UFO spotted in 1961 at RAF Upper Heyford

Summary

A bright circular object was observed near RAF Upper Heyford in England in March 1961. Witnesses described it as white or yellowish, ranging in size from an orange to a basketball. While ground observers considered it stationary, radar detected slow movement. The object disappeared and reappeared without clear explanation, adding to the mystery. The official report suggested possible thermal inversion or cloud reflections, but no definitive explanation was found.

The weather was generally clear with some haze and fog, conditions that could have contributed to the confusion. There was no known air traffic or balloon activity in the area. Despite simultaneous radar and visual observations, investigators could not identify the object. The report concluded there was insufficient data for a conclusive evaluation, though it pointed to possible astronomical or meteorological causes.