Oak Ridge December 18, 1950 visual sighting
Document coverPage 1 of 65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_6 · View original on war.gov
Multiple military and civilian witnesses observed a very bright circular light of intensity greater than bright moonlight traveling northwest at 15-30 degrees elevation, diminishing in size over thirty seconds; separately, a bright solar reflection from apparent metal surface was observed through vehicle windshield.
“A light emanating in the shape of a circle, of an intensity much greater than that of a bright moon, giving the impression of form in connection with the light. The light was white in appearance and did not show any signs of refraction into a band or continuous spectrum. This object was traveling in a Northwesterly direction, 15 to 30 degrees elevation above the horizon, and appeared to diminish considerable in size during thirty seconds of observation.”
Verbatim from 65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_6 · View original on war.gov
Case details
- Date
- 1950-12-18
- Precision
- day
- Location
- Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on Turnpike within controlled area, approximately one mile from White Wing entrance and Y-12 plant
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Tennessee
- Branch
- USA
- Unit
- 111th CIC, FAO #8; NEPA Division personnel; McGhee Tyson Air Force Radar Station
- Sensors
- eyewitness
- Shape
- Circular light; observers noted circular area that darkened from perimeter inward
- Duration
- 30s
Resolution
Observers unable to estimate size, speed, or elevation; radar log entries show aircraft over area with no paint (radar indication) and small paint later observed
Source document
Agency: FBI
File: 65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_6
Case ID: 1950-USA-0DD6
View original on war.gov →Extracted via LLM. Verbatim excerpt validated.