Alexandria, La., May 1962May 1962

Insufficient Data

Summary

On May 1, 1962, a civilian in west central Alexandria, Louisiana, reported a bright light in the night sky. The sighting began about 2205 (10:05 p.m.) local time and lasted about 35 minutes.

The observer described a large white light with a bluish red halo, similar in size and brightness to a bright star. It had a tail like a comet or falling star. The light hesitated and wavered, oscillating left and right, then moved on a general north-northwest course. It made no sound. It was first seen at about 40 degrees elevation in the north and faded near the horizon at 20 to 25 degrees in the north-northwest. The night was clear with unlimited ceiling.

This report was filed under Project 10073, the Air Force's official record for unidentified flying object reports. The Air Force noted the sighting had the characteristics of a balloon. Balloons were released about 2200 central time from England Air Force Base, which lies northwest of Alexandria. Officials concluded the object was probably a balloon.

Reported location

Alexandria, La., May 1962

Date of incident

May 1962

State / country

? / XX

Page count

4 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 45

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 4

View transcribed text

E Hen? : PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD HE
1. DATE 2. LOCATION 12. CONCLUSIONS
x ap Sh aes E 00 Was Balloon
1 May 1962 Alexandria, La. 0 Probably Balloon
3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION : B. EORRTEE Deioen
5 : 3 i 0 Yas Aircraft
: Be ea “0 Ground- Visual 0 Ground-Radar n Probably Aircrofr
1 GMT __02/0L057 0 Air Visual 0 Air-Intercept Radar 0 Possibly Aircraft
1 5. PHOTOS 3.7 SOURCE 0 Was Astronomical
] 0 Yes 0 Probably Astronomical
Q Ne Civilian 0 Possibly Astronomical
7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS | 9. COURSE CE SR EE Ra SI
; 0 Insufficient Data for Evaluation
] 35 min. x unw (2) i
] 10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING [zrge lignt similar to 1. COMMENTSSighting has characteristics of
N star. White a with bluish red.halo, Flight | ballicon sighting. Balloons released at
path hesitating and wandering with right and | 2300 EST (which would be 2200 CT fm
] left oscillations. Objt dimmed with distance | England AFB. This AFB is NW of Alexandrig,)
b Observed in N and disappeared in NNW. Initial
observation at 40° elev, Faded at 20-25 elev.
i ATIC FORM 329 (REV 26 SEP 32)
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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28997088