PROJECT BLUE BOOK

/
PROJECT 1 10073 RECORD CARD
I. DATE 2. .LOCATION 12. CONCLUSIONS
30 Jan 61 6357 N 2235W (ATCANTIC) 0 Was Balloon
00 Probably Balloon
3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION Possibly Balloon
Local 1355 Ground-Visual Ground-Radar Was Aircraft
000 Probably Aircraft
GMT_ 301555Z Air Visual Air-Intercept Radar PossiblyAircraft
5. PHOTOS 6. SOURCE Was Astronomical
Yes 000 Probobly Astronomical
No Military Possibly Astronomical
7. LENGTH OF.OBSERVATION 8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS 9. COURSE Other Refraction
0 Insufficient Data for Evaluation
5 min. Unknown
1 W
10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING ROUNd, Io. BRiEF sUMMARY OF sIGHTiNG ROund, brint bright silver sllver 11. coMMentsSevera other a/c in area which
object, size of match head. object, size of match head. Appeared Appeared 45° above 45° above did not see object. Personnel did not see ob,ject. Personnel on on ground ground
wing level of a/c at 20,000 ft, 90° wing level of a/c at 20,000 ft, 90° port port attempted to view object with with negative
relative angle of a/c. Heading 290° relative angle of a/c. Heading 290° magnetic results. Sun's position relative to wit-
(a/c heading). Appeared moving slightly to W. nesses was fairly low an nesses was fairly low an SSE. Probahly
A/c changed heading and object was lost. was lost. a layer of ice crystals above witnesses layer of ice crystals ab e witnesses
from which sun was reflecting. Witnesses from which sun was reflecting. Witnesses
probably in right position at time reflec- |
tion could be observed. When they changed
position, it disappeared. position, it disappeared.
ATIC FORM 329 (REV 26 SEP 52)
1
'
.
it

NO CASE (INFORMATION ONLY) 22 January, L96
Ft Walton, Florida
Source: Fawcett
L
-19-
196l has started off te be ancther god year for UFo photographic 196l has started off te be ancther g od year for UFo photographic
evidence as two such everts wexe picked up by the eyes of cameras.
revolving cigar-shaped object was photographed over the Gulf of the Gulf of
,
/

On January 30, l96l near Greenfield, Massachusetts a report
was relayed to me by the Rev.
was returning home from work on
size, which showed large, very bright vhite lights at the front size, which showed large, -- - right white lights at the front
and back and a flashing red light in its center. liss Kangas
stopped her car motor and watohed the aerial object then turn -
-
child's spinning top, she said,
1
.

.
4
'
"
I
.
-
.
4

1 - 15 FEBRUARY 1961 SIGHTINGS
nor
DATE LOCATION OBSERVER EVALUATION
Cambridge, Massachusetts Military, Astro (VENUS)
Spangdahlem AB, Germany Military Astro (METEOR)
Van Nuys, California Insufficieat Data
Maine/Vermont Multi Astro (METEOR)
Cape Wales, Alaska Astro (METEOR)
20M 134w (Pacific) Military Astro (METEOR)
79 Brooklyn, New Yerk Insufficient Data
8 Mi E Indian Springs, Nevada Military Balloon
43.17N 37.3OW (Atlamtic) Military Astro
Forsythe, Montana Astro (VENUS)
L.G. Hanscomb Field, Massackusetts Military Astro (VENUS)
Philippine Sea Phillpplae Sea Military Millcary Astro METEOR) AsCro(MEisok)
23.34W 149.42W (Pacific) 149.42W (Pacific) Military Satellite (ECHo I) Satellite (ECHO I)
8 Springfield, Massachusetts Springfield, Massachusetts Astro METEOR)
8 8 Dayten, Ohi Dayten, Ohie Astro (ALDEBARAN Astro (ALDEBARAN)
8 8 Parkersburg, West Virginia Insufficient Data
9 Bitburg AB, Germany Multi Astro (VENUS)
-10 09.36N 09.36N 145.15W (Pacific) USN Insufficient Data
12 Finlaad Military Other (VENUS PROBE) Other (VENUS PROBE)
12 Sterling City-Garden City, Texas Sterling City-Garden City, Texas Multi Astro (VENUS)
12 12 Guadalupe Island Guadalupe Island Military Satellite
-12Feb/3Jun/2lJun Wortk, Texas Aircraft
Astro STARS/PLANETS)
-14 Dayton, Okio Astro(VENUS)
15 Dayton, Ohie Satellite (ECHo I)
ADDITI REPORTED
DATE LOCATION SOURCE EVALUATION
Feb Carbindale, Illinois breen 164)
4 Andrews AFB, Wasaington MR (Sgt Moon)
Feb Universe Science News Ltr
11

