APCIC - Vol 05 No 08 - 1980

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO NEWS, published by the AERIAL PHENOMENON CLIPPING INFORMATION CENTER in August 1980, is Volume 5, Number 8. The cover features a prominent "UFO" logo and an illustration of a classic flying saucer. The magazine compiles various reports of UFO sightings, unusual animal reactions to these phenomena, and information on military-related experimental vehicles.

Key Articles and Reports

Strange Ways Animals React to UFO Sightings Dr. Harold Heaton, a top university astrophysicist, has collected 373 UFO cases involving animals. He states that animals often react to UFOs before humans are aware of them, exhibiting strong fear such as trembling, barking, kicking, and bellowing. These reactions are considered by Dr. Heaton to be a strong indicator of the reality of UFOs, providing a check against human reactions. He notes that dogs, cows, and horses seem to be the most sensitive, and that their reactions can shift from violent agitation to a docile mood.

UFO Sightings Across the Globe

Philippines Blitz: Thousands of residents in the Philippines witnessed waves of UFOs over three months, from March to May. Col. Paterno Lomongo, superintendent of the national police, expressed concern due to the unknown nature of these objects. One report from farmer Mamerto Demetillo described a bright light near his home, followed by seeing a saucer-shaped object about 20 yards away, with two similar UFOs parked on a road. He observed two people emerge from each craft, forming a circle. The craft were described as about eight feet in diameter, made of aluminum, with four legs, and a ladder. The occupants wore gray rubberized suits. Another significant event on April 19 involved hundreds of people seeing a large "mother ship" UFO from which over 30 disk-shaped objects emerged. An American naturalist, Ron Krupa, reported seeing a starlike object in Mindanao that suddenly disappeared.

United States Sightings:

• Clinch County, Georgia: Four teenagers reported seeing four triangular UFOs with red and orange lights flying in formation, accompanied by a whirring noise. They described the objects as having rounded bottoms and one red light on top.
• Missouri City, Texas: Mr. and Mrs. Murray Newell reported seeing five brilliant green lights in perfect formation hovering over a lake for about 45 minutes. They described the lights as looking like large Christmas bulbs.
• Waterford, New York: Officer Christopher Connelly and two civilians reported seeing a large, star-like object emitting a bright light. The object's origin remained unknown.
• Crystal Hill, South Boston, Virginia: Ten-year-old Peter Brown reported seeing a yellow, disc-shaped object with a blinking light moving across the sky at high speed.
• Northwest Oklahoma: Several people, including sheriff's officials, reported seeing a cigar-shaped object with white lights on the ends and flashing blue, green, and red lights in between.
• Valley Road, Washington: Mrs. Jane Etheridge reported seeing a large, bright red and yellow object hovering silently above trees.
• Enid, Oklahoma: Security guard Beverly Rood reported seeing a large, pale blue, solid mass light moving in the sky, described as about three times the size of a full moon. She later saw a second, similar object.

Australia: A report mentions Aussie cops encountering hairy apemen and dealing with an underground UFO city near Katoomba, Atlantean caverns under Perth, and mysterious tunnels beneath the Nullarbor Plain.

York, Maine: Jonathan Bennett and Bryce Young reported seeing two bright orange lights over the Nubble Lighthouse that stopped and hovered, pulsating with an electric orange color, before turning blue and disappearing.

Military Technology and UFOs

The U.S. Army Transportation Museum at Fort Eustis, Virginia, displays experimental vehicles, including two "flying saucers" tested in the late 1950s that were designed to replace helicopters. These craft could hover and fly horizontally up to three feet above the ground but were discontinued due to uncontrollable pitching. The museum also features a cybernetic walking machine designed ten years prior to the article, similar to those seen in "The Empire Strikes Back."

UFO Research and Information

The A.P.C.I.C. offers a Clipping Service and publishes monthly News Releases. Subscription rates are provided for the U.S. & Canada ($5.00/month) and foreign subscriptions ($6.00/month). Contact information is given for inquiries regarding UFO Update and the Canadian UFO news clippings. The Page Research Library offers a "UFO Communicators Network" with a sample newsletter and catalog available for $2.00.

David Reneke, UFO expert and research director of UFO Research, is seeking information about a "close encounter of the first kind" that occurred nine years prior in Whalan, Australia, where a woman reported seeing an egg-shaped craft shoot a beam of light to the road.

