UFO falls like meteor in Ansted

Summary

A witness in Ansted, West Virginia, observed a luminous object falling from the sky in May 1964. The object, described as a ball of fire with a 40-foot tail, shone with an intensity comparable to a welding arc. Although the sighting lasted only a few seconds, the witness noted that it made no sound and its brightness exceeded that of the sun. The initial report classified it as a meteor, though its vertical fall and size raised questions. The witness, a 40-year-old man with experience in aerial observation, sent a letter to the military to report the phenomenon.

The official military response confirmed the object was a meteor, noting that its vertical fall and short duration matched the characteristics of a bright meteor. Despite this explanation, the detailed testimony and comparisons to known objects like electric arc furnaces or magnesium flares add interest to the case. The lack of sound and absence of atmospheric trail suggest a rapid and direct fall, typical of a large meteor. This case reflects how even natural phenomena can generate doubts and spark curiosity about the unexplained.