DEPARTNT OF THE AIR FORCE (
STAFF MESSAGE DIVISION
UNCLASSIFIED MESSAGE
AF IN : 2470 (31 Jan 61) /AbC G
3
ACTION: CIN-14
INFO : OOP-2, OOP-CP-1, SAFS-3 (21)
RERUN OF SMD C 085
CZCHQD706ZCCJB027
PP RJEZHQ 1
DE RJDIKF 1
P 302345Z ZEX 5025452 2EX
FM AF ICELAND KEFLAVIK FM AF ICELAND KEFLAVIK ICELAND
TO RJWFAL/ENT AFB COLO
RJEDSQ/WPAFB OHIO
RJEZHQ/HQ USAF AFCIN RJEZHQ/HQ USAF AFCIN
RJEZHO/SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE SAFIS ETS
RJEDAA/SCOTT AFB ILL MAX IN
AF GRNC
UNCLAS KDOI 30-A-44. ATTN MAXIN, SAFIS
THIS MESSAGE IN ONE PAR ART ONE RE PAR 15, AFR 200-2
UFO RE PORT.
A. DESCR IPTION OF OBJECT
(1)ROUND
(2MATCH HEAD
(3) BRIGHT SILVER (3) BRIGHT SILVER
(4) ONE
(5) N/A
(6) (6) I IND IST INGUISHABLE INGUISHABLE

DEFARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE B
STAFF MESSAGE DIVISION
UNCLASSIFIED MESSAG!
INCOMING
AF IN : 2470 (31 Jan 61) Page 2 of 5
PAGE TWO RJDIKF 1
(7) NONE
(8) SAME RADIANCE DURING OBSERVATION
B. DESCRIPTION OF COURSE OF OBJECT DESCRTPTTON OF COuRSE OF OBoECr
(1) BRIGHT SHINY SPOT IN SKY (1) BRIGHT SHINY SPOT IN SKY
(2) 45 DEGREAS ABOVE WING LEVEL OF AIRCRAFT AT 20,000 FEET,
.
… 290 DEGREES MAGNET IC (A/ CA/ HEAD ING) E
(3) SAME
(4) APPEARED MOVING SLIGHTLY TO THE WEST
(5) AIRCRAFT I CHANGED AND OBJECT WAS LOST.
(5 MINUTES
C. MANNER OF OBSERVATION.
(1) AIR VISUAL
(NONE
(3) TW0 F 89 D, 54-199,20,000 FEET, 290 DEGREES MAGNETIC
KEFLAVIK AIR PORT
D. . TIME AND DATE OF TIME AND DATE OF GHT ING IT ING
(1) 3015552
(2) DAYLIGHT (2) DAYL IGHT
E. 63 DEGREES 57 MINUTES NORTH; 22 DEGREES 35 MINUTES WEST
T

