Flying saucer

For unexplained aircraft sightings, of which many are described as flying saucers, see Unidentified flying object.
For other uses, see Flying saucer (disambiguation).

An alleged flying saucer seen over Passaic, New Jersey in 1952

A flying saucer is a purported disc-shaped UFO. In science fiction, reported UFO sightings, and UFO conspiracy theories, they are typically piloted by nonhuman beings.[1] The term "flying saucer" or "flying disc" can be used generically for a mysterious flying object. The term was coined in 1947[2] but has gradually been supplanted since 1952 by the United States Air Force term unidentified flying object, (UFO). Early reported sightings of unknown "flying saucers" usually described them as silver or metallic, sometimes reported as covered with navigation lights or surrounded with a glowing light, hovering or moving rapidly, either alone or in tight formations with other similar craft, and exhibiting high maneuverability.

  1. ^ Britt, Ryan (13 September 2016). "Meet the UFO Expert Who Doesn't Believe in Aliens". Inverse. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  2. ^ "This Is Why People Think UFOs Look Like 'Flying Saucers'". Time. Retrieved 18 May 2020.