APCIC - Vol 04 No 01 - 1979

Magazine Overview

This issue of the AERIAL PHENOMENON CLIPPING INFORMATION CENTER newsletter, dated January 1979, Volume Four, No. 1, focuses on a wide array of UFO sightings and related phenomena reported globally. The publication, based in Cleveland, Ohio, serves as a clearinghouse for information on aerial phenomena.

Key Articles and Reports

New Zealand UFO Alert

The lead story details a series of UFO sightings in New Zealand, prompting the New Zealand air force to put Skyhawk warplanes on standby alert. A TV crew filmed unidentified flying objects, and air controllers tracked strange blips on radar. Pilot Bill Startup described large objects shining with a "very bright white light." Reporter Quentin Fogarty filmed UFOs for seven minutes over Kaikoura. Civil aviation authorities in Wellington recorded up to 10 unidentified radar readings. A Wellington air traffic controller noted "obviously some strange phenomenon and it needs to be investigated." The film was purchased by the British Broadcasting Co. and CBS. Despite the reports, Britain's Ladbrokes betting house offered 250 to 1 against aliens landing on Earth in 1979. Sir Bernard Lovell, a distinguished astronomer, suggested the objects were probably meteorites. The New Zealand Defense Ministry stated that fighter-bombers would be deployed if radar tracked more unusual signals. Fogarty recounted seeing bright globules of light and being frightened when Wellington radar control indicated an object on their tail, joined by four or five more. He referred to the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich over Australia. The TV film was shown on CBS news. In Ferrara, Italy, eight people reported seeing a bright oval object moving slowly through the sky.

UFOs Over New Zealand Filmed

Another report from Sydney, Australia, details a second UFO sighting in New Zealand, filmed by a television crew. This object was described as "like a volcano" with a pulsating light. Six policemen also reported seeing an unknown object. The national newspaper *The Australian* noted that military aircraft did not pick up the UFO on radar. The film was sent for analysis. The network's news editor stated they had "the most detailed and dramatic film of a UFO taken by non-military sources anywhere in the world." The object was described as "sort of triangular with rounded edges and a piece missing from the apex, like a volcano." Another description was a "round, glowing ball, with a bright light which faded then brightened again, and a reddish center." It moved erratically and then hovered. Scientists suggested reflections from Japanese squid fishermen, but this didn't explain radar incidents.

W. Siders Spot UFO's in V-Shape

Earl Neff, a UFO student from Parma, Ohio, is investigating reports of unidentified flying objects seen by a West Side woman. She and her children reportedly saw about 40 objects in the sky, forming a V, then a circle. Neff is awaiting word from Australia regarding UFO sightings there. He noted that Australia has had many sightings and that there are many in the Soviet Union. Neff believes UFOs are frequently seen over high-tension lines and fertilizer plants. He raised the possibility that the position of Mars could be a factor, suggesting a cyclical pattern related to Mars' opposition every 26 months. He has been gathering material on recent Australian and New Zealand sightings and plans to release it soon, noting that the past year had an unusually high number of sightings.

Strange Lights in McMinn County

An account from a rural McMinn County family describes an "unidentified flying object" or "strange lights" that appeared near their farm for over a week in late October. The visitor was described as a strange ball of light, sometimes accompanied by smaller lights, exhibiting behavior as if it had a mind of its own. The mother first sighted the object, described as "about the size the moon looks to be and maybe brighter." It appeared in a hollow and sometimes changed to a "fire-coal red glow." The light was seen at various times, appearing and disappearing with variable brightness. A neighbor also reported seeing the light. On one occasion, the light became "very bright and erratic," with "streaks of light flashed on each side." A "fire-coal red light traveling at a very high speed" was observed. The family found a possible location where the light originated, and with binoculars, observed a "light beam beneath the light." The woman felt the light was "friendly" and "shy." She believed it was a religious phenomenon and was determined to find out what it was, despite her husband's fear of ridicule. She urged people to take these things seriously and "start looking out their window."

