On this day in conspiracies

The Sun runs the first of six articles under the banner 'Great Astronomical Discoveries Lately Made by Sir John Herschel.' The pieces are credited to 'Dr. Andrew Grant,' described as Herschel's travelling companion, and said to be reprinted from a supplement to the Edinburgh Journal of Science.

At about 9:20 p.m., three Texas Technological College professors (chemical engineer A. G. Oberg, petroleum engineer W. L. Ducker, and geologist W. I. Robinson) are sitting in a backyard when they see a formation of soft, glowing bluish-green lights pass silently overhead. Astonished, they resolve to watch for a repeat.

The New York Times reports the sightings alongside the official view: authorities describe the "UFO" as a hoax staged by pilots flying small planes in tight formation, with New York State Police tracing the lights toward Stormville Airport.

After a National Police Agency review finds serious security failings in Nara, notably a protection plan that neglected the area behind Abe, the NPA commissioner general, Itaru Nakamura, announces he will resign; the Nara prefectural police chief and a senior NPA security official also step down.