APCIC - Vol 12 No 02 - 1987

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue: Volume 12, No. 2
Date: February 1987
Publisher: Aerial Phenomenon Clipping Information Center
Country: USA

This issue of UFO News delves into various UFO sightings, government investigations, and the ongoing debate surrounding extraterrestrial phenomena. The cover story highlights a significant encounter by a Japan Air Lines pilot, while other articles explore legal challenges against government secrecy and comprehensive bibliographies of UFO literature.

Feds to Hear Pilot's UFO Account

The lead article details the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) investigation into a sighting by Japan Air Lines cargo pilot Kenji Terauchi. On November 17, 1986, Terauchi reported being followed for 55 minutes by a UFO the size of two aircraft carriers over Alaska. He described the object's lights as yellow, amber, and green, and noted that it registered on his cockpit weather radar. Military radar screens dismissed the blip as "clutter," and FAA screens interpreted it as a "split image" of the plane. Terauchi stated the object descended with his plane when he took evasive action and followed him in a circle. The lights eventually vanished heading east. The FAA confirmed that controllers noted occasional "split targets" on their screens near Flight 1628.

Plane Crew Describe UFO Scare

This article from The Times London corroborates the JAL pilot's account, stating the FAA is investigating the sighting of an "enormous, walnut-shaped UFO" confirmed by government radar. Captain Kenju Terauchi, his co-pilot, and flight engineer reported seeing the object on a flight from Iceland to Anchorage. They stated the object followed them for 400 miles and continued to follow the Boeing 747 cargo jet for 32 minutes, coming within five miles. The crew speculated the object might be of "extra-terrestrial origin and of a more advanced technology," describing it as "two small ships and the mother ship."

Heavens Above! UFO's on Horizon

This report from Lancashire Evening Telegraph features a UFO investigator, Rod Haworth of the Yorkshire UFO Society, asking the public to report sightings following a spate of incidents. On December 23, ten witnesses in Bradford and Leeds claimed to have seen seven objects high in the sky, emitting slight vapour trails, between 7:00 and 7:30 AM. Haworth believes these objects may have also passed over Blackburn and Burnley. The article also recalls a previous incident where a Darwen businessman claimed his family was terrorized for three hours by a UFO at their farmhouse.

Mystery Twinkler Above the Downs

Reported by Judy Moore for the Sussex Express, this piece describes a "mysterious shimmering, twinkling object" seen above France Bottom near Alfriston. Young mother Tizzie Coleman first spotted the object, describing it as a "very bright star, a large twinkling light above the hill." Her husband and children also witnessed it. The object was stationary and flashing before moving off rapidly towards Lewes. Mrs. Coleman noted that five circles had recently appeared in a nearby cornfield, suggesting a possible connection. An Air Traffic Control spokesman suggested it was likely an aircraft, but UFO researcher Barry Gooding noted similarities to a Wiltshire incident where a bright light was seen, followed by rings in a cornfield.

Residents Mystified as Havoc Hits Homes

This article from the Kidderminster Times Worcs describes an incident where residents were disturbed by a strange force that tore down garden fencing. One resident suggested it could have been an alien spaceship, while another thought it was a whirlwind. A young girl reported seeing strange objects over Kidderminster. Residents heard a "weird whirring noise" and a siren-like sound, with their houses vibrating. Mr. Derek Perks described the event as if "something had been coming down on top of us and at the last minute regained control and pulled up." His daughter claimed to see strange objects, and Mr. Perks noted four weird objects of different shapes above the town. A neighbor, Mrs. Jeanette Fortune, attributed the incident to a "freak gust of wind."

Alexandria Man Raps Government for UFO Cover-Up

Written by Jim Clardy for The Washington Times, this article focuses on Larry Bryant, founder and president of Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS). Bryant alleges a 10-year government cover-up of UFO information, stating the government doesn't trust its citizens with the reality of UFOs. He believes the government's acknowledgment would create dilemmas regarding society, military preparedness, space technology, religion, and culture. Bryant has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court naming Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and other officials, seeking to allow advertisements for potential whistleblowers. A Defense Department spokesman declined to comment on the pending litigation.

