Data Net - No 15 - 1968

Magazine Overview

Title: DATA-NET REPORT
Issue: NO. 15
Date: March 5, 1968
Publisher: Data-Net Control Station
Type: Newsletter for radio amateurs interested in UFOs.

Content Summary

This issue of the Data-Net Report, dated March 5, 1968, serves as the official monthly newsletter for its members, who are radio amateurs actively investigating the UFO problem. The report lists its paid members and acknowledges cooperation with several prominent UFO research organizations, including The Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO), The National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), The Quebec Aerial Phenomena Research Society, and the Colorado University project.

The newsletter expresses a preference to remain neutral in the feud between APRO and NICAP, noting that NICAP appears to initiate conflict. Data-Net offers a $21.00 reward for authentic, unprocessed UFO photographs, with the condition that the film remains the property of the photographer and will not be sold.

Colorado University Project Update:

The report includes information received from Dr. Condon, head of the Colorado project. He confirmed the dismissal of Dr. Saunders and Dr. Levine, attributing it to a dispute arising from James Mac Donald's critical letter to Project Coordinator Robert J. Low, which contained confidential information furnished by Saunders and Levine. Condon acted in self-defense. The project's field studies have been extended to June 30, 1968, with the final report preparation aiming for a September 30 submission to the National Academy of Sciences. There is also mention of Mary Lou Armstrong resigning due to dissatisfaction and Jim Wadsworth being arrested for marijuana and peyote possession.

UFO Sightings and Investigations:

Several UFO-related incidents and reports are detailed:

• Mr. Wooten's Sighting: A retired Navy pilot, Mr. Wooten, reported a sighting in 1954 of a bright, circular object, estimated at 75-100 feet, with lights, at an altitude of 9000 feet. He disagreed with Air Force statements that UFOs are not spotted on radar, stating the object was "obviously solid."
• WA4VUG's Ham Club Presentation: A member, WA4VUG, gave a presentation on UFO history and theories at a ham club, discussing the Exeter incident.
• The "Hoax" in Loco, Texas: The report details the case of Carroll Wayne Watts, a farmer who claimed contact with aliens. After failing a polygraph test, he admitted the story was a hoax, implanted under hypnosis by an artist. Dr. J. Allen Hynek commented that if it was a hoax, it was a very clever one.
• Bright Object in North Dallas: A bright red object was seen in North Dallas, described as moving slowly, then standing still, emitting noises and sparks like firecrackers. A control tower suggested it was an airplane, but Dr. John Allen of the "Moonwatch" program stated it could not have been a satellite.
• B52 Bomber Missing: A B52 bomber with eight persons aboard went missing over the Gulf of Mexico off the Texas Coast.

Bermuda Triangle Mystery:

The issue revisits the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle, defining its boundaries and noting the unexplained disappearances of ships and planes over centuries. It mentions the loss of five Navy bombers in 1945 and the disappearance of the Navy collier Cyclops in 1918. The report highlights that the U.S. Navy attributes these events to "strange coincidence" rather than supernatural forces. The article also references Columbus's log entries about strange phenomena in the area.

Scientific Perspectives on UFOs:

Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a consultant to the Air Force's Project Blue Book, is quoted as stating that UFOs have gained "scientific respectability" and that an "open-minded scientific investigation is needed." He believes that "no theory that can be generalized has yet developed" to explain the phenomenon. Dr. J. E. McDonald, a physicist at the University of Arizona, strongly criticizes the "badly mishandled" investigation of UFOs by federal authorities and advises scientists to take the subject seriously. He suggests that an extraterrestrial survey might exist and criticizes the official attitude as "zero-point-zero."

Soviet Union's Interest in UFOs:

A significant development noted is the Soviet Union's about-face on flying saucers. They have created a government commission to investigate sightings and aim to pool information and techniques with the U.S. scientists, specifically with Dr. Condon's group. This move is seen as strengthening the belief that UFO sightings warrant continued study.

Other Items:

• A report on scientists agreeing that lightning killed a horse named Snippy in Colorado, refuting claims of alien involvement.
• A new UFO group, "Scientific Institute of UNICHOTOMETRICS INC.," is advertised, soliciting money for their teachings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Data-Net Report consistently advocates for a serious, open-minded, and scientific approach to the UFO phenomenon. It emphasizes personal investigation by its members and the importance of gathering and analyzing data. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards official explanations that dismiss UFO reports outright, while also being cautious about jumping to conclusions without thorough investigation. The newsletter aims to inform its membership and encourage their participation in research, while generally avoiding public publicity. There is a clear distrust of what is perceived as official mishandling of UFO data and a call for greater scientific rigor and less dismissive attitudes from the scientific community.

This issue of UFO Reports, dated March 1968, is the eleventh volume and focuses on a variety of UFO sightings and related phenomena from late 1967 and early 1968. The magazine presents accounts from different geographical locations, includes commentary from scientists and officials, and touches upon the ongoing scientific and public interest in the UFO phenomenon.

Key Articles and Reports

Dr. McDonald on UFO Evidence

Dr. McDonald, a physicist, addresses skeptical scientists who often attribute UFO reports to hoaxes or misinterpretations. He argues that while some phenomena might be poorly understood atmospheric or astronomical events, the weight of evidence suggests the world is under observation from elsewhere. He uses the analogy of a Solomon Islander witnessing a 1942 amphibious invasion to illustrate how advanced technology could be incomprehensible to the uninitiated. Dr. McDonald expresses a wish that UFO reports could be proven unfounded but concludes that the evidence is too substantial to dismiss.

