UFO sighting at weapons testing site

Summary

In July 1960, near Wewak at Maralinga, an unidentified light was reported. A balloon officer initially thought a balloon had caught fire, but no evidence was found. A constable sitting in his caravan observed a bright light moving east to west, changing from white to red. Other witnesses, including technical and scientific staff, also saw the light, though their accounts varied in duration. Possible explanations like gun fire, aircraft, or atmospheric effects were ruled out, but no definitive cause was identified.

One theory suggested the light could be "St. Elmo's fire," but calculations by a health physics officer pointed to the possibility of an unidentified flying object, such as a satellite or a flying saucer. Despite investigations, the source of the light remained unconfirmed. It was considered either a meteor or static electricity, but both had limitations. In the end, the phenomenon had no clear cause, leaving open the possibility of a UFO sighting.