Project Blue Book Case File
Sonoma, CaliforniaAugust 1952
Summary
On August 28, 1952, observers at a Ground Observer Corps post in Sonoma, California, reported seeing five flat, silver-colored objects in the sky. The sightings occurred over roughly an hour, with two objects spotted at 3:52 p.m., one at 3:53 p.m., two more at 4:56 p.m., and one at 2:57 p.m. (all Pacific Daylight Time). Each sighting lasted about 17 seconds. The observers reported no sounds or details about the size or speed of the objects.
The witnesses were stationed at a Ground Observer Corps post (Post NJ 31 Black, near Sonoma). The objects appeared approximately one mile west of the post. Two of the objects were reported as very high in the sky, while three others were described as simply "high," though no specific altitude measurements were given. All observations were made with the naked eye.
The weather was clear at the time of the sightings. The file notes indicate there were no photographs, no radar confirmation, and no other corroborating evidence beyond the visual reports from the observers.
The U.S. Air Force rated this case as unidentified. The full case file, as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below across 11 pages.
Reported location
Sonoma, California
Date of incident
August 1952
State / country
CA / US
Page count
11 scanned pages
USAF evaluation
unidentified
Microfilm
T1206, Roll 14