UFO sighted in the Pacific in 1962

Summary

In July 1962, a U.S. Navy ship reported an unidentified object in the Pacific. Observers described it as a bright white object, the size of the star Arcturus, slowly moving along the horizon. The sighting lasted 13 minutes, observed under a clear moonlit night without optical aids. No photos were taken and no radar was used, but witnesses confirmed the object was not a known satellite.

Initial reports considered the possibility of a balloon, aircraft, or astronomical phenomenon, but no definitive conclusion was reached. The Navy noted that satellite data was not available at the time, and the object's description and movement suggested it was more likely a satellite than anything else. This case is part of declassified files showing how military authorities handled UFO sightings with care, even without reaching conclusive answers.