Starlike UFO over the Pacific in 1961

Summary

In November 1961, a U.S. vessel in the Pacific reported a bright object crossing the sky. The sighting described a star-like object of second magnitude brightness, moving northeast in parallel with the Milky Way. Observed for 15 minutes, it vanished below the horizon without a trace. Military evaluators classified it as an Echo I satellite echo, part of a weather balloon program. Yet, the detailed description and unusual trajectory left some uncertainty.

The case was logged by multiple military branches and shared with several air defense units. Despite the official classification, the object's nature remained somewhat unclear. The report lacks photos and relies solely on visual observation, limiting further analysis. This document is part of a series of UFO reports from the era, when technology and astronomical knowledge were still evolving, and the unexplained was common.