Project 10073 Record Card and Technical Information Sheets — Del Mar, California, November 1961

This document compiles reports and correspondence regarding a series of unidentified aerial phenomena observed in the San Diego, California area between November 2 and November 11, 1961. The sightings, typically occurring between 2000 and 2100 hours, were described by multiple witnesses, including an FAA observer at Lindbergh Field and a missile expert from the General Atomic Division at the Convair Atlas Plant. Witnesses reported seeing brilliant white or blue-white vertical trails descending in the sky, lasting approximately three seconds. Some observers noted smoke or falling parts within the trails. The witnesses, some of whom possessed technical backgrounds in artillery or missile systems, initially considered the possibility of missile reentries or pyrotechnic activity, but noted that the trajectories and lack of sound did not align with known weapon capabilities. The reports were relayed to the Los Angeles Air Defense Sector at Norton AFB. Following an investigation, the official conclusion reached was that the sightings were likely caused by meteors, noting that several meteor showers occurred during the period of the sightings. An additional note suggests that some vertical objects might have been related to naval gunnery practice at San Clemente Island. The document includes completed U.S. Air Force Technical Information Sheets, personal accounts from witnesses, and internal military communications detailing the relay of information to Dr. Allen Hynek at Northwestern University.