Official UFOs:

Was there, but no motion. Now one who observes normal conventional fireball falls is aware of the fact that not 1 out of say 500 shows actual fixity; there is always motion. So this looks very, very strange. Of course, you all know what those stationary balls turned out to be. They were the self-destructive devices on Japanese balloons operating. You had a hydrogen filled sphere with a two-crown mask of magnesium flash-light powder. And when the magnesium and the hydrogen went off together, you could see it for a long way. We got stationary fireballs but they were certainly not meteorites. My experience since I was suspected of psychological apparitions at the time I reported these stationary fireballs to, for example, Dr. Kaplan, my experience with ... led me to be very cautious about taking any concern ... but at the same time I feel we shouldn't be too hasty in giving a natural explanation to these green fireballs.

Dr. Teller ... But I would like to ask, these phenomena are apparently quite bright, more luminous than normal meteorites?

Dr. LaPaz: Well, the January 30th one was; I would say that about the one I saw on December 12. That was a very bright fireball, but not extraordinarily so.

Dr. Teller: What is the chance of getting pictures?

Dr. LaPaz: I refer to the one attempt that was made on the night of December 19. We set up a photographic patrol - the AESS, as you probably know, has been interested in this problem. They brought a lot of speed graphics and so on and set them up. Mr. Maxwell, a member of the group ..., and they were able, I think the night before, to photograph a bright Geminid. But on the night of the 19th nothing was observed. The next night, however, the night of the 20th there was an incident which I believe might have been photographed, but by that time the equipment has been disbanded and nothing was obtained. I should think, with proper coverage, say 10 to 15%, of these should record themselves provided you do not use green insensitives ... and film such as the ...

Dr. Teller: Is there any possibility of having a wide coverage of the sky triggered by a photo cell?

Dr. LaPaz: I have discussed that, for example with Dr. Reneger, who has been very much interested in the apparatus, and his answer is more or less in the negative. I understand that Cornell University - Gartline of Cornell - has produced some sort of photo-electric triggering device which has been used in this connection. I wrote him about it, asking for reprints or instructions, but never received a reply.

Question: Do you think you are going to find film sensitive to this green color fast enough? We have some that can't be left out over 12 hours ...