London UFO mystery: 279-year-old file found on ‘first of its kind’ sight over Westminster

 

On December 16, 1742, Cromwell Mortimer, a physician, reported spotting an unidentified flying object soaring over central London. At the time, Mr Mortimer was secretary of the Royal Society and detailed the mysterious object “slowly” moving above St James’s Park during his walk home to Westminster at 8:40pm. He recorded that the object was flying very slowly which meant that he had about half a minute to get a clear look at it.