UFO sighted at Misawa, Japan in July 1961

Summary

In July 1961, an officer at Misawa Air Base in Japan reported a luminous object resembling a second-magnitude star. The sighting occurred at 22:16 local time and lasted about a minute. The object was observed at 70 degrees above the horizon and moved in a straight line without maneuvers, disappearing behind obstructions at 20 degrees elevation. Although a weather balloon was initially considered, investigators concluded it was likely a slow meteor. The lack of a trail and the bright night due to a full moon explained its prolonged visibility. The report, classified as secret, emphasized the need to carefully evaluate data amid international tensions.