REPORT
To: The Director of Intelligence,
Royal New Zealand Air Force,
Headquarters, Wellington.
From: The Director, Carter Observatory,
Wellington.
Subject: Flying lights observed by N.A.C. Aircraft
on the night of 1955 October 31.
Date: 1955 November 7
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1. GENERAL INFORMATION:
The following details were supplied by the Deputy Chief
of Air Staff, the Director of Intelligence and other officers at
R.N.Z.A.F. Headquarters.
On the evening of 1955 October 31 an aircraft (N.A.C.)
was flying from Wanganui to Auckland, at an altitude of 8,000
feet, when, between the control points of Ohura and Raglan on a
course of 350 (true) an unexplained light was observed on the
port side, showing apparent movement, changes in colour, and
fluctuations in light intensity. The times of observation
were from 2006 to 2011, New Zealand Standard Time (0806 to 0811
G.M.T. 31st October).
Reference to some of these features will be made under
the heading "Comments", below.
This report is prepared on the request of the Director
of Intelligence.
2. POSSIBLE CELESTIAL PHENOMENA:
The duration of 5 minutes, during which the object was
observed, eliminates entirely any suggestion of a meteor. Such
objects are visible mostly only for a fraction of a second, or
a few seconds at the most, and have characteristics of flight
entirely different to the description given.
There were no exceptional astronomical phenomena at
the time, such as a nova or comet.
The Moon was at "Full" phase on October 31 at 0604 G.M.T.,
and would have been on the starboard side at an altitude in the
sky such as to eliminate any confusion with that body.
The only other objects that can be considered are the
planets Venus and Saturn, and the star Antares. The results of
calculations for these objects are given below.
3. ALTITUDE AND AZIMUTH COORDINATES OF VENUS:
Assumed position: Latitude 39°S
Longitude 174°10'E
No allowance for dip or refraction.