Project 10073 Record Card — Boyce, Louisiana, 27 July 1960

On July 27, 1960, a sighting of an unidentified aerial phenomenon was reported in Boyce, Louisiana. The primary witness, a 13-year-old student, observed a round object for approximately three hours. The object, described as initially the size of a dime and increasing to the size of a softball, displayed colors of red, white, and light green. The witness reported that the object appeared to diminish and increase in size, occasionally featured a red circle around it, and moved in various directions including up, down, right, and left. At one point, a flash of light was observed while the object was stationary. A second witness, a 45-year-old woman visiting from Cameron, Louisiana, was also present. The report was investigated by Major Ray F. Grodhaus, the Wing Intelligence Officer, who noted that the area was checked for potential light sources or reflections that could explain the sighting. The investigation concluded that the witnesses were likely observing the planet Mars and the star Aldebaran, with the unusual appearance caused by atmospheric refraction. Subsequent discussions with the investigator suggested that the witness's perspective from a low bed likely contributed to the reported elevation of the object.