◆ SpookStack

10 November 1950 . ad B * an . * 5 wx vr aa at "> _% D3 ‘ 4 é 9 Wovenber 1950, Mr. J. Z. Boliand, Chief of the Weather Section, ¢ Atomic ‘Energy Comission, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, revealed information : ooncerping the relesee of balloons the captive weather Blimp, and other weather data, during the periods of dlectronic, visual. and audible contacts with objecte sighted over Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Attached hereto 4e a chart showing date, time of aightings over Oak Ridge, and the reléase of weather balloons, the Blimp, and veather data. Mr. Holland described the veather balloons as being 30 grums. which rise at 600 fect per minute, and are released from the I-10 plant. The captive Blimp is stationary and is allowed to rise from a cable to an altitude of 1500 feet. The telloons are composed of “pignentse of synthetic rubber” and vary in color, which colors are organic and, therefore, would mot cause any reflection on radar equipment. Mr. Holland advised that radar readings may de received from echoes, off of moisture saturated clouds, certain types of thermos, scams water droplets, and lightening, but he had never heard of the reflection of radar waves from radio active material although such reflection seems possible if enough radio active material was released to cause ionization of partioles of air. Eovever, no redio active material is Known to have been released acofdeatly or intentienally during the month of October, which precludes the possibility that the radar sightings during October, of objects sighted over Oak Ridge, being of redio active matter. wOTES: During the next two weeks, the Weather Section at the Atomic Energy Commission will conduct research designed to ascertain whether or not the Knoxville Radar Station can receive radar inter- ference and/or readings of the radioactive energy ejections at Oak Ridgs, Tennessee. /s/ WOLLIAM B. GRAY BAC KNOXVILLE '