Declassified UFO / UAP Document
PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD — 2 August 1963
Ever wanted to host your own late-night paranormal radio show?
Across the Airwaves
You're on the air. Callers bring Mothman, Fresno Nightcrawlers, UFO sightings, reptilian autopsies, and whispers about AATIP and Project Blue Book. Every reply shapes how the night goes.
AI-Generated Summary
A 1963 sighting report of a star-like object in Maryland/Virginia was evaluated by ATIC. The investigation concluded the object was likely an astronomical body, specifically Antares or Fomalhaut, or possibly a balloon.
This document is a Project 10073 record card detailing a sighting that occurred on August 2, 1963, in the vicinity of Camp Springs, Maryland, and Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The witness, described as military and civilian personnel, reported observing a round, white object resembling a star for a duration of over 40 minutes. The object was initially noted at 20 degrees elevation and exhibited variable speed and intensity, with a flight path described as moving from West to South to West. The investigation concluded that the sighting was likely an astronomical misidentification. Specifically, the report identifies Antares (at 220 degrees azimuth, 10 degrees elevation) and Fomalhaut (at 140 degrees azimuth, 10 degrees elevation) as the only first-magnitude astronomical bodies visible in the southern sky from that position at the time. The investigators suggested that the reported direction of 'South' might have been erroneous, leading to the misinterpretation of these stars, or alternatively, that a balloon could have been the cause of the sighting. The document includes administrative details, such as a reference to Captain G. L. Wood of the Corps of Engineers and a mention of AFM 200-2.
It is possible that the direction reported as South may have been in error and one of these objects misinterpreted.
PDF not loading? Download the PDF directly
Official Assessment
Antares at 220 deg azimuth 10 deg elevation. Fomalhaut at 140 deg azimuth 10 deg elevation. These are the only astronomical bodies of the first mag in the Southern sky from this position at this time. It is possible that the direction reported as South may have been in error and one of these objects misinterpreted. It is also possible that a balloon was the cause.
The sighting was likely an astronomical misidentification of Antares or Fomalhaut, or potentially a balloon.
Key Persons
- G. L. WOODCAPTAIN, C.E. CORPS OF ENGINEERS