PROJECT BLUE BOOK

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD
1. DATE 2.LOCATION 12. CONCLUSIONS
0 Was Balloon
15 Jan 61 60 mi NNE of Duluth, Minnesota 0 Probably Balloon
3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION D Possibly Balloon
Local 1800 Ground-Visual Ground-Radar 0 Was Aircraft
0 Probobly Aircraft
GMT. 152400z AirVisual Air-Intercept Radar D Possibly Aircraft
5. 'PHOTOS 6. SOURCE 0 Was Astronomical HeTe
Yes IK Probably Astronomical
No Civilian + MiciTARY D PossiblyAstronomical
7. LENGTH OF.OBSERVATION 8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS . COURSE Other_
000 Insufficient Date for Evaluation
-3.sec Unknown
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T0. BRIEF SUMMARY OF S SIGHTINGBluish-white "shooting 11. COMMENTSOb,ject in UMMEnTsObject in question was probably question was probably
Star" with ball star" with ball of blue light and slight of blue light and slight a meteor, one of the many a meteor, one of the many y that are being
tail. Sighted 20,000-25,000ft, 105°. Dis- that are being
observed at this time. VekiFieΔ BY observed at this time. VeeiFiea BY
appeared 10,000 ppeared 10,000 Burned out with red De De READ STCDY , LAURENCE CoucGC
sparks.
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Director 5 22
Maxwell AFE ATTN: Archiv Aerospace St
243.
Maxwell AFB. Alabqma ATTN: Archives Branch Aerospace Studies nst RET
-31 Jan
SMC RETURN T:
ATIC FORM 329 (REV 26 SEP 52)
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18 miles north of Minocqua. She was outdoors watching a snowplow clear-
ing the surface of a skating rink. The fireball, as she observed it,
passed more or less cirectly overhead m south to north.
Mr saw the fireball from a location near Manito-
wish Waters, which is about 2l miles northwest of Minocqua. He thought
it landed within a thousand feet to the east of him. Although he heard
no sounds, M noticed a strong odor of burning sulfur in the
air.
Mrs was in a car about two miles southeast of
Presque Isle, which is on the Michigan border twenty-five miles north
of Minocqua. The fireball seemed to pass almost directly overhead. As
it did so, the car radio fac out and, she heard a "distinct humming"
sound. Before it disappeared the north, the fireball seemed to ex-
plode in a burst of greenish li d shoot fragments in all directions.
The foregoing reports are consistent with the path of the main
fireball as inferred from observations in the Mauston and Ft. William
areas. Some other reports were received which are apparently inconsis-
tent, either because they involve serious errors in conpass directions tent, either because they involve serious errors in conpass directions
or because one or more other fireballs (possible fragments of the main or because one o r more other fireballs (possible fragments of the main
one) were observed during the same evening. one) were observed during the same evening.
For example, Miss was driving south on Highway 47 and
saw a fireball when she was about 16. miles northwest of Minocqua. Accord-
ing to Miss Walnick, the fireball seemed to come from overhead and fell
in front of her--to the southeast.
Mrs saw a fireball through the open door of the Enchanted
Forest Bar about three miles northwest of Lac du Flambeau (approximately TI
1l miles northwest of Minocqua). She called to customers who were in
the bar at the time, and they also witnessed the fireball. According
to Mrsa. the direction of travel was from west to east, and the
course somewhat to the south.
Another observer who saw a fireball apparently falling toward the
southeast was Mrs. of Eagle e River. She was driving north
on Highway 51 and was about 1 miles north of Irma--roughly 35 miles
south of Minocqua. The fireball seemed to come from almost directly
over the car. It left over the car. It left a conspicuous trail trail and illuminated the and illuminated ground
"like lightning". "like lightning".
Mr. Mr. saw no fireball, but as he saw no fireball, but as he was walking was walking along a along a
road 4 miles south of Three Lakes, noticed a peculiar blue-green illumi-
nation of the sky, which lasted for several seconds. One or two seconds
later he heard a dull "boom", apparently from the southeast, and simul-
taneously felt a distinct ground tremor. Three Lakes is about 27 Three Lakes is about 2? 7 miles miles
east of Minocqua. east of Minocqua.
