Project 10073 Record Card — Williston, North Dakota, 28 Feb 61

This document consists of a Project 10073 Record Card and an associated incoming military message regarding a UFO sighting reported on February 28, 1961, in Williston, North Dakota. The sighting was reported by City Patrolman Bill Lord and relayed by Lieutenant William A. Willis of the Williston Police Department. The witness observed a circular object, described as the size of a nickel at arm's length, appearing white with a red crest near the top. The object was positioned approximately 16 degrees above the horizon in the northwest and was observed for over an hour. The witness noted slight left and right movement and used a telescope with a coated lens in addition to the naked eye. Photographs were taken by the Williston Police Department and were to be forwarded to the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC). The official evaluation, supported by the weather officer at Minot AFB, Lieutenant Shablow, concluded that the object was the planet Venus. The report notes that Venus was at its brightest that month and was setting at the time of the observation. The investigators attributed the reported movement, distortion, and discoloration to atmospheric refraction, noting that the object's disappearance coincided with the setting of the planet.