Project Blue Book Special Report (second copy)

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Graphical Presentation
Graphical representation of the important information contained in
the tables is presented in Figures 1 through 38. These figures present the
distributions of the important variables only by the total number of cases'
in each identification category, since no significant differences were found
between the distributions of "Certain" and "Doubtful" identifications of
objects with respect to the variables. A chronological study'of these
figures will afford a broad picture of the tabulated information, without the
necessity of a detailed study of the tables.
A critical examination of the figures will show that no trends, patterns,
or correlations are to be found, with the exception of Figures 18 through 30.
The apparent similarity of the distributions shown by these mirror graphs,
Figures 18 through 23, was tested by statistical methods which showed that
there ,was a low probability that the distributions of the KNOWNS and
UNKNOWNS by these characteristics were the same. These tests and their
interpretation are discussed in the following section. For purposes of this
study, the strategic areas, shown in Figures 32 through 38, and Tables
A223 through A240, Appendix A, were designated on the basis of concen-
tration of reports of OBJECT SIGHTINGS in an area. No other interpre-
tation of the tables or remaining charts was deemed necessary.
Advanced Study of the Data
It was recognized that the lack of any patte-rns or trends, as shown by
the tabulations and graphs, provided an insecure basis for drawing definite
^Conclusions. Accordingly, shortly before the sorting and tabulation pro-
gram was concluded, a program of study of the data was developed to
utilize statistical and other mathematical methods, which could lead to a
more concrete interpretation of the problem.
Position of the Sun Relative to the Observer
The first thing that was done was to calculate the angle of elevation of
the sun above the horizon and its bearing from true north as seen by the
observer at the time of each sighting. With this information, it could then
be determined whether there was a possibility that the reported object
could have been illuminated by light from the sun. In addition, it could be
determined whether an object could be a mock sun ( sun dog) or whether
there was a possibility of specular reflection from an aircraft at the posi-
tion of the object, -which would give the appearance of a "flying disc".
A program of computation was set up and carried out to obtain the
angle of elevation and the bearing of the sun for each sighting. All informa-
tion needed for this calculation was available on the deck of IBM cards.
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