UFO in the shape of a crescent near the Moon

Summary

In October 1962, a pilot and co-pilot on a KC-135 reported a bright object shaped like a crescent moon near the actual Moon. The object, bright orange in color, was observed for only 1.5 seconds and appeared at the 10 o'clock position on the Moon. The observers noticed a flash on the horizon before the object appeared. The Moon was just above the horizon, suggesting unusual optical conditions. The report suggests it could have been an astronomical phenomenon related to the Moon or an optical illusion caused by atmospheric refraction.

The official report concluded that the object was not a balloon or aircraft, but likely an astronomical phenomenon related to the Moon. It mentions that the object appeared very close to the star Regulus, supporting the theory of an optical illusion. Despite the observers being qualified military officers, they could not definitively identify the object. The report was filed without a conclusive explanation, but with a clear indication that atmospheric conditions and the Moon's position played a key role in the sighting.