UFO identified as Venus in New Hampshire 1957

Summary

In December 1957, a civilian in Littleton, New Hampshire, observed a bright object in the sky resembling a landing light. The object was white, luminous, and about the size of a pea. Despite remaining stationary for three to four minutes and producing no sound, investigators concluded it was not a UFO, but the planet Venus. The description, along with elevation and azimuth calculations, matched known positions of Venus at that time. Additionally, Venus was so bright that it was noted in astronomical journals and U.S. newspapers. Although the witness had no clear explanation, the available data pointed clearly to an astronomical explanation.

The official Project 10073 report concluded the object was not an aircraft, balloon, or unknown phenomenon, but Venus. This was supported by the absence of aerial activity in the area and the alignment of observational data with astronomical calculations. Although some witnesses, including a former Air Force member, could not explain what they saw, investigators found no physical or photographic evidence supporting an alternative explanation. The case was closed as a well-identified astronomical event, not a UFO sighting.