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Official reports, hearing transcripts, case files and releases: the paper behind the cases. 2,872 documents, 2,610 mirrored with their text, 53,529 pages indexed, so a search reads inside them and lands on the page.

New in the library The PURSUE files The Department of War's UAP release, mirrored in full: the videos, recordings and images, each beside its case file.

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Collection Issuer Kind Sort order From year To year

“weather balloon”

Documents 247 Scans in the stories 13

Documents matching “weather balloon”247 records · page 3

(U) Effect of 'Flying Saucers' on Air Defense Operations FOIA release

Central Intelligence Agency· 2001-04-30· 11 pages · CIA reading room · 0 stories
- p. 4 …The flying object reports indicate many, very slow, erratic targets which could be attributed to weather phenomena, weather balloons, experimental…
342 HS1-416511228 319.1 Flying Discs 1949 Official release

U.S. Department of War· 1950-01-09· 143 pages · PURSUE release (war.gov) · 0 stories
- p. 14 …determined that the unidentified object was a Geological Weather Service balloon believed to have been released in Tennessee. Copies furnished…
- p. 75 …The circumstances described suggest a possibility that these objects are some type of weather balloons. A study made by this…
- p. 112 …Navy, Air Force, Army, Weather Units, Research Organizations or any other: A winds-aloft balloon was released 35-45 minutes…
Report of Meetings of Scientific Advisory Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects Convened by Office of Scientific Intelligence, CIA January 14- 18, 1953 FOIA release

Central Intelligence Agency· 2013-06-26· 38 pages · CIA reading room · 7 stories
- p. 16 …is obtained by photographing polyethylene "pillow" balloons released near the site under similar weather conditions, checking bird flight and reflection…
- p. 24 …A weather and balloon data officer f. An astronomical consultant g. A Group Leader, with administrative assistant, file clerks and…
- p. 25 would be the photographing of "pillow balloons" at different distances under similar weather conditions at the site. The help of…
CIA-RDP79B00752A000300100010-4 Document

The Black Vault· 39 pages · Cited by the stories · 7 stories
- p. 17 …is obtained by photographing polyethylene "pillow" balloons released near the site under similar weather conditions, checking bird flight and reflection…
- p. 25 …A weather and balloon data officer f. An astronomical consultant g. A Group Leader, with administrative assistant, file clerks and…
- p. 26 would be the photographing of "pillow balloons" at different distances under similar weather conditions at the site. The help of…
Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Report

Office of the Director of National Intelligence· 2021-06-25· 9 pages · ODNI · 2 stories
- p. 6 …As the database accumulates information from known aerial objects such as weather balloons, high-altitude or super-pressure balloons, and…
Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Report

Office of the Director of National Intelligence· 2021-06-25· 9 pages · Cited by the stories · 0 stories
- p. 6 …As the database accumulates information from known aerial objects such as weather balloons, high-altitude or super-pressure balloons, and…
Office of the Director of National Intelligence: 576UAP0003 Official release

Office of the Director of National Intelligence.· 2023· 9 pages · National Archives · 0 stories
- p. 6 …As the database accumulates information from known aerial objects such as weather balloons, high-altitude or super-pressure balloons, and…
Correspondence Relating to Project Blue Book, 1955 Case file

U.S. Department of War· 1955· 220 pages · PURSUE release (war.gov) · 1 story
- p. 35 …Balloons -- with the telephoto lens used, weather balloons within five miles distance could have been identified. The speeds calculated for…
Scientists Refute Claims of 'UFO' Sightings FOIA release

Central Intelligence Agency· 2005-06-21· 8 pages · CIA reading room · 0 stories

…This strange object resembled a balloon or a parachute which moved at an approximate altitude of 30 kilometers…
Project Twinkle Final Report, November 1951 Report

Internet Archive (uploaded by Paul Galante)· 1951-11-27· 34 pages · Cited by the stories · 2 stories

…It apoears that balloon observations especially are re- soonsiole for a large ntu'loer ot· the reports . 'ihe…
Blue Book file, Rogue River (Brad Sparks) Document

NICAP· 21 pages · Cited by the stories · 1 story

…Weather Bureau, San Francisco Air Port, South San Francisco, California, that the weather report for the vicinity of…
Preliminary Assessment UAP (additional information, Senate Estimates) Report

Parliament of Australia· 9 pages · Cited by the stories · 0 stories
- p. 6 …As the database accumulates information from known aerial objects such as weather balloons, high-altitude or super-pressure balloons, and…
Office of the Director of National Intelligence: 576UAP0007 Official release

