UFO photography in Washington 1952

Summary

In April 1952, a geologist from the United States Geological Survey took a night photograph of the Washington, D.C. area showing a mysterious bright spot. The photographer, unaware of the object's nature, sent it to the Air Technical Intelligence Center for analysis. The image was captured with a 20-minute exposure and showed no signs of movement, ruling out an airplane. The center's response suggested the spot could be the result of a slight abrasion on the negative, known as a "static mark," which increased photographic density. Although the geologist did not receive a clear explanation, the case remains an example of how UFO sightings were handled in the 1950s.