Final Report on Project TWINKLE

This document is the final report for Project TWINKLE, dated 27 November 1951, issued by the Geophysics Research Division. The project was established in early 1950 following a directive to investigate peculiar light phenomena, specifically 'green fireballs,' observed in the skies of the Southwestern United States since 1947. The report details the history of the project, which began with a conference at Los Alamos in October 1949, where scientists concluded that existing data was insufficient for scientific analysis. Consequently, a program was initiated at Holloman Air Force Base involving optical tracking with Askania theodolites, spectrographic photography, and radio spectrum analysis. The report outlines the contractual periods with Land-Air, noting that results were largely negative. Photographic activity was limited, and simultaneous sightings by cameras were rarely achieved. The report notes that many reported sightings were attributable to ordinary man-made objects such as airplanes, balloons, and smoke rockets, or natural phenomena like birds, clouds, and meteorites. Dr. Fred L. Whipple of Harvard conducted studies on meteor photographs and the correlation between moon age and sightings, finding no evidence of unusual phenomena. The report concludes that the project's findings are essentially negative and that there is no justification for further systematic investigation or the allocation of funds. It recommends that the project be maintained on a standby basis without official Air Force status, with continued vigilance by Land-Air and the weather station. The report includes summaries of recent aerial phenomena reports from the 17th OSI District, which were largely identified as balloons or meteors. The final recommendation is that no further fiscal expenditure be made in pursuing the problem.