NE Coast, U.S., January 1961January 1961

On January 20-21, 1961, multiple Coast Guard stations and light stations along the northeast coast, including Brant Point near Nantucket Island, reported seeing unidentified objects in the sky. The first sighting occurred around 11:43 p.m. on January 20. The object initially displayed red and white flashing lights, then changed to a steady white light. Observers reported the object seemed to give off rays like the sun, and estimated it was two to three times larger than a normal star.

The object's movement was unusual. It started by moving from north to northeast, then suddenly climbed from an estimated 15,000 feet to around 21,000 feet and remained steady. Over the following hours, multiple stations reported seeing the same or similar objects at various positions. Some witnesses described the objects as sphere-like in shape. The sighting lasted roughly four and a half hours, with reports coming from Brant Point, Sankaty Head Light Station, Siasconset LORAN Station, Chatham Light Station, Brenton Reef Light Vessel, and Cross Rip Light Vessel.

Different observers reported conflicting descriptions. While some described red and white lights, others reported seeing blue objects. One report mentioned four stationary objects, while another described objects with tails. A few stations reported apparent movement, though some observers believed the objects were actually stars whose apparent motion was due to Earth's rotation. During the sighting, two LORAN stations (navigation radio stations) reported experiencing interference on their frequencies, though the cause remained unclear and may have been related to the bad weather that was likely present at the time.

The Air Force evaluated the sightings as consistent with the planets Mars or Regulus, or possibly astronomical bodies. The file notes that because weather conditions were not formally reported, a definitive conclusion could not be reached. However, the varying observer accounts, the stations' technical difficulties, and the general nature of the reports all complicated the investigation. The full case file, comprising eight pages of declassified records, is reproduced below as held by the National Archives.