DOW-UAP-D178, Unresolved UAP Report, Catalina Island, 1953

Official Conclusion

Astronomical (Jupiter)

Official Description

The file contains a report of a round, purplish-white object above Catalina Island on November 16, 1953. The report describes the object as remaining stationary, then moving northwest toward Los Angeles over approximately 10 minutes on a level flight path. The report characterizes the observer as fairly reliable due to his association with military jet aircraft activities while stationed at Long Beach Air Force Base, Los Angeles, CA. The report refers to an assessment by local astronomers that Jupiter provided a possible explanation.

Key Findings

• →Single ground-visual observer, T/Sgt Robert J. Currie (Air Force clerk), reported a round saucer-shaped, pea-sized, purplish-white object that faded to white over about 10 minutes on 16 Nov 1953.
• →Object appeared stationary over Catalina, then moved NW toward Los Angeles on a straight, level path, with no irratic maneuvers observed, and faded from view.
• →Observation was at 45 degrees elevation under clear night skies, with no photos, no physical evidence, and no radar or other sensor data.
• →Astronomers at Griffith Park Observatory stated that such objects are possibly planets that appear more clearly after rainfall; the form's conclusion is Astronomical (Jupiter), noting Jupiter was at 45 degrees elevation in the west on Nov 15.
• →The form notes the object's movement does not coincide with winds aloft; angular velocity is unknown. The witness was assessed fairly reliable due to association with jet aircraft activity at Long Beach AFB.

Extracted Entities