The Cause of the Cloud - Revision history

Admin at 00:06, 14 June 2026

2026-06-14T00:06:23Z

Admin: /* The Second Cloud */

2026-06-14T00:04:56Z

The Second Cloud

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	== The Second Cloud ==		== The Second Cloud ==
			[[Image:April 1963 Science Magazine page 1.png\|thumb\|250px\|right\|Science Magazine April 1963 page 292]]
			[[Image:63 04 Science Vol 140 Page 2.png\|thumb\|250px\|right\|Science Magazine April 1963 page 293]]
			[[Image:63 04 Science Vol 140 Page 3.png\|thumb\|250px\|right\|Science Magazine April 1963 page 294]]
	The April 1963 ''Science Magazine'' article documented a second cloud visible in photographs taken from eastern Arizona and New Mexico, appearing to the northwest of the main cloud. Dr. McDonald raised this himself in his 1967 letter, noting that Branham's group was unaware of it until he confronted Pearry Green with the photographic evidence.		The April 1963 ''Science Magazine'' article documented a second cloud visible in photographs taken from eastern Arizona and New Mexico, appearing to the northwest of the main cloud. Dr. McDonald raised this himself in his 1967 letter, noting that Branham's group was unaware of it until he confronted Pearry Green with the photographic evidence.

Admin: /* Dr. McDonald's Own Assessment */

2026-06-14T00:02:53Z

Dr. McDonald's Own Assessment

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:02, 14 June 2026
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	== Dr. McDonald's Own Assessment ==		== Dr. McDonald's Own Assessment ==
			[[File:19670405 Mysterious Cloud Formation Vanishes Under Examination.jpg\|right\|250px]]
	In April 1967, Dr. McDonald wrote a letter to ''The Arizona Republic'' that leaves no ambiguity about his conclusions:		In April 1967, Dr. McDonald wrote a letter to ''The Arizona Republic'' that leaves no ambiguity about his conclusions:
	----''THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC — Wednesday, April 5, 1967''		----''THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC — Wednesday, April 5, 1967''

Admin at 00:02, 14 June 2026

2026-06-14T00:02:26Z

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	Today, rocket launches from Vandenberg are routinely documented on video. Depending on atmospheric conditions, they can be seen from Tucson and beyond, leaving mesospheric clouds that remain illuminated well after sunset.<ref>http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=SGBuQL-FvGI</ref><ref>http://spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/cosmic/launch.html and http://www.atoptics.co.uk/highsky/rktr1j.htm</ref> This kind of direct visual evidence was simply unavailable in 1963.		Today, rocket launches from Vandenberg are routinely documented on video. Depending on atmospheric conditions, they can be seen from Tucson and beyond, leaving mesospheric clouds that remain illuminated well after sunset.<ref>http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=SGBuQL-FvGI</ref><ref>http://spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/cosmic/launch.html and http://www.atoptics.co.uk/highsky/rktr1j.htm</ref> This kind of direct visual evidence was simply unavailable in 1963.

			Scientists also linked similar clouds appearing later in 1963 to rocket launches:<blockquote>''A bright noctilucent cloud was observed and photographed northwest of Tucson on 15 June 1963. Results of computations indicate that the cloud was at a height of 71 kilometers. The cloud appears to have resulted from the launching of a Scout space vehicle.''<ref>[http://www.sciencemag.org/content/141/3586/1176.abstract Science Magazine, September 1963: Vol. 141, no. 3586, pp. 1176-1178, DOI: 10.1126/science.141.3586.1176, ''Low-Latitude Noctilucent Cloud of 15 June 1963'', Aden B. Meinel1, Barbara Middlehurst, Ewen Whitaker]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''Measurement of the filamentary noctilucent cloud of 2 November 1963 yields a height of 56 km. Study of the motion and orientation of the cloud confirms the hypothesis that these unusual clouds appearing in the southwestern states are produced by the launching of rocket vehicles from the Pacific Missile Range.''<ref>[http://www.sciencemag.org/content/143/3601/38.abstract Science Magazine, January 1964: Vol. 143, no. 3601, pp. 38-39, DOI:0.1126/science.143.3601.38, Low-Latitude Noctilucent Cloud of 2 November 1963, Aden B. Meinel, Carolyn P. Meinel]</ref></blockquote>