Hayden Hewes, head of the International UFO Bureau, provides a mailing address for those wishing to report UFO sightings. He also notes that reports of cigar-shaped objects with multi-colored lights in the Guymon area were likely stars, and that a large meteorite show was expected.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFO sightings as credible phenomena, often citing eyewitness accounts from ordinary citizens, police officers, and even military personnel. The inclusion of animal reactions and military experimental vehicles suggests an exploration of the broader context and potential implications of UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of UFO-related events, encouraging public participation in reporting sightings and contributing to knowledge in the field. There is a clear effort to collect and disseminate information on UFOs, aiming to increase understanding of these phenomena.

This issue of the Manchester Evening News, dated July 12, 1980, features a prominent cover story titled "WAS THE FIGHTER SWALLOWED BY A UFO?" by Bernard Connor. The magazine also includes articles from various regional newspapers across the UK and USA, covering a range of UFO sightings and related phenomena.

Was the Fighter Swallowed by a UFO?

This lead article recounts the mysterious disappearance of Captain Thomas Mantell on January 7, 1948, near Louisville, Kentucky. After investigating a reported UFO, Mantell climbed to 20,000 feet and was never heard from again. His plane was later found out of control. An official Pentagon report suggested a runaway weather balloon, but this was disputed by witnesses and Mantell's background as a veteran, mature pilot. The article also mentions a similar experience by Lieutenant Harry Combs in 1948, who described a 'greyish globe' that was 'intelligently controlled,' despite the Pentagon identifying it as cosmic-ray research balloons. The piece concludes by suggesting that Mantell may have encountered something from the 'alien world' and was either killed or captured.

We're Astronuts Say Urban Spacemen!

This article from the Southern Evening Echo (July 14, 1980) reports on a survey indicating that 83% of 1400 people quizzed believed in life on other planets and UFO visits. It highlights the changing perception of UFO studies, moving from a 'cranky' image to a more accepted scientific investigation, according to Steve Payton of SCOPE. The article notes over 200 investigated UFO sightings around Southampton, Eastleigh, and Winchester in the past year, including strange red lights and a saucer-shaped object.

Seven Watch As UFO Hovers

From the Staffordshire Evening Sentinel (July 8, 1980), this report details a sighting by seven residents of Abbey Hulton of a hovering object described as large, oval-shaped, with a red-orange color and a humming sound. A 16-year-old witness, Anthony Simpson, contacted the police. Mr. Tony Pace, Research Director of the British UnIdentified Flying Object Research Association, found the sighting unusual due to the sound and peculiar behavior of the object.

Theory on Light Riddle

This piece from the Guardian (July 17, 1980) discusses a panel of scientists appointed by the White House who reported that a mysterious flash of light detected by a satellite over the South Atlantic in September was likely not caused by a nuclear explosion, but by light reflected from satellite debris after a meteorite strike.

It's You Know What in the Night Skies Again

Published in the Woking News Surrey (July 17, 1980), this article details three separate reports of similar eerie sights in the Knaphill area. Michael Randall described seeing two 'orange bars' like an 'electric fire in a dark room.' Another resident reported 'two yellow bars,' and Miss S. Jones saw a 'single, glowing strip.' The Ministry of Defence commented that such sightings could be street lights or car headlamps reflecting on telegraph wires, but did not discount the possibility of intelligent life beyond Earth.

Orange Surprise After Pub Night

From the Reading Chronicle (July 11, 1980), this report features a couple who saw a large, glowing orange light in the sky while returning home from a pub. Mr. Roger Warren, initially skeptical, described the object as very large and glowing orange, while his friend was more convinced it was a UFO.

Couple in York UFO Mystery

This article from the Yorkshire Evening Press (July 11, 1980) describes a couple in York who witnessed a series of flashing lights that grew to six, describing them as 'flying saucers' travelling in a line at about 500 feet. They noted a faint whirring sound. North Yorkshire Police stated there were no recent UFO reports.

Flying Saucer or Star?

From the Shattuck, Okla. Northwest Oklahoman and Ellis Co. News (July 18, 1980), this piece questions whether reported sightings were flying saucers, stars, or space debris. Some observers suggested the objects were stars exhibiting unusual meteorological phenomena. The article notes that descriptions often included cigar shapes, glowing ends, and flashing lights, but the objects did not appear on radar.

Another UFO Seen

This report from the Valdosta Ga. Times (July 24, 1980) features Mary Padgett's sighting of a reddish-orange light that ambled slowly, followed by another light that shot upward, trailing smoke. The incident occurred near Lake Park, Florida. The article also mentions previous sightings in the area and notes that Moody Air Force Base suggested cargo planes might be responsible for some lights.

