UFO over Illinois seen for two hours

Summary

In June 1954, an observer in Illinois described a pear-shaped, transparent object with no sound, which remained in the sky for two hours. He was alerted by a radio call from a nearby airport. Using binoculars, a 60-power telescope, and a movie camera, the observer confirmed the object had no exhaust or tail and moved slowly northwest. Despite the duration of the sighting and the use of optical tools, the object was not definitively identified, though it was considered a possible weather balloon.

The official conclusion suggested it was likely a balloon, given its appearance and behavior. However, the lack of noise and the object's transparency created some uncertainty. The report, prepared by an Air Force officer, noted the object behaved similarly to a Rawinsonde, a type of weather balloon. Despite this, the description and absence of conventional features like exhaust or noise kept the mystery around the sighting.