Spherical UFO sighted in Newport News in 1951

Summary

In July 1951, two soldiers in Newport News, Virginia, reported a spherical object with a gaseous glow that suddenly appeared in the sky. The phenomenon was observed for 25 minutes and was located in the northwest at approximately 45 degrees elevation. According to witnesses, the object suddenly blacked out and plunged earthward, possibly disappearing into a cloud. Although initially considered a possible aircraft or astronomical body, investigators concluded it was the star Arcturus. However, the details of the sighting suggest something more unusual.

The official investigation was conducted by Air Force and Army officers who evaluated the report and classified it as a resolved case. Despite this, the witnesses agreed the object did not exhibit characteristics of a conventional aircraft or a common astronomical body. The report was archived under security protocols and only declassified decades later. This case remains a mystery for many UFO enthusiasts.