DISCLOSURE / FILE
Final report of Project Twinkle (Nov 1951), the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories instrumented study of 'green fireballs' and unidentified aerial objects over New Mexico, concluding that the Land-Air contract produced no conclusive identification and recommending no further fiscal expenditure.
Final report of Project Twinkle (Nov 1951), the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories instrumented study of 'green fireballs' and unidentified aerial objects over New Mexico, concluding that the Land-Air contract produced no conclusive identification and recommending no further fiscal expenditure.
Authored by project scientist Louis Elterman of the Geophysics Research Division and routed through P. H. Wyckoff's Atmospheric Physics Laboratory, the report documents a year of Askania photo-theodolite vigilance by Land-Air, Inc. at Holloman AFB, plus liaison with the 17th OSI District at Kirtland AFB, Los Alamos personnel, and Dr. Lincoln La Paz at the University of New Mexico. A statistical analysis by Dr. Fred Whipple of Harvard covering 53 nights of reports between 5 December 1948 and 5 March 1951, and 72 observations tested against lunar phase, did not resolve the phenomena. The report concedes the year of vigilance 'does not permit a conclusive opinion,' floats that 'the earth may be passing through a region in space of high meteoric population,' and recommends no further expenditure while noting Holloman placed the project on standby rather than ending it outright. A 17th OSI summary appended to the report lists specific 1950-1951 sightings by Los Alamos employees, Bell personnel, a Corona radar site sergeant, and a C-54 pilot.
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• • • • • • UN • facilities for the electromagnetic f r equency me..asurmaonts that were to be )rovided by the Signal Coros ~ngineerine Laboratories were not utili zed due to the fact that the f requency of occurrence of these phenomena. did not justify the 50 , 000 a year transfer of funds to the Si gnal Corps which wo\ud be required to carry out such a monitoring facili ty. Ho ,o~ev er, the phenomena activity over Holloman AF13 150 miles s outh of Vauglm, !. l!exico during the l atter part of 'ugust 1950 wa s consider ed sufficiently significant so that the contract with Land-Air (Askania c ameras only) \vas extended for six months ending 31 Itarch 1951. 3. Contractual Period - 1 Octo ber +950 to 3),. lltar _ ch ~951 again \·Iere overhauled and installed at HAFB . This installation was como1eted about 5 November 1950 . On 16 October 1950 , arrangements \.rere 1aade by Lt. Albert of HAFB that Nor thruo Aircraft pilots eneaged in frequent flyine: of B - L~o; and QF - 80 aircraft in the Holloman vicinity v1ould renort all observations of aerial phenomena. Durinr this neriod, occasional reports ere received of individuals seeinp strange aerial phenom na, but these reoorts were sketchy, in- conclusive, and were considered to be of no scientific yalue . Ho sightinp.s were made by the As,l{ania cameras . Pothing whatsoever \-las reoorted ey the IJorthrury nilots . ropular interest seened abated , at 1eaot in the southuest . On 31 Na.rch 1951, due to the expiration of the contract, Land-Air ceased constant vie"i1ance at the t\·10 Askania sta- tions . In sum.Dary, the r esults durinr, this per iod v1ero negativ e . • UNCLASSIFIED DOWNGRADED AT 3 . DECLAsSIFIED AF~~-~R 1 JNTER'r AIJS : DOD DlR 6200.lO YEARS .Concatenated page-by-page transcript. Born-digital pages came through pdf.js; scanned pages were transcribed by Claude vision OCR. Pages marked unreadable failed multiple OCR retries (heavy redaction, microfilm artifacts, or blank separators) and are kept in place for audit.
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• • • • UNCLASSIFIED • 4. Post Q.o_]ltrl!,ctual Inqu_ irY; In view of the unproductive nature of the contract \vith Land- Air , it was decided to roalco further inquiry concerninp: recent aerial object developments in Ne\-T Uoxico . On 9 August 19~ >1 , the situation \vas discussed \vith Lt. Col . Cox of the 17th OSI District (Kirtland AFB) . untill5l1arch 1950 the District had been diligent in foruarding copies of their reports on aer ial object nhenomena . Since then, no r enorts have been received by the Geophysics Research uivision . Colonel Gox advised that renorts I of stranp:e aerial nhenomena were still r eceived by the 17th OSI office, at the rate of once or t\rice a month but little attention was beinr- given to this matter . Host of' the renorts Rfirinated from n0rsonnol at Los ... Alamos . The OSI files were ( ""n" 7 .; e\-ted . (A summary coverinrr recent r eports is attached . ) I t vias l e '"""!i' that r enr esentatives from Ll]T~ and also from A RGOSY were interested in nublishinf articles on aerial object ohenomena . On 27 aUf.USt 1951 , develonments concerning aerial nhenomena were discussed at Holloman Al''B . Lt. John Albert previously ussocicted with the nroject had now been transferred from Holloman. Ther efore , the project \vas discussed ui th Haj or I:dward A. Doty -vrho had assumed resnon- sibility. L.ajor J.JOty, uho seemed to be thoroughly acquainted with the situation, advised that there have been very few reports of I , ,'NGRADED AT 3 YEAR INTERVALS• DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS. ' DOD DIR 6200.10 UNCLASSIFIED
• • • • • UNCLASSIFIE • a er ial phenomena in the vicinity of Hollooon since Sontember 1950 . The noDulace around HAFB seem to have lost their sensitivity as ob- servers . Lven durinr; the meteor sho\ver of 11- 12 August 1951 , no alarming renor ts \.Jere received . However , on 14 !larch 1951, nine Bell per sonne l r eportea si[!hting between fourteen and t\·Tenty bodies ·not unli ke a flock of geese 1 • On 9 July a ''red glo\·ring ball u '"as sighted by a s er geant stationed at the Cor ona ~~oerinental Radar Site a t Corona , Ne'\oT Hexico . (vopi es of both r eoorts are attached) • • l·fur e recently , a nilot reported some aerial objects which, after investieation , were identified as nlanets . Hr • .&J . l.-uildenberg, who is an assistant to 1.Llljor L.Oty and an active amateur astronolllcr , comnented that he has been 511ending sev- eral hours at his telescope alnost ~u ., r • ry night for the past fe\·1 years and never once observed an unexolainable object; that on .. one occasion, an excited acquaintance 'o~as nacified uhen a 1 strange objec t showed uo as ru1 eagle in the telescope ; that Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of the nlanet t.Luto and now engaced in activities at \·Jhi te Sands , never observed an 1mexolainable aerial object despite his contfnuous and e.."Ctensive observations of the sky; that Fred \!hioole in his '\orork photograohing meteors at Las Cruces, never de- tec ted a strange aerial object ui th his "'chmidt caueras; and that the A and 11 Col lege at Las Cruces engages j.n astronomical observa- tions but had never observed strange aerial phenomena. 6 UNCLASSIFIED
