UFO seen in Raleigh in 1961

Summary

In November 1961, students in Raleigh, North Carolina, observed a greenish-yellow object while looking at Jupiter through a telescope. The object appeared suddenly, moved southward, and disappeared within three to four seconds. It made no sound and its shape was invisible, only its lights were seen. The witnesses agreed that the sky was clear with no clouds. The official report classified it as a meteor, although the students were unsure. The description of the object and its behavior matched that of a typical bright meteor, especially due to its color and possible fragmentation just before disappearing.

The Pope Air Force Base and Raleigh weather stations confirmed clear conditions and good visibility in the area. Although the report was submitted several months later, authorities concluded there was no evidence the object was anything other than a meteor. Still, the students' testimony and the drawing of the phenomenon suggest the experience was unusual and memorable for those who witnessed it.