1 DECLASSHHED I lO lO 79 MEMORANDUM FOR THE FILES The following is a synopsis of the judgements of the Outside panel of experts convened to consider the suspected nuclear event in the South Atlantic region seas The panel composed of Dr Harold M Agnew Dr Richard L Garwin and Dr Stephen Lukasik were fully briefed on need to assess the particular signals in question eje They concluded that The signals were consistent with detection of a nuclear explosion in the atmosphere 2 No other sensors should clearly have seen this event 3 Because the event took place at night near new moon inquiries should be made of ship and aircraft crews operating in the area 4 Other data should be sought from radioactive debris from aircraft in the area b analysis of infrasound and microbarographic data from a station in northern Sweden C additional air sampling d information on out of area air naval activity by third countries e evidence of test preparations from photoqraphy or the monitoring of South African naval activity The panel also noted that l The Vela sensor outputs were less self-consistent than usual 2 Night time testing was unusual 3 The 1 5 to 2 KT yield was probably lower than the design yield Drafted RDS 2 3 4 10 10 09 Multiple SOurces