The Petrozavodsk 'Jellyfish'
Before dawn, residents of Petrozavodsk in Karelia saw a huge glowing object, described as a jellyfish, spreading rays of light over the city before it faded. The Soviet news agency TASS reported it, which was unusual, and the sighting is credited with prompting the Soviet Academy of Sciences and the military to start formal research into anomalous phenomena.
The ledger
What the record shows, what people say, and the best explanation available so far.
What's documented
- TASS and Soviet newspaper coverage at the time.
- Later Soviet research programs into anomalous phenomena.
What's claimed
- An alien craft over a Soviet city.
Best explanation so far
The time and appearance match the launch of the Kosmos 955 satellite from the secret Plesetsk launch site, whose exhaust plume spread out in sunlight high above the dark ground. The launch site's existence was secret, which helped keep the mystery alive.
Check the sources
Go to the originals. Every link opens the archive or record in a new tab.
If you liked this one
Ghost Rockets of Scandinavia
Thousands of reports of rocket-like objects streaking over Sweden.
The Phoenix Lights
Two separate events the same night, often merged into one mystery.
The Kaikōura Lights
Cargo pilots see lights off the coast, radar tracks targets, and a TV crew films them.