Kansas City, MissouriNovember 1957

On the night of November 20, 1957, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri reported seeing an unusual object in the sky. The observer watched a star-like object, about the size of a pea, that appeared to glow white and cast red and green shadows. The object seemed to have a tail and remained visible for roughly 40 minutes before disappearing from view.

The Air Force investigation examined the sighting details, weather conditions, and astronomical data from the date and location. Local weather records indicated that an unusually bright star was visible that evening. The case file notes that atmospheric conditions that night included a warm layer of air at low to moderate altitude, a phenomenon that can create optical distortions and make celestial objects appear unusual or distinctive to an observer on the ground.

The Air Force concluded that the object was likely the planet Venus, observed under atmospheric conditions that produced an atypical appearance. The brightness of Venus, combined with atmospheric refraction and perhaps humidity or temperature inversions near the observer, would account for the reported color shifts, apparent tail, and extended visibility. Many similar reports of unusual star-like objects were received by Project Blue Book during 1957, most of which the Air Force attributed to Venus observations.

The full case file, consisting of 14 pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.