APCIC - Vol 09 No 04 - 1984

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue Date: April 1984
Volume: 9, No. 4
Publisher: AERIAL PHENOMENON CLIPPING INFORMATION CENTER
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

This issue of UFO NEWS, published by the Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center, presents a collection of articles and reports related to UFO sightings and investigations.

Professor Probes Reports of UFOs

This article from the Colorado Springs Sun (February 4, 1984) features Professor Leo Sprinkle, a psychology professor at the University of Wyoming, who has spent 22 years investigating UFO reports. Sprinkle's first sighting was in 1949, followed by another in 1956 with his wife. He has interviewed hundreds of people and used hypnosis to aid recall. His research indicates that UFO witnesses represent a cross-section of society psychologically and often possess some form of psychic ability or ESP. He notes that reporting such experiences can cause fear and anxiety. Sprinkle refrains from speculating on the nature of UFOs but mentions theories that suggest humans are under constant observation, with UFOs being presented in ways that guide evolution. He plans to present a slide-illustrated lecture on his findings.

'Something spectacular'

This article from the Journal staff (date not specified, but context suggests early 1984) discusses the 'boomerang sightings' in Dutchess to Westchester counties, New York, which occurred throughout 1983. Hundreds of citizens reported seeing a blinking, boomerang-shaped UFO. While pilots involved stated they were not UFOs but rather enjoyed flying in formation at night, the publicity surrounding the sightings caused them to wish to remain anonymous, fearing FAA investigation. Philip Imbrogno, a science teacher and investigator for the Center for UFO Studies, believes that while aircraft may explain some reports, a significant portion remains unexplained, citing phenomena like hovering and silent movement as inconsistent with formation flying.

UFO watchers asked to 'call home' to Lima center

This article from The Columbus Dispatch (January 29, 1984) reports on the state of UFO reporting with John P. Timmerman, chairman of the Center For UFO Studies in Evanston, Illinois, and its sister center in Lima, Ohio. Timmerman aims to make the Lima office a national clearinghouse for UFO information. He notes a decrease in reported sightings compared to a decade ago, attributing it partly to the public becoming more sophisticated and less likely to report misidentifications like the 'Goodyear Blimp.' He also mentions that many credible sightings are reported in confidence by pilots and police officers. Rob Orlos from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base confirms the Air Force ended its Project Bluebook in 1969, which investigated 12,618 sightings, with 701 remaining unexplained. J. Allen Hynek anticipates renewed public interest with the release of Gary Fawcett's book, 'Clear Intent,' which details government records on UFOs.

Police, fire & court watch - UFO sightings are reported

This article from the NY Binghamton Evening Press (January 29, 1984) details several reports of unidentified objects seen in the sky. State police received calls about a greenish-blue object with a 'big green flame' near Deposit, New York. Witnesses described it changing colors and a huge orange flash. Airport personnel confirmed that no planes were accounted for, and a supervisor stated, 'We can discount it being a plane, but we don't know what it was.'

Police beat - UFO discounted

Following up on the previous report, this piece from the NY Binghamton Sun-Bulletin (January 30, 1984) states that a spokesman for the National Weather Service identified the object seen near Deposit as likely a meteorite. James Malinosky, a meteorologist, explained that thousands of meteors fall into Earth's atmosphere daily and that the description matched a meteorite.

Glowing object reported flying over area skies

This report from the NJ Camden Courier Post (January 29, 1984) covers numerous sightings of a glowing object in the South Jersey area. Police departments received calls about the object, described as a 'glowing ball' ranging in size from a basketball to 25 feet in diameter. The National Weather Service, FAA, and McGuire Air Force Base reported no unidentified objects on their radars. One witness described it as a 'pretty green' object that turned bright orange and flew very fast.

Raymond gives up his job to spot UFOs

This article from the Haslingden Observer (Lancashire, January 21, 1984) profiles Raymond Broderick, who quit his job as an industrial cleaner to become a full-time UFO-logist. Broderick claims to have seen hundreds of UFOs since 1953 and describes a sighting of an 'enormous triangle of light' over the Coppice. He also recounts an incident where a car lost power after witnessing a 'huge, oval shape' moving at extreme speed. He believes the area may be a focus for alien beings and that many people are afraid to report sightings due to ridicule.

