APCIC - Vol 11 No 12 - 1986

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue: Volume 11, No. 12
Date: December 1986
Publisher: AERIAL PHENOMENON CLIPPING INFORMATION CENTER
Country: USA

This issue of UFO NEWS presents a diverse collection of articles and reports related to unexplained aerial phenomena, paranormal experiences, and related research.

The Spook Light Mystery: A New Theory

The lead story, "Spook light mystery lingers: Ball lightning one of many answers" by Cathy Karlin Zahner, explores the long-standing mystery of the 'Spook Light' near Joplin, Missouri. Keith L. Partain, a Tulsa researcher, proposes a new theory that most sightings are refracted headlights from Interstate 44, but that the 'real' spook light appears as rare ball lightning approximately every 10 years. Partain's theory is based on six years of research and 52 articles, including a March 1977 photograph showing a ball of light with a filament. He speculates that ball lightning is linked to low sunspot activity and anomalies in the Earth's magnetic field, which weaken the ionosphere, allowing radiation from outside the solar system to fall on the Joplin area. Harry Shipman, a professor of physics, finds Partain's theory logical, suggesting ball lightning could explain many UFO reports, though he is skeptical about a correlation with sunspot cycles. Partain also debunks local folklore, such as the 'Indian Lovers' legend and the 'Hornet Panic' of 1886, as inaccurate.

International UFO Sightings

The magazine features several reports of UFO sightings from various locations:

• Rhyl, UK: Mr. James Perry reported seeing a large, rectangular object with flashing lights moving slowly across the sky. Mrs. Margaret Fry of Contact International expressed interest in hearing from others who witnessed similar phenomena.
• Barnsley, UK: The Yorkshire UFO Society is investigating a sighting by John Brook of an oval-shaped, 60-feet-wide object with flashing red and purple lights hovering about 50 feet above the ground.
• Luxembourg: Police, air traffic controllers, and commuters were baffled by an object described as five or six bright green lights travelling at high speed. Belgian officials later concluded it was likely space debris re-entering the atmosphere.
• Blackpool, UK: The entertainers 'The Krankies' reported a 'strange white object' hovering above their chartered aircraft in 1978, causing instrument malfunctions.
• Derbyshire, UK: Miss Sue Fisher and three friends reported seeing a green light arch across the sky near Hognaston. The National UFO Investigation Society plans to investigate.
• Scunthorpe, UK: Reports of flashing lights in the sky were investigated, with a laser display from a Hull hotel suggested as a possible explanation for some sightings.
• York, UK: The York City football team reported a strange-shaped object hovering over their coach for nearly 10 minutes, described as a bright, white light travelling at high speed. Police in the area received no reports of UFOs.
• Skipton, UK: Kingsley Wiggin reported sighting a bright, glowing object hovering over Skipton's Rockwood estate.
• Daventry, UK: Six eyewitnesses reported unexplained objects heading towards Preston Capes or hovering over the village, with one describing a large, orange or red glowing UFO.
• Leicester, UK: Milkman Dave Poole and factory security man Dennis Strong reported seeing glowing objects and four bright objects flashing through the sky.

Psychic Phenomena and Sasquatch

An article titled "Dowsing leads to Sasquatch, UFOs" by Mike Thoele profiles Jack Lapseritis, an anthropologist and social scientist who claims his interest in dowsing has led him to contacts with Sasquatch, UFOs, and 'starpeople.' Lapseritis, who has a background in anthropology and community health planning, initially approached dowsing with skepticism but became convinced of its capabilities. He claims to have found missing objects and water using dowsing techniques. His research has expanded to include the Bigfoot legend and psychic phenomena, leading him to believe in a connection between these elements. Lapseritis is writing a book on his findings and is seeking a publisher.

Another piece, "The stars' psychic secrets," reviews Jenny Randles' book "Beyond Explanation?" which features paranormal experiences of 50 famous individuals, including UFO sightings and psychic encounters. The article highlights Randles' scientific approach and her aim to reduce public ridicule for those who have experienced the unexplained.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, the exploration of scientific and folkloric explanations for these events, and the intersection of UFOs with psychic phenomena and other paranormal claims. The magazine appears to present a wide range of reported sightings and theories, from the more grounded scientific inquiries into ball lightning to the more speculative connections between dowsing, Sasquatch, and extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance, as represented by the Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center, seems to be one of diligent information gathering and dissemination, providing a platform for researchers and witnesses to share their findings and experiences.