	Scientists also linked similar clouds appearing later in 1963 to rocket launches:<blockquote>''A bright noctilucent cloud was observed and photographed northwest of Tucson on 15 June 1963. Results of computations indicate that the cloud was at a height of 71 kilometers. The cloud appears to have resulted from the launching of a Scout space vehicle.''[10]</blockquote><blockquote>''Measurement of the filamentary noctilucent cloud of 2 November 1963 yields a height of 56 km. Study of the motion and orientation of the cloud confirms the hypothesis that these unusual clouds appearing in the southwestern states are produced by the launching of rocket vehicles from the Pacific Missile Range.''[11]</blockquote>

	=== Why Didn't Dr. McDonald Publish a Final Report? ===		=== Why Didn't Dr. McDonald Publish a Final Report? ===

Admin: /* The Scientific Explanation */

2026-06-13T23:57:38Z

The Scientific Explanation

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	# '''Consistent wind speeds.''' No wind speed data was recorded at Vandenberg on that specific day, but Dr. McDonald noted that wind speeds measured at comparable altitudes at other times were "tantalizingly close" to what would have been required to carry debris from Vandenberg to Flagstaff. Since wind speeds vary by location and altitude, these measurements are consistent with a transport scenario, not proof against one.		# '''Consistent wind speeds.''' No wind speed data was recorded at Vandenberg on that specific day, but Dr. McDonald noted that wind speeds measured at comparable altitudes at other times were "tantalizingly close" to what would have been required to carry debris from Vandenberg to Flagstaff. Since wind speeds vary by location and altitude, these measurements are consistent with a transport scenario, not proof against one.
	# '''Military confirmation.''' When launch records were later declassified, the United States Air Force released documentation confirming that the cloud resulted from a military rocket operation.<ref>Jackson, Jeff G., 30th Space Wing History, Department of the Air Force, January 26, 1995, Vandenburg AFB, California</ref>		# '''Military confirmation.''' When launch records were later declassified, the United States Air Force released documentation confirming that the cloud resulted from a military rocket operation.<ref>Jackson, Jeff G., 30th Space Wing History, Department of the Air Force, January 26, 1995, Vandenburg AFB, California</ref>
			[[Image:NasaMakesACloud.jpg\|thumb\|370px\|In March 2012 NASA made some clouds in the morning sky with a shape and height similar to the February 1963 cloud.]]
	Dr. McDonald initially noted that clouds do not normally form at mesospheric altitudes — but subsequent research demonstrated that visible exhaust clouds from rocket launches can indeed reach into the mesosphere.<ref>http://www.spokenwordchurch.com/themessageresourcelibrary/Articles/Cloud%20Article%20-%20Dr%20McDonalds%20Cloud%20Investigation%20Supplement%201963.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.atoptics.co.uk/highsky/rktr1j.htm</ref> NASA has since created similar high-altitude clouds in chemical experiments, and some closely resemble the shape photographed on February 28 — appearing without any visible exhaust trail back to the launch site.<ref>http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/pictures/120327-nasa-rockets-clouds-wallops-jet-stream-edge-space-science/#/nasa-rocket-launch-strange-clouds-blue_50490_600x450.jpg</ref>		Dr. McDonald initially noted that clouds do not normally form at mesospheric altitudes — but subsequent research demonstrated that visible exhaust clouds from rocket launches can indeed reach into the mesosphere.<ref>http://www.spokenwordchurch.com/themessageresourcelibrary/Articles/Cloud%20Article%20-%20Dr%20McDonalds%20Cloud%20Investigation%20Supplement%201963.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.atoptics.co.uk/highsky/rktr1j.htm</ref> NASA has since created similar high-altitude clouds in chemical experiments, and some closely resemble the shape photographed on February 28 — appearing without any visible exhaust trail back to the launch site.<ref>http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/pictures/120327-nasa-rockets-clouds-wallops-jet-stream-edge-space-science/#/nasa-rocket-launch-strange-clouds-blue_50490_600x450.jpg</ref>
	~~[[Image:NasaMakesACloud.jpg\|thumb\|370px\|In March 2012 NASA made some clouds in the morning sky with a shape and height similar to the February 1963 cloud.]]~~

