PROJECT BLUE BOOK

1.
-
F
1. DATE· TIME GROUP LOCATION
3 Jul 53 03/1845Z. Reno, Nevada -- i..
7/
3. SOURCE 10. CONCLUSION ASTRONOMICAL: VENUS
civilian Obj observed was without a do the planet Venó s.
4. NUMBER OF OBJECTS
one
5. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 11. BRIEF SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS
2 hours A white pinpoint of light was observed for two hours. Obj
moved ved very slowly to Che west. very slowly to the West. .
6. TYPE OF OBSERVATION
ground visual
7. COURSE 7. COURSE
west west
. PHOTOS
Yes Yes
No
9. PHYSICAL 9. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE EVIDENCE
a Yes
0 No
FORM
FTD SEP63 0-329 (TDE) Provious editione of thie form may bo uood.
.
IE

8.1 STARS (Circle One): 8.2 MOON (Circle One):
a. None a.Bright moonlight
b. A few b.Dull moonlight
c. Many c. No moonlight - pitch dark
d. Don't remamber d. Don't remember
-
(Circle One): a.Yos b. No c. Don't remember
(Circle Ons) a. A mile or more away (a distant car)?
.Several blocks away?
c. A block away?
d. Soveral yards away?
.Other Distant..
Did the object: Did the object: (Circle One for each question) (Circle One for each question)
a.Appear to stand still at any time? a. Appear to stand still at any time? Yes No Don't Know
.Suddenly speed up and rush away at any tima? b. Suddonly speed up and rush away at any tima? Yes Yes No Don't Know
c. Break up into parts or explode? Break up into parts or explode? Yes No No Don't Know
d. Give off smoke? Yes No Don't Know
e. Change brightness? Yes №\o No Don't Know
f. Change shape? Yes No Don't Know
g. g. Flicker, throb, or pulsate? Yes No Don't Know
(Circle One): Yes No No Don't Know. IF you answered YES, then tell what IF you answe ,then tell what
it moved behind:
.Did the object move
(Circle One): Yes No Don't Know.
it moved in front of:
Did the object appear: (Circle One): o. Solld? .Transparent? c. Don't Know.
Did you observe the objoct through any of the following?
a. Eyeglasses No e. Binoculars Yes No
b. Sun glasses f. Telescope Yes No
c. Windshield Yes No g. Theodolite Yos
d. Window glass Yes No h. Other
Normal vioual--no glesses usod

(
Pago 3
16.Tell in a fow words the following things about the object.
.Sound_
. Color _ Brichi"
~
17. Draw a picture that will show the shape of the object or oblocts. Label and include in your sketch any detalls
of the object that you saw such as wings, protrusions, etc., and especially exhaust traills or vapor trails. Place
an arrow beside the drawing to show the direction the object was moving.
.
0
. 4
The adges of the object were:
(Circle One): Fuzzy or blurred Other Other
6 Like a bright tstar star
C. Sharply outlined
d. Don'tremember
19. IF there was MORE THAN ONE object, then how many were there?

2. IF POSsiBLE, try to guess or estimate what the real size of the object was in its longest dimension.
..feot. listent (30 17 thousnid foet) even a suess
20
22. How large did the abject or objects appear as compared with one following objects held in the hand
and at about arm's length?
(Circle One): @. Head of a pin Silver dollar
Poa Baseball
c. Dime I. Grapefruit
d. Nickel I. Basketball
e. Quartor k. Other
f. Half dollar
a. Certain c.Not very sure .
b.Fairly certain d.Uncertain
23. How did the object or objects disappear from view?
Tg
same appearance as the objoct which you saw.
foo distent for such analysis.
Not so bright as ster (clesr, hot, cloudless)
from time to
time, to shirt positi to keep brenohes tree from obsouring
it.