Office of the Director of National Intelligence.· 2023· 12 pages · National Archives · 0 stories
- p. 6 … 26 characterized as Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) or UAS-like entities;  163 characterized as balloon or balloon-like…
2022 Annual Report on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Report

Office of the Director of National Intelligence· 2023-01-12· 12 pages · ODNI · 0 stories
- p. 6 … 26 characterized as Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) or UAS-like entities;  163 characterized as balloon or balloon-like…
Office of the Secretary of Defense: 07_2024_Annual_Report Official release

Department of Defense. Office of the Secretary of Defense.· 2023· 18 pages · National Archives · 0 stories

…These cases also resolved to prosaic objects including balloons, birds, UAS, satellites, and aircraft. AARO determined 21 cases…
Project Blue Book Final Case Report Report

US Air Force, hosted by Sign Historical Group· 23 pages · Cited by the stories · 1 story

…Plasmas, such as ball lightning, can occur in clear weather as well as stormy weather. 3. Plasmas, such…
Historical Record Report Volume 1 March 8 2024 Report

Office of the Secretary of Defense· 63 pages · OSD reading room · 2 stories
- p. 18 …These included weather balloons, radiosondes, and large research balloons with diameters up to 300 feet, which together accounted for several…
AARO Historical Record Report Volume 1 Report

All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office· 2024-03· 63 pages · Cited by the stories · 4 stories
- p. 18 …These included weather balloons, radiosondes, and large research balloons with diameters up to 300 feet, which together accounted for several…
Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, Volume I Report

All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office· 2024-03-08· 63 pages · AARO · 4 stories
- p. 18 …These included weather balloons, radiosondes, and large research balloons with diameters up to 300 feet, which together accounted for several…
Project Blue Book File on Tremonton Film, Utah, 1952 Case file

U.S. Department of War· 1952-07-02· 156 pages · PURSUE release (war.gov) · 1 story
- p. 116 …A message was~lso dispatched to the CO, Hill AFB, Utah requesting weather informa.tion for the pe~d and…
DOW-UAP-D102: Project Blue Book File on Tremonton Film, Utah, 1952 Document

Department of War· 2026-09-18· 156 pages · Cited by the stories · 1 story
- p. 116 …A message was~lso dispatched to the CO, Hill AFB, Utah requesting weather informa.tion for the pe~d and…
Sky Canada Project report (PDF) Report

Office of the Chief Science Advisor, Government of Canada· 2025· 30 pages · Cited by the stories · 2 stories
- p. 10 …Weather balloons, drones, telecom- munication balloons and satellites, sky lanterns or experi- mental aircraft can also be classified as UAPs…
- p. 20 …The Japanese military announced in February 2023 a new policy to consider unidentified drones and balloons as legitimate targets to…
- p. 24 …Earnscliffe, 2024Nothing Other Military Government/federal government Drones∕Satellites∕Aircraft∕Weather balloons Natural phenomena∕Weather∕Celestial objects Foreign governments∕spies…
- 1 more page mentions it
Unidentified Flying Objects FOIA release

Central Intelligence Agency· 1952-12-13· 9 pages · CIA reading room · 3 stories
- p. 3 …The local time was 1110; weather conditions bright, clear, no clouds. Objects appeared to be "cilling about" while traveling in…
aaro historical record report volume 1 2024 Report

The Black Vault· 64 pages · Cited by the stories · 2 stories
- p. 19 …These included weather balloons, radiosondes, and large research balloons with diameters up to 300 feet, which together accounted for several…
UAP Independent Study Team Final Report Report

NASA· 2023-09-14· 36 pages · Cited by the stories · 0 stories
- p. 12 10 A weather balloon sails into the sky after release from the Cape Canaveral weather station in Florida.
- p. 34 …A database that supports the characterization of background signals should include information about the launch rate of balloons (weather, scientific…
[09/27/1995 - 11/25/1998]: 26444785-20060474F-001-012-2023 Official release

· 19 pages · National Archives · 1 story
- p. 7 …the object was, in fact, a harmless high-altitude weather balloon, not an alien spacecraft". TEXT: AIR FORCE DENIES STORIES…
- p. 9 …General Rgrmrmy The Lesser, stated that "the object was, in fact, a harmless high-altitude weather balloon, not an alien…
Report from Air Force Special Security Office - Subject: (Unclassified) UFOB NEAC Area Report