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
STAFF MESSAGE DIVISION UNCLASSIFIED MESSAGE
INCOMING
2470 (31 Jan 61) Page 3 of 5
AF IN :
PAGE THREE RJDIKF 1
F. HELAN T. JOHNSON, IST LT, 57TH FIS PILOT B-6
KEITH M. BRATTON, CAPT.
WEATHER AND WINDS--ALOFT CONDITIONS AT TIME AND PLACE OF
G.
SIGHTINGS. SIGHTINGS.
(1) CLEAR TEMPERATURE GRAD. TEMPERATURE GRAD.
(2) ALT ITUDE DIRECTON VELOCITY
060 DEGREES T 10 KNOTS 2 DEGREES CNT. 2 DEGREES CNT.
SURFACE -6 DEGRREES CENT.
; 6,000 6,000 090 DEGREES T 15 KNOTS KNOTS
15 KNOLS S -15 DEGREES CENT. CENT.
10,000 080 DEGREES T
050 DEGREES T 10 KNOTS s -29 DEGREES CENT.
16,000 -41 DEGREES CENT.
060 DEGREES T 10 KNOTS
20,000 10 KNOTS -61 DEGREES CENT.
30,000 120 DEGREES T
270 DEGREES T 40 KNOTS -55 DEGREAS CENT.
50,000 100 KNOTS -61 DEGREES CENT.
80,000 260 DEGREES T
H. NONE
I. SEE K BELOW
J. SEE K BELOW J. SEE K BELOw
K. COMMENTS OF THE PREPARING OFFICER:
INTELLIGENCE TECHNICIAN, M/SGT RC OBERT F. PLYMPTON. BASE
CONTROL TOWER, 932ND AC&W SQUADRON AND DET CONTROL TOWER, 932ND SQUADRON AND DET 13, 9TH
1

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE STAFF MESSAGE DIVISION
UNCLASSIFIED MESSAGE
INCOMING
AF IN : 2470 (31 Jan 61) Page 4 of 5
PAGE FOUR RJDIKF I
WEATHER GROUP WERE CONTRACTED FOR POSSIBLE INFORMATION
CONCERNING THIS SIGHT ING. THE BASE CONTROL TOWER REPORTED
SEVERAL AIRCRAFT OF VARIOUS TYPES IN THE AREA WITH THE SEVERAL AIRCRAFT OF VARIOUS TYPES IN THE AREH *IIN TR2
HIGHEST BEING AT 30, 000 FEET. NO UNIDENTIFIED OR STRANGE HIGHEST BEING AT 30,000 FEET. NO UNIDENTIFIED OR STRANGE
OBJECTS WERE OBSERVED BY ANY OF THE CONTROL TOWER OPERATORS
AT THE TIME X THE SIGHTING. THE 932ND AC&W SQUADRON
WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE TWO OBSERVERS AT THE TIME FOR THE WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE TWO OBSERVERS AT THE TIME FOR THE
SIGHT ING BUT COULD NOT * PAINT" OR VISUALLY SEE THE OBJECT.
SERGEANT K KESSLER OF BASE WEATHER STATED THAT BALLOONS ARE
RELEASED AT THE SAME TIME BY WEATHER UNITS IN GREENLAND,
WEATHER SHIP ABLE 350 MILES WEST OF KEFLAVIK AND THE BASE
WEATHER STATION. HE STATED IN HIS OPINION WITH THE WINDS,
TIME AND DISTANCE FACTORS CONSIDERED THAT THIS COULD NOT
HAVE BEEN A BALLOON RELEASED BY EITHER WEATHER OFFICIALS
IN GREENLAND OR WEATHER SHIP ABLE• HE STATED THAT THE
BALLOON RELEASED AT THIS BASE AT 301L00Z, ACCORDING TO
INSTRUMENTS TRACKING THE BALLOON, RFP BURST AT 301209Z. HE
FURTHER STATED THAT EVEN IF THE BALLOON DID NOT BURST, THAT
ACCORDING TO WINDS ALOFT AT THAT TIME, THE BALLOON WOULD
HAVE BEEN CARRIED FAR TO THE EAST• THE OBSERVERS WERE TO THE EAST• THE OBSERVERS WERE
/

