Columbus, OhioJuly 1961

Unidentified

Summary

On July 1, 1961, in Columbus, Ohio, a civilian reported a bright light in the sky at approximately 10:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The 376th Command Post at Lockbourne Air Force Base received the initial report from a local resident. The object was described as a bright light in the sky at an elevation of approximately 45 degrees. Lockbourne tower reported visibility was clear and 7 miles. An Almanac check indicated possible Venus position in the sky. The 376th reported the incident to the 8th Air Weather Squadron at Rickenbacker Air Force Base. NORAD was later called and asked them to alert Aerial Phenomena Group at ATIC. At 3:15 a.m., another local resident called reporting a UFO. A caller stated the UFO was still in sight and asked for help observing it. At 9:13 a.m., USAF Command Post Major Hall reported receiving a message from Florida indicating a Florida resident had seen a UFO on July 2. The Air Force evaluation was unidentified.

Reported location

Columbus, Ohio

Date of incident

July 1961

State / country

OH / US

Page count

2 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unidentified

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 42

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 2

View transcribed text

PROJECT 13073 RECORD CARD

1. DATE                          2. LOCATION                    12. CONCLUSIONS
   1 JUL 61                        Columbus, Ohio               [X] Was Balloon
                                                                 [] Probably Balloon
3. DATE-TIME GROUP                4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION         [] Possibly Balloon
   Local 2230                        [X] Ground-Visual            [] Was Aircraft
   GMT      020430Z                  [] Ground-Radar              [] Probably Aircraft
5. PHOTOS                         6. SOURCE                      [] Possibly Aircraft
   [] Yes                            Civilian                    [] Was Astronomical [illegible]
   [X] No                                                        [] Probably Astronomical
                                                                 [] Possibly Astronomical
7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION          8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS    9. COURSE
   [illegible]                       1                           [illegible]

10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING: Bright light in NW sky reported to 376th at elevation of approximately 45 degrees, believed to be re-fraction of Venus. Reports phoned to GD.

11. COMMENTS: Bright light, according to almanac at NW elevation.

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28993238