National Security Agency· 26 pages · NSA · 0 stories
- p. 20 …20:45 Unidentified blip believed to be weather balloon picked up between Albrook and Taboga. Appears to be orbiting. No…
Blue Book file, Rivera and Heaphy (CUFOS) Document

NICAP / CUFOS· 28 pages · Cited by the stories · 1 story
- p. 24 …typical balloon ascension rates put a balloon at bursting altitude within an hour after launch.) If the 1600 launched balloon…
- p. 25 …However, as I found out by calling the weather center (Ashville, North Carolina) the winds at Oakland California and at…
FBI file: UFO, UFO Part 07 FOIA release

Federal Bureau of Investigation· 84 pages · FBI Vault · 0 stories
- p. 3 …He thought it was a weather balloon. Further observation convinced him that it could not be a balloon because of…
- p. 31 …It stood practically still, like a balloon," he said. Then it began to get smaller, finally vanishing into the west…
- p. 63 …In view of the fact that no weather balloons were known to have been released within a reasonable time before…
Analyses of Flying Saucers, from 'Able' to 'Zowie!' FOIA release

Central Intelligence Agency· 2010-07-23· 1 pages · CIA reading room · 1 story
- p. 1 …a bright shooting star; a high-flying weather balloon caught in the jet stream, etc. Some are probably hysteria — especially…
Flying Saucers Again: Do You Believe in Them? FOIA release

Central Intelligence Agency· 2001-03-12· 10 pages · CIA reading room · 6 stories
- p. 4 …should stop being hysterical, or (2) it was a weather balloon, a mirage, or marsh gas.) ## London Times: 1848 to…
Project Sign file, combined PDF Document

NICAP / USAF· 38 pages · Cited by the stories · 1 story
- p. 9 …Gorman's call, the Weather Station at Fargo had released a lighted weather balloon; however, the balloon was at all…
65 HS1-834228961 62-HQ-83894 SUB A Official release

Federal Bureau of Investigation· 124 pages · PURSUE release (war.gov) · 4 stories
- p. 22 …Weather balloons ac.-count fo:r; . a substantial number of. ; s.ight..:' ings. • These balloons, sen·t· .t"6' altitudes…
- p. 32 …I first thought it might be a weather balloon, but it wasn't. Either way, you could have seen the…
- p. 57 …was used by th Air Weather Service. It is at ached to a balloon and sent in o the sky…
FBI file: UFO, UFO Part 10 FOIA release

Federal Bureau of Investigation· 56 pages · FBI Vault · 1 story
- p. 24 …These "objects" of undetermined origin (not to be confused with our controlled weather balloons, etc.) are in all probability operated…
Office of the Secretary of Defense: 05_AARO_Historical_Record_Report Official release

Department of Defense. Office of the Secretary of Defense.· 2023· 63 pages · National Archives · 2 stories
- p. 18 …These included weather balloons, radiosondes, and large research balloons with diameters up to 300 feet, which together accounted for several…
Air Force Request to Declassify CIA Material on Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) FOIA release

Central Intelligence Agency· 2001-04-30· 53 pages · CIA reading room · 7 stories
- p. 20 …is obtained by photographing polyethylene "pillow" balloons released near the site under similar weather conditions, checking bird flight and reflection…
- p. 29 photographying of "pillow balloons" at different distances under similar weather conditions at the site. The help of one or two…
- p. 39 …data obtained by photographing polyurethane "pillow" balloons released now the city under similar weather conditions, checking Mad flight and recollection…
Office of the Secretary of Defense: 25_Sky_View_Final_Draft Official release

Department of Defense. Office of the Secretary of Defense.· 2023· 16 pages · National Archives · 1 story
- p. 3 …Human-made aircraft includes various objects in the sky, such as weather balloons, as originally explained to be responsible for…
- p. 13 …As a good example, a hot air balloon seen from a far enough distance can look unexplainable, especially if it…
U.S. Air Force Flying Discs File, 1952 Official release

U.S. Department of War· 1952· 253 pages · PURSUE release (war.gov) · 4 stories
- p. 29 …I F SO DESCRIBE. (3) VIERE ANY AIRCRAFT, BIRDS, BALLOONS OR OTHER IDENTIFIABLE OBJEX::TS smm IN AI R IMMEDIATELY…
- p. 31 …NO AIRCRAFT, BIRDS, BALLOONS ., OR OTHER IDENTI FIABLE OBJECTS SEEN IN AIR IWEDIATELY BEFORE, DURING, OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER OBSERVATI ON…
Blue Book file compilation, part 1 Document

