PROJECT BLUE BOOK

‘

Cuuhhonls o/ hi; Mater

BOLIDE OF 1964 JULY 19, A.M.S. No. 2384

By CHARLES P. OLIVIER
Narberth, Pennsylvania

ABSTRACT
Over sixty visual observations of an unusually bright bolide, sighted over British
Columbia on July 19, 1964, 9:44 p.m. P.S.T., have been analysed to determine the
approximate parabolic path of the object.

SOMMAIRE

Plus de soixante observations visuelles d'un bolide particulitrement brillant appercu
dans le ciel de la Colombie Britannique le 19 juillet 1964 a 9:44 p.m. heure normale du

Pacifique, ont été analysées pour déterminer la trajectoire parabolique approximative
de l'objet.

On July 19, 1964, at 9:44 p.m. P.S.T., an unusually brilliant bolide was
sighted over British Columbia and, moving in a general south-easterly
direction, ended over Washington. Mr. P. F. Brogan, regional director

for the American Meteor Society, began collecting reports at once from
residents in the states of Oregon and Washington. Eventually these were

sent to the writer, who belatedly attempted to calculate the path.
However, it became evident that sighting reports from Canada would
vastly assist in the solution, hence Dr. P. M. Millman of the Meteor
Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, was asked for assistance.
He promptly supplied over 30 Canadian reports as well as a drawing of a
preliminary projected path, derived by Prof. W. F. Slawson, University
of British Columbia, Canada, from observations he had collected. Three
reports were received from the U.S. Air Force, so that over 60 observa-
tions with varying degrees of accuracy were available.

The stations were plotted on a specially prepared map of the region,
and azimuth lines were drawn for the directions in which the bolide was

first and last observed from each station. As always there were great
divergencies but fortunately the Canadian observer at longitude 122° 59’
W., latitude 49° 13’ N., saw it begin at a Ursae Majoris and cross over
6 Aquilae—actually it went much further. This observation gave funda-
mental points on the path and a very fine projected path since it passed
almost through his zenith. Several other Canadians saw it near their
zeniths and could tell on which side it passed. These observations con-
firmed the above projected path. The sub-end point was based mostly
on American reports and a large proportion of these gave estimated

255
R.A.S.C. Jour., Vol. 59, No. 6

256 Charles P. Olivier

altitudes. One Canadian gave the path plotted among the stars, but his
calculated altitudes could not be reconciled with other observations used
to define the path. To derive the heights of the beginning and end points
of the path was very difficult. First, it is well established that most casual
observers greatly over-estimate altitudes if these are more than 15° or 20°.
In this case some very distant observers gave altitudes of 30° to 45°
which would give unreasonable heights and contradict nearer and ap-
parently more accurate reports.

The heights finally adopted are the result of a series of approximations,
too lengthy to describe in detail. A vertical plot was made of many
intermediate points as well as the beginning and end points. (One inter-
mediate point was almost certainly taken for the end point by many
observers since a great outburst of brilliancy took place there.) A line
was then drawn which conformed as well as possible to these various
points. This choice is confirmed by the statement from many observers
that the path was almost or exactly horizontal. The adopted heights of
beginning, end, and the intermediate burst point, are given in the table.
On account of the great length of path, an error of a few kilometres will
have little effect on the radiant point and the orbit. This latter can be
considered to have a greater accuracy than the heights. The opinion of
most observers was that the colour was either blue, white or green, or a
combination of these colours and blue-green is probably correct. The
bolide was very brilliant with the zenithal magnitude at least — 12; even
for distant observers the brightness is given as that of the quarter moon.

In deriving the duration of flight, estimates were omitted of those
observers who stated that they saw only part of the path. In addition,
one of 60 seconds was left out as being much too discordant; indeed it
may conceivably refer to the train, though statements as to the latter
are few and contradictory and most observers apparently saw none. The
duration of from 3.5 to 5 seconds given by many observers indicates that
they saw only part of the path or underestimated duration, but these
values were included. There were several bursts; one observer states
there were six. It is unfortunate that no report was received from the
region near the end point, but that part of Washington is sparsely
populated. If our end height is nearly correct, any chance of recovering
meteorites is small despite the bolide’s unusual brightness. The parabolic
orbit which follows shows direct motion and an inclination of 8°, which
is reasonable if the bolide came from the asteroidal zone.

Date 1964 July 19.74
Sidereal time at end 265°

Began over Long. 124° 08’ W., Lat. 50° 05’ N. at 89 km.

