USAF record 28996408

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

1. DATE 12 Mar 62

2. LOCATION Bethel, Alaska

3. DATE-TIME GROUP Local: 12/0947 GMT: 12/1247Z

4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION Ground-Visual

5. PHOTOS Yes

6. SOURCE Civilian

7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 3 min

8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS 1

9. COURSE [REDACTED]

10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING:[HW:]Objt described as semi-circular, laying on flat side, size of dime at arms length as observed by witnesses in Bethel, Alaska.[HW:]Objt was reported to be brilliant red and to have remained in sight for 3 min.[HW:]It was observed on an az of approx [ILLEGIBLE]on a slv or less than [ILLEGIBLE]. Mx was clear windy and cold.

11. COMMENTS:[STAMP:] The waxing moon, whose sz at time of sighting coincides with that reported for objt, was just setting. Moon was 35% illuminated with illuminated portion generally on bottom which probably also contributed to sighting but major reason for misidentification due to distortion caused reddish color. Time of official moonset on this date was 12h52Z and sighting occurred at 12h47Z. Concluded that sighting was due to misidentification of setting moon due to distortions by atmospheric refraction.

ATIC FORM I-9 (REV 26 SEP '53)