NICAP (USAF records)· 36 pages · Cited by the stories · 1 story
- p. 20 …It was also definitely not a helicopter or balloon. Immediately after the object disappeared, we did see what probably was…
CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030027-0 Document

Internet Archive (uploaded by Emma Best)· 2017· 28 pages · Cited by the stories · 7 stories
- p. 16 …is obtained by photographing polyethylane "pillow" balloons released near the site under similar weather conditions, checking bird flight and reflection…
- p. 24 …A weather and balloon data officer f. An astronomical consultant g. A Group Leader, with administrative assistant, file clerks and…
The Air Force Stand on Flying Saucers- as Stated by CIA, in a Briefing on 22 August 1952 (with Attachments, Flying Saucers, Dated 520819 and 520814) FOIA release

Central Intelligence Agency· 1952-08-22· 29 pages · CIA reading room · 11 stories
- p. 10 ## O O There are two types of high altitude balloons, radiosonde and the Navy Skyhook. They may reach altitudes as…
UFO Photos FOIA release

Central Intelligence Agency· 2013-06-24· 40 pages · CIA reading room · 7 stories
- p. 15 …When interviewed later they both denied that what they had seen was a meteor or a weather-balloon. Mr. Potter…
- p. 19 …balloon—how could a balloon both hover motorless and move at 400 m.p.h. in the same weather conditions…
Report of Meetings of the Office of Scientific Intelligence Scientific Advisory Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects, January 14-18, 1953 FOIA release

Central Intelligence Agency· 1953-02-16· 32 pages · CIA reading room · 8 stories
- p. 25 would be the photographing of "pillow balloons" at different distances under similar weather conditions at the site. The help of…
Project Blue Book case file: Kenneth Arnold Document

The Black Vault (USAF records)· 62 pages · Cited by the stories · 4 stories
- p. 19 …At that time, due to its erratic movement, I thought I was seeing a weather balloon. I called the CAA…
Project Blue Book Mantell case file (92 pages) Document

USAF / NARA via The Black Vault· 93 pages · Cited by the stories · 1 story

…This object was viewed and tracked with the Weather Station theodolite from the hangar roof. RELIABILITY: Verified by…
Blue Book case file 1948-01 Godman AFB, Kentucky Document

Internet Archive (USAF / NARA)· 75 pages · Cited by the stories · 1 story

…This object was viewed and tracked with the Weather Station theodolite from the hangar roof. RELIABILITY: Verified by…
U.S. Air Force Analysis of Flying Objects in the United States, 101-172 Report

U.S. Department of War· 210 pages · PURSUE release (war.gov) · 4 stories
- p. 56 …Nearest weather station releasing balloons is Spartanburg, S. C. One black balloon was released at 1230 EST.
- p. 61 …These objects could not have been weather balloons as only one balloon was released by the Memphis Weather Bureau that…
- p. 178 …Size of weather balloon at 2000 ft 17. Color bluish luminescence like fluorescent lamp which gradually changed to orange color…
- 8 more pages mention it
Report of Meetings of the Office of Scientific Intelligence Scientific a Dvisor FOIA release

Central Intelligence Agency· 1953-01-01· 32 pages · CIA reading room · 8 stories
- p. 16 …is obtained by photographing polyethylene "pillars" balloons released near the site under similar weather conditions, checking bird flight and reflection…
- p. 25 would be the photographing of "pillow balloons" at different distances under similar weather conditions at the site. The help of…
Scientists Debate the Question of UFO's FOIA release

Central Intelligence Agency· 2003-10-16· 8 pages · CIA reading room · 9 stories
- p. 6 …the sun and balloons child's balloons, weather balloons, lighted or unlighted, especially those enormous plastic balloons as large as…
65 HS1-834228961 62-HQ-83894 Serial 130 Official release

Federal Bureau of Investigation· 126 pages · PURSUE release (war.gov) · 1 story
- p. 68 …aviation can emphatically state that (a) it was no weather balloon, (b) it was not the flash of a beacon…
- p. 78 Report Number Shape Sound Trail Weather 1 No definite shape could be determined None None CAVU 2 3 Irregular; round…
- p. 87 …At that time, due to its erratic movement, I thought I was seeing a weather balloon. I called the CAA…