Red glow over Hokkaido, Japan

Summary

In November 1955, an F-86 pilot reported a bright red glow while flying at 25,000 feet over Hokkaido, Japan. The object, initially spherical, flattened over time while retaining its brightness. The pilot observed it for five minutes, ruling out a burning aircraft or afterburner. Atmospheric conditions and the object's position suggested possible moon refraction on the horizon. However, the pilot insisted it was an atomic explosion, comparing its shape to a nuclear mushroom cloud. Despite this, later analyses pointed to a conventional explanation, such as moonlight reflecting through clouds. The case remains intriguing due to the pilot's detailed account and the ambiguity of the evidence.