The 701 club: Case 2171: Taos, New Mexico October 17, 1952

Don Berlinner’s describes the case as follows:

Oct. 17, 1952; Taos, New Mexico. 9:15 p.m. Witnesses: Four USAF officers One round, bright blue light moved from north to northeast at an elevation of 45* for 2-3 seconds and then burned out. 1

Sparks expanded on Berlinner’s notes and even identified this as a meteor fireball:

Oct. 17, 1952. 10 mi S of Taos, New Mexico. 9:10 or 9:15 p.m. (MST). Kirtland AFB officer Major Charles R. Coble, 4910th Air Base Group, in Jeep traveling N on Hwy 85 saw a round, bright blue light move from N to NE at a [descending?] angle of 45° about 25 miles away at estimated 10,000 ft altitude, speed 2500 mph [25,000 to35,000 ?? mph], then burn out suddenly in the SE. While at football stadium at half-time in Albuquerque (at 35°N ?, 106°35’ W ?) Kirtland AFB officers 1st Lt. Richard D. Volk (34th Air Division ADC), 2nd Lt. William J. Arrowood (4910th ABG), and 2nd Lt. Warren J. Eljenholm (34th AD), sighted bluish-green light falling rapidly in a “near vertical path.” [Meteor fireball IFO.](Sparks)2

The Blue Book file3

Brad Sparks summarized most of the observations in his entry so it is not necessary to repeat the process again. All indicate the object was to the north of them and lasted only a few seconds. 

Analysis

The object did not change course, it was very bright, seen at night, and it was visible for only a few seconds. These are all characteristics of a bright fireball. 

Conclusion

There is little doubt that it was a fireball meteor that was observed. Even Brad Sparks considered it one. This case should be removed from the list of Blue Book Unknowns. 

Quelle: SUNlite 5/2021