Lexington, Ky., February 1958February 1958

In February 1958, observers in Lexington, Kentucky reported seeing unusual objects in the sky. According to the Air Force case file, there were at least three separate sightings described. One witness saw a bright, round object with a bluish-red color that appeared larger than a shooting star and produced a burst of flame with a tail. Another observer reported a bright flash of light. A third witness described a round, blue-green object about the size of a softball that appeared orange when first sighted.

The sightings were brief, lasting only a few seconds in most cases. One object was reported to move directly overhead and then disappear over the horizon toward the south. The observations were made from the ground during nighttime conditions. Weather data from the area at various altitudes was recorded as part of the investigation, with wind speeds and directions documented for different elevations.

The Air Force investigation included detailed reports from witnesses and coordination with local air traffic control and intelligence officials. The case file notes that everything in the description suggested a probable explanation, though the specific conclusion is difficult to extract from the heavily redacted portions of this document. The file remains marked as containing classified information and was distributed to various Air Force intelligence offices.

The complete case file, comprising 7 pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.