Bolide of 1964 July 19, A.M.S. No. 2384 * 257

Long. 121° 16’ W., Lat. 47° 57’ N. at 68 km.
soap e Long. 119° 34’ W., Lat. 46° 35’ N. at 54 km.
Projected path ; 507 km.

Path 509 km.
Duration 8.0 + 4.2 sec. (32 observations used)
Observed velocity 62 + 32 km./sec. (very uncertain)
Radiant uncorrected a = 140° + 2°,4 = 40° + 2°
Curvature correction —2°3
Zenith correction ee : a2
iant a= : =—

Cet ae a = 132°.3,5 = +29°0

» = 126°.8, 6 = +10°8
Parabolic orbit i = 8°

Q = 117°

x = 227°

q = 0.68 A.U.

This bolide has been assigned No. 2384 by the American Meteo
eS ae expresses his most sincere thanks to Dr. Millman for 2
generously lending the thirty-odd Canadian reports; any solution ie
have been very uncertain without these. We also wish to thank '
Brogan, whose personal work is responsible for most of the ira
reports, and the U.S. Air Force for their co-operation. Lastly, we t an
more than 60 individuals who made the observations and took the
to report; without such co-operation the calculation of orbits would

impossible.

INCOMESG DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

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fabtetl HNO ASQITIL
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‘vent pose
AF IN : 19043 (20 Jul 64) GF/bfb PAGE 1 of

ACTION: NIN-7

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FM POADS ADAIR AFS OREGON

TO RUWGALE/AIR DEFENSE COMMAND ENT AFB COLORADO

RUWHBH/25 AIR DIV MCCHORD AFB WASHINGTON

UCDSA/ ALR TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE CNETER WRIGHT PATTERSON AFB OHIO

RUEAHQ/HEADQUARTERS USAF WASHINGTON

RUZAHQ/SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE WASHINGTON

BT

UNCLAS POODC-I 20-G-5

FOR AFCIN-HQ USAF; SAFOI - SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE. UFO
REPORT. THE FOLLOWING UFOB IS FORWARDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AFR
200-2: PART tI.

1. ACFT AT FIRST AND THEN ROCKET SHAPED.

2, PENCIL.

3. RED AND GREEN WITH WHITE LIGHT BETWEEN.

4. ONE OBJECT.

5. NOT/APPLICABLE.

GS. APPEARED TO BE AIRCRAFT THEN ASSUMED APPEARANCE OF A ROCKET.

. . waa “1, eA nla antin wid ad eral’ WE aes cl ar Se bk ak oe le

INCOMING . DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

7 MESSAGE | STAFE MESSAGE BRANCH UNCLASSIFIED

(20 Jul 64) PAGE

PAGE 2 RUWHKP 11 UNCLAS
7. HAD EXHAUST TAIL.
8. NO SOUND.
ORO NE hee
PART II.
L. BRIGHTNESS.
2. 685 DEGREES ELEV, HEADED TOWARD 990 DEGREES.
$. 33d DEGREES ELEV, 990 DEGREES AZIMUTH.
4. 085 DEGREES TO 939 ELEV, NO MANEUVERS.

G..5 SECONDS.

2. NONE.

PART IV.

1. 29/3545Z.

2 NIGHT.

Se 1 MILE SOUTH OF ALBANY OREGON

PART V. JAY CROOK, STATE POLICE.

PART VI. WEATHERS CLEAR VIS/15 MILES, WINDS 279 DEGREES AT
> TO 19 KNOTS, TEMP 67 DEGREES.

PART VII. RATING ASSIGNED [IS F-6.

BT
NOTE: ADVANCE COPY DELIVERED TO DIA & NIN

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INCUMING: DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE ine LOSiiED
~ MESS AGE STAFF MESSAGE BRANCH ay UNCLASSIFIED |
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|
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INFO : NIN-7, } xOP-1, XOPX-5, SAFOS -3, DIA-15, SMB-1 (33)
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RUWHBH/WT AIR DIV MCCHORD AFB WASH
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UNCLAS 6560AC-7-56.

FOR AFSC, FTD. INFO: SAFOI, USAF, AFCIN. SUBJECT CUFO)

(ZSSAGE IN TWELVE PARTS. PART I. SPHERICAL 2.