:':. DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE -
STAFF MESSAGE DIVISION UNCLASSIFIED MESSAGE
INCC
AF IN : 2470 (31 Jan 61) Page 5 of 5
PAGE FIVE RJDIKF
IMPRESSED AT THE OBJECTS BRIGHTNESS AND VERY HIGH ALTITUDE.
VERY SLIGHTLY DURING THE 5 MINUTES THEY SAW IT. OBSERVERS
DID NOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE OB.IECT COULD DID NOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE OB.IECT COULD
HAVE BEEN A BALLOON BUT ITS VERY HIGH ALTITUDE, IT
BRIGHTNESS, AND THEIR NOT BR IGHT NESS, AND NOT HAVING SEEN A BALLOON QUITE LIKE SEEN LIKE
IT, ASTOUNDED THEM THE OB.IECT WAS NOT PURSUED BY THEM, DUE
TO THEIR AIRCRAFT BEING LOW ON FUEL. BOTH OBSERVERS WERE
VERY SINCERE AND COOPERATIVE IN RELATING ALL INFORMATION
THEY HAD ON THE SIGHTING. THIS REPORT IS SUBMITTED ON THE
BASIS OF THE INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS SUPPLIED BY THE
BASE WEATHER DETACHMENT. NO FURTHER FACTS ARE KNOWN AT THIS
TIME CONCERNING THIS SIGHTING OR WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN
L.NONE
BT
3 /0 03Z JAN RJDIKF 3./0 03Z JAN RJDIKF
1

Iàforation Only Southern Califoria
Spurce: Americon Noteor Society for 196l, # 137 16 January 1961
A.M.S. No. 2355
C. P. OLIVIER, N. D. PETERSEN aNd J. P. BAGBY
A very spectacular fireball appeared has been printed in Griffeth Observer,
at 5:57 P.S.T., on this da.e, and passed September 196l. It is also designated
over southern California, roughly from as Contributions of the Meteoritical
east to west. Our regional director, N. Society, Vol. VI, No. 10. It seems that
D. Petersen, at once began to collect he was unaware that the A.M.S. was also
observations with the aid of local papers. collecting reports. Having read his inter-
Later, J. P. Bagby made further efforts esting paper it is clear that he had the
covering the territory to the north. great advantage of having people north
Meantime, totally unknown to us, Dr. of the path who collected reports in
John A. Russell, Dept of Astronomy, numbers, some by trained observers.
Univ. of Southern California, Los An- Nearly all of our reports came from the Nearly all of our reports came from the
geles, Calif., had started a campaign to Los Angeles area, hence south of the
collect reports on this object. His paper collect reports on this object. His paper path and very near its end. In view of
these facts, it was obvious that Russell's seemed reasonable, the heights of 12
solution should be considerabiy better points on the path, for which altitudes
than any we could make, but as both were given, were calculated and a line
Petersen and Bagby had gone to so passed through them as well as possible.
much trouble collecting much trouble collecting data, and many data, and many While the scatter is large, the line turn-
of the ives filled out ed out better than expected, giving
follow; followi , it seemed that it seemed that h=21 for the radiant, and a=277. h=21° for the radiant, and a=277°.
possible with the Russell's projected path was then en- Russell's projected path was then en-
the following solu- the following solu- tered on our chart and the sarne 12 tered on our chart and the sarne 12
tion has been raade, fully realizing that points calculated for it. The mean line,
lack of much data from north of tha then drawn, shows far greater deviations
path and from the long eastern portion and h=27^; his a=291^°. (Our azi-
makes the solution of lower weight than muths are alwnys counted from the
one could wish. south point, in his article from the north
We have approximately 65 reports, point.) Despite the relatively favorable
of which 3o give some angular estimates. result of our solution, Russell's shouid
mong them are two from Las Vagas, be the better one, as he had many
.V., where mountains unfortunately observers in favorable places north of
rastricted accurate altitudes, and one the path and also some along the eastern
from the Am.S.S. Matsonia which was portion. The method used here is a
at sea and west of the entire path. This most approximate one, but we either
last is of key importance. Twilight still had to use it or give up any attempt at
lingered for most observers, so we in a solution. As it is, we get almost the
general lack any comparison with stars. same end height, but our sub-end point
Time of appearance was given accurate- is distant 30 km in azimuth 321^ from
ly by 11, and approximate by 17 other his. Though the true length of the
observers, so it is certainly known to path could not be determined by us it
one minute. That it had a disk is defin- was certainly much over i70 km. If one
itely stated by 24; 12 of these give of the Las Vagas observers was correct,
angular diameters: mean 17'=12'. The the path was more than twice that
color, given by 7. vary greatly. Many length. By using the segments of path
doubtlees . color of the head seen by 8 observers who alo gave dura-
ar "erhups blue- lerhaps blue- tions the velocity in last part of path tions the velocity in last part of path
w observers was 19.2 km/sec, but the average devia-
-: 12 estimating tion from the mean is so very large that
duration, duration, - -uhinltely they saw nitely they saw little confidence can be placed in this
only part of the path. The average for result. The object broke up into per-
the other 18 is 5.75 seconds. The end haps four units following one another,
point is fairly well determined as near end of the path.. Others described
1.7=9.9 km; 12 observers. 1.7=9.9 km; 12 observers. It lies over It lies over it as followed by a "flame" four times
A=119°54'W, p=34°43'N. It is abso- A=119°54'W, p=34°43'N. It is abs0- the length of the main body. No long the length of the main body. No long
lutely impossible for us to determine the enduring train was left nor any train was left nor any
beginning point. However, by laying off authentic sounds heard. The usual
on the chart a projected path which on the chart a projected path which tabular data follow:

