REPORT OF MEETING OF SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY PANEL ON UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS COVERED BY OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE, CIA, JANUARY 14-18, 1953

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CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0
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June 5, 2001
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January 18, 1953
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Approved For Release 200110810tA-RDA;ROU4&80go0P7-0` al,--( #s,a/`v-R REPORT OF MEITINGS OF SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY PANEL ON UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS CONVENED BY OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE, CIA January 14 - 18, 1953 Doclass f1^d b 008887.?. date A Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Release 2001/08/07: CIA-RDP81R00560R* 00030027-0 Purpose Page 1 Part I: History of Meetings of Panel 1 Part II: Comments and Suggestions of Panel 7 General 7 On Lack of Danger 8 Air Force Reporting System 9 Artifacts of Extraterrestial Origin 10 Tremonton, Utah, Sighting 11 Potential Related Dangers 15 Geogra4h.ic Locations of Unexplained Sightings 15 Instrumentation to Obtain Data 16 Radar Problem of Mutual Intereference 18 Unexplained Cosmic Ray Phenomena 19 Educational Program 19 Unofficial Investigating Groups 23 Increase in Number of Sightings 24. Report of Panel Tab A List of Personnel Concerned With Meetings Tab B List of Documentary Evidence Presented Tab C Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 . Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81 R00560R1*1 00030027-0 16 February 1953 MEMORANDUM FOR: Assistant Director for Scientific Intelligence SUBJECT . Report of Meetings of the Office of Scientific Intelligence Scientific Advisory Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects, January 14 - 18, 1953 PURPOSE The purpose of this memorandum is to present: a. A brief history of the meetings of the O/SI Advisory Panel On Unidentified Flying Objects (Part I), b. An unofficial supplement to the official Panel Report to AD/SI setting forth comments and suggestions of the Panel Members which they believed were inappropriate for inclusion in the formal report (Part II). PART I: HISTORY OF MEETINGS GENERAL After consideration of the subject of "unidentified flying objects" at the 4 December meeting of the Intelligence Advisory Coimnittee, the following action was agreed: "The Director of Central Intelligence will: a. Enlist the services of selected scientists to review and appraise the available evidence in the light of pertinent scientific theories...." Following the delegation of this action to the Assistant Director for Scientific Intelligence and preliminary investigation, Approved For Release 2001/ LA&WP81ROO56OR000100030027-0 SS tion Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560RS 00030027-0 an Advisory Panel of selected scientists was assembled. In cooperation with the Air Technical Intelligence Center, case histories of reported sightings and related material were made available for their study and consideration. Present at the initial meeting (0930 Wednesday, 14 January) (W&E Division), and the writer. Panel Member, 25X1A was absent until Friday afternoon. 25X1A were present throughout the sessions to familiarize themselves with the subject, represent the substantive interest of their Divisions, and assist in administrative support of the meetings. (A list of personnel concerned with the meetings is given in Tab A): WEDNESDAY MORNING The AD/SI opened the meeting, reviewing CIA interest in the subject and action taken. This review included the mention of the O/SI Study Group of August 1952 25X1A culminating in the briefing of the DCI, the ATIC November 21 briefing, 4 December IAC consideration, visit to ATIC (Chadwell, 25X1A , and O/SI concern over potential dangers to national security indirectly related to these sightings. Mr. 25X1A =enumerated these potential dangers: Following this intro- duction, Dr. Chadwell turned the meeting over to 25X1A Approved For Release 2001/08/07 ? CIA-RDP81 R00560R000100030027-0 .a- Approved For Re se 2001/08/07: CIA-RDP81 R00560RA 00030027-0 as Chairman of the Panel. available and requested consideration of specific reports and letters be taken by certain individuals present (Tab B). For example, case histories involving radar or radar and visual sightings were selected for while reports of Green Fireball phenomena, nocturnal lights, and suggested programs of 25X1A investigations were routed to Following these remarks, the motion pictures of the sightings at Tremonton, Utah (2 July 1952) and Great Falls, Montana (15 August 1950) were shown. The meeting adjourned at 1200. