Project 10073 Record Card — Washington, D.C., 20 October 1957

On October 20, 1957, at approximately 0025 GMT, a civilian witness observed an unidentified aerial phenomenon in Washington, D.C. The witness, located at the intersection of 13th Street and Missouri Avenue, reported seeing a bright light descending toward the northwest horizon. The object was described as glowing brightly and leaving a trail that the witness compared to a Roman candle or fireworks, noting it appeared much like a bright star except for the distinct trail. The sighting was reported to authorities at 0045 local time. The official evaluation of the incident, documented on a Project 10073 record card and supported by teletype communications (AFCIN 34656), concluded that the phenomenon was likely a meteor. This conclusion was based on the fact that the Earth was intersecting the Orionid meteor shower at the time of the observation. The report explicitly notes that there was no radar contact and no photographic evidence associated with the event.