A cigar-shaped meteor seen by a jet

Summary

In February 1961, a fighter pilot reported an unusual object while flying over Montana. The object was cigar-shaped, ranging in size from a dime to a pea, and changed color from green to dull orange. Although initially considered a balloon, aircraft, or even a satellite, the object suddenly broke up and disappeared in one second. The pilot, flying at 39,000 feet, could not clearly identify it.

Observers concluded the object might be a bolide, a type of meteor that shines brightly when entering the atmosphere. Despite the detailed description, there were no photos or radar confirmations. The official report classified it as an astronomical phenomenon, but the unusual nature of the sighting remains intriguing.