This issue of the EXAMINER, dated November 25, 1986, delves into various UFO and paranormal phenomena, featuring a prominent cover story about an Italian couple's alleged alien abduction. The magazine presents a mix of eyewitness accounts, scientific investigations, and historical claims related to UFOs and extraterrestrial contact.

Italian Couple's Abduction Experience

The lead story details the experience of Angelo and Grazia Ricci, an Italian economist and his wife, who claim to have been abducted by aliens. After vacationing in the Italian Alps, they experienced a two-hour memory lapse following a close encounter with a luminous white disc. Under hypnosis, facilitated by Professor Antonio Chiumiento of the Italian Center for UFO Studies, they recalled being approached by two seven-foot-tall humanoids clad in gray jumpsuits. These beings, described as having elongated heads, pale faces, large glowing eyes, and pointed ears, carried the couple aboard a large, white laboratory-like craft filled with strange instruments. They were placed on reclining chairs and subjected to some form of examination, though they experienced no physical harm. The experience left them deeply shaken, and Professor Chiumiento expressed his conviction in the truth of their account.

Ancient Aliens and King Tut's Tomb

Another significant article reports on claims by two leading archaeologists, Swiss explorer Gustav Mercer and Dr. Eli Dunlop, a professor of Egyptology, who assert they followed a 5,000-year-old UFO alien into a secret chamber of King Tut's tomb. They describe encountering a translucent, reddish being with a large head and green eyes, who led them into a chamber containing five other identical beings in a state of suspended animation. According to the account, these beings had traveled from a distant planet 5,000 years ago and were awaiting their mother ship's return. The archaeologists were warned that the room must remain a secret, and that death would result for anyone attempting to find it. The article notes that 14 other explorers who disregarded this warning have reportedly died from a mysterious tropical disease caused by a lethal fungus.

Roswell Incident and Alleged Autopsies

The magazine revisits the persistent reports of a UFO crash near Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947. Larry Bryant, a Pentagon executive with 28 years of experience, is quoted as revealing that U.S. Army medics performed autopsies on the bodies of crashed UFO aliens. Bryant has been attempting to make these records public and is taking legal action against the Air Force for refusing to run ads seeking witnesses. The article references Barney Bennett, who described a "disc-shaped object" and "dead bodies" at the crash site, and quotes Charles Berlitz and William L. Moore's book, "The Roswell Incident." The bodies are described as small, human-like but not human, with round heads, small eyes, and no hair.

French UFO Research and Cases

French UFO researchers, financed by their government, have compiled extensive cases of UFO sightings and alien visitors. Jean Jacques Velasco, head of GEPAN (the government-financed agency that investigates UFO reports), highlights several cases. One involved a small dome-shaped craft landing in a backyard, which completely dried out a flowering plant, suggesting a powerful electric discharge. Another case describes a noisy, saucer-shaped craft landing near a stone mason in Cannes, France, leaving a circular mark on the ground that experiments showed could be achieved by a strong magnetic field. A deliveryman near Toulouse reported his car being disabled by a UFO. The article also mentions a case in the Rhone-Alps area where a girl spotted a UFO with a humanoid figure, and a 1964 incident in Cussac, France, where children saw a silver-colored craft and miniature aliens.

Expert Opinions and Theories

Dr. Jacques Vallee, a noted French astrophysicist and advisor to Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," suggests that UFOs are from another dimension and are not visible to us unless they are arriving or departing. He believes that humans have 136 dimensions to take advantage of. Vallee also noted that UFOs have a long history, traceable back to ancient Egypt. Astronomer J. Allen Hynek, founder of the Center for UFO Studies, is credited with coining the phrase "close encounters of the third kind" and collected thousands of reports, categorizing them by the level of interaction.

