Idaho Falls: Kenneth Arnold films UFO
Kenneth Arnold filmed an unidentified object over Idaho Falls on July 9, 1966, at 2:00 p.m. It resembled a weather balloon but moved at 45–75 mph against a north-northwest wind.
Background
Witness and Event
Kenneth Arnold, an experienced pilot and seller of fire-fighting equipment, filmed an unidentified flying object with a 16 mm camera over Idaho Falls, Idaho at 14:00. The object appeared balloon-like but behaved unusually.
Sighting Details
It moved at a speed of 45 to 75 miles per hour directly against a strong north-northwesterly wind. This made it unlikely to be an ordinary weather balloon, since balloons typically drift with the wind. Arnold, who had become well known in 1947, used his flying experience to document the phenomenon precisely.
Evidence and Context
The 16 mm footage was later shown to researchers such as Greg Long and described a luminous, cylindrical object. Arnold hesitated to make it public, as he felt the time was not right. The film reflects his continuing search for evidence of unconventional aerial phenomena.
Significance
The event adds to Arnold's standing as a key figure in UFO history. It provides visual evidence of an object that resists conventional explanation and connects with his earlier sightings.