APCIC - Vol 14 No 07 - 1989

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NEWS
Issue: Volume 14, No. 7
Date: July 1989
Publisher: AERIAL PHENOMENON CLIPPING INFORMATION CENTER
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

This issue of UFO NEWS delves into the persistent and growing public interest in UFO phenomena, featuring a mix of personal accounts, research efforts, and skeptical viewpoints. The cover prominently displays an illustration of an alien head, setting the tone for the content within.

Syracuse UFO Collection and Personal Sighting

The lead article, "Interest in UFOs grows with time" by Carmela Monk, highlights the dedication of Steve Zalewski of Syracuse. Zalewski's own encounter with an unidentified flying object at age 16, described as having an orange "aura" and three blinking lights forming a triangle, sparked a lifelong interest. This passion has led him to curate an extensive UFO collection at Onondaga Community College, comprising 109 books, studies, newspaper clippings, and government documents. The collection is noted for its quality and quantity, being the first of its kind in the country. Don Schmidt, director of special investigations from the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies, is featured as conducting a three-day exhibition and Q&A session at Penn-Can Mall, aiming to engage the Syracuse community.

Skepticism and the Klass Challenge

Conversely, the Los Angeles Herald Examiner article, "Oh, those pesky UFO abductions" by Bob Groves, focuses on Philip Klass, a retired senior editor of Aviation Week and Space Technology. Klass, who prefers to be called an educator, is highly skeptical of UFO abduction claims. He famously offers $10,000 to anyone who can prove they were abducted by aliens, with the stipulation that the abduction must be confirmed by the FBI. Klass suggests that many abduction accounts can be explained by psychological factors, such as "fantasy-prone personalities," or in Strieber's case, potential hallucinations due to temporal lobe epilepsy. He views books like Whitley Strieber's "Communion" and Budd Hopkins' "Intruders" as contributing to a UFO hysteria that could have dangerous cult-like proportions.

UFO Encounters in Ohio and England

The issue also includes reports from various locations. The Mansfield News Journal reports on "Lucas residents on TV," featuring Jeanne Elias and her son John, who will appear in a six-part series called "UFOhio" detailing their 1973 encounter with an unidentified flying object while a military helicopter was nearby. The object hovered, emitted a sound, and a green light was observed. Their account was also taped by UFO researcher Jenny Ziedman.

From England, the Shields Gazette presents "Personally Speaking.." by Roderick Stewart, who has been studying UFO incidences in South Shields. He shares a letter from Lord Hill-Norton, Admiral of the Fleet, suggesting that governments will eventually be forced to reveal concealed information about UFOs. Stewart details several sightings in the South Shields area, including three bright triangular objects seen in 1967, "fiery red crosses" flying in formation, and a bullet-shaped object that allegedly left burn marks on a building's roof. The official explanation for the triangular objects was a wayward radiosonde balloon.

Additionally, the Haverhill Echo-Suffolk reports on a "Strange light in the sky" seen by Joan Bealings, who observed a blue glowing object flashing across the sky, an event corroborated by a friend in a nearby town.

Cultural Impact and Information Control

The articles collectively touch upon the cultural significance of UFOs, from their portrayal in early sci-fi films like "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers" to modern blockbusters like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "E.T." The pieces suggest that the public is increasingly receptive to UFO information, yet there is also a concern about the federal government potentially withholding information. Barry Tass, a counselor with the L.A. UFO Research and Support Group, notes the increasing prevalence of abduction reports in populated areas, contrasting with their earlier appearance in desolate regions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the growing public fascination with UFOs, the spectrum of belief from dedicated enthusiasts to staunch skeptics, and the ongoing debate about the nature and origin of these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting the various facets of the UFO topic, presenting both personal experiences and critical analysis, while acknowledging the cultural impact and the potential for government secrecy. The inclusion of diverse reports from different geographical locations underscores the global nature of UFO interest.

Title: THE UFO ENIGMA
Issue: 7
Volume: 6
Date: April 2, 1989
Publisher: THE SUNDAY REPUBLICAN MAGAZINE
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of "The UFO Enigma" delves into the persistent mystery of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), featuring a collection of articles that explore various sightings, investigations, and the ongoing debate surrounding the phenomenon. The cover headline, "Scientists and laymen alike wonder what's going on up there," sets the tone for an exploration of both credible research and sensationalized accounts.

