APCIC - Vol 08 No 03 - 1983

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue: Volume 8, No. 3
Date: March 1983
Publisher: Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center (A.P.C.I.C.), Cleveland, Ohio.

This issue of UFO News provides a collection of recent reports and discussions surrounding unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena, drawing from various newspaper clippings and correspondent reports. The magazine highlights sightings from Dublin, Leeds, Dorset, South Wales, Torquay, Swansea, Beckenham, Hartlepool, Galveston, and Colfax, Louisiana, alongside broader theoretical discussions on the nature of these events.

Key Articles and Reports

Phenomena Buffs Have a Ball (Irish Times, Dublin, Feb 2, 1983)

This article details a series of unusual sightings in Dublin skies in late January 1983, which observers attributed to either extraterrestrial visitors or ball lightning. Dunsink Observatory logged numerous reports of glowing balls of light descending from the sky, some of which appeared to hit the ground. One witness described a pinkish, glowing line that hit the pavement near O'Connell Schools, forming a ball of light the size of a washing machine before disappearing without residue. Other sightings included a 'red dot' descending and vanishing behind a building, and a 'bright flame' passing a window with a distinct 'pop'. Scientists at Dunsink believe some accounts align with ball lightning, a phenomenon not yet fully explained, though some scientists remain skeptical. The observatory expressed interest in receiving further authenticated reports.

'Light in the sky' puzzle in Leeds (Evening Post, Leeds, Jan 31, 1983)

Two motorists in Leeds reported seeing a flash of light across the sky on the evening of January 31, 1983. Coincidentally, the lights in the auditorium of the ABC cinema also came on mysteriously for 30 seconds during the showing of the film 'E.T.'. A weather centre spokesman stated lightning was unlikely, and electricity boards reported no unusual system activity. One motorist described the flash as unlike any lightning he had seen before.

U.F.O. sighting? (Dorset Evening Echo, Weymouth, Feb 2, 1983)

Andrew Robinson, a 16-year-old schoolboy from Salway Ash, reported seeing a circle of five bright lights hovering overhead with his brother. He speculated it could have been a UFO, noting the complete absence of noise, unlike helicopters. The lights remained for a few minutes before disappearing one by one.

Flying triangle (South Wales Echo, Cardiff, Feb 3, 1983)

An ambulance driver reported seeing a mysterious flying triangle over the Barry Gibbonsdown area on January 18, 1983, noting its similarity to a sketch published in the Echo.

Support for UFO spotters (South Wales Echo, Cardiff, Jan 27, 1983)

This letter to the editor discusses a large triangular object seen over Cardiff and other pulsating lights. The writer suggests that given the number of sightings, Wales might be experiencing a UFO flap. The letter advocates for government support and financing for voluntary investigative groups like the British Unidentified Flying Object Research Association.

Lights on Wednesday (South Wales Evening Post, Swansea, Jan 27, 1983)

A reader reported observing three sets of bright lights in a triangular formation travelling easterly over Swansea on January 19, 1983. The lights flashed at intervals, and the observer noted the unusual absence of noise. A shooting star was also seen passing behind the formation.

Bulbs Blew on UFO Night (Herald Express, Torquay, Feb 2, 1983)

Two teenagers in Torquay claimed to have seen an unidentified flying object, a story corroborated by James Jeffrey of the Exeter UFO Research Group. Jeffrey and a colleague were conducting a UFO skywatch on Haytor, Dartmoor, when their car experienced unusual events: five bulbs blew, and there was a drumming sound and static on the car radio. Jeffrey, with 16 years of UFO investigation experience, believes some sightings are inexplicable and refutes the idea that UFOs are mere inventions of cranks.

Tim's book is out (Beckenham Journal, Kent, Jan 27, 1983)

This article introduces Timothy Good's first book, "George Adamski, The Untold Story," which re-examines the controversial claims of UFO contactee George Adamski. Good, a UFO expert and accomplished violinist, spent five years researching Adamski's accounts of meeting extraterrestrials and travelling in spacecraft. Despite the potential for ridicule, Good believes Adamski's claims were genuine.

The violinist and those Things from outer space (Oxford Mail, Feb 8, 1982)

This feature profiles Timothy Good, a violinist with the London Symphony Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic, who is also a dedicated UFO researcher. The article discusses his new book on George Adamski and his conviction that UFOs are real, extraterrestrial craft. Good suggests that governments possess 'irrefutable proof' of UFOs and are involved in a cover-up, citing the CIA's release of UFO-related documents. He believes many people have been contacted by extraterrestrials but remain silent for fear of ridicule or job loss. He also posits that some extraterrestrials may be helping humanity and have infiltrated society, potentially contributing to scientific breakthroughs.