UFO Sightings Publicized in Argentina

Argentina leads the world in UFO sightings, with extraterrestrial visitors being part of the national folklore. Reports include fishermen seeing a saucer with a towering figure, a flying object lighting up a train station, and an oval-shaped object over the Andes. Books and a textbook on "Extraterrestrial Science" are popular. The movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" was a hit. A Peruvian engineer, Vlado Kapetanovich, wrote a book about meeting spacemen, but was committed to an asylum. Grenada Prime Minister Gairy faced ridicule for demanding a UN investigation. Yaqui Indians in Mexico curse intruders, while most Latin believers see visitors as benevolent explorers. Sergio Lemos stated a "UFO Commander Akilovan" mission was to prevent nuclear holocaust.

Close Encounters in Central New York

A Verona man reported witnessing three unidentified flying objects hovering over a U.S. Air Force communications test area. He described oblong-shaped objects with "flashing yellow and orange lights" in a V formation. The UFOs moved faster than approaching jets and returned after the planes left. Four other people also witnessed the objects. Griffiss AFB spokesman stated their official position is that "we don't believe in UFO's." The Rome Air Developmental Center confirmed no related flights or airborne testing occurred at that time. The area is known for radar and microwave activity.

Armagh Couple Reports Object Sighted in Sky

An unidentified object was reported seen west of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. An Armagh couple described the object as orange-colored, shaped like a bowl or saucer, with a red or green light circling it and emitting a whirring sound. They watched it for three minutes before it disappeared, then returned briefly.

'Soil Where UFO 'Landed'' To Get Radioactivity Test

In Greenfield, Indiana, tests will be run on soil samples from an alleged UFO landing site. A circle 44 feet in diameter, where everything was crushed, was found in a soybean field. The Wilfong sisters reported seeing a 100-foot-long craft hovering near their home. Police noted helicopters were seen in the area, but an investigator from the UFO center did not believe the markings were made by a helicopter. The craft was described as having two white lights and one red light, making no noise, and hovering for 12 minutes before moving away. It was divided into three sections, with a circle on the middle section.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings across different continents, the variety of reported object shapes and behaviors, and the ongoing efforts to document and investigate these phenomena. The publication, through its collection of reports and its affiliation with the Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center, clearly aims to present evidence and accounts of UFOs as credible and worthy of serious attention, encouraging readers to be observant and to take these reports seriously, rather than dismissing them with laughter.

This issue of The Parkersburg News, dated October 30, 1978, features a prominent cover story titled "Close Encounter?" detailing multiple reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) in the Parkersburg, West Virginia area.

Close Encounter?

The main article, by Ronald S. Loar, reports on sightings of a UFO that occurred on Sunday night, October 29, 1978, between 7:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. The object was observed by law enforcement officers and private citizens. Deputy Greg Chapman, who has seven years of law enforcement experience, provided a drawing and description of the object he saw around 9:12 p.m. from behind the Wood County Correctional Center.

Chapman described the object as shaped "somewhat like a slice of bread, round on the leading edge, with the backend of it flat, but slightly rounded at the corners." He characterized its color as "the most beautiful gold color I had ever seen. .sort of a metallic gold." The bottom plane of the object had what appeared to be three white lights that seemed to radiate light. As the object moved away towards the Ohio River, Chapman observed that it seemed to be "domed shape, 'sort of like an inverted saucer.'"

Upon observing the object, Chapman contacted Deputy Steve Greiner via police radio. Greiner, along with Deputies Simon Knotts and Rick Woodyard, went outside and also observed the object. Due to the greater distance, they were unable to distinguish any lights on the bottom. Greiner noted that the profile appeared to be a lighter gold color in the center, with a darker gold color around the edges as it moved away.

Greiner stated, "There was no noise coming from it," and he couldn't see any wings or red or green lights. He described its movement as steady across the sky, at an altitude comparable to a small airplane.

Fifteen-year-old Joey Knotts reported seeing a "funny-shaped thing" in the sky around 7:15 p.m., describing it as "greenish-red" and large, like a jumbo jet. He also mentioned a plane flying beneath it, and the object shooting out a bright light as if taking a picture of the jet.

