The observations were recorded alongside routine communications with Mission Control, including navigation updates, system checks and maneuver planning.
Apollo 12 transcripts include similar accounts, with astronauts describing "particles of light" and later discussing the possibility that they were observing debris illuminated by onboard equipment.
In another Apollo 17 exchange, an astronaut reported seeing a brief flash on the lunar surface near the Grimaldi crater. Mission Control asked the crew to identify the location on a map.
Officials have said the descriptions reflect observations made at the time and do not include conclusions about the nature of the phenomena.
Additional materials are expected to be released on a rolling basis.
"Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters," President Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Friday. "GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
More UAP files were made available at WAR.GOV/UFO
Fox News' Peter Doocy and Fox News Digital's Robert McGreevy contributed to this report.
