New York, New YorkJuly 1962

In early July 1962, members of the Zoological Astronomical Terra-nautical Association reported two separate sightings in New York City that neither local experts nor newspapers could explain.

The first sighting occurred on July 2, 1962, at approximately 9:30 p.m. Two observers watched from Central Park and saw an object that resembled a brightly lit electric light bulb. The witnesses described it as appearing very low in the sky, even lower than typical airplane altitudes. The object moved from east to west, traveling a short distance near the stars of the Big Dipper before vanishing without a trail. The sighting lasted about two seconds.

A second incident took place about a week later, on July 9, 1962, around 9:45 p.m., also observed from Central Park. This object appeared roughly the size of an average star and traveled from the southwest to the northeast across the sky. The witnesses noted it resembled the Echo satellite, which had been visible the previous year.

The observers submitted detailed reports to the Air Force, including technical questionnaires. They provided sketches and estimates of the object's size and movement. When asked for their opinion on what they saw, one witness suggested it could have been a reflection of sunlight on molecules in the atmosphere. The Air Force ultimately labeled the case unidentified, finding no explanation for either sighting.

The full case file, consisting of 13 pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.