UFO Lights Up Sky

This report from NJ The Trentonian (January 29, 1984) details a 'close encounter' over the area, with citizens and patrolmen reporting a bright white light moving east of the New Jersey Turnpike. Calls came from various towns, with some reporting the object landed in the southern part of a township. McGuire Air Force Base also received calls, but the cause of the white flash remained unidentified.

Strike a light - It's another UFO!

This article from the Farnborough News & Mail (February 10, 1984) features David Barlow, who saw a bright object in the evening sky that he believes might have been an alien spacecraft. The object appeared stationary but diminished in size. Barlow, who has experience with flares, is seeking contact with UFO experts. He describes the light as the color of starlight and featureless, with his daughter noting a 'sort of haze' around it.

Area 'may be focus for alien beings'

This article from the Farnborough News & Mail (February 3, 1984) highlights the work of local UFO expert Omar Fowler, who has contacted Timothy Good, a leading lecturer on the subject, due to a spate of mysterious sightings in the area. Fowler believes the region is a center of attention for alien beings. The article also includes a report from Samuel Mallaband, who experienced his car losing power after seeing a 'huge, oval shape' in the sky. Additionally, it recounts a sighting by Mrs. Lilian Warren and Mrs. Eileen Dawson of a 'large, strange object surrounded by five little ones.'

Rage in 1950s, UFO 'sightings' just faded away

This article from The Globe and Mail (Toronto, January 21, 1984) examines declassified Defence Department files on UFO sightings in Canada from 1947 to 1964. The article details a vivid description of three spacecraft reported by a veteran in 1951, though the report was deemed unreliable due to the observer's intoxication. It also discusses the Canadian government's response, including the establishment of Project Second Story for formal reporting. The article notes that UFO reports in Canada gained traction after the U.S. experienced a wave of sightings. It highlights instances where official investigations were dismissive, such as the case of an editor's report being deemed unreliable due to its headline potential, and the misidentification of Jupiter as a UFO. By 1954, government scientists concluded that most observational material was not suitable for scientific investigation, leading to a decline in analysis.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO NEWS include the ongoing investigation of UFO sightings, the psychological aspects of witnesses, the debate between UFOs and conventional explanations (like formation flying), and the historical and current governmental approaches to UFO phenomena. The publication appears to be a platform for sharing diverse reports and perspectives on UFOs, from personal accounts to analyses of official records. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, presenting various viewpoints without necessarily endorsing one over another, while also highlighting the challenges in obtaining credible evidence and official acknowledgment.

Title: DAYTON DAILY NEWS
Issue Date: January 13, 1984
Document Type: Newspaper Issue

Article: Aliens UFO expert asks: Are we alone?

This article, by James Cummings, Metropolitan Staff Writer, features an interview with UFO expert J. Allen Hynek, a former consultant to the Air Force's Operation Bluebook. Hynek, now director of the Center for UFO Studies in Evanston, Illinois, addressed a large crowd at the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He stated that while he doesn't know what UFOs are, they merit investigation due to thousands of credible witness experiences that cannot be readily explained. He noted that his files contain 80,000 reports from 140 countries. Hynek clarified that in his years of study, he knows of no instances where alien corpses or spacecraft parts have been found, and there is little physical evidence to suggest UFOs are piloted by beings from space. He acknowledged the commonality of sightings on lonely roads at night but questioned why they don't occur at more public events. Hynek believes UFOs are intelligently controlled and could be vehicles traveling in time, from other dimensions, or from parallel realities, but expressed uncertainty about their origin from other planets. The lecture attracted about 1,300 people, with an additional 200 watching via monitors.

