Project 10073 Record Card and Air Intelligence Information Report — Tioga, North Dakota, 3 August 1958

On 3 August 1958, a police chief in Tioga, North Dakota, reported observing a vaguely spherical object for two hours and 35 minutes. The object, described as being the size of a dime held at arm's length, changed color from blue-white to red and moved in a westerly direction. The observer utilized binoculars during the sighting. An F-89J interceptor aircraft was dispatched to the area to conduct a search between 20,000 and 36,000 feet, but it failed to detect any objects visually or electronically. Despite the search, ground observers reported the object remained visible. Weather conditions in the area included broken ceilings and scattered thunderstorms. Major Eldon H. Wright of the 760th AC&W at Fortuna AFS, Westby, Montana, authored the intelligence report. He concluded that the object could have been a natural astronomical phenomenon, specifically the planet Mars, or a balloon launched by official or unofficial agencies. The report notes that while similar reports from the area suggest the presence of something, there was no indication of a threat to the United States or a security violation. A press release included with the documentation highlights that astronomers at the time were receiving numerous calls regarding bright objects in the sky, which were often attributed to the planet Mars, which was in a favorable position for observation during that period.