Round UFO seen in Texarkana in 1961

Summary

In July 1961, a witness in Texarkana, Texas, spotted a bright, round object the size of a baseball. The object moved in a straight line from southwest to northeast, remaining visible for about four minutes. Although no photos were taken and no physical evidence was found, the report notes that the object disappeared quickly, possibly entering Earth's shadow. The responsible officer concluded it could have been a weather balloon, a common explanation for such sightings at the time.

The official investigation was conducted by the 4238th STRATWG, which contacted several air and weather authorities. None confirmed any balloon launches in the area, but the responsible officer considered the object's movement and description consistent with a balloon. Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, the report highlighted the accuracy of the civilian's testimony, who was questioned using a standard format. This case, like many from the era, reflects the difficulty in distinguishing between natural phenomena and unidentified objects.