Oak Ridge January 16, 1951 bright objects
Document coverPage 1 of 65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_6 · View original on war.gov
Two bright objects observed, one east and one west of McGhee Tyson Airport; eastern object appeared brighter than stars with intermittent spectral color changes; western object observed through 20-power scope appearing to descend over approximately one hour before disappearing behind trees.
“Two bright objects in the sky, one of which was east of McGhee Tyson Airport and the other was west. The object to the east was a light, brighter than any other star, emitting intermittant glows of various colors in the color spectrum. An aircraft attempted interception and found that he was heading directly for a star.”
Verbatim from 65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_6 · View original on war.gov
Case details
- Date
- 1951-01-16
- Precision
- day
- Location
- McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville, Tennessee area; Oak Ridge, Tennessee
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Tennessee
- Branch
- USAF
- Unit
- 663rd AC&W Squadron, 30th Air Division; AEC Patrol; Oak Ridge
- Sensors
- eyewitness, radar
- Shape
- Eastern object: bright light; Western object: when viewed through spotting scope, took on peculiar forms with lines, cores, tails
- Altitude
- 6000 ft
- Duration
- 3600s
Resolution
Eastern object identified as star; weather personnel explained spectral reflection caused by atmosphere, physical matter, and heat creating light refraction; western object later identified as star by AEC personnel
Source document
Agency: FBI
File: 65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_6
Case ID: 1951-USAF-7A35
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