Another report, although it introduces an additional complication in
the matter of direction, is interesting in that it lends supcort for the

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idea that two distinct fireballs may have been seen in the Minocqua area.
a high school student, was driving south of Highway 51
about 20 miles south of Minocqua when he noticed a bright flash of white
light in the sky. About ten minutes later, after he had turned off the
highway onto a side road, he saw a fireball, which resembled "a burning
plane", apparent] falling straight down to the southwest.
No effort was made to secure reports fre om the area between Mauston
and Minocqua. However newspapers ed that the fireball
was seen from a a North Central Airlines plan e vicinity of Wisconsin
Rapids. In northern Michigan, inquiries wer ddressed to the Ontonagon
newspaper and Chamber of Commerce. response was received. It may be
that the fireball could not be seen here due to weather conditions. Mrs.
in her report from just south of the Michigan border (see above),
indicated that the sky to he north was overcast.
Mrs. mentioned above, haopened to be a former resident of the
Ft. William area and called to the writer's attention an article in the
Ft. William Times-Journal for January l6th indicating that the Mauston-
Minocqua fireball had been seen from the north shore of Lake Superior.
Requests for further detailed information were addressed to the Times-
Journal and the Port Arthur News Herald. Thanks to the very generous
cooperation of these newspapers, a nuber of excellent eye-witness reports
were later received by the writer. Inquiries were alsc sent to various
other Canadian locations from wiich the fireball might have been seen,
- but these failed to oroduce additional data.
Two of the reports from the Ft. William-Port Arthur area are partic-
ularly interesting in that they provide an approximate "fix" on the point
of i impact. Mr. was located on the north shore of Thunder
Bay about 5 miles northeast of the Port Arthur city lirits. He saw the
fireball reach the horizon on a line just a little to the west of Pie
Island. Mr. was looking out the front window of his home
near the intersection of Isabella and Ford Sts. in Ft. William. He saw
the fireball appear from behind the summit of Mt. licKay and descend in an
apparently eastward direction so that it reached the horizon slightly to
the east of the base of the mountain. The intersection of Mr.
and Mr. lines puts the point of lnes pucs C.re ·polnt Or lmpacc J impact between the west ends
of Pie Island and Thomoson Island. of Pie Island and Thomps son Island.
Three cther reports Three cther reports were were received from within the city limits of received from within the city limits of
Ft.William. Ft. William. a l3-year-old boy, was skating in Minne-
sota Park near the north city limits when he saw the fireball, looking
"bigger than a star" and followed by a short trail "like a blow torch",
falling to an end point 15 east of south. Mr falling to an end point 15o east of south. Mr was in a
car at the intersection of Oakwood St. and Victoria Ave. He too gave a car at the intersection of Oakwood St. and Victoria Ave. He too gave a
course for the meteorite which would put the point of impact close to
Mr. line. Mrs was in a car (apparently

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parked) near McKellar General Hospital. As soon as she saw the fireball,
Mrs. ot out of the car for a better view. She watched the
fireball descend to the southeast and noted the time as exactly 6:12
C.S.T.
Two reports came in from persons located a considerable distance
west of Ft. William. Mr. was fishing near the e west end of
whitefish Lake--about 36 miles southwest. He described the fireball as
"about the size of as nearly parallel to the
southeastern horizon. The point of impact he estimated to be on a line
running toward the southwest end of Isle Royale. Miss saw
the fireball through the window of a house located about 26 miles west
of Ft. William. To her it looked like "a large star" with a trail like
vapor behind a jet plane "but very red"
Most Canadian observers (excepting Mr Most Canadian observers excepting Mr described the apparent described the apparent
size of the fireball as something between a star of of the fireball l as something between a star of extraordinary bright- exiraordinary bright-
ness and "about one qua'ter the size of th ness and "about one qua ter the size of moon" None of them was
aware of any sounds any sounds coniected with the coniected th the pact of the bolide. the bolide.
It may be mentioned that, as in the Minocqua area, several It may be mentioned that, as in the Mi nocqua several reports reports
were received on what anpear have been large meteors large meteors
visible the same evening.
Since the northern cart of Lake Superior is ordinarily ice-covered
until well along in the soring, and thick ice is not easily penetrated
even by a falling meteorite, it seemed desirable to try to initiate an
air search around the probable impact. Accordingly, the Ft.
