Project Blue Book Assessment:

I. Description of Incident

At approximately 0015Z on 16 November 1952 two observers, a tech sergeant and the base OD, observed a large, brilliant object the size of a grapefruit. The object appeared to be traveling very fast as it came in from the SW, made a 90° turn directly overhead, and disappeared in a westerly direction. As it left the area it appeared to give off a brilliant cold white light. The duration of the sighting was five to six seconds. No sound was heard.

Many other sightings of a similar nature were reported by Air Police Guards earlier in the evening.

Local radar was checked but they had carried no unknown tracks during the period.

An aircraft crew reported that they had seen a meteor at 2400Z while flying into the area.

The weather was scattered to no clouds at 2,000'; visibility 10 miles.

II. Discussion of Incident

There is a possibility that the reported object was the same meteor seen by the air crew at 2400Z, an error of 15 minutes is possible. Meteors, however, do not make 90° turns and since the turn reportedly occurred directly over the observers it is difficult to say the turn was an illusion. There are infrequent reports of fireballs "glancing" off the atmosphere. This phenomenon might appear to be a 90° turn.

The object evidently was very spectacular since the OD stopped his car, shut off the ignition, and went out to watch. One observer stated that he was afraid the object was about to hit him.

Lacking data on the "odds" of a meteor or fireball appearing to make a 90° turns. the object cannot be identified as a meteor.

III. Conclusion

Unknown

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