Air Intelligence Information Report: Sighting of Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon, Atlanta, Georgia, 9 February 1955

This Air Intelligence Information Report details a UFO sighting that occurred on 9 February 1955 in Atlanta, Georgia. The primary witness, an Eastern Air Lines pilot who was also an amateur astronomer, observed a large, round, silver sphere while in his backyard. The object remained stationary for approximately two hours before appearing to decrease in size and vanish. The witness used binoculars to observe the object, noting that it initially appeared as a silver sphere but later displayed red and emerald green colors with a twinkling red light on its lower portion. The witness also reported that the object appeared to jettison two-thirds of its structure, which consisted of gas or smoke and liquid, before accelerating and disappearing. The report includes a formal investigation by the 4602d AISS. It was concluded that the object was a weather balloon. This conclusion was substantiated by reports from the Birmingham tower regarding a balloon over Haralson, Georgia, and the subsequent recovery of the balloon by Air Force personnel from the 35th Air Division, who arrived at the location and found the equipment.