Page:Project Blue Book, complete status reports.pdf/332

UNCLASSIFIED

I.

A total of 89 reports of unidentified aerial objects were received by Project Blue Book during the period covered by Status Report No. 11 (March, April, and May 1953). A total of 188 report were submitted January, and February; the general influx has therefore dropped noticeably with the exception of the month of March 1953.

In March, 59 FLYOBRPTS were received, 53 percent from military observers, the remaining from civilians in various walks of life. Known astronomical phenomena accounted for 21 of the sightings or approximately 35 percent, with the planet Venus the established cause of 16 flying object reports. Venus appears low on the horizon at this time of year and is unusually bright; it is possible for it to appear to change color and perform erratic maneuvers when seen through thin clouds or ground haze. In this connection it is interesting to note that experienced military pilots reported this phenomena in four instances as an unidentified aerial object. However, the majority of proven Venus sightings were turned in by members of the Ground Observer Corps. One was reported by an airlines pilot.

During the last three months of operation, Project Blue Book has received an average of 10 reports per week which is considerably under the five FLYOBRPTS per day submitted during the fall of 1952. The volume of reports during the spring of 1953 has been the lowest in the last two years and it is believed the generally inclement weather throughout the United States has had much to do with this.

It is also the opinion of Project Blue Book, however, that one highly publicized sighting could again trigger off another "saucer" scare with resulting pressure on the Air Force and ATIC. The direct relation between newspaper publicity and the number of reports submitted has been firmly established by Project Blue Book. In this connection and because of latent public interest and possible hysteria which are believed to exist, ATIC is currently preparing a statement on unidentified objects which will be issued by P.I.O., Washington, D.C., at the first indication of publicity. It will give a full account of ATIC's findings, including percentage of unexplainable reports, percentage of known objects or phenomena such as aircraft, balloons, radar interference, etc. Thus the Air Force cannot be accused of withholding information. It is ATIC's policy to keep the public fully informed.

A complete statistical study of all reports from 19^7 to 1952 is now in the final stages of I.B.M. preparation. A final report is expected on 15 August 1953. It will include statistical probabilities and Indexes of comparisons on unidentified objects and a general commentary of the conclusions reached by the study, the first effort ever made to treat sightings mathematically. A total of over 3,000 reports will be processed in this study.

Another item of importance occurring during the period of this Status Report was the completion of a briefing tour of Air Defense Command units by Project Blue Book. This will "be examined in further detail-on following pages. UNCLASSIFIED

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