Report Three UFOs In Area

From the Detroit Mich. Suburban News (July 24, 1980), this article details three separate UFO sightings reported to Farmington Hills police. The objects were described as well-defined oblongs with oscillating tubular lighting. The incidents occurred during a lightning storm, and information was turned over to a UFO investigation center.

My UFO Encounter

This article from The Globe (August 19, 1980) features an interview with Cindy Williams, star of the TV show 'Laverne and Shirley,' who claims to have seen UFOs in the San Bernardino mountains. She describes four lights that 'seemed to rush over the mountain' and then disappeared with incredible speed. Williams believes UFOs are evidence of life beyond Earth and mentions their appearance in the Bible.

Circus Youths Burned by UFO

Also from The Globe (August 19, 1980), this report details an incident where two teenagers working with a circus claimed to be scalded by a mysterious UFO. They described a large circle of light with a streaming tail that stopped, hovered, and then zipped off noiselessly. The youths reported that animals became nervous during the encounter.

UFOs from Inner, Not Outer

By Mark Bowden, this article from Van Nuys, CA (Los Angeles Co.) Valley News (July 20, 1980) explores the work of Matt Graeber, who investigates UFO sightings. Graeber, after a childhood experience of seeing a glowing white disc, became obsessed with UFOs. After years of investigation, he concluded that UFOs are visitors from 'inner space' and that sightings can be explained by psychological factors and the subjective interpretation of aerial objects like balloons or planes.

UFO May Have Been Japanese Model

This article from the Enid, Okla. Eagle (July 23, 1980) suggests that an unidentified flying object reported near Enid might have been a Japanese-manufactured Mitsubishi twin-turboprop airplane. Mike Canaday, an aircraft mechanic, theorized that the bright landing lights of the plane, seen from a specific angle, could appear as a UFO. Pilot Ed Stocker confirmed flying such a plane in the area at the time. The article also touches on the belief that not all UFO reports are airplanes.

UFOs & Psychic Experiences Linked to Natural Disasters

Published in the National Enquirer (July 22, 1980), this article by Larry Masidlover presents a computer study by Canadian scientist Dr. Michael A. Persinger linking UFO sightings with natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The study analyzed over 6,000 reports and suggests UFOs may be drawn to these events out of curiosity. Examples include sightings before the Mt. St. Helens eruption and the San Francisco earthquake. The article posits that these psychic events and UFO appearances might eventually help predict natural catastrophes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout this collection of articles include the persistent mystery surrounding UFO sightings, the skepticism and official explanations often provided (such as weather balloons or aircraft), and the ongoing efforts of amateur and professional investigators to understand these phenomena. There's a clear interest in exploring both the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors and psychological explanations for sightings. The articles collectively suggest a public fascination with the unknown and a desire to find logical, or even extraordinary, explanations for unexplained aerial events. The editorial stance, as reflected in the selection of articles, appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various perspectives from eyewitness accounts to scientific and psychological theories without definitively concluding on the nature of UFOs.

Title: THE STAR
Issue Date: August 26, 1980

This issue of THE STAR, dated August 26, 1980, features a prominent cover story detailing a series of astonishing UFO sightings that occurred simultaneously in four Argentinian cities, hundreds of miles apart. The magazine delves into various UFO-related reports, historical cases, and the ongoing efforts of researchers.

Four Cities, One Instant: The Argentinian UFO Event

The lead article, by Jake Herman, highlights an "INCREDIBLE series of UFO sightings" reported at the exact same time in four cities approximately 500 miles apart. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a leading authority on UFOs, described the event as "the most astonishing in years," emphasizing its significance due to the simultaneous nature across such a vast distance. Reports indicated that the object caused traffic at one airport to standstill, made a pilot veer away from it, confused an air traffic controller, and was photographed by two newspaper photographers working 400 miles apart.

Dr. Hynek noted that the object was reportedly seen in 40 cities across five countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. He stressed that such a widespread, simultaneous sighting suggested the object had to be "awfully high up."

The article provides specific accounts from Argentina:

• Jorge Newbery Airport, Buenos Aires: Air traffic controllers delayed takeoffs at 7:06 p.m. on June 14th due to a UFO. Captain Ignacio Fernandez of Austral Airlines requested taxiing instructions, only to be told by the tower that they saw a "flying saucer to the northeast." Fernandez confirmed he could see the phenomenon and would wait for new instructions.
• Ezezia Airport, Buenos Aires: At the same time, Captain Raoul Lara, while taking off, observed a UFO directly in his flight path and veered away, radioing the tower about a "flying object at 12 o'clock."
• Lan Chile Flight: Captain Ricardo Pizzaro piloting a Lan Chile flight also saw the object. He reported hearing from other planes and airport radar that they were also seeing it. Pizzaro estimated the UFO's speed at around 150 miles per hour, describing it as "like a full moon, but fainter," and surrounded by a "sort of halo."

