Derry, MassachusettsApril 1961

Insufficient Data

Summary

On April 28, 1961, a civilian saw an object near Derry, Massachusetts, about 9:15 p.m. (local). The witness was driving north on Route 28, a few miles south of Derry. The report came from a personal interview.

The object was very large and glowed with an intense, blinding blue light, like an argon gas flame. It traveled nearly due east to west at a level altitude of about 30 to 35 degrees. After moving parallel with the horizon, it suddenly dropped off at an angle, appeared to grow smaller, and vanished before reaching the horizon. Its color turned orange after it dropped. The back end was indefinite and may have had a short trail.

The Air Force noted the object had the characteristics of a satellite that crosses the horizon and then descends, with the sudden drop and change attributed to atmospheric optics.

Reported location

Derry, Massachusetts

Date of incident

April 1961

State / country

MA / US

Page count

2 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 42

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 2

View transcribed text

¥
: PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD
1. DATE 2. LOCATION ! 12. CONCLUSIONS
ipril 61 Derry, assachuseblts O Wes Balloon
g o Probably Balloon
3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4 TYPE OF OBSERVATION O Possibly Balloon
’ 0 Was Aircraft
Local Sra Amo —— O.Ground- Visual O Ground-Redar 0 Probably Aircraft
GET SRNR 0 AirViwal O Air-Intercept Radar O Possibly Aircraft :
i 5. PHOTOS §. SOURCE O Was Astronomical’ eLeor
J 0 Yes TO Probably Astronomical
B No Civiliian O Possibly Astronomical
7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS | 9. COURSE Cc NE REAR ER TRS
| 0 Insufficient Dota for Evaluation
: St. t, 3 ols) Jest o Unknown
10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING [1 COMMENTS
» toylpe - r riowing | Jbiect has th haracteeistic n
’ - o 1 aa : nt trav Bol - | even” \ 1a ane, in ; . ! - \ 4
V 5t salell + t srizon., ang then i slowar 08 o rant, Lraiectory dros
suddenly dropcing off a n anzle ana roving attributed to itmosohe-ic optics,
3 Bad & C ge dedy 9 reacnli ne |
< |
\0ri Z0N. lor chang to orange after
tr Lor ed, ail about 15 % of the |
oy { lant yf ye iact,
|
|
|
ATIC FORM 329 (REV 26 SEP 52)
/
7 4

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28992200