APCIC - Vol 04 No 07 - 1979

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center newsletter, dated July 1979, Volume Four, No. 7, presents a collection of UFO sighting reports from various locations. The cover prominently features the word 'UFO' with headlines such as 'More UFO Sightings Revealed,' 'UFO seen over Lake Michagan,' and 'UFO? Spotted Over Brazil.' The center is based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Key Articles and Reports

Colusa, California Sighting

The *Sun-Herald* reports on a UFO sighted near Colusa, California, on May 29, 1979. Carlos and Ruben Genera described a silver-colored, bullet-shaped object with intensely brilliant beams of light hovering over the Sacramento River. They estimated its altitude to be about 1,000 feet. The object emitted a 'steady hum' and had bright lights on its sides and tail, with lighted portholes underneath. This sighting differed from a previous one by Bill Pecha, Jr., who reported a saucer-shaped object with a dome and tentacles on September 10, 1976. The Genera brothers noted that animals along the river and at nearby farms became agitated during the sighting.

UFOs Defy All Logic - Charlotte, North Carolina

Dolores Lavelle, Trends Editor for the *Enquirer-Journal* (Monroe, N.C.), recounts a personal sighting on June 8, 1979. She and her husband and son witnessed an orange-red light moving fast and high, which then curved toward the highway and dropped straight down, while a green light remained stationary. The red light then shot back up toward the green light. Lavelle struggled to explain the event logically, concluding it was a UFO. She contacted Wayne LaPorte, a local UFO investigator, who noted the sighting occurred along a known fault line.

Menacing UFO Chases Terrified Connecticut Teens

A report from *Modern People* (Franklin Park, Ill.) on June 17, 1979, details an incident where 14 young campers in Connecticut were chased by a menacing flying saucer on May 28th. The object was described as a pulsating, metallic saucer, about 20 feet in diameter, hovering silently before emitting a high-pitched whine and moving towards the campers. The object, described as flat with a shiny bottom and a reddish-glowing dome, revolved and was surrounded by a purplish mist. The campers fled in panic, and the saucer then shot straight up.

UFO Over Sutter County?

The *Evening Tribune* (San Diego, Calif.) on June 8, 1979, features a letter from a reader who described seeing a large silver disk float down from the sky at Mount Laguna, resting on the grass before rising and emitting a humming sound. The reader expressed frustration with skepticism surrounding UFO sightings. Dr. Barbour, in his response, acknowledged the report and suggested that leaders' attitudes contribute to public skepticism.

Another report from the *Appeal-Democrat* (Marysville, Calif.) on June 26, 1979, discusses a sighting by John South, a former Air Force member, of a light-colored, saucer-shaped object over Sutter County. The object made no sound and left no contrail. The Beale Air Force Base Information Office suggested it might be a weather balloon, but the Center for Science and Research and the UFO Sighting Center in Washington State had no related reports.

UFOs in the Philippines

Reports from the Philippines mention an Unidentified Flying Object flashing a rainbow of colors seen over Luzon. Additionally, an American scientist claimed to have seen a UFO land with hundreds of villagers in the southern Philippines. Military authorities ordered an investigation, but no findings were announced.

Across the Editor's Desk - Grantsburg, Wisconsin

Gary Nelson of the *Burnett County Sentinel* (Grantsburg, Wisc.) on June 13, 1979, discusses a tip about a strange red and white light possibly being a UFO that may have ripped the breasts out of 20 chickens on a farm. Despite an investigation by reporter Jeff Phillips, no concrete evidence was found. Deputy Fred Wahl and Police Chief Tom Robinson suggested that a coon or skunk might have been responsible, possibly entering the chicken coop after a brooder house light burned out.

Skylab Falling

Nelson also includes a warning about Skylab, NASA's satellite, which was expected to fall out of the sky soon. NASA did not know when or where it would hit, advising people to listen to the news for updates.

