Spherical UFO with bright light in Springfield

Summary

A corrections officer in Springfield, Missouri, observed a round object 15 to 25 feet in diameter with a steady bright light and a white smoke trail. The object moved from north to south and then west at low altitude. The witness, wearing glasses, noted no sound and described the object disappearing behind trees after 10 to 15 seconds.

Local authorities and the CAA found no reported flights or traces of the object. While a balloon or aircraft were considered, the steady light and lack of noise raised doubts. The report concluded it could be an aircraft, but the unknown nature of the phenomenon was not ruled out.