UFO sighted at Scott AFB in 1956

Summary

A military officer at Scott AFB, Illinois, reported a circular orange object with a green tail that vanished in seconds. The sighting occurred on January 3, 1956, at 19:30 CST, when the witness observed an object rapidly ascending without making any sound. The object’s tail was ten times longer than its body, drawing attention due to its unusual appearance. Although the report included no photos or radar data, the observer concluded it was a meteor, given the ephemeral and luminous nature of the phenomenon.

The report is part of Project 10073, a mid-20th century initiative to document unidentified sightings. Despite details like direction, estimated speed, and lack of noise being recorded, no definitive explanation was found. The official conclusion was that the object was likely astronomical, though other possibilities were not ruled out. This case, like many others, reflects the uncertainty surrounding sightings in the 1950s, before more rigorous protocols were established for analysis.