A 1965 UFO sighting in Washington DC

Summary

In February 1965, a civilian in Washington DC observed a yellowish object for over an hour, initially mistaking it for a star. The witness, from his bedroom window, noticed the object moving and believed it to be as large as an aircraft. Although the official report attributed the sighting to Arcturus, a bright star, the witness insisted the object moved laterally and toward the southeast. The duty officer could not locate the object during the interview, leading to some confusion. Eventually, the object disappeared slowly, shrinking in size, prompting the conclusion it might have been an optical illusion or a weather balloon. The witness was considered credible, though no physical evidence supported the sighting.

The report includes precise coordinates and weather data, indicating a serious investigation. However, there were no photos or physical evidence. The duty officer attempted to confirm if a weather balloon had been launched, which turned out to be true, though it could not be observed. The witness, a 33-year-old chemical engineer, described the object as consistent in size and color, and observed it for over an hour. Despite the evidence and interview, the case was closed without a definitive explanation, attributed to the astronomical phenomenon of Arcturus.