APCIC - Vol 09 No 09 - 1984

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue Date: September 1984
Volume: 9
Issue: 9
Publisher: AERIAL PHENOMENON CLIPPING INFORMATION CENTER
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

This issue of UFO NEWS, published by the Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center, explores the perceived decline in UFO sightings and delves into various cases and related phenomena. It features articles and reports from correspondents across the globe, with a focus on investigations, witness accounts, and the ongoing mystery surrounding unidentified aerial phenomena.

UFOs: Hiding in Space or Gone for Good?

The lead article, "UFO's Hiding in Space or gone for good?" by Mike Bolton, addresses the significant drop in reported UFO sightings since the late 1970s. It questions whether UFOs have returned to their home galaxy or if the phenomenon was merely a fad. Edward J. Planz, director of MUFON in Alabama, notes the considerable decrease in sightings, stating, "The sightings now are minute." MUFON, established to continue investigations after the Air Force ceased its efforts, is actively involved in gathering and forwarding UFO reports.

The article revisits the U.S. Air Force's "Project Blue Book," which concluded in 1969 that no reported UFO posed a threat to national security and provided no evidence of extraterrestrial vehicles. Despite this, UFO reportings continued steadily until around 1977, with the Pascagoula incident being a notable event shortly before the decline.

The Pascagoula Incident

On October 11, 1973, Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker reported a close encounter with a blue-gray, saucer-shaped craft and three pale, fuzzy creatures. Their accounts, corroborated by a sheriff and deputy, and a separate UFO report from a former Air Force pilot, led investigators Dr. James Harder and Dr. J. Allen Hynek to examine the case. Harder concluded the men's reactions were real, and Hynek stated they were not "unbalanced people" or "crackpots."

Hoaxes and Explanations

The issue touches upon the impact of proven hoaxes on UFO investigations, citing an elaborate hoax in Alabama involving a staged "space creature." It also discusses the skepticism surrounding UFOs, with many people preferring conventional explanations.

The Mantell Incident

An article details the 1948 incident involving Captain Thomas Mantell, an Air Force fighter pilot who died while investigating a mysterious object. The official explanation was that Mantell was chasing the planet Venus, but alternative theories suggest the object was a UFO that attacked his plane, causing burn marks. Investigators noted the object was described as metallic and tremendous in size.

Other Sightings and Investigations

Reports from Moundville describe a light that followed a truck, pacing it at 2,000 feet and emitting a brilliant light. Lisa Campbell's account of a hovering bluish-gray object in Hayden Mountain is also presented. The article highlights the work of Dr. J. Allen Hynek, who heads the Center for UFO Studies and has analyzed numerous cases, finding that UFO properties are "totally inconsistent with those of everyday objects and phenomena."

UFOs and Government Secrecy

An article from the Tacoma News Tribune, referencing the book "Clear Intent" by Lawrence Fawcett and Barry Greenwood, discusses government secrecy surrounding UFO investigations. Despite the discontinuation of "Operation Blue Book," the government reportedly continues to investigate UFO reports secretly. The book claims federal agencies have obtained extensive documentation on UFO sightings, painting a picture of "federal reticence to share with the public."

Malmstrom Air Force Base Sightings

Several sightings near Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana in November 1975 are detailed, involving a "large red to orange to yellow object" with lights. These reports were kept secret until obtained by the authors of "Clear Intent."

The Tungusska Event

A report from the New York Daily News discusses the 1908 Tungusska explosion in Siberia. A Soviet scientist, N. Vassiliev, suggests the event, which devastated a vast area, may have been caused by an alien spaceship crashing to Earth, challenging conventional theories of comets or meteorites.

UFOs Exist, Do Not Resemble Known Objects

Dr. J. Allen Hynek is quoted stating that UFOs exist and do not resemble known objects like meteors or weather balloons. His computer analysis of well-substantiated cases shows properties inconsistent with everyday phenomena, such as silent hovering and instantaneous acceleration. Hynek's Center for UFO Studies has collected 80,000 reports from 140 countries.

International Reports

Bright Lights Over Leeds

Edith Kiszko from Leeds, UK, reports seeing two large, bright lights in the sky that changed constantly before disappearing.

UFO Landing Outside British NATO Base

Independent researchers claim the U.S. government has covered up UFO sightings, including one at RAF Woodbridge in England in 1980 where a UFO reportedly landed. Lawrence Fawcett and Barry Greenwood state that military personnel have come forward with such accounts, and that attempts to obtain official records have been met with denials.

Fiery Ball Over North Coast

Reports from California describe a multi-colored, fiery ball lighting up the sky, which officials are calling a meteor. Witnesses reported a loud bang or explosion, with a trail of smoke lingering. The North American Aerospace Defense Command could not fit the sighting into any predicted re-entry of a man-made space object.

UFO Spotting Full of Hot Air

A report from Winnipeg, Canada, clarifies that a shiny hot-air balloon, part of a National Research Council experiment, was mistaken for a UFO by some residents due to its reflection of the sun.

