UFO detected by radar in Maryland 1961

Summary

In February 1961, an officer at Fort Meade base in Maryland recorded an unidentified aerial phenomenon detected by radar. The object appeared suddenly on the AN/FPS-33 radar screen, showing an unusual trajectory: abrupt direction changes, sudden stops, and extreme speeds. Although no photos were taken and it wasn't visually seen, the radar tracked it for 20 minutes. Specialists concluded it was likely caused by a temperature inversion, an atmospheric phenomenon that can reflect radar signals erratically. However, the unpredictable movement of the object generated some uncertainty.

Fort Meade base, part of the air defense system of the time, submitted a detailed report to the ATIC (Aerospace Technical Intelligence Center) for evaluation. Despite no physical evidence or abnormal weather conditions being recorded, later analyses pointed to an atmospheric explanation. The lack of temperature data below 10,000 feet complicated a definitive confirmation, but experts considered a nocturnal temperature inversion as the most plausible cause. This case reflects how UFO reports were often resolved with natural explanations, although not always convincing everyone.