Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects (the Condon Report, complete, three volumes)

Mr. Hooven's assumption that the minimum strength of magnetic
field required to change the established magnetic pattern would be
smaller than any field capable of interfering with the car's operation
has been verified by a test with 1 kg. field. A magnetron magnet was
passed over specified points on the front deck of a 1962 Chevrolet
Corvair, and the alteration in magnetic pattern was noted. A 0.4 em.
paper tablet was kept between the magnet and the car deck to prevent
physi~al contact. The maximum field strength penetrating the tablet
was measured with a Bell "120" gaussmflter. with Model T-1201 probe,
and was found to be 1 kg. (one inch away from the tablet, ""hich was
held against the magnet poles, the maximum field was measured as 235 g.).
The vbserved alterations in magnetic pattern are shown in T~ble 1
which gives the directioT:s a compass needle pointed when the compass was
placed on the selected test points 6 in. apart located as shown in
Fig. 1. The measurements aljo demonstrate both the permanence of
pattern alteration and alteration due to bending and straightening of
the car deck. The car was facing 1800 T. dUling all measuremenrs.
The third and fourth columns of Table 1 show definitely that the
passage of I-kg. magnetic field completely determines the residual
magnetic pattern. Subsequent co~pass readings, except for unexplainea
anomaly at point 29, show the last alteration to be the one retained.
The car under study was involved in a collisioll on 21 August. Figures
in the right column of Table 1 show the magnetic pattern after straight-
ening and repainting. All compass readings shown are accurate to within
20 _3°. Each set of rc~dings was recorded without reference to prior
readings, with which they were compared only subsequently. The repro-
ducibility, in most cases, is surprising. When test points were ncar
sharp changes in magnetic orientati0n, a slight error in point relocation
156
Mr. Hooven's assumption that the minimum strength of magnetic
field required to change the established magnetic pattern would be
smaller than any field capable of interfering with the car's operation
has been verified by a test with I kg. field. A magnetron magnet was
passed over specified points on the front deck of a 1962 Chevrolet
Corvair, and the alteration in magnetic pattern was noted. A 0.4 cm.
paper tablet was kept between the magnet and the car deck to prevent
physi.;:al contact. The maximum field strength penetrating the tablet
was measured with a Bell "120" gaussl)1eter, with Model T-1201 prote,
and was found to be 1 kg. (one inch away from the tablet, I"hich was
held against the magnet poles, the maximum field was measund as 235 g.).
The ubserved alterations in magnetic pattel'n are shown in Ts.ble 1
which gives the directior,s a compass needle pointed when the compass was
placed on the selected test points 6 in. apart located as shown in
Fig. 1. The measurements aLo demonstratt' both the permanence of
pattern alteration and alteration due to bending and straightening of
the car deck. The car was facin~ 1800 T. UUJ fng all measuremenr s.
The t~ird and fourth columns of Table 1 !':hoh' definitely that the
passage of I-kg. magnetic field completely determines the residual
magnetic pattern. Subsequent co~pass readings, except for unexplainea
anomaly at point 29, show the last alteration to be the one retained.
The car under study was involved in a collision on 21 August. Hgures
in the right column of Table I show the magnetic pattern after straight-
ening and repainting. All compass readings shown are accurate to within
2°_3°. Each set of readings was recorded without reference to pnor
readings, with which they were compared only subsequflI1tly. The repro-
ducibility, in most cases, is surprising. When test points were ncar
sharp changes in magnetic oricntati0n, a 51ight error in point relocation
156