His sister, Julie, 12, reported seeing the same thing around the same time. Both children alerted their father, Lee Knotts, who, along with neighbors, observed "something shiny hovering in the sky." He described the object as "zig-zagged" toward the south until it disappeared.

Deputy Woodyard contacted the Wood County Airport to check if an advertising plane with lighted sign boards had been active, but the airport confirmed it had not been off the ground all afternoon.

The article concludes by noting that The News, having previously written stories disclaiming UFO sightings with astronomical verification, felt compelled to investigate this report, especially given the proximity to Halloween.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the reporting of UFO sightings, particularly those involving credible witnesses like law enforcement officers. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, acknowledging the unusual nature of the reports while also referencing the skepticism often associated with such phenomena, especially around Halloween. The article highlights the detailed descriptions provided by witnesses and the lack of conventional explanations.

This issue of the GAINESVILLE, TEXAS - REGISTER, dated November 20, 1978, is primarily focused on reports and discussions surrounding Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The cover story, "Hootenanny Turns Attention to UFO's," by HELEN MARSHALL, details a local sighting in Callisburg, Texas, where attendees of a musical program witnessed unusual lights.

Hootenanny Turns Attention to UFO's

The main article describes an event on a Saturday evening between 9 and 10 p.m. at the Callisburg Club House. Several attendees, including Tommy Phillipp and his family, and Alma Thurman, reported seeing three red lights in the sky, about a mile west of Callisburg. These lights hovered and moved slowly. Later, the Phillipp family observed a "swarm or cluster of white lights" that appeared and disappeared quickly, described as similar to movements seen in the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." The lights were seen about 60 feet over the car and reappeared several times before vanishing near Highway 82. Phillipp reported the incident to the Gainesville Police Department, who received about half a dozen calls that evening, but could not investigate as the sightings were outside city limits. The Cooke County Sheriff's Department reported no calls. It was noted that the U.S. Air Force, which formerly handled such reports through Project Blue Book, no longer does so, and the Information Office now refers witnesses to university science departments.

Other UFO Sightings and Theories

The issue includes several other reports and discussions on UFOs:

• Livingston, N.J. Tribune (November 16, 1978): A sighting of an unidentified flying object was reported by Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Licari. They observed a light in the sky for about 40 minutes, which made a sound like an electric motor and moved from east to west before vanishing.

• Philadelphia Daily News (November 28, 1978): A report from Guadalajara, Mexico, describes two objects described as luminous flying saucers. One emitted a red light, activated a car's siren, and spun around. Police fired on both objects.

• Paterson, N.J. Evening News (November 20, 1978): An article titled "Wanaque Mystery - UFOs or Earthquake Tremors?" by Rita Jensen, discusses recent UFO sightings over the Wanaque Reservoir. Robert Jones, president of Vestigia Inc., a scientific research group, suggests these sightings might be related to seismic activity along the Ramapo Fault. He theorizes that seismic pressures on quartz in the earth's crust could ionize the air, creating visible lights. Yash Aggarwal, a geophysicist, noted the possibility of a major earthquake from the Ramapo Fault in the next century.

• Holland, Mich. (November 10, 1978): The Allegan County Sheriff's Department received reports of UFO sightings involving red, blue, and green lights rotating in a circular manner, hovering, and moving west.

• Professional Explainer Of UFOs: An article by John Irvin Keasler profiles Thomas Guffy, who claims to have explained numerous UFO sightings over 25 years. His explanations often involve mundane phenomena, such as a bird sanctuary for a Kansas City sighting, a parked car reflection for lights around City Hall, and a prank helicopter for a bizarre farmhouse incident. He also offers humorous, unconventional explanations.

• Jackson Daily News (November 8, 1978): An editorial titled "UFO's Are Coming At Us Once Again" discusses the renewed public interest in UFOs, possibly fueled by movies like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "Star Wars." It mentions a pilot's disappearance in Australia after reporting a UFO and sightings in West Virginia. The editorial notes that UFO sightings often occur in short, intense periods.

