UFO sighted over Elmira in 1957

Summary

In July 1957, a civilian in Elmira, New York, reported seeing an unusual object in the sky. The object was described as a white sphere the size of a pea, appearing suddenly and moving slowly north and then east. The observer watched it for an hour and a half, though not continuously. Weather and wind conditions suggested it might have been a balloon. Despite the clear description and long observation time, no photos or additional data were recorded.

The official evaluation concluded it "could be a balloon," a common response when no conventional explanation was found. However, the object's apparent stillness before moving slowly raised some curiosity. Although no radar activity or aircraft were identified in the area, the report did not rule out an astronomical phenomenon. As with many cases, this one was filed without a definitive resolution.