APRG Reporter - Vol 7 No 03 - No 75 - 12 1968

Magazine Overview

Title: APRG REPORTER
Issue Date: December 1968
Volume: 7 No. 3
Issue Number: 75
Publisher: Aerial Phenomena Research Group (APRG)
Country of Publication: USA
Original Language: English

This issue of the APRG Reporter focuses on a significant scientific study of UFOs and compiles numerous recent sighting reports from various locations.

Scientists in Three Month UFO Study

The lead article details the startling results of a three-month UFO study conducted by a small group of prominent Redlands, California scientists. The findings are expected to trigger a special investigation into UFOs by Congress. Representative Jerry Pettis, a member of the House Science and Astronautics Committee, announced he will request a special ad hoc subcommittee to study UFO reports nationwide. Pettis emphasized the importance of community leaders and responsible people reporting sightings and stated that priority would be given to this matter on the committee's agenda. He noted that while the entire science committee heard UFO reports previously, no definite evidence was introduced. To encourage testimony from those fearing ridicule, Pettis suggested some sessions could be held behind closed doors, including scientists, military leaders, government officials, and individuals who have sighted UFOs or studied the phenomena. The goal is to determine if the subject is a natural phenomenon or not.

Dr. Philip Seff, a geologist and professor at the University of Redlands, headed the three-month study of a UFO sighting that occurred over Redlands on February 4, 1968. Other members of the study group included Dr. Reinhold Krantz, Jr. (university's science division director and chemist) and Dr. Judson Sanderson, Jr. (professor of mathematics), along with art instructor John Brownfield. Seff stated that the group approached the investigation scientifically and was very skeptical, attempting to prove the sighting was natural. However, they concluded that it was 'beyond any doubt' not natural. Dr. Seff does not believe UFOs are connected to current scientific research on Earth, questioning why millions would be spent on propulsion and navigation if such technology existed. The team members found it difficult to remain neutral after such an investigation. While not explicitly stating UFOs are alien visitors, they suggested that if life exists on other planets, it could be far more advanced, making such travel possible. Dr. Seff expressed confidence in their findings, stating, 'We can't be worried about ridicule--we're scientists--and there just isn't a reasonable doubt any more that this happened.' The object was last seen heading towards the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, with Dr. Seff humorously suggesting it might be 'on its way home to the planet Zeus.'

Operation 'Angel Hair'

Recent reported sightings of UFOs in the St. Anne, Manitoba, Canada area have led to an analysis at the University of Manitoba concerning a fluffy material termed 'angel hair' found at the scenes of reported sightings. Adrian Jubinville, a teacher from St. Anne, stated that the results of the 'angel hair' tests have not yet been released and are unlikely to be. He mentioned that tests of materials linked with UFO sightings have been kept secret at the request of NICAP and APRO. Jubinville described 'angel hair' as a 'spider web-type material' found after UFO sightings. His wife reported finding it hanging from power lines. Three reported sightings by district farmers were accompanied by reports of 'angel hair,' which usually disappears on contact but has reportedly remained in the atmosphere for three or four days before disintegrating.

Student Saw 'Weird Things'

An Omaha, Nebraska man, Steve Thomas, a 20-year-old music major at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, described seeing seven dome-shaped craft near Elk City, Nebraska. He stated, 'I can't say they were UFOs because I don't believe in them.' Thomas saw the first object about a half mile away in a field along Nebraska Highway 36, described as 'big as a house,' red hot, with smoke but no flame. After driving through Elk City, he saw six more similar craft hovering at an altitude of about five hundred feet. Two of these craft moved and appeared to settle onto the highway, though Thomas did not believe they were following him.

Alien Activity Over Arkansas Farm

An elderly, unidentified farmer in Moko, Arkansas, reported to highway patrol and state police that several dirigible-shaped craft had been hovering over his property and dumping a gasoline-like liquid, which had killed several of his cattle. He reported seeing as many as 50 craft at one time, but could not get a good description due to their arrival at dusk.

UFOs Reported Over Nova Scotia, Canada

Professor R.H. MacNeill of Acadia University stated, 'These things are real...they are here,' following recent reports of alien activity over the South Shore of Nova Scotia. MacNeill, a member of the National Research Council's meteorite committee, noted that knowledge about UFOs has not advanced despite frequent sightings. Witness Blaine Henshaw, a news reporter, described one craft resembling pictures of the planet Saturn. It hovered over trees, then rose rapidly to appear like a star. Two more craft descended and hovered, with one ascending vertically and the other moving off horizontally. Henshaw reported the craft moved faster than jet planes and alternated in color from white to red.