Expert Solves Riddle of Rings

Philip Taylor, a UFO investigator, offers a simple explanation for crop circles appearing near Seaford, UK, suggesting they are a "hoax, a silly prank" created by people using chains or ropes. He notes the similarity to cases in Wiltshire and questions the timing, suggesting it might be "the silly season."

Church Fire Blamed on Aliens

Claims that York Minster was set on fire by an alien spaceship are met with skepticism. Two drivers reported seeing a Zeppelin-shaped object over the cathedral, but church officials and fire officers are investigating conventional causes for the fire.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO NEWS include the persistent mystery surrounding UFO sightings, the alleged government secrecy and cover-ups related to the phenomenon, and the ongoing efforts by independent researchers and organizations like MUFON to investigate and document these events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various witness accounts and expert opinions while acknowledging the challenges of distinguishing between genuine phenomena and hoaxes or misidentifications. The publication seems to advocate for transparency and further investigation into UFOs, suggesting that "something is going on" that warrants deeper understanding.

Title: MYSTERY OF UFO IN NIGHT
Issue Date: August 8, 1984
Publisher: HEREFORD EVENING NEWS
Country: ENGLAND
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Article: MYSTERY OF UFO IN NIGHT

This article reports on a UFO sighting that occurred in the early morning hours over a quiet estate in Malvern, England. The incident woke residents due to a "terrifying" noise emanating from one of the objects.

Roger Martin, aged 35, of Elgar Avenue, described seeing a large, slow-moving spherical object pass by. He stated, "The loud noise woke me up and when I looked out of my window I saw a large, slow-moving spherical object pass by." He noted that the object came from a gap in the hills and headed towards Worcester, flying only a few feet above the roofs of some houses. It emitted a "very bright light" and made a loud noise "like an aircraft landing."

Approximately 40 minutes later, a second object appeared. This one was described as smaller but with a "more definite shape," and it followed the path of the first object. Martin was convinced these were not meteors.

Neighbour Miss Rosina Marsh also heard the noise, describing it as a "tremendous sound that lasted about 30 seconds."

The sightings occurred at around 2 a.m. The witnesses contacted both the police and RSRE (Radio and Space Research Establishment), who confirmed that there were no low-flying aircraft in the area at the time.

Paul Damari, a weather expert from Worcester, suggested that the sighting could have a natural explanation, such as a fireball or meteorite, as these are large luminous balls that come through the clouds and are often reported around that time of year. However, Mr. Martin remained convinced that the objects were not meteors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The article focuses on a specific UFO sighting, presenting witness testimony and official confirmations (or lack thereof) regarding the event. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting the facts as presented by witnesses and authorities, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions. The inclusion of the weather expert's opinion provides a counterpoint to the witnesses' conviction, suggesting a balanced approach to reporting the phenomenon.

This issue of the CT-GREENWICH TIME, dated August 17, 1984, features a prominent cover story titled "Investigators lend an ear to local UFO reports," highlighting a surge in unidentified flying object sightings in the Connecticut and New York area. The publication also includes articles from other newspapers, such as the MI-DETROIT NEWS, NY-TARRYTOWN NEWS, MA-D21 LAWRENCE EAGLE TRIBUNE, and AL.D17 MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER, all discussing UFO phenomena, investigations, and public interest.

Local UFO Sightings and Investigations

The main article by Christopher Keating reports on the significant increase in UFO sightings in the Greenwich-Bedford, N.Y., border area. Philip Imbrogno, a UFO field investigator and science department chairman at the Windward School, states that over 30 local residents reported seeing a boomerang-shaped object with multi-colored lights. Imbrogno, who researches UFOs for the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS), notes that thousands of residents in southwestern Connecticut and New York have reported sightings since March 1983, including flying boomerangs and formations of moving lights. He claims the number of sightings in a 1,400-square-mile area covering Connecticut and New York's Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties is the highest since World War II, calling it "one of the best UFO cases in the last 30 years."

Imbrogno asserts that 95 percent of witnesses are credible and that many professionals, including doctors, lawyers, pilots, police officers, and college professors, have reported seeing these objects. Greenwich police, however, received no reports of the July 19 sighting mentioned. A public forum is scheduled for August 25 at the Brewster (N.Y.) Middle School, featuring video presentations and a talk by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a scientist famous for coining the term "close encounters" and consulting on Steven Spielberg's movie.

Bill Hele, a meteorologist, reported seeing an object with "large multi-colored, multi-prismatic lights" stretching "three to four aircraft carriers in length" last year. He speculates that pranksters might be flying airplanes and flashing lights, given the high number of credible witnesses in the area. Imbrogno estimates that 85 percent of sightings are explained, but some remain unexplained.

Peter A. Gersten, an attorney and organizer of the public forum, has received over 600 calls to a UFO hotline. He and Imbrogno are working to establish a network for investigation.

