Project Blue Book Case File
Columbus, GeorgiaJune 1962
Summary
In June 1962, military and civilian observers in the Columbus, Georgia area reported multiple sightings of unidentified lights over the course of several days. The objects were tracked on radar, observed visually by qualified pilots and airport personnel, and reported by civilians calling into the base.
According to the duty officer's log, a pilot estimated the objects at around 7,000 feet altitude. Two northbound objects were sighted, with a third passing southwest at an estimated speed of 300 miles per hour. One observer noted that the objects appeared too large to be standard aircraft and were unlike any known landing lights. The objects were described as unset frequency signals and suspected to be weather balloons. Despite efforts to identify them, the objects resisted classification. Sightings were reported approximately every two hours.
Radar operators at Columbus and surrounding stations detected returns on their scopes. Lincoln tower personnel achieved positive visual sightings. The weather at the time of the sightings was clear. Additional incidents during this period included a power outage lasting about five minutes in a nearby area.
The Air Force's Technical Information Sheets indicate that Jupiter and the bright stars Arcturus and Pollux were visible in the region at the time, and an atmospheric inversion may have existed. The case file notes that this inversion could have contributed to visual distortion and misidentification of celestial objects and phenomena. The Air Force evaluated the primary sightings as unknown.
The full case file, comprising 25 pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.
Reported location
Columbus, Georgia
Date of incident
June 1962
State / country
GA / US
Page count
25 scanned pages
USAF evaluation
unknown
Microfilm
T1206, Roll 45