Sighting of Unidentified Flying Object — Fresno, California, 2 August 1955

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (IR-68-55) dated 12 October 1955, detailing a sighting of an unidentified flying object over Fresno, California, on 2 August 1955. The report was generated by the Headquarters of the Air Weather Service and processed through the Intelligence Division of the DCS/Plans. The primary witness was a weather observer from the U.S. Weather Bureau Airport Station in Fresno. During a 2100Z pibal (pilot balloon) observation, the witness observed a bright, silver, circular object crossing the field of view of his theodolite. The object was described as having a metallic surface, being brighter than the white weather balloon, and appearing to be at a higher altitude than the balloon, which was at approximately 27,000 feet. The witness tracked the object for about half a minute, which resulted in the loss of the balloon from the theodolite's field of view. The witness noted that the object moved at a steady rate of speed from the northeast. Subsequent computations, assuming horizontal flight, estimated the object's speed at 80-130 knots at 40,000 feet MSL, or 120-200 knots at 60,000 feet MSL. The witness also stated that he had previously observed airplanes crossing the theodolite field of view and that an airplane at that height would have been distinguishable from the object observed. The report includes a comment from Major Jack Reiter of the Intelligence Division, who noted that given the short duration of the observation and the distance involved, the evaluation of the sighting was considered rather high. The final conclusion recorded on the Project 10073 record card is 'Poss. Res. Ball.' (Possible research balloon).