Hyattsville, MarylandAugust 1956

Insufficient Data

Summary

On August 26, 1956, in Hyattsville, Maryland, a civilian observer reported seeing one object with the appearance of a conical shredded parachute. The object had a reddish to whitish glow and seemed unusually bright, resembling a star. The observer spotted it in the southeast at about 15 degrees above the horizon. The object rose slowly and moved south while remaining visible through binoculars for two hours and was still in sight when the report was filed. The sighting was evaluated as astronomical.

Reported location

Hyattsville, Maryland

Date of incident

August 1956

State / country

MD / US

Page count

3 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 26

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 3

View transcribed text

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

1. DATE
26 August 1956

3. DATE-TIME GROUP
Local
GMT 27/0300Z

5. PHOTOS
Yes
No

7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION
two hours

2. LOCATION
Hyattsville, Maryland

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

6. SOURCE
Civilian

8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS
one

9. COURSE
South
rising/in orbit

10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING
One object, with appearance of a "conical shredded parachute." Object had reddish to whitish glow. Object noticed by observer because it seemed to be an unusually bright star. Obj sighted in the SE at an elevation of about 15 dgr. Obj was rising slowly & moving south. Object was seen visually & through binoculars for two hours & was still in sight at time of rpt.

12. CONCLUSIONS
Was Balloon
Probably Balloon
Possibly Balloon
Was Aircraft
Probably Aircraft
Possibly Aircraft
Was Astronomical/Misc
Probably Astronomical
Possibly Astronomical
Other
Insufficient Data for Evaluation
Unknown

11. COMMENTS
Sighting was undoubtedly caused by Venus. Evaluated as astronomical.

ATIC FORM 329 (REV 26 SEP 51)

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28967190