UFO seen in Portland in 1958

Summary

In June 1958, an 80-year-old woman in Portland, Oregon, observed a bright object the size of a full moon. The object, described as shiny and surrounded by haze, was moving northwest in a straight line and ascending at a speed comparable to a jet. The sighting lasted two to three minutes, and no sound was associated with it. The official explanation pointed to sunlight reflecting off a surface—such as a car windshield—onto a haze and smoke layer at a certain altitude, which could make even a small aircraft appear as a round object from a distance. The witness's age was also considered, as poor eyesight common in older people can alter perception.

The report, classified under Project 10073, includes weather details and a discussion with a meteorologist supporting the theory of sunlight reflection. Despite the plausible explanation, the case remains intriguing due to the detailed description of the object and the coincidence of weather conditions that allowed such an optical phenomenon. The lack of photographs or radar adds mystery to this case, although there is no conclusive evidence of an unidentified object.