William Times Journal and also the Ft. William Chamber of Commerce were
notified that, if small plane owners cared to look for it, a reward
of bloo would be paid for the recovery of the meteorite. It was suggested
that the search be concentrated betwcen the west ends of Pie Island and
Isle Royale. Whether ary search was made is not known. So far, no one
has apolied for the reward.
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MI RJEDSO 17JAM61 07 500 16 JAN61 20 542 (
DE RJEDDU 24 ATIC C
11 1618152 HE2 CUFO)
FM DULUTH H ADS MUNI APRT MINN
TO RJUFAL/ENT AFB COLO (
RJEDAH/3OTH ADIV TRUAX FLD WISC
RJEDSQ/AIR TECH INTELL CENTER WPAFB OHIO 44X2A
RJEZHO/ASST CHIEF OF STAFF INTELL HQ USAF WASHIC
RJEZHQ/SECRETARY OF RJEZHQ/SECRETARY OF THE AF WASHDC THE AF WASHDC ONNINYLU
ET
UNCLAS DUOIN 2.
REF AFR 23D-2, PARA 15, THE FOLLOWING REPORT IS SUBMITTED: 15, THE FOLLOUING REPORT IS SUBMITTED:
TCHT 1 1
A. KOL SHOOTING STAR, WITH BALL OF ELUE LIGHT
KWL NO ESTIMATE
KEL ELUISH WHITE
KRL ONE .(
KTL N/A
KYL NO HOE
KUL S SLIGHT TAIL C
KIL NO
C
1-15-61 6:00 P.M/ 2-15-62 6:00 P.M/ Shooting star with ball of dlve light, slight tall, Spooting star with ball of blue light, slight tall,
burned out vith red sparks, obserred 3 seccuda. Obeer7ed SOEAVU
from 60 xiles 03 cf Duluth, Mtiatesota. from 60 xiles N03 cf Duluth, Xtintiesota.
a4v1n
1C03572
PAGE TUO RJEDDU 24 504 444
KOL NO
E. KOL BRIGHT LIGHT
1

KWL 23,333 OR 25,033 FEET - 105 DEG
KEL 10,003 FEET 090 DEG
.KRL ----
KTL BURNED OUT, RED SPARKS
KYL 3 SECONDS
C
C. KOL VISUAL
KIL NO C
KEL LT. CHAPMAN, PILOT MADE OBSERVATION WHILE AIR BORNE
D. C
KQL 2433Z 15 JAN 1961
KWL NIGHT (
I CO  N CV
E. KQL ---- E. AQL ----
KWL 60 NILES NNE DULUTH, NORTH OF LAKE SUPERIOR
F. KQL LT JAMES C CHAPMAN, PILOT 179TH ANG, 27 YEAI ARS, 2713 W. 3RD
DULUTH, ANG PILOT, KEANK TELLER) 907 1894 907
G. KOL LIGHT CIRUS, 25,903 G. KQL LIGHT 'CIRUS, 25,903 18o4
KWL 200 DEG 5 KNOTS
310 DEG 10 KNOTS 2324
8
260 DEG 10 KNOTS
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PAGE THREE AJEDDU 24 a61281 63
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270 DEG 10 KNOTS
340 DEG 10 KNOTS -< <
350 DEG 50 KNOTS 350 DEG 50 KNOTS
319 CEG 15 KNOTE
270 DEG 19 KNOTS (
KEL CLEAR
KeL 13 MTLES

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KTL NONE
KS)NO
H. NONE
I. PILOT MADE TWO RUNS ALONG NORTH SHORE OF LAKE SUPERIOR WITH
NEGATIVE RESULTS. (
J. NONE (
K. NORAD MOAND INTELLIGENCE OFFICER. INTELLIGENCE OFFICER. BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SHOOTING STAR.
THIS TO BE A SHOOTING STAR. C
L. NONE C
C C
BT
16/1957Z JAN RJEDDU
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LAWRENCI COLLEGE
APPLETC ISCONSIN
Maj. William T. Coleman, Jr.
UFO Project Of ficer
Public Information Division
Office of Information
Office of the Secretary
Dept. of the Air Force
Washington, D.C.
