PROJECT BLUE BOOK

PROJECT 10073 RECORD -
2. LOCATION e° .
Richmond, Indiana ‘
10. CONCLUSION

Reflection of sun rays being carried by ice crystal
formations.

5S. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION /[11. BRIEF SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS

45 seconds Brilliant white light sighted by air crew and photographed

6. TYPE OF OBSERVATION by serial canere.
air visual

8 PHOTOS

B ves
0 Ne

9. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

O Yes
O Ne

FORM
FTD sep 63 0-329 (TDE) previous editions of this form may be used. °

RICHMOND, INDIANA
24 MAY 1954

At 1225 (EST) on 24 May 1954, an Air Force Major, flying a
photographic mapping mission near Richmond, Indiana, observed and
photographed what appeared to be a lerge, high-intensity light
moving below his aircraft. The light traveled a distance of six
miles over the ground at @ speed tides that of the aircraft.

Intensive studies of the photographs were made. The studies
indicated that the light was not a material object.

Extensive investigations, exploring all possible clues and
avenues of approach to the ovebeke nature of the object were made.
The ground under both the path taken by the aircraft and the object
were examined with a fine tooth comb. Photographs were made of the
area for a study of ground characteristics or other clues. Aircraft
flights, voter units and other operations were inme diately checked
carefully, with negative results.

The data was submitted to a panel of scientists and pecialists,
which included astronomers, meteorologists, and a physicist. It was
concluded that the sighting was a very rare serial phenomena ceused

by the reflection of the sun's rays upon an ice-crystal platellete

formation.

Y) = wee IF Re FRAY WEYIOTEE TH,

= SEER OBR EE

* Capt. Edward J. Ruppelt, formerly head of the Project. ““Blustook"

UFO investigation, told in his book pe hay 25, Toss, paotseFapa takes
tacts, Doubleday, 1 Pp. 312). of the » photograp

oy the crew of an RB-29 near ace, Spee ey
Since the Air ‘hag bas  @eclassified. UFO reporte, x

wonder if it wo et ath yy to’ @ print of the pho
to.

pepaees refer | an avere that it. showed only 5 Bee ng would
ike to see g% prigt ef it. DOYOECROLOAAS dimes : 7 |

a “ye 443.9 - ee weeiss

TO: Colonel O'Mara ATIARS/Capt. Hardin

Commander, ATIC r1/73147
2 June 1954

PROBLEM:

1. To obtain approval for proposed travel by Captain Charles A.
Hardin to Richmond, Indiana and vicinity.

PACTS AND DISCUSSION:

. 2. On 2% May 1954 an unidentified flying object was sighted and
photographed from a mapping aircraft near Richmond, Indians.

3. The purpose of the trip will be to determine the area charac-
teristics and whether or not anyone sighted the object from the ground.

4%. This appears to be a significant case in which a complete in-
vestigation should be made.

5. It is propesed that the traveler be in Richmond, Indiana for
one day, 5 May 195%; travel time should not exceed one day.

6. The traveler certifies that no suspense items for which he is

responsible will become delinquent during the period of his temporary duty
and travel cutside the ATIC.

COORDINATION :
ATIAR Lt. Col. Harry C. Johnston, Branch Chief
ATIA Col. Wayne L. O'Hern, Division Chief

ATIN Col. Dane FP. Justice, Sr., Office Chief
ATI - Gel. Jd. A. O'Mara, Commander

OF CTAT, MLE COPY

AFGIehihg

U¥O Sighting (2h May 1954) 49 NOV ioss

SAPOI-34 (Major Tacker)

l. The sighting referred to in the atteched letter from sr. Taylor is
carried in tne ATIC file as a reflection.

2. The case was given very extensive coverage and the witness was alert
enough to get a paotogreph (the aircraft from which this sighting took
plaee was ea D-17, outfitted for photo-resonnaissance work).

3e While there are certain errors in the reporting, whieh can probably
be attributed to the excitement of the witnesses, the photograph, woen

compared with almsnse data and the position of the B-17, leaves no doubt
that the objeet is a reflection of the sum from ice crystels.

