Within Minot
What Minot's radar photos can and cannot prove
The surviving radarscope photographs make Minot unusual, but they still require careful interpretation before proving anything extraordinary.
On this page
- Why the thirteen photographs are unusual
- How radar images differ from ordinary photographs
- The main interpretation disputes around range and motion
Page outline Jump by section
Introduction
The surviving radar-scope photographs from the Minot B-52 incident are the most unusual part of the case and one reason it continues to attract attention within discussions of UFOs and nuclear weapons. Unlike most UFO reports, which rely almost entirely on witness recollections, the Minot file contains a sequence of radar-display images recorded during the encounter and preserved within the wider investigation record. The photographs do not prove that an extraterrestrial craft was present. They do, however, provide evidence that a radar operator was tracking an anomalous return at specific positions relative to the aircraft at specific moments in time. The key question is not whether the photographs exist, but what they actually demonstrate—and what they cannot demonstrate on their own. [Minot AFB UFO Case]minotb52ufo.comMinot AFB UFO Case Part 2General Descriptions of the B-52 Radarscope…The B-52 is the bright spot in the center of the radarscope, on a heading of 122 degrees (…
Why the thirteen photographs are unusual
Most military UFO cases from the 1950s and 1960s left behind written reports, interviews, and occasionally radar logs. Minot is different because investigators retained a sequence of radar-scope photographs reportedly taken from the B-52’s radar navigator station. The Blue Book record includes thirteen such images, making the case one of the few Cold War UFO incidents with surviving visual documentation of the radar display itself. [Zenodo]zenodo.orgThe Investigation of UFO Events at Minot Air Force Base…7 Sept 2024 — Following the UFO events in the early morning on 24 Octob…
The photographs are significant for two reasons.
First, they reduce reliance on memory. A witness can later misremember distance, timing, or direction. A photographed radar screen preserves what was displayed at a particular instant. The images therefore provide an objective record of at least part of the encounter. [Minot AFB UFO Case]minotb52ufo.comMinot AFB UFO Case Part 2General Descriptions of the B-52 Radarscope…The B-52 is the bright spot in the center of the radarscope, on a heading of 122 degrees (…
Second, the photographs allow later researchers to perform measurements that would be impossible from testimony alone. Analysts have attempted to estimate the position of the radar return relative to the aircraft, compare successive frames, and calculate apparent changes in range and bearing. Whether those calculations are correct is debated, but the existence of the images makes such analysis possible. [Minot AFB UFO Case]minotb52ufo.comMinot AFB UFO Case Part 2General Descriptions of the B-52 Radarscope…The B-52 is the bright spot in the center of the radarscope, on a heading of 122 degrees (…
This does not automatically make the photographs decisive evidence. A preserved radar image is still only a record of a radar display. The interpretation of what created the display remains a separate question.
How radar images differ from ordinary photographs
A common mistake is to treat the Minot radar images as if they were ordinary camera photographs of an object in the sky. They are not.
An ordinary photograph records visible light reflected from a scene. A radar-scope photograph records the appearance of electronic echoes displayed on an instrument screen. The bright marks on the image represent radar returns, not a direct visual picture of a craft. [Minot AFB UFO Case]minotb52ufo.comMinot AFB UFO Case Part 2General Descriptions of the B-52 Radarscope…The B-52 is the bright spot in the center of the radarscope, on a heading of 122 degrees (…
That distinction matters because several different realities can produce a radar return:
- A physical aircraft.
- Atmospheric effects.
- Ground reflections.
- Electronic interference.
- Radar-processing artefacts.
- A genuinely unknown object.
The radar image alone does not identify which of those possibilities is responsible. It shows that the radar system displayed a target-like return at a particular location. Determining the cause requires additional information such as radar characteristics, aircraft position, weather conditions, controller reports, and witness observations. [Minot AFB UFO Case]minotb52ufo.comMinot AFB UFO Case Part 2General Descriptions of the B-52 Radarscope…The B-52 is the bright spot in the center of the radarscope, on a heading of 122 degrees (…
In the Minot case, supporters of an anomalous interpretation emphasise that the radar returns appeared alongside visual reports from both ground personnel and the B-52 crew. Skeptics respond that radar returns can be misleading and that a photographed display does not automatically validate every accompanying eyewitness claim. [The SCU]explorescu.orgThe SCUAnalysis of Radar and Air-Visual UFO Observations on 24…1 Aug 2005 — Analysis of Radar and Air-Visual UFO Observations on 24 Oc…
The main interpretation disputes around range and motion
Did the photographs show a real moving target?
