65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_006

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File No: (24- 8)- 28
Subj :
Summary of Observations of Aerial Phenomena in
the New Mexico Area , December 1948 -
11ay 1950
2 5 ?.1a.y 1950
Director of tho Institute of Meteoritics and Head of the Department of
Ma.thematics and Astr onomy at the University of New Moxico ,
He was Re­
search Mathematician a.t the New Mexico Proving Grounds under an OSRD
appointment in 1943 and 1944, and Technical Dir ector of the Operat ions ·
Analysis Section, Headquarters , Second Air Force , 1944- 45 ,
Since 1948,
Dr. LaPaz has served on a voluntary basis as consultant for this Dis­
trict in connection with the green fireball investigations .
4.
On 17 February 1949 and again on 14 October 1949, conferences
were held at Los Alamos , N'ew liexico, for tho purpose of discussing t he
green fireball phenomena.
Ropresentativos of the following organizat ions
were present· at these meetings :
Fourth Arrey , Armed Forces Special Wea­
pons Project , University of Now Mexico , Federal Bureau of Investi gation,
U, s. Atomic Energy Col!Dllission , University of California, U, S. Air Force
Scientific Advisory Board, Geophysical Research Division Air Materiel
Command USAF , and the Office of Special Investigations ( IG) USAF .
A
logical explanation was not proffered with respect to t he origin of the
green fireballs.
It was , hovJOver, gener ally concluded tho.t tho pheno­
mena existed and that they should be studied scientifically i.mtil theso
occurrences havo been satisfactorily 0.xplo.ined .
Further , that tho
continued occurrence of une>..-pln.i11od phenomena of this nature in the
vicinity of sensitive installations is cause for concern.
5.
·The Geophysical Research Division, Air lJateriol Command,
Crunbridge , Massachusetts , ho.s recently let a contract to Land-Air , Inc. ,
Holloman l.FB , Alamogordo , New Mexico , for a limited scientific study of
green fireballs .
The r esults of t his scientific o.pproach to "the problem
will undoubtedly be of gr eat value in determining tho origin of t hese
phenomena .
6.
This summary of observations of aerial phenomena has been
prepared for the purpose of r e- emphasizing and r eiter ating the fact
that phenomena. have continuously occurred in the New Mexico skie s
during the past 18 months nnd a.re continuing to occur, and , secondly,
that these phenomena are occurring in the vicinity of sensitive mili­
to.cy o.nd government installations.
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4 Incls
DOYLE
EES
1. Summary of Sightings
Lt C lone 1, USAF
2. Photo of Sighting No. 175
Dis ict Comrn~ndcr
w/comments
3 . Ltr fr Dr . La.Paz to Lt Col
Rees , dtd 23 May 50
4. Graph indicating me.ximums
2
co~~FIDENTIAL