• • • • lJNCLASSIFlED • It \.Jas learned from Uajor voty , that Col . Da.ynes , C. 0 . at HAFB , no lonp:er felt there vias any j ustification for the allocation of funds for maintaininr; systematic investie;ation . Rather, he pr ovided that the nro jec t be maintained on a standby basis and Hithout official Air Force status . lhis entails assignment of an officer (:f\1ajor voty) to collec t incoming repor t s , make periodic r evi ew of the file s · for patterns or per s istent characteristics in the r epor t s , maintain liaison with OSI, .t?rovost l'.arshall 1 s Office and any other agencies whose a ctivities may serve to provide information concerning future aer ial nheno:mena dev elon; 1ents . Lund-Air ht:~.s agreed to reoort and if oossible photograph any abnoroal sightings made dur ine their scheduled periods of ooeration (about eight hour s each. ' 8Jy) • The \leather station ~ • w.. .... Hill function similarly . Also , all JJ. .... 1.ot s have been briefed to re""fort • any unusual observations . If ncct,.;. i.:)aary, the nr ojcct can be activated very quickly , even to the extent where funds \~ 11 be made available , for the purchase of equipment • • Lajor Doty also arranged a conference \d th L.:r . larren Kott, who • is in char ge of Land- Air operations . Hr . l ott oointed out that a forrlal report c overi~g the year 1 s vigilance period had not been issued since • the contract contained no such provisi on . Actually, a time correlation study should be made covering the fiLra and verbal recordings at both Askania stations . Thi s would a s sure that theae r ecords did not contain significant material . ~ov1ever, such a study i s quite laborious , and \Jould require about thirty man days to comolete . Ag~i n, no r.>r ov i sions are contained in the contra c t for this study , but Lr . Kott felt that DOWNGRADED AT 3 YEAR INTERVALS• DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS • DOD DIB 6200.10 . UNCLASSlflE
• • • • ct:ASSIF ~:: this could be done by Land- Air at the additional oxoense in the r..ear future when the uork load diminished . hr . h.ott requc:stc foraal authorization to do this and .~.aj ar .uoty agreed to issue this letter of authorization . It was arranc;ed further that at such time uhen the study is completed all hotographic and tape recordings would be sent to the Geoohysics Research Jivision . Prior to departing HAFB , the projec t files were r eviewed . ~jor uoty advised ~hat access to the fi l es had not been r equested by any periodicals . On 28 Augus t 19jl, the subject \>Tas discussed informally with • Dr . Lincoln La Paz , who expressed disbelief in all aerial phenonena except for the green fire- balls . The r ed fire- ball occasionally re- ported he believed ,.,as the visual after-effect of the green . Their recent oripin (1947) and peculiar trajectories did not, permit , accord- ing to Dr . La Paz , them to be cla ssed as natut·al phenomena . .~.he most recent that has co~e to his attention occurred over Detroit • on ? July 1951 . It crossed tne city from Horthwest to Southeast with a sharply descending trajectory which leveled out and '\·n .. s observed by many r esidents of the city. Dr . La Paz exryressed the opinion -chat the fi r eballs may be of our oHn rri.litary oririn, but if not , they are a 1:1atter ot· serious co!luern . 5. Conc.lusions Undoubtedly, a gooa many ot· the observations reported are attri- butable to ordinary man- made objects such as air'Jlanes , balloons , sm.oke rockets , etc . It apoears that balloon observations especially are re- soonsiole for a large ntu'loer ot· the reports . 'ihe possiu~li ty of snall . DOWNGRADED "AT S YEAR INTERVALS • DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS. ' • u 8 LASSIFIED • DOD DIR 6200.10 • • •
• • • • ernissive clouds issuing 1rom atomic installations also has been rroposcd . IW"ly ot· the sightinf;S are attributable to natural ohcnoruena such as • flight 0 ~ o1r ds , planets , meteors , and possib~y cloudiness . Dr . Fred L. \Ihi pole of Harvard , in a memorandum to t his lo.bo1·atory dated 9 J~urrt.tst 1950 relative to this problell, indicated that he had observed a tendency for the occurrence of small detachea clouds in Hou l ~xi co Hhich might have been mist~en for an aerial object when illuminated by the reflected light of the moon. Dr . .hipple investigated the possibility of a cor- relation between the frequency of aerial pheno~ena observations and weather conditions -- specifically cloudiness . A rough analysis of available \reather data, in ... icated that on the 53 nights (bet\veen 5 December 1948 and 5 March 1951) vrhen observations were r eoorted , 10 were clear , · 4 partially cloudy, 5 cor.1pletcly overcast and 14 had no record. The nt~ber of cloudy nights i nvolved seems unusually hirh f or New I:exico. The weather reports vrere for the Las Cruces Ar~a only where- as many of the observations were a considerable distance from Las Cruces . li'urther investigation is therefore necess ary to determine correlations • with cloudiness . ur . Uhiople also conducted a study us to \Jhethcr tho ar:e of the moon was related to th0 frequency of aerial phenomena observations . The res~ts did not indicate that the phenom ena were observed largely at fUll moon . The stctistics show th8t of the 72 observations reported, 45 occurred when the moon was uo and 27 when it was down with many of the observations occurring at the time of the moon ' s first quarter . From the statistical study, Dr . lhipple sugges ts that the existence of moon- light is correlated with the ohenomena. Dr . \lhipple 1 s frequency diagrar1 of observations vs . age of moon is included in.tbjs report. ~ - - _ 'AT 8 YEAR INTERVAT~S: AFTER 12 YEARS. PIB 6200.10 ·~· .