Article: UFO aliens are behind saucer hoax

By John Turner, this article reports on a series of unusual sightings in Athens, Alabama, where over 1,000 people have witnessed 'starships' and 'alien beings' in the sky. The sightings have involved 'smaller than human beings and larger than dogs' entities. Initially, farmer Raymond Marsh thought he'd solved the mystery with helium-filled garbage bags, but the sightings continued. Witnesses like Bobby Zirbel described bright lights moving in impossible patterns, and his son Steve was frozen in fear. The objects have been described as orange-colored balls of light and silver-colored, oval-shaped objects with antenna-like devices. Some townspeople fear the garbage bags were a deliberate plant by aliens to dismiss the sightings as a hoax. Farmer Jesse Crouch noted a large hole in the ground near his property that appeared in August.

Article: Hypnosis Shows His Incredible Story Is True, Psychiatrists Say

This article by Paul Bannister details the experience of Police officer Alan Godfrey, who claims to have been abducted by a UFO. Godfrey had no memory of the event, which occurred on November 28, 1980, after he went to investigate a herd of missing cattle. Under hypnosis, administered by two psychiatrists, Godfrey recalled being on a black bed inside a UFO, examined by a bearded man in a white robe and eight robot-like creatures. Researcher Jenny Randles, director of the British UFO Research Association, stated that both psychiatrists accepted Godfrey's experience as genuine. Godfrey described the craft as dome-shaped, metallic, with no lights, and about 20 feet across. He recalled being told he was too old and infirm for their purpose before being returned to his car, with 20 minutes of time unaccounted for. Godfrey is convinced he was abducted by 'space aliens.'

Article: Man goes fishing - is caught by flying saucer

By Harold Lewis, this article recounts the story of Alfred Burtoo, a 77-year-old angler from Aldershot, England, who claims to have been taken aboard a flying saucer. Burtoo was fishing when he saw a bright light, and two figures in pale green suits approached him. He was beckoned aboard a craft described as being made of burnished aluminum, with round portholes and a rotating top dome. Inside, an alien spoke in a voice with a Russian-Chinese accent, asking his age and then stating he was too old and infirm for their purpose. Burtoo was returned to the towpath, and the saucer departed. Experts from the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena, like Omar Fowler, are convinced of the story's validity, noting that Burtoo provided details he couldn't have known otherwise. The article mentions dozens of unexplained UFO reports in the area over the past 15 years.

Article: UFO SIGHTING CONFIRMED BY GOVERNMENT FOR FIRST TIME

This article from GLOBE, dated February 21, 1984, reports that a highly-placed government agency has confirmed the existence of UFOs. Documents from the National Space Studies Center in Paris reveal details of a corroborated sighting in the south of France. Renato Nicolai, a 55-year-old construction worker, reported seeing a round, metallic gray aircraft with a peculiar whistling noise land in his garden on January 8, 1981. Experts from the Center investigated the landing site, finding the earth was extremely hot (600 degrees Celsius), completely drained of moisture, and had mysteriously transformed vegetation, with iron oxides, zincs, and phosphates found crystalized. The craft was described as about 36 feet in diameter and nine feet high, with a matte finish. Scientists concluded the transformation was due to an incredibly powerful electrical force, not normal pollution. Daniel Metzle, a spokesman for the Space Studies Center, confirmed that a very important sighting was made in Trans-En-Provence in January 1981.

Article: Rage in 1950s, UFO 'sightings' just faded away

By James Rusk, this article from the Toronto Globe+Mail (January 21, 1984) examines declassified Canadian Defence Department files on UFO sightings from 1947 to 1964. The article highlights the public's intense interest in UFOs in the early 1950s, which later tapered off. It details the government's response, including the establishment of a formal reporting system by the Defence Research Board in 1952. The article recounts specific cases, such as a First World War veteran's detailed description of three spacecraft near Barrie, Ontario, and an incident in Lindsay, Ontario, where a newspaper editor reported a 'mystery craft.' It also mentions an event at Trenton air base where a bright object was identified as Jupiter. The article notes that by 1954, intelligence officers found the observational material difficult to investigate scientifically, leading to a more dismissive approach. It also includes a report from a Hamilton woman about a sighting in 1959.