Heywood and Leigh Sightings

The issue opens with a report by Alwyn Graham detailing a sighting by two Heywood ambulancemen and Leigh factory workers of a mysterious 'thing' in the sky during the early hours of a Friday morning. Police attributed the sighting to "climatic conditions," but night shift workers at Leigh's BICC factory were also puzzled. Steve Balon, Northwest investigator for the Direct Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena, expressed regret at not being on duty to witness the event himself. He recounted that the two ambulancemen saw coloured flashing lights, and when they switched their headlights towards the object, their ambulance station's telephone lines went dead. Jack Hollis, a machinist at BICC, described seeing something flashing red, white, and green that remained in the same place for two hours, noting it was too big to be a star and its shape was indistinct but constantly changing colour.

Crash Plane Vanishes

A separate article reports on a baffling incident where police were searching for a crashed plane that vanished without trace. Families reported a low-flying aircraft disappearing over marshland. A search involving a coast guard helicopter, police, and firemen yielded no results. People in Southport, Merseyside, feared it ditched in the sea after the orange and white plane headed towards their homes before veering off. Barry Williams, 14, stated it missed houses by a matter of feet before heading out to sea, with no engine noise heard. Merseyside police described it as "a bit of a mystery." Jenny Randles of UFO Watch suggested it could have been a remote-controlled plane used by the military for reconnaissance.

UFOs and Media Hype

Philip Imbrogno, a prominent UFO investigator, expresses disillusionment with how UFO sightings are reported, feeling the "noise" of sensationalism has overshadowed the actual phenomenon. He believes the phenomena is real but lacks concrete evidence to explain what it represents, stating that most cases only prove people saw something they couldn't explain. Imbrogno criticizes the media hype and public taste for sensationalism, which he feels makes serious study of UFOs nearly impossible. He cites the success of Whitley Streiber's book "Communion" as an example of sensationalism, questioning the objectivity when such topics translate into significant financial gain.

Investigating UFOs: Skepticism and Objectivity

Bill Gruber's article, "Scientists and laymen alike wonder what's going on up there," contrasts the sensational claims of individuals like Ellen Crystall, a "UFO photographer," with the more rigorous approach of serious investigators. Crystall believes UFOs are alien spacecraft piloted by beings in cahoots with the U.S. government. In contrast, investigators like Imbrogno and J. Allen Hynek emphasize scientific objectivity. Imbrogno, a former case investigator for CUFOS, became disillusioned when he found many cases easily explained by natural phenomena, and felt many fellow investigators were "hunting down spaceships, rather than trying to explain a phenomenon." He became "something of a skeptic" but acknowledged that many sightings could not be explained away.

J. Allen Hynek, a consultant to the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book, was not satisfied with the official finding that all UFO reports could be ascribed to natural phenomena. He believed that the U.S. government knew more about UFOs than it was prepared to share. Larry Fawcett, a police lieutenant and UFO investigator, shares this belief in a government cover-up, citing his own close encounter in 1965 and the numerous reports of sightings over Strategic Air Command bases.

Specific Sightings and Investigations

The issue details several specific cases. Ron West, a leading UFO investigator, recounts two cases: one involving a couple whose car journey had missing hours after encountering a bright light, and another of a retired military man who saw a large, football-shaped craft hovering silently. West emphasizes the need to sort out elaborate hoaxes from genuine experiences, relying on spoken evidence from credible sources like pilots and police officers. He also mentions his own close encounter with an alien spacecraft in Malaya in 1952, which he believes left him with a "powerful mind-block."

Further reports include sightings in East Anglia, with Ron West investigating 137 UFO sightings in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex in the first three months of 1989, and 192 more reports to be investigated. He notes that 40% were lights, 40% clear objects, 10% encounters, and 10% contact with "space people." He suggests governments may have already made contact with "space people," referencing the Roswell incident and the alleged recovery of a crashed alien spacecraft and alien bodies.

Hotline and Research Efforts

Several initiatives are highlighted to encourage reporting and investigation. Anthony Dodd, director of research and investigations for Quest Publications, has launched a 24-hour international UFO hotline. The East Anglian UFO and Paranormal Research Association, based in Boxted, has listed 892 UFO sightings in Essex over nine months, with 343 remaining unexplained. They also claim some witnesses have made contact with alien life forms.

