PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD — Charlottesville, Virginia, 6 October 1962

On October 6, 1962, a graduate engineering student at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville reported observing an unidentified flying object. The witness, who identified themselves as an astronomy enthusiast, was observing the constellation Cassiopeia with 7X50 binoculars when they noticed a light source that appeared as bright as the star Schedar but with a yellowish hue similar to Saturn. The object was moving in a straight line toward the constellation Lacerta. According to the witness, the object suddenly stopped and remained stationary for approximately 30 seconds before disappearing four seconds later. The witness noted that they observed the object both with and without binoculars and was certain it had come to a stop. The observation was made from the grounds of the University of Virginia near the statue of Thomas Jefferson. The official project record card for this incident concludes that the object was the satellite ECHO I. The report explains that the satellite was in a position to be observed at the time and that the perceived stationary behavior and wavering motion are common phenomena attributed to atmospheric conditions and the observer's own optical conditions, particularly when the object approaches a star or other body.