Soviet Perspective on Flying Saucers

An article from the San Jose News, citing Moscow (UPI), reports that a Soviet science expert, V. Lyustiberg, dismissed flying saucers as a capitalist plot to divert workers' attention from economic issues. He listed them alongside the Loch Ness Monster and the Abominable Snowman as distractions. Lyustiberg claimed that UFO sightings increased during American election years and wars. However, the article also notes that the Soviets had appointed an unofficial commission to investigate 'unidentified flying objects' and that Soviet astronomers and pilots had reported sightings. Lyustiberg also dismissed alleged saucer photographs as lacking grounds for doubt and pointed out the absence of stereoscopic photographs.

Mystery Signals in Space

William C. Sexton of World Book Science Service reports on an electrifying discovery made by a new radio-telescope at the Mullard Observatory of Cambridge, England. The telescope detected signals that sounded like the work of intelligent creatures. However, the report clarifies that the signals, received since the previous fall, consist of 'besp...beep...beep' every 1.33 seconds on a frequency of 81.5 megacycles. While initially exciting, the Mullard team now attributes the radiation to a form of dying star, a theory conjectured in 1966. Three other similar sources have been located, but they do not show the period changes expected from a planet rotating around a star.

UFO Incident Over Peru

A report from KP4CH details an incident involving pilot Oswaldo Sanvitti and the passengers of a Faucett Peruvian Airlines DC-4 flight. While flying from Piura to Lima, the plane encountered a luminous, cone-shaped object. The UFO caused the plane's radio to go dead and its cabin lights to dim. The object, estimated to be 230 feet in diameter, danced around the plane, flashing brilliant colors. After an hour, it vanished with incredible speed. Shortly after, two UFOs reappeared and then disappeared again. Captain Sanvitti, who had a similar sighting in 1953, believed the UFOs became aware of his radio message and quickly left. The passengers were shaken but unharmed.

UFO Sightings in Pennsylvania

Kenneth Dorn reports on an explosion of UFO sightings in central and south-central Pennsylvania during the summer of 1967, with an estimated 2,000 reports for the year, and possibly as many as 6,000 unreported. A significant event was a sighting in Harrisburg where a UFO was seen to lower itself behind woods. Investigators later found a flattened area in the grass, approximately 16 by 5 feet, with three holes set 12 feet apart. This area was found to be 'hot' with radioactivity, and the holes were 'exceedingly hot,' registering the maximum the Geiger counter could record. Other sightings in the region included a luminous green object hovering over a house in Summerdale, Pennsylvania, which reportedly paralyzed the limbs of witnesses, and a bright light observed by Mr. and Mrs. Krebs that appeared to be a UFO.

Groo-Loo Mystery in California

Patricia Rideout reports on the 'Goo-Loo' phenomenon in the orchard at Coleman Valley, California. Three members of the Roseland Fire Department found a clue: sparks rising from a muddy area when stepped upon. This phenomenon was described as 'glowing,' hesitating, and then shooting out as sparks, appearing phosphorescent but not rising into the air. The color was yellowish-white. This reporter also witnessed the sparks. Dennis Wolford, who had seen the 'Goo-Loo' before, stated this was different. The area was a pocket below the orchard level where topsoil had washed down. The firemen considered it a starting point for investigation. The article also speculates if this 'Goo-Loo' is a UFO defector or a luminous green phantom. Mrs. Morrison, a teacher, connects the current mystery object to a 'huge UFO' she sighted on her property two years prior. She described a large, orange-yellow, round object that rose straight up at great speed, changed color from orange-yellow to blue and then dark blue-green, and changed shape from round to elliptical.

Canadian UFO Sighting and Photos

Thomas Porter reports on a whirling silver UFO sighted by three prospectors in the Canadian backwoods. One of the men, an amateur photographer, managed to snap two quick pictures. A large darkish object reportedly fell from the craft just before it disappeared. Warren Smith's photos were analyzed by the Canadian Department of the National Defense, which described them as 'excellent photographs of an unidentified object' that could not be explained. The object was estimated to be 40-50 feet in diameter and 11.5-14 feet deep, with a shiny surface. The sighting occurred in a wooded area south of Calgary.

Soviet Union Quashes UFO Interest

An article from the San Jose Mercury reports that the Soviet Union's top-ranking Academy of Sciences acted to quell interest in UFOs, with leading astronomers and physicists calling recurring reports 'unscientific sensationalism.' They stated that all objects flying over Soviet territory are identified by scientists or military personnel.

US Seeks Soviet Cooperation on UFOs

Dr. Edward Condon, director of an Air Force-financed investigation of unidentified flying objects, appealed to Soviet scientists for cooperation. This appeal was relayed through the National Academy of Sciences. Condon's investigation, funded by the Air Force, aimed to determine if flying saucers are natural phenomena or spaceships. The appeal was prompted by news reports of a special Soviet commission investigating UFOs, and Condon expressed a willingness to exchange information.

Vanishing Bomber

A report from Fort Worth, Texas, states that a B52 bomber, the largest in the U.S. arsenal, mysteriously vanished over the Gulf of Mexico with eight fliers aboard. The bomber disappeared from radar screens about eight miles off the radar station-bombing range and not more than 15 miles from the Texas mainland. Fleets of airplanes and ships found no debris, and no explosion was indicated.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFO sightings as credible events, often highlighting eyewitness accounts and the difficulties faced by investigators. There's a recurring theme of scientific skepticism versus the persistent evidence of unexplained phenomena. The publication seems to lean towards the belief that UFOs represent a genuine, possibly extraterrestrial, presence. The contrast between Soviet dismissal and American investigation, along with the appeal for international cooperation, underscores the global nature of the UFO topic. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and a challenge to conventional explanations, encouraging readers to engage with the subject matter and contribute their own observations or thoughts.