Project Blue Book Case File
20 NM W of Junction, TexasDecember 1961
Summary
On December 12, 1961, two military pilots about 20 nautical miles west of Junction, Texas, reported a meteor-like object. The pilots were flying a T-29 aircraft and were returning from a night navigation training mission. The sighting was made at about 0409 GMT on December 13, at night. It lasted about 25 to 30 seconds.
The object first glowed as a single sphere. It was white at first, then turned yellow, then yellowish red. It seemed to explode into a double effect, then broke apart into four or more segments with a reddish yellow glow before disappearing. The pilots had seen several other meteors during the mission, but this one was brighter and lasted longer.
The Air Force record card lists this case as astronomical, a meteor. The card notes all the characteristics of atmospheric reentry were present.
Reported location
20 NM W of Junction, Texas
Date of incident
December 1961
State / country
TX / US
Page count
3 scanned pages
USAF evaluation
unidentified
Microfilm
T1206, Roll 44