Torrance, CaliforniaMarch 1956

Unidentified

Summary

On March 17, 1956, at 7:04 p.m., a civilian in Torrance, California reported observing one round object that appeared fish-shaped when turning. The object resembled a street light from one angle but a bright white star-like object from another. It featured rays extending from it with a violet-colored exhaust about 30 feet long. The observer first saw the object at 210 degrees azimuth and 45 degrees elevation, then watched it move to 270 degrees azimuth at 45 degrees elevation before it disappeared. The sighting lasted one hour and thirteen minutes. The object was viewed through an unknown type telescope. The witness reported the object appeared to be a meteorite initially, moved over Palos Verde and the ocean, and hovered before turning behind a hill near Redondo Beach. The observation lasted approximately one hour and thirteen minutes. The Air Force concluded the sighting was probably astronomical, specifically consistent with characteristics of Venus observation.

Reported location

Torrance, California

Date of incident

March 1956

State / country

CA / US

Page count

3 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unidentified

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 24

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 3

View transcribed text

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

1. DATE: 17 March 1956

2. LOCATION: Torrance, California

3. DATE-TIME GROUP:
Local _______________
GMT 18/04152

4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION:
XGround-Visual
Air-Visual
Ground-Radar
Air-Intercept Radar

5. PHOTOS:
Yes
No

6. SOURCE:
Civilian

7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION:
one hour thirteen min one

8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS:
see description

9. COURSE:

10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING:
One object, round when standing still but "fish-shaped" when turning. Like a street light at times, like star at other times. First seen at 210 dgr 45 dgr elevation. Disappeared at 270 dgr. 45 dgr elevation. Bright white with rays extending fm it and with a violet colored exhaust. 30 feet long. Seen through telescope, type and power unknown.

12. CONCLUSIONS:
Was Balloon
Probably Balloon
Possibly Balloon
Was Aircraft
Probably Aircraft
Possibly Aircraft
Was Astronomical Venus
Probably Astronomical
Possibly Astronomical
Other
Insufficient Data for Evaluation
Unknown

11. COMMENTS:
Discounting initial azimuth, object conforms with characteristics of Venus observation.

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28965175