APRG Reporter - Vol 6 No 09 - No 69 - 06 1968

Magazine Overview

Title: APRG REPORTER
Issue Date: June 1968
Volume: Vol. 6, No. 9
Editor: Robert J. Gribble

This issue of the APRG Reporter focuses heavily on the evolving Soviet perspective on Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), presenting a significant shift in their official stance and scientific inquiry.

Russians Say Flying Objects Exist

The lead article reveals that top Russian scientists and military leaders now believe that flying objects may be visitors from other planets conducting surveillance of Earth. Dr. Feliz Zegil, an assistant professor of astronomy at the Moscow Aviation Institute, is quoted extensively. He states that observations indicate UFOs behave intelligently, maintain formation patterns, and deliberately avoid direct contact with aircraft. He suggests that these phenomena might be investigating or "reconnoitering" Earth and that the theory of UFOs originating from other worlds merits serious examination. Dr. Zegil also notes a curious increase in UFO sightings as the planet Mars approaches Earth.

The Soviet authorities regard the matter with such seriousness that in October 1967, they established a UFO Observation Center in Moscow to conduct an intensive study and analysis of UFO sightings. This move represents an abrupt about-face from their previous impression that flying objects were mere fantasies. The article highlights that a growing number of serious scientists are no longer satisfied with explanations attributing UFO sightings to visual errors. This new concern is based on a rapidly accumulating number of UFO sightings reported across the Soviet Union, many by highly responsible individuals, including scientists.

The initial steps of the observation center involve organizing the collection of reliable information on UFOs, utilizing data from astronomy, weather, satellite tracking, and radar observers. The center also plans to develop special UFO-observation equipment. The evidence reportedly began to snowball after Dr. Zigel published an article on UFO sightings in the Soviet magazine "Smena," which prompted readers to share their own experiences.

Dr. Zigel detailed several incidents that spurred this new drive for investigation. One significant event is the Soviet evidence from the remote Tungusky area, where a supposed spaceship crash in 1908 caused a nuclear explosion. A log cross-section from the area shows a remarkable increase in tree growth, attributed by Dr. Zigel to radiation from the blast.

Another incident occurred on August 16, 1960, in Kazakhstan, near the Chinese border. A luminous body, described as lens-shaped and bright, appeared over the mountains and was observed by a geological expedition. It moved south at a constant speed and height.

Dr. Zigel also described a sighting by three Latvian astronomers on July 26, 1965, who observed a lens-shaped disc with spheres, estimated to be about 325 feet across and 60 miles above the earth, emitting a bright green light.

The article mentions a report from the first mate of the ship Izhevsk, who described a sphere-like whitish spot moving southward, which then flared up, rushed head-long, stopped, and emitted sparks and a white shroud, repeating this process multiple times.

Further reports came from astronomers at the Mountain Astrophysical Station in the Caucasus Mountains. On July 17, 1967, a reddish crescent was seen flying across the sky. The next morning, astronomer H.I. Potter observed a dense, milky-white cloud with a rose-red nucleus that expanded and vanished. On August 8, astronomer Anatoli Sazanov saw an out-of-shape crescent, yellow with a reddish tinge, estimated to be 12 miles away and 500 feet across.

Dr. Zigel asserted that even with just these accounts, the evidence for UFOs exists, and thousands of such observations have been documented over the past 20 years globally. He dismissed explanations of UFOs being merely atmospheric freaks or optical phenomena, stating that UFOs represent a reality still unexplored. He also rejected the ball-lightning theory, noting that UFOs' behavior, shapes, and physical properties differ significantly.

Other UFO Sightings and Reports

Soviet UFO Incidents

Professor Vyacheslav Ziatsev reported a 1964 incident where a huge, bright, metallic-looking disc slid under a TU-104 airliner near Bologoye, Soviet Union, made a turn, and settled on a course parallel to the plane.

Astronomer Lyudmila Tsekhanovich reported a 1965 sighting near Sukhumi of a disc with a central, protruding part dotted with lit holes, which maneuvered over the sea and headed for the mountains.

