Project 10073 Record Card — Grosse Pointe, Michigan, 30 June 1961

This document details a UFO sighting reported by a 38-year-old housewife in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, on June 30, 1961. The witness observed a saucer-shaped object that appeared white and was roughly the size of a dime or nickel held at arm's length. The object was described as motionless or hovering at an elevation of approximately 60 degrees before it faded away. The observation lasted for about 10 minutes. The witness reported the incident to the Selfridge Air Force Base Detachment of the Office of Special Investigations. The official evaluation conducted by ATIC concluded that the sighting was likely an astronomical phenomenon. Specifically, the report identifies the planet Venus, which was in the northeast at approximately 20 degrees elevation, as the primary object. The report notes that while the witness's elevation estimate was higher than the actual position of Venus, individuals often struggle to estimate elevation accurately at night, particularly when lying down. Furthermore, the presence of smoke in the area may have contributed to the perception of a higher elevation. A second object observed was identified as the star Capella. The report confirms that no photographs were taken and no physical evidence was recovered.