• • • • I IJNCLASSlFlED It should be noted that Dr . Jhipnle made a cnre~ study of meteor photogranhs tru{en in I;ew hexico on 35 nirhts when observations Here reported . None of the nhotographs revealed the. pr0sence of un- usual sky phenomena . Finally, the overall picture obtained from the year of vigilance and inquiry does not uor mit a conclusive opinion concerning the aerial ohenomena of interest. The comparatively hif;h incidence of tl1e ~heno - mena since 1948 does not necessar ily indicate that the objects are man- made . It is conceivable that the earth may be passing through a ree;ion in space of high r.1eteoric pooulation . Also, the sun- spot lilrodma. in 1948 ocrhaos in some vray may be a contributing factor . 6. Reconunenda tions Since the findings to d~te cannot 'be considered conclusive, it appears that the followine recozmnendations would be oertinent : - • l>OWNGRADED AT 3 YEAR INTERVAlS· DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS. I • DOD DIR 5200.10 ~ • • h,.,.,_ , .. UNCLASSIFIED •ONCLASSIFI (1) No fur vher f i scal 0xnenditure be nmde in pursuin~ the problem. This opinion is proupted nartly by the fruitless expenditure durinp t he past year, the uncertainty of existence of unexplainable aerial • objects, and by the inactive position currently tal\en by Holloman AFB as indicated by the ''stand- by status· of the TJroj ct. The arrangements by HAFB for continued vigi lance by Land-Air, the weather ststion as well as the briefing of pilot s on t he problem in part r elieves the need for a systematic i nstrumentation program. (2) \ i thin the next fevr months , Dr . Uhipnle will have completed the installation of two 18-inch Schmidt cameras for meteor studies . rrbe cameras will be stationed about ?Q mil es apart in the vicinity of Las Cruces, New Hexico. Since these studies l.il l be s ponsored by the GRD, arrangements can be nade for examining the film for evidence of aerial object phenom ena. LOUIS ELTLRI·W~ Projec t Scientist Atmospheri c Physics Laboratory Geophysics Research Vivision ll UNCLASSu DOWNGRADED AT 3 DECLAssiFIED AI4~~ R 1 ~.J'ERV AT,S: .. DoD DlR 6200.10 EARS.
UNCLAS~lf .. Summary of Recent_Aeria+.. Jhcnorn~na ;tenort13 fro]]} 17th. O,$I J?).s,trict 11 Nov . 19;0 - Reports of a. l are;e- sized balloon. It vras determined that this vias released by General d:i.lls . The balloon • subsequently was recovered . J,.2 Jan . 1951 - Report from ten k>s Alamos emnloyecs . Tear shaned object ,n_ th small tail; v er y bright appearance ; descended slo\-1ly; sky lirhted up fo · about 1 sec; " . t4kA.. ck.vt~--1 7 //JJ~ ~ - ~ · 16 ~·eb . 1951 - Aerial object reported i n the vicinity of holloman AFB . This turn ed out to be a General :d. lls balloon func tioning for Proj ect · s~1ook • 19 Feb. 1951 - A C- 54 pilot reoorted a gr een flar e or roc 1~e t observed in the vicinity of Rodeo, IJ . 1'. I-r,s notion was vertical and nassed the plane at 900C ft . Investigators believed this to be a meteo~ . ,..,. 6 r:iar . 1951 - Renort fror:t four Los Alamos personne l of very brieht obj c t crossine, sky . Also observed by t \.ro Kirtland P.-FB pilots who reryorted this as a meteor ; time - 11~ : 30 ; repor ted by ur. La Paz to be a detonating f ire-baJl . .o fr~ents - recovered . - DOWNGR.ADP.D AT 3 YEAR !NT . DECLAtitilFJED AFTl~P 12 1 yffritLS: UNCLASSIFIE . DOD DIR 5200.10 . • .
