Project 10073 Record Card — Huerfano Mesa, New Mexico, 18 September 1958

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and associated correspondence regarding a civilian sighting of an unidentified object near Huerfano Mesa, New Mexico, on September 18, 1958. A civilian witness submitted two 35mm color slides to the United States Air Force Photographic Interpretation Unit at the Pentagon, describing the object as a 'rainbow like' phenomenon appearing at a 45-degree angle from the vertical. The witness provided technical details regarding the camera settings, noting an aperture and speed of 8-100 using Eastman Kodak film. The Air Force conducted a technical analysis of the submitted slides. The investigation concluded that the images did not depict an unidentified aerial phenomenon, but rather a meteorological event known as parhelions—reflections of the sun within atmospheric halos. Internal routing slips between Major L. J. Tacker of SAFIS-3 and the Photographic Records & Services Division confirm this assessment, noting that while slide #4 showed these reflections, slide #5 contained no discernible image. The case was processed in accordance with Air Force Regulation 200-2.