Light Phenomena East of Tashkent (CIA Information Report SO-57499)
This CIA Information Report, distributed 11 February 1952 and derived from a reinterrogation of the informant of report SO-49149x, describes light phenomena observed during May–September 1947 near Tashkent, Uzbek S.S.R. Observers at the POW camp in Pakhta Aral (approx. 50 km southwest of Tashkent) reported three light phenomena occurring at roughly 15-minute intervals almost every night between 9 and 10 p.m. local time, in an east-southeasterly direction. Witnesses first saw a dark-red ball of fire that, after about six seconds, reached the apex of a long-drawn trajectory, developing a trail of fire and changing color from bright red at the apex through pale green to white. No smoke trails, noises, or detonations were noted. The trajectory ran approximately southwest to northeast at an estimated distance of 60–80 km, with an apex height of 5,000–12,000 meters; at the apex the ball appeared about one-fifth the diameter of the full moon. A field comment cautions that the trajectory measurements should be received with reserve, since no discharge or projectile noise was heard. The report notes it is unevaluated information and includes one annexed sketch showing the trajectory.
Description
A declassified CIA information report (No. SO-57499x) distributed 11 February 1952, documenting the reinterrogation of an informant regarding recurring nighttime light phenomena observed east-southeast of Tashkent, Uzbek S.S.R., during May–September 1947. The report describes a dark-red ball of fire tracing a long trajectory, changing color from pale green to white, seen from a POW camp near Pakhta Aral. Includes an annexed sketch of the trajectory.
Claims
The report notes the trajectory measurements should be received with reserve; the information is unevaluated.
85%During May–September 1947, three light phenomena appeared at intervals of about 15 minutes almost every night between 9 and 10 p.m. local time, east-southeast of the Pakhta Aral POW camp.
60%A dark-red ball of fire reached the apex of a long trajectory after about six seconds, developing a trail of fire and changing color from bright red to pale green to white.
60%No smoke trails, noises, or detonations were noticed.
60%During May to September 1947, three light phenomena occurring at ~15-minute intervals were seen almost every night between 9 and 10 p.m. local time near Tashkent.
60%A dark-red ball of fire developed a fiery trail, changing color from pale green to white, traveling southwest to northeast with no accompanying smoke, noise, or detonation.
55%The trajectory ran southwest to northeast at an estimated distance of 60–80 km, with an apex height of 5,000–12,000 meters.
50%The trajectory's apex height was estimated at 5,000 to 12,000 meters and the object appeared about one-fifth the diameter of the full moon at apex.
45%
Events
—
Observation of light phenomena near Tashkent
Recurring nighttime observations of dark-red balls of fire tracing trajectories, seen almost every night between 9 and 10 p.m. from the POW camp in Pakhta Aral.
Feb 10, 1952
CIA report distribution
Distribution of the reinterrogation information report SO-57499x.
Dec 31, 1946
Recurring nighttime light phenomena near Tashkent
From May to September 1947, three light phenomena at ~15-minute intervals were observed almost nightly between 9 and 10 p.m. local time from Pakhta Aral, southwest of Tashkent.
Feb 10, 1952
Report distribution
CIA information report SO-57499X distributed, a reinterrogation of the informant of report SO-49149X.
Dates mentioned
Keywords
Entities
Extracted text (OCR)
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CENTRADIATETTIGENCEZGENCY REPORT NO, SO 57499x
INFORFERTION REPORT cono.
COUNTRY USSR (Uzbek ssn) DATE DISTR. —-11 Feb. 1952
SUBJECT Tight Phenomena East of Tashkent == === SN, OF PAGES 1°
PLACE ni DEN COPY wscars >
ACQUIRE cf oft . Ceo e Po ;
DATE OF SUPPLEMENT TO
~ INFO. Kay “= Septenber 2 NOT CIRCULATE. - REPORT NO. SO-491A9K —— + on
1. During the nerice fron Vay to Septenbder 19h? three licit phenomena happening
at intervals of about 15 nminutes_were seen almest every night beticon 9 and
10 pate local tines— The phenosena were watched fros the Pa caxp in Pakhta_ 2
Aral, about 50 ka soutinest of Tashlrent (PTB Ie/O95 | g), Uebek S.5.R,, in
an east~southoasterly direction,
2. A darkeod ball of fire vas seen first; after about six seconds it reached the
: apex of a long<lrawn out trajectory, During this time the ball had developed - a
‘ a trail of fire, Its color, which was bright red at the apex point, changed
in Color frou pale green to white, Saoko trails, noises, or detonations tere
not noticed,
3. Tho distance of the trajectory fron the point of observation was estinated at
~~ -. 60 to 80 kn, ® The trajectary ran approximately fron southwest to northeast;
its lenzth to the apex, which was from 5,000 to 12,000 meters high, was esti-
mated at about 80 lon. At the apex the ball of fire geeued about one-fifth the -
dianoter of the fullmoon, 7 7 ——i‘—SOCSCS
# Field Comment. The measurements stated with respect to the trajectory must te
2 =. - received with reserve. It must be considered that neither the discharge nor ~
the noise ceveloped by. the projectile were heard, For trajectory of phenovena,
"gee annex, . <
FA stashington Connent: This is a reinterrogation of the informant of 50-L9149x.
1 Annex: One sketch showing trajectory. . oe 4
Oe ey
TOON NT aie ee is (usred BELOW)
ACQUIRED ce f a rer i Gtk
ites
DATE OF SUPPLEMENT TO
INFO. Kay ~ Septenber DO: BO CIRCULATE. --REPORTNO. - s0-49149x
THIS iS UNEVALUATEO INFORMATION
SOURCE ©
1, During the nericé fron lay to September 1947 three light phenomena happening
at intervals of about 15 minutes were. seen almost every night between 9 and
10 p.u. local tine, The phenanena-were watched-fron-the Pi? camp in fahta
Aral, about 50 km southwest of Tashtrent (11918'N/69°S'r), Uzbek S.S.R,, in
an east~southoasterly direction,
2, A darkred ball of fire was seen-first; after about six seconds it reached the
apex of a lonzslrawn out trajectory. Durinz this time the ball had. developed
a trail of fire. Its color, which was bright red at the apex point, changed
drf olor from pale green to white, Smoke trails, noises, or detonations tere
not noticed,
. 3. Tho distance of the trajectory from the point of observation was estimated at
m---— 60 to 80 kn, # ‘The trajectary_ran_approximately froa southwest to northeast;
its lenzth to the apex, which was from 5,000 to 12,000 meters high, was esti-
mated at about 00 kn.=-At the apex the ball of fire seened about one-fifth the
dianester of the full moon, - =.
# Field Comment. The teasurenents stated with respect to the trajectory must be
SLES recoived with reserve. It wuust be considered that neither the discharge nor ~
the noise cevoloped by-the projectile were heard. __ For trajectory of phenovena,
' gee annex,
#2 Stashington Connent: This is a reinterrogation of the informant of S0-h91L9x.
1 Annex: One sketch showing trajectory. : 4
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