APCIC - Vol 04 No 05 - 1979

Magazine Overview

This issue of the AERIAL PHENOMENON CLIPPING INFORMATION CENTER, dated MAY 1979, is Volume Four, Number 5. Published by A.P.I.C.I.C., it is a monthly publication covering UFO sightings and related phenomena. The cover prominently features the word "UFO" and headlines about sightings in various locations, including "More UFO Sightings Revealed," "UFO seen over Lake Michagan," "UFO? Spotted Over Brazil," and "UFO sighting in Guelph."

Key Articles and Reports

UFOs Sighted Falling at Tahoe (South Lake Tahoe, Cal. Tribune, April 16, 1979)

This article by Ed Moore details two unidentified flying objects that fell to earth with a "bright flash" early Sunday morning in the South Shore area of Lake Tahoe. Two on-duty police officers and citizens reported seeing the orange objects fall between Freel Peak and Echo Summit. The El Dorado County sheriff's department was reviewing the reports. Witnesses described the objects as not having tails and emitting a bright flash upon impact. Additional reports from Lovelock, Nevada, and Shingle Springs, California, described similar green and orange lights falling. A sheriff's deputy also observed bright flashes and possible smoke near Echo Lake. Douglas County sheriff's deputies in Nevada also sighted the orange objects.

UFO Reported Over Lake (Memphis, Tenn. Commercial Appeal, April 19, 1979)

Approximately 10 people reported sighting four bright red lights hovering high above Rob-Co Lake in Southwest Memphis. The lights reportedly transformed into three, then two, then one white light before shooting across the sky and disappearing. Witnesses included Amy Stubert. Robert Ingram, assistant chief of the FAA control tower, estimated the objects were 3,000 to 4,000 feet high. A police helicopter was unable to get high enough to identify them, but they appeared stationary. Similar sightings were reported the previous Saturday.

Six weeks later, flying object still unidentified (Manchester, Conn. Journal Inquirer, April 16, 1979)

This article by Ned Popkins discusses an unidentified flying object seen by a Vernon man and nine others in March 1979. Lawrence Fawcett, the Connecticut investigator for the Center for UFO Studies, stated the object was not an airplane or meteorite. Ronald Mocadlo reported the object changed direction. Fawcett noted that about 90 percent of UFO sightings are explained, but 10 percent remain unexplained. Witnesses described the object as ranging in color from bluish-green to white, about the size of a pumpkin, with no discernible shape. Area airport radar did not detect the object.

The Philippines UFOs (Stevens Point, Wisc. Journal, April 28, 1979)

This report highlights UFO sightings in the Philippines, including glowing objects hovering over three villages and a disc-shaped object sighted in Pagadian City by the police chief, Col. Cipriano Geongson. The object in Pagadian emitted bright, multicolored light and was followed by two explosions before vanishing. A staff member at the Zamboanga station of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported observing a similar unexplained bright object shortly after the Pagadian incident.

Observer of Lights Says 'UFOs' Probably Flares (Memphis Press-Scimitar, April 23, 1979)

Billy J. Ditto, a maintenance technician, believes that unidentified flying objects recently sighted over Coro Lake and Rob-Co Lake were merely flares or flashlights suspended from balloons. He described seeing four red lights that he observed through binoculars and with the naked eye. He stated they were likely man-made flares joined by string or cord, set aloft by a balloon. He expressed a desire to see a flying saucer but felt he had seen similar phenomena before with hydrogen-filled bags and flashlights. Several hundred Memphians reported seeing strange lights, and Robert Ingram of the FAA control tower described the event as unlike anything he had seen in his career.

UFO Sighted Over South Park (Fairplay, Col. Rep. & Fairplay Flume, March 22, 1979)

This article by Richard Blake describes an unidentified flying object sighted in Park County, Colorado. Debbie Robinson and Norma Newguist reported seeing a very large, low-flying, white, and very bright object near Alma. It was flying at an altitude similar to a low-flying helicopter but seemed to be flying even slower. Mary Blake also reported a similar sighting. Sergeant Mike Bergman of NORAD stated that the Air Force had suspended its UFO investigation program, "Project Blue Book," in 1969. The Air Force suggested that citizens report UFOs to local law enforcement if they feel threatened.

