Bright sky explosion over Japan

Summary

In September 1961, a U.S. pilot at Yokota, Japan, observed a bright explosion in the sky. The object appeared as a fireball with a short tail and emitted such intense light that it illuminated the entire cockpit. The observation lasted 2 to 3 seconds, with the explosion itself lasting half a second. Two pilots confirmed the sighting, though they noted little to no movement. Authorities ruled out an atomic explosion due to altitude and direction. Although a meteorite was considered, the report classified it as likely a bolide—a meteorite exploding in the atmosphere.