Meanwhile, Newbery Airport controllers frantically contacted colleagues at other airports. Julio Contero, a Newbery controller, described seeing an "intense light" initially mistaken for a plane, which then became clearer as a "sort of sphere that was dim in the middle and brighter around the edges." Other airports confirmed detecting the phenomenon.

• Pajas Blancas Airport, Cordoba (400 miles northwest of Buenos Aires): Air control operator Edward Barey witnessed an "incandescent cloud" take off from the airfield and ascend to an altitude of 25,000 feet.
• Rosario (halfway between Cordoba and Buenos Aires): Newspaper photographer Jose Enrique Granata saw a bright cloud that moved north and disappeared.
• Corrientes (400 miles northwest): Photographer Omar Vallejos described a "cloud whose center was duller than its edges" hovering over the Parana River, which then moved north and disappeared.

Historical UFO Sightings and Research Efforts

The magazine also features articles on historical UFO research and ongoing investigations:

• 1868 Mystery Ark Sighting: Mr. David Reneke of UFO Research (NSW) and his 12-member team are seeking information about a sighting of "an ark in the sky" over Parramatta Park in 1868 by surveyor Fred Birmingham. Reneke believes this historical account, predating the Wright brothers' flight, could help solve the mystery of UFOs. He notes the common problem of witnesses fearing ridicule.
• UFO Research Methodology: Reneke explains that only about five percent of UFO sightings are worth investigating. Key factors include size, markings, color, time of day, and weather. He also mentions that many UFOs are sighted at dawn or dusk and that there has been a lull in sightings worldwide for the past 18 months.
• Scientific Analysis: Reneke's team works with scientific and technical experts, interviews witnesses, and searches for debris. They use modern equipment for tests like thermoluminescence to detect radiation. They also note that many witnesses describe UFOs flying in an anti-clockwise direction, with some countries reporting anti-clockwise scorch marks in the ground.
• The Valentich Case: The issue revisits the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich on October 21, 1978. A transcript of his final radio communications with Melbourne Flight Service is provided. Valentich reported an unknown aircraft, described as a "long shape" with "green light and sort of metallic" exterior, hovering over his Cessna 182. He stated it was "not an aircraft" and that its speed was unidentifiable. His engine began coughing, and his last message indicated the aircraft was hovering on top of him before contact was lost. The article notes that the plane disappeared after Valentich reported seeing a "bright object" near his aircraft. The film taken by Roy Manifold, showing a UFO off Cape Otway 20 minutes before Valentich's disappearance, was analyzed and deemed not faked, representing a "bona fide UFO."
• San Bernardino UFO vs. Balloon: An article by John Whitehair questions whether a UFO sighted over Norton Air Force Base was actually a child's silver balloon. A resident who released a balloon claimed it was bobbing eastward towards the base. However, a Norton official dismissed the balloon theory, citing wind conditions and the object's reported speed. Other witnesses described the object as a "balloon that had been flattened on two sides" with black dots, while others reported seeing a "green trash can liner" or a "bright light" near the base.
• UFOs in the Soviet Union: James Oberg's "UPDATE" column discusses the sensationalized UFO headlines in American tabloids, tracing them to Soviet sources. He identifies key figures like Feliks Zigel, Aleksandr Kazantsev, Aleksey Zolotov, Vladimir Azhazha, and Sergey Bozhich as central to these reports. Oberg criticizes the embellishment of foreign UFO reports and the misrepresentation of these individuals as "top Russian scientists." He points out that the Petrozavodsk UFO incident was later explained as exhaust trails from a spy satellite launch. The article highlights the difficulty for Soviet officials like Dr. Vladimir V. Migulin in addressing these claims due to state security regulations.
• Perception and UFOs: Dr. Richard F. Haines, a research scientist at NASA Ames Research Center, suggests that many UFO sketches may not accurately reflect what witnesses saw, but rather a "stereotyped image" influenced by photographs. He proposes using recognition charts to help witnesses compose images, but acknowledges that if perceptions are already "short-circuited," this may still be insufficient. He concludes that more research into basic perceptual processes is needed.
• Strange Lights in the Sky: Reports from Stoke-on-Trent describe sightings of strange lights that changed color, disappeared, and reappeared. Witnesses described the object as a "flat bar shape" and later "crescent or triangle-shaped." Another report from Atherstone describes an "orange cigar-shaped craft" circling the village and a "bright light" moving back and forth.
• Jazz Band Illness: An article from the Daily Telegraph London reports on doctors attacking critics who claimed a cover-up of an investigation into a mystery illness that affected a juvenile jazz band. Experts stuck to the theory of mass hysteria, with one mentioning an investigation into a report of a "flying saucer" landing nearby.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFO sightings as a serious phenomenon worthy of investigation, citing expert opinions and detailed witness accounts. There is a clear emphasis on the need for scientific rigor and the challenges of separating credible reports from hoaxes or misidentifications. The publication appears to lean towards the belief that many reported UFOs are real, unexplained phenomena, while also acknowledging the role of psychology and perception. The inclusion of historical cases and international reports (including Soviet claims) suggests a broad scope for UFO research. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging further investigation and public reporting of sightings, while maintaining a critical approach to sensationalism.

