Project 10073 Record Card — 9 November 1957, Makanda, Illinois

This document is a Project 10073 record card and accompanying military teletype report concerning a UFO sighting that occurred on 9 November 1957 in Makanda, Illinois. The witness, a 30-year-old male, reported observing a single, round object that appeared red to blue in color. The witness noted that the object had no tail or exhaust, made no sound, and was positioned at a high to very high altitude. The object reportedly moved in a zigzag pattern before moving out of sight, with the entire observation lasting approximately 15 minutes. The report was processed by the 20th Air Division at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base and forwarded to the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The official military conclusion, as noted by 1st Lieutenant James S. Prowell, was that the object was the planet Venus. This determination was reached by comparing the reported position of the object against astronomical tables and computer data, which indicated that Venus was in the almost exact position described by the observer at the time of the sighting. The report is marked as unclassified and follows the reporting procedures established under JCADF Interim Vance 1 CONADM 55-1.