UFO photographed in Modesto 1953

Summary

In September 1953, a newspaper photographer in Modesto, California, captured an elliptical light on a night photograph. The light appeared while the photographer left the camera open for four hours on the roof of a building. Initially, he thought it was an aircraft with a landing light, but unable to explain the phenomenon, he contacted Castle Air Force Base. Investigators concluded it was likely from an aircraft near the airport, supported by the coincidence of runway orientation and location.

The photograph, taken with a Speed Graphic camera, showed an elliptical light about 10 degrees above the horizon. Witnesses, including a reporter, had seen a similar light heading toward Modesto Airport. Although no clear physical evidence was found, civilian observers reported seeing an aircraft with a landing light in the area during the exposure time. The official conclusion pointed to a conventional aircraft, but the case remains intriguing for UFO enthusiasts.