Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Project 10073 Record Card — 18 April 1956 Sighting, SE Minnesota
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AI-Generated Summary
A military pilot reported an erratic, multi-colored point of light in the sky over Minnesota on April 18, 1956. Intelligence evaluators concluded the object was likely an astronomical body such as Venus or Capella.
This document is a Project 10073 record card and associated teletype report detailing a UAP sighting that occurred on April 18, 1956. The witness, Major Robert F. Hanson of the 448th Fighter Bomber Wing, observed a single point of light while located halfway between La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Rochester, Minnesota. The object, described as smaller than a pinhead held at arm's length, displayed changing rainbow colors and moved erratically from side to side for a duration of forty minutes before fading from sight. The report notes that the object was not detected on radar. The official conclusion reached by the Air Tactical Intelligence Center suggests that the sighting was likely caused by an astronomical body, specifically Venus or Capella, based on the duration, color changes, and the object's position relative to these celestial bodies. The report also notes that the witness observed a meteorite at 0335Z, approximately 20 to 30 miles northwest of Mankato, Minnesota, though this appears to be a separate event from the primary sighting report.
The duration of the sighting, the changing of colors, and the positions of Venus or Capella, as compared with the positions of the UFOB, are suggestive that this sighting was possibly generated by one of the above mentioned heavenly bodies.
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Official Assessment
The duration of the sighting, the changing of colors, and the positions of Venus or Capella, as compared with the positions of the UFOB, are suggestive that this sighting was possibly generated by one of the above mentioned heavenly bodies.
The object was likely an astronomical body, specifically Venus or Capella, given the duration, color changes, and positional data.
Witnesses
- Hanson, Robert F.Maj448th Fighter Bomber Wing