Luminous UFO seen in Phoenix in 1952

Summary

In August 1952, an aircraft technician in Phoenix, Arizona, observed a glowing yellow-orange object that initially appeared as a round ball, three times the size of a DC-6 plane. The object moved in a straight line at a constant speed and made no noise. As it advanced, it elongated into a narrow shape and reached speeds between 600 and 700 mph. The witness, a recently discharged navy aircrewman, claimed it was not a reflection or astronomical phenomenon. The sighting lasted about five minutes and the object disappeared toward the northeast. Despite considering other explanations like balloons, no definitive conclusion was reached.

The official report, part of Project 10073, describes the object as a luminous ball that transformed into an elongated shape. The witness, an avid UFO enthusiast, saw the object from the ground while working on an aircraft. The report includes details about weather conditions, exact location, and speed estimates. Although conventional explanations like balloons or aircraft were mentioned, the report did not rule out the possibility of an unknown object. This case is another example of the many unresolved sightings during the Cold War era.