20.04.2024

Project Blue Book case review: 1949

This is the latest edition of the Project Blue Book case review covering the year 1949. Like the previous evaluations, I tried to examine each case to see if the conclusion had merit. I added comments to help clarify the explanation or if I felt it was not correct or adequate. Items marked with red highlighting had photographs in the case file.

Summary

I was surprised to find that the last four months of 1949 had missing files and no classifications on most of the cases. That being said, many of the files contained follow-up investigations by personnel that were pretty good. They did not draw a conclusion but did gather pertinent data. I suspect the reason for these lack of classifications had to do with project Grudge not dedicating much in the way of resources towards evaluating reports after releasing their report in August of 1949.

There were many meteor observations from New Mexico. This is when the “green fireball” phenomena was being reported. Despite their green color, which is not unusual for bright meteors, I don’t consider any of these reports that spectacular.

One of the cases was classified as insufficient data but should be listed as Unidentified. This was the case from Jackson, Mississippi in January 1949. There was enough data to classify the case but I could not figure out what it might have been. I suspect it could have been a balloon but the description of the flight path was against the wind. As I am fond of saying, it is what it is.

My work on the project Blue Book review continues next issue. I intend to review the year 1950 next issue.

Quelle: SUNlite 2/2024