Area pilots spot UFO (Festus, Mo. News-Democrat, April 6, 1979)

Two St. Louis-area pilots, Hal Sperling and Paul Lewis, employed by Festus Flying Service, reported following a "UEQ" or bright star-like object while flying from Pittsburgh to Cleveland. Radar at air traffic control centers in Cleveland and Pittsburgh reported no such object. The object reportedly disappeared east of Columbus, Ohio, moving erratically.

They're Willing To Wonder (Charlotte Observer, April 18, 1979)

This article by LaFleur Paisour discusses two Monroe policemen, Keith Hyatt and Gary Haywood, who believe they saw a UFO. Officer Hyatt described a "big white thing that was oval-shaped and real bright around the edges," about 2,000 feet in the air and the size of a quart jar. He admitted to previously laughing at UFO reports but now stated he would be looking out for them. Hoyt Edmisten also reported seeing a "dome-topped blur of light ringed by revolving rectangular lights" near Newton. Airport radar from several cities did not detect anything unusual. Wayne Laporte, who investigates UFO sightings in the Carolinas, noted that the Monroe case might be significant due to a geological fault line in the area, which ufologists believe attracts UFOs.

UFO sighting made (Johnson City, Tenn. Press, April 20, 1979)

An unidentified woman reported seeing a red object hovering in the sky about 9 miles south of Jonesboro. She described the object as barely moving and making no noise. The object appeared near Lamar School. Investigating officers reported sighting nothing in the area, though Memphis-area reports of similar sightings were mentioned.

Fishermen land with tale of possible close encounter (New Bedford, Mass. Standard-Times, April 12, 1979)

Francisco Marreiros and Manuel Pateiro, fishermen on the trawler Christina and Sandra, reported seeing a bright, circular flying object fixed stationary above the water. The object's flashing lights changed color, and it disabled the vessel's Loran system for about 15 minutes. The object was estimated to be about the size of the trawler. A Coast Guard spokesman indicated that very few UFO reports have been filed with them recently.

UFO sighting changes local couple (Lawrence, Kans. Journal-World, April 15, 1979)

Mr. and Mrs. John Pozdro reported seeing a group of unidentified flying objects traveling in a V-formation from east to west at a high rate of speed. The sighting lasted about five seconds before the formation dropped behind the horizon. They contacted the UFO Reporting Service in Washington, which stated such phenomena are common and can be attributed to either extraterrestrial vehicles or time travelers. The Pozdros stated the experience was intriguing but did not significantly change their lives.

UFO sighting worth $2,000 to 2 Charlotte policemen (Charlotte News, March 26, 1979)

This article reports that police officers Ron Arey and Howard Dellinger each received $2,000 from the National Enquirer for their UFO sighting in December 1977. They spotted two illuminated objects hovering near the Coliseum. The National Enquirer offered up to $10,000 for an individual UFO sighting and $1 million for "absolute proof." Ray Bader, an air traffic controller, also received $1,000 for tracking the UFOs on radar. Arey and Dellinger stated they were still hunting for UFOs.

Five UFOs spotted in Auburndale (Winter Haven, Fla. News-Chief, March 27, 1979)

Two police officers and one resident in Auburndale reported seeing five "whitish-yellow round objects" floating over the area. The objects disappeared quickly. This was the second sighting in the Auburndale-Winter Haven area that year. A previous report in January described a similar round glowing object seen by a Winter Haven police officer.

Did the UFO carry small space child? (Gulfport, Miss. Herald, March 19, 1979)

This article details a report by V.B. Phelps of Biloxi River Estates who discovered a strange, five-inch footprint with four claws and a tiny handprint in his yard. He believes it may be connected to a UFO sighting reported in the North Biloxi area. Phelps noted that there were no children in the area with feet of that size. He also recalled a bright light near his residence around the time of the reported UFO sighting. His son, Wallace Phelps, found numerous holes in the ground that appeared to have metal rods shoved into them.