Pek Leet WOT

Colonel, USa7 Cy ltr 25 Set 59 from
Deputy for Sciences and Components Herbert 3. Taylar

COORDINATI ON:

14

RICHMOND, INDIANA
24 MAY 1954

At 1225 (EST) on 24 May 1954, an Air Force Major, flying a
photographic mapping mission near Richmond, Indiana, observed and
photographed what appeared to be a large, high-intensity light
moving below his aircraft. The light traveled ea distance of six
miles over the ground at a speed twice that of the aircraft.

Intensive studies of the photographs were made. The studies
indicated that the light was not ea material object.

Extensive investigations, exploring all possible clues and
avenues of approach to the probable nature of the object were made.

The ground under both the path taken by the aircraft and the object
were examined with a fine tooth comb. Photographs were made of the
area for a study of ground characteristics or other clues. Aircraft
flights, radar units and other operations were imediately checked
carefully, with negative results.

The data was submitted to a panel of scientists and @mecialists,
which included astronomers, meteorologists, and a physicist. It was
concluded that the sighting was a very rare serial phenomena caused
by the reflection of the sun's reys upon an ice-crystal platellete

formation.

ee ne ee.

oe oe

> ~~

RICHMOND, INDIANA
INCIDENT

24 May 1954

At 1225 (EST) on 24 May 1954, an Air Force Major, flying a
photographic mapping mission near Richmond Indiana, observed and
photographed what appeared to be a large, high-intensity light moving
below his aircraft, The light traveled a distance of six miles over the ground
at a speed twice that of the aircraft,
Intensive studies of the photographs were made, The studies indicated
that the light apparently was neither-a+refieetion -- no¢ a material object,
Extensive investigations, exploring all possible clues and avenues of
approach to the probable nature of the object were made, The ground
under both the path taken by the aircraft and the object were examined
with a fine tooth comb, Photographs were made of the ates for a study of
¢. ground characteristics or other clues, Aircraft flights, radar units and other
aecntans were immediately checked carefully, with negative results,

The data was submitted to a panel of scientists and specialists,which
included astronomers, meteorologists, and a physicist; It was concluded

that the sighting was a very rare aerial phenomena caused by the

reflection of the sun's rays upon an ice-crystel platellete formation,

ee ’

8 JUN 1958

AZMORANDUM POR Director of Intelligence Capt. Hardin/rl/73147

ATTN; Chief of Management
SUBJECP: (UNCL) Unidentified Plying Object Information
1, . An unidentified flying object was sighted and photographed

ne » Indiana on 24 May 1954 at 1225 (EST) by Major Leo 5.
NE ers stare Branch, Aerial Reconnaissance Laboratory,
W tterson Air Porce Base, while on a photo mapping mission.

fhe edject was first visually sighted to the west of Richmond (39525
354) and te the right of the observing aircraft. The length of the
observation was 45 seconds in which time the object covered a distance
of 6 miles over the ground (500 MPH) disappearing over the residential
- The photograph was taken about midway .
through the observation on the instructions of Mejor to the
not visable te the other crew members due
tion under the aircraft. The photographing aircraft (3-17)
§500 ft flying at 252 MPH. The object was estimated to have
the ground, A

|
il
iH

the description by the observer,
very high intensity. Mo detail of any |

as
objeet could be made out by the observer or from the photograph. Cal-
based on the observer's estimates show that the diameter of

would have been 617 ft et ground level or 450 ft if at 5000

photograph was taken straight down vith 8 mapping camera,
lens 6" et. F-11. Weather was clear in the area. Sun altitude was 70°
27', extanth 171°. Temperature wes -10 at 18,500 ft and 2% at 10,000 ft.

5. Aitcreft activity and radar plots in the ares have been checked
with negative results. The srea has also been re-photogrephed for e

study of the ground characteristics.

OFFICIAL FILE copy
C477
ruecrabits etme

ecard

(hee of jie

_

ATIG Subject: (9) Unidentified Plying Object Information

6. APIC believes that this unidentified flying object is a re-
flection phenomena of some type and will carry out further investiga-
tion and study in an attempt to determine its nature,

FOR THE COMMANDER

1 inel

a R. C. SCHUM
2 Photographs C0, USAF

Asst. Adj.

