Fireball sighted in Albuquerque, 1950

Summary

In February 1950, an experienced observer in Albuquerque, New Mexico, reported a fireball that caught his attention while monitoring a weather balloon. The object appeared suddenly and was described as bright, similar to the moon during the day. Through a theodolite, the observer described a round but not spherical shape, with a dark side resembling a crescent moon. No sounds or odors were detected, and the object disappeared after a few minutes, leaving no trace. The detailed description and the reliability of the witness prompted the U.S. Air Force to investigate this case.

The classified and later declassified report includes testimonies from multiple observers, all agreeing that the object was neither a weather balloon nor a conventional aircraft. It was noted that the object moved slowly, covered two degrees in the theodolite, and showed no signs of visible propulsion. Despite thorough observation, the nature of the object remained undetermined, and the case was closed without a clear explanation. This document is an example of how unidentified aerial phenomena were recorded and analyzed by military authorities over seven decades ago.