The Reader's Guide to UFOs

By Bernard Schoenburg for Associated Press, this piece discusses George Eberhart's extensive bibliography, "UFOs and the Extraterrestrial Contact Movement." Eberhart, an editor at an American Library Association magazine, has compiled a list of over 15,600 books and reports on UFOs. He states that "there is some phenomenon out there which behaves at odds with what we consider reality." Eberhart's work includes entries on UFO abductions and animal mutilations. He notes a resurgence in UFO sightings since 1981 and acknowledges that new technology, like Stealth planes, makes distinguishing reports more difficult.

UFO Report No Surprise to Longtime Believer

By Peter Lewis for the WA-DIS Seattle Times, this article features Wayne Aho, known as "Mr. UFO," who is thrilled by reports of UFO sightings. Aho believes there is a deliberate effort by the National Security Council to suppress UFO sightings due to potential economic and political upheaval. He cites a Gallup Poll indicating 16 million Americans have reported seeing UFOs. Aho's "awakening" to UFOs began in 1957, and he believes UFOs are from a superior civilization here to "warn us of the danger we are to ourselves." Robert Gribble of the National UFO Reporting Center confirms that the JAL pilot's sighting is similar to previously reported outlines and lends credibility due to radar confirmation.

UFOs Behave Like a Bunch of Rubes

This opinion piece by Roger Simon for the Chicago Tribune humorously questions the behavior of UFOs and aliens. Simon finds it illogical that advanced civilizations would travel vast distances for something like Beaujolais wine. He argues that if aliens were truly advanced, they would make contact with respected figures or in prominent locations, rather than with obscure individuals in swamps. Simon concludes that UFOs and aliens, despite their supposed advancement, never act sensibly.

Woman Describes How Sparks from UFO Nearly Blinded Me

This article recounts the experience of Rosa Waidner, who, along with her husband John, encountered a "blazing fireball" UFO on Halloween night near New Westminster, Canada. Rosa described the object as a "giant star" that intensified to the intensity of a blowtorch, hurting her eyes. The UFO changed colors to orange and zigzagged, passing over children playing nearby. They reported the sighting to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who stated no one else had seen it. The UFO eventually left, tracking a powerline.

UFOs Terrorize 100s in Mississippi

This report details a "spectacular show" of UFOs in Mississippi that amazed and terrified witnesses. Betty Farmer described it as "the most frightening thing I've ever seen" but also "colorful." Ron Newhouse initially thought it was a meteor but observed it slow down, glow bright red and green, and then burst apart into pieces. Clem Stone reported over a dozen dazzling UFOs. Sam and Naomi Slater investigated a shaking of their house and saw lights streaking across the sky.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO News revolve around credible UFO sightings, particularly those involving pilots and radar confirmation, and the persistent allegations of government cover-ups. There is a clear emphasis on presenting witness testimony and investigative efforts. The editorial stance, as suggested by the content and the publication's focus, appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, while also acknowledging skepticism and the need for critical analysis. The inclusion of diverse reports from different regions and the detailed bibliography suggest a commitment to documenting and exploring the UFO topic comprehensively.

Title: NATIONAL ENQUIRER
Issue Date: January 20, 1987
Cover Headline: UFO Sightings Or Near-Death Experiences Change Lives, Experts Agree

This issue of the National Enquirer delves into the profound transformations experienced by individuals who have encountered UFOs or undergone near-death experiences (NDEs). It presents research suggesting significant shifts in religious beliefs, enhanced psychic abilities, and a decrease in selfishness among these individuals.

UFOs and Near-Death Experiences: Life-Altering Events

The lead article highlights studies indicating that a majority of people who have had NDEs or seen UFOs undergo major changes. Dr. Kenneth Ring, a psychologist at the University of Connecticut, conducted in-depth interviews with 111 individuals who had NDEs. He found that 85% reported becoming less selfish and more positive, shifting from an 'What's in it for me?' attitude to genuine care for others. Furthermore, 63% reported a broadening and deepening of their religious faith, moving towards a universal spirituality. Similarly, researcher Lorraine Davis's study of UFO witnesses found that 65% reported becoming less selfish and more egocentric, better able to empathize with others. Thirty-eight percent of UFO witnesses also reported a shift from narrow religious beliefs to a more universal spirituality.

