Disclosed

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
467 case pages by decade; this one falls in 2020s with 169 othersAll cases

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

Sensors2 of 9
  • Yes: Visual
  • No: Infrared
  • Yes: Radar
  • No: Video
  • No: Photo
  • No: Film
  • No: Audio
  • No: Night vision
  • No: Other sensor
Witnessescount not stated
  • 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
ShapeOrb or sphere
  • No: Light only
  • Yes: Orb or sphere
  • No: Disc
  • No: Triangle
  • No: Cylinder
  • No: Cube
  • No: Other shape
Effectsnone reported
  • No: Physiological
  • No: Physical trace
  • No: Electromagnetic
  • No: Sound
  • No: Silent

Outside sources

On the map

63.60° N, 135.90° W, plotted at the centre of the region named in the record

Show on the map