Project 10073 Record — Cincinnati, Ohio, February 1968

This document is a Project 10073 record detailing a civilian sighting of an unidentified aerial phenomenon in Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 23, 1968. The observer reported seeing a bright orange object that resembled a large plastic capsule with fire at the bottom, which remained in sight for approximately five minutes and moved vertically. The observer initially described the object as a 'flying saucer' that shot a white ray at a star, causing the star to fall to the ground. However, subsequent investigation by the U.S. Air Force, documented by Sgt J. [illegible], revealed that the observer's husband contacted the Duty Officer to report that the object was actually a plastic hot air balloon launched by local boys. The balloon was equipped with streamers that glowed in the dark, which likely contributed to the observer's initial interpretation of the event. The official conclusion for the incident was categorized as a 'Hot Air Balloon'.