Article: 40 report UFO in Ukraine

This brief report from Moscow (Reuter), published in The Globe and Mail on January 13, 1984, states that over 40 witnesses in Ukraine and southern Russia reported seeing a mysterious bright object, a sphere followed by seven smaller lights, on the night of December 2. Soviet scientists are divided on its nature, with theories ranging from a meteorite to ball lightning or a satellite burning up. Grigory Pisarenko, head of the Ukrainian Commission for Cosmic Research, noted the object was flying too slowly and too low to be a meteorite, calculating its speed at 5,950 kilometers per hour.

Article: 'Track the UFOs' says vicar

By David Chadwick, this article from the Banbury Guardian (November 10, 1983) features the Rev. Donald Thomas, an Oxford vicar, who is appealing to the public for information on UFO sightings. Thomas believes visitors from other parts of the galaxy visit Earth in four-yearly cycles and suggests October might have been a period of increased activity. He is collecting details of sightings and notes the apparent cyclical nature of UFO reports. He references a peak in provincial newspaper reports on October 26, 1967, and a smaller peak in October 1971, suggesting a pattern that might have continued to October 1975 and potentially October 1983.

Article: UFO on Stansted flight path?

This article from the Harlow & West Essex Gazette (February 3, 1984) reports on two local men, Michael Barham and his father David, who witnessed a strange, large, black blob escorted by two aircraft on the Stansted Airport flight path. They stopped to observe the formation, which was flying low and fast. The Stansted Airport had no record of such aircraft. Michael believes the object could have been a UFO and is seeking information from anyone else who may have seen it.

Article: UFO 'bigger than jet aircraft'

This report from the Farnborough News & Mail (January 31, 1984) features Andrew Roberts, an Ash resident, who saw a large, blue object flying west over the town. He described it as four times bigger than a jet aircraft and stated that despite his usual skepticism, he had no explanation for what he saw.

Article: On the trail of those elusive UFOs

By Robert Beaumont, this article from the Yorkshire Evening Press (February 10, 1984) investigates the work of the Yorkshire Unidentified Flying Objects Society (YUFOS), co-founded by Mark Birdsall and Bill Tree. The article begins by mentioning a sighting near Elvington, York, in December 1983, which the York Astronomical Society identified as a fireball, though YUFOS believes there were two separate objects. The article details Bill Tree's personal experience of seeing a flying saucer in Leeds in 1955 when he was 12. It also recounts an incident involving a lorry driver in the early 1970s who allegedly encountered humanoid figures in black emerging from a cigar-shaped object. Birdsall believes military involvement explains many UFO sightings, while Tree disagrees on some points but shares the goal of finding out more about reported sightings. The article also includes skepticism from Trevor Wood of the York Astronomical Society, who believes most sightings can be explained naturally.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this collection of articles revolve around UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, and the public's fascination with these phenomena. There is a consistent thread of skepticism from some quarters, particularly from official bodies and scientific organizations, contrasted with the strong convictions of witnesses and dedicated researchers. The articles explore the possibility of government cover-ups, the scientific investigation of UFO events, and the personal impact of these experiences on individuals. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these events and expert opinions, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also acknowledging the persistent public interest and the ongoing debate surrounding the existence and nature of UFOs.

This issue of the Sandhurst News, dated February 10, 1984, features a prominent article titled "Strike a light - It's another UFO!" alongside a secondary headline "Did the UFOs return?". The cover also includes a photograph of a family re-enacting a UFO experience.

Article: Strike a light - It's another UFO!

The main article details an encounter by Mr. David Barlow, a father-of-three from Frimley Green, who witnessed a bright light in the evening sky above Camberley. He described the object as larger than any star and stationary, but it appeared to diminish in size over a minute. Mr. Barlow, who works for Rushmoor Council, is seeking to contact UFO experts for an explanation. He stated he would recognize a flare and expressed an open mind about the possibility of life from outer space.

Article: Did the UFOs return?

