Bright UFO seen near Ketchikan in 1961

Summary

In March 1961, an observer at Guard Island near Ketchikan, Alaska, reported a bright circular object moving slowly in a straight line. The object, the size of an orange to a basketball, changed color from brilliant white to intense green before disappearing with a flash. The military-classified report describes a visual sighting confirmed with binoculars, though it suggested the object could be a star or balloon. The observation lasted 37 minutes, with an elevation angle of 60 degrees, indicating a clear and detailed encounter.

The report lacks photos or radar data but notes favorable weather conditions with 20-mile visibility and scattered clouds. Despite the good conditions, no conventional explanation was found for the phenomenon, making it an intriguing UFO case in history.