Howard P. Robertson

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From the UAP Encyclopedia, the open encyclopedia of UFO and UAP history · 👤 Person

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Howard P. Robertson

Luis W. Alvarez — Luis W. Alvarez Photo: Donald Cooksey / Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (per [3] · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons

Type	Person
Also known as	H. P. Robertson, H.P. Robertson
On the Timeline	2 events, 1952–1953

Howard P. Robertson (1903–1961) was an American mathematician and physicist at Caltech, known for important work in cosmology and relativity. He also served as a scientific adviser to the U.S. military and intelligence agencies.

The Robertson Panel

Luis Alvarez with a magnetic monopole detector - Restoration — Luis Alvarez with a magnetic monopole detector - Restoration Photo: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory / Department of Energy (Very minor restoration by… · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons

In January 1953 the CIA asked Robertson to chair a panel of scientists, including Luis Alvarez, Samuel Goudsmit, Lloyd Berkner and Thornton Page, to review UFO evidence. Over four days they looked at selected cases and films, such as the Tremonton and Great Falls films. The panel concluded there was no evidence of a threat or of alien craft, and recommended "debunking" UFOs through education and media to reduce public interest, and watching civilian UFO groups. Critics say the review was too short to be thorough.

On the UAP Timeline

Edward Ruppelt: Edward J. Ruppelt (left) in 1953 — Edward Ruppelt: Edward J. Ruppelt (left) in 1953 Photo: Unknown · PD · via Wikimedia Commons

CIA–MIT talks on UFO study (1952) (2 December 1952) — A CIA science chief meets MIT leaders about studying UAP through Project Lincoln.
Robertson Panel (18 January 1953) — The CIA's Robertson Panel recommends stripping UAP of special status and reducing public interest.

Connected articles

References

Robertson Panel — Wikipedia · en.wikipedia.org · archived copy

Categories: Central intelligence agency | Person | Unidentified anomalous phenomena | Unidentified flying object | Us air force

This page was last edited on 29 October 2026. Articles are written in our own words from the sources listed under References; disputed claims are attributed to the people who made them.

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