Project 10073 Record Card and Spot Intelligence Report — Camden, New Jersey, 23 August 1957

This document details a sighting of an unidentified flying object by Mr. Ballassar Bottos, a civilian carpenter and retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, on the morning of 23 August 1957. While commuting to work in Camden, New Jersey, between 0700 and 0710 hours, the witness observed a silver, bell-shaped, glowing object that appeared to be the size of a grapefruit held at arm's length. The witness reported that the object climbed, dove, and eventually disappeared to the northeast. He noted that the object seemed to elongate and flatten as it moved away, and he observed no tail, trail, or exhaust, nor did he hear any sound. The witness, who had been watching for such objects after reading books on 'flying saucers,' provided a photograph he had taken of the object. An investigation by Special Agent Douglas T. Reynolds of the 3D District Office of Special Investigations included interviews and a check with the U.S. Weather Bureau in Philadelphia. The Weather Bureau reported no unusual meteorological or celestial activity, though they confirmed that weather balloons were launched from the Philadelphia Municipal Airport at 0700 hours. The Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) subsequently evaluated the photograph provided by the witness. Major Robert M. Buckmaster concluded that the 'double exposure' effect in the photograph was caused by camera movement during the exposure. The official assessment suggested the object was likely a weather balloon or the full moon, with the perceived movement and fuzziness in the image attributed to the camera's motion rather than the object itself. The report concludes that no further investigation is warranted.