This section, referencing reports from Rangeworthy, reminds Mr. Ken Brown of Tytherington of similar phenomena he witnessed 13 years prior. The article recounts a sighting on Christmas Day of a bright yellow light and a subsequent sighting on September 1, 1970, of bright yellow-orange flashes. Two weeks later, on September 15, Mr. Brown saw a stationary, cigar-like, elliptical light that lasted for several minutes. Explanations offered by the Gazette included car headlights, ball lightning, and military aircraft. Mr. Brown's sightings were also witnessed by Mr. and Mrs. Mewburn. The Meteorological Office suggested flashes could be from Army manoeuvres or reflected cloud, while the elliptical shape could be the planet Venus. The MoD suggested an aircraft over Filton Airport. Neither Mr. Brown nor the Mewburns accepted these explanations.

Letter to the Editor: Seen any UFO's lately?

Clive Seymour, a local member of ASSAP (The Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena), writes to solicit reader experiences and local legends related to unusual happenings, including UFO sightings, hauntings, and poltergeist activity. ASSAP is compiling a national "Domesday Book" of such events and intends to publish individual chapters by area. They are particularly interested in recording local myths and old-wives tales that may be relevant.

Article: Well, was it a spaceship?

This article by D. Sisterson, published in the Northumberland Gazette Alnwick on February 10, 1984, discusses a strange group of lights seen over North Northumberland on Sunday, October 23. Several theories are explored: a huge helicopter (unlikely due to the number and definition of lights), a Russian reconnaissance plane escorted by Phantom jets (though engines were only heard, not seen, and lights were not blinking), and an aircraft refuelling (unlikely as refuelling aircraft have been sighted before without similar reports). Other possibilities include an airship (fitting the description of an outline and engine noise, and potentially missed by radar) and, less likely, a spaceship.

Article: Paul's encounters of the UFO kind

This piece from the Liverpool Daily Post on February 23, 1984, features Paul Reed, a 16-year-old schoolboy from Wrexham, who investigated UFO sightings for his school newspaper. His research uncovered a pattern of close encounters around Minera Mountain, with children and parents reporting brightly lit objects flying, hovering, and disappearing. Paul expresses an open mind about UFOs, suggesting they are more likely to exist than not, and speculates that Minera Mountain might be chosen for its high, deserted location, allowing UFOnauts to observe the area with less risk of being spotted.

Article: It's official: there are UFOs

Published in The Observer, London, on March 4, 1984, this article by Martin Bailey reports that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has officially acknowledged the existence of Unidentified Flying Objects. Copies of 16 reports on sightings over Wales have been sent to the British UFO Research Association. This marks a significant step, as the government had previously refused to release such details. The MoD, however, stresses that there is no suggestion these objects are from outer space. A ministry spokesman confirmed they are willing to consider providing reports to serious inquirers.

Article: The Observer has been given a copy of the first list of 'sightings'

This continuation from The Observer details a typical incident from the MoD documents: a sighting by David Mason, a printer from Cwmbran, on September 14, 1982. He and his wife Angela saw a bright light, described as half the size of the moon, hover for 15 minutes before speeding off northwards. The police recorded the details, and the report was forwarded to the MoD. The MoD's air division examined the case and concluded there were no defence implications. Mr. Mason expressed surprise at not being contacted for further inquiries. The article also mentions other cases from the MoD reports, including a 'beam of green light' near Abergavenny and a 'cottage-loaf shape' near Caerleon. It notes that the MoD's interest lies in whether UFOs are hostile aircraft, rather than their origin. The article also lists a number of UFO sightings in the Swansea area in January 1983, describing various shapes and lights.

Article: Official help for the great UFO hunt

This Daily Express article from London, dated March 5, 1984, reports that UFO watchers will soon receive official assistance. The Ministry of Defence's reports of unexplained phenomena are to be declassified and released to the public, a move welcomed by the British UFO Research Association. The association has already received details of eight sightings in South Wales but is seeking help regarding an incident in 1980 where a large triangular object was seen near RAF Woodbridge, Suffolk, leaving holes and radiation traces.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout these articles are the reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs), the public's fascination with them, and the gradual, albeit reluctant, release of information by official bodies like the Ministry of Defence. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these events and investigations with a degree of open-mindedness, acknowledging witness accounts while also presenting official explanations and the MoD's focus on defence implications rather than extraterrestrial origins. There is a clear emphasis on the significance of the MoD's declassification of reports as a major step forward for UFO research.