UFO reports (San Antonio Express, March 22, 1979)

A letter to the editor expresses frustration with a newspaper's lack of interest in UFO reports. The writer contrasts this with a television station that provided a complete report on an object seen near Randolph Air Force Base. The Express responds that it receives hundreds of UFO calls annually and has a UFO group it contacts for unidentified cases.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings across different regions, the variety of descriptions of these objects (shapes, colors, behaviors), and the ongoing efforts to investigate and explain these phenomena. The publication, through its selection of articles, appears to lean towards presenting UFOs as a genuine and intriguing subject, even while acknowledging that many sightings are eventually explained. There's an underlying curiosity and a willingness to consider the possibility of extraterrestrial or unknown origins for these events, as evidenced by the title "They're Willing To Wonder" and the "Littlefoot" article's speculative tone. The editorial stance is one of information dissemination, presenting various accounts and investigations without definitive conclusions, thus encouraging readers to ponder the mysteries of UFOs.

This document appears to be a collection of newspaper clippings from early 1979, primarily focusing on UFO sightings reported across various locations in the United States and Canada. The articles detail numerous encounters, witness testimonies, and some preliminary investigations into these phenomena.

Dixon, California - The Tribune (March 1, 1979)

The main article on the cover of The Tribune reports on two additional possible UFO sightings by residents of Dixon. The first incident, on Monday, February 19th, involved four adult males observing what they thought might be a UFO around noon. The second sighting, on Wednesday, February 21st, was reported by Kelly Thompson, Ron Smith, and James Tucker, who saw a possible UFO above the Dixon Dryer around 7:30 p.m. They described it as disc-shaped with yellow, blue, and red lights, and noted it flew away very fast without making a sound. Another resident reported seeing a possible UFO on Thursday, February 15th, above Silveyville Primary School, describing it as a metallic body with circular vents that appeared to be suspended in the air.

Montclair, New Jersey - Aquarian (February 28, 1979)

A separate clipping details a "Policeman Burned By UFO" incident. A UFO research group reported that a California police officer, Manuel Armparano, a five-year veteran of the Kerman police force, claimed to have been injured by a mysterious oval-shaped flying disc. The officer reported being attracted to the desert by a glow, then seeing a glowing oval-shaped disc hover. The object emitted a bright bluish beam of light and shot skyward. Armparano later developed third-degree burns and facial blisters, which medical experts suggested resembled micro-wave radiation burns.

Vancouver, Washington - Columbian (February 19, 1979)

This clipping reports on "Unidentified lights seen" in the night sky on a Sunday, in an area from Battle Ground south to Wilsonville, Oregon. The Portland police records division received about 20 calls from people reporting seeing lights over downtown Portland. Some described three stationary lighted objects, with one close to the ground and two higher. Portland police and the Clark County sheriff's office had no further information.

Abbeville, Louisiana - Meridional (March 15, 1979)

Under the headline "UFOs, anyone?", this article recounts a caller's report of an object described as a "glowing red football, or basketball" that descended, emitted a flash of red light, and a sound. The caller believed it was a UFO, but police suggested it was likely a falling star. Another sighting reported at the beginning of March involved a white light that hovered and then moved away at high speed.

New York, N.Y. - STAR (April 3, 1979)

This article, "Newsman films UFO near SAC air base blowups discover more and STAR", details a "SPECTACULAR UFO sighting" captured on high-quality film by TV reporter Jim Voutrot. While researching a story near Pease Air Force Base, Voutrot filmed a large, round, white object. Upon examining the 15-second film, "THE STAR" found that blown-up frames revealed a second, tiny object close to the main object, with a tail of light, similar to a New Zealand UFO sighting. Voutrot, initially a skeptic, stated the object was not the moon, Venus, aircraft landing lights, or a balloon. Pease Air Force Base reported tracking nothing visually or on radar at the time.

