Over Wilkes Barre, Pa., November 1958November 1958

On November 18, 1958, a pilot flying over Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, spotted an unusual object in the night sky. The object was oblong or cigar-shaped, about the size of a rolled-up Time magazine held at arm's length, and hung in a vertical position. The color shifted from reddish-orange to white as the pilot watched.

The object appeared to have a small trail or stream coming from its top. It made no sound. The pilot observed the object using binoculars, though the magnification power was not recorded. The object did not appear to move very fast. At first it climbed at a 90-degree angle, then changed course to a 45-degree angle. Eventually, an overcast layer of clouds moved in front of it, blocking the view. The pilot watched for between five and ten minutes total.

The object was stationary during most of the sighting, located roughly 25 to 30 degrees above the horizon in the vicinity of Allentown, Pennsylvania. The Air Force received a report of the sighting on November 2, 1958, and requested a formal investigation. Some of the observers who saw the object from the aircraft believed it was a cloud formation. The file notes that the weather at the time included overcast conditions and light rain showers. The Air Force's official conclusion listed the sighting as "unknown."

The complete case file, comprising 8 pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.