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON The second meeting of the Panel opened at 1+00. Lt. R. S. Neasham, USN, and Mr. Harry Woo of the USN Photo Interpretation Laboratory, Anacostia, presented the results of their analyses of the films mentioned above. This analysis evolved considerable discussion as elaborated upon below. Besides Panel members and CIA personnel, Capt. E. J. Ruppelt, Dr. J. Allen Nynak, 25X1A Capt. Harry B. Smith (2-e-2), and Dr. Stephen Possony were present. Following the Photo Interpretation Lab presentation, Mr. E. J. Ruppelt spoke for about 4+0 minutes on ATIC methods of handling and evaluating reports of sighting and their efforts to improve the quality of reports. The meeting was adjourned at 1715. -3- Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Release 2001/08/07: CIA-RDP81 R00560R*1 00030027-0 THURSDAY MORNING The third and fourth meetings of the Panel were held,Thursday, 15 January, commencing at 0900 with a two-hour break for luncheon. Besides Panel members. and CIA personnel, Mr. Ruppelt and Dr. Hynek were present for both sessions. In the morning, Mr. Ruppelt con- tinued his briefing on ATIC collection and analysis procedures. The Project STORK support at Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, was described by Dr. Hynek. A number of case histories were dis- cussed in detail and a motion picture film of seagulls was shown. A two hour break for lunch was taken at 1200. THURSDAY AFTERNOON At 1400 hours gave a 40-minute briefing of Project TWI=, the investigatory project conducted by the Air Force Meteorological Research Center at Cambridge, Mass. In this briefing he pointed out the many problems of setting up and manning 21i--hour instrumentation watches of patrol cameras searching for sightings of U.F.O.'s. At 1615 Brig. Gen. William M. Garland joined the meeting with AD/SI. General Garland expressed his support of the Panel's efforts and stated three personal opinions: a. That greater use of Air Force intelligence officers in the field (for follow-up investigation) appeared desirable, but that they required thorough briefing. -4- Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Ruse 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81 R00560RA 00030027-0 b. That vigorous effort should be made to declassify as many of the reports as possible. c. That some increase in the ATIC section devoted to U.F.O. analysis was indicated. This meeting was adjourned at 1700. FRIDAY MORNING The fifth session of the Panel convened at 0900 with the same personnel present as enumerated for Thursday (with the exception of Brig. Gen. Garland). From 0900 - 100 there was general discussion and study of reference material. Also, Dr. Hynek read a prepared paper making certain observations and conclusions. At 1000 gave a 25X1A briefing on his fifteen months experience in Washington as Project Office for U.F.O.'s and his personal conclusions. There was considerable discussion of individual case histories of sightings to which he referred. Following presentation, a number of additional case histories were examined and discussed 25X1A with Messrs. _ Ruppelt, and Hynek. The meeting adjourned at 1200 for luncheon. FRIDAY AFTERNOON This session opened at 1+00. Besides Panel members and CIA personnel, Dr. Hynek was present. as Panel 25X1A Member, was present at this meeting for the first time. Progress of the meetings was reviewed by the Panel Chairman and tentative Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81 R00560R0001 00030027-0 Approved For Relase 2001/08/07: CIA-RDP81R0056OR 100030027-0 conclusions reached. A general discussion followed and tentative recommendations considered. It was agreed that the Chairman should draft a report of the Panel to AD/SI that evening for review by the Panel the next morning. The meeting adjourned at 1715. SATURDAY MORNING At 09+5 the Chairman opened the seventh session and submitted a rough draft of the Panel Report to the members. This draft had been reviewed and approved earlier by The next two and one-half hours were consumed in discussion and revision of the draft. At 1100 the AD/SI joined the meeting and reported that he had shown and discussed a copy of the initial rough draft to the Director of Intelligence, USAF, whose reaction was favorable. At 1200 the meeting was adjourned. SATURDAY AFT'ERN00N At 1-00 the eighth and final meeting of the Panel was opened. Discussions and rewording of certain sentences of the Report occupied the first hour. (A copy of the final report is appended as Tab C.) This was followed by a review of work accomplished by the Panel,, and restatement of individual Panel Member's opinions and suggestions on details that were felt inappropriate for inclusion inthe formal report. It was agreed that the writer would incorporate these comments in an internal report to the AD/$I. The material below represents this information. -6- Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Rel ee 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81 R00560R000030027-0 PART VI: COMgIENTS AND SUGGESTIONS OF PANEL GENERAL The Panel Members were impressed (as have been others, includ- ing O/SI personnel) in the lack of sound data in the great majority of case histories; also, in the lack of speedy follow-up due primarily to the modest size and limited facilities of the ATIC section concerned. Among the case histories of significant sightings discussed in detail were the following : Bellefontaine, Ohio (1 August 1952); Tremonton, Utah (2 July 1952); Great