• CLAS .. 1 '2 lfur . 1951 - Report f rom Albuquer oue , H. l1. by t\.ro individuals • of ba11- shaoed object, shining- v1hi te apucarance . rrhe ob jec t des cended rapi dly to the horizon • • 1 April 1951 - Renort from a Los Almms employee . Oblong shaped object movin ~ slowly both in horizontal and vertical direc tions . Bright appearance . 7 June 1951 - Repor t from a Los Alamos employee . Pointed cylinder in vertica l position . Cloth- like cons t ruction . Fell in canyon at 11 : 10 A.H. Search oarty \;.ras unable to find the object or any rc1.1ains . 8 June 1951 - Report f r om a ws Alamos employee . Large reddi s h dot , dull apocaro.nce \-ThieL turned brieht green. Obs erved • for three seconds • • • • 13 ••
• • • • ' c . 0 p y R- 114- 165 ELNaton/elf Am I1AIL 11 Dec J951 SUBJECT: Transmittal of Final Renort of Project Twinkle TO : Director of Research and Development Headquarters , USAF ' • 1. Twinkle , ATTN : AFDR.u-RE, Colonel John Tucker \lashington 25, D. C • • • • • "Inclosed is a cony of the Final Heoort on .t'roject forl'Jarded at your reques G. 2. As there is interest in this matter outside of the Deoartment of Defense , \ole have recommended to Hq . , ABDC:; that consideration be piven to its declassification, particularly in view of the fac t that no~hing of a security nature has been discover ed . 1 Incl a/ s FOR TH~ COl~ IANuiNG G ~ULRAL : EPHRAIN RAutn.R Chief, Operations Section Plans and Onerations Branch Geophysics Research Vivision .. 1' \ .. ~ ALS · } HS. ' • • or ICL .s:;r-p::o
• • • • 4 • • • • \ • • - • - • . ,. It ia a well known fn.ot thnt the Rusa1nna have been hftrd a.t work on several urgent projects to study 'fireballs•. Uany years ago the Air Force concluded e study of the cys t erious ' gr een fireballs'in the aouthwestorn states in the U.S.A. It was called 'PROJECT T\liiXLE' 1 but its findings been rove&led • - - • •
• • • UNCLASSIFIED Extract of Letter from AFCRL, dated 15 September l950, Subject: Status of Project Twi.nkle TO: Commanding General Air Materiel Command Attn: MCREEP-4 Major J. H. Kodis Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio "If no fire balls are observed in the next six month period, it is reconnnended that the project be d)scontinued. In a phenomenon as sporad.ic as the :t'iJ.'"C balls appear to be, it is felt that at least one year is required in order to establish '"hether their occurrence is or is not a seasonal phenomenon. 4. There is considerable doubt in the minds of some of the project personnel that this is a natural phenomenon. As long as a - --c: reasonable doubt exists, 1t is not wise to d).scontinue entirely the observations. Dr . Whipple s suggestion that these may be moon reflections on small clouds cannot be discounted . That fire balls have been observed in the past cannot be di.scounted due to the re- liability of' several witnesses. It may be considered significant that fire balls have ceased abruptly as soon as a systematic \vatch vras set up. At present it does not appear likely that the next six months of observations will yield any more information than the first six months, but it is felt that even oegati ve inf6rmati.on may be significant . 5. It is requested that a six month extension of the Land Air contract be negotiated. It is also requested that the spectrographic equipment abando~ed by Holloman Air Force Base due to lack of personnel be turned over to Land Air for operation in the next six month period. At the conclusion of the six month extension, an evaluation of the observations will be accomplished by this Directorate and reconunenda- tions as to the future conduct of this project will be forwarded to your cOimnand . " RADED AT 3 YEAR INTERVALS~ DO~~LASSIFIED AFTER 12 YE.ABS. :~ DOD DIR 6200.10 ClASS/FlED - •
• • • • • • • UNCLASSlF\ED Bas Ltr fr Hqs, Al·1C, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton Ohio dtd 9 December 1949, Sub: Light Phenomena 2nd Ind. Hq AMC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 17 May 1950 TO: Director of Research and Development ,Hq, USAF, Washington 25, D. c. ATTN: AFMRS-4 1. Since the date of basic correspondence this Conm~nd has been able to initiate subject project on a limited basjs utilizing personnel and eqttipment which have become available at Holloman Air Force Base. For your information the investigation involves the following observa- tional techniques: a . . Optical tracking with Aska..'l'lia photo theodolites in order to provide trajectory datn and photo records. b. Optical spectra-photography using standard cameras ~nth suitable diffraction gratings. c . Radio spectrum analysis through the range from 500 kc to 4000 me. This portion of the program will be shortly started with the Signal Corps providing equipment and personnel. 2. The request of this Comnand as contained in Paragraph 2 of basi c correspondence is withdrawn. In view of this, prior RDB approval for the project is not bt!!lieved necessary. This COimnand will take action to co- ordinate the project through normal channels. 3 . . In order to better evaluate the results of the investigation outlined in Paragraph 1 above, it would be very desirable to have the activities of the 17th District OSI at Kirtland Air Force Base re-ini~iate in making field investigations of light phenomena report s. Such report s would be important in the verification of any results of the project work at Holloman. It is therefore requested that action be truten for re-ini- tiation of the 17th District OSI investigations for the period of this project . FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: e, S, R, BRENTNALL Major General, USAF Director, Research and Development .UO\VNGRADED AT 3 YEAR lJ. ,TERVA!JS; DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS. DOD DIR 5200.10 • -
