1961 stationary UFO over Minot and Bismarck

Summary

In March 1961, an unidentified light was observed near Minot, North Dakota, at an altitude of 1,000 feet. The light changed colors from white, green, yellow, and red, remained stationary for 15 minutes, and then disappeared into the horizon. Witnesses included both military and civilian personnel, and several aircraft landed around that time without observing the phenomenon.

The official conclusion pointed to Venus as the most likely explanation. The planet was very low on the horizon and its brightness (-4.3 magnitude) made it the brightest object in the sky at that time. Atmospheric refraction was considered a possible cause for the perceived color changes and movement. This case fits within a wave of similar sightings in late February and early March 1961, attributed to misidentifications of Venus.