The 1965 Elk Grove Village mystery

Summary

In February 1965, a woman from Elk Grove Village, Illinois, reported seeing a glowing oval object over a neighbor's house around midnight as she returned home from a late medical appointment. She described the object as two interconnected ovals of uniform light that seemed to sway back and forth, with no sound. Despite her detailed account, Dr. J. Allen Hynek concluded that the phenomenon could be explained as a refraction of the setting first-quarter moon. The moon was at a declination that matched the bearing and elevation reported by the witness. Hynek noted that the lack of astronomical knowledge and the clear sky supported this natural explanation.

The investigation included a detailed filming for an NBC documentary, where the witness reenacted the event with precision. Although her testimony was consistent and detailed, Hynek emphasized that she was not an expert observer and that her emotional reaction might have influenced her perception. Additionally, during filming, NICAP (a UFO research group) members made outlandish claims, such as the existence of "little green men" in a Chicago museum. Despite these distractions, Hynek remained professional and concluded the case had no unexplained elements. The official report concluded the phenomenon was astronomical, attributable to the moon.