The strongest claim made for the radar photographs is that successive images show a target changing position relative to the B-52 over time. Researchers who have studied the sequence argue that the return maintained a coherent track rather than appearing as a random or transient radar artefact. Some analyses conclude that the target initially remained several miles from the aircraft before apparently closing the distance during the encounter. [Minot AFB UFO Case+2Academia]minotb52ufo.comMinot AFB UFO Case Part 2General Descriptions of the B-52 Radarscope…The B-52 is the bright spot in the center of the radarscope, on a heading of 122 degrees (…
Critics counter that apparent movement on a radar display does not automatically equal movement by an external object. Changes in aircraft heading, radar geometry, display characteristics, and interpretation of the photographs can alter conclusions about motion. Because the original radar data no longer exist in complete digital form, analysts must work from photographs of the display rather than the raw radar signal itself. [Minot AFB UFO Case]minotb52ufo.comMinot AFB UFO Case Part 2General Descriptions of the B-52 Radarscope…The B-52 is the bright spot in the center of the radarscope, on a heading of 122 degrees (…
How accurately can range be measured?
Another dispute concerns distance.
Some later studies have attempted to estimate the target’s range from visible markings and reference rings on the radar display. These efforts have produced claims about how close the object came to the aircraft and how quickly its position changed. [Minot AFB UFO Case]minotb52ufo.comMinot AFB UFO Case Part 2General Descriptions of the B-52 Radarscope…The B-52 is the bright spot in the center of the radarscope, on a heading of 122 degrees (…
The difficulty is that radar-scope photography introduces uncertainty. Camera angle, image quality, screen distortion, and incomplete calibration data can affect measurements. Even small errors become important when researchers are trying to calculate speed, acceleration, or separation distance. Consequently, claims of exact ranges or extraordinary velocities derived from the photographs remain more controversial than the simple observation that an unusual radar return was recorded. [Minot AFB UFO Case]minotb52ufo.comMinot AFB UFO Case Part 2General Descriptions of the B-52 Radarscope…The B-52 is the bright spot in the center of the radarscope, on a heading of 122 degrees (…
Do the photographs prove extraordinary performance?
Some modern analyses argue that the target’s apparent motion implies speeds or manoeuvres beyond conventional aircraft capabilities of the period. These conclusions depend on assumptions about range, timing, and the identity of the radar return across multiple frames. [Academia]academia.eduAnalysis of Radar and Air Visual UFO Observations at…4 Apr 2026 — The intense radar echo of the UFO (OVNI in French), is locat…
That is where the evidential chain becomes weakest. The photographs themselves do not contain speed readings or labels identifying the target. Extraordinary-performance claims emerge only after a series of analytical steps. If any underlying assumption is incorrect, the resulting speed estimate changes as well. The photographs therefore provide the raw evidence for such arguments, but they do not independently prove them. [Minot AFB UFO Case]minotb52ufo.comMinot AFB UFO Case Part 2General Descriptions of the B-52 Radarscope…The B-52 is the bright spot in the center of the radarscope, on a heading of 122 degrees (…
What the radar photos can and cannot prove
The photographs can support several relatively modest conclusions.
They show that a radar operator recorded and photographed a persistent radar return during the event. They show that the return occupied identifiable positions on the display relative to the aircraft. They also demonstrate that the Minot case was investigated with enough seriousness for radar imagery to become part of the official record. [Minot AFB UFO Case]minotb52ufo.comMinot AFB UFO Case Part 2General Descriptions of the B-52 Radarscope…The B-52 is the bright spot in the center of the radarscope, on a heading of 122 degrees (…
What they cannot do is identify the nature of the target by themselves. The photographs do not reveal shape, construction, occupants, origin, or intent. They cannot independently distinguish between an unconventional craft, an ordinary aircraft, a radar anomaly, or another explanation. Nor can they, standing alone, establish that the object interacted with Minot’s nuclear facilities. Those broader claims require support from other parts of the case record. [Minot AFB UFO Case]minotb52ufo.comMinot AFB UFO Case Part 2General Descriptions of the B-52 Radarscope…The B-52 is the bright spot in the center of the radarscope, on a heading of 122 degrees (…
The enduring value of the Minot radar photographs lies precisely in this middle ground. They are stronger evidence than a simple anecdote because they preserve instrument-recorded data. Yet they are weaker than a direct identification because radar images require interpretation. The photographs therefore make Minot one of the better-documented nuclear-era UFO cases while simultaneously illustrating how difficult it is to move from evidence of an unknown radar target to proof of something extraordinary. [Minot AFB UFO Case+2Zenodo]minotb52ufo.comMinot AFB UFO Case Part 2General Descriptions of the B-52 Radarscope…The B-52 is the bright spot in the center of the radarscope, on a heading of 122 degrees (…
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Books and field guides related to What Minot's radar photos can and cannot prove. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.
The Hynek UFO Report
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Endnotes
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Source: zenodo.org
Link: https://zenodo.org/records/8331502Source snippet
The Investigation of UFO Events at Minot Air Force Base...7 Sept 2024 — Following the UFO events in the early morning on 24 Octob...
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Source: academia.edu
Link: https://www.academia.edu/105405731/Analysis_of_Radar_and_Air_Visual_UFO_Observations_at_Minot_AFB_North_Dakota_USA_by_Claude_PoherSource snippet
Analysis of Radar and Air Visual UFO Observations at...4 Apr 2026 — The intense radar echo of the UFO (OVNI in French), is locat...
