UFO spotted west of the Azores in 1961

Summary

In January 1961, a U.S. Navy officer reported an unusual object while flying near the Azores. The object appeared close to Mars but was dimmer and moving eastward. It was visually tracked for 5 to 10 minutes before disappearing over the horizon. The crew described it as an object with a brightness less than Mars, at approximately 45 degrees altitude. Its straight path and motion suggested it might be a satellite.

The official conclusion leaned toward a satellite, though other explanations were not ruled out. The report included precise time, location, and details but no photographs. This case is part of a series of aerial sightings analyzed during the era to rule out conventional explanations.