Red-orange spherical UFO over College Park

Summary

A red-orange spherical object was observed over College Park, Maryland, on January 8, 1963. Multiple witnesses, including a pre-medical student, saw it pass through the sky for three to five minutes. The object was first spotted at about 35–40 degrees above the western horizon and disappeared over the eastern horizon. Observers used 7x50 binoculars but could not discern any specific features. The atmosphere had a thermal inversion, which might have distorted the view, but could not explain the duration or speed of the object.

The official evaluation ruled out a meteor, balloon, or satellite. The most plausible conclusion was a jet aircraft with afterburner. However, no air traffic was confirmed in the area, and there were no radar returns. The phenomenon remains unexplained, though the evidence leans toward a conventional explanation.