Project 10073 Record Card — Sighting of 1 December 1952

On 1 December 1952, between 0430 and 0500 EST, multiple experienced CAA-rated Airways Operations Specialists and control tower operators at various locations in the New York City area, including Mitchel AFB, Teterboro, Westchester, Newark, La Guardia, and Idlewild, reported observing an unidentified aerial object. The object was described as a single, round, oval, or elliptical light, varying in color from white to orange and amber. Observers noted that the object appeared in the northwest, approximately 15 degrees above the horizon, and exhibited a slow drift before descending in a downward arc and disappearing below the horizon. The weather conditions were reported as CAVU (Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited) and extremely clear. Despite attempts to track the object using radar at several facilities, no electronic returns were obtained. Captain John B. Dyste of the 2500th Air Base Wing at Mitchel AFB conducted a thorough investigation, obtaining narrative statements from observers at the various airports. By utilizing navigator star charts and comparing the observations with the American Air Almanac, intelligence personnel concluded that the object was the planet Jupiter. The report notes that Jupiter was at an approximate azimuth of 300 degrees and set at the time the object was last observed. The color, magnitude, and movement described by the majority of observers were found to be consistent with the planet. The investigation also highlighted that the sighting was strikingly similar to a previous incident at Presque Isle AFB on 10 October 1952, which had also been attributed to Jupiter. The final intelligence report, filed under Project Blue Book, commended the Mitchel intelligence officers for their thorough investigation and logical approach to the incident.