Falls, Montana (15 August 1950); Yaak, Montana (1 September 1952); Washington, D.C. area (19 July 1952); and Haneda A.F.B., Japan (5 August 1952), Port Huron, Michigan (29 July 1952); and Presque Isle, Maine (10 October 1952). After review and discussion of these cases (and about 15 others, in less detail), the Panel concluded that reasonable explanations could be suggested for most sightings and "by deduction and scien- tific method it could be induced (given additional data) that other cases might be explained in a similar manner." The Panel pointed out that because of the brevity of some sightings (e.g. 2-3 seconds) and the inability of the witnesses to express themselves clearly (sometimes) that conclusive explanations could not be expected for every case reported. Furthermore, it was considered that, normally, it would be a great waste of effort to try to solve most of the sightings, unless such action would benefit a training and educational program (see below). The writings of Charles Fort were referenced Approved For Release 20W 560R000100030027-0 -7- Approved For Rel se 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81 R00560ROO 00030027-0 to show that "strange things in the sky" had been recorded for hundreds of years. It appeared obvious that there was no single explanation for a majority of the things seen. The presence of radar and astro- nomical specialists on the Panel proved of value at once in their confident recognition of phenomena related to their fields. It was apparent that specialists in such additional fields as psychology, meteorology, aerodynamics, ornithology and military air operations would extend the ability of the Panel to recognize many more cate- gories of little-known phenomena. ON LACK OF DANGER The Panel concluded unanimously that there was no evidence of a direct threat to national security in the objects sighted. Instances of "Foo Fighters" were cited. These were unexplained phenomena sighted by aircraft pilots during World War II in both European and Fax East theaters of operation wherein "balls of light" would fly near or with the aircraft and maneuver rapidly. They were believed to be electrostatic (similar to St. Elmo's fire) or electro- magnetic phenomena or possibly light reflections from ice crystals in the air, but their exact cause or nature was never defined. Both had been concerned in the investigation of these phenomena, but David T. Griggs (Professor of Geophysics at the University of California at Los Angeles) is believed to have been the most knowledgeable person on this subject. If the term "Flying saucers" had been popplar in 1943 - 1945, these objects would Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : C1IA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Rel se 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81 R00560ROO 00030027-0 have been so labeled. It was interesting that in at least two 25X1A cases reviewed that the object sighted was categorized by as probably "Foo Fighters" to date unexplained but not dangerous; they were not happy thus to dismiss the sightings be calling them names. It was their feeling that these phenomena are not beyond the domain of present knowledge of physical science, however. AIR FORCE REPORTING SYSTEM It was the Panel's opinion that some of the Air Force concern over U.F.O.'s (notwithstanding Air Defense Command anxiety over fast radar tracks) was probably caused by public pressure. The result today is that the Air'Fbrce has instituted a fine channel for receiving reports of nearly anything anyone sees in the sky and fails to understand. This has been particularly encouraged in popu- lar articles on this and other subjects, such as space travel and science fiction. The result is the mass receipt of low-grade reports which tend to overload channels of communication with material quite irrelevant to hostile objects that might some day appear. The Panel agreed generally that this mass of poor-quality reports containing little, if any, scientific data was of no value. Quite the opposite., it was possibly dangerous in having a military service foster public concern in "nocturnal meandering lights." The implication being., since the interested agency was military, that these objects were or might be potential direct threats to national security. Accord- ingly,, the need for deemphasization made itself apparent. Comments on a possible educational program are enumerated below. Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : C~--RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Release 200'}hR00560RS 00030027-0 It was the opinion of that the "saucer" problem had been found to be different in nature from the detection and investigation of German V-1 and V-2 guided missiles prior to their operational use in World War II. In this 1943-1944 intelligence operation (CROSSBOW), there was excellent intelligence and by June 1944 there was material evidence of the existence of "hardware" obtained from crashed vehicles This evidence gave the investigating team a basis upon which to operate. The absence of any "hardware" resulting from unexplained U.F.O. sightings lends a "will- of-the-wisp) nature to the ATIC problem. The results of their investi- gation, to date, strongly indicate that no evidence of hostile act or danger exists. Furthermore, the current reporting system would have little value in the case of detection of enemy attack by conventional aircraft or guided missiles; under such conditions "hardware" would be available almost at once. APvTIF i OF EXTRATERRESTIAL ORIGIN It was interesting to note that none of the members of the Panel were loath to accept that this earth might be visited by extra- terrestial intelligent beings of some sont, some day. What they did not find was any evidence that related the objects sighted to space travelers, in his presentation, showed how he had elim- inated each of the known and probable causes of sightings leaving him "extra-terrestial" as the only one remaining in many cases. ^ background as an aeronautical engineer and technical intelligence Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Ruse 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R0056OR19100030027-0 officer (Project Officer, BLUEBOOK for 15 months) could not be slighted. However, the Panel could not accept any of the cases sighted by him because they were raw, unevaluated reports. Terrestial explanations of the sightings were suggested in some cases and in others the time of sighting was so short as to cause suspicion of visual impressions. It was noted by M and others that extraterrestrial artifacts, if they did exist, are no cause for alarm; rather, they are in the realm of natural phenomena subject to scientific study, just as cosmic rays were at the time of their discovery 20 to 30 years ago. This was an attitude in which did not concur, as he felt that such artifacts would be of immediate and great concern not only to the U. S. but to all countries. (Nothing like a common threat to unite peoples!) 25X1A noted that present astronomical knowledge of the solar system makes the eixstence of intelligent beings (as we know the term) elsewhere than on the earth extremely unlikely, and the concentration of their attention by any controllable means confined to any one continent of the earth quite preposterous. TREMONTON, UTAH, SIGHTING This case was considered significant because of the excellent documentary evidence in the form of Kodachrome motion picture films (about 1600 frames). The Panel studied these films, the case history, ATIC's interpretation, and received a briefing by representatives of the USN Photo Interpretation Laboratory on their analysis of the film. This term had expended (at Air Force request) approximately -11- Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Ruse 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81 R00560R'100030027-0 041 1000 man-hours of professional and sub-professional time in the preparation of graph plots of individual frames of the film, show- ing apparent and relative motion of objects and variation in their light intensity. It was the opinion of the P.I.L, representatives that the objects sighted were not birds, balloons or aircraft, were "not reflections because there was no blinking while passing through 600 of arc" and were, therefore, "self-luminous". Plots of motion and variation in light intensity of the objects were displayed. While the Panel Members were impressed by the evident enthusiasm, industry and extent of effort of the P.I.L. team, they could not accept the conclusions reached, Some of the reasons for this were a. A semi-spherical object can readily produce a reflection of sunlight without "blinking" through 60? of are travel. b. Although no data was available on the "albedo" of birds or polyethylene ballons in bright sunlight, the apparent motions, sizes and brightnesses of the objects were considered strongly to suggest birds, particularly after the Panel viewed a short film showing high reflectivity of seagulls in bright sunlight. c. P.I.L. description of the objects sighted as "circular, bluish-white" in color would be expected in cases of spectacular reflections of sunlight from convex surfaces where the brilliance of the reflection would obscure other portions of the object. Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : Gik-RDP81 R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For ReAe 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81 R00560ROO 00030027-0 di objects in the Great Falls case were believed to have probably been aircraft, and the bright lights such reflections. e, There was no valid reason for the attempt to relate theobjects in the Tremonton sighting to those in the Great Falls sight- ing. This may have been due to misunderstanding in their directive. The objects in the Great Falls sighting are strongly suspected of being reflections of aircraft known to have been in the areai f. The intensity change in the Trementon lights was too great for acceptance of the P.I.L. hypothesis that the apparent motion and changing intensity of the lights indicated extremely high speed in small orbital pathsi g. Apparent lack of guidance of investigators by those familiar with U.F.O. reports and explanations. h. Analysis of light intensity of objects made from duplicate rather than original film. The original film was noted to have a much lighter background (affecting relative brightness of object) and the objects appeared much less bright. i. Method of obtaining data of light intensity appeared faulty because of unsuitability of equipment and questionable assumptions in making averages of readings. j. No data had been obtained on the sensitivity of Kodachrome film to light of various intensities using the same camera type at the same lens openings. Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Ruse 2001/08/07: CIA-RDP81 R00560RSI00030027-0 k. Hand "jitter" frequencies (obtainable from early part of Tremonton film) were not removed from the plots of the "single pass plots" at, the end of the film. The Panel believed strongly that the data available on this sighting was sufficient for positive identification if further data is obtained by photographing polyethylane "pillow" balloons released neax the site under similar weather conditions, checking bird flight and relfection characteristics with competent ornithologists and calculating apparent "G" forces acting upon objects from their apparent tracks. It was concluded that the results of such tests would prob- ably lead to creditable explanations of value in an educational or training program. However, the Panel noted that the cost in technical manpower effort required to follow up and explain every one of the thousand or more reports received through channels each year (1,900 in 1952) could not be justified. It was felt that there will always be sightsings, for which complete data is lacking, that can only be explained with disproportionate effort and with a long time delay, if at all. The long delay in explaining a sighting tends to eliminate any intelligence value. The educational or training program should have as a major purpose the elimination of popular feeling that every sighting, no matter how poor the data, must be explained in detail, Attention should be directed to the requirement among scientists that a new phenomena, to be accepted, must be completely and convincingly documented. In other words, the burden of proof is on the sigl*r, not the explainer. Approved For Release 2001/08/07 'C A-RDP81 R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Refte 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81 R00560RO 00030027-0 POTENTIAL RELATED DANGERS The Panel Members were in agreement with O/SI opinion that, although evidence of any direct threat from these sightings was wholly lacking, related dangers might well exist resulting from: a. Misidentification of actual enemy artifacts by defense personnel: b. Overloading of emergency reporting channels with "false" information ("noise to signal ratio" analogy- 25X1A c. Subjectivity of public to mass hysteria and greater vul- verability to possible enemy psychological warfare. Although not the concern of CIA, the first two of these problems may seriously affect the Air Defense intelligence system, and should be studied by experts, possibly under ADC. If. U.F.0.'s become dis- credited in a reaction to the "flying saucer" scare, or if report- ing channels are saturated with false and poorly documented reports, our capability of detecting hostile activity will be reduced. Dr. Page noted that more competent screening or filtering of reported sightings at or near the source is required, and that this can best be accomplished by an educational program. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS OF UNEXPLAINED SIGHTINGS The map prepared by ATIC showing geographic locations of officially reported unexplained sightings (1952 only) was examined by the Panel. This map showed clusters in certain strategic areas such as Los Alamos. This might be explained on the basis of 211--hour watchful guard and Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Rel a 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R0100030027-0 awareness of security measures near such locations. On the other hand, there had been no sightings in the vicinity of sensitive related AE establishments while there were occasionally multiple cases of unexplained sightings in non-strategic areas. Furthermore, there appeared to be no logical relationship to population centers. The Panel could find no ready explanation for these clusters. It was noted, however, that if terrestrial artifacts were to be observed it would be likely that they would be seen first near foreign areas rather than central U. S. INSTRMENTATION'TO OBTAIN DATA The Panel was of the opinion that the present ATIC program to place 100 inexpensive 35 mm. stereo cameras in the hands of various airport control tower operators would probably produce little valu- able data related to U.F.O. s. However, it was recognized that such action would tend to allay public concern in the subject until an educational program had taken effect. It was believed that pro- curement of these cameras was partly the result of public pressure in July 1952. With the poor results of the year-long Project TWINKLE program of 22+-hour instrumentation watch (two frames of film showing nothing distinguishable), a widespread program of sky- watching would not be expected to yeild much direct