In early July 1947, Mac Brazel discovered unexplainable debris in his sheep pasture outside Roswell, New Mexico.

The debris was a jumble of metal and foil reflectors, tape, plastic pieces, and odd paper-like, heavy, glossy scraps.

Understandably concerned about the strange objects, Brazel called Roswell’s sheriff, who then called officials at the nearby Roswell Army Air Force base.

Soldiers were quickly deployed to the ranch, collecting the rubble and driving off rapidly in armored trucks.

Officials from the local Air Force base dismissed the wreckage as a crashed weather balloon. However, some of the public believed it was the remains of an extraterrestrial flying saucer.

Despite all the secrecy, it is pretty clear that the Air Force knew more about this mysterious “flying saucer” than it let on.

Since World War II, Columbia University, New York University, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution had been working on an atomic espionage project in New Mexico called Project Mogul.

The project used durable high-altitude balloons to carry low-frequency sound sensors into the Earth’s atmosphere. These oceanographers and scientists believed that if they sent microphones into a particular sound channel in the atmosphere, they could eavesdrop on Soviet nuclear tests.

According to U.S. military records, the debris on Brazel’s ranch was the crashed remains of a string of neoprene balloons, radar reflectors, and sonic equipment belonging to Project Mogul.

The Project Mogul team was responsible for developing new weather balloon technology, including ultra-lightweight and ultra-strong metals, fire-resistant fabrics, and fiber-optic cables.

In 1947, none of these materials would have been known to the public – and would have been classified information.

It’s understandable why the public was skeptical: the debris wasn’t like anything they’d ever seen before.

Though Project Mogul may have debunked this particular alien encounter, UFO believers flood the Roswell area and the crash site each year. While there are no alien encounters to be had here, tourists can stay at a saucer-themed inn aptly named the Little A’Le’Inn.

Investing doesn’t have to be an alien experience. We are here to identify your unique financial needs. Call 513-563-PLAN (7526) or click here to book a 15-minute call. We can help you develop a portfolio that’s out of this world.

Regards,
Nikki Earley, CFP®