Spherical UFO seen in Richmond 1956

Summary

A witness in Richmond, Virginia, reported a round object resembling a basketball, silvery and translucent, moving slowly northeast. The object was observed for about an hour using a 35-power telescope. A light aircraft was sent to 6,000 feet to investigate but couldn't get closer. An F-94C made a brief search with no results.

The official conclusion was likely a balloon, though an astronomical object was also considered. The report was received on April 26, 1956, but no further reports were found in the files. The detailed description and inability to approach suggest the object was non-conventional.