500 Mi W Of California, October 1960October 1960

Insufficient Data

Summary

On October 6, 1960, military personnel 500 miles west of California observed a brilliant whitish-yellow object resembling fireworks with dripping and flaking effects on its aft tail section. The object was estimated at 600 yards in length. The observer lost sight of the object after it entered a cloud. The object moved slowly and displayed extreme brilliance compared to a rocket or meteor. The observation lasted 3 to 5 seconds. A pilot, copilot, and two airmen sighted an unidentified flying object from 1:34 a.m. to 2:24 a.m. at 27,265 feet altitude while flying in the area. The object appeared forward and above the aircraft, moving left to right downward at approximately 45 degrees, described as brilliant whitish yellow resembling fireworks with dripping and flaking effects on the aft tail section. The object was estimated 600 to 900 yards in length and 3 to 5 miles in distance. The aircraft entered a cloud briefly about 20 to 30 seconds after sighting and did not regain contact. Observers noted apparent slow movement and extreme brilliance compared to rocket or falling star action.

Reported location

500 Mi W Of California, October 1960

Date of incident

October 1960

State / country

? / XX

Page count

3 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 40

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 3

View transcribed text

MILITARY AIR PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

1. DATE
6 Oct 60

2. LOCATION
500 mi W of California

3. DATE-TIME GROUP
Local ____
GMT ____07/0552

5. PHOTOS
Yes
No

4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION
Ground-Visual
Ground-Radar
Air-Visual
Air-Intercept Radar

6. SOURCE
Military

7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION
3-5 sec

8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS
one

9. COURSE
descending

12. CONCLUSIONS
Was Balloon
Probably Balloon
Possibly Balloon
Was Aircraft
Probably Aircraft
Possibly Aircraft
Was Astronomical
Probably Astronomical
Possibly Astronomical
Other
Insufficient Data for Evaluation
Unknown

10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING
Brilliant whitish-yellow object, resembling fireworks with dripping and flaking off effect on after portion of tail which was estimated to be 600 yds in length. Observer lost sight of object after it entered a cloud. Slow movement and extreme brilliance as compared to rocket or meteor.

11. COMMENTS
Information reported is limited in nature; however, the description is similar to a meteor.

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28989601