• Charleston, W. Va. Gazette (October 25, 1978): The article "Atmosphere, Meteors and Lights Variously Cited as UFO Theories" by Kay Michael explores explanations for sightings in West Virginia. Robert Brown suggests unusual atmospheric conditions, like those common in the West but rare in West Virginia, might be responsible. He discounts the "zoo hypothesis" and suggests military activity could be a factor. Hugh McPherson, an amateur UFO studier, finds no evidence of alien visits. Gray Barker agrees that weather conditions likely explain recent sightings but cautions against using this as a blanket explanation.

• UFO reports flood sheriff's office: Reports from Muskingum and Guernsey counties describe nighttime flying objects. James King suggests these might be low-level Cessna aircraft. The article notes increased awareness due to the "Project: UFO" television program.

• Charleston, W. Va. - Mail (December 5, 1978): "Was It A UFO?" by Ancella Bickley Jr. details a sighting of a multicolored object by police and citizens, described as a craft that traveled and floated. Officer Bruce Angell strongly disagreed with explanations like a bright morning star or Venus.

• Lexington, Ky. Leader (November 29, 1978): "'UFO' follows Madison youths" by Betty Cox recounts an incident where Phillip Leger and his family reported seeing an object with lights and legs, described as a close encounter. The sighting was reported to a UFO center in Chicago.

• Greenfield, Ind. Reporter (November 29, 1978): Sheriff Malcolm Grass addresses a UFO incident in Hancock County, explaining that deputies observed lights believed to be helicopters. He notes that the Air Force no longer investigates UFO sightings and that the Center for UFO Studies is investigating the case.

• Spencer, Ind. World (November 28, 1978): "UFO Sightings Will Not Go Away..." by an unnamed author discusses Dr. J. Allen Hynek's views on UFOs, emphasizing that extraterrestrial intelligence is plausible and that UFO reports are persistent globally. Hynek notes that about 60% of reports occur in North America due to better reporting methods.

• Columbus, Ga. Ledger (December 6, 1978): "'UFO' Spotted in the East" by Robert H. Bork Jr. describes reports of a "glowing ball of light" seen in Georgia and Florida. A Brooks County deputy expressed a desire to leave the matter alone.

• Antioch, Cal. Ledger (December 6, 1978): "UFO seen in area" reports two women spotting what appeared to be two headlights hovering over the Antioch Airport, moving at low altitude and resembling a sting ray or kite.

• Reno, Nev. Gazette (November 28, 1978): "Nevadans report 'ball of light'" by Ernest Webster details multiple sightings of a large white ball of light in Nevada. Witnesses described it as looking like the moon initially, then emitting a beam of light. One report included a smaller craft with a dome and wings emerging from the larger object.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings across various regions of the United States in late 1978, the diverse descriptions of these objects (lights, shapes, movements), and the various attempts to explain them. Explanations range from atmospheric phenomena and military activity to more speculative theories involving seismic activity. There's a clear public fascination with UFOs, as evidenced by the number of reports and the editorial commentary. The stance of the publication appears to be one of reporting these events and theories objectively, providing a platform for witness accounts and expert opinions without necessarily endorsing any single explanation. The inclusion of different newspaper articles suggests a broader interest in the phenomenon beyond the local Gainesville area.

Title: Our Mysterious World
Issue Date: November 19, 1978
Publisher: Toronto Sun
Country: Canada
Language: English

This issue of 'Our Mysterious World' delves into the phenomenon of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related aerial mysteries, featuring a prominent article on the enigmatic Tunguska event.

The UFO that went bang!

The lead article, "The UFO that went bang!" by George Cunningham-Tee, revisits the 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia. The author describes the cataclysmic explosion that occurred on June 30, 1908, which caused the earth to tremble, buildings to be tossed, and the forest to be crushed. The event was detected by seismographs worldwide and produced a searing blast of air and a roar of thunder. Initial theories pointed to a meteorite impact, but the lack of a crater and the 'pipe-shaped' description of the object led to further investigation.

