Artesia reported cigar cylinder observation — January 11, 1951

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING: Two large objects larger than balloons, said to be flying at a constant altitude, moved at a very fast rate of speed and disappeared to make an abrupt turn & disappeared. At approximately 10:10 while driving southbound on the highway approaching the intersection of routes 82 and 285, approximately 12 miles north of Artesia, New Mexico, I [redacted] and [redacted] observed in the sky in the east-northeast direction a bright light, very brilliant in nature. The object was observed for a period of approximately 2-3 minutes. Suddenly, it disappeared completely. This disappearance was not gradual as might be expected of an aircraft or other conventional aerial vehicle, but rather instantaneous, as though the object had been extinguished or had moved out of sight with tremendous speed. As approximately 1630 while driving northbound on the highway, [redacted] and I again observed a bright light in the east-northeast, similar in appearance to the one previously described. This time, however, the object was observed for only a short period, approximately 30 seconds, before it disappeared just as suddenly as on the previous occasion. The observation was reported to the nearest Air Force installation, and it is believed that the object sighted was probably some type of experimental aircraft or guided missile, the possibility of which cannot be entirely ruled out. The possibility of the object being a satellite or similar astronomical phenomena is also considered unlikely due to the intense brilliance and the fact that it was observed on two separate occasions within a relatively short period of time. On 11 January 1951 an unidentified aerial object was sighted by five (5) persons while driving in the Cottonwood, New Mexico area. Two cylinders which appeared to be smoke trails were observed trailing from the object. Based on flight testimony, this object was observed for 25 to 30 minutes, whereas State Police witnessed the object for 15 to 20 minutes. Supporting case details: Reported craft or object: Point of Light; Cigar / Cylinder Institutional response / aftermath: Government or official action