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Declassified UFO / UAP Document

Project 10073 Record: Incident No. 359

📅 12 May 49 📍 Holloman AFB, New Mexico 🏛 Holloman AFB 📄 sighting_report
Holloman AFBDr. MenzelHarvard ObservatoryProject 10073astronomical phenomena

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AI-Generated Summary

TL;DR

Dr. Menzel of Harvard Observatory reported observing two stationary, fuzzy, greenish-white objects in the night sky near Holloman AFB on May 12, 1949. The event was officially classified as astronomical phenomena under Project 10073.

On the night of May 12, 1949, Dr. Menzel of the Harvard Observatory observed an unusual atmospheric or celestial phenomenon while traveling by car from Holloman Air Force Base toward Alamogordo, New Mexico. The observer, who was watching the moon rise, noticed two bright, fuzzy objects in the eastern sky. He initially suspected they might be the stars Castor and Pollux, but dismissed this due to their position relative to the constellations. The objects were described as white with a greenish tinge, appearing roughly one-fourth the diameter of the full moon. They remained stationary for approximately four minutes before disappearing behind clouds. The observer estimated the objects were at least 180 miles away, with a spatial separation of at least nine miles and a diameter of approximately three-quarters of a mile. Despite his background in astronomy, Dr. Menzel found the behavior of the objects puzzling and noted that no completely satisfactory theory was available to explain the event at the time of his report. The official record for Project 10073 subsequently classified the sighting as 'Astro (STARS/PLANETS).'

The whole phenomenon is puzzling. It may have some simple explanation, but there seems to be no completely satisfactory theory available.

Official Assessment

Astro (STARS/PLANETS)

The observer, Dr. Menzel of Harvard Observatory, reported two stationary objects that appeared white with a greenish tinge. He initially considered them to be stars, but noted their fuzzy appearance and unusual behavior. The objects were estimated to be at least 180 miles away with a separation of 9 miles. The official conclusion categorized the event as astronomical phenomena.

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