profile for Burwood, La., about 175 mi. NE of location of sighting, for
0900 LST is shown in Fig. 12 ; a very strung 5uper-refractive layer is
shown on this orofile over a height interval extending from the surface
to 456 m. (1~500 ft.). A sharp temperature inversion existed at the
top of this layer. As an aircraft was returning to Galveston, Tex. at
20,000 ft. burn-off flares from oil refineries beca!l1e vlsible. The
radar was activated on 100 mi. range to check for the Louisiana coastline.
'nle range to the nearest point on the coastline was about 89 mi. and
asswning standard propag<ltion conditions. the range to the radar
horiwn should have been on the order of 140 mi. Surprisingly, the
coastline ~ould not be seen on the radarscope. Instead a number of
unusual echoes were observed. Initially there were four moving an a
course of 120 0
true azinluth. These blips moved at apparent speeds of
over 5,000 mph., coming within 15-20 mi. of the aircraft's position.
Eventually they disappeared from the scope. The radar set was calibrated,
but more blips appeared still moving Sf: across the scope.
Visual observations consisted of one or two blue-white flashes,
0ne of which, as viewed from the waist blister, appeared to pass under
a wing of the air.:raft. All of these nJ:-lY have been above the horizon,
since the wingtip would appear well above the horizon as viewed from
this pas it ion. The observers stated that the flashes "did not a1 ter
course whatsoever." These visual sightings were probably Geminid
meteors; the wing operations officer stated: "Visual sightings
are :\ndec:isive and of little c()nfirmatory value."
One of the radar \\fitnesses stated: "One object carne directly
towards the center of the scope and then disappeared." After 10 min.
of radar observation, a group of the b 1 ips merged into a half-inch
curved arc about 30 mi. from the aircraft at 320 0 relative azimuth
and proceeded acrDS~ and off the scope at a computed flV8€d of ov~r
9,000 mph. After this, no more unidentified returns were noted on the radar.
1he radar returns obtained in this incident were p~obably caused
by the deep super-refractive layer near the surface shown in Fig. 12.
221
profile for Burwood, La., about 175 mi. NE of location of sighting, for
0900 LST is shown in Fig. 12 ; a very 5 trung !Super-refractive ] ayer is
shown on this profile over a height interval extending fl'om the surface
to 456 m. (1,500 ft.). A sharp temperature inversion existed at the
top of this layer. As <'-D aircraft was returning to Galveston, Tex. fit
20,000 ft. burn-off flares from oil refineries beca!l\e vIsible. The
radar was <lctivated on 100 mi. range to check for the Louisiana coast line.
'Ihe range to the nearest point on the coastline was about 89 mi. and
assuming standard propagation conditIons, the range to the radar
horizon should have been on the order of 140 mi. Surprisingly, the
coastline ::ould not be seen on the radarscope. Instead a number of
unusual echoes were observed. Initially thore were four moving an a
course of 120 0 true azinluth. These blips moved at apparent 5peeds of
over 5,000 mph., coming within 15-20 mi. of the aircraft's position.
Eventually they disappeared from the scope. The radar set was calibrated,
but more blips appeared still moving SE across the scope.
Visual observations consisted of one or two blue-white flashes,
0ne of which, as viewed from the waist blister, appeared to pass under
a wing of the air;raft. All of these nuy have been above the horizon,
s fnce the win)!, tip \~oU Id appear we 11 above the hori zan as v iewed from
this pos it ion. The observers s ta ted that the f lashes "did not a1 ter
course whatsoever." 111ese visual sightings were probably Geminid
meteors; the \odng operations officer stated: "VisUiil sightings
aJ"c :\ndec:isive and of little confirmatory value."
One of the radar witnesses stated: "One object carne directly
towards the center of the scope and tl1Cn disappeared." After 10 min.
of radar observation, a group of the b'ips merged into a half-inch
curved Arc about 30 mi. from the aircraft at 320" relative azimuth
and procf:'eded <lcross and off the scope at a cOlllpnteJ slJe€d of OV<:f
9,000 mph. After this, no more unidentified returns were noted on the radar.
The radar returns obtained j n tid s inci dent were pl'obably cau~cd
by the deep super-refractive layer near tile surface shown in Fig. 12.