Cape May, New Jersey, December 1957May 1957

Insufficient Data

Summary

On December 3, 1957, at 7:15 p.m., Naval Air Station personnel at Cape May, New Jersey, reported a very bright object in the southern sky. The object moved slightly southwest over 40 minutes. Observers noted it appeared to be an explosion before disappearing beyond the horizon. The object was bright orange light. One witness was recorded. The Air Force concluded the sighting was definitely Venus based on bearings and elevations. The evaluation noted that newspapers had commented on multiple reports of the object and referenced H.O. Euphemens, Astro. Charts, and computers.

Reported location

Cape May, New Jersey, December 1957

Date of incident

May 1957

State / country

? / XX

Page count

2 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 31

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 2

View transcribed text

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

1. DATE
3 December 1957

3. DATE-TIME GROUP
Local 7:15 PM
GMT 04/0015Z

5. PHOTOS
Yes
XXX No

7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION
40 minutes

10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING
Very bright object noted in southern sky. Moved slightly to SW in 40 minutes. Sources stated that there appeared to be an explosion before it disappeared beyond the horizon.

2. LOCATION
Cape May, New Jersey

4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION
XII Ground-Visual
Ground-Radar
Air-Vised
Air-Intercept Radar

6. SOURCE
Naval Air Station Personnel

8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS
one

9. COURSE
S to SW

11. COMMENTS
Definitely Venus on the basis of bearings and elevations given. This planet now so bright that newspapers have commented how many persons have been reporting it. Re: H.O. Euphomens, Astro. Charts - computers.

12. CONCLUSIONS
Was Balloon
Probably Balloon
Possibly Balloon
Was Aircraft
Probably Aircraft
Possibly Aircraft
Was Astronomical
Probably Astronomical
Possibly Astronomical
Other_______
Insufficient Data for Evaluation
Unknown

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28975648