Spherical UFO sighted in Minnesota 1961

Summary

A witness in Buhl, Minnesota, reported a round object the size of a tennis ball, white with a hint of red, that flickered intermittently between bright and dim. The object remained stationary for 25 minutes before moving west-northwest and disappearing over the horizon. The observation lasted 44 minutes and was recorded on January 13, 1961. Although initially considered a balloon or aircraft, investigators concluded it was likely the planet Venus, which was particularly bright at that time of year. The reddish hue was attributed to Venus being near the horizon, creating an optical effect. The witness, an assistant manager at a hardware store, was verified by a local policeman who confirmed the sighting.