Project 10073 Record Card: Charleston, South Carolina Sighting, 31 Dec 55

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and an associated teletype report regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed on December 31, 1955, in Charleston, South Carolina. The report details a sighting by two civilians, identified as a doctor and a housewife, who observed a single yellow and red flaming object. The object was described as elongated in shape, with a size varying from that of a grapefruit to a basketball. The witnesses reported that the object made no sound and appeared to have an exhaust trail. The object was observed for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, during which time it moved in a northerly direction before moving vertically to the south. The observers noted that a vapor trail from an aircraft passed between them and the object at a lower angle. Following the disappearance of the object, a star was noted in the same vicinity. The official conclusion reached by the Air Technical Intelligence Center was that there was insufficient data for a definitive evaluation, noting that Venus was not visible and suggesting the possibility of a balloon, an astronomical sighting, or a jet aircraft. The report was filed by the 792nd AC&W Squadron in accordance with Air Force Regulation 200-2.