In 1946, with the advent of the atomic bomb, a re-evaluation of the Tunguska mystery began, drawing parallels to the destruction in Hiroshima. The scale of the Tunguska devastation, estimated at 200 square miles, was significantly larger than Hiroshima's 18 square miles. The article highlights similarities in the effects, such as trees being burned at a distance and Japanese naval students feeling a hot breeze from the Hiroshima blast 60 miles away. It's estimated the 1908 explosion was at least 100 times more powerful than the one in Hiroshima.

Further investigations in 1962 revealed a scattering ellipse and soil samples containing tiny brilliant spheres with traces of cobalt, nickel, copper, and germanium. This led to a theory that the object was an artificial craft. The author concludes that the evidence points to an intelligently controlled, atomic-powered space vehicle that may have deliberately crashed in a remote area to minimize human casualties and property damage. The article suggests that if the explosion had occurred just three hours later, Moscow could have been destroyed.

UFO Sightings from November 1978

The magazine also compiles numerous UFO sighting reports from November 1978 across various locations:

• Antioch, California (December 8, 1978): Ed Martinez and Ron Garcia reported seeing three unidentified flying objects on Wednesday night. They described a strange light that branched into several others, with a red light on the tail end. The objects appeared to move steadily, not resembling aircraft lights, and made a low rumble. They pursued the objects in their car.
• Antioch, California (December 8, 1978): Two Antioch women reported a "sting ray-shaped" object flying over their home at high speed, making no sound.
• Pittsburg, California (November 28, 1978): Two objects described as luminous flying saucers were reported by residents and a police officer near Guadalajara, Mexico. One object hovered over a patrol car, emitted a red light, and caused the car's siren to activate and spin.
• Las Vegas, Nevada (November 29, 1978): Several residents reported seeing a mysterious "roundish" object, described as milkish white and surrounded by mist, flying over the Red Rock Canyon area.
• Las Vegas, Nevada (November 30, 1978): Multiple Las Vegas residents reported UFO sightings, with one described as an upside-down plate with a dome, emitting a brilliant light.
• Reno and Battle Mountain, Nevada (November 29, 1978): Six persons reported seeing a large white ball of light that spawned a domed, winged craft. Witnesses described it as coming closer, appearing larger and dimmer, and then spawning a smaller craft.
• Williamson, West Virginia (November 28, 1978): Residents reported seeing strange flashing lights in varied colors for about half an hour. One witness described a great big light illuminating the mountain.
• Williamson, West Virginia (November 27, 1978): George Warren and others observed an object in the sky with lights of various colors, including red, white, blue, and green. It was described as having a large light at each end.
• Hinsdale, Illinois (November 27, 1978): Hundreds of people gathered near Warrenville, Illinois, to await the predicted arrival of a spaceship, which did not appear.
• Rome, Italy (December 18, 1978): The skies of Italy were reportedly filled with OVNIs (Italian for UFOs), described as giving off green, red, or white lights and having a doughnut-like hole in the middle. Sightings were reported in various locations, with some cases photographed.
• Palatka, Florida (December 8, 1978): Reports of a connection between a UFO sighting and a power failure were refuted by US Army officials. A woman believed UFOs caused the outage, but it was attributed to a substation failure.
• Espanola, New Mexico (November 23, 1978): Three hunters reported seeing a cigar-shaped unidentified flying object fly over their campsite.
• Bristol, Virginia (November 30, 1978): Two sightings were reported: one of a silver object with red, white, and blue lights, and another involving a helicopter.
• Crawfordsville, Indiana (December 1, 1978): A blue flash of light was seen, described as unusual and not caused by a car or explosion.
• Yuba City, California (November 24, 1978): A Wheatland resident reported seeing a "white object" over eastern skies for about half an hour, which did not appear to be an airplane.
• Oliver Springs, Tennessee (November 25, 1978): A low-flying unidentified object was reported, described as bigger than a semi-truck, with a round disk shape.
• Fort Riley, Kansas (November 29, 1978): Reports of unidentified flying objects were filed, with one determined to be the planet Venus and another described as a stationary light.
• Corona, California (November 28, 1978): Two women reported seeing a large delta wing object, orange in color, approaching from the Lake Mathews area.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the issue is the widespread reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and theories without outright dismissal, while also acknowledging the possibility of logical explanations for some sightings. The juxtaposition of contemporary sightings with historical events like the Tunguska explosion suggests an interest in the enduring mystery of UFOs across time and geography. The inclusion of detailed descriptions of objects, their behavior, and witness testimonies underscores a commitment to documenting these events.

