Project Blue Book Final Case Report

2. The B-52 arrived in the area on a 50 nautical mile radius clearance and began
various maneuvers including a vertical “S” pattern. This took place at almost the same
time as the first sighting and the subsequent activities of the object were in fact the B-52
accomplishing upper airwork. Later sightings of bright lights and flashing green and
white lights, accompanied a low jet engine sound, correlate with the B-52 making a VOR
penetration, low approach, and missed approach. Portions of the maneuver are
accomplished with the aircraft landing lights on. The haze layered cloud conditions could
have diffused light sources and made identification difficult (ref TWX from Lt Col
Werlich).
3. At 0435 local, the pilot of the B-52 sighted a bright in the west-northwest on or
near the ground. At 0435 Vega was on the horizon at azimuth 345 degrees.
C.
1. Plasmas can effect electrical equipment and can also be painted on radar.
2. Plasmas, such as ball lightning, can occur in clear weather as well as stormy
weather.
3. Plasmas, such as ball lightning, can be seen visually and appear as a fiery ball.
The most common colors are red, orange, yellow, blue and white.
4. Aurora Borealis is quite often seen from Minot AFB at this time of the year and
is an electrical atmospheric phenomenon.
2