UFO Sighting - Kingsport, Tennessee

The *Times-News* (Kingsport, Tenn.) on June 5, 1979, reports on a sighting by Mrs. Romelda Gillenwater and others at Miller Village Apartments. They witnessed four flashing yellow-white lights that lit up the area. Mrs. Gillenwater had previously seen green and yellow lights in March, which she described as a round object.

ORION Member Unable To Explain The Sighting

Gary Brink, a member of the investigative organization ORION, investigated the Miller Village Apartments sighting. He stated that radar operators at Tri-City Airport reported no unusual activity but noted 'interference' possibly due to temperature inversions. Brink found the sighting difficult to explain, noting the object's low altitude and lack of noise.

Group Has Close Encounter of Some Kind - San Bernardino, California

The *Sun* (San Bernardino, Calif.) on June 13, 1979, details a sighting by three 11-year-old boys who observed three white, flat, circular objects hovering in a triangular pattern over the mountains. They believed the objects lost energy and came to collect solar power. Later, a teacher, Kaye Lawson, and 25 other persons witnessed 20 flat, silver, sparkling, circular, and triangular objects hovering and moving in patterns, defying gravity. These objects also made no noise and disappeared suddenly. Alvin Lawson, an English professor and UFO investigator, noted that daylight sightings have more credibility but that 90 percent are explainable.

The UFO's Are Back in Daingerfield, Texas

The *Citizens Journal* (Atlanta, Texas) on June 7, 1979, reports on a sighting by Patsy Watson in Daingerfield. She saw a saucer-shaped object with rotating red and white lights hovering in an open lot. A Morris County Sheriff's dispatcher also reported hearing a loud humming noise and seeing an object approximately 1000 feet away.

Family 'encounters' lights in sky - Chicago Tribune

Patricia Leeds reports in the *Chicago Tribune* on June 26, 1979, about authorities investigating reports of up to 20 brightly lighted, unidentified objects seen near Lake Michigan. Mara Vilcins described a large, oblong object with a rounded back, different lights, and windows, which swooped low over the highway and hovered over their car. The sighting occurred near Sawyer, Michigan.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently presents reports of UFO sightings with a tone that suggests a genuine phenomenon is occurring, often highlighting the inexplicable nature of the events and the skepticism faced by witnesses. The inclusion of personal accounts, witness testimonies, and the efforts of UFO investigation groups like A.P.C.I.C., ORION, and the Center for UFO Studies, indicates a stance that takes these reports seriously. The publication aims to collect and disseminate information on UFO phenomena, encouraging readers to report their own experiences. There is an underlying theme of challenging conventional explanations and encouraging open-mindedness towards the possibility of extraterrestrial or unknown aerial phenomena.

The National Enquirer, issue dated June 5, 1979, features a prominent cover story detailing the FBI's involvement in the investigation of widespread animal mutilations. The magazine also includes reports on various UFO sightings and related phenomena from different parts of the world.

FBI Joins Investigation of Animal Mutilations

The lead article, by William Barnhill, Bob Pratt, and David Wright, reveals that the FBI has joined the investigation into the bizarre mutilation of thousands of grazing horses and cattle across an 18-state area in the United States. These attacks have been linked to UFOs. The disclosure was made at a conference of officials from seven states where the problem is severe. Senator Harrison Schmitt (R.-N. Mex.), an ex-astronaut and scientist, declared that the situation is either a UFO phenomenon or a massive, well-funded conspiracy. At least 8,000 cattle and horses have been butchered with surgical precision over an estimated 1.28 million square mile area, stretching from Tennessee to Oregon, since the mutilations began around 1970. This area represents more than a third of the continental United States' land area.

• Key findings from the investigations include:
• No tire marks, footprints, or other signs of human activity near the mutilated carcasses.
• Only the blood and certain parts, usually reproductive organs, are removed.
• Trace elements found on and in some carcasses are identical to those collected after a UFO sighting in New Mexico.
• Buzzards and coyotes refuse to eat the mutilated animals.

Senator Schmitt, who holds a Ph.D. in geology, noted that local and federal law enforcement officials have been unable to find leads, necessitating FBI involvement. He stated that the mutilations are as mysterious as they are grisly. The Justice Department authorized the FBI's involvement because several killings occurred on Indian lands, particularly at the Jicarilla Apache Reservation in Dulce, New Mexico.