Meteor Theory and Other Reports

A report from the Eastern Evening News suggests that sightings of objects hurtling across the skies might be meteorites, referencing the annual visit by the Cetids meteorite shower. However, Eric Mutton of Overstrand doubts this explanation for a greenish, sparking object he saw. Retired doctor John Hackett also described a peculiar bright light that was not lightning.

Sam Gangat's UFO Photograph

An article from the Leicester Trader features STUDENT Sam Gangat, who claims to have captured a UFO in a holiday photograph taken in Savoy, France. The photograph, which shows a distinct object in the sky, has baffled UFO experts and scientists. Clive Potter, a leading British UFO expert, stated that the object is clearly defined, with the sun casting a shadow underneath, suggesting it was a real object in the sky. He believes that if tests confirm this, it will provide exciting evidence that aliens visit Earth in spacecraft.

The Warminster Thing and UFOs in East Anglia

Another article revisits the "Warminster Thing," a phenomenon from about 20 years prior, and notes that UFOs are still around, with Anthony Dodd's international hotline aiming to make people believe. The article also mentions a taped conversation from astronauts on the space shuttle Discovery reporting an "alien spacecraft under observance." Ron West highlights East Anglia as an important area for UFOs in Europe due to the high concentration of military airbases, noting activity over Southend with UFOs seen gathering and disappearing into the sea. He also mentions the potential release of papers relating to the first recorded RAF UFO cases in 1992.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout this issue are the persistent nature of UFO sightings, the challenges of distinguishing genuine phenomena from hoaxes, the potential for government secrecy and cover-ups, and the role of media in sensationalizing the topic. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena while also emphasizing the need for scientific objectivity and critical thinking. There is a clear division between those who embrace sensational accounts and those who seek evidence-based explanations. The magazine seems to lean towards presenting a wide range of perspectives, from the deeply convinced to the cautiously skeptical, ultimately leaving the reader to ponder the enigma of UFOs.

Title: Are they really alien vehicles?
Issue Date: May 28, 1989
Publisher: THE DOYLSTOWN DAILY INTELLIGENCER
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of "Are they really alien vehicles?" explores numerous UFO sightings and related phenomena, presenting a mix of witness accounts, official reports, and speculative theories. The magazine questions whether unidentified flying objects are truly alien spacecraft or merely unusual meteorological effects.

Rendlesham Forest Incident: A Deep Dive

The cover story focuses on the infamous Rendlesham Forest incident, which reportedly occurred just after Christmas 1980 near RAF Woodbridge. The article highlights a memo written by Lt. Col. Charles Halt, Deputy Base Commander, to the British Ministry of Defence on January 13, 1981. This memo, published in full, details the events of December 27 and 29, 1980. On the first night, two USAF security police patrolmen observed unusual lights and a glowing, metallic, triangular object in the forest. The object was described as being approximately two to three meters across the base and two meters high, illuminating the forest with white light, and featuring a pulsing red light on top and blue lights underneath. It was seen hovering or on legs. As the patrolmen approached, the object maneuvered through the trees and disappeared, while animals on a nearby farm went into a frenzy. The next day, three depressions, 1 1/2 inches deep and 7 inches in diameter, were found where the object had been sighted. Beta/gamma radiation readings of 0.1 milliroentgens were recorded in these depressions. A further encounter occurred on the night of December 29/30, 1980, with sightings of a red sun-like light and later, five separate white objects that disappeared, followed by three star-like objects in the sky exhibiting rapid, angular movements and colored lights.

The article notes that a U.S. copy of this confidential memo was published in 1983 under the Freedom of Information Act and was reproduced in Timothy Good's book, 'Above Top Secret'. The issue also mentions a tape released to authors Brenda Butler, Dot Street, and Jenny Randles, which allegedly records the panic and awe of Col. Halt and colleagues during the December 29/30 sighting. EADT reporter John Grant spoke to former commander Col. Sam Morgan, who testified to the authenticity of the tape. The article concludes this section by posing the question of whether the sightings were of the Orfordness lighthouse or a genuine UFO landing.