Title: THE GREAT HOAX
Publication: SYDNEY DAILY MIRROR
Issue Date: July 23, 1980
Content Focus: Skeptical examination of UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings, presenting them as hoaxes, misidentifications, or natural phenomena.

The Persian Gulf Sighting

The issue begins by detailing a UFO sighting that occurred in August over the Persian Gulf, which was hailed as significant proof of extraterrestrial visitation. A British Airways pilot, along with crews from Kuwait Airways flight 370, and airliners from Switzerland and Scandinavia, reported seeing a flaming, metallic object travelling at incredible speed. A traffic controller in Bahrain described it as shiny and metallic with red flames shooting from the rear, which then turned bright glowing red and exploded, disappearing from sight. Notably, the object was not picked up by radar. Investigations by the governments of Bahrain and Qatar concluded it was a UFO that eventually exploded. However, the article reveals that a U.S.-based organization, the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, investigated and found a simple explanation: it was the rocket booster of Russia's Kosmos-1123 spy satellite burning up as it fell to Earth.

Debunking Astronaut Sightings

The article, with contributions from James Oberg, an investigator for the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, addresses several alleged UFO sightings by American astronauts:

• Gemini 4 (June 3, 1964): Astronaut Jim McDivitt took a photograph of what UFO enthusiasts claimed was a glowing object with a plasma tail. Oberg's investigation concluded the photograph showed only a light reflection off the Gemini's window, and McDivitt likely saw his own booster rocket.
• Gemini 7 (1965): Frank Borman and Jim Lovell took widely publicised pictures of what appeared to be twin oval-shaped UFOs with glowing undersides. This was revealed to be a deliberate forgery, with light reflections off the spacecraft's nose airbrushed to look like UFOs.
• Gemini 12 (1966): Stories circulated that Jim Lovell and Edward Aldrin saw four UFOs linked in a row. In reality, they were four bags of trash thrown overboard an hour earlier, and the astronauts were deliberately misquoted.

Other Puzzling Cases

The article also touches on other incidents that have fueled UFO beliefs:

• Apollo 12 (1969): Pete Conrad, Alan Bean, and Dick Gordon were reported to have joked about a UFO accompanying them to within 200,000km of the Moon. This was a joke with ground control about a tumbling piece of their booster rocket flashing in the sky.
• Apollo 12 (1969): The astronauts were puzzled by a light between them and Earth, which turned out to be the reflection of the moon on the dark Indian Ocean below.

UFO Research and Skepticism

David Reneke, research director of UFO Research, is mentioned in a separate article from the Western Standard (August 7, 1980) regarding a potential 'encounter of the second kind' in Whalan, New Zealand. A woman reported a vivid sighting of an egg-shaped craft that shot a beam of light to the road. Reneke is seeking information from anyone who might have seen something unusual or the craft itself.

However, the main thrust of the Sydney Daily Mirror article is that while some sightings have taken time to explain, the vast majority can be logically accounted for. The article asserts that there is no proof that UFOs are alien spaceships, and many reports are either pure hoaxes or have been doctored to perpetuate the myth of UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the issue is skepticism towards UFO claims. The editorial stance is that most reported UFO sightings are not evidence of extraterrestrial visitation but rather result from misidentification of known objects (like satellites, rockets, or reflections), deliberate hoaxes, or misquoted statements. The publication champions rational, scientific explanations, highlighting the work of organizations like the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, and individuals like James Oberg, who actively debunk sensational claims. The underlying message is that the 'mystery' of UFOs is often manufactured or exaggerated, and logical investigation quickly resolves most cases.