Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Sighting Report — Marysville, Tennessee, 15 January 1953
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AI-Generated Summary
A civilian in Marysville, Tennessee, reported a balloon-shaped object with lights on 15 January 1953. ATIC concluded the object was likely an upper air research balloon.
On 15 January 1953, at approximately 0145 E.S.T., a civilian witness at the Lakenout Drive-in Theater in Marysville, Tennessee, observed an unidentified object. The witness described the object as balloon-shaped, featuring a red light on top and a yellow light on the bottom. The object was observed for a duration of 30 to 40 minutes, during which it was seen slowly descending and drifting toward the west before eventually disappearing from sight. The report notes that there were no visible means of propulsion and no intercept action was taken. The observation was made under clear weather conditions with 15 miles of visibility. The report was relayed by the CAA radio-range station at Knoxville, Tennessee. Following an investigation by the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC), it was concluded that the object was likely a balloon, noting that many upper air research balloons were active in the area during that period. No physical evidence was recovered, and no air traffic was reported in the vicinity at the time of the sighting.
Balloon shaped object with red light on top and yellow light on bottom, slowly descending and drifting towards west.
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Official Assessment
Possibly a balloon.
The object was identified as a balloon-shaped object with lights, observed for 30-40 minutes. The investigation noted that many upper air research balloons were crossing the area during this period.