38.00N 161.00W 34.55N 154.40E (PACIFIC), September 1961September 1961

Insufficient Data

Summary

On September 21, 1961, at about 1700Z (Greenwich time), military aircrews reported an object over the Pacific Ocean. The report was filed on the Project 10073 record card, the Air Force's official record for unidentified flying object reports.

The object appeared as a large circular area of high intensity light with a dark center or rim, like a doughnut or smoke ring. One report said it was about 2 degrees in diameter and the sky and stars could be seen through the clear center. It was seen at about 50 degrees elevation and moved to the east-southeast at orbital speed, leaving a faint glowing trail. It was visible for about 6 minutes. Crews said it was not like an aurora.

The Air Force concluded the sighting was caused by missile activity, noting a missile exercise was in the area at the time of the sighting.

Reported location

38.00N 161.00W 34.55N 154.40E (PACIFIC), September 1961

Date of incident

September 1961

State / country

? / XX

Page count

6 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 44

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 6

View transcribed text

FE | PROJECT 10073 RECORD |
E 1. DATE - TIME GROUP 2. LOCATION
E 21 September 1961 21/1700Z © 38.00N 161.00W 34.55N 154.4LOE (PACIFIC)

i 3. SOURCE 10. CONCLUSION

3 Military Other (MISSILE ACTIVITY)

i 4. NUMBER OF OBJECTS SE : ;

b Missile exercise in area at time of sighting.
E One

4 : 5. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 11. BRIEF SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS
1 6 Minutes " Object appearing as large circular area of high intensity
BE | TYPE OF OBSERVATION lignt. With dark outer rim traveling at orbital speed leav-

3 ing faint glow or treil. Doughnut appearance. Observed to

RE Ground ,Air-Visual £ and looked like light as it got closer it was brilliant
7. COURSE with the center missing. 2nd report of object appearing like
4 ] smoke ring 2 deg in diameter. Not like Aurora. Ring
3 ESE darker than rim around ring. Object moving ESE.

FE! 8. PHOTOS ; :

¢ O Yes
= AT No
A: 9. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE |
3 O Yes | :

E FORM
: FTD sep 63 0-329 (TDE) Previous editions of this form may be used,

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28994783