Glen Ellyn, IllinoisJuly 1963

On the evening of July 1, 1963, a resident of Glen Ellyn, Illinois observed an unusual object moving across the night sky. Using a theodolite (a surveying instrument that measures angles and altitude), the observer measured the object's position at an initial altitude of five degrees and a compass bearing of 140 degrees (roughly southeast). To the naked eye, the object appeared round and very bright, with a yellowish color. Over the course of an hour and thirty minutes, it moved slowly from its starting point down toward the western horizon.

The observer used a telescope to get a closer look and noted that the object displayed three small globes connected together by a curved line or arc. This arrangement was what the observer said created the round, bright appearance when viewing the object without magnification. The object remained steady in its motion throughout the entire observation period. According to the witness, the brightness was comparable to the planet Venus.

The observer reported seeing similar objects on two other occasions: once in December 1963 or January 1964, and again during the early part of November in an unspecified year. The witness had some relevant background in astronomy and noted having studied various celestial topics, which they felt qualified them as a competent observer. At least two other people witnessed the object through the telescope, and a fourth person observed it without optical aid. The initial report went through several channels, including NASA and the Smithsonian Observatory, before reaching the Air Force.

The Air Force's evaluation noted that the object moved too quickly for a star or planet if the duration and position data were correct, and that it was moving in the wrong direction for an upper-air balloon. Two comets were visible during that period, and Saturn was also in the sky. The Air Force concluded the sighting was unidentified. The full case file is reproduced below as held by the National Archives, comprising 12 pages of microfilm.