The word is now IDENTIFIED (Hartlepool Mail, Feb 3, 1983)

This article, by Paul Screeton, discusses Paul Devereux's book "Earth Lights," which proposes that many UFO sightings are actually 'earth lights' – a natural phenomenon related to geological and meteorological events, rather than extraterrestrial craft. Devereux argues that these lights are caused by instability in the Earth's crust and electromagnetic events. The article examines several cases from the Hartlepool and North-East regions, including sightings of orange, flaming objects and unexplained electrical interference, in light of Devereux's theory. The author concludes that while this theory may demythologize flying saucers, it offers a reassuring explanation that avoids the prospect of interplanetary invasion.

Bell-shaped objects spotted in sky (Colfax, LA Chronicle, Feb 3, 1983)

Mrs. J.W. Norred reports that her friend, Mrs. Verna Lowe, and others witnessed two flying ball-shaped objects on Sunday evening. One object exploded into small pieces, while the other continued flying. The article also includes local news and health updates.

UFO reported over Galveston (Galveston, Texas City, Texas Sun, Jan 30, 1983)

A UFO witness reported six bright-green lights hovering in formation over East Beach in Galveston on Saturday evening. The lights reportedly departed at a speed faster than an airplane could possibly go. The report was forwarded to the UFO Reporting Center in Seattle.

The Eglwys Wen file on UFOs (South Wales Echo, Cardiff, Feb 11, 1983)

This article details a class project at Eglwys Wen Primary School in Cardiff, where children who had seen a mysterious flying object in the South Wales sky created a frieze and folder with their drawings and descriptions. The project involved 22 children and 29 parents who had spotted the UFO. The children's interpretations ranged from the Millennium Falcon to a simple plane, with some describing it as a flying saucer moving round and round.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO News include the reporting of numerous UFO and unexplained aerial phenomena sightings from various locations, the exploration of alternative explanations for these sightings such as ball lightning and 'earth lights', and the persistent idea of government knowledge and potential cover-ups regarding UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting different theories and witness accounts without definitively endorsing one over another, while also acknowledging the skepticism within the scientific community. There is a clear interest in documenting and investigating these phenomena, encouraging readers to submit their own reports.

This issue of the Whitehaven News Cumberland, dated February 17, 1983, focuses on the enduring mystery of UFOs and other unexplained phenomena. The cover headline, "Seeking explanation of earth's great mysteries," sets the tone for a collection of articles that delve into various sightings and related research.

Earth Mysteries and Psychical Research

The lead article introduces Lesley Park, a former journalist from Cumbria, who is establishing a local Psychical Research Group. The group's aim is to investigate paranormal events, including UFO sightings, ghosts, poltergeists, telepathy, stone circles, and ley lines. Park acknowledges the public's tendency to dismiss such pursuits as crankish, often due to sensationalized media coverage, but stresses the importance of seeking rational explanations.

UFO Sightings from Across the UK and USA

The issue features numerous reports of UFO sightings from various locations:

• Tyne Valley, UK: A couple, Larry and Mrs. Wilkie, reported seeing a bright white rectangular object pulsating in the sky, which then divided into two round balls of light before vanishing.
• Calderdale, UK: Five people, including Jimmy Carter, reported a rectangular object with a scarlet light that hovered for about five minutes before disappearing behind a cloud.
• Stapleton, USA: Multiple witnesses, including Vivian White and her family, described a craft with blue and yellow lights, a bright white light, and a low humming noise. It hovered, moved slowly, and then disappeared.
• Rockland, USA: Residents reported seeing bright red and yellow objects, which police attributed to airplanes, though radar did not detect them.
• Shelton, USA: A man reported seeing a disabled tractor-trailer rig that then ascended vertically into the sky without lights.
• Tallahassee, USA: Brenda Poston described a large, round object with red, blue, and yellow lights, resembling a saucer, which disappeared.
• Fairbanks, USA: A caller reported seeing bright orange lights hovering over the Tanana Flats.
• Torquay, UK: A letter writer, Derry Webster, claims to have seen a spaceship land and experienced ill health, having seen other craft previously.
• Liverpool, UK: Schoolboys Jonathan Brown and Steven Kent reported seeing a green ball with spikes.
• South Wales, UK: Constables Simon Holder and Tim Banks reported seeing a brilliant white object with red and blue flashing lights, with one light appearing to land.
• Macclesfield, UK: Engineer Maurice Wilbraham described an illuminated, inverted white basin-shaped object with flashing lights, traveling east to west.

UFO Research and Skepticism

Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a prominent UFO researcher and former scientific advisor for films like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," is featured. Despite the decline in public interest and funding challenges for his Center for UFO Studies, Hynek continues to analyze reports. He notes that most UFO reports are explainable, but a small percentage remain anomalous. He also addresses the misconception that UFOs are synonymous with "little green men," stating that only about 5% of reports involve "close encounters of the third kind."

Debunking 'Crazy Theories'

An article from the Daily Telegraph discusses "Crazy theories," drawing from the book "Science and Unreason." It critiques pseudoscientific ideas, including the theory that Jesus was an astronaut time traveler, the Earth is flat (as promoted by the International Flat Earth Research Society), and hollow-earth theories. The piece highlights how misinterpretations of scientific statements, like those of Admiral Richard Byrd, can fuel such beliefs. It also debunks biorhythm theories as a "silly numerological scheme."

