albuquerque, February 24, 1950

Listed in the original BB Unknowns, this incident is also retained in the Comprehensive Catalog of Project Blue Book Unknowns by Brad Sparks. The incident occurred at 1:55 PM, but there were six other sightings listed in the LaPaz catalog.

Case No. 642. Feb. 24, 1950. Albuquerque, New Mexico (35.10° N, 106.64° W). 1:55 p.m. While tracking a weather balloon from atop TWA Bld. at the Municipal Airport, Weather Observer Luther B. McDonald saw crossing the field of view in the theodolite a white, round object not quite as elongated as an egg, darkened on the top-left side, flying straight and level from about 20° to 23° elevation at about 110° azimuth in the E apparently on a trajectory towards them on about a 240° to 270° heading, covering 2° in 1-1/2 mins [probable roundoff in angles so that elevation may have changed from about 20.5° to 22.5° and azimuth from about 109° to 111°]. Objects angular size about that of the upper part of the moon as seen through theodolite [probable 21x telescope sight of David White pibal theodolite]. Lost sight when shifted to weather balloon (and back). Weather Observer Harrison S. Manson also observed object with the naked eye, for about 20-30 secs, appearing to be brilliant white like metal reflecting sunlight the apparent size of a weather balloon about to disappear in the distance, impression of flight heading to ESE [actually from ESE]. (Berliner; Jan Aldrich)