	Today, rocket launches from Vandenberg are routinely documented on video. Depending on atmospheric conditions, they can be seen from Tucson and beyond, leaving mesospheric clouds that remain illuminated well after sunset.<ref>http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=SGBuQL-FvGI</ref><ref>http://spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/cosmic/launch.html and http://www.atoptics.co.uk/highsky/rktr1j.htm</ref> This kind of direct visual evidence was simply unavailable in 1963.		Today, rocket launches from Vandenberg are routinely documented on video. Depending on atmospheric conditions, they can be seen from Tucson and beyond, leaving mesospheric clouds that remain illuminated well after sunset.<ref>http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=SGBuQL-FvGI</ref><ref>http://spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/cosmic/launch.html and http://www.atoptics.co.uk/highsky/rktr1j.htm</ref> This kind of direct visual evidence was simply unavailable in 1963.

Admin: /* The Scientific Explanation */

2026-06-13T23:57:02Z

The Scientific Explanation

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:57, 13 June 2026
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	Dr. McDonald initially noted that clouds do not normally form at mesospheric altitudes — but subsequent research demonstrated that visible exhaust clouds from rocket launches can indeed reach into the mesosphere.<ref>http://www.spokenwordchurch.com/themessageresourcelibrary/Articles/Cloud%20Article%20-%20Dr%20McDonalds%20Cloud%20Investigation%20Supplement%201963.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.atoptics.co.uk/highsky/rktr1j.htm</ref> NASA has since created similar high-altitude clouds in chemical experiments, and some closely resemble the shape photographed on February 28 — appearing without any visible exhaust trail back to the launch site.<ref>http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/pictures/120327-nasa-rockets-clouds-wallops-jet-stream-edge-space-science/#/nasa-rocket-launch-strange-clouds-blue_50490_600x450.jpg</ref>		Dr. McDonald initially noted that clouds do not normally form at mesospheric altitudes — but subsequent research demonstrated that visible exhaust clouds from rocket launches can indeed reach into the mesosphere.<ref>http://www.spokenwordchurch.com/themessageresourcelibrary/Articles/Cloud%20Article%20-%20Dr%20McDonalds%20Cloud%20Investigation%20Supplement%201963.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.atoptics.co.uk/highsky/rktr1j.htm</ref> NASA has since created similar high-altitude clouds in chemical experiments, and some closely resemble the shape photographed on February 28 — appearing without any visible exhaust trail back to the launch site.<ref>http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/pictures/120327-nasa-rockets-clouds-wallops-jet-stream-edge-space-science/#/nasa-rocket-launch-strange-clouds-blue_50490_600x450.jpg</ref>
			[[Image:NasaMakesACloud.jpg\|thumb\|370px\|In March 2012 NASA made some clouds in the morning sky with a shape and height similar to the February 1963 cloud.]]