Gabe Valdez, a veteran New Mexico state trooper who has investigated over 30 attacks, reported that UFO sightings often coincide with mutilations. He questioned the possibility of predators being responsible, citing evidence of carcasses being lifted and clamp marks on legs, and the precise removal of organs through small wounds.

Dr. Henry Monteith, an engineering physicist at Sandia Laboratories, revealed that local Indians are terrified by the mutilations, burying carcasses immediately and refusing to discuss the events, believing they are done by 'star people' who know what they are doing. Dr. Monteith is convinced that aliens from outer space are responsible and are using the animals for their study of life on Earth.

Other investigators, including police, scientists, and UFO researchers, agree that UFOs are the most plausible explanation. Richard Sigismund, a psychologist and UFO researcher, suggests that the perpetrators are well-equipped, highly capable airborne entities, leading to the hypothesis of unidentified aircraft.

District Attorney Eloy Martinez of Espanola, New Mexico, is seeking a $40,000 grant to aid in the investigation, admitting that prosecuting an alien is a possibility.

Mystery Surrounds Sighting Of Strange Object In Dyersburg Skies

This article by Lindy Wilder describes a personal UFO sighting over Dyersburg, Tennessee. The writer, initially skeptical but open-minded, witnessed a startling phenomenon around 7 p.m. on a Saturday. The object was stationary, rectangular-shaped, reddish, and flame-like, hovering for several seconds before moving upward and fading into the clouds. It made no sound and was not shaped like a weather balloon or known aircraft. The writer found it difficult to judge its size and elevation. The Dyersburg Airport official could offer no explanation, suggesting it might have been an illusion or a light reflection.

Sandy Hook UFO's Still A Mystery

This report from Newtown, Connecticut, discusses follow-up on previous UFO sightings in the Sandy Hook area. Philip Imbrogno, a researcher for the Center for UFO Studies, has been investigating cases where residents reported seeing UFOs. One resident, Frank Catapano, took photos that were sent to 'Ground Saucer Watch' in Arizona. Preliminary analysis suggests the objects may have emitted microwaves, but further computer analysis is needed. Imbrogno believes the objects are not from Earth and that there might be a possibility of radiation or microwaves being emitted.

10 Report UFO Sighting Here

This article from Sonora, California, details a sighting by ten Tuolumne and Sonora area residents of a triangle-shaped object with white, bright lights on its ends. The object was seen flying at about 1,000 feet above the ground, moving slowly from the Tuolumne River canyon towards Sonora and Oakdale. A red light was also observed. MUFON is investigating, and residents are asked to call if they have information.

THE MYSTERIOUS CIRCLE OF LIGHT

This letter to the editor from George D. Fawcett in Lincolnton, North Carolina, references a previous article about a UFO sighting near Core Creek Bridge. Fawcett shares a report of a motorist near Candor and Eagle Springs, N.C., who encountered a 'beam or circle of light' on the highway, causing the car's motor and headlights to die. The car's systems returned to normal when it coasted out of the light. The motorist re-entered the light twice with the same result before the light disappeared. Fawcett notes that UFOs continue to affect machines and animals worldwide and seeks similar reports from North Carolina.

Giant UFO Bright as the Sun Leaves Thousands Spellbound

This article from the National Enquirer (July 24, 1979) describes a massive UFO sighting in the Canary Islands on March 5, 1979. Thousands of people witnessed a huge, metallic UFO burst from an enormous, glowing mass and race into the heavens at blinding speed. Descriptions varied, with some calling it cylindrical, pyramid-shaped, or cup-shaped. The UFO rose slowly, moved sideways, and then shot upwards. Many witnesses fainted or prayed, believing it was the end of the world. The Spanish government launched a top-secret investigation. Pilots of eight aircraft, including commercial airliners, witnessed the event, but air traffic controllers could not detect it on radar. Eufronio Garcia Monforto, an air charter company president, described the UFO as cigar-shaped and metallic, estimating its speed at 20,000 km/h (12,400 mph). Other witnesses reported headlights failing and cars stopping when the UFO appeared.

