Air Intelligence Information Report — Unidentified Flying Objects Reporting (FLYOBRPT) — 5 Feb 53

This Air Intelligence Information Report, dated February 5, 1953, details a sighting of an unidentified flying object reported by a civilian observer, Mr. John Ripple, near Quarryville, Pennsylvania. On the evening of February 1, 1953, at approximately 2100EST, Mr. Ripple observed an orange-red, pulsating light that appeared elliptical in shape. The object was initially seen hovering approximately twenty-five degrees above the horizon. Over the course of approximately twenty minutes, the object moved toward the horizon, reversed its direction to climb upward, and then moved slowly toward the horizon again, eventually diminishing in brightness until it disappeared. The witness reported that there was no sound, no exhaust, and no trail associated with the object, and that it did not resemble normal navigation or landing lights. Weather conditions at the time were clear with 15 miles of visibility. Three other witnesses were present but could not provide additional details, though one mentioned seeing three other similar objects in the same area in the preceding weeks. The reporting officer, 2d Lt. Joseph W. Widing, Jr., noted that the primary witness was a farmer who had previously looked for 'flying saucers' and had reported seeing two others during the summer. The report concludes that no airports were in the area and that aircraft were not responsible for the behavior described. While the form itself contains a handwritten note identifying the object as 'Astro (MARS & VENUS)', the formal summary states that the motion and brightness of the object eliminated the probability of ordinary astronomical phenomena.