18.30N 164.25E (Pacific), February 1962February 1962

Insufficient Data

Summary

On February 17, 1962, a MATS aircraft crew reported an object in the Pacific at about 18 degrees north and 164 degrees east. The sighting was made at about 1418 GMT. It was seen by eye. The length of observation was not given.

The crew described it as a possible rocket reentry. The object was greenish in color with a white sputtering tail. It was visible from 45 degrees elevation down to 20 degrees elevation, on a bearing of about 110 degrees from the aircraft. The direction of travel was not reported.

The Air Force record card lists this case as astronomical, a meteor. The card notes that although the crew reported a possible reentry, the sighting lacked the break-up and reddish color usually associated with reentries. The card concluded it was more likely a fireball, and that there was enough information to classify it as a meteor.

Reported location

18.30N 164.25E (Pacific), February 1962

Date of incident

February 1962

State / country

? / XX

Page count

6 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 44

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 6

View transcribed text

1 MATS A/C PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD el
4 1. DATE 2. LOCATION 12. CONCLUSIONS
3 : DO Was Ball
4 17 Feb 62 18.30N 164.25E (Pacific) B Probotly Balloon |
3 3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4 TYPE OF OBSERVATION A FRY Doloen |
4 Local ET TE Re 5 DO Ground- Visual 0 Ground-Radar 5 Probably Aiverafs |
; GMT 17/14182 2 Air Visual O Air-Intercept Radar 0 Possibly Aircraft
4 S. PHOTOS . SOURCE B Was Astronomical Meteor |
0 Yes O Probably Astronomical
Ne Military 0 Possibly Astronomical |
7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS | 9. COURSE TE HEN AA AT PS AE
! i 0 Insufficient Data for Evaluation
| not given one not given O Unknown
| 10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING 11. COMMENTS ;
CIRVIS report. Described as possible rocket Although duration was not given, it was
| reentry. Greenish color with white sputtering |reported as a possible reentry, and thus
tail. Visible from 45° elevation through 20° [would be short. It failed to include
elevation. Direction not reported. Duration breaking up and the reddish color |
not given. 4 associated with reentries; therefore, it
is more probable that the sighting was a
fireball. Color and flight indicate this.
There is enough information to classify
this as a meteor sighting.
ATIC FORM 329 (REV 26 SEP 52)
-r

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28996270