This issue of the Monroe, Wisc. Evening Times, dated November 30, 1978, features a prominent cover story titled "What was that light in the sky?" by Steve Ray. The magazine also includes a section on UFO sightings in Italy.

"What was that light in the sky?" by Steve Ray

The article details the experience of Christine Figi, a resident near Jordan Center, Wisconsin, who reported seeing a strange light on the morning of November 30, 1978. Awakened by her daughter at 5:15 a.m., Mrs. Figi initially dismissed the report but upon looking out the window, observed a "ball of light" hovering an estimated 50 feet from the ground. The object remained in the general vicinity of her farm for over two hours, moving slowly up and down and sometimes laterally. Mrs. Figi described it as a "mass of light" and estimated it was about the length of a city block away from her house. By 7:15 a.m., the object rose to a high altitude and disappeared.

Mrs. Figi was certain the object was not a celestial body like Venus, which was visible low on the horizon that morning, stating, "It was definitely not in the sky." She explained that trees on the other side of the road were illuminated by the object, which was in front of them. She also noted that the light reflected off the west side of the trees during the twilight of dawn.

She contacted the Green County Sheriff's Department, and Deputy Kim Arneson responded, though he was unavailable for comment at the time of the report. Pat Allard of the National Weather Service in Madison suggested that the sightings might have been of the planet Venus, visible low on the horizon. However, both Allard and Mrs. Figi agreed it was unlikely to be a weather balloon.

UFOs Light Up Italy's Skies

This section reports on a series of unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings, referred to as OVNIs (oggetto volante non identificato), across Italy. The objects reportedly gave off green, red, or white light and some were photographed.

In Rome, dozens of people called the police reporting an "enormous beam of green light" overhead. A lieutenant and a noncommissioned officer confirmed the sighting from the police headquarters terrace.

In Palermo, Sicily, a bank clerk named Nino Raffagnino photographed an object just before midnight. One picture showed a disc of light with a hole in the middle. Police in Palermo also took pictures of a long, wide streak of light.

Sightings were also reported by a night patrol of the elite national police corps in Lecce and by two soldiers guarding at Brindisi. Newspapers across Italy were receiving numerous calls, with one Communist newspaper considering a daily column on the subject.

The most alarming incident mentioned was the disappearance of two fishermen from San Benedetto del Tronto, a fishing village near Pescara, on a clear night when the sea was calm. This event led to talk of an "Adriatic Triangle."

The Italian national UFO center and the Defense Ministry had not made a public appraisal of the sightings. Sociologist Francesco Alberoni expressed surprise at the number of reports, noting that such reports typically occur during times of national anxiety, which was not the case in Italy at that time.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the reporting of unidentified flying objects and strange aerial phenomena. The articles present eyewitness accounts, official responses (or lack thereof), and attempts at explanation, ranging from celestial bodies to potential military or unknown craft. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these events as they are presented by witnesses and authorities, without overtly endorsing or dismissing the phenomena. The inclusion of multiple reports from different locations suggests a widespread interest in UFO sightings during this period.

This issue of THE STAR, dated October 12, 1978, focuses on numerous UFO sightings reported across England and Europe. The main headline, 'Close encounter of the terrifying kind,' highlights the alarming nature of these events. The issue compiles witness accounts, police reports, and official responses to a wave of unexplained aerial phenomena.

