Incident #260 — Sighting Report, South of Bermuda, 24 January 1949

This document compiles reports and correspondence regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed on 24 January 1949 by the crew of a B-29 aircraft (373rd Reconnaissance Squadron) south of Bermuda. The crew, including the pilot, co-pilot, and radar operator, reported a large, red-glowing, mushroom-shaped mass with a white light base and two distinct shafts of white light. The object was observed for approximately 1 hour and 24 minutes. The crew noted that the object appeared to be based on the water and was transparent, allowing them to see stars through it. Despite the crew's familiarity with Northern Lights, they maintained that this display did not resemble any auroral activity they had previously witnessed. The Air Materiel Command, in coordination with the Cambridge Field Station, evaluated the incident and concluded that the phenomenon was likely an auroral display (aurora polarias) visible at lower latitudes than usual. This conclusion was supported by meteorological data from the Hamilton Meteorological Station in Bermuda, which recorded auroral activity on the same night. The document includes various interrogation reports from the crew members, a sketch of the phenomenon, and correspondence between military intelligence and scientific consultants, including Dr. Hynek and Dr. H. P. Robertson, regarding the nature of the sighting.