Date ...1961 January 16.58
Side.real t..me at end ppoint ..... ...25°36'
Began over ....Indeterminate
Ended over ...λ=119^°54'W, =34°43'N, at 21.7 km
Length of path ......over 170 km
Duration .......5.75 + sec.
Radiant uncorrected .….a=277°,h=21°
Zenith correction parabolic -
.adiant corrected .a=277^°,h=17°
. a=98^°δ=+40
λ =98 ^°β=-19^
Parabolic orbit: i=11°, Ω=117°, π=172°,q=0.77A.U.
For comparison's sake Russeli's two elliptical orbits are copied from his oaper,
their differences due to what velocity he adopted:
1a=1.7 A.U.,e=0.51,i=14°,$Ω=117^°,ω=53°, q=0.85A.U., .7A.0.,e-0.51,1-14. 32 P=2.3y
2a=2.5 A.U.,e=0.66,i=16°,Ω=117°ω=49°,q=0.85 A.U., P=4.0y 2)a=2.5 A.U., e=0.66,i=16°, 0.85 A.U., P=4.0y
It is rather surprising that our para- data obtained separately a far data obtained separately a far better
bolic orbit agrees fairly well in inclind- bolic orbit agrees fairly well in inclina- orbit would have been obtained. orbit would have been obtained.
tion. longitude of perihclion and peri- tion, longitude of perihelion and peri- Both Petersen and Bagby collected
helion distance--the node being longi- the data and put them in form for use. the data and put them in form for use.
tude of Sun + 1so had to agree-- Without this no solution would have
when our radiants differed considerably, when our radiants differed considerably, been possible. Olivier made the final been possible. Olivier made the final
namely 4 in altitude and 14° in calculations. Our sincere thanks go to
azimuth. It was impossible for us to the numerous observers who sent in
compute an elliptical orbit as our data
did not give the beginning point. Had reports and to the newspapers which reports and to the newspapers which
either Dr. Russell or we had all the kindly published the requests for them.

No Case (Information Only) 17 January 1961
Norco, California
1961
...At dusk on Jamuary I7th, Nrs: Paul ...At dusk on Jamuary I7th, Nrs. Paul
Whito of Norco, California, w Whito Noreo. California, sitting in hor ys sitting in her yard hen a faint whistling faint whistling
noiss attraeted her attontion.  A ball or fire noiss attraoted hor attontion..A ball or screaming sereaming down toward the down toward the
ground, and hit in back of a house aoross ground, and hit in back of a house aoross the street. The next day Mrs. Waite street. The next day Mrs. Waite
investigated the spot where the objeot had hit, _ and saw three charred aircles investigated the spot where the objeot had hit,_ and saw three charred aircles
in the back yard. The ground appeared/ to in the back yard. The ground appeared to be baked by intense heat, but no ob- baked by intense heat, but no ob-
jocts were found. jocts wero founde
1