.Noth c. East e. South ai West
. Northeast d. Southeast f. Southwest Northwest
miles per hour.
(Circle One) Yes No
object? (Circle One)
U. Up and west and west
a. North c. East e. South West
b. Northeast d. Southeast f. Southwest h. Northwest
S (Circle One) Up and dest
a. North c. East . South g. West
b. Northeast d. Southeast f. Southwest h. Northwest
.
31. If you are familiar with bearing terms (angular direction), try to estimate the number
from true North and also the number of degrees it was upward from horizon (elevation).
31.1 When it first appeared:
.From horizon .. degrees.
31.2 When it disappeared:
a. From trus North degrees.
b. From horizon... degrees.

Paga 6
.In the following sketch, imagine that you are at the point shown. Place an "A" on the curved line to show how
high the object was above the horizon (skylinc) when you first saw it. Place a "B" on the same curved lina to
show how high the object was above the horizon (skyline) when you last sew it.
A-B
- .
1
In the following 33. In the following larger sketch place an "A" at the position the object was when you first saw it, and a "B" at its larger
position when you last saw it. Refer to smaller sketch as an examplo of how to complete tho larger sketch. position when you last saw it. Refer to smaller sketch as an examplo of how to complete ths largor sketch.
I

Doy Month Year
me you say objeet?
(Circle One) Y) No
36.1 IF you answered YES, did they see the object too?
(Circle One) Yos No
36.2 Please list nd addresses:
Wi witness oalled to verify sigting--
Pror,4
Professor of Geclosy
University a Novade
37.1 IF you answered circumstances did you see other ones?
38.In your opinion what do you think the object was and what might have caused it?
No opinion. Dave spent l5 years in Airline tork--
oblest Ves woothor balloon or eny
any conventional aireraft,
stor

had been looking up thróugh some tree brenches and drew my attention
to an object air. It was quite distent, end she located it for
me with reference tree brench. I watched object for about 8
rinutes, thinking might possibly be a weather belloon. It Wes not
likely to be ar, because the day was brigh (hot)'and cldaless.
llowever, it neither moved changed in apparent size.
I thorefore decided to report the nearest policeman, thinking
wetian Hovever
S
point. therepon to Sts.. where Mrs.
shrader vas stil it. After 20 utes (12:55P) being
somewhat surprise one had aopeared 'erify the sighting,
as a result oi to considering possibility that
a mistake made as to the reported location of the
sighting, I again telephone them. I was told that they had reported he
matter to Stead Air Base.
Becoming aware by this time that it was going to be diffioult to get
any official Merification while the objeet was still in view, I obtainbd
from FBJ been made.
The name was Col. Damson.

appreciation of
in all such reports. I pointed out to them that Army had been n aware
of the sighting for over an hour during which the object could be seen,
but hadn 't been interested enough1 look at it.
I have spen Line Radio Com-
munications am no
error from a
the altitude to have been between 40 and 70'thousand feet -- the latter
altitude only if the object was quite large. In size it was sonewhat
smaller than the ed of a pin he arm'sI length.
The object Concei
is very dou l in my mir
We encountered no interest in this sighting from any the soveral
Authorities and Army Officers with whom we talked, and this is difficult
to understand unless such sightings are a knowm quantity and fully
understood. I don't think I shall again go to so much troublà in
attempting to get attention if I should meke another sighting.