data of value. There was considerable discussion of a possible "sky patrol" by 25X1A amateur astronomers (Hynek) and by vide-angle cameras and pointed out that at present a considerable fraction 25X1 A _W1:_,=V... m -16- Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Refte 2001/08/07: CIA-RDP81R00560R0800030027-0 of the sky is now--and has been for many years--under surveillance every clear night in several meteor and aurora observing programs as well as sky mapping programs at the various locations listed below. Although the attention of those astronomers is largely directed toward identified rather than unidentified objects, no case of any striking unidentified object is known to _________or Dr. Hynek, Such an object would most certainly be reported if found on patrol plates. A case was cited where an astronomer refused to interrupt his exposure in order to photograph an alleged sighting in a different part of the sky; This led Dr. Hynek to say that, if a program of watching could be an adjunct of planned astronomical programs, little cost would be involved and that the trained astronomical personnel might photograph a sighting of an unidentified object. The location of some of these programs and their directors are believed to be: a. Harvard University, Cambridge and New Mexico (meteor patrol) - Whipple. b. Yerkes Observatory, University of Chicago and Fort Davis, Texas (several programs)--Meinel (aurorae), Kuiper (asteroids), Morgan (wide angle camera). c. University of Alaska, Fairbanks (aurorae) - Elvey d. Dominion Observatory, Ottawa (meteors) - Millman e. Palomar Observatory, California (sky map) - Minkowski f. Lick Observatory, California (sky map) - Shane -17- Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For lWase 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81 R005604K1 00030027-0 It was agreed by the Panel that no government-sponsored program of optical nation-wide sky patrol is worthwhile at the present time, and that the encouragement of amateur astronomers to undertake such a program might have the adverse effect of over-emphasizing "flying saucer" stories in the public mind. However, the issue of radarscope cameras for recording peculiar radar echoes would serve peveral pur- poses, including the better understanding of radar interference as well ac identification of U.F.O.'s. RADAR PROBLE4 OF MUTUAL INTERFERENCE This characteristic problem of radar operation wherein the pulse signal (of approximately the same frequency) from station A may be picked up on the screen of station B and show as a high-speed track or series of dots was recognized to have probably caused a number bf U.F.O. reports. This problem was underlined by information received indicating ADC concern in solving this problem of signal identification before service use of very high-speed aircraft or guided missiles (1955-1956). believed that one answer to this problem 25X1A was the use of a "doppler filter" in the receiving circuit: suggested that the problem might be better solved by the use of a "controlled jitter" wherein the operator receiving "very fast tracks" (on the order of 1000 - 10,000 m.p.h.) would operate a circuit which would alter slightly his station's pulse frequency rate. If the signal received on the screen had been caused by mutual interference with another station, the track would now Show itself at a different distance Approved For Release 2001/08/07 !-1 A-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Rele0e 2001/08/07: CIA-RDP81R00560R040030027-0 from the center of the screen,-if it still appeared at all. felt such a technical solution was simpler and would cost much less than a "Doppler filter." UNEXPLAINED COSMIC RAY PHENOMENA Two reported cases were examined: one at Palomar Mountain, California, in October 1949, when cosmic ray counter wnet "off scale for a few seconds," apparently while a "V" of flying saucers was observed visually; and two, a series of observations by the "Los Alamos Bird Watchers Association" from August 1950 to January 1951, when cosmic ray coincidence counters behaved queerly. Circuit diagrams and records were available for the latter, and was able tluickly to point out that the recorded data were undoubtedly due to instrumental effects that would have been recognized as such by more experienced observers. The implication that radioactive effects were correlated with unidentified flying objects in these two cases was, therefore, rejected by the Panel. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM The Panel's concept of a borad educational program integrating efforts of all concerned agencies was that it should have two major aims: training and "debunking". The training aim would result in proper recognition of unusually illuminated objects (e.g., balloons, aircraft relfections) as well as natural pYnomena (meteors, fireballs, mirages, noctilucent clouds). Both visual and radar recognition are concerned. There would be many -19- Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved Fos-lease 2001/08/07: CIA-RDP81R005D00100030027-0 levels in such education from enlisted personnel to commend 2nd research personnel. Relative emphasis and degree of exmlanetion of different programs would correspond to the categories of duty (e.g., radar operator:; pilots; control tower operators; Ground Observer Corps personnel; and officers and enlisted men in other catagories.) This training should result in a marked reduction in reports caused by misidentification and resultant confusion. The "Cebunkinrg;'1 aim would result in reduction in public interest in "flying saucers" which today evokes a strong psychological reaction. This education could be accomplished by mass media such television, motion pictures, and popular articles. Basis of such Education would be actual case histories which had been puzzling at first but later explained. As in the case of conjuring tricks, there is much less stimulation if the "secret" is known. Such a program should -Lend to reduce the current gullibility of the public and consequently their susceptibility to clever hostile propaganda. The Panel noted that the general absence of Russian propaganda based on a subject zth so many obvious possibilities for exploitation r.ipbt indicate 2 possible Russian official policy. Members of the Panel had various suggestions related to the planning of such an educational program. It was felt strongly that psychologists familiar with mass psychology should advise on the nature and extent of the program. In this connection, Dr. Hadley Cantril (Princeton University) was suggested. Cantril authored "Inva.s?on from Mars", (a study in the wwm4ama -20- Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Ruse 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81 R00560R& 00030027-0 psychology of panic, written about the fanous Orson IJelles radio broadcase in 1938) and has since performed advanced laboratory studies in the field d of perception. The names of Don Marquis (University of Michigan) an Leo Rosten were mentioned as possibly suitable as consultant psychologists. Also, someone familiar with mass communication techniques, perhaps an advertising expert, would be helpful. Arthur Godfrey was mentioned as possibly a valuable channel of communication reaching; a mass audience of certain levels. suggested the U. S. Navy (G~,R) Special I vices Center, Sands Point, L. I., as a potentially valuable organization to assist in such an educational program. The teaching techniques used by this agency for aircraft identification curing the past war was cited as an example of a similar educational task. The Jam Handy Co. which made World :gar II training films (motion picture and slide strips) was also suggestedd, as well as ';Talc Disney, Inc. animated cartoons. Dr. idynek suggested that the amateur astronomers in the U. S. might be a potential source of enthusi- astic talent "to spread the gospel". It was believed that business clubs, high schools, colleges, and television stations would all be pleased to cooperate in the shoeTing of documentary type motion pictures if prepared in an interesting manner. The use of true cases showing first the "mystery" and then the "explanation" would be forceful. To plan and execute such a program, the Panel believed ,was no mean task. The current investigatory group at ATIC would, of necessity, have to be closely integrated for support with respect to not only the Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Rele 2001/08/07: CIA-RDP81R00560R00S 0030027-0 historical cases but the current ones. Recent cases are probably much more susceptible to explanation than older ones; first, because of ATIC's experiences ant, secondly, their knowledge of most plausible explanations. The Panel believed that some expansion of the ATIC effort would certainly be required to support such a program. It was believed inappropriate to state exactly how large a Tr ble of Ord anization would be required. Captain Ruppclt of ATIC unofficially proposed, for purposes of analyzing and evaluating; reports: a. An analysts' panel of four officers b. Four officer investigators c. A briefing officer d. In LDC liason officer e. A weather and balloon dat?. officer f. An astronomical consultant g. A. Gro-t.p Leader, with administrative assistant, file clerks and stenographers. This proposal met with generally favorable comment. The Panel believed that, with ATIC's support, the educational program of "train ing and aebunking" outlined above niUht be required for a minimum of one and one-half to two years. ".t the end of this time, the dangers related to "flying saucers" shoula have been greatly reduced if not eliminated. Cooperation from other military services and. agencies concerned (e.g., Federal Civil Defense Administration) would be a necessity. In investigating significant cases (such as the Tremonton, Utah, sighting), controlled experiments might be required. An example Approved For Release 200 08/x/ I A-RDP81 R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For Re se 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81 R00560R& 00030027-0 would be the photographing of "pillotw.