Pilot's Encounter Over Alaska

A significant report details the experience of Captain Kenju Terauchi of Japan Air Lines, who, on November 17, 1986, while piloting a 747 cargo jet over northern Alaska, sighted unusual lights. Initially appearing as two columns of light, they evolved into two dark cylinders with rows of spinning amber lights, described as incredibly bright and casting no shadow. Terauchi, a pilot with 19 years of experience, concluded it was not another plane but something of very high technology. Later, he glimpsed a giant ball-shaped silhouette, described as the size of two aircraft carriers, with protruding lights. The FAA confirmed that air traffic controllers registered a radar target near flight 1628, though the signal was later lost. The incident was investigated by the FAA and JAL.

Historical UFO Crash in Nebraska

The issue revisits a reported UFO crash in Dundy County, Nebraska, on June 6, 1884. According to accounts from Omni magazine, cowboys John Ellis and Alf Williamson witnessed a flaming starship fall from the sky. Upon investigation, they found the surrounding ground white hot and bubbling. Independent investigators reportedly described the spaceship as 50 feet long, 10 feet in diameter, and cigar-shaped. The remains allegedly dissolved in a rainstorm before they could be salvaged. The Lincoln Daily Journal speculated it was a vessel from another planet.

UFO Literature and Research

Several articles touch upon the growing field of UFO research and literature. Librarian George Eberhart has published a comprehensive, two-volume bibliography titled "UFOs and the Extraterrestrial Contact Movement," listing over 15,600 works on the subject. His bibliography includes a wide range of materials, from scientific works to more esoteric theories. Eberhart believes that UFOs are a significant sociological phenomenon that permeates culture.

Robert Gribble, a self-described "UFO-ologist" and retired firefighter, operates the National UFO Reporting Center from his South Seattle home. He has investigated thousands of UFO sightings and believes that humanity is not alone, suggesting that realizing this would change how people treat each other. Gribble feels that advanced technology associated with UFOs makes human rockets seem like toys. He also expresses skepticism towards the U.S. Air Force's Project Bluebook, suggesting a government cover-up of UFO existence to prevent panic.

Other Sightings and Theories

An article discusses the theory of ex-OSU professor James W. Deardorff, who posits that advanced, benevolent alien beings may be making "leaky embargo" contacts with humans whose stories are unlikely to be credible to mainstream science. This approach, he suggests, is to slowly prepare humanity for the eventual revelation of alien presence.

A separate report addresses a sighting in Westchester, New York, where residents reported seeing a UFO in a V-formation. Police attributed this to pilots flying ultralight aircraft, a common explanation for such sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The National Enquirer consistently features stories on UFOs and related phenomena, often highlighting personal transformations and extraordinary encounters. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting witness testimonies and research findings without immediate dismissal, while also acknowledging skepticism and alternative explanations. The magazine seems to cater to a readership interested in the unexplained, the paranormal, and potential extraterrestrial contact, often juxtaposing scientific research with anecdotal evidence and historical accounts.

This issue of the MA-DA BOSTON GLOBE, dated January 8, 1987, features a prominent cover story on the discovery of mysterious arcs in space. It also delves into the ongoing debate surrounding UFOs and extraterrestrial intelligence, touching upon scientific skepticism, public perception, and potential evidence.

Mysterious Arcs Discovered in Space

The lead article reports on a groundbreaking discovery by astronomers Roger Lynds of the Kitt Peak National Observatory and Vahe Petrosian of Stanford University. They have identified huge, glowing arcs in space, larger than any other known structure, located near two distant galaxy clusters. These arcs are characterized by their perfect circularity, clearly defined edges, and a bluer light than surrounding galaxies, suggesting recent star formation. The astronomers are baffled by their formation and composition, with Petrosian suggesting they might be collections of stars. Theories involving shock waves from colliding galaxies or a passing black hole are discussed, but these do not fully explain the arcs' sharp, symmetrical boundaries. The arcs are considered 'very young' in cosmic terms, lasting perhaps only a billion years.