	Today, rocket launches from Vandenberg are routinely documented on video. Depending on atmospheric conditions, they can be seen from Tucson and beyond, leaving mesospheric clouds that remain illuminated well after sunset.<ref>http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=SGBuQL-FvGI</ref><ref>http://spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/cosmic/launch.html and http://www.atoptics.co.uk/highsky/rktr1j.htm</ref> This kind of direct visual evidence was simply unavailable in 1963.		Today, rocket launches from Vandenberg are routinely documented on video. Depending on atmospheric conditions, they can be seen from Tucson and beyond, leaving mesospheric clouds that remain illuminated well after sunset.<ref>http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=SGBuQL-FvGI</ref><ref>http://spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/cosmic/launch.html and http://www.atoptics.co.uk/highsky/rktr1j.htm</ref> This kind of direct visual evidence was simply unavailable in 1963.

Admin: /* The Scientific Explanation */

2026-06-13T23:56:20Z

The Scientific Explanation

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	# '''Same altitude.''' The rocket was destroyed at 44 kilometers; the cloud was independently estimated at 43 kilometers — a near-exact match.		# '''Same altitude.''' The rocket was destroyed at 44 kilometers; the cloud was independently estimated at 43 kilometers — a near-exact match.
	# '''Consistent wind speeds.''' No wind speed data was recorded at Vandenberg on that specific day, but Dr. McDonald noted that wind speeds measured at comparable altitudes at other times were "tantalizingly close" to what would have been required to carry debris from Vandenberg to Flagstaff. Since wind speeds vary by location and altitude, these measurements are consistent with a transport scenario, not proof against one.		# '''Consistent wind speeds.''' No wind speed data was recorded at Vandenberg on that specific day, but Dr. McDonald noted that wind speeds measured at comparable altitudes at other times were "tantalizingly close" to what would have been required to carry debris from Vandenberg to Flagstaff. Since wind speeds vary by location and altitude, these measurements are consistent with a transport scenario, not proof against one.
	# '''Military confirmation.''' When launch records were later declassified, the United States Air Force released documentation confirming that the cloud resulted from a military rocket operation.~~[4]~~		# '''Military confirmation.''' When launch records were later declassified, the United States Air Force released documentation confirming that the cloud resulted from a military rocket operation.<ref>Jackson, Jeff G., 30th Space Wing History, Department of the Air Force, January 26, 1995, Vandenburg AFB, California</ref>

	Dr. McDonald initially noted that clouds do not normally form at mesospheric altitudes — but subsequent research demonstrated that visible exhaust clouds from rocket launches can indeed reach into the mesosphere.~~[5][6]~~ NASA has since created similar high-altitude clouds in chemical experiments, and some closely resemble the shape photographed on February 28 — appearing without any visible exhaust trail back to the launch site.~~[7]~~		Dr. McDonald initially noted that clouds do not normally form at mesospheric altitudes — but subsequent research demonstrated that visible exhaust clouds from rocket launches can indeed reach into the mesosphere.<ref>http://www.spokenwordchurch.com/themessageresourcelibrary/Articles/Cloud%20Article%20-%20Dr%20McDonalds%20Cloud%20Investigation%20Supplement%201963.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.atoptics.co.uk/highsky/rktr1j.htm</ref> NASA has since created similar high-altitude clouds in chemical experiments, and some closely resemble the shape photographed on February 28 — appearing without any visible exhaust trail back to the launch site.<ref>http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/pictures/120327-nasa-rockets-clouds-wallops-jet-stream-edge-space-science/#/nasa-rocket-launch-strange-clouds-blue_50490_600x450.jpg</ref>

			Today, rocket launches from Vandenberg are routinely documented on video. Depending on atmospheric conditions, they can be seen from Tucson and beyond, leaving mesospheric clouds that remain illuminated well after sunset.<ref>http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=SGBuQL-FvGI</ref><ref>http://spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/cosmic/launch.html and http://www.atoptics.co.uk/highsky/rktr1j.htm</ref> This kind of direct visual evidence was simply unavailable in 1963.

	Today, rocket launches from Vandenberg are routinely documented on video. Depending on atmospheric conditions, they can be seen from Tucson and beyond, leaving mesospheric clouds that remain illuminated well after sunset.[8][9] This kind of direct visual evidence was simply unavailable in 1963.

