Project 10073 Record Card — Cook Islands Sighting, 23 Sep 60

This document consists of a Project 10073 Record Card and an associated military cable (U-255) detailing an aerial sighting reported on September 23, 1960, in the Cook Islands, South Pacific. Multiple observers, including individuals on a yacht twenty miles south of Atiu, reported a brilliant light with a tail of red and blue colors. The object was observed moving at high speed from north to south, appearing to fall vertically for a duration of approximately four seconds. The report notes that the phenomenon was observed by many people in Rarotonga, with illumination predominantly to the east. The official conclusion reached by the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) is that the high speed, tail, and duration of the event are characteristic of a meteor. The cable also mentions that evidence suggests the source of the illumination was between Rarotonga and Mauke, and it references an 'abortive release' at Cape Canaveral as a potential point of interest, suggesting that the American Embassy or other appropriate parties be advised.