Unidentified flying object with fire trail seen in Virginia

Summary

In January 1958, a witness in Salem, Virginia, reported an unidentified object with a spherical shape and a fire trail. The object, described as 10 to 20 feet in diameter, had a greenish front and a reddish rear. The trail, bright red in color, was as long as the object itself. The witness observed it from their living room, and the object moved westward before disappearing after just a few seconds. Although various explanations were considered, such as meteors or aircraft, the reports failed to reach a clear identification.

The Air Force investigated the case as part of its study of aerial phenomena. The official report notes inconsistencies in the descriptions, but concludes that the observed characteristics are consistent with a typical phenomenon, such as a fireball. Despite this, the case remains unresolved, and the testimony is preserved as part of air intelligence records.