Albuquerque, New MexicoJanuary 1949

Unidentified

Summary

On December 4, 1949, at 1935 (7:35 p.m.) Mountain time, several people in New Mexico reported a green fireball. A New York Life Insurance salesman in Albuquerque saw a green fireball in the northeastern sky for two or three seconds. He said it was the size of a marble at arm's length, round, very bright, and seemed to go out like a blown candle.

The same evening, two employees of the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory also reported a green object with a sloping descent. The file says their observations were believed reliable.

A separate report covers a fireball near Capitan, New Mexico, the same night. A man and his wife driving east from Carrizozo saw an intense bluish green light shaped like a teardrop. It grew larger as it neared the ground and left a tapering trail. A hospital patient reported the same light. A ground search found no physical evidence. The Air Force investigation files list these as closed with no firm explanation.

Reported location

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Date of incident

January 1949

State / country

NM / US

Page count

35 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unidentified

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 7

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 35

View transcribed text

DETAILS UNC
le This investigation predicated upon a. from Mr.
oY, Yew York Life Insurance Company, 8, Albuquerque,
; New lexico. ee that at 1935 hours MST, on 4 Decembder 1949, he
had observed a green Fireball in the northeastern sky. It was visible for
only two or three seconds and was the size of a marble at arms length.
2. This is a joint investigation conducted by S/A JAMES N. KERRICK and
the writer. bd
8. On 5 December 1949, lr. Wi SMMNMMNNENS Salesman, Yew York Life
Insurance Company, 1309 Los lunas Avenue, Albuquerque, New Liexico, was ine
terviewed and the following information was obtained: :
ae Time and date of lighting: 1935 hours MST, 4 December 1549.
be Point of observation: 106° 36', 35° 4! :
¢. Number of objects: One (1)
d. That attracted observer's attention: The movement of the object.
e. Direction from observer: 40° from true North
fe. Angle of elevation: Unknown :
ge Distance from observer: 8 to 10 miles. -
he Time in sight: 2 to 3 seconds. ron
i. Color of ovject: green ®en
je Size of object: marble at arms length. FN
ke Shape of object: Round - :
l. Apparent construction: Unknown
| me Direction of Flight: Nearly horizontal, East to West. ey
ne Tactics or maneuvers: Slopping descent 4
o. Evidence.or trail or exhaust: None observed
pe Effect on clouds: - No clouds :
q. Luminosity: Very bright :
r. Projections and depressions: None .
. 8e leans of propulsion: control and stability: Unimown
t. Speed of object (IPH): Unable to estimate. :
ue Sound and oder: None Ry
ve Manner of disappearance: Appeared to go out like a person blowing
out a candle. ; : :
4. On 5 December 1949, the following information was received through
Mr. Asc oui ty Operations, Atomic Energy Commission,
los Alamos. :
a. Time and date of lightings 1935 hours MST, 4 December 1949.
be. Point of observation: 1C6° 20' West, 36° 6' North
cs. Number of objects: Cne (1)
de Vhat attracted observers attention: !ovement of the object
TREY CC) “DY
HRCA Ll

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28937161