PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD - Death Valley, California

On September 4, 1952, a B-29 aircraft crew member, Right Gunner Gayle L. Moreland, observed a round ball of bright yellow light while flying over Death Valley, California. The sighting lasted for approximately 10 minutes, between 1020 and 1030 PDT, at an altitude of 25,000 feet. The object appeared to be situated within a transparent moisture layer and exhibited movement relative to the aircraft, appearing to move away and toward it while changing in size. The witness noted that the object appeared twice the size of the 35-foot reticle on the gun sight at maximum range. The sighting disappeared when the aircraft changed course to a westerly heading. The witness, who was the only crew member to observe the phenomenon, captured the event on gun camera film. While the witness concluded the object was likely a reflection of the sun off the moisture layer, the report was filed due to its similarity to other unusual sightings. The investigating officer, 1st Lt. Roland J. Hall, noted that the report was a high-quality observation that could assist in future research.