SIZE OF DIME AT

Pere ergy eer dee Lek Ane belie a Yee Ad < oe eet PSR 2 ee eer STeeet

‘INCOMING DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE TAL SRM
MESSAGE - STAFF MESSAGE BRANCH UNCL ASS IED

——_

AP IN-: 24720 (24 Jul 64) M/sah Tee ke ier eee OF eS

ARUS LENGTH, 5. INTENSE WHITE LIGHT, 4. ONE, ey, WA S, NONE, 7,
TRAILING EXHAUST, SMALLER WHITE SPOTS TRAILING BEHIND SEEN BY MRS
MCELLIGOTT. TRAIL NOT O38SERVED BY MR MCELLOGOTT. 8. NONE 9. EXCEPT
TIONAL BRIGHINESS, MOST UNUSAL FEATURE. PART II. 1. HAPPENED TO
LOOK OUT FRONT PICTURE WINDOW. 2, APPOXIMATELY TEN (10) DEGREES
ABOVE HORIZON AND THREE FORTY (340) DEGREES AZIMUTH 5S. SAME ELEVA
TION AND THREe PIFTY PIVE 6333), DEGREES AZIMUTH 4, STRAIGAT FLIGHT

es —- ee a ed ee ee wee tee eee ee eens ee ee wee cen}

NO MaAdUVERS, FLAT TRAJECTORY. 5. DISAPPEARED BEHIND HILLSIDE TO

NORTH. PART III. 1. GROUND VISUAL 2. NONE 3, N/A PART IV. 1. 9555Z

20 JULY 1954 2. NIGHT. PART V. TWENTY FOUR (24) MILES NNE OF’ CONDON

ORE PART Vi, Sq, AGE 45 MR LONE ORE FARMER
RELIABLE OSSZRVER SERVED IN ARMY AIR CORPS. 1942-1945, CAPT PILOT

C-47 AND C-54 4/C, @QmmgMemeM, AGE 39, (WIFE) RELIABLE
C3SERVER PART VII. NO WIND, CLEAR, BEFORE MOON RISE SURFACE WINDS CALM.
OBSERVER. WINDS ALOFT 5,990 FT 289 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS 10,909 FT, 280
DEGREES AT 13 KNOTS. . UNLIMITED. Re UNLIMITED. 5. NONE 6. NONE 7. NOT
AVAILABLE PART VIII. NONE. PART IX. NONE KNOWN. PART XI. INTELLIGENCE
OFFICER 6360AC-OP CONDUCTED ON THE SPOT SURVEY. O8SERVER (MR <i?)
BELIEVES IT COULD HAVE BEEN A FIREBALL BUT FLAT TRAJECTORY OF TRAVEL
MADE HIM WONDER. FROM THE ANALYSIS OF OBSERVER’S DISCRIPTION

AND INTELLIGENCE OFFICER’S INSPECTION OF THE LOCATION OF

SIGHTING, OS8JECT SEEN IS BELIEVED TO BE A METORITE. FLAT TRAJECTORY
COULD HAVE BEEN AN OPTICAL ILLUSION TO OBSERVER SINCE HE SAW IT FOR
SUCH A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME. PART XII. NONE.

s NOTE: Original transmission not received in SMB.
Bi

ieee RAO Rint 220s home Bites be hens sae b mse

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———

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Cate} Aunnilt € if 7 PUES?

BOLIDE OF 1964 JULY W, A.M.S. No. 2384

By Cuarves P, OLIVIER
Narberth, Pennsylvania

AgstTeact

Over sixty visual observations of an unusually bright bolide, sighted over British
Columbia on July 19, 1964, O:44 p.m. P.S.1T., have been analysed to determine the
approximate parabolic path of the object.

SomMMALRE

Plus de soixante observations visuelles d'un bolide particulitrement brillant appergu
dans le ciel de la Colombie Britannique le 10 juillet 1064.4 90:44 p.m. heure normale du
Pacifique, ont éte analysées pour déterminer la trajectoire parabolique approximative

de l'objet.

On July 19, 1964, at Ortt p.m. P.S.T., an unusually brilliant bolide was
sighted over British Columbia and, moving in a ceneral south-easterly
direction, ended over Washington. Mr. I’. F, Brogan, regional director
for the Americas Meteor Society, hegan collecting reports at once from
residents in the states of Oregon and Washington. Eventually these were
sent to the writer, who belatedly atten:pted to calculate the path.
However, it became evident that sighting reports from Canada would
vastly assist in the solution, hence Dr. P. M. Millman of the Meteor
Centre, Nationa: Research Council, Ottawa, was asked for assistance.
He promptly supplied over 30 Canadian reports as well asa drawing of a
preliminary p! jected path, derived by Prof. W. I. Slawson, University
of British Columbia, Canada, from observations he had collected. Three
reports were received from the U.S. Air Force, so that over 60 observa-
tions with varying degrees of accuracy were available.

