UFO Observation Report — Tempe, Arizona, March 1967

On March 8, 1967, a retired Navy Commander and professional entomologist observed an unidentified aerial phenomenon over Tempe, Arizona. The witness, who had over 30 years of professional research experience, initially spotted a bright light that he compared to a satellite. Upon using 10x50 binoculars, he observed that the object consisted of four distinct light sources arranged in a group, resembling the open end of an old kerosene stove. The object appeared to swing like a pendulum and exhibited an erratic, falling-leaf descent pattern. As the object moved from the northwest toward the east-southeast, it changed color from reddish-orange to silver. The witness noted that fire or burning material dropped from the object toward the earth and extinguished. The object eventually disappeared from sight after approximately 10 to 15 minutes. The witness reported the incident to the Air Force, and was subsequently interviewed by Captain C.J. Redding. The official conclusion reached by the Foreign Technology Division was that the object was a hot air balloon, possibly an experiment involving candles on a suspended platform, which would account for the light diffusion observed through the balloon's material. The witness noted that he had recently read an article about students in the Los Angeles area constructing hot air balloons, which may have influenced local activity.