UFO Identified as Venus in 1962

Summary

In 1962, a Brooklyn resident wrote to the military to identify a bright object in the sky. The witness described it as a large star with an "L" shape and an orange glow, thinking it could be an aircraft, satellite, or even a weather balloon. After consulting various agencies, including the Hayden Planetarium, no clear answers were given. Eventually, the witness himself concluded the object was the planet Venus. His original letter to the military was answered with a UFO reporting form, but no further information was recorded.

The confusion was understandable, as Venus can appear artificial due to its brightness and apparent movement. The account shows how even careful observations can mistake astronomical objects for aerial phenomena. The case was archived without further investigation, but it serves as an example of how public curiosity about sky objects was handled by authorities in the 1960s.