Albuquerque, N.M. - Tribune (April 10, 1979)

This clipping reports on a "Mysterious aircraft seen over ranch." State Policeman Gabe Valdez saw an "unidentified flying aircraft" three miles east of Dulce, described as having red and green lights and making no noise. It was hovering about 100 feet over the ground. The craft reportedly left by going straight up, suggesting it might be a helicopter. The area is known for cattle mutilations, and the ranch owner had lost eight cattle that year.

St. Louis Globe Mo. (April 6, 1979)

"2 area pilots share skies with 'UFO'" details an incident where two pilots, Hal Sperling and Paul Lewis, followed a brightly lit UFO for about 110 miles from Pittsburgh to Cleveland. The object appeared directly in front of their twin-engine Cessna at about 14,000 feet. They contacted air traffic control, which reported no radar contact. The object's light alternated from red to green to white, and it moved erratically. It eventually blinked out near Columbus. Sperling, a skeptic, stated he saw something that appeared to be under intelligent control.

Rio Vista, CA. - Herald (March 28, 1979)

"More UFO Sightings" reports that three teenagers in Rio Vista reported seeing similar UFOs on Saturday night. The objects were described as bright white with red and green flashing lights, and had configurations from round to cigar-shaped. They were spotted over the water tower and the Rio Vista Bridge. The consensus was that the object could have been the Russian Satellite which reportedly fell from orbit.

Toronto, Canada - Star (April 12, 1979)

In response to a question, "No UFOs seen in Metro area", the article states that while there have been reports of mysterious lights, Toronto has not had a major UFO sighting. It mentions a significant "flying saucer" incident in the North Bay area in November 1975, where radar detected "blips" that could not be attributed to aircraft, later explained as unusual layers of ice particles in the atmosphere.

Dixon, Gal. - Tribune (March 15, 1979)

"Fourth UFO sighting reported" details Jeanette Farrell's account of seeing a flying object about 6:45 p.m. on March 1st, over downtown Dixon. She described it as disc-shaped with red, green, and white lights, moving by floating. She stated it was definitely not an airplane, and a spokesman at Travis Air Force Base confirmed no experimental aircraft were at the base. The article also briefly mentions other sightings: Glen Russell and others saw a disc-shaped object on February 19th; three juveniles saw a lighted disc over the Dixon Dryer on February 21st; and an adult woman saw an airplane-like object without a tail over Silveyville school on February 15th.

Bradford, FA. - null (March 14, 1979)

"New UFO sighting reported by couple" describes a sighting by a Bradford couple on Tuesday night. They saw a bright flash, followed by a triangular pattern of red and white lights and a green light. The object appeared to be moving from east to west and then west to east, twice as fast as a small propeller plane. It appeared again and flashed. The object hovered over the Bell's Camp area. Checks with the Bradford Regional Airport revealed no air traffic contacts from north of Bradford that could explain the sighting.

Quincy, Mass. - Patriot Ledger (April 9, 1979)

"But what was it really..." reports on a sighting by about 15 people, including two policemen, of a strange, illuminated object hovering over a house on South Shore. Mrs. Ann Flaherty described it as round, emitting light in an on-and-off manner, and appearing to be revolving. Patrolman Joseph Previti confirmed the object was hovering. The sighting occurred after widespread reports in Quincy, Braintree, and Randolph of a mysterious airborne object. Officials at South Weymouth Naval Air Station suggested the object was an airplane with lighted advertising. Jerry Lopes reported seeing an object over Weymouth that he described as home plate-shaped with red, white, and multi-colored lights. He also reported an earlier sighting on March 23rd in Raynham.

