UFO sighted in Kenema Sierra Leone in 1963

Summary

In November 1963, a British science teacher in Kenema, Sierra Leone, observed a luminous object moving from the west at a speed similar to an aircraft. The object emitted regular flashes and had a bright halo, with a rippling trail that caused widespread alarm. Many people were so affected that they spent the night in the mosque or dancing until dawn.

The official response identified the object as an Atlas/Centaur-2 missile launched from Cape Canaveral. The launch occurred at 19:03 GMT and the missile was also seen passing over Monrovia, Liberia. Although the initial report lacked photos, the testimonies matched the expected behavior of the missile, leading to the conclusion that it was not an unexplained phenomenon.