Soviet pilot Valentin Akkuratov described a 1956 encounter near Cape Jesup, Greenland, where an unknown aircraft resembling a large pearl-colored lens with wavy, pulsating edges moved parallel to his course at high speed.

Soviet Air Force Major G.F. Baidukov reported detecting a strange object on his radar screen during a night mission over the Odessa Region on April 4, 1966. The object dropped significantly in altitude, but visual identification was not possible.

International Sightings

Chile: Professor Gabriel Alvial Caceres of the University of Chile presented photographs of a strange lens-shaped craft, stating that these phenomena require scientific investigation and coordination. Reports of UFOs in Chile coincided with sightings in other parts of South America.

Argentina: Two veteran pilots of the Argentine National Airline reported seeing a flying object over Southern Chile. In Northern Chile, four officials of the Public Health Service claimed an alien craft landed near them, and its occupants warned them to remain silent.

Bolivia: Two UFOs were sighted in El Choro, south of LaPaz. One sighting was officially reported by the local police chief and the mayor.

Argentina: A flying object was reported hovering over a sodapop factory in Rosario, described as flat and silvery with a beam of bright red light.

North American Sightings

Washington, USA: On July 7, nine ruby red lights were observed soaring back and forth across Puget Sound for over 40 minutes. Pilot Rudy Malaspina chased the objects, insisting they were aircraft, though local military and FAA radar could not spot them. The objects ranged from Seattle to West Seattle and Elliott Bay. Malaspina reported the objects made a right oblique turn, and three rockets were fired from them. He also noted a significant deviation in his magnetic compass and his plane's clock stopping.

Quebec, Canada: Paul-Emile Desbiens reported burning objects falling from the sky and nude little men. A piece of hot rock was found as evidence. Provincial police confirmed receiving calls about nude men running along a road, though they initially dismissed them as illusions.

Colorado, USA: Town Marshal Felix Gallegos reported sightings of eight UFOs on May 7, describing red balls or lights zooming from the ground into the sky and others moving in straight lines or at angles.

Manitoba, Canada: Steve Michalak returned to the Falcon Lake site where he had an encounter in May 1967 and uncovered several pieces of radioactive metal shaped like an elongated S. The metal pieces registered radioactivity and showed signs of having been subjected to great heat and pressure.

New Planet Discredits Einstein, Says Italian

An Italian self-taught astronomer, Raffaele Bendani, claims to have discovered a new planet that proves Einstein's theory of relativity does not apply to the solar system. He named the planet Faenza and stated it is located between Mercury and the sun. Bendani, known for accurate earthquake and weather predictions, claims this new planet causes the constant changes in Mercury's orbit. He provided details about its distance from the sun and its orbital period.

Other News and Features

New Books: The issue includes a list of new books related to UFOs and extraterrestrial themes, such as "Are the Invaders Coming?" by Steven Tyler, "Ghost Lights" by Bob Loftin, "Flying Saucers--Here and Now" by Frank Edwards, and "Spacemen in the Ancient East" by W. Raymond Drake.

UFO Prober Arrested: James E. Wadsworth, a staff member at the University of Colorado investigating UFO reports, and his wife were arrested for possession of marijuana and peyote buttons. Wadsworth was involved in investigating the death of a horse named Snippy.

GAO Investigating Contract: The U.S. General Accounting Office has begun an investigation into a $496,000 Air Force contract with the University of Colorado for UFO studies.

APRG Reporter Information: The publication is monthly, by Aerial Phenomena Research Group, with subscription details provided. It is a non-profit organization serving the public since January 1, 1955, supported by subscriptions, donations, and stamps.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the growing scientific and governmental interest in UFO phenomena, particularly highlighted by the Soviet Union's official acknowledgment and investigation. The magazine presents a wide array of sightings from various countries, emphasizing the global nature of the phenomenon. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, encouraging scientific analysis and the collection of data, while also acknowledging the potential implications of extraterrestrial contact. The inclusion of new books and ongoing investigations by institutions like the University of Colorado and the GAO suggests a broad engagement with the UFO topic within the research community.