Background A small fragment with a ‘black’ side and a red side was found 1,000 feet southeast of the main Roswell 1947 crash debris field. There is nothing manmade, not even a road, for at least ½ mile in every direction from where the fragment was found. Previous SEM-EDS analysis was submitted with this sample. Detected were Al, Si, Mg, Ca, Fe and Ti. Ti was only detected on the red side of the sample. The object is to determine the composition of the fragment. Conclusions The sample is covered with typical environmental debris. It is a non-homogeneous mix of…
Author: John Greenewald
Background A witness claims to have seen a vortex in the sky from which shiny particles fell onto his property. This occurred in Newtown, Pennsylvania on January 21, 2014.There was no mention of an unidentified object observed. The objective is to identify the shiny particulates. Conclusions The shiny particulates are identified as common glitter. They are composed of a man-made common polyester specifically identified as poly(ethylene terephthalate). Glitter is commonly made from this polyester.1 This conclusion is confirmed by both microscopic and infrared analysis. Analysis of the soil was not done because of the positive identification of the particulate as…
Background A resident of Sutton farm observed an orange orb almost land in a bean field. Two days later a nine foot circle appeared in the field with the foliage flattened out. No significant radiation was detected at this site. That same night the witness also observed a blue orb directly across from her house in a wooded area. It did not touch the ground, but hovered in the trees. A slightly elevated radiation reading was noted at this site. The object is to determine whether there are any anomalies in samples of soil and foliage gathered from the two…
Background In the early 1980s a witness observed the landing of an unknown circular craft. It landed next to a tree which resulted in broken limbs. The witness removed bark from the tree in the early 1990s. It had been sitting in his garage ever since. The object is to identify black and white substances on the bark. Conclusions The white substance on the bark is identified as calcium oxalate. This substance is often accumulated as a metabolic end-product in plant decay and in fungi.1 So, it is not unusual for this to be present. The black substance is a…
Background/Objective Identify a plastic fragment from the Roswell debris field. Conclusions The specimen is identified as polystyrene. This is a common plastic first commercialized in the 1930s. The shape of the fragment suggests it is part of a plastic eating utensil. This is a very common use for polystyrene.1 The earliest patent for a polystyrene eating utensil is February 21, 1950. 2 So, it is unlikely related to a crash retrieval team in 1947. The outside surface has suffered oxidative degradation i.e. suffered weathering due to exposure to sunlight under atmospheric conditions. Polystyrene is normally designed for a one time…