I • • • • • • • Bas Ltr fr Hqs AlJ!C, Wright-Patterson Air Force Ease, Dayton, Ohio dtd 9 December 1949, Sub: Light Phenomena AFMRS-4 1st Ind Department of the Air Force, Hq., USAF, Wash. 25, D. C. 20 December 1949 TO: Cozmnanding Geueral, Air Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 1. This headquarters concurs in the ,establishment of a project within the Air Force Geophysical Research Program in order to ft~ther investiga·te and secure quanti ttative data on the "Light Phenomena 11 observed in the Southwestern United States. 2 . Prior to securing the approval of the Research and Development Board and accomplishing the necessary reprogramming within the Geophysical Sciences Budget, it will be necessary for you to prepare a project plan. This plan should include a statement of the problem, method of accomplishment, money, facilities and personnel required to make the necessary measurements. The funds requirement shotud be stated by object classification . 3. When this necessary information has been received from your co~nand, this headquarters will take appropriate action to secure Research and Developmex:tt Board approval. As soon as an approval is forthcoming, your command will be requested to initiate the project. !nels. w/d BY COMMAND OF THE CHIE:F' OF STAFF: • • B. G. HOLZMAN Cblonel, U.S.A.F. Chief, Geophysical Sciences Branch Directorate of Research & Development Office, Deputy Chief of Staff, Materiel c 0 p y EPS
• • • • • - . . UNCLA I FlED • \-lright-Patterson Air Force Bace Dayton, Ohio MCGO 9 December 1949 SUBJECT: Light Phenomena TO: Director of Reseach and Development Headquarters, USAF Washington 25, D. C. 1 . Reference is made to: a . Headquarters USAF (~~s - 4) letter, dated 14 September 1949, Subject: 11 l,ight Phenomena . " (See Inclosure No . 1.) b. Cambridge Research Laboratories letter, dated 7 November 1949, subject: "Report of Conference on ''Green Fireballs" (Project Grudge) . " (See Inclosure No . 2.) 2 . A ~eport of the conference held at J.,os Al,~os on the subject of phenomena observed in the Ne'r Mexico area is forwarded as inclosure No . ?. . Inasmuch as the phenomena appenrs to be atmospheric in nature, it is recon~ended that the investigation continue unde the Air Force Geophysical Research program . In order to establish such a project it is requected that Research and Development Board approval be acconq)lished and that nececsary funds be provided. FOR THE C01•1MAIIDING GENERAL: Incl: c 1 - See par la abv 2 - See par lb abv 0 p y eps /s/ M . B. Lammerc t-1 . B. LA!~RS Technical Assistant Deputy to the Connnand General for Operations NGRADED AT 3 YEAR INTERVALS: ilCLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS. DOD DIR 5200.10 .UNCLASSIFIED •
• • • • c • • ' AIR FORCE CAV~IDaE RESEARCH LABORATORIES FCEO/epa OO . Q2 In reply, address Conmtanding Officer . Attn: ERH 230 Albany Street Cwr.bridge 39, I-1ass 7 November 191~9 SUBJECT: Report of Conference on Green Fireballs" (Project Gr1dge) TO: Commanding General Air Materiel Command Wright-Patterson Att"""'B Dayton, Ohio ATTN: MCREEO, l"ajor G. H . Duncan l . In accordance with instructions contained in classified letter from Chief of Staff, USAF to CG, AMC, s1bject 11 Light Phenomena," 11+ September 1949, the undersigned attended a conference at Los Alamos on the subject of a phenomena observed in the northern Nevr Mexico area. The phenomena has the appearance of a green fireball and because of the fact that it has been observed only (as fa.r as can be determined) in the northern new Mexico area and only since the year 1947, has caused a high degree of apprehension among security agencies in the area. Two reports from the 17th District Office of Special Investigations (inclosures 1 and 2) summarizes present information on the phenomena. In view of the fact that the phenomena has been observed by independent and t~ained observers there is little doubt that something was actually observed. 2 . Inclosure 3 lists those personnel attending the conference. 3. The first part of the conference was devoted to a sununary pre- sentation of all collected and organized observational information re- garding green fireballs . The presentation wa.s made by Dr. Lincoln LaPaz (Professor and Head of Department of Meteroritics and Mathematics: Uni- versity of New ~exico) and Capt . Melvin E. Ncef (17th District OSI, USAF). Dr . LaPaz has been cooperating witl1 the OSI investigators in the matter at their request and on an unpaid basis . Capt. Neef 1s the principal OS! agent on the case. Both Dr. LaPaz and Capt Neef have personally and independently observed the phenomena . 4. The second part of the conference was a discussion by the scien- tists present of various possible explanations and hypotheses concerning the phenomena. Little success was had. 0 p y eps • DOWNGRADED AT 3 YEAR INTERVAl Q . ECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS " I • • DOD. DIR 5200.10 \. . . . - ..... ,..,. ........ _ --
