PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD - 17 March 1956 - Torrance, California

On March 17, 1956, a civilian witness reported observing an unidentified object in the sky over Torrance, California. The sighting lasted for one hour and thirteen minutes, beginning at 18/0415Z. The witness described the object as round when stationary but 'fish-shaped' when turning, noting it appeared similar to a street light or a star from different angles. The object was reported to be bright white with rays extending from it and a 30-foot-long violet-colored exhaust. The witness observed the object through a telescope of unknown type and power. The initial sighting was at 210 degrees azimuth and 45 degrees elevation, with the object later disappearing at 270 degrees azimuth and 45 degrees elevation. The witness also reported seeing what appeared to be a meteorite in the same area. The report was processed by the 27th Air Division. Lieutenant Guy A. Peterson, a duty controller for the 27th Air Division, reviewed the report and expressed skepticism regarding the reported change in azimuth, suggesting that the observer likely drove around the object while traveling home. The official conclusion reached by the evaluating agency was that the object was the planet Venus, noting that the object's characteristics conformed with a Venus observation when discounting the initial azimuth.