UFO sighted near Los Angeles in 1962

Summary

An oval-shaped object was observed over the mountains of Los Angeles on September 27, 1962, shortly after sunset. The observer, looking north, described an object the size of a dime moving in a straight and smooth path at an estimated speed of 250 mph. The object did not appear self-luminous, had a dull finish, and did not reflect light. The sighting lasted about six seconds, and the witness, who claimed to have researched flying saucers extensively, requested an official opinion. The Air Force suggested it could be a meteor and recommended contacting local observatories for possible correlations with other sightings.

The official Air Force report considered several possibilities, including balloons, aircraft, or astronomical phenomena, but reached no definitive conclusion. The witness was asked to provide more details on how he estimated the object's speed and altitude, as the available information was limited. The Air Force emphasized that its primary interest was assessing potential threats and gaining scientific knowledge, not in theories about extraterrestrial visitors. The case was filed without a conclusive resolution, but it remains an interesting example of how UFO reports were handled in the 1960s.