Fireball with tail over Kentucky

Summary

In 1957, a civilian in Covington, Kentucky, reported seeing a "ball of fire with a big tail" moving northeast. The object was described as too high and too slow to be an airplane, according to the witness. The sighting occurred from a window, with a neighbor also observing. While several explanations were considered, such as a jet aircraft or a comet, there was not enough data to reach a definitive conclusion.

Investigators reviewed aeronautical charts and suggested the object might have been an aircraft en route to Cincinnati. However, the description of the tail resembled that of a meteor. Despite these possibilities, the report concluded that the data were insufficient for a clear evaluation. The case was filed without a definitive resolution, though the possibility of an astronomical phenomenon remained.