CO@RDINATION:

w
=
or

~\ | KW

NOTE ON REFLECTION AND DIFFRACTION FROM ICZ CRYST, is lif T73 sxy
- Charles F. Squire, The Rice ins che » Houston, Texas

(Received June 9, Losey /

‘

Observations of the reflected light from ice crystals in the sky have

been made for centuries and such natural phenomenon as "mock suns" are well
known. On February 6, 1952, I observed and repeatedly photograpned the
reflection of sunlight from ice crystals while’ flying in an airplane at 12,000
ft, over the mountain country of Tennessee. The time of day was approximately
noon, and it was cold. The ground below was visible through the blue haze
caused by the ice crystals. The reflected image of the sun was so intense
that the camera speed was 1/200 sec and the aperture was nearly closed. The
dark green of the mountain trees and a stream in a valley can te seen in Fig. l.
The diffraction ring around the central image is just what one would
expect for light coming through these fine crystals. It is interesting to
note that the image and diffraction ring have en elliptical shape, and I
confess that I do not know why this is so. Certeinly the ice crystals have
their flat surfaces all normal to the vertical. The assumption that a wind
could produce an ordering orientation of the crystals in the horizontal
plane would allow one to suppose a different diffraction spacing in the x
direction than in the y direction. This would give an elliptical diffraction
- Ying, but I do not understand why the central imaze should be out of round.
The spot of light would sometimes be close to the aircraft (it appeared
large) and would sometimes ve far away (it appeared small). The image kept
the angle of reflection of the sun's revs, and this was checked repeatedly
wnen the image coincided with the sun's reflection from a body of water on
the ground below. A change of density of the ice crystals would cause the

apparent shift in distance. Since the spot of light kept pace with the air-

ene = ,
aii ac AN i i le

‘ ( e (
. #2
craft (300 miles/hr) and since it changed its distance rapidiy - indeed it :

vanished with incredible speed when the plane flew on into warm air - we

conclude that this must not be taken for a flying saucer or disk!

l. R.W. Wood, Physical Optics (Macmillan Company, ilew York, 1936), Chapter XI.

ine = Gals

location! Richmond, Ind (eet)

Dt of Observation: 12:25 SST,
2h } 1954

, Maj.,

Observer!
USA?
Acft Speed! 220 Knote
Cdj Sneed: Dat. 440 Knots
Leneth of Observation: 45 Sec.
Sun Alt.: 70 27' ,
Sun Azn. : 171 .

Acft Alt: 18,500 ft.
Type of Camera: 6", Fil

RICHMOND, INDIANA
At 1225 (zs?) on 24 May 1954, an Air Force Major, flying a photographic
mapping mission near Richmond, Indiana, observed and photographed a large high

intensity light moving below his aircraft.

oe. Wright Field Major, Observer
“Photo Mapping Mission
Richmond, Ind, 24 May 1954 1235 EST
High intensity moving light
Called Pilot and Crew
45 Sec. observation
Acft speed 220 MPH
Light double speed of acft
Souk eoae talkt > aoes of city

Acft ruled out j
Photo studied .
Ground studied

Panel :

* te he “= Pek oS i Pe
;

rt

~—

The light traveled a distance of six (6) miles over the ground at a speed twice

that of the aircraft and on a different heading.

A panel consisting of astronomers, meteorologists, a physicist, the observer and

awretesrelepre! -oftree/.
the project monitor, concluded that the sighting was a very rare covtes, phenomen®@*7

SEER cused by the reflection of the sun rays being carried by ice crystal platel/ e/%

formations.

RICHMOND, INDIANA
24 MAY 1954

At 1225 (EST) on 24 May 1954, an Air Force Major, flying a
photographic mapping mission near Richmond, Indiana, observed and
photographed what appeared to be a large, high-intensity light
moving below his aircraft. The light traveled a distance of six
miles over the ground at a speed twice that of the aircraft.

Intensive studies of the photographs were made. The studies
indicated that the light was not a material object.

Extensive investigations, exploring all possible clues and
avenues of approach to the probable nature of the object were made.
The ground under both the path taken by the aircraft and the object
were examined with a fine tooth comb. Photographs were made of the
area for a study of ground characteristics or other clues. Aircraft
flights, radar units and other operations were immdiately checked
carefully, with negative results.

The data was submitted to a panel of scientists and pecialists,
which included astronomers, meteorologists, and a physicist. It was
concluded that the sighting was a very rare serial phenomena caused |

by the reflection of the sun's rays upon an ice-crystal platellete

formation.