Light Phenomena East of Tashkent

This Central Intelligence Agency Information Report, dated February 11, 1952, details a series of aerial light phenomena observed in the Uzbek SSR between May and September 1947. The report is based on a second interrogation of an informant, who claimed that three distinct light phenomena occurred at approximately 15-minute intervals between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. local time. The observations were made from the Palhta Aral camp, located approximately 50 kilometers southwest of Tashkent at coordinates 41°18'N/69°15'E. According to the source, the phenomena began as a dark ball of fire that, after six seconds, reached the apex of a long-drawn-out trajectory. During this ascent, the object developed a trail of fire and shifted in color from pale green to white, eventually appearing bright red at its apex. The observer noted that no smoke trails, noises, or detonations were associated with the objects. The trajectory was estimated to span 60 to 80 kilometers, moving from the southwest to the northeast, with an altitude estimated between 5,000 and 12,000 meters. At the apex of its flight, the object was described as being approximately one-fifth the diameter of the full moon. The document includes a significant field comment cautioning that the reported measurements regarding the trajectory should be treated with reserve, noting specifically that the lack of audible discharge or noise from the projectile is a point of consideration. The report also references a previous interrogation of the same informant (SO-49149x) and mentions an attached sketch of the trajectory.