* ballooms"" at different distances under similar weather conditions at the site. The help of one or two psychologists and writers and a subcontractor to produce training films would be necessary in addition. The Panel considered that ATIC's efforts, temporarily e p:~nded as necessary, could be most useful in implementing any action taken as a result of its recommendations. Experience and records in ATIC would be of value in both the public educational and service training program envisaged. Dr. Robertson at least was of the opinion that after public gullibility lessened and the service organizations, such as ADC, had been trained to sift out the more readily explained spurious sightings, there would still be a role for a very modest-sized ATIC section to cope ,pith the residuum of items of possible scientific intelligence value. This section should concentrate on energetically following up (perhaps on the advice of qualified Air Force Scientific Advisory Board members) those cases which seemed to indicate the evidence of unconventional enemy artifacts. Reports of such artifacts would be expected to arise mainly from Western outposts in far closer proximity to the Iron Curtain than Lub?~ock, Texas 1 UIv OII IC ML IiiURS~ IGATING GROUPS The Panel took corn izence of the existence of such groups as the "Civilian Flying Saucer Investigators" (Los Angeles) and the "":'.crial Phenomena Research Organization (Wisconsin). It was believed that such organizations should be watched because of their potentially -23- Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 ? Approved For *ase 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560140100030027-0 great influence on mass thinking if taidespread sightings should occur. The apparent irresponsibility and the possible use of such groups for subversive purposes should be kept in mind. LLCiL1I&SE IN 1 MBFJ'Z OF SIGHTINGS The consensus of the Panel was, based upon the history of the subject, that the number of sightings could be reasonably expected to increase again this summer. Approved For Release 2 01/08 7 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For A se 2001/08/07: CIA-RDP81R00560R 100030027-0 3 r i ~' 'on REPORT OF THE SC EI'TII'IC PANEL ON WIDd TIr'r iJ IZY:LX, OBJECTS Released in MORI Jan 17 1953 1. Pursuant to the request of the Assistant Director for Scientific Intelligence, the un:.,.ersir;ned Panel of Scientific Consultants has met to evaluate any possible threat to national security posed by Unidentified Flying Objects ('11lyin- Saucers"), and to make recommenc:ations thereon. The Panel has received the evidence as presented by cognizant intelli- gence agencies., primarily the sir Technical Intelligence Center, anc has reviewed a selection of the best documented incidents. 2. As a result of iteconsiderations, the Panel conclude;: a. That the evidence presented on Unidentified Flying Objects shows no indication that these phenomena constitute a direct physical threat to national security. T:e firmly believe that there is no residuum o cases which indicates phenomena which are attributable to foreign artifacts capable of hostile acts, and that there is no evidence that the phenomena indicate a need for the revision of current scientific concepts. 3. Thy Panel further concludes: a. That the continued emphasis on the reporting of these phenomena does, in these parlous times, result in a threat to the orderly functioning- of the protective organs of the body politic. '1e cite as samples the clogging of channels of communication by irrelevant reports, the danger of being led by continued false alarms to ignore real Approved For Release 2 -!EG4ArRDP81 R00560R000100030027-0 Approved For R#ase 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560 0100030027-0 Released in MORI indications of hostile action, and the cultivation of a morbid national ~sycholo;y in which skillful hostile propaganda could induce hysterical 'ehavior and harmful distrust of duly constituted authority. 4. In order most effectively to strengthen the national facilities for the timely recognition and the appropriate handling of true indications of hostile action, and to minimize the concomitant dangers alluded to aboz?e, the Panel recorunends: a. That the national security agencies take immediate steps to strip the Unidentified Flying Objects of the special status they ha-~c been given and the aura of mystery they have unfortunately e ccluired; b. That the national security a;;encies institute policies on intelli;ence, training, and public education designed to prepare the material defenses and the morale of the country to recognize most promptly and to react most effectively to true indications of hostile intent or action. ?`Te suggest that these aims may be achieved by an integrated program designed to reassure the public of the total lack of evidence of inimical forces behind the phenomena, to train personnelt to recognize and reject false indications quickly and effectively, and to strengthen regular channels for the evaluation of andprompt reaction to true indications of hostile measures. /s/ Lloyd F. Berk_ner I ssocia.ted Universities, :inc. /s/ H. P. InLobertson Chairman California institute of Technology /,-/ S. A. Goudemit Brookhaven National Laboratories /s/ Luis I' lv-rez University of California Ls/ Thornton Page Approved For Release 2001/08/07 :Jay} 21i~ 1 RWQs ggqF( 030027-0