Rexburg, Idaho - Standard (March 27, 1979)

"Western pilots report seeing a bright light" states that aviation officials in California reported a bright light, resembling a meteor, spotted over at least five Western states on Saturday night. Airline pilots reported seeing the object shortly before 10 p.m. Pacific time. Reports came from California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and Colorado. Some witnesses saw a comet-like tail, but the FAA in Reno, Nevada, picked up nothing on radar. An observer at the University of California's Lick Observatory suggested it was a meteor.

Toronto, Ont., Can. - Sun (March 14, 1979)

"Are those UFOs bouncing back?" addresses a reader's question about UFO sightings in Toronto. The article notes that while there have been reports of mysterious lights, Toronto has not had a major sighting. It references a significant incident in the North Bay area in November 1975 involving radar anomalies and large objects seen in the sky, which were officially explained as atmospheric ice particles.

Sonora, Calif. - Union-Democrat (March 27, 1979)

"Lights in The Night" details sightings of bright objects in the sky over Tuolumne county on Saturday night. Eleven people reported seeing bright objects. Eight saw a huge, bright white light, while others reported a fiery orange ball. The reports are under investigation by MUFON to determine if they were UFOs or a Russian satellite re-entering the atmosphere. Two local sightings occurred around 9:30 p.m., with one described as gigantic and luminous, and another as an oval or cigar-shaped bright, white light with a tail. A Phoenix Lake man reported a fiery object earlier that night. The article includes sketches of objects spotted over Rawhide Rd. and Sylva Dairy Rd., showing large tails and smaller trailing bodies.

Pascagoula, Miss. - Press (April 9, 1979)

"Patrolman reports UFO sighting" describes a sighting by a patrolman in Ocean Springs at 3:05 a.m. today. He spotted a "dome looking object with fire spurting from it" twice while crossing a bridge. The object was described as having a fiery orange color and moving at about two mph.

Brockton, Mass. - Enterprise (April 15, 1979)

"Antics In Sky Leave Witnesses Nonplussed" reports on a UFO sighting in Southwest Memphis. Witnesses reported seeing an unidentified flying object that later became three flying objects before disappearing. Officials at the Federal Aviation Administration tower at Memphis International Airport did not see the object but received numerous calls. The calls were referred to the national UFO Center in Seattle. One caller reported a glowing object with several bright lights hovering about 300 to 400 feet off the ground. Some witnesses described it as like a movie, while others felt it was much redder than fire.

Memphis, Tenn. - Press-Scimitar (April 19, 1979)

"Lights in the Sky Have Southwest Memphis Buzzing" details hundreds of people in Southwest Memphis reporting sightings of "red balls and objects resembling stars." The sightings included pilots, FAA controllers, and doctors. Taylor L. Blair reported seeing one red light that appeared stationary, then three more joined it in formation, alternately going on and off. He stated the objects were detected on radar. Robert Ingram, assistant chief of the control tower, confirmed seeing the objects and thought they appeared for a few moments. A police helicopter detected the objects on radar. The objects were estimated at altitudes of 4,000 to 6,000 feet. The sightings were reported to the UFO center in Seattle and were the second night in a week of UFO sightings over Memphis.

Monroe, N.C. - Charlotte News (April 17, 1979)

"Policemen spot UFO" reports that two Monroe policemen spotted an unidentified flying object over a shopping center early in the morning. Officer Gary Haywood described it as a white object, way up high, some distance away, appearing brighter around the edges. He called fellow officer Keith Hyatt, who confirmed seeing a "big white thing" about the size of a quart jar, appearing to be about 1,500 to 2,000 feet up in the air. The object was not smoke or fog, and the light seemed to flicker on and off. It never seemed to move, and appeared to flicker up and down like a weak battery.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout these clippings is the widespread reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena in early 1979. The articles present witness accounts, often from credible sources like pilots and law enforcement officers, and highlight the lack of definitive explanations from official sources. There is a clear interest in UFOs, with various organizations like MUFON and the Center for UFO Studies attempting to investigate and catalog these events. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these incidents factually, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while acknowledging the persistent mystery surrounding many of these sightings. The inclusion of details like radiation burns and radar contacts suggests a serious approach to the subject matter, moving beyond mere speculation.

