PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD — 16 March 1961

On March 16, 1961, at approximately 1930 local time (161830Z), a sighting of a large meteor-type object was reported in the Mediterranean Sea at coordinates 4127N 0522W. The incident was documented via a Project 10073 record card and a subsequent Department of the Air Force staff message. The object was observed descending and left a smoke trail that persisted for approximately three minutes. Observers noted that the higher portion of the smoke trail appeared dark in color and drifted rapidly, while the lower portion appeared light grey and drifted slowly. The object was reported to have burned brightly upon entering the atmosphere. The sighting was reported by personnel aboard a C-47 aircraft, who noted the object was high and to the southwest of their position. The official conclusion reached by the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) was that the object was an astronomical meteor. Investigators noted that the reported characteristics were consistent with a meteor and that the observed color variations in the smoke trail were likely due to the lighting conditions in the southwestern sky, which remained partially illuminated at the time of the observation. The report was distributed to various military commands, including USAFE, 16AF, 17AF, and the Commander of the Air Defense Command.