encounter at 500 feet.

Checks of flight tracking information and a military flying schedule did not explain it, according to the report.

The report, submitted to the National UFO Reporting Center on October 8 and published October 13, describes two encounters above the society’s observatory.

A group of astronomers reported watching two formations of mysterious lights race silently above their observatory before one vanished in an instant (stock)

The first began at 7:54pm, when six orange orbs reportedly passed overhead in a V formation.

They were traveling southwest, with the witnesses estimating that the lights were approximately 500 feet above them.

The account does not explain how that height was calculated or provide a size estimate for the orange lights.

At 8:19pm, attention turned to three white lights arranged at equal distances from one another.

Their positioning outlined an equilateral triangle, with the report suggesting the lights appeared to mark the tips of a single shape.

The estimated size entered for the triangular arrangement was between 100 and 200 feet.

However, the description does not establish that a solid surface was visible between the lights, leaving the apparent connection between them uncertain.

Then, the three lights abruptly disappeared.

The witness described them vanishing ‘in the blink of an eye,’ as though someone had switched them off.

That wording describes a sudden loss of visibility, rather than demonstrating that an object physically disappeared.

The account lists a duration of 30 seconds, although it does not specify whether that applies to one encounter or the two combined.

Silence was another feature emphasized by the person who submitted the report.

Both formations were described as ‘very fast moving, absolutely silent,’ with the observer saying they did not resemble conventional aircraft.

The submission also lists pilot and aviation expertise among the observer details, but does not name the witnesses or explain their qualifications.

According to the account, the group checked flight tracking information after the sightings.

Aircraft departing Manchester Airport had been flying above the area, the witness said, but none appeared overhead at the times of the encounters.

The report does not identify the tracking service or include records showing what information was available.

The witnesses also dismissed drones, citing the lack of sound and saying no drone activity was planned locally.

They said a check of the Ministry of Defence’s low-flying schedule showed nothing planned in the area.

Those checks reflect the witnesses’ efforts to identify what they saw, but do not independently establish the source of the lights.