Title: UFO sightings
Issue Date: March 30, 1979
Publisher: MOUNTAIN DEMOCRAT
Country: USA
Language: English

Main Cover Story: "It's those Russians again"

The lead story, by Staff writer Mike Bowker, details a widespread UFO sighting on the night of March 24, 1979, across California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada. Approximately 9:40 p.m., hundreds of calls flooded police and sheriff offices reporting a large, black and orange, cigar-shaped object that appeared to be gliding silently across the sky. The object was described as having gigantic windows with an orange glow.

George Garcia, a Placerville carpenter, witnessed the event with his wife, Rosemary, their three teenage daughters, and a friend. Garcia described the object as "bigger than a jumbo jet" and "gliding across the sky." Rosemary Garcia, a bookkeeper, added that the object had an "orange glow" from "gigantic windows in a black silhouetted body" and made "no noise at all."

An Auburn city policeman confirmed receiving numerous calls but stated that UFO sightings are not officially recorded unless there is a perceived danger. Initial inquiries to Mather and McClelland Air Force bases yielded no information.

However, an El Dorado sheriff's deputy offered a potential explanation: "It was a Russian satellite" that "came back to earth in a glorified ball of fire."

To investigate further, a call was placed to the Phenomenon Research Center (PRC) in Seattle, Washington. A PRC spokesman confirmed that a Russian satellite did re-enter the atmosphere between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. on March 24th. The spokesman explained that the satellite was observed within a five-state area, appearing as a long, glowing object that traveled parallel to the ground for an extended period, giving it the appearance of a spaceship. The spokesman also noted that many people reported seeing "windows" in the object, and that the satellite "broke up into several pieces over Idaho," leading some people there to believe a "whole fleet of spaceships were descending on them."

Despite the official explanation, Mrs. Garcia expressed lingering doubt, stating, "It's hard to believe it was a satellite, it was moving so slowly. But if that's what they say I guess I'll accept it. But it really is hard to believe."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue focuses heavily on UFO sightings, presenting multiple accounts from different regions and time periods. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these phenomena, exploring potential explanations (such as satellites), and acknowledging the skepticism and fear of ridicule experienced by witnesses. The inclusion of various articles from different newspapers across the UK and USA suggests a broad interest in the topic and a desire to collate information from various sources.

This collection of newspaper clippings from February and March 1979, primarily from the Eastern Evening News, Chard & Ilminster News, Eastbourn Gazette, and Dartford & Swanley Chronicle, details numerous reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and mysterious lights seen across England.

Lights that fly in the night (Eastern Evening News, Feb 13, 1979)

The main article from the Eastern Evening News discusses the growing phenomenon of UFO sightings, moving from 'things that went bump in the night' to 'lights that fly in the night'. It recounts several incidents: a television film showing a UFO off the New Zealand coast, a brightly-lit object seen by coastguards and others travelling down the East Coast from Tyneside to Cromer on New Year's Eve, and a similar sighting near Thetford by a couple in a car. Air traffic controllers confirmed no aircraft were in the areas at the time.

The article also highlights local sightings over Yarmouth and Gorleston. Several people reported seeing an orange ball of fire in the sky over Yarmouth for up to 24 minutes, described as unlike anything they had ever seen. A teenage girl in Gorleston reported seeing two strange lights hovering overhead, which she described as 'like no other light she had ever seen' and giving the impression they were solid. One light flew off, while the other appeared to follow her bus. Her mother stated the lights were divided, with one flying off but the other appearing to follow her bus.

The author expresses skepticism about all sightings being easily explained away as meteorites, space satellites, the Aurora Borealis, or aircraft. However, the article notes the lack of clear, positive photographs of UFOs, with existing pictures being blurred and grainy, requiring interpretation, similar to the Loch Ness Monster phenomenon.

