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Declassified UFO / UAP Document

Project 10073 Record — Duluth, Minnesota, 26 August 1966

📅 26 August 1966 📍 Duluth, Minn. 🏛 29 NORAD Division 📄 Staff Message / Project 10073 Record
DuluthMinnesotaECHO IISatelliteNORAD1966UFO

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AI-Generated Summary

TL;DR

A 1966 sighting of a white, silent, glowing light in Duluth, Minnesota, was investigated by the 29 NORAD Division. The object was officially identified as the ECHO II satellite.

On 26 August 1966, at 0650Z, two witnesses in Duluth, Minnesota—a tavern owner and George Verzich—observed a white point of light in the sky. The object was described as silent and glowing, moving in a NNE direction near the zenith before disappearing from view. The observation lasted approximately five minutes. The report was processed by the 29 NORAD Division Intelligence Officer as part of Project 10073. The official conclusion reached by the Air Force was that the object was the ECHO II satellite, which was confirmed to be in the area at the time of the sighting. The intelligence officer's notes indicate that this report was part of a broader 'local wave' of sightings in the area. The officer categorized the sighting as a 'second class' event, distinguishing it from low-altitude round or ovoid objects, and suggested that the observation was likely a satellite, aircraft, or an atmospheric inversion, ultimately settling on the satellite identification.

Recent local wave all silent, glowing, at night. Low objects round or ovoid. High objects usually white points.

Official Assessment

Satellite (ECHO II)

The object was identified as the ECHO II satellite, which was in the area at the time of the observation. The intelligence officer noted a recent local wave of sightings and distinguished this report from others, noting that while low objects were round or ovoid, high objects were usually white points.

Witnesses

Organizations

Military Units