Parhelion photographed in New Mexico 1958

Summary

In September 1958, a photographer in Huerfano Mesa, New Mexico, captured images of a luminous phenomenon that initially appeared to be an unidentified object. The photograph showed a rainbow-like figure at about 45 degrees from the vertical, which generated curiosity and was sent to the military for analysis. The report included details such as the time of the sighting, the exact location, and a visual description of the object.

After a detailed analysis, experts concluded that the phenomenon was not an unidentified flying object, but a parhelion, an atmospheric optical phenomenon caused by the reflection of sunlight in ice crystals. This type of phenomenon, also known as a "sun halo," is relatively common under specific weather conditions. Although the first image clearly showed the parhelion, the second revealed no additional elements, confirming that there were no other objects in the sky.