Dear Major Coleman:
I appreciate very much your sending me a list of
your records on meteor sightin sight Wisconsin, Minnesota, Minnesota,
and Iowa for 1959-6l. and Iowa for 1959-6l.
You will note from the enclosed mimeographed report
that I did that I did at least one these these
sightings.
I shall perhaps take the narhane liberty iberty ef bo of bothering thering
you again a so from now for any additional
meteor report may ve c way.
Would it be a lot of trouble for you to give me the
name and address the person who reported the meteor
from Booth Lake, Wisconsin, 6-l0-59? I should like to get
further informatic this one if possible.
Very sincer
Copy to Col. Macomber
Truax Field
Madison, Wis. Madison, Wis.
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26 September 1961
Dear Professor:
Thank you for yours of September 15th enclo
the Mauston-Port Ar rthur Fireball Report.
able to help you on the able to belp you on the matter of matter the the Booth Booth Lake Meteor Lake Meteor sighting. Bighting.
whose street address we whose street addreas we don't have, and don't VE have, and
t, Madison Madison 3, B, Wisconsin. Wisconsin.
We are happy We are happy to
on us at any time.
Sincerely,
WILLIAM T. COLEMAN, JR.
Major, USAF
UFO Projeat t Officer
Publie Information Division
Ofrice of Information
Professor
Professor
Lawrence Callege
Appleton, Wisoonsin
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The The -Port Arthur Fireball of January 15, 1961 Port Arthur Fireball of January 15,1961
Lawrence Co Appleton, Wis.
April 8, 1961

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Port
Arthur
Pie Is.
Isle Royale
Ontonagon
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1 Mauston
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On the evening of January 15, 196l, a large fireball was seen
travelling northward from points between Mauston, Wisconsin, and Port
Arthur, Ontario. This came to the writer's attention through a news-
cast concerning the Mauston sightings presented Green Bay Radio
Station WBAY.
An immediate effort was made to secure a accurate, detailed reports
from the Mauston area. The Juneau County sheriff's office, Mauston
Radio Station WTMV, and a Mauston newspaper, the Juneau County Chronicle,
rendered active assistance. Subsequently, Mr a
Lawrence College student whose home is in Mauston, personally interviewed
several of the witnesses.
Mrs. who lives on a farm near Camp Douglas,l3 miles
northwest of Mauston, reported the course of the fireball as "straight
down" to the north. This suggests that the bolide passed directly over
Camp Douglas, although nit did not become visible until it had travelled
some distance beyond.
Mrs. saw the fireball from an automobile about half a
mile southeast of Lake Delton--23 miles southeast of Mauston. To her,
it appeared to be "as large, if not twice as large, as the moon" She
checked her watch and noted that the time was exactly 6:lo P.M. (Central
Standard Time).
Mr was in the living room of his home at the Castle
Rock Boy Scout t Camp, about 13 miles northeast of Mauston. He described
the fireball as "larger than the full moon" and resembling an airplane
coming down in flames.
None of these observers heard any sound which t they
the passage of t th fireball.
About a week later, a letter was received from Mr of
Minocqua indicating that the same fireball had been seen in that area.
The writer visited Minocqua on January 24th and collected a number of
verbal reports. Additional written reports were received subsequently
--thanks to the cooperation Minocqua's newspaper, the Lakeland Times,
and Rhinelander Radio Station WDBT.
and were in a car about 8 miles west cair aoouc O miles west
of Minocqua. They reported the fireball as about half the size of the They reported the fireball as about half the size of the
full moon and "shooting out sparks" full moon and "shooting out sparks". It passed It passed more or less directly or less directly
overhead and was visible for at least five seconds overhead and was visible for at least five second Twenty seconds Twenty seconds after after
its disappearance its disappearancs y heard Ling or crac ing or crac sounds.
an eleven-year-old boy, was walking an eleven-year-old boy, was walking toward the barn on
his family's farm family's farm just west of Woodruff, a mile just west of Woodruff, a mile north north of Minocqua. of Minocqua. He He
saw the fireball passing a little west of overhead and was imoressed by saw the fireball passing a little west of overhead and was imoressed by
its brilliant illumination of the snow-covered ground.
Mrs. lives two miles west of Boulder Junction, about