Government and UFOs

One letter to the editor suggests a deliberate government policy to suppress UFO stories, drawing a parallel to the "dead ponies on Dartmoor" mystery. Another report details how the Ministry of Defence in the UK appears to only investigate UFO sightings if they have implications for national defense, suggesting a lack of interest in other aspects.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a persistent public fascination with UFOs and unexplained phenomena, juxtaposed with a scientific and skeptical approach to investigation. The articles showcase a range of reported sightings, from the mundane to the extraordinary, and highlight the efforts of researchers trying to bring credibility to the field. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, acknowledging the possibility of genuine mysteries while also being critical of unsubstantiated theories and pseudoscience.

This issue of GLOBE, dated March 22, 1983, focuses on a perceived increase in UFO activity over American cities, with the cover headline proclaiming 'Hundreds see fleet over California' and 'UFO SPIES ENCIRCLE AMERICA'S BIG CITIES'. The magazine presents several articles detailing sightings and witness accounts from various locations.

UFO Fleet Over California

The lead article reports that alien spaceships are increasingly being seen over American cities, suggesting a pattern of mysterious surveillance. A fleet of light-blinking UFOs spotted near Los Angeles is presented as the latest evidence. Hundreds of residents in the San Fernando Valley reported seeing flashing lights west of Los Angeles. Police switchboards were inundated with calls, with some witnesses describing the phenomenon as a 'flotilla of UFOs'. Descriptions varied, with some noting white, stationary lights, while others reported lights flashing in various colors that appeared to move slowly over the San Gabriel Mountains and the Los Angeles National Forest. Police officers were urged by agitated callers to take action.

Captain Douglas Marshall from Vandenberg Air Force Base confirmed that some planes were in the air during the period of the sightings, but stated they did not match the number or descriptions provided by witnesses.

UFO expert Sam Denning expressed concern that UFO sightings, which were previously concentrated in remote areas, are now increasingly being reported near dense population centers. He noted that over the past year, UFOs and flashing lights have been observed over or near major cities like New York City, Buffalo, Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, and Houston. Denning speculates that this behavior might be linked to UFOs' historical interest in electrical power sources, which are often located near large urban areas.

Pete Mazzola, a UFO investigator from New York, mentioned that 'fireballs' have been seen over the World Trade Center in New York City and in the Niagara Falls area north of Buffalo.

A Close Shave With a Uni UFO

This article, by Lester Glenister, details an alleged close encounter with a UFO by Neil Bezani and Yvette Brown in Hamilton Hill, Australia. The couple reported seeing an object hovering just above pine trees near Murdoch University around 3 am. Bezani described it as two bright lights at one end of an elliptical ring of flashing lights, with an orange glow around two wing shapes on the tail, and blue-green and red flashing lights. He interpreted the wing shapes as potential motors or steering mechanisms. The object reportedly hovered for 30 seconds before flying off at high speed. Flight operations staff at Perth Airport stated that no aircraft were in the vicinity at the time.

The article also briefly mentions that in Victoria, Australia, on the same Friday night, hundreds of people reported seeing a glowing, colored object speeding low over the state shortly after 6 am. Additionally, a couple from Mt. Lawley claim daily contact with extraterrestrials.

Nebraska UFO Dumbfounds Witnesses

Written by Ken Matthews, this article describes an incident in Nebraska City, Nebraska, where residents and law enforcement officers were baffled by a strange object hovering in the sky. Tauni and Joe Murnan reported that the object spooked their horses, causing them to stampede through croplands. Mrs. Murnan described the object as 'round, glowing and purplish-pink in color' and said it seemed to hang silently in the evening sky. When they looked out again, there were two objects, one about half the size of a Volkswagen beetle, which came down close to the earth and appeared to bounce across a neighbor's garden and the highway. The other object moved south.

County Sheriff Rich Tilson and his deputy arrived at the scene. Tilson suggested that the object might have been a helicopter used to herd cattle, a practice seen in the past. However, he later noted that police officers in three other Nebraska counties had also reported seeing a flash of light in the sky around the same time. Neighbor Phyllis Lyons corroborated the Murnans' description. Tauni Murnan stated the object made no noise like a plane and lacked the flashing lights of aircraft. Another neighbor commented that the object that left traveled at an 'amazing speed' that seemed impossible for any known aircraft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the increasing visibility and proximity of UFOs to populated areas, suggesting a shift from isolated sightings to potential organized observation or surveillance of urban centers. The magazine presents witness testimonies and expert opinions, leaning towards the interpretation that these are indeed anomalous aerial phenomena, possibly of extraterrestrial origin. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these events seriously, highlighting the concerns of experts and the confusion of authorities, and implying that these sightings warrant public attention and further investigation. The focus on 'spying' and 'surveillance' suggests an underlying narrative of potential alien interest in human activities and infrastructure, particularly in major cities.