Yuma, ArizonaOctober 1955

Insufficient Data

Summary

On October 17, 1955, in Yuma, Arizona, a military observer reported seeing approximately 12 pale yellow lights traveling in a SSE direction. The formation was wide and shaped like a V, with 3 of the outer lights appearing to be echoing. The lights grew dimmer, smaller, and then faded. The observer had the impression of very high altitude. The sighting lasted 3 to 4 seconds. The Air Force evaluated the sighting as Possibly Astronomical, suggesting the objects may have been a small band of asteroids drawn into the outer fringes of Earth's atmosphere.

Reported location

Yuma, Arizona

Date of incident

October 1955

State / country

AZ / US

Page count

2 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 24

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 2

View transcribed text

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

1. DATE
17 Oct 55

2. LOCATION
Yuma, Arizona

3. DATE-TIME GROUP
Local
GMT 17/0808Z

5. PHOTOS
yes No
yes No

7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION
3 - 4 seconds

10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING
Approx 12 pale yellow lights traveling in a SSE direction, formation was wide "V" with 3 of the outer lights appearing to be echoing. Lights grew dimmer, smaller, and then faded. Observer had impression of very high alt.

(NO CASE IN FILE)

12. CONCLUSIONS
Was Balloon
Probably Balloon
Possibly Balloon
Was Aircraft
Probably Aircraft
Possibly Aircraft
Was Astronomical Meteor
Probably Astronomical
Possibly Astronomical
Other
Insufficient Data for Evaluation
Unknown

4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION
Ground-Visual
Air-Visual
Ground-Radar
Air-Intercept Radar

6. SOURCE
military

8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS
approx 12

9. COURSE
SSE

11. COMMENTS
Duration of sighting and the impression of high alt leads to evaluation that observer possibly saw a meteor shower or small band of asteroids which were drawn into the outer fringes of our atmosphere. Possible meteor.

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28963950