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Source: explorescu.org
Link: https://www.explorescu.org/post/analysis-of-radar-and-air-visual-ufo-observations-on-24-october-1968-at-minot-afb-north-dakota-usaSource snippet
The SCUAnalysis of Radar and Air-Visual UFO Observations on 24...1 Aug 2005 — Analysis of Radar and Air-Visual UFO Observations on 24 Oc...
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Source: academia.edu
Link: https://www.academia.edu/69394036/A_Narrative_of_UFO_Events_at_Minot_Air_Force_Base_North_DakotaSource snippet
g the aircraft for nearly 20 miles before disappearing off the radarscope.Read more...
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Source: academia.edu
Title: Figure 35
Link: https://www.academia.edu/figures/10688487/figure-28-diagram-of-the-theoretical-radiance-of-the-radarSource snippet
from Analysis of Radar and Air Visual UFOAs the B-52 started its descent back to Minot AFB, the UFO appeared to close distance to one mil...
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Source: youtube.com
Title: Minot Air Force Base UFO
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSqEDXZf4ToSource snippet
Minot AFB UFO Case 1968 B-52 radarscope A B-52 Caught a UFO on Radar. The Photos Survived. | Minot 1968 Gentle History...
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Source: minotb52ufo.com
Title: Minot AFB UFO Case Part 2
Link: https://minotb52ufo.com/poher/cp-part2.phpSource snippet
General Descriptions of the B-52 Radarscope...The B-52 is the bright spot in the center of the radarscope, on a heading of 122 degrees (...
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Source: denyignorance.com
Title: Minot AFB UFO
Link: https://denyignorance.com/thread-3577.htmlSource snippet
Any Ideas?The co-pilot, an Air Force captain, is certain that what he saw was an alien spacecraft. The navigator picked it up on his rada...
Additional References
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Source: tvi.show
Title: the 1968 minot afb ufo encounter detailed report and lasting implications
Link: https://www.tvi.show/skywatch-files/the-1968-minot-afb-ufo-encounter-detailed-report-and-lasting-implicationsSource snippet
The 1968 Minot AFB UFO Encounter: In-Depth Report &...2 May 2025 — Explore the detailed 1968 Minot Air Force Base UFO encounter, where a...
Published: May 2025
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Source: facebook.com
Title: Randy Hoffman) Bismarck was the sight of a reported UFO
Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2030822207183428/posts/2584905045108472/Source snippet
August 5, 1953--We were NOT Alone--(Randy Hoffman) Bismarck was the sight of a reported UFO Sighting the nights of August 5th & 6th, 1953...
Published: August 5, 1953
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Source: reddit.com
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/UFOB/comments/q6ioew/a_ufo_interacted_intelligently_with_the_crew_of_a/Source snippet
multi-layered UFO cases which goes on for multiple decades. 3hr deep... UFOs disarmed multiple nuclear missiles around a Montana Air For...
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Source: reddit.com
Title: the october 24 1968 minot ufo case is remarkable
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/skeptic/comments/j6zlb/the_october_24_1968_minot_ufo_case_is_remarkable/Source snippet
'The October, 24 1968 Minot UFO case is remarkable...Do you think that some UFOs are alien space craft? Do you also think that some crop...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/MeteorologistAaronBrackett/posts/a-tonado-literally-curved-along-the-eastern-side-of-the-vance-afb-radar/1460289032144229/Source snippet
rts its descent back to Minot AFB, the UFO appears to...Read more...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MountVernonVIP/posts/2438232260001495/Source snippet
tured lighting pattern — a hallmark of many “...Read more...
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Source: archive.org
Title: Brad Sparks Comprehensive Catalog of 1,600 [Project Blue Book]({{ ‘blue-book/’ | relative_url }}) UFO Unknowns
Link: https://archive.org/download/BernardSieglerTechnicsAndTime1TheFaultOfEpimetheus/Brad%20Sparks%20-%20Comprehensive%20Catalog%20of%201%2C600%20Project%20Blue%20Book%20UFO%20Unknowns.pdfSource snippet
(Sparks;. BB NARS microfilm; McDonald list). 60+ mins many. ELI NT.Read more...
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Source: psiencequest.net
Title: thread the monumental 1968 minot nd usa b 52 airborne and ground ufo encounter
Link: https://psiencequest.net/forums/thread-the-monumental-1968-minot-nd-usa-b-52-airborne-and-ground-ufo-encounterSource snippet
They are first-generation photographic prints from the...Read more...
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Source: minot.af.mil
Title: statement on b 52 flyover
Link: https://www.minot.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4251229/statement-on-b-52-flyover/Source snippet
ON B-52 FLYOVER > Minot Air...21 Jul 2025 — On Friday, July 18, at approximately 7:50 p.m., a B-52 bomber from Minot AFB conducted a fly...
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Source: youtube.com
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5dMHH4w9aMSource snippet
AudioBlog: Part 3: A 1968 UFO Incident at Minot AFB...
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