Key Articles and Reports

Sheffield Sighting: 'Silver Cigar-Shaped' UFO

A significant report details a 'silver cigar-shaped' UFO that terrified an 11-year-old girl, Amanda Woodcock, in Sheffield, causing her to refuse to attend school. Wayne Thorpe and his sister Yvonne also witnessed the low-flying, silent object. Their mothers, Mrs. Linda Thorp and Mrs. Kathleen Woodcock, reported seeing a strange object in the sky for four successive nights. The RAF was notified and requested attempts to film the object. Mrs. Thorp described the sighting as a 'bright star with flashing lights' appearing around 8 p.m. in the Norton area, sometimes stationary and other times zig-zagging. Amanda Woodcock reported that the 'cigar' seemed to be following her, stopping when she stopped and moving when she moved. Mrs. Evelyn Whitway of Sheffield also reported sightings, and noted that her washing machine 'went beserk' when a UFO passed over her home. Two girls, Diane Bragger and Joanne Richards, also reported strange sightings.

Chard Area Activity

Intense UFO activity was reported in the Chard area at the beginning of the week. Schoolboys described a 'yellow elliptical object, with a blue-green haze top and bottom and red on either end.' Nicholas Borthwick, Richard, and Tim Heddington also saw the object. Miss Margaret Joy of Chard provided a vivid description of a powerful beam of light, like a searchlight, originating from the ground and swinging. She also described what appeared to be 'two legs' descending from the base of the object. Other sightings in Chard included flashing lights and an 'upturned dome' object.

Burton Sighting: Silent Lights

On October 24, 1978, scores of local people in the Burton area reported seeing a silent UFO with white and red lights. The sightings occurred between 6:45 and 7:15 p.m. Descriptions were remarkably similar. Airport authorities at East Midlands airport suggested the bright lights could have been landing lights of an aircraft, but witnesses insisted the object flew silently. An airport officer also saw something flying silently over Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Mr. Ivor James described seeing three bright lights in a horizontal line that later formed a triangular shape, and then changed to four red lights in a diamond shape before moving off very fast. Burton police received three calls about the sighting within 20 minutes. The airport reported no unusual radar contacts.

Mount Blanc and Mulhouse Sightings

Reports from France include a sighting above Mount Blanc on September 27, 1978. Two hunters from Chamonix observed an object with an incandescent end emitting two beams of gas. The object then developed a nebulous halo and moved north. A similar sighting occurred ten days earlier in the same area. In Mulhouse, on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday (prior to September 8, 1978), witnesses reported seeing luminous balls coming from the north, flying at low altitude and silently, then ascending rapidly. The objects were described as plate-shaped with a hemisphere on top, about 25 meters in diameter, and were not considered conventional aircraft.

Ancient Egyptian UFOs

An intriguing report suggests the existence of UFOs in ancient Egypt. It is claimed that Professor Alberto Tulli's archives, recently deceased, contain a text translated by Prince Boris de Racherwiltz. This text reportedly describes a squadron of flying saucers in ancient Egypt and is said to be part of the annals of Thoutmès III. This implies that flying saucers were known to Egyptians in the 18th Dynasty, approximately 15 centuries before Christ.

Dundee Sighting

Residents in the Charleston area of Dundee reported seeing an unidentified flying object high over the city on the night of October 13, 1978. One witness, Mark Stewart, described it as flashing and a bright bluish-white color, definitely not a star. A spokesman for RAF Leuchars stated they had received no reports and that nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

Stacksteads Quarry Sighting

On Saturday, October 14, 1978, an unidentified flying object was spotted over Stacksteads quarry. Mr. Mike Sacks described seeing an orange/white object flying parallel to the ground at about 600ft high. It was reportedly three times the size of an aircraft and 50 times as bright, crossing two-thirds of the sky in about 16 seconds without a sound. Mr. Sacks had seen a similar object 10 years prior but had kept quiet.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings, the consistent descriptions of silent, luminous, and often rapidly moving objects, and the sense of mystery and sometimes fear associated with these encounters. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these events factually, presenting witness accounts without overt skepticism, and highlighting the lack of conventional explanations. The involvement of authorities like the police and RAF, and the attempts to gather evidence (such as filming), underscore the seriousness with which some of these sightings were treated. The inclusion of ancient Egyptian accounts broadens the scope of the UFO phenomenon beyond contemporary observations.