Xenia, OhioNovember 1956

Insufficient Data

Summary

On the evening of November 18, 1956, a resident of Xenia, Ohio saw two oval objects with green lights moving across the sky at an estimated speed of 300 to 400 miles per hour. The objects were described as smaller than a pea and disappeared at the horizon after approximately five minutes of observation.

The Air Force quickly investigated the sighting. At the time, the U.S. Weather Air Defense Center (WADC) was running weather balloon tests in the area. These balloons, known as rawinsondes (weather balloons equipped with instruments to measure atmospheric conditions), were fitted with green lights to aid in tracking them at night. Base weather records confirmed clear skies and twelve-mile visibility at the time of the sighting. An investigation note indicates that Vandalia Air Force Base may have launched a balloon with a candle light source around the time of the report.

Based on the evidence gathered, the Air Force concluded the objects were probably balloons. The size estimate, color of the lights, and timing aligned with the weather balloon testing program underway in the region at that moment.

The complete case file, consisting of 10 pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.

Reported location

Xenia, Ohio

Date of incident

November 1956

State / country

OH / US

Page count

10 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 26

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 10

View transcribed text

. — Oe Tat 4 oT TEATRO 1 HE AN po Yoo TimpEmoerpr rs PETRY
on
on ¢ PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD : : |
1. DATE 2. LOCATION 12. CONCLUSIONS
OX Mas Ball
18 November 1956 Zenia, Ohio 0 Probably Balloon |
3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION NPN — |
Local 2045 E BGround- Visual O Ground-Radar a Beaty Aver oft |
GMT 0 Air Visual 0 Air-Intercept Radar 0 Possibly Aircraft :
5. PHOTOS . 0 Was Astronomical | :
0 Yes O Probobly Astronomical :
XX No Civilian O Possibly Astronomicel
7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS | 9. COURSE RET —— |
0 ' Insufficient Date for Evaluation i :
0 Unknown
approx 5 minutes two SE . :
10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING 11. COMMENTS
Two objects, oval, size smaller thay WADC running radiosonde tests
pea, Color green, Objects disappearé¢d with green lights attached to
at horizon. Objects estimated travel- balloon.
ing 300-400 mph,
ATIC FORM 329 (REV 26 SEP 52)
; : : /
: L]
. : : ’ . : -
i SSA SRR DAA LS SER As ain Bi SR AR | i
RIM SCHR DRA BLL Io 3

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28968419