Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Project 10073 Record Card and Preliminary UFO Report — Albuquerque, New Mexico, 24 May 1962
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AI-Generated Summary
This document contains a preliminary UFO report regarding a sighting in New Mexico on 24 May 1962, which was later officially identified as a weather balloon.
On 24 May 1962, a sighting of an unidentified object was reported in Albuquerque and Las Vegas, New Mexico. The object was described as round, white during the day, pink at sunset, and dark at night, with a size comparable to the planet Venus. It was observed by multiple reliable witnesses, including a flight service station chief, an ARTCC watch supervisor, and a KC-135 pilot. The object remained visible for over nine hours, appearing mostly stationary with slight northeast movement during the day before returning to its original position. The sighting was confirmed by ground visual and air route surveillance radar. Initially, the report was classified as 'presently unexplained' by Major Virgil O. Hall of Kirtland AFB. However, a follow-up message dated 25 May 1962 instructed that the preliminary report be disregarded, as it was determined that a weather balloon launched in the area accounted for the sighting. The characteristics of the object were found to match those of a weather balloon, which remained stationary in the clear, unlimited visibility conditions.
Subsequent investigation of this case brought to light that a Wx balloon was launched in the area and remained practically stationary for the period of this sighting.
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Official Assessment
Subsequent investigation of this case brought to light that a Wx balloon was launched in the area and remained practically stationary for the period of this sighting. Characteristics displayed match those of a balloon. Concluded that this object was probably a Wx balloon.
The object was identified as a weather balloon after initial reports listed it as unexplained.
Witnesses
- CodyChiefFlight Service Station Las Vegas New Mexico
- AndersonWatch SupervisorABQ ARTCC
- A. A. PicinichCaptainPilot of KC 135 Zeal 15
Key Persons
- Virgil O. HallFSO Kirtland AFB