Project 10073 Record Card — West Palm Beach, Florida, 28 January 1955

On January 28, 1955, at 1215Z, a civilian witness in West Palm Beach, Florida, observed a single, round, silver object for a duration of one hour. The witness, identified as a Mrs. [illegible] residing near the corporate limits of West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach, reported that the object approached from the Northeast, performed an orbital maneuver, and subsequently proceeded to the south. The object was described as having an initial diameter of approximately 14 inches, which appeared to diminish in size to that of a basketball as it moved away. The witness was observing birds in her yard when she noticed the object. The weather conditions at the time were reported as clear with surface winds from 360 degrees at 15 knots. No radar contact was made, and no optical aids were used during the observation. The incident was documented on a Project 10073 Record Card and a teletype message (JESQM 34). Official evaluation of the report concluded that, based on the reported shape, color, and flight characteristics, the object was likely a weather balloon.