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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S
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Document Creation Date:
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Document Release Date:
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Publication Date:
January 18, 1953
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REPORT
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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
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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
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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,
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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