The stations were plotted on a specially prepared map of the region,
and azimuth lines were drawn for the directions in which the bolide was
first and last observed from each station. As always there were great
divergencies but fortunately the Canadian observer at longitude 122° 59’
W., latitude 49° 13’ N., saw it begin at a Ursae Majoris and cross over
5 Aquilae—actuaily it went much further. This observation gave funda-
mental points on the path and a very fine projected path since it passed
almost through his zenith. Several other Canadians saw it near their
-eniths and could tell on which side it passed. These observations con-
farmed the above projected path. The sub-end point was based mostly
on American reports and a large proportion of these gave estimated

255
R.A.S.C. Jour., Vol. 59, No. 6

-~--~—-—— oo

—— a

pe epee nana aeemenmeenll

~

256 Charles P. Olivier Bolide ef 1964 July 19, AMS. No. 2884
attitudes. One Canadian gave the path plotted among the stars, byt his Burst over Long. WE ae cif sagt i a nN vs oy a
calculated altitudes could not be reconciled with other observations used Ended over 2 noe SA W., Lat. 46° 30° N, at & ,
to dele the path. To derive the heights of the beginning and end points ag “hie * poe.
of the path was very difficult. First, it is well established that most easual Pettis §.0 + 4.2 sec. (32 observations used)
observers greatly over-estimate altitudes if these are more than 15° or ae. Wlserved velocity G2 2 42 km. /sec. (very sncernsiag
In this case some very distant observers give alitudes of 30° to 45° iadiaat uncorrected a = ~ £2",8 = 410° £2
which would give unreasonable heights and contradict nearer and ap- ict al “—
parently more accurate reports. Torrecie’ RE a =< Ew 98

The heights finally adopted are the result of a series of approximations, a = 132°.3,5 = +29°.0
too lengthy to describe in detail. A vertical plot was made of many aa 126°.8, = +10°8
intermediate points as well as the beginning and end points. (One inter- Parabolic orbit sia ae
mediate point was almost certainly taken for the end point by many vee
observers since a great outburst of brilliancy took place there.) A tine q = 0.68 A.U,
was then drawn which conforined as well as possible to these various :
points. This choice is confirmed by the statement {rom many observers This bolide has been assigned No. 2384 by the American Met
that the path was almost or exactly horizontal. The adopted heights of Society. =
Deginning, end, and the intermediate burst point, are given in the table. The writer expresses his most sincere thanks to Dr. Millman for
On account of the great length of path, an error of a few kilometres will generously lending the thirty-odd Canadian reports; any ealisiat wo
have little effect on the radiant point and the orbit. This latter can be ; have been very uncertain without these. We also wish to thank 2
considered to have a greater accuracy than the heights. The opinion of Brogan, whose personal work is responsible for most of the Americ
most observers was that the colour was cither blue, white or green, or a reports, and the U.S. Air Force for their co-operation. Lastly, we th:
combination of these colours and blue-green is probably correct. The nuce than 60 individuals who made the observations and took ane tf
bolide was very brilliant with the zenithal magnitude at least —12; even to report; without such co-operation the calculation of orbits wou'd |

for distant observers the brightness is given as that of the quarter moon.

i. : : : F impossible.

In deriving the duration of flight, estimates were omitted of those
observers who stated that they saw only part of the path. In addition,
one of 60 seconds was left out as being much too discordant; indeed it
may conceivably refer to the train, though statements as to the latter |
are few and contradictory and most observers apparently saw none. The

duration of from 3.5 to 5 seconds given by many observers indicates that
they saw only part of the path or underestimated duration, but these
values were included. There were several bursts; one observer states
there were six. It is unfortunate that no report was received from the
region near the end point, but that part of Washington is sparsely ;
populated. H our end height is nearly correct, any chance of recovering
meteorites is small despite the bolide’s unusual brightness. The perabolic
orbit which follows shows direct motion and an inclination of 8°, which
ts reasonable if the bolide came from the asteroidal zone.

Day 1964 July 19.74 a
Sicereal time at end 265°
Beran over J.owg, 124° OS’ W., Lat. 50° 05’ N. at 89 km. }