up through some tree branches when she saw pin-point of light at a
very high altitude. She called her husband's attention to the object
and he watched this object for 8 minutes, thinking it was a weather
balloon. He thought that it was not likely to be star , because the
M day was bright (hot) and cloudless. However, it neithe moved nor
to a policeman who referred him to the Police Station. They were not
interested and told him to report it to the sheriff's office. The sher-.
iff's office stated that this sighting was out of their jurisdiction and
for him to call the FBI. The FBI took his name and address. The obaer-
ver told the FBI that he couldn't locate the object unless he had this
particular tree as a reference point. He then returned the point of
observation where his wife still had the ob,ject in v After 20 min-
utes, being somewhat surprised that no one had appeared to verify the
sighting and co onsidering possibility that a mistake had been made
as to the reported location the sighting, he again telephoned the FBI.
He was told that the matter had been referred to Stead AF Base. The
observer becoming aware that it was going to be difficult to get any
- official verification while the object was still in view obtained the
name of the USAF colonel to which the report had been made. After some
difficulty, the observer reached this colonel by telephone. This colonel
referred the incident to another colonel who in turn referred him to a
third colonel. From the last colonel that he talked to, he got the im-
to move, it had shifted position slightly because it was necessary for
him to move occasionally to prevent its being obscured by the tree
branches. After waiting 30 minutes, the observer again called the Air
Force colonel to ask him if he send someone to verify the
sighting. The colonel requested that the observer
and he would call him back. This the colonel did 15 minutes later, re-
questing that the observer obtain a disinterested person verify the
sighting. Observer returned to site of observation and object was
still visible. He stopped a car and requested the driver to observe the
object. driver of the as a professor at University of
Nevada and a very good observer. Observer again called the Air Force
colonel and reported the verification. The colonel then stated that
he would send 2 enlisted men to the observers' motel debriefing.
Two sergeants visited the observers at their motel expressing apprecia-
tion for the observers efforts and stating that the Air Force.was very
interested in such reports. Observer pointed out to the sergeants that
the Air Force had been aware of the sighting for over an hour during
which time the object could
to look at it.
UNCL SIFIED
T53-11156
Nea
DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS.
DOD DIR 5200.10

UNCLASSIFIED
3 July 1953 - Reno, Nevada (contd)
Discussion
This sighting is one of the best in Project Blue Book's files as
far as civilian observers are concerned. These civilians were very .
diligent in their efforts to report the sighting and it is unfortunate -
that the officials in that area were not aware of the procedure for report-
ing unidentified flying objects. description of this object, and the
length of time observed rules out any conventional objects in our atmosphere.
Project Blue Book's contract astronomers were contacted. They stated that
this sighting wA btedly caused by the planet Venus.
Conclusion
Was astronomical (Venus).
.
. 8
2.
.
.
II
1
..
LOWNGRADED AT : WIN.RVALS;
DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS
DOD DIR 5200.10
UNCLASSIFIED
T53-11156 18

LETINA
150
18 18
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-
ONSERVERS WE
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DERVAL". .
DOWNGRADED AT S YEAR IN
RIGE TY DECLASSIFIED AFTER CARS.
DOD DIR 5200.10.
..
: -
THLS OBJECT. WITNESSES ARE ESTIMATED TO S
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AIRLINES. VIND VAS EAST AT THREZ MILES PER NOUR. VISISILITY VAS 15
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BADIO OR TIX REPCRT. NO ADDITI ENTLY AVAILABLE.
RIFTEN REPORT WILL FOLLOV
UNCLAS O-4
A/ASAOZ JUL JURNV

.
UNCLASSIFIED
AF FORM 112-PART1
APPROVED JUNE 1948 ASSIFICATION)
553-53 (LEAVE BLANK)
AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT
SUBJBCT
FLYOBRPT
AREA REPORTEO FROM (Agency)
39/32N-119/47W 3904th Comp Wg, Stead AFB, Reno, Nevada
DATE OF REPORT DATEOF INFORMATION
7 July 1953 3 July 1953
PREPARED BY (OSER) SOURCE
Lt Col R.E. Work Mr
REFEREncEs (Cuadral sumbor,directiee,
TWX 3904th CW M
SUMM Gine tert of ren
1. Report of an unidentified aerial object observed by Mr. C
his wife, and Pre
2. Signi dghting cannot
principal obs ficant,
dunt & wnke
W
ROBERT E. WORK
Lt Col, USAP Lt Col, USAP . .
Director Director of of Intelligence Intelligence
.
-
ICLS
A7 Form 112-Part II
DISTRIBLE BY ORIGINATOR
Ha USAP Washington D.C. (one copy)
Chief, ArIC, ArTN: ATIAA, Wright-Patterson nfo copy)
3904th posite Wing, (file copy)
4
NOTS THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, SO U. S.C.-
3I AND 32. AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.
IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTMER THAN UNITED STATES SAIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF
INTELLIGENCE, USAF.
UNCLASSIFIED
(CLASSIFICATION)
10-S000-1 * U.S GOVERIMEGNT PMINTIN6 FFICE :1000 0918331

