A 1963 UFO sighting in Lorton Virginia

Summary

In April 1963, a woman in Lorton, Virginia, reported seeing a moon-shaped object about 10 feet in diameter that displayed changing colors. The object appeared green under clear light, blue with sunglasses, and red when clouds passed. It remained stationary for an hour, without changing its position relative to the sun. Investigators, including Dr. Hynek, concluded it was likely a "sun dog," an optical phenomenon caused by light refraction through ice crystals. The witness initially claimed to have observed the object for three hours but later corrected her statement to one hour. This confusion, along with the object's fixed relationship to the sun, supported the theory that it was not an unidentified flying object, but a natural atmospheric phenomenon.

The investigation included site visits and detailed weather analysis. Despite the long observation duration, no additional photos or records confirmed the presence of an unknown object. Military officers and scientists concluded there was insufficient evidence to consider the case as a real UFO sighting, instead viewing it as a misinterpreted natural event.