• ,. .. • • • • I FlED Ltr ERH to CG, AMC Subj: Report of Cotlference on "Green Fireballs'' (Project Grudge) 5. It was the conclusion of the group present at the meeting that the present information on the phenomena was not sufficiently quantita- tive and objective to all ow any profitable scientific consideration . Instrt~ental observations (especially photogaphs, triangulation, and spectroscopic ) were considered as essentj.al . 6. Dr . Joseph Kaplan, who was officially representing the Scientjfic Advisory Board, USAF at the medting, plans to report the problem to the next meeting of the Board (2 and 3 November)l949) with the reconnnendation that the USP~ provide a suitable investigation of the phenomena using the Geophysical Research Directorate, Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratorjes, AMC as the agency ~or the project . 1. It is t he opinion of this office that the Geophysical Research Directorate, AFCRL, is capable of performing the required investigation (by photographic and spectroscopic means) provided that necessary funds, personnel authorizations and equipment are provided . Inasmuch as the phenomena appears to be atmospheric in nature, such an ass i gnment is considered appropriate. FOR THE COMMANDING OFFICER: 3 Incls: 1 . Sunnnary #1 2. SwtUnary 1~l2 ( in dup) 3. Personnel at mtg cc: Major D . Crowson, Hq USAF • JSJ Frederic C. E. ODOR Major USAF Acting Director Base Directorate for Geophysical Research • c 0 p y eps UOWNGRADED AT 3 YEAR INTERVALS : DJDCLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS. DOD DIB 6200.10 .. ........ . . .. ,. UNCLASSIFIED . • • 2 ;
' • • • • • • c 0 p Auth: C.G., y lnitiats: ___ ~--- UNCLASSIF\.ED Date: ------- ~eGO SU8J~CT : Lieht Phenomena TO: 1. Director of Research Headquarters USAF ·rashington 25 , D. C. Reference is made to: • and Develo nent • a . Headquarters USAF (AF::R.S-4) letter, dat. .d JJ+ veptember 1949, subject : "Light Phenomena . " (See Inclosure Po . 1) . b . Cambridge Research Laboratories letters , dated 7 IJovember 1949, subject: "Report of Conference on ' Green Fireballs" (Project Grudge) ." (See Inclosure No . 2) . 2 . A report or the conference held at Los Almos on the subject ot ohenomena observed in the Pew ~(exico area is fon.·arde d as inclosure • ro. 2 . Inasmuch as the phenomena aotears to be, atmgr s .r}}~ ric in nature it is recommended that the investiga ion continue under the Air Force Geophysical Res~arch Program . In order to establish such a , roject it is requested that Research and neveloprncr.t Board a~nroval te accomnlished and that necessary funds be nrovided. Incl: 1- 2 - See oar 1 a abv • See par lb abv • --- UNCLASSIFIED • • '
I .. • • • • • .. . SUBJt~~T : Light Phenomena TO : Commanding Gene r al Air 1 'ut er ieJ Gornmand ,.,ri ght-Patter son AFB Dayt on, Ohio c 0 ., y . UNCLASSIFIED 14. ventember 1949 1 . Si nce t he est ablishment of the special 'lroject .at :~q ALC, ( Pr oject GRUD8-:: ) , t o i nvestigat e and analyze r epor ts on so- called 11 Fl~·ing saucers ' 1 and unidentified aer i al phenomen a , many r eports have been r e ceived t hr ough i nt e l lieence channel s from 1er sons \·1ho have observed what t hey cc nsider ed t o be unusual light phenomen a . Foremost in t his categor y have bee n t :.os e which a re des cribed as "greer. fireballs !I . 2. Analysi s by various specialists has indicated th".lt r.1any of the incidents involving light phenomena were undo ubtedly observations of nat ur al nhenomena . Partj.cular attention was eiven t o the "green fire~ ball" var iety by Dr . Joseph Kaplan , member of the USAF Scientific Advisory Boar d . Dr . t:aplan has concluded that the 11 green fireballs !I a r e natural phenomena . 3. Cor respondence reJative to ~r . Kaplan ' s co~clusions on the )henomena ar.d corres ondence relative to a request from the 3ecnnd n nor ed Divisior., ~amp !ood , Texas , f or scientific investir,ation of sir:d.lar nhenomena, a r e .for warded for :'our infer--· tion . 4. The "~ir 'ater .:.el o1 runand has uP1e ~ C"''"'~ rae several or.rani- za t ions in the o~ton a r ea. that a r e s~ecialists in observing techr.iques and t he i nt e r rn .. ~tation of celestial nhenomena. I t is desired that t hese o r ganizations be consulted r eg·1.r dine the 11 ~'~'reen fireball' ' phenomena . I f necessary , conside ration should be gi.ven to the establish- ment of an observational rogram designed to obtain add-itional infor1r..aticn necessary to an exnl anation of t t e nhenomenu. ~ 5. J, meet ing at Sandia in the • ew l'exico area is scheduled for > the middle of October to continue discussions of the lir:ht phenomena . t:1 ~ I t i s requested that representat ives from ldr Force lese rch L· boratories , g...,... tj B~se 1'1irectorate for Geophysical Research att end . ~ ~ ~ 6. This e valuat ion and Headquarter s should be a, pr ised of the progress of the t he result s of the Sandia meetine as soon as possible . 