UFO seen in Maine in 1956

Summary

In January 1956, a witness in Pittsfield, Maine, observed a round object that appeared 10 times larger than the brightest star. The object had a white center, red and blue edges, and moved erratically without making noise or leaving contrails. The report suggested it could be Venus, which was in the west at 15 degrees elevation. The witness used binoculars and observed the phenomenon for half an hour, adding credibility to the account.

Despite the detailed description, no photos were taken and no radar data was recorded. The official evaluation pointed to an astronomical explanation, though other possibilities were not ruled out. This case reflects the common confusion between natural phenomena and unidentified objects, and how observers tried to make sense of what they saw with the tools available at the time.