National and International UFO Context

An article from the MI-DETROIT NEWS by Michael O. Best discusses the "High on UFOs" trend and the expected rekindling of research with a new international facility in Phoenix, funded by a multimillionaire. Dr. J. Allen Hynek is leading this initiative. The article notes that the US government officially considers UFOs not worthy of organized study since the closure of Project Blue Book in 1979. Despite this, CUFOS receives about 10 reports per day globally from approximately 150 scientific organizations.

CUFOS has two field investigators in Michigan. The article highlights that thousands of UFO sightings have been reported in East Coast publications, particularly in Connecticut and New York counties. A 12-hour public forum in Brewster, N.Y., is planned to examine the phenomenon, with witnesses including police officers, meteorologists, scientists, pilots, and business executives. Imbrogno estimates that from June 11 to July 12, close to 7,000 people may have seen UFOs in a 1,400-square-mile area, describing objects as large, boomerang-shaped craft, usually 150-400 feet in diameter, flying at altitudes as low as 500 feet with multi-colored lights, sometimes hovering.

UFO Hoaxes and Skepticism

An article from the NY-TARRYTOWN NEWS by E.B. Walzer discusses how Peter Gersten and Philip Imbrogno are setting up a network to investigate UFO sightings. Imbrogno mentions a UFO hoax involving private pilots from Stormville, N.Y., who paint their planes and string lights to mimic UFOs. However, he believes most witnesses can distinguish between real UFOs and hoaxes. James E. Oberg, a space engineer, is skeptical, arguing that the inability to solve all cases does not prove they are unsolvable. Dr. Hynek acknowledges that 95 percent of sightings are misidentified conventional objects, but the remaining cases are significant.

Government Investigations and Secrecy

The AL.D17 MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER features an article by NICK LACKEOS titled "UFO probe closed - but mystery continues." It states that the Air Force closed its Project Blue Book 15 years prior, but critics claim the government suppressed evidence. They refer to a 1950 FBI memorandum reporting a crash landing of three "flying saucers" in New Mexico in 1947, with three human-like bodies. The official Project Blue Book report denies any UFO crashes or landings. The files, moved to the National Archives, contain descriptions and explanations for 12,618 reported sightings, with 11,917 explained by conventional phenomena. The remaining 701 sightings remain unexplained. Larry Bryant, a critic, sued the Air Force for more information and filed a "writ of habeas corpus extraterrestrial," which was dismissed. Bryant believes the Air Force is not disclosing all it knows.

An article from the same publication continues this theme, with "Man says government has custody of UFO occupants." Bruce Maccabee, a research physicist, obtained the 1950 memorandum detailing the New Mexico crash. The memorandum describes circular objects with raised centers, approximately 50 feet in diameter, occupied by three human-like bodies about 3 feet tall. Bryant claims the government has "secret custody" of such occupants. Air Force spokesmen deny that any spaceship fragments or alien remains were stored at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

John Wolfe, a program scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center, finds UFO sightings nonsensical, suggesting that extraterrestrial intelligence would communicate via radio signals rather than spaceships due to the vast distances involved. He calculates that traveling to the nearest star at 20 percent the speed of light would be prohibitively expensive. However, he acknowledges the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence.

Dr. Joyce Brothers, a psychologist, notes that people want to believe in life beyond Earth, which may explain the prevalence of UFO sightings. Surveys suggest 9 percent of the US adult population has seen something fitting the UFO category. She also points to similarities between accounts of alien abduction and out-of-body experiences.

Maj. Ann Crum recounts an incident where an aircraft commander reported an object following his B-52 bomber, with instruments detecting something alongside the aircraft. Despite such reports, the Air Force maintains that no investigated UFO has indicated a threat to national security.

Specific Sightings and Descriptions

The WELWYN & HATFIELD TIMES features an account from Codicote, UK, where a resident named Bob B Lawrence reported seeing a cigar-shaped UFO at 4:20 am on June 26. He described it as having a twin set of very bright lights and being about twice the size in wing span of a usual Luton airliner. He expressed fear after seeing it.

Another article mentions a sighting in Haverhill, where glowing objects periodically glow brightly, drop fiery material, and disappear. Walter Andrus of the Mutual UFO Network suggests this resembles tricks involving hot air balloons with candles. However, Imbrogno and Gersten believe planes cannot explain objects hovering right above trees. Thousands of people at a concert in Newburyport saw glowing objects sent into the sky on balloons.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout these articles are the increasing number of UFO sightings, the public's fascination with the phenomenon, the efforts by private citizens and organizations to investigate, and the persistent skepticism from official sources and some experts. There is a strong undercurrent of belief among many witnesses and investigators that the government may be withholding information or actively suppressing evidence of extraterrestrial visitation. The articles highlight the dichotomy between official denials and the persistent claims of credible witnesses, suggesting a continuing mystery that fuels public interest and debate.