Yukon high-altitude object shoot-down
- Date
- 11 Feb 2023
- Place
- Central Yukon, about 100 miles from the Alaska border, Canada
- Record
- Curated case
- Assessment
- Contested
- Evidence strength
What was reported
A day after the Alaska shoot-down, NORAD tracked another object at about 40,000 ft as it crossed from Alaska into Canada, monitored by U.S. F-22s and Canadian CF-18s and a CP-140. At Canada's request a U.S. F-22 shot it down over central Yukon on 11 February 2023. It was reported as a small metallic balloon with a tethered payload; the search was called off after snowfall on 17 February without recovering debris. U.S. officials later said it, like the Alaska and Lake Huron objects, was probably a benign commercial or research balloon.
What officials concluded
Tentative explanation
Probably a commercial or research balloon (U.S. NSC)
Strongest ordinary reading
Small balloon with a payload, probably benign; no debris recovered
Evidence profile
- Yes: Visual
- No: Infrared
- Yes: Radar
- No: Video
- No: Photo
- No: Film
- No: Audio
- No: Night vision
- No: Other sensor
- No: Civilian
- Yes: Military aircrew
- No: Military ground
- No: Airline crew
- Yes: Sensor operator
- No: Law enforcement
- No: Scientist
- No: Astronaut
- No: Intelligence official
- No: Other
- No: Light only
- Yes: Orb or sphere
- No: Disc
- No: Triangle
- No: Cylinder
- No: Cube
- No: Other shape
- No: Physiological
- No: Physical trace
- No: Electromagnetic
- No: Sound
- No: Silent
Outside sources
- Wikipedia: 2023 Yukon high-altitude objecten.wikipedia.org
On the map
63.60° N, 135.90° W, plotted at the centre of the region named in the record
Show on the map