# Lateral Thinking Puzzles. Let's do it again! **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [October 23, 2019, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193 "2019-10-23T21:32:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 27
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/521 "2019-11-17T23:27:49Z")
\*\*(I have one when this one is solved) :steps out:\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/522 "2019-11-17T23:37:33Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > **The bird took flight not long after dawn. Outside of the darkness, it twinkled in the morning light.** > > **What exactly was twinkling?** So: The twinkling was from man-made artifact(s) on the ground, made in part from metal and glass. It was observed by (at least) one passenger from an ordinary (non military) airplane. The twinkling itself was reflected sunlight. And the darkness is the shadow of the plane. I think these are all wrong, but here I go: \*\*Is the twinkling anything to do with lights on the ground? Like landing/runway lights? \*\* \*\*Were there mirrors on the ground reflecting light for some reason? \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/523 "2019-11-17T23:38:54Z")
Was this at Kitty Hawk? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/524 "2019-11-18T00:03:38Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > Was this at Kitty Hawk? The event is, I think, not famous according to Strangelove. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/525 "2019-11-18T00:08:48Z")
Was the twinkling a reflection? Was it a reflection of lights from the aircraft? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/526 "2019-11-18T00:08:51Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > So: > > The twinkling was from man-made artifact(s) on the ground, made in part from metal and glass. It was observed by (at least) one passenger from an ordinary (non military) airplane. The twinkling itself was reflected sunlight. > > And the darkness is the shadow of the plane. > > I think these are all wrong, but here I go: > > Is the twinkling anything to do with lights on the ground? Like landing/runway lights? **NO** > Were there mirrors on the ground reflecting light for some reason? **YES** (although of a very particular kind) dr. s ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/527 "2019-11-18T00:13:16Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Was the twinkling a reflection? **YES** > > Was it a reflection of lights from the aircraft? **NO** As a reminder from before: the the twinkling is reflected sunlight > [@Mahaloth](#): > > The event is, I think, not famous according to Strangelove. Correct. (I think the answer is fairly close at hand now…) ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/528 "2019-11-18T00:13:42Z")
So: The twinkling was from man-made artifact(s) on the ground, made in part from metal and glass. It was observed by (at least) one passenger from an ordinary (non military) airplane. The twinkling itself was reflected sunlight off mirrors of a very particular kind. And the darkness is the shadow of the plane. Again, perhaps repetitive: Was the plane the sky? Was it at 30,000 ft or so? Were the mirrors satellite dishes? Solar panels? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/529 "2019-11-18T00:15:06Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > As a reminder from before: the the twinkling is reflected sunlight > Correct. > > (I think the answer is fairly close at hand now…) Was the reflecting light from the Moon? Which is reflecting light from the sun? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/530 "2019-11-18T00:29:29Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > The twinkling itself was reflected sunlight off mirrors of a very particular kind. Telescopes? Binoculars? Cameras? Some other type of optical equipment? Sunglasses? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/531 "2019-11-18T02:31:00Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Was the reflecting light from the Moon? **NO** > > Which is reflecting light from the sun? dr. s ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/532 "2019-11-18T02:33:38Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Was the plane [in] the sky? **YES** > Was it at 30,000 ft or so? **NO** > > Were the mirrors satellite dishes? Solar panels? \*\*NO \*\*and **NO** dr. s ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/533 "2019-11-18T02:46:39Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Telescopes? Binoculars? Cameras? **NO, NO, NO** > Some other type of optical equipment? \*\*IN A MANNER OF SPEAKING \*\*(One would not traditionally think of these as optical equipment. But they share the underlying technology with a particular optical device. ) > > Sunglasses? **NO** **The bird’s riders see their shadow move across the city streets. The shadow is dark, but around it, sunlight glints. They are not blinded by the sun, for it is behind them.** ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/534 "2019-11-18T02:52:27Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > **The bird’s riders see their shadow move across the city streets. The shadow is dark, but around it, sunlight glints. They are not blinded by the sun, for it is behind them.** Is this the full answer, then? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/535 "2019-11-18T03:11:00Z")
Eyes? Humans ? Animals? Cats eyes? (as in the animal) Cats eyes? (As in the road safety device) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/536 "2019-11-18T04:05:56Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Is this the full answer, then? No, just a little nudge in the right direction… > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Eyes? Humans ? Animals? **NO, NO, NO** > > Cats eyes? (as in the animal) **NO** > > Cats eyes? (As in the road safety device) **YES!** At least in part–but this essentially the answer (what else might display the same effect, but to an even greater degree?) Can you figure why these devices would have shone so brilliantly in the area just around the shadow? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/537 "2019-11-18T13:12:02Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Can you figure why these devices would have shone so brilliantly in the area just around the shadow? Car brake lights braking? And twinkling off the car rear-view mirrors? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/538 "2019-11-18T16:30:02Z")
When the person is answering questions, could you also repost the puzzle itself for our convenience? This would also dispense with the two character requirement if you answer within quoteboxes. ETA: from what I can tell the current puzzle is **Dr. Strangelove** ’s: "The bird took flight not long after dawn. Outside of the darkness, it twinkled in the morning light. What exactly was twinkling?" ~Max ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/539 "2019-11-18T16:44:26Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > I have one, if no one else does. I think I may have asked the question a while back in a different form, but hopefully no one remembers that. Bear with me since I’ve never done one of these before. > > **The bird took flight not long after dawn. Outside of the darkness, it twinkled in the morning light.** > > **What exactly was twinkling?** ETA: thought I should spoiler my guess since I’m joining at the last minute. My guess based on everything presented so far is that pavement markers reflected sunlight into the eyes of a plane’s passengers. “Outside of the darkness” refers to the fact that sunlight is not reflected back to the passengers where the plane’s shadow covers pavement markers. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/540 "2019-11-18T16:57:19Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Can you figure why these devices would have shone so brilliantly in the area just around the shadow? retroreflective tape? Retroreflective tape specifically on road signs? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=28)