Data Net - No 67 - 1973

Magazine Overview

Title: DATA-NET
Issue: Vol. VII No. 1
Date: January 1973
Publisher: DATA-NET
Description: This issue of DATA-NET, the official publication of the UFO Amateur Radio Network, focuses on exploring UFO phenomena through research, sighting reports, and historical parallels.

Research in Progress: The Winged Disk and Its Occupants

This section features an article by Dr. Jacques Vallee, who examines ancient Phoenician amulets preserved in the British Museum. These amulets, dated around 500 BC, depict winged disks, often with appendages and 'divine beings' emerging from them. Vallee suggests that these ancient representations might be historical parallels to modern UFO sightings, particularly the concept of a 'winged disk' with potential 'landing gear' or 'claws.' He analyzes five specific amulets (Figures A-E), detailing the scenes which involve figures in ceremonial dress, rituals, and Assyrian elements. Vallee raises questions about the interpretation of these symbols, their connection to the cosmos, and whether they represent knowledge of UFO landings transmitted by ancient peoples. He speculates on the significance of these depictions in the context of Phoenician religion and culture, noting the absence of typical religious iconography and the presence of elements that could be interpreted as advanced technology.

Report on an Observation in the Night Sky

Professor Gabriel Alvial C. of the University of Chile reports on a series of luminous phenomena observed since October 1967 by technicians at the 'El Infiernillo' Observatory. These phenomena, coded 'F.P.E.' (Fenomeno por explicar) or 'P.R.E.' (Phenomena requiring explanation), appear as mobile stars of magnitude zero to one that halt in space. Photographs taken during static periods show luminous rings of Fresnel diffraction. The observatory is located at a height of 4343 meters in the Andes. A specific observation on May 17, 1968, is detailed, involving a flickering light and a smaller light from the 'El Roble Observatory' 100 Kms away. The Center of Cosmic Radiation prefers not to use terms like OVNIS or UFOs, seeking natural explanations. A project is underway to install a space scanning camera, with a cost of US $35,000.00, seeking funding from international institutions.

Sighting Report Distribution Map and Index

This section provides a map of the United States, Australia, and Canada showing the distribution of UFO sighting reports for October 1972, with the United States having 1 report, Australia 3, and Canada 5, for a total of 9. It also includes a Sighting Report Index for October 1972, with a coding system for different types of sightings (landings, unusual flight patterns, stationary, continuous flight, indefinite objects) and classifications for object characteristics (facing/investigating vehicles, multiple objects, physical appearance, borderline objects) and