'UFO TERRORIZES 3 SMALL TOWNS'

By Jake Herman, this article reports on a mysterious UFO terrorizing three Connecticut communities: Sandy Hook, Newton, and Shelton. Philip J. Imbrogno, a UFO investigator with the Center for UFO Studies, provided a computer-refined photo of a saucer-shaped object, estimated to be 30 to 40 feet in diameter. Witnesses reported skin burns from radiation, light beams penetrating their bedrooms, and unexplained power outages. Some experienced psychic phenomena. Mrs. A.D. of Shelton described her eyes itching and burning after seeing a brilliant object. An IRS agent from Sandy Hook reported seeing an object moving rapidly with flashing red, blue, yellow, and white lights.

40 witnesses report spotting eerie UFO speeding in the sky

This article from New York, N.Y. (July 3, 1979) details a sighting by 40 people outside a hotel during the 1979 World UFO Congress in Bogota, Colombia. Radio journalist Jairo Daza took photographs of the fast-moving, brightly-lit disc-like object. Witnesses reported a tremendous weight and pressure, nausea, and sickness. Dr. Armando Marti, a Colombian researcher, noted similar symptoms in other sightings. Biochemist Julian Solano Holguin collected evidence of a landing, finding a 16-foot semicircle with yellowed grass and metallic specks. Dr. Allen Hynek, a leading UFO investigator, will study Daza's photographs.

UFO Sightings Pieces Of Skylab?

This article from Clarksville, Tennessee (June 22, 1979), reports two residents spotting 'great balls of fire' near Fort Campbell. The post control tower denied UFO reports. Conrad Hester described a 'HUGE ball' racing through the sky at high speeds, belching fire. Bill Singerhoff reported a similar craft near his home. The article speculates if these could be pieces of Skylab falling to Earth, but notes the speeds and brightness are mystifying.

Half of Lincolnites nix idea of close encounters

This article from Lincoln, Nebraska (June 23, 1979), discusses a poll by Selection Research Inc. for the Lincoln Journal, which found that 32% of respondents believe UFOs are from other planets, 50% believe they are not, and 19% are undecided. Pollster John Sheehan noted a strong age trend, with younger people being more likely to believe. Dr. Allen J. Hynek, director of the Center for UFO Studies, commented that younger generations grew up with UFOs. The article also mentions two recent close encounters in Nebraska: a farmer reporting holes in his cornfield and a pilot reporting a bright light in the sky that air traffic control could not detect. Robert Gibble of the UFO Reporting Center in Seattle agreed with the age trend, and John Say, a chemistry professor, expressed skepticism about UFOs, attributing the cornfield holes to lightning.

Damaged Alien Spacecraft Is in Orbit Around Earth

This article from the National Enquirer (July 17, 1979) reports that top Russian space scientists claim to have discovered a damaged alien spacecraft in orbit around Earth. Professor Sergei Petrovich Bozhich stated they are convinced it's a crippled spacecraft from another planet. Dr. Henry Monteith, a U.S. physicist, called the possibility 'very exciting.' The Soviets first spotted the wreck in the early 1960s. They tracked 10 fragments, concluding they originated from a single piece that exploded on December 18, 1955. The fragments suggest a craft at least 200 feet long and 100 feet wide. Russian experts ruled out meteors, and an American scientist noted that orbiting meteors are unheard of. The article also references a 1969 article in 'Icarus' by John P. Bagby, which discussed evidence of at least 10 close natural moonlets that broke off from a larger parent body, also dating their formation to December 18, 1955. Physicist William Corliss noted the corroboration of the Russian findings. Dr. Henry Monteith believes the pieces could be reassembled on Earth. Dr. Aleksei Zolotov estimated alien heights between three and nine feet. Professor Kazantsev suggested a joint U.S.-Soviet mission to retrieve the fragments.

