Project 10073 Record Card and Air Intelligence Information Report — Northern Wisconsin, 6 October 1959

On 6 October 1959, two civilians in Northern Wisconsin observed a brightly glowing object streaking across the sky from East Northeast to West Southwest. The sighting occurred during a display of the Aurora Borealis. The witnesses, one of whom was an illustrator for the Wisconsin Conservation Department and a former soldier, described the object as having no definite shape, appearing whitish and changing to red as it burned. They estimated the speed to be in excess of 3000 m.p.h. at an altitude of ten miles. Approximately one minute after the object disappeared from view, the observers reported hearing four distinct sounds, which they compared to the report of an 88MM gun. The observers were outdoors at the time, looking at the Aurora Borealis. The official Air Intelligence Information Report, prepared by Major Frederick H. Willcox of the 30th Air Division (SAGE), suggests that the phenomenon was likely part of the Aurora Borealis display or a jet aircraft using its afterburner. The report notes that movement of lights within the Aurora Borealis is common and that the sounds could be attributed to a 'crackling type of sound' or 'Brush Discharge' as described by the University of Wisconsin Observatory. Although no definitive evidence of air traffic was obtained, the report concludes that the sighting was likely a natural phenomenon or a jet aircraft, and the associated sounds were coincidental.