Boys petrified by UFO 'crash' (Chard & Ilminster News, March 8, 1979)

This report details an incident where two 12-year-old schoolboys, Simon Heighes and Andrew Stuckley, witnessed what they described as a UFO 'crash into a plane' over Holcombe, Chard. At 5:35 pm, they saw a plane flying in a downward spiral when 'a hunk of red glowing stuff' collided with it and clung to it. The plane and the UFO reportedly stayed together for about five minutes, after which the UFO flew off over Chard, with no sign of the plane. The boys were scared but stayed to watch. They noted that planes typically emit red and green lights, and helicopters also have such lights, suggesting the object was not conventional aircraft.

The boys also reported seeing a white, pulsating light in the sky over Halcombe around 7 pm. They described it as moving faster than anything they had ever seen and stated it could not have been a torch as it was not a steady beam. Andrew stated, "I did not believe in UFOs before, but I believe in them this time." Cmdr McGregor of RN AS Yeovilton suggested that the sightings could be explained by helicopters on night flying duty, which would have standard red, green, and white navigation lights, along with flashing anti-collision lights.

Strange Goings On By The 11th Green (Eastbourn Gazette, Feb 14, 1979)

This article reports on a strange object found by Head greenkeeper Mr Dennis Rodway on the Royal Eastbourne Golf Course, near the 11th green. The object, described as silver, measuring 6ins by 4ins and weighing about 1lb, was found in a small crater. Mr Rodway called the police, and the object was taken to the police station. It has since been sent to Slough for laboratory tests. Police Inspector Norman Temple stated they assumed it was still hot when it landed and suggested it could be part of a satellite that had blown up or a gigantic hoax. They were contacting the laboratory at Slough, which records satellite orbits and falling objects. The article mentions two similar incidents involving larger objects in France and Germany. Mr Rodway described the object as lightish grey, like aluminium, and about the size of a coconut, flat on one side where it had fallen, and stone cold, though he speculated it might have been hot when it fell.

Airship or UFO? (Dartford & Swanley Chronicle, March 15, 1979)

This short piece asks whether an object seen hovering in the sky over Charlton Farm, Swanley, in August was an airship, a weather balloon, or a UFO. UFO expert Mrs Margaret Fry of Contact (UK) reported seeing what she initially thought was the 'Goodyear' airship on August 13, but later discovered that craft was not in the country at the time. She appeals to anyone who might have seen the airborne object to come forward.

Lights in the sky mystery continues (Essex County Standard, March 9, 1979)

This article from the Essex County Standard discusses ongoing reports of unidentified flying objects over north-east Essex. The newspaper has received over a dozen reports from people who have seen an object with four lights (two big, two small) flying at a low level over the Brightlingsea area. The previous Friday, the Standard had published a story about three sightings in the Brightlingsea area, and on Friday night, five people claimed to have seen a brightly-lit object hovering over the town centre before disappearing. Witnesses are described as firm in their belief that the object was unlike anything they had seen before. The article questions whether the increased number of sightings is coincidental or due to people looking more carefully. It also mentions a sighting by Mrs Janet Partridge of Wivenhoe Road, Alresford, who reported seeing "two bright, white lights" in the sky above Essex University. The lights were close together, with one slightly above the other, and resembled floodlights. The same evening, Mrs Sylvia Usher and her family also reported seeing similar lights while driving along Bowes Road, Wivenhoe.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

A recurring theme throughout these articles is the persistent reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena, ranging from distinct lights and glowing objects to objects found on the ground. The editorial stance, particularly in the Eastern Evening News, is one of cautious inquiry, acknowledging the reports from seemingly credible witnesses while also referencing official explanations and the lack of definitive proof. There's a clear interest in the phenomenon, with newspapers actively soliciting further information from the public. The articles highlight the public's fascination and sometimes fear surrounding UFOs, with some witnesses expressing a shift from skepticism to belief after their experiences. The lack of clear photographic evidence is a common point of discussion, as is the difficulty in distinguishing between genuine anomalies and misidentified conventional objects or even hoaxes.