3 !nels: NCLASSIFIED 1-4t h Ind t o GSUSA w/bltr & Inds ( cy) dt d 9/1/1~9 2- Cy lt r ":. o Dr Kaplan e~ c/•.1 ~ d I dt d 8/9/ 49 3- Cy ltr f m Dr Kaolan dtd 7/31/49 w/i~cls • /s/ Jr. . ' 1 ~ c K . TU8 __. ... l Lt vol, US1\F Act e Chief, r.eoT)hvsical Directorate of R.i.· ~ffice , DCS/~' ~>~ 01~~ N~ oM(?:j o~> ;....-" o"' ...,.. ?! ~-3 fl:.j t:r:1 >::o ~~ en>. ~ ... ... . vCl.ences 3r
• • • • • (UHCLASSIFIE ) Pro !eot 7\.'INKLE Direotorate or Intelligence Attentions Colonel John G. Erickaen, Chief Technical Capab1.11 ties Branch Ree•roh Division, Directorate of Research am Deve t, Offi oe., DCS/Development • - '$ -.d . ... - FIDENI"A 19 Fe'b 1952 1 Lt Col Cl.ayton/dJh/5 ~; 1 AFDRD-RE 1. Attached 1• a copy or a lettar from the Air Research arxl Development Cou._n&! requesting deolass:S ication of Project '.NIN ~LE , a project which was carried out by AMC and ARDC tor investieation of unusual 11 ht phenomena in the 1 &rea or Polloman Air Force Base am Vau ~ hn, Nev exico . 2. Th~ Sa:Sentirio Advisory Board Secretariat has eu r- ested that thi.s project ·net be deolaaeitie for a varjet :• of rEa,co r-, c_h e runong ~bich ia t hat no acient:Sfic explanation for any or the "fire lls" and oth phenomena was revealed by the re·ort nn th t some r putablc ,cientista still believe tha t the observed phAnomeno. r man- made . ). In view or the groat interest of t he Pireotorate of Intelli ence 1n such phenomena and the rel ated manif,.estations, evaluation of tba inal re ort of Pro eot riNK,.. wit a vie tO ita eolaes,fioation is reque3tod . 2 Inola 1 . ay 1 tr f'r AH.DC to fq 14 Jtm 52 2 . oy or Pro j 'NI l ~ 4 Final Report ALBEFT E. LO -tBARD, J.R. Chief, Reaearo Divi sion !rectorate of Research and Development Otr! oe , De put} Chief of St ar , D evel opment JOHN H. CLAY'TON Lt Colonel , USAF DO\V: ·c:tAD-!~D AT 0 .r. L. \' . J , DECLAS31FIED AF11~rt 12 YEAHS. FIDENTIAL DOD Dllt 5200.10 · UNCLt\~SlF\ED ECURITY INFORMATIO 1 ,
SOURCE: CRIFO !m·rslettcr, 3 Feb 56 •• t en II " T\VINKLg 11 th bb, • ll.Pit• \bet • .. .. , ......
• • • • • PP!!,~ iCT CO, OL RECORD ftROJECT NO. • SUIJ!CT th 2 Inola., DEADLINE DATE RECEIVED 2.5 . eb 52 ORIGINATED IY AFDRD ACTION BRANCH BRANCH PROJECT OFFICER TC REQUIREMENT Prepilntion or • PROftOSED APPROACH wut.1ne ACTION TAKEN Prepared Ra:R 2 to AFDPJ) RECOMMENDED FURTHER ACTION M • lox. 2 br 1 - Capt Fournet 20 ~n - •1•• O..r 20 •in - Ki• s Bryan • DATE FORWARDED APPROVED BY AFMO FOIMo- 5 53 ftREV 1 ous ED 1 T 1 ONs oF TH, s 21 JUN 51 FORM ARE OISOLETE. .... ,~ 1 4 3 7 • ' • • •
-- -- - ;;.-::.__-_ - _ - . J.. _ _ • __ .. _ . - ' , . I ' . ... . . ' , ..... NCLASSJFJED
STATUS REPORTS AND SPECIAL REPORTS
UNCLASSIFIED SECRET UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED SECRET UNCLASSIFIED
• • liN c .. • 0 p y 2 PROJECT TITINKT.E a • • FI N AL REPORT L. ELT.tRNAN 27 November 1951 APPROVJ~D : P. H. l..YCKOFF Chief, Atmospheric Physics Laboratory • • • •
• • • • • • c 0 p y • ll ABSTRACT • Early in 1950 the Geouhysics Hesoarch Division rec eived a directive to investigate peculiar li ;ht nhenomena that had been observed in the skies of the southwestern United ~tates • • Project '!\-Tinkle \o~as established to check into these phenomena and their exnlanation. The pist of the findings is essentially negative . The period of observation" covers a little over a yea:r . Some unusual pheno- mena were observed durinrt t ha t period , most of then can be at- tributed to such roan- made objects as airplanes, balloons , rockets, etc . Others can be attributed to natural nhenomena such as flying birds , small clouds' tllld meteorites . rrhere has been no in- dication that even the somewhat strange observations often called Green Fireballs · are anythine but natural ohenomena. Our recommendations are in essence that there is no use in sinking any more funds into this at the present time and that \.re \trill keen in connection with one of our meteor studies a sharp eye on anythin~ unusual a~ong this line . UNCLASSIFIED •
