A Scientific Panel on UFOs and Declassification

Summary

In 1949, a group of prominent scientists, led by Dr. H. P. Robertson, formed a panel to investigate unidentified flying objects. This document, addressed to Dr. Thorton Page, reveals how the U.S. Air Force sought to declassify certain conclusions of the report for public dissemination. Although the main content of the study remained classified, some sections were allowed to be released, provided the connection to the military agency was not disclosed.

The text also addresses the delicate issue of whether the names of the panel members should be made public. Initially, it was thought they would only be used within official circles, but it was acknowledged that information tends to leak. This raised concerns about the names reaching the press, a possibility that was eventually approved under certain conditions. This document is a testament to how authorities tried to manage sensitive UFO information during a time of great public interest.