Aurora and illusion in Walden 1957

Summary

In November 1957, a civilian in Walden, New York, observed an elongated object for nine minutes. Initially rosy in color, it faded as it lightened, eventually disappearing from view. The report classifies the phenomenon as an astronomical aurora, though it also mentions the possibility of a critical illusion. The most plausible explanation points to moonlight reflecting off low cumulus clouds, a common interpretation in cases where there is no clear physical evidence.

The object was not photographed and the observation was made from the ground, without radar assistance. Despite the considerable duration of the sighting, no additional data was obtained to confirm the nature of the phenomenon. The report concludes that it was neither a balloon nor an aircraft, but rather an astronomical phenomenon or an optical illusion. This case reflects how UFO reports are often resolved with natural or psychological explanations, without the need for exotic hypotheses.