In August 1950, the following memo was received by FBI headquarters. Title: 'Summary of Aerial Phenomena in New Mexico."
Purpose
To advise that: (1)OSI has expressed concern in connection with the continued
appearance of unexplained phenomena described as green fireballs, discs and
meteors in the vicinity of sensitive installations in New Mexico. (2) Dr.
Lincoln LaPaz, meteor expert of the University of New Mexico, reported that
the phenomena does not appear to be of meteoric origin. (3) OSI has
contracted with Land-Air Inc. Almogordo, New Mexico, to make scientific study
of the unexplained phenomena.
Nature of Phenomena
Observations of aerial phenomena occurring within the vicinity of sensitive
installations have been recorded by the Air Force since December,
1948. The phenomena have been classified into 3 general types which are
identified as follows:
1. Green fireballs, objects moving at high speed in shapes resembling half
moons, circles and discs emitting green light.
2. Discs round flat shaped objects or phenomena moving at fast velocity and
emitting a brilliant white light or reflected light.
3. Meteors, aerial phenomena resembling meteoric material moving at high
velicity and varying in color.
The above phenomena have been reported to vary in color from brilliant white to amber, red and green.
Since 1948, approximataely 150 observations of aerial phenomena referred to above have been recorded in the vicinity of installations in New Mexico. A number of observations have been reported by different reliable individuals at approximately the same time.
Results of an Inquiry by Professor Lincoln LaPaz
Dr. Lincoln LaPaz, Institute of Meteoritics, University of New Mexico,
submitted an analysis of the various observations on May 23,1950 . He
concluded, as a result of this investigation, that approximately half of the
phenomena recorded were of meteoric origin. The other phenomena commonly
referred to as green fireballs or discs he believed to be U.S. guided
missiles being tested in the neighborhood of the installations. LaPaz
pointed out that if he were wrong in interpreting the phenomena as
originating with U.S. guided missiles that a systematic investigation of the
observations should be made immediately. LaPaz pointed out that missiles
moving with the velocities of the order of those found for the green
fireballs and discs could travel from the Ural region of the USSR to New
Mexico in less than 15 minutes. He suggested that the observations might be
of guided missiles launched from bases in the Urals.
On the basis of the investigations made by LaPaz and the Air Force, it was concluded that the occurrence of the unexplained phenomena in the vicinity of sensitive installations was a cause for concern. The Air Force entered into a contract with Land-Air, Inc., Alamogordo, New Mexico, for the purpose of making scientilfic studies of the green fireballs and discs. It was pointed out in the summary furnished by DSI on July 19, 1950 that the unexplained green fireballs and discs are still observed in the vicinity of sensitive military and Government installations.
Results of Air Force Investigation
The Air Force together with Land-Air, Inc., have established a number of
observation posts in the vicinity of Vaughn, New Mexico, for the purpose of
photographing and determining the speed, height and nature of the unusual
phenomena referred to as green fireballs and discs. On May 24, 1950,
personnel of Land-Air, Inc. sighted 8 to 10 objects of aerial phenomena. A
24-hour day watch is being maintained and has been designated "Project
Twinkle."
Conclusions
The Albuquerque Office, in letter dated August 19,l950, advised that there
have been no new developments in connection with the efforts to ascertain the
identity of the strange aerial phenomena referred to as green fireballs and
discs. The Albuquerque Office advised that Dr. ####### Project Engineer, had
been informed of the Bureau's jurisdiction relative espionage and sabotage
and arrangements have been made so that the Bureau will promptly advised in
the event additional information relative to this project indicates any
jurisdiction on the part of the Bureau.