UFO seen in Wilmington in 1966

Summary

In March 1966, a civilian in Wilmington, Delaware, called a radio station to report that he, his wife and children had observed an unidentified flying object for twenty minutes. The object was described as flat on the bottom and rounded on top, similar to a half grapefruit. It moved slowly southward with some back and forth (north to south) motion. The report included testimonies from other observers, including an air force officer and a weather observer, who initially mistook it for a star or planet.

After investigation, military authorities concluded the object was Venus, the brightest planet in the solar system. Its light, combined with a haze layer around it, could have created the illusion of color and movement. Despite the explanation, several witnesses insisted it was not a known celestial body. This case is part of a series of similar sightings in the region during that time, prompting some interest from air force officials.