A reddish object seen over Florida

Summary

In November 1961, a witness in Florida observed a round, reddish-orange object the size of a car tire at arm's length. The object appeared above the treetops to the south and quickly ascended, remaining visible like a star. As it rose, it brightened intensely before disappearing. The sighting was reported by two reliable civilians, one from a car dealership and another from the state highway department. Despite the detailed description, the report concluded the object could not be identified, though a balloon was considered a possibility.

The report included precise weather data and wind observations at different altitudes, indicating the phenomenon was taken seriously. However, the object's rapid ascent and sudden brightness did not match typical balloon behavior. The responsible officer was contacted and visited the site, but no further clues were found. This case is part of a pattern of similar sightings in the area, but it was the first to be officially reported.