Case Directory
  Category 1, Distant Encounters 
 
  Preliminary
Rating: 5  

                                   
     

A Hynek Classification of Distant Encounter is usually an incident involving an object more than 500 feet from the witness. At night it is classified as a "nocturnal light" (NL) and during the day as a "daylight disc" (DD). The size of the object or the viewing conditions may render the object in greater detail but yet not qualify the sighting as a Close Encounter which is an object within 500'. 

Sphere Falls Then Accelerates
February 2, 1955
Miramar NAS, California


Fran Ridge:
Feb. 2, 1955; Miramar NAS, Calif. (BBU 3416)
11:50 a.m. USN Cdr. J. L. Ingersoll was driving his vehicle and was observing two Navy FJ3 aircraft in a landing pattern. The trailing FJ3 appeared to have only one rear wheel extended. Sensing an emergency he continued to watch and was able to see that all landing gear were actually down, but he also noticed an object somewhat below and aft that caught his attention. His first thought was that it was a canopy that had been ejected.  The obect was falling, and its motion seemed erratic, however it descended at a steady rate. He described it as an as off-white in color but with a highly polished surface that was definitely reflecting sunlight. His best guess was that this object was at 10-20,000 feet at first. The object came to a complete stop for about 5 to 10 seconds after dropping 3-5000 feet, then suddenly changed from white to a reddish brown and instantly accelerated at tremendous speed, estimated at 1,000-1,500  mph on a heading of 170 degrees.. Object left a short brown vapor trail. The witness believes the object was not less than 25-35 feet in diameter and could have been as larges as 100'. [Brad Sparks: The total duration is found from the estimated descent rate, thus a minimum of about 15 to 27 seconds including the 5-10 secs hovering]. (Berliner)

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