UNIDENTIFIED LIGHT - WEWAK AREA

This report, dated July 24, 1960, details an investigation into an unidentified light observed in the vicinity of Wewak, Maralinga, on the evening of July 15, 1960. The initial report came from Constable Hubert Dave Scarborough, who was stationed at the Vixen 'A' test site and initially suspected a balloon had caught fire. Other witnesses, including Constable Richard Henry Maxwell and four personnel at the Village, observed a light moving from East to West. Descriptions varied, with some witnesses noting the light changed from white to red. The duration of the sighting was inconsistent, ranging from two to fifteen seconds, though one witness estimated thirty seconds. Security Officer J.J.A. Hanlon conducted inquiries with Woomera and a survey party from Exoil Pty. Ltd. to rule out meteor activity or unauthorized firings, but these efforts were unsuccessful. The report considers several theories, including a photo-flash from an aircraft, a practical joke, and St. Elmo's fire, noting that static electricity can build up on anchor vehicles for the site's balloons. Despite these investigations, the source of the light could not be positively identified. Health Physics Officer Oliver Harry Turner provided a dissenting opinion, suggesting the object was a satellite cone or a 'flying saucer.' The final assessment concludes that the phenomenon was likely a meteor or static electricity.