Project 10073 Record: Sighting Report - Lanham, Maryland, 7 December 1965

On 7 December 1965, a civilian witness in Lanham, Maryland, observed an unidentified aerial phenomenon for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The witness, who was inside their home, reported seeing the object from a living room window while watching the sunset. The object was described as having a solid black top with two attached cone-shaped objects, appearing orange and pink in color. The witness noted that the object initially appeared as a bright point of light, similar to a small mirror reflecting sunlight, before taking on a more distinct shape as it moved from West to Southwest. The witness used 7x35 binoculars to observe the object, noting that it appeared to have vapor trails or cones of vapor/flame. The object eventually moved behind a group of trees in the yard and was lost from sight. The witness reported no sound associated with the object. The report was submitted to the U.S. Air Force. Following an analysis by the Air Force's TDEW/UFO office, in consultation with Dr. J. Allen Hynek of Northwestern University, the official conclusion was that the object was likely a balloon. The investigators noted that while no specific balloon was identified, various research institutes, including Johns Hopkins University, conduct balloon launches in the region that could account for the observation. The Air Force expressed regret that a more definitive identification could not be made, characterizing the event as a possible balloon observation.