• • • • • UNCLASSIFIED --- · 1 . Backeround In accordance t-:ri th instructi, ons contained in a classified letter from Chief of Staff , USAF to CG, Al~.1c, subject urLip,ht Phenomena· , on 14 September 191 .. 9 , Lt . Col . Freder ic C. E . Oder of CR.U attended a con- ference at los Alamos, 14 October 191,.9 on the subject of 11 Green Firebal.ls' observed in the Northern New Hexico area . Since the phenomena had been observed only in this area and only since 1947, it had caused considerable concern among security agencies in the area . It \vas the conclusion of the scientists present at this mee ting that the information available waR not sufficiently Instrmnental observations - photo- graphic , triangulation, and soectroscopic were considered essential . Dr . L . La Paz of the Denartment of Ueteori tics of Univ . of Ne¥1 J.1exico Has present at the Los Alamos meeting and subsequently \-Tas in- vited to suh~t pr oposals for studying this ohenomena under GRD s pon- sorship . On 2 February 1950, Dr . La Paz advised that due to diffi- cul ties with academic arraneements , he \vas unable to undertake this study. Ducr·ing February 1950, the f requent reports of unexplained aerial phenomena in the vicinity of Holloman ir J. orce Uase and Vaughn, rre'\v 1·1exico nrom~ ted the Commanding Officer of HrJlloman Air J.t~orce Base to initiate a 1")rop,ram to gathor factual data . UNCLASSIFIED •
• • • • • • UNCLASS Fl These data then \-Tould be used to deoonstrate the need for initiating a study of the ~henornena . On 21 February 1950, an observbtion outlook oost was set up at Holloman Air Force Base manned by two personnel . Observations with theodolight, telescope and camera '\.Jere undertaken between the hours of sunrise ru1d sunset. On 5 l1arch 1950 e. conference was held at 1Tigbt-Patterson Air Force Base which included Holloman Air Force Base and GRD personnel . Ac tion was taken to initiate a three point orogram \-lhich was confirmed by Al·~C i n the form of a l,~tter q~ective on 16 !·larch 1950 , subject Li ~ht Phenomena· . a . Askania instrument triangulation b Land-Air Inc. b . Obscrva tions with l.d tchell c amera using spectrum gratine by Holloman Air Force Base personnel . Electrouapnetic frequency measurements usinr; '-'ienal Corps Enpineerinr J~boratory equinment. Under contract to GR.JJ, Lana - Air I nc . vras requir ed to naj ntain constant watch at tv1o Askania stations for a six- month period . Since an abnormal number of reports hcd been received fron Vauehn, Nevr Lexico , it uas decided to install t he instrumentation at Vaughn • • , NCLASSIFlED
• • • • • - UNCLASSIFIED 2 . Contractual p~riod - 1 _Aoril 1950 to_l5 Sen~r..11i_er ..19.5Q. Some nhotoeraphic activity occurred on 27 Anril and 24 Hay , but sil!.lul taneous sightinrs by both cameras were not made , so that no information was gained . On 30 A rust 1950 ·' during: a Bell aircraft mis sile 1aunc11ine; , aerial phenomena wer e observed over Holloman Air Force Base by several individuals ; hovrever , neither L-:nd- Air nor l r oject ner sonncl wer e notified and , therefor e , no results wer e a cquired . On 31 August 1950, the ohenore.ena \·rer e agai n observed • after a V- 2 launching . A1 though film \vas exoended , proper • o;•.;,~ca' so t h£ t arain no ini'or ta tion \-Tas triangulation was not acquired . On 11 September, arranp;ements \vere r:tade by Holloman AFB for 1 taj or Gover , Commander 9 Jrd i gh ter Sc uadron at Kirtland AFB , to be on call so that aerial objects might be nursued . This lvould make possible mor e intimate visual observation and photography at close r ange . l1ajor uover was not authorized to shoot at the phenomena . Gene r ally , the results of the si~-znonth con'tractual period may be described as negativ e . A1 thoug l'! the nhotoeraphic theodoli tes fnnctioned continuous.iy , the gr ating caL1eras functioned very little , since the roili tary per sonnel assigned to operate them had been v:ri th- dr awn due to the needs conc er ned with The \,· UNCLASSIFIED ..
• • • • • • UN • facilities for the electromagnetic f r equency me..asurmaonts that were to be )rovided by the Signal Coros ~ngineerine Laboratories were not utili zed due to the fact that the f requency of occurrence of these phenomena. did not justify the 50 , 000 a year transfer of funds to the Si gnal Corps which wo\ud be required to carry out such a monitoring facili ty. Ho ,o~ev er, the phenomena activity over Holloman AF13 150 miles s outh of Vauglm, !. l!exico during the l atter part of 'ugust 1950 wa s consider ed sufficiently significant so that the contract with Land-Air (Askania c ameras only) \vas extended for six months ending 31 Itarch 1951. 3. Contractual Period - 1 Octo ber +950 to 3),. lltar _ ch ~951 again \·Iere overhauled and installed at HAFB . This installation was como1eted about 5 November 1950 . On 16 October 1950 , arrangements \.rere 1aade by Lt. Albert of HAFB that Nor thruo Aircraft pilots eneaged in frequent flyine: of B - L~o; and QF - 80 aircraft in the Holloman vicinity v1ould renort all observations of aerial phenomena. Durinr this neriod, occasional reports ere received of individuals seeinp strange aerial phenom na, but these reoorts were sketchy, in- conclusive, and were considered to be of no scientific yalue . Ho sightinp.s were made by the As,l{ania cameras . Pothing whatsoever \-las reoorted ey the IJorthrury nilots . ropular interest seened abated , at 1eaot in the southuest . On 31 Na.rch 1951, due to the expiration of the contract, Land-Air ceased constant vie"i1ance at the t\·10 Askania sta- tions . In sum.Dary, the r esults durinr, this per iod v1ero negativ e . • UNCLASSIFIED DOWNGRADED AT 3 . DECLAsSIFIED AF~~-~R 1 JNTER'r AIJS : DOD DlR 6200.lO YEARS .