Scientific Skepticism and UFOs

Another article, "Earth scientists still don't see the light," by Debera Carlton, explores the persistent debate about UFOs. It highlights that while most scientists attribute 95% of UFO sightings to conventional explanations like aircraft, meteors, or misperception, a significant portion of the public (43% in a 1986 survey) believes in the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation. Scientists like Professor Woodruff Sullivan emphasize that UFOs do not lend themselves to scientific investigation due to the inability to repeat circumstances and obtain credible evidence, labeling them 'modern mythology.' However, the article notes that esteemed scientists like Carl Sagan are involved in SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), aiming to detect signs of extraterrestrial life.

The Challenges of Interstellar Travel and Communication

The article "SCIENTISTS CONT" further elaborates on the scientific perspective. Astrophysicist Franklin Roach and Barney Oliver of NASA-Ames Research Center, head of SETI, argue that interstellar travel is prohibitively costly and time-consuming. They suggest that any advanced civilization would likely prioritize communication over physical travel due to the vast distances involved. The Milky Way galaxy alone is 100,000 light-years across, and even the fastest spacecrafts take years to traverse small fractions of this distance.

Unexplained UFO Cases and Potential Evidence

Despite the scientific skepticism, the article acknowledges that a small percentage of UFO reports remain unexplained. Bob Gribble and Dale Goudie of the National UFO Reporting Center have documented cases of objects moving at incredible speeds, making controlled high-speed turns, and emitting 'light beams' that disable electronic systems. One unsolved case from 1980 involved severe radiation burns to two women after they reportedly saw a UFO. Proponents believe these unexplained cases point to technology far beyond current human understanding. The lack of official government UFO investigations since the Air Force's Project Blue Book ended in the late '60s is also noted as a factor hindering research.

UFO Base at the South Pole and Ozone Layer Impact

A striking report details the discovery of what is believed to be a UFO base at the South Pole. Researchers, including Olen Gunderson, examined aerial photographs showing a mile-long field with distinct markings, absent in earlier photos. They suggest this is a base for alien spaceships and that these craft may be responsible for burning up Earth's ozone layer. Some of these photographs were reportedly confiscated by U.S. government officials. The report links the appearance of this base to the time when holes in the ozone layer began to be noticed, suggesting aliens might be using the area to dodge radar units. An expedition is planned to further investigate.

UFO Chronicler George Eberhart's Work

George Eberhart, an editor for an American Library Association magazine, has compiled a massive bibliography of over 15,600 books and reports on UFOs. While he has never seen a flying saucer himself, he believes the evidence suggests a phenomenon that behaves at odds with current reality. His two-volume work, "UFOs and the Extraterrestrial Contact Movement: A Bibliography," aims to document potential evidence of extraterrestrial life and the impact of the UFO phenomenon on human culture. The bibliography includes a wide range of material, from scientific papers to far-fetched theories like 'UFOs: Nazi Secret Weapon?' and accounts of UFO abductions and animal mutilations. Eberhart notes a decline in reported UFO sightings from around 1981.

'Ultralight Aircraft' Explanations for UFO Sightings

Another article addresses a specific incident where William Bossio of Hartsdale reported seeing lights forming a large 'V' in the sky, which he believed to be a UFO. However, police and airport officials attributed the sighting, along with about two dozen similar calls, to pilots flying ultralight aircraft from Dutchess County. These aircraft, flying in tight formations with large red and yellow lights, can be difficult to distinguish from conventional aircraft, especially at night. Officials stated that while they receive many UFO calls, they are often explained as these ultralight aircraft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently grapples with the tension between scientific skepticism and the persistent public fascination with UFOs and extraterrestrial life. While mainstream science largely dismisses UFOs as misidentified phenomena or 'modern mythology,' the articles highlight the existence of unexplained cases, the public's belief in alien visitation, and ongoing scientific efforts like SETI. The discovery of the mysterious space arcs adds a new layer of cosmic mystery, while the report on a potential South Pole alien base introduces a more speculative, potentially alarming, element. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these diverse perspectives and discoveries without definitively endorsing any single viewpoint, particularly concerning the more extraordinary claims.