SW Ohio, May 1962May 1962

Insufficient Data

Summary

In May 1962, multiple witnesses in southwestern Ohio observed a fast-moving object crossing the sky from west to east. The object appeared bright and multicolored, with witnesses describing shades of red, blue, and green. Several observers reported seeing more than one object, arranged in clusters, moving together at great speed. The object was extremely bright, brighter than the brightest star. Witnesses were uncertain of its exact size but generally reported it as large. The object eventually disappeared by dimming and fading from view. At least one witness reported hearing a sound associated with the sighting.

The Air Force received witness statements from multiple locations in southwestern Ohio. These accounts described the object's motion, color, brightness, and apparent grouping. Some witnesses attempted to estimate the object's distance and speed. The case file indicates the sighting occurred in the evening hours, though specific times and exact durations vary somewhat between accounts in the questionnaires.

The Air Force's official assessment, noted on the case summary card, concluded the object possessed characteristics of a classic fireball or meteor. The evaluation noted the object's duration, color, and great speed as consistent with a fireball. The summary also mentioned a meteor shower was occurring in the area on the date of the sighting, and that sightings had been reported on television and radio. The file states the sighting contained no evidence indicating the object was a potential threat to national security and found no characteristics suggesting it was anything other than a natural atmospheric phenomenon like a meteor or bolide.

The full case file is reproduced below as held by the National Archives, containing 46 pages.

Reported location

SW Ohio, May 1962

Date of incident

May 1962

State / country

? / XX

Page count

46 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 45

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 46

View transcribed text

4 i =
& $
: sn - . PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD | rel
1. DATE 2. LOCATION 12. CONCLUSIONS
3 ; . 0 Wos Bolloon
: O Mav 1962 Sy Ohio 0 Probably Solicon
i 3. DATZ-TIME GROUP 4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION 0 Possibly Balloon
i Lovet 2 ) BD no Z O Was Alvcroft
3 its ethnic Ground-Yisual Ground-Rodar 0 Probebly Airerafs
| 4 EL De RE eae) Q Air Visual O Air-intercest Radar |D Possibly Aireroht
5 PHOTOS . SOURCE 0 Was Astronomical "1 rmohnal |
j TO You 0 Probobly Astrenomicel
fo 8 Ne Military and Civilian 0 Possibly Astronomical
; 7. LENGTH OF O83£RVATION 3. MUMBER OF OBJECTS | 9. COURSE ne [TAS CAR ie
: : O Insufticient Dota for Evaluation
pH . “rr 0 Unknown
3 3-5 Seconds i 1 B-W
i ee eet A —————————————————————. ————  — i <i met eet eee et. el. en. eA A etter eA, Se eget S—— ——————————  —— TT —
3 10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING 1). COMMENTS WEE ean .
f A number of witnesses in 5W corner of QO. Object possess &2ll characteristics of
F viewed an object moving E-W at great speed. classic fireball (meteor). Duration,
1 Object was vari-colored, red-blue-green, color and great speed. Object was
i but mors blue-green. Several witnesses re-|traveling in the opposite direction
2 ported more than one object in cluster and |from earth's satellite (artificial)
moving together. Object reported very bdbrighff family. Sightings did not possess
BE (brighter than brightest star.) Witnesses any characteristics indicating that it
not sure of size. Reporting generally that |was a potential threat to national
3 it was big. Object disappeared by dimming security. sighting contained no
and going out like light. Object described ]evidence indicating object was not a
3 as 5 dots, shiny, like atcms & diamond fireball.
i formed. Cns= witness reported sound with
object.
3 ATIC PORM 329 (REV 25 3EP 52)
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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28997113