Project 10073 Record Card — Sighting of Strange Object, 18 November 1951

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and supporting correspondence regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon reported on 18 November 1951. The incident began when a Capital Air Lines pilot (flight 610) reported a strange object following his DC-4 aircraft for approximately 20 miles at an altitude of 8,000 feet. The object was described as carrying a brilliant light and having several other lights visible on it. The object reportedly turned back after following the aircraft. The Senior Controller at the Andrews Air Force Base control tower, Mr. Thomas E. Selby, was alerted to the sighting and subsequently observed the object himself. Selby reported that the object appeared to be moving very slowly, if at all, and that when he looked away and returned his gaze, the object had disappeared, leaving only a bright star visible. A F-94 aircraft from Rodman 22 was dispatched to investigate the area but failed to see anything, and ground radar was unable to detect the object. Base operations suggested that the object might have been the planet Venus, noting that on cold, clear nights, the planet can appear very distinct and create optical illusions. However, Selby maintained that the object he observed passed under Venus while heading south. The documentation includes a formal report from the 1050th Air Base Wing at Andrews AFB to the Directorate of Intelligence at Bolling Air Force Base, as well as a disposition form regarding the handling of these reports for Project Blue Book. The records emphasize the procedural handling of the sighting report, noting a delay in receipt due to a misunderstanding of reporting protocols by the Director of Intelligence at Bolling AFB.