UFO Sightings Across the UK and USA

Beyond the Rendlesham incident, the magazine reports on various other UFO sightings. A man from Hartlepool, Dennis Proud, claims to have spotted his second UFO, describing three flying objects like "round balls of fire" seen shortly before midnight. In Wayne County, USA, residents reported seeing unidentified flying objects with steadily shining white, blue, and red lights that approached the Delaware River. Eyewitnesses described the lights changing formation from circular to triangular.

In Chalfont, Pennsylvania, a family of five reported seeing a charcoal-black triangular object with three white lights and a large red light hovering over their car. The object, described as being as big as a house, made no noise and appeared concave underneath. The incident left the daughter crying and the mother deeply shaken.

A student named Sam Gangat from Leicester photographed what he believes to be a flying saucer while on holiday in Savoy, France. The photograph, which shows a defined object with a shadow underneath, has baffled UFO experts and scientists.

In Gilnahirk, a 63-year-old retired businessman, Noel Hughes, described watching an unidentified object change shape above his house, moving in a straight line. He stated it was not a plane or a heat haze and was totally black.

The Southend Evening Echo reports three couples in Hockley, Thorpe Bay, and Canvey experiencing UFO sightings. One couple saw a ball of intense white light, another a shining cigar-shaped object, and a third observed a noiseless craft for 40 minutes.

Explaining the Unexplained

The issue explores potential explanations for UFO sightings. Biophysicist Phillip Callahan of the Optical Society of America found that UFO sightings perfectly matched the migrations of spruce budworm moths. He suggests that some sightings might be explained by swarms of insects emitting light when placed in an electrical field, especially during storm fronts.

UFOs and Government

The article "Don't knock landing pad for UFOs" discusses a proposal by George Darden, a Nashville councilman, to use public funds to construct a landing pad for unidentified flying objects. The bill was defeated, but the article highlights the significant number of UFO sightings reported annually (over 125,000 since 1955).

Thomas Weber of Elmwood, Wisconsin, plans to raise $25 million to build a landing pad and beacon light for extraterrestrial visitors. The article also touches upon the idea that some alien visitors, annoyed by the lack of landing pads, have resorted to abducting earthlings.

Expert Opinions and Skepticism

Bruce G. Muchnick, an optometrist and astronomer, describes himself as an "open-minded skeptic." He notes that many sightings, such as six or seven UFOs reported flying in formation, turn out to be birds flying at night, with city lights reflecting off their feathers. However, he acknowledges that since August 1987, there has been a buildup of unexplained cases.

Thomas J. Carey, a UFO investigator, categorizes UFO reports into hoaxes, misidentifications of natural phenomena (like ball lightning), misidentifications of aircraft, extraterrestrial origins, and extradimensional origins. He believes that 10 to 20 percent of reports fall into the latter two categories.

Muchnick expresses a strong personal feeling that life exists on other planets, though he believes it might be rare. He emphasizes that UFO investigations should not be approached as a matter of faith. He also points to "floaters" (debris in the eye's jelly) and optical illusions as potential causes for misperceptions.

Carey, who investigates sightings by interviewing witnesses and using recording equipment, is fascinated by reports of the government acquiring and covering up remnants of crashed UFOs, referring to it as a "cosmic Watergate."

Historical Context and Future Implications

The article "UFO sightings numerous two decades after Air Force stopped identifying them" notes that UFOs are no longer confined to rural areas or tabloids. Stan Gordon, founder of the Pennsylvania Association for the Study of the Unexplained (PASU), states that while many sightings are scientifically explainable, a significant number remain unexplained. The article traces the history of UFO sightings back to 1947, when a pilot reported seeing disk-shaped objects. It mentions the Air Force's investigations in the 1950s and '60s, which often concluded with natural explanations, but also notes the controversy and claims that the Air Force did not reveal all it knew. The Air Force officially stopped investigating UFOs in 1969, but sightings continued.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent nature of UFO sightings despite scientific advancements and official investigations. There is a clear editorial stance that UFOs, while often explainable by mundane causes, warrant serious consideration and further study, particularly those cases that defy easy explanation. The magazine encourages an open mind, balancing skepticism with a willingness to explore the possibility of extraterrestrial phenomena. The articles highlight the ongoing public fascination with UFOs and the desire for concrete evidence and explanations.