UFO Sighting Report - Minneapolis, Minnesota, 30 November 1953

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report regarding an unidentified flying object sighting over Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 30 November 1953. The report, prepared by 1st Lt. Bernard Lehder of the 31st Air Division (Defense), details an incident lasting approximately 25 to 35 minutes, beginning at 0430Z. The object was observed by three sources, including one civilian and two Air Force officers. The witnesses described the object as a flashing, diamond-like light that changed colors between white, red, blue, yellow, and green. It was reported to be stationary or drifting slowly in a South to North direction at an estimated altitude of 3000 to 4000 feet. The witnesses noted that the object appeared to be the size of a pea held at arm's length and made no sound. The report includes extensive investigative efforts to identify the object, including contacting the 514th Air Defense Group, the 10th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, and local civilian agencies such as General Mills, the University of Minnesota Physics Department, and Winzen Laboratories to check for balloon launches. Radar reports from the 31st Air Division were negative. The official conclusion reached by the Air Technical Intelligence Center was that the sighting was an astronomical phenomenon, specifically the refraction of the star Sirius and the planet Jupiter. The report notes that the reliability of the sources was considered good, as two of the witnesses were pilots with significant flying experience. The document includes several enclosures, including weather data, altitude calculations, and observer statements.