Bakersfield, CaliforniaNovember 1957

Insufficient Data

Summary

On November 7, 1957, near Bakersfield, California, a civilian observer reported sighting an object described as basketball-sized, white with red and green lights that alternated colors, with an indefinite shape and orbiting motion. The sighting lasted one hour. Observers were reportedly looking for Sputnik at the time. The object was located 10 miles east of Bakersfield near George Air Force Base. Investigation noted the weather was overcast at dusk. An Air Force analyst concluded the observers actually saw sunlight reflected by aircraft, making the evaluation consistent with an astronomical or aircraft explanation rather than an unidentified object.

Reported location

Bakersfield, California

Date of incident

November 1957

State / country

CA / US

Page count

3 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 30

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 3

View transcribed text

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

1. DATE: 7 November 1957
2. LOCATION: Bakersfield, California
3. DATE/TIME GROUP: Level GMT 08/0206Z
4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION: Ground-Visul [Ground-Visual], Air-Interept Radar
5. PHOTOS: Yes, No
6. SOURCE: Civilian
7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION: one hour
8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS: one
9. COURSE: orbiting
10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING: Object, size of basketball, white with red and green lights, alternating colors, orbiting. Indefinite shape.
11. COMMENTS: Venus
12. CONCLUSIONS: [checkboxes] Was Balloon, Probably Balloon, Possibly Balloon, Was Aircraft, Probably Aircraft, Possibly Aircraft, Was Astronomical-Venus, Probably Astronomical, Possibly Astronomical, Other, Insufficient Date for Evaluation, Unknown

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28974196