Anglers Spot UFO

Two fishermen, brothers Joseph and Clive Goode, reported seeing six unidentified flying objects in formation over Daventry's Country Park. They described a large object at the front of the formation and noted a whirring noise. Geese on the reservoir became agitated as the objects passed. They also recalled seeing a bright light a fortnight earlier, suggesting it might be related to Ministry of Defence weapons testing.

Jenny Randles and Paranormal Research

Jenny Randles, a 34-year-old investigator and author of eight books on paranormal topics, discusses her work. She believes that certain matters are dismissed by science due to a lack of solutions. Randles has investigated numerous cases of alleged alien contact, emphasizing the need for a scientific approach and an open mind. She also touches upon experiences with ghosts, suggesting that emotions play a significant role and that women may have a greater propensity for such experiences due to empathy. Randles is also researching life after death and the phenomenon of time slips, proposing that time is not linear and that paranormal experiences occur when individuals are in different states of consciousness.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the existence of UFOs and extraterrestrial life, presenting a range of evidence from eyewitness accounts to alleged scientific investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting these often extraordinary claims to the public for consideration. Themes include alien abduction, ancient alien theories, government cover-ups, and the scientific study of anomalous phenomena. The magazine aims to document and explore these occurrences, suggesting that "strange things happen around our planet" and that by recording them, the existence of UFOs and alien beings can be proven.

This issue of UFO CON'T, dated September 24, 1986, with a cover date of October 9, 1986 for the Birmingham Evening Mail article, presents a collection of reports and discussions surrounding UFO phenomena. The content includes personal accounts, expert opinions, and official explanations for various sightings.

UFO Sightings and Investigations ### Personal Accounts and Research The issue highlights the work of George Fawcett, who has collected approximately 14,000 UFO reports, noting the consistency in descriptions of sightings and 'aliens'. He describes accounts from the Carolinas, including a 'missing time' experience reported by Timmerman, and sightings of lighted airships with men in white suits, and glowing ships with entities. Fawcett dreams of building a museum to house this research material.

European Sightings A report from the Irish Times on September 24, 1986, details a sighting of unidentified flying objects over Paris, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Police reported seeing at least five or six glowing lights moving at a low altitude. Local radio stations were inundated with calls from concerned citizens. However, an official from the Belgium Society for the Study of Space Phenomena suggested that the objects were likely discarded space debris from Soviet rockets re-entering the atmosphere.

Birmingham Sighting The Birmingham Evening Mail reported on October 9, 1986, that experts were investigating a UFO sighting over Good Hope Hospital. Staff reported seeing a large, cigar-shaped object, approximately 400ft long and 60ft wide, hovering silently at an altitude of about 800ft. This sighting is being examined by UFO-Studies Investigations, an amateur organization. John Hurley of the organization stated that while most sightings can be explained, this one was unusual, and Birmingham airport confirmed detecting something on radar.

Explanations and Theories ### Space Debris One of the primary explanations offered for the European sightings is that the objects were re-entering space debris from Soviet rockets. NORAD, which tracks such objects, indicated that debris from two Soviet rocket launches was expected to re-enter the atmosphere in mid-September.

'Little Men' and Alien Descriptions Fawcett notes consistent descriptions of 'aliens', ranging in size from small (like fourth-graders) to average human size, often with large heads and eyes, and appearing sexless. He speculates this might explain their intellectual advancement.

Research Centers and Funding The Center for UFO Studies relies on private donations, and the article quotes J. Allen Hynek emphasizing the need for dedicated effort, comparing it to the commitment required for the moon landing.

Reporting UFO Experiences Individuals with UFO experiences are encouraged to report them by writing to John C. Timmerman at the Center for UFO Studies in Lima, Ohio, or to George Fawcett in Lincolnton, North Carolina. The article assures readers that no salesman will call and no one will be 'carried off to Columbia'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent nature of UFO sightings globally, the challenges in explaining them, and the ongoing efforts of researchers and organizations to collect and analyze data. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and explanations, while also acknowledging the skepticism and the need for rigorous investigation. The issue highlights both the unexplained phenomena and the potential mundane explanations, such as space debris.