Project 10073 Record Card — Olean, New York, 23 August 1957

On August 23, 1957, at approximately 0130Z, a Civil Defense Director in Olean, New York, observed an unidentified aerial object for 45 minutes. The witness described the object as a round, reddish light, smaller than a star, which exhibited an up and down motion while moving in a north-northwesterly direction. The observer utilized binoculars to track the object. The incident was reported via teletype in accordance with Air Force Regulation 200-2. The Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) investigated the report and concluded that the object was a balloon. The investigation noted that a balloon had been released in the area shortly before the sighting. Furthermore, ATIC analysts explained that the reddish appearance was consistent with the optical effects of sunlight hitting a high-altitude balloon during dawn or dusk, even when the sun was below the horizon for the ground observer. The report includes a newspaper clipping regarding a 'Northern Lights' display, though this appears to be contextual information regarding atmospheric phenomena rather than the specific cause of this incident.