Project Blue Book Case File
SACRAMENTO, CALIF., August 1952August 1952
Summary
On August 3, 1952, a couple stationed at a Ground Observer Corps post in Sacramento, California saw a large red object in the night sky. The observation post was located in the Western States Life Building in downtown Sacramento. The witnesses described the object as hanging in the air approximately 58 miles to the east of the city, moving slowly toward them. They watched it for about one and a half minutes before it suddenly vanished from sight.
The object appeared large and was bright red in color. It resembled a flare. The witnesses estimated its altitude between 3,000 and 4,000 feet. They heard no sounds associated with it. The weather conditions at the time were clear, with winds recorded at 180 degrees at 5 to 10 knots at 10,000 feet and 190 degrees at 24 knots at 20,000 feet. The Air Force found no meteorological activity, physical evidence, or aircraft in the area to account for the sighting.
The Air Force investigators concluded that the object was probably a flare. This assessment appears in the official report filed by the Second Lieutenant and Assistant Director of Intelligence. The full case file, consisting of 13 pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.
Reported location
SACRAMENTO, CALIF., August 1952
Date of incident
August 1952
State / country
? / XX
Page count
13 scanned pages
USAF evaluation
unknown
Microfilm
T1206, Roll 13