Pilots Sight UFO Over Texas

On October 27, 1968, two pilots flying separate courses sighted an alien object over an area southeast of Del Rio, Texas. Jim Mulgannon, chief pilot for the Del Rio Flying Service, observed the object for 28 minutes while flying a Cessna 182 at 4500 feet. He described it as a bright light moving southward, initially dim and small, but becoming brighter and larger, appearing about the size of a dime before dimming again and returning to a steady intensity. Mulgannon first sighted it at 7:15 p.m. and watched it until it turned south and disappeared. He conducted tests to confirm it was not a star and was moving. Mulgannon reported that both the Federal Aviation Agency and the U.S. Air Force have the information. The owner of the Henson Flying Service at Laredo, who also sighted the object, provided a matching report.

Mystery Object Observed From Airliner

Larry Jones, from Tijuana, Mexico, reported witnessing a UFO flight on December 11, aboard Aeronaves de Mexico Flight 111 from Tijuana to Mexico City. About five minutes after takeoff, he saw a grouping of flame-colored lights about 500 yards off the left wing tip. He initially dismissed it as a forest fire, but the lights remained for five minutes before coming closer and drifting out. Jones, a licensed pilot since 1942, noted that the object maintained the aircraft's altitude and speed. He went to the cockpit, and the captain had radioed Tijuana for information on possible aircraft, but was assured nothing was supposed to be in the area. After 19 minutes, the object turned left and descended out of sight. Jones stated that the Aeronaves flight log would support his letter.

Space Scientist Doubts UFO Real

Dr. Robert Jastrow, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, expressed skepticism about UFO sightings during a youth seminar at the Explorers Club in New York. He stated there is only a 'minute possibility' that UFOs have ever been sighted, citing the vast distances between galaxies and stars, making accidental encounters with interplanetary vehicles almost impossible. Jastrow concluded that UFO sightings must be attributed to atmospheric electricity or imagination, but did not dismiss the possibility of their existence entirely. He predicted that Earthlings might become preoccupied with erecting interstellar transmitters in 200 to 300 years and that space exploration beyond the solar system would only be possible with energy sources capable of achieving half the speed of light. He mentioned future exploration of the moon for precursors of living organisms and learning from lunar rocks brought back by astronauts.

Alien Craft Makes Close Approach

Francis Johnson of Moravia, New York, reported a UFO sighting to the Schuyler County Sheriff's Department on October 17, 1968. Officers stated Johnson was seven miles west of Watkins Glen when he noticed a brilliant white light flooding his vehicle. As he slowed down, he saw the light lift over his car. The object, estimated to be about two stories above ground, was too bright to discern its shape or size. The lights turned from white to brilliant orange-red and blinding green. Johnson heard no sound, and his car's motor, lights, and radio temporarily stopped functioning. He did not leave the car. After a short time, the craft moved southwest, and Johnson's car operated normally.

Mystery Object Tracked Over Michigan

Brighton, Michigan Police Chief Walt LaMoria reported that four children sighted a glowing object on August 27, 1968. The children described a large glowing object, 'as big as a house,' flying high in the sky and emitting fire from its 'back-end.' LaMoria later learned that astronomical laboratories at Michigan State University were tracking an object crossing the western sky that same afternoon, and its description matched the children's account.

More Alien Activity Over Pennsylvania

Several residents of the Castlewood area in Shenango Township, Pennsylvania, reported seeing UFOs during the last three weeks of September 1968. Keith D. Price, 19, saw a disc-shaped craft on September 12, and he and his brothers saw the craft again on September 19. The UFOs were described as round, appearing oblong from the side with a dome-like protrusion at the top, and having multi-colored lights that flicker faster than airplane lights. Several objects were sighted over Amity, Pennsylvania, on November 13, 1968. A resident reported trailing one by car to within a quarter-mile of where it hovered about 20 feet from the ground. The Chester Bailey family first reported a single moving light that was soon joined by several others, described as small and varying in color. About 10 or 12 objects hovered over the area. Later that evening, 16-year-old Dan Bailey and his mother observed a large, steel ball-bearing-like object, about the size of a Volkswagen, hovering about 20 feet off the ground with a silver glow. The object moved behind a hill and disappeared. A waitress at the Greene County Airport restaurant also reported seeing around 10 lights in the sky, with one appearing more prominent and descending over a hilltop.

APRG Reporter Publication Information

APRG REPORTER is published by Aerial Phenomena Research Group, located at 5108 South Findlay Street, Seattle, Washington. APRG is a non-profit organization serving the public since January 1, 1955.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, scientific investigations into unexplained aerial phenomena, and the potential for official government inquiry. The editorial stance, as represented by the APRG Reporter and the articles it publishes, is one of serious consideration and documentation of UFO reports, presenting witness accounts and scientific analyses without overt skepticism, while also including perspectives from scientists who remain cautious or attribute sightings to natural causes. The publication aims to inform the public about UFO phenomena and related research.