Project 10073 Record Card — Lockbourne AFB, Ohio, 7 June 1962

On 7 June 1962, at 0540Z, two experienced military personnel, MSgt Harvey B. Balderson and MSgt Alvin E. Ivey, observed an unidentified aerial object near Lockbourne AFB, Ohio. The object was described as golden or light orange in color, circular in shape with a concave leading edge, and approximately 2 inches in diameter from the observers' perspective. The object was sighted at an azimuth of approximately 010 degrees and an elevation of 5 degrees above the horizon. It hovered for approximately 15 seconds before moving rapidly to the east. Following the report, 1st Lt Rudolph J. Meissner Jr. conducted an investigation, which included inquiries with the base tower, local Columbus tower, approach control, and local police, all of which yielded negative results. The official conclusion reached by the intelligence division was that the sighting was likely caused by the atmospheric refraction of the star Marfak, which occupied a similar azimuth at the time of the incident. The report notes that while the short duration of the sighting supports this conclusion, it remained difficult to explain why the star was not recognized once it had risen higher in the sky.