Approx 1000 Mi WSW of Azores Is, January 1959January 1959

In January 1959, a ship at sea approximately one thousand miles southwest of the Azores Islands reported observing an intensely bright object in the sky. The object pulsated through a sequence of colors, shifting from white to deep red to green and back to white over the course of about three seconds. A white glow appeared in the surrounding sky, and the object remained visible for thirty minutes before becoming obscured by clouds.

The object appeared stationary throughout the observation. It was located at bearing two hundred thirty-five degrees, about five degrees above the horizon. The witness estimated the object's apparent diameter to be roughly twice the size of Venus. Radar operators detected no return from the object, and no electronic disturbances were reported.

The Air Force's analysis noted that Venus was positioned in the location where the sighting occurred. The file suggests that clouds and haze in the atmosphere would account for the apparent changes in color that the observer reported. The official evaluation concluded that the sighting was probably astronomical in nature.

The complete case file, consisting of twelve pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.