Meteor Sighting in Georgetown, South Carolina

Summary

In December 1957, a witness in Georgetown, South Carolina, observed a bullet-shaped object, about the size of a pencil lead, moving at high speed with a multicolored tail. The object appeared suddenly, displaying colors like orange, green, purple, and pink before fading out of sight. Although the possibility of a rocket fired during nearby naval operations was considered, the short duration of the sighting (only 8 seconds) ruled that out. Investigators concluded it was likely a meteor, though the ongoing U.S. Navy activity in the area could not entirely exclude a rocket launch.

The official report classified the event as an astronomical phenomenon, with no evidence supporting an unidentified object. The observer, a civilian duck hunter, provided detailed information about the object's trajectory, adding credibility to his account. Despite the lack of additional confirmation, the case was closed without further investigation.