does not release any weather balloons. The weather station at United Airlines
released balloons at O70o and 1y00 hours on 3
40 OWS:
a. Stead Air Force Base:
2 C-47 -
rd C-54 1127 hours s (departing)
R-6D - 1231 hours (departing)
1 R-6D - 1337 hours (landing)
1 C-97 - 1400 hours (landing)
b. United Airlines, Reno, Nevada:
1 DC-3 - Landing (
5. Weather in the awae a clear.no clouds and plus. Wind
cent. cent. 12 per
COMMENTS:
1. Mr. and Alameda,
Californi twelve years with the United Airlines.
2. Mr. Nevada.
The profassor thought the objeet may have be een a star. The professor was in a hurry
and was unable to make observation for more than a few mimutes. Ur di3
ROBERT E. WORK
Lt Col, U3AP
Director of ligence
NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, SO U. S. C.-
3I AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZEO PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.
IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FOPCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF
INTELLIGENCE, USAF.
(CLASSIFICATION) 19--85570-1
.
.

COORDINATION
1
ORGNL CODE AND INSERT
FULL SIGNATURE
.
In reply refer to R.M.Olsson/jos/65365
AFOLI-ATLAE-5
2 1 JUL 1953
i.
Prof
Reno, Novada
Dear
Your report of unidentified d aorial phenomena on 3 July 1953
over Heno hasb been received by the Air Technical Intelligence
Center. Inclosed Iis a questionnaire, which, when completed by
you and you and returned lin in the inclosed, the inclosed, self-adcressed self-adcressed envelope, will envelope, wi.ll
aid in standardiain the data standardiaing the data and will provide a provide a complete record
o' the ot' the oceurronce. occurronce. Since you Since you have stated the object object may have
been a been a bright star visible in the daytime, ATIC wishes to check
this possibility by by obtaining your estinate estinates of azimuth and elo
vation on the object's position.
no
desire to be desire to tly appreciated. apprect dated.
UEN UEN 3
Sincerely,
WAS
Rab
ROBERT C. BROWN
2 Incls Maior, lISAF
1. Questiornaire
2. Bnrvelope Adjutant
COORDINATION:
ATIAE-5 R.
Vsson
ATLAE DATB7ul OFFICIAL FILE COPY
rston ATIAE
ATIAA ZDATE Office of Record
ATIG Project 10073
DATE
DESIGNATE AUTHD RECOrD
.
OFFICIAL FILE COPY
AMC Fer Suporsodos ANC Form 8, Rov 1 Apr 48, w be uned. Air Poree-WPaFB-L-33 JUL 53 369

be used in connection with any statements, concluslons, or publications without your permisslon.
We requestthis rsonal information so that, if it is deemed necessary may contact you for
further details.
1. Whan did you see the object? 2. Timo of day: 1300
Hour Minutes
3 July 1953
Day Month Year (Circle One): A.M. 8 P.M.
3. Time zone:
(Circle One): Eastern (Circl One): Daylight Saving
Central b. Standard
Mountain
Pacific
Other
objoet?
Reno levada
Nearest Postal Address City or Town State or Country
Additional remarks: on the lawn west of the lake sstreet stons
University (about soft wost of stens)
5. Estimato how long you saw the object. .
observed the object for when I
arrived and was still there when I left.
5.1 Circlo one of the following to Indicate how certain you are
Q. Certain c. Not very sure
Fairly cortaln d. Just a guess
Brightd daylight d. Just a trace of daylight
b. Dull daylight No trace of daylight
c. Bright wilight f. Don't remember
N locatsd as you looked at
the object?
(Circle One): In front of you d. To your loft
b. In back of you 0 Overhead
c. To your right f. Don't remember )