E Of Norfolk, Va. 36.42N 70.25W Atlantic, August 1958August 1958

On August 24, 1958, the master of the M/V Urania, a Liberian tanker sailing east of Norfolk, Virginia, watched a bright white light streak across the night sky. The object appeared around 2049 GMT (roughly 4:49 p.m. local time) and remained visible for 38 to 45 seconds. It rose from an altitude of about 25 degrees above the horizon and grew noticeably brighter and larger as it climbed, resembling a falling star moving in a direction described as east to northeast. The observer noted the light was much closer and more vivid than any ordinary star, though he heard no sound accompanying it.

The sighting occurred during clear weather with south to southwest winds at 5 miles per hour. Scattered stratocumulus clouds dotted the sky, but none obstructed the view. The observer, identified as the second officer Erik Lindquist, was on deck when the bright light drew his attention. No photographs were taken, and no trail was observed. The Coast Guard relayed the report from the ship to the Air Force on August 24.

The Air Force's investigation found an explanation. Controllers at Vandalia, a nearby weather station, reported that a weather balloon carrying radiosonde instruments (devices used to measure atmospheric conditions) had been released at 1250 local time that same day. The balloon was attached to a parachute and equipped with radio instruments. The winds at the time were favorable to carry the balloon over the area where the observer reported seeing the object, making a weather balloon the probable source of the sighting.

The file was marked "Insufficient information" in its comments section, though investigators concluded the observation was likely that of a balloon. The complete case file, as held by the National Archives, comprises 14 pages.