Admin: /* The Scientific Explanation */

2026-06-13T23:32:48Z

The Scientific Explanation

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:32, 13 June 2026
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	Today, rocket launches from Vandenberg are routinely documented on video. Depending on atmospheric conditions, they can be seen from Tucson and beyond, leaving mesospheric clouds that remain illuminated well after sunset.[8][9] This kind of direct visual evidence was simply unavailable in 1963.		Today, rocket launches from Vandenberg are routinely documented on video. Depending on atmospheric conditions, they can be seen from Tucson and beyond, leaving mesospheric clouds that remain illuminated well after sunset.[8][9] This kind of direct visual evidence was simply unavailable in 1963.



	Scientists also linked similar clouds appearing later in 1963 to rocket launches:<blockquote>''A bright noctilucent cloud was observed and photographed northwest of Tucson on 15 June 1963. Results of computations indicate that the cloud was at a height of 71 kilometers. The cloud appears to have resulted from the launching of a Scout space vehicle.''[10]</blockquote><blockquote>''Measurement of the filamentary noctilucent cloud of 2 November 1963 yields a height of 56 km. Study of the motion and orientation of the cloud confirms the hypothesis that these unusual clouds appearing in the southwestern states are produced by the launching of rocket vehicles from the Pacific Missile Range.''[11]</blockquote>		Scientists also linked similar clouds appearing later in 1963 to rocket launches:<blockquote>''A bright noctilucent cloud was observed and photographed northwest of Tucson on 15 June 1963. Results of computations indicate that the cloud was at a height of 71 kilometers. The cloud appears to have resulted from the launching of a Scout space vehicle.''[10]</blockquote><blockquote>''Measurement of the filamentary noctilucent cloud of 2 November 1963 yields a height of 56 km. Study of the motion and orientation of the cloud confirms the hypothesis that these unusual clouds appearing in the southwestern states are produced by the launching of rocket vehicles from the Pacific Missile Range.''[11]</blockquote>

Admin at 23:30, 13 June 2026

2026-06-13T23:30:48Z

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Admin: /* James McDonald - Was the Cloud supernatural? */

2026-06-13T21:45:18Z

James McDonald - Was the Cloud supernatural?

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:45, 13 June 2026
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	:'''Abstract''' - Measurement of the filamentary noctilucent cloud of 2 November 1963 yields a height of 56 km. Study of the motion and orientation of the cloud confirms the hypothesis that these unusual clouds appearing in the southwestern states are produced by the launching of rocket vehicles from the Pacific Missile Range.<ref>[http://www.sciencemag.org/content/143/3601/38.abstract Science Magazine, January 1964: Vol. 143, no. 3601, pp. 38-39, DOI:0.1126/science.143.3601.38, Low-Latitude Noctilucent Cloud of 2 November 1963, Aden B. Meinel, Carolyn P. Meinel]</ref>		:'''Abstract''' - Measurement of the filamentary noctilucent cloud of 2 November 1963 yields a height of 56 km. Study of the motion and orientation of the cloud confirms the hypothesis that these unusual clouds appearing in the southwestern states are produced by the launching of rocket vehicles from the Pacific Missile Range.<ref>[http://www.sciencemag.org/content/143/3601/38.abstract Science Magazine, January 1964: Vol. 143, no. 3601, pp. 38-39, DOI:0.1126/science.143.3601.38, Low-Latitude Noctilucent Cloud of 2 November 1963, Aden B. Meinel, Carolyn P. Meinel]</ref>

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	===James McDonald - Was the Cloud supernatural?===		===James McDonald - Was the Cloud supernatural?===
	[[File:19670405 Mysterious Cloud Formation Vanishes Under Examination.jpg\|right\|250px]]		[[File:19670405 Mysterious Cloud Formation Vanishes Under Examination.jpg\|right\|250px]]