Project 10073 Record Card and Associated Correspondence — Olcott, New York, October 1959

This document collection details a UFO sighting reported on October 21, 1959, in Olcott, New York. A 79-year-old civilian observer reported seeing a round, silver object, described as the size of a pinhead, which reflected sunlight like a mirror. The object remained visible for five hours, slowly fading from sight in a northwesterly direction. The report was processed under Project 10073. Military authorities initiated an investigation, which included vectoring an F-102 interceptor aircraft to the area via Syracuse SAGE; however, the pilot did not sight the object. The 15th Fighter Group conducted an inquiry into the incident, identifying additional witnesses, including a group of eight boatyard employees. The Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) requested further clarification regarding the temperature readings at high altitudes, which were initially reported as rising to 76 degrees Fahrenheit at 50,000 feet. The final assessment by the 15th Fighter Group suggested that the sighting was likely caused by light reflections from the Lake Ontario area due to sharp temperature inversion conditions. The record card also notes that the planet Venus, with a magnitude of -4.2, was in the reported position during the observation period. No physical evidence was recovered, and the case was closed with the conclusion that the phenomenon was likely an atmospheric reflection.