UFO Sighting Reported By D'Field Residents

This article from Daingerfield, Texas (May 31, 1979), reports a sighting of an unidentified flying object by Patsy Wasson. She described a saucer-shaped object with red and white lights, hovering and rotating, emitting a humming noise. The object was estimated to be about 25 feet across. Morris County Sheriff's Department officers arrived too late to see the object but checked the vacant field for landing marks. Dispatcher Jena Cox reported hearing a loud humming sound and sighting an object with a red rotating light and a white light, resembling a helicopter, traveling north by northeast.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of the National Enquirer revolve around UFO sightings, alleged alien activity, and government investigations into these phenomena. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of presenting these reports as credible, often quoting experts and witnesses who support the existence of UFOs and alien intelligence. There is a clear emphasis on the mysterious and potentially alarming nature of these events, highlighting the lack of conventional explanations and the involvement of official bodies like the FBI and NASA. The articles suggest a growing public and scientific interest in UFOs, with a focus on evidence gathering and the implications for humanity. The editorial tone leans towards sensationalism, aiming to capture the reader's attention with extraordinary claims and eyewitness accounts, while also attempting to lend an air of authority through the inclusion of scientific and law enforcement perspectives.

This issue of the Yorkshire Post, dated May 21, 1979, features a prominent article by Roger Ratcliffe reporting on UFO watchers in Yorkshire. The cover headline, "'A red object towering in the sky'," immediately signals the issue's focus on unidentified aerial phenomena.

'A red object towering in the sky'

The lead article details a sighting over the Seacroft estate in Leeds on the evening of March 13, 1978. Witnesses described the object as a "billowing pink cloud" or a "brilliant white light." However, radar scanners at Leeds-Bradford Airport, RAF Bawtry, and RAF Leeming reported nothing suspicious. Despite detailed descriptions from two witnesses, the object remains unidentified.

The report highlights the work of brothers Graham and Mark Birdsall, who have established a UFO investigation centre in Leeds. Since opening in September 1978, they have received numerous reports from various individuals, including schoolgirls, a company director, a dancing instructor, and a policeman. They have compiled these alleged close encounters into a 27-page dossier.

One of the most curious reports, besides the Seacroft sighting, involved two schoolgirls sledging in the Meanwood Valley area of Leeds in February 1979. They saw a "bright cluster of lights" that appeared to land in a nearby field. The object then rose and briefly touched down again. The girls led the brothers to the site, where a "roundish depression" was found. Small black stones from the depression were analyzed at Leeds University for traces of radiation, but the report found no such traces, suggesting they were likely coal waste. Local air-traffic controllers and RAF stations had no reports of aircraft in the area at the time.

The Birdsall brothers have received reports from Ripon and Sheffield, among other locations. They emphasize that they carefully vet witnesses to avoid "wild goose chases." Approximately two-thirds of the objects reported to them remain unidentified. Graham Birdsall noted a potential, though unconfirmed, connection between UFO sightings and aircraft crashes in North Yorkshire, expressing a desire to study this further but facing difficulties in obtaining information from authorities.

Other UFO Sightings and Related News

The issue also includes reports from other publications:

