Fire in the Sky over Clovis

Summary

In December 1963, multiple witnesses in Clovis, New Mexico, reported a bright object in the sky, later classified as an astronomical meteor. Two sightings were recorded, both of a yellow-orange fireball moving northeast. One observer, an intelligence officer, described it as a "fireball" that faded out. Another, a housewife, compared it to a flaming plane. Though two sightings occurred 90 minutes apart, there were no sounds or radar confirmations. Investigators concluded it was likely a meteorite, though no physical evidence was found. The night was clear, allowing visual observations, but no photographs were taken.

Descriptions of the object varied slightly among witnesses, but all agreed it had no defined shape and moved silently. Details included its size (pea-sized at arm's length) and flight path. Despite contacting the FAA and other authorities, no flights were reported in the area. Ultimately, investigators concluded the phenomenon was astronomical in origin, though certainty could not be confirmed.