23857122-0457-180273-0016

OCR Text

5. 43160th Electronics Laboratory, Cambridge Field Sta~ tion, studied all incidents by comparing evidence with research bal- loon data, to determine which incidents may be attributed to various types of research balloons. 6. Ir. P. Me. Fitts, Psychologist, AMC Aero-Medical Lab~ oratory was requested to review all material relative to sightings and to provide psychological and illusory information and determine human capacity for observing and remembering minute details of range, speed, size, etc. While these analyses were being conducted, the Swedish Defense Staff was contacted through our Air Attache to learn the offi-~ cial Swedish attitude toward the "ghost rockets". The results of these requests are contained in AA Reports, No. TR-115-.5, 30 December 1918, ‘and Noe IR=1,7=l)9, 2 March 1919 (listed as Appendix "A"), Vv. Mseussion of Reports cf Consulting Agencies . A. Dr. J. A. Hynek, Final Report (see Appendix "B"). Dr. Hynek's report includes the results of a concentrated study of all files up to an including Incident No. 2elj:;. However, as mentioned above, Incidents 223 through 227 and 2l,1 through 21), in the New Mexico area, will not be considered in this anakysis. An additional seven in- cidents were excluded by Dr. Hynek as explained in his Summary on Page lh, of Appendix "BY, Of the remaining 226 then treated, Dr. Hynek con= cluded that approximately 33% were astronomical with varying degrees of probability. He concluded that an additional 37% were not astronom ical but sugeestive of other explanations, such as birds, rockets, balloons, ordinary aircraft, etc. The remaining 302 as far as fr. Hynek was concerned either lacked sufficient evidence or evidence offered suggested no explanation. In compiling these statistics, Dr. Hynek cautiously accepted each case at face value, without dis- counting evidence that sometimes "verged on the ludicrous" and without taking into consideration psycholopical factors. Dr. Hynek then stated that "53% micht conceivably be considered (although the likelihood of their being so may be very small) as extra-terrestrial or astronomical in origin". These include "those which either are definitely astron- omical or can by suitable manipulation of the evidence be construed as such", Be Hq, Air Weather Service, one indorsement and one letter (see Appendix "C") Air Weather Service conducted an analysis simultan~ eously with Dr. Hynek using the same evidence. AVS attempted to detere mine whether a synoptic weather balloon could have been at the location where a sighting was reported. In this investigation consideration was given to the wind cirection and speed at the surface and aloft at the scheduled time of balloon release, and the location of the nearest weather station making balloon observations. AWS used files of the first 243 incidents. Declassification Authority: NND 57565