65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_006

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TO D. Ji. Lad/_ez_A(. DATE: August SUBJECT: SUMMARY 0-;J;;ERIAL PHENOMENA IN NEW MEXICO To advise that: {1) OSI has expressed concern in J connection with the continued appearance of unexplained phen~mena described as green fireballs, discs and meteors in the vicinityµ~ of sensiti ve instal lations in New Mexico. {2) Dr. LaPa2, Meteor Expert of the University of New Mexico, reported that the phenomena does not appear to be of meteoric ·origin. (3) OSI has contracted with Land-Air Inc ., Alamogordo, New Mexico, to make scientifi?·c ri study of the unexplained phenomena. NATURE OF PHENOMENA Observations of aerial phenomena occurring within the vicinity of sensitive installations have been recorded by the Air Force since December, 1948. The phenomena have been classified into 3 general types which are identified as follows : 1. Green fireballs, objects moving at high speed in shapes resembling half moons, circles and discs emitting green light. 2 . Discs, round flat shaped objects or phenomena mouing at fast ueloci~y and emitting a brilliant white light or reflected light. 3. Meteors, aerial phenomena resembling meteor ic ' material moving at high velocity and varying in color. The above phenomena have been reported to vary in col or from brilliant white to amber, red and green. Since 1948, approximately 150 observations of aerial phenomena referred to above have been recorded in the vicinity of inst allations in New Mexico . A number of observations have 1 been reported by different reliable individuals at approximately the same time.

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RESULTS OF AN INQUIRY BY PROFESSOR LINCOLN LA PAZ Dr. LaPaz, Director, Instttute of Meteorittcs, University of New Mexico, submitted an analysis of the various observations on May 23, 1950. He concluded, as a result of his investtgation, that approximately half of the phenomena recorded were of meteoric origin. The other phenomena commonly referred to as green fi reballs or discs he believed to be U.S. guided miss-iles being tested in the neighborhood of the installations. Dr. LaPaz pointed out that tf he were wrong in interpreting the phenomena as originating with U. S. guided missiles that a systematic investigation of the obser­ vations should be made immediately. Dr. LaPa2 pointed out that missiles moving with the velocities of the order of those found for the green fireballs and discs could travel from the Ural region of the USSR to New Mexico in less than 15 minutes. He suggested that the observations might be of guided missiles launched from bases in the Urals. On the basis of the investigations made by Dr. LaPa2 and the Air Force, it was concluded that the occurrence of the unexplained phenomena in the vicinity of sensitive installations was a cause for concern . The Atr Force entered into a contract with Lard-Air, Incorporated, Alamogordo, New Mexico, f or the purpose of making scientific studies of the green fireballs and dtscs. It was pointed out in the summary furnished by OSI on July 19, 1950, that the unexplained greenfireballs and discs are still observed in the vicinity of sensitive military and RESULTS OF AIR FORCE INVESTIGATION The Air Force together with Land-Air, Incorporated, have established a number of observation posts in the vicinity of Vaughn, New Mexico, for the purpose of photographing and determining the speed, height and nature of the unusual phenomena referred to as green fireballs and discs. On May 24, 1950, personnel of Land-Air, Incorporated, sighted 8 to 10 objects of aerial phenomena. A 24~'fljur day watch is being maintained and has been designated ~ roJ·ect Xw}qkl~_."

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The Albuquerque Office, in a letter dated August 10, 1950, advtsed that there have been no new developments in connection with the efforts to ascertain the identity of the strange aerial phenomena referred to as green fireballs and discs . The Albuquerque had been informed of the Bureauajurisdtction relative to espionage and sabotage and arrangements have been made so that the Bureau will be promptly advised in the event additional information relative to this project indicates any jurisdiction on the part of the None. The above is for your in/on ation.

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To: Director of Special Investigations The lnapect.or General Departcont or the Air Force The Pentnnon From: John Edgar Hoover - Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation Subject: FLYING SAUC~.!RS There is attached hereto ror your considerction and attention a copy of a self-explanatory letter dated August 29, 1950, received by this Burenu from •r. alter D. Jones, ot 36 King Street East, Toronto, Ontorlo, Cannda. For your intomntion., the letter fro !Jr. Jones hoe been acknowledged by this Burenu, and he has been informed hie communication hes been referred to your Depart.cent. EHlrl: eas 0:-~

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STANDARD FORM NO. 64 • IOffice Met, ~ LYING SA UCERS Olavln__ SAC Cornelius of Philadelphia called at 10:45 A.JI. Be!Jlollt__ today and stated that yesterday evening while two offi cers of 11011r__ the Philadelphia Police Depar-tment were cruising in their Tole. Hooa_ scout car they saw through the windshield an object descending slowly to t he earth which appeared at first glance to be a When the of ficers first noticed the object, it was a tree-top level and was described as being six feet in diameter. It landed in a field near-by and the officers, upon examining tt, noted that it gave out a purplish glow which was almost a mist. The officersrummoned two other police officers. After looking at the object for some time they attempted to pick it up. The object broke, leaving a slight odorless residue. Over a period of about 25 minutes which the officers spent watching the object it completely disintegrated. The officers further commented that the object was so light that when it hit the field, it did not even bend the weeds or the grass it fell on . Jlr. Cornelius said that he has called the local of fi• e of the Air Force but the individual with whom he sp oke there said he knew nothing about them and was not aware that his office was