Project 10073 Record Card and Associated Teletype — Laguna, California, 17 January 1957

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and an associated teletype message regarding an unidentified aerial sighting reported on 17 January 1957 in South Laguna, California. The witness, a landscape gardener named Schwarting, reported observing a red, round, pea-sized object at approximately 30 degrees elevation in the east-southeast. The object was described as appearing to circle and not disappearing from its position. The sighting lasted between one and two minutes. The teletype message provides further details, noting that the object appeared to be one of two or three in succession, with colors described as yellow, orange, and white, and exhibiting a flashing quality. The report indicates that the object was observed by a large number of people. Official evaluation concluded that the object was the star Antares. Investigators noted that the perceived circling motion was likely an effect caused by the use of binoculars. There was also speculation in the teletype that the lights could have been related to aircraft landing on a carrier, as Naval Intelligence confirmed the presence of two carriers in the general area, though they could not confirm if night landing practice was occurring at the time. The document includes administrative notes, including the involvement of 1st Lt. Harold J. Schmidt, Jr. of the Charlie Crew and a reference to the object being 'definitely a star'.