Anomalous Luminous Phenomena: The Fireball of 1951, March 6, 14:34

This document is a collection of intelligence reports and correspondence regarding an anomalous luminous phenomenon, specifically a fireball, observed on March 6, 1951, in the vicinity of Tafoya, New Mexico. The event was witnessed by four personnel from Los Alamos and two pilots from Kirtland Air Force Base. Dr. Lincoln LaPaz, Director of the Institute of Meteoritics at the University of New Mexico, conducted an investigation to locate potential meteoritic fragments. Despite his efforts and the search of an area approximately three by six miles, no physical evidence was recovered. This incident was the third in a series of similar events in the region, including fireballs in January 1949 and December 1949, none of which yielded recovered meteorites. The reports highlight the exceptional magnitude of the March 6 fireball and note that while it was officially classified as a detonating fireball, Dr. LaPaz expressed concern that the lack of physical evidence might suggest the phenomena were not meteoritic in nature. He recommended that the Air Force conduct photographic reconnaissance of the fall area to secure stereo coverage, similar to previous missions. However, correspondence from the 17th District Office of Special Investigations indicates that the Special Weapons Command could not fulfill this request due to a shortage of equipment and personnel. The Air Force ultimately decided not to take further action beyond forwarding the intelligence reports, citing that the incident did not fall within the purview of existing directives. The document also includes a copy of a Project Twinkle final report cover page, indicating the broader context of these investigations into unexplained aerial phenomena during that period.