• Sunday Times (June 10, 1979): Reports from Melbourne, Australia, about television newsman Quentin Fogarty, who claims a UFO sighting experience dramatically changed his life, causing him trauma, health issues, and strain on his marriage and friendships. A documentary film of the sighting was confirmed by American experts as the best evidence of UFO existence ever examined.
• Liverpool Echo (March 19, 1979): Reports on an "orange ball of flame" seen over Lancashire, Wales, and other parts of Britain, with experts trying to determine if it was a meteorite or debris from a space vehicle re-entering the atmosphere.
• Dunstable Borough Gazette (May 11, 1979): An article titled "Encounter of 'intriguing kind'" details Mrs. Marjorie Barker's experience of seeing two very bright lights moving in a semi-circle through the sky with no noise, which she found eerie but not frightening.
• Nottingham Evening Post (May 18, 1979): A letter from Jenny Sallis (Mrs.) addresses a debate about ufology, defending it as a pursuit of wisdom and a study of theories, and stating that UFOs are one of the most important mysteries of present-day life.
• Wembley Observer (April 20, 1979): Reports that girls in West Harrow claimed to have seen a dome-shaped object with flat sides and rows of red and white lights hovering and turning slightly.
• Lancaster Guardian (March 16, 1979): A young couple, Mr. and Mrs. David Tobbell, reported a "massive" dome-shaped object with a silver underside and flashing red domes hovering above their car near Morecambe.
• Gloucester Citizen (March 19, 1979): Families in Painswick reported a fiercely glowing object, initially mistaken for an exploding aeroplane, which flashed and appeared to fall.
• The Honolulu Advertiser (May 28, 1979): Reports a disc-shaped UFO with flashing lights over Legazpi, Philippines, described as having an "unearthly" glow and being the size of a man's fist. It also mentions an American scientist claiming to have seen a UFO land in the southern Philippines.
• Cornish Guardian (May 17, 1979): Mr. William Bollman of Camelford reported seeing a bright object hovering in the sky above Roughtor, estimating its size and suggesting it might be controlled.
• Norwich Mercury (May 11, 1979): A milkman was "stunned" by a large, reddish-yellow, dome-shaped object hovering in the sky at Wymondham before flying off at high speed.
• Crewe Chronicle (May 10, 1979): Dramatic photographs of an unidentified flying object taken over Crewe in August 1978 are still being examined by photographic experts.
• Leicester Mercury (April 23, 1979): A mystery sighting of a bright yellow light, travelling very fast, was reported over Desford.
• Manchester Evening News (February 10, 1979): Two readers, June Dixon and Joanne Carroll, reported seeing similar strange lights in the sky on December 6, 1978, describing them as bright red and green lights arranged in a triangle, with no sound.
• North Devon Journal (March 15, 1979): Two Bideford children reported seeing a bright orange light with smoke coming from it, similar to a UFO sighting reported by other local boys.
• Adur Herald (May 18, 1979): A trainee nurse, Leigh Chandler, reported a close encounter with a "flying saucer" described as an orange glow in the sky, shaped like a football cut in half, which she saw near Durrington.
• Oldham Evening Chronicle (March 16, 1979): Mrs. Clark and Mrs. E. Holden reported seeing a bright pink light and then two small lights hovering over the Glodwick area in Oldham.
• Wakefield Express (March 16, 1979): The Aetherius Society claims a Martian spacecraft is orbiting Earth and predicts increased UFO activity.
• Tribune-Herald (May 15, 1979): Reports from Hilo, Hawaii, discuss the difficulty residents face in reporting UFO sightings and getting official responses, with authorities often dismissive.
• Bognor Regis Post (May 26, 1979): A man reported seeing a "strange object in the sky" that alternated between red and brilliant white, intermittently shooting off sparks.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout these reports are the visual descriptions of unusual lights and objects in the sky, often accompanied by a lack of sound. Many witnesses express a sense of awe, intrigue, or even fear. A common thread is the difficulty in obtaining official confirmation or explanation from authorities, including police, air traffic control, and the military. The articles often highlight the skepticism faced by witnesses, while also presenting their accounts as credible observations. The overall stance of the publications appears to be one of reporting these phenomena as news, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, with some articles leaning towards presenting the evidence seriously.

This issue of the Eltham Times, dated April 19, 1979, delves into the phenomenon of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) with the cover headline "Encounters of third kind—or in mind?". The magazine explores local investigations into mysterious lights and objects, questioning whether they are mundane aircraft or something more extraordinary.

Local Investigations and Ufology

The central figure in the local investigation is Mrs. Margaret Fry of Bexleyheath, an investigator for the Contact UK group. She has been investigating UFO sightings in the Kent area for two years, typically receiving about two sightings every two months. Mrs. Fry estimates that out of approximately 900 annual sightings nationwide, 11% are identified as UFOs, with the remainder being natural phenomena or aircraft. She notes that it takes about seven weeks to assess each case.

Mrs. Fry distinguishes between different types of UFOs. She describes a sighting by a pensioner in Danson Park, Bexleyheath, of a football-shaped object with windows hovering and revolving, which discharged a grey cloud. Mrs. Fry categorizes this as a "very typical sighting" and a "planetary probe" designed to measure the atmosphere, which returns to a "mother craft." Another sighting in the same area, by a different lady, involved a cigar-shaped object high in the sky, which Mrs. Fry suggests could have been a "mother craft."

Mrs. Fry's personal journey into ufology began after she had personally witnessed many UFOs. She believes that "people should know what is happening" and that we are being visited by beings from planets within our own solar system. She criticizes the press for sensationalizing UFO reports, often portraying them as "mysterious lights" rather than "real objects."

To support her argument about the public's need for information, Mrs. Fry cites the case of a Plumstead woman who required psychiatric care after seeing what she believed was a UFO. The woman's story was initially disbelieved, leading her to question her own sanity.

How to Report a UFO Sighting

The magazine provides guidance on who to contact for UFO sightings. Contact UK is presented as one of several groups dedicated to investigating these phenomena. Other mentioned groups include UFOIS and the UFO Information Network, which contributes to the magazine "UFO Review." Mrs. Fry emphasizes that professional scientists and astronomers thoroughly check every reported sighting. Contact UK, based in Oxford, works closely with air-traffic control authorities.

The article lists contact persons for various local districts:

• Mottingham and Eltham: Paul Pinn (01-857 0725)
• Dartford: Maureen Weaven (Dartford 75973)
• Swanley: Malcolm White (Swanley 68786)
• Orpington: Larry Dale (Orpington 39587)
• Any other local district: Mrs. Fry (01-301 3458)

Mrs. Fry sternly warns against fake calls and practical jokes, stating that the subject is taken very seriously.

International UFO Reports

Beyond the local focus, the issue includes several reports from other publications:

• Easton, MD, USA (Star Democrat, June 14, 1979): Michael McGrath reported seeing a mysterious "hovering type vehicle" with five lights near Easton, which did not behave like a conventional aircraft or helicopter.
• Kent, England (Courier, May 4, 1979): J. W. Rennie described a "weird" looking UFO seen over Silverdale two weeks prior, which was slow-moving, noiseless, and resembled "Concorde with its tail cut off."
• Luton, England (Dunstable Borough Gazette, May 4, 1979): Geoffrey Baker reported a mysterious pale blue light hovering over Warden Hill that suddenly shot straight up into the sky.
• Market Drayton, England (Stoke-on-Trent Evening Sentinel, May 1, 1979): Les and Olive Whalley saw three bright, slow-moving white lights in the sky that they could not identify as conventional aircraft or meteorites.
• Bastia, France (Nice Matin, May 15, 1979): A reader described seeing an oval, silver-colored object moving at high speed, estimated to be at an altitude of 2000 meters.
• Cercoux, France (Sud-Ouest, March 24, 1979): Two inhabitants saw a luminous circle, 5 to 10 meters in diameter, moving at ground level.
• Peruvian Amazon (Le Bien Public, March 26, 1979): A UFO flotilla reportedly interrupted communications between Bolivian and Ecuadorian radio-operators.
• Denmark and Sweden (La Montagne, April 20, 1979): Luminous phenomena were observed, including a luminous ball with a long tail and several other luminous balls, which experts suggested could be meteorites or disintegrating satellite debris.
• Montbéliard, France (La Montagne, March 27, 1979): In an unusual report, tenants of a building claimed their hamster died after they observed a light moving vertically in the sky.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the investigation of these phenomena, and the potential for extraterrestrial visitation. The editorial stance, as represented by Mrs. Fry and the selection of articles, suggests a serious approach to the subject, advocating for public awareness and providing resources for reporting sightings. There is a clear distinction made between mundane explanations and the possibility of genuine, unknown aerial objects and potential alien visitors. The inclusion of international reports broadens the scope of the UFO phenomenon beyond the local Kent area.