Projectile-shaped UFO over West Virginia

Summary

In November 1957, multiple witnesses in Abingdon, West Virginia, reported seeing an unidentified flying object shaped like a projectile, glowing orange to red. It was described as an elongated object, about 12 feet long and 2 feet wide at its widest point, tapering to a point. The object was observed for five to six minutes and moving northeast, at an altitude higher than typical for commercial aircraft.

Military authorities considered the phenomenon could be explained as a specular reflection caused by the setting sun on a high-flying aircraft, which would account for the reddish hue and unusual appearance. Despite the lack of photographs or radar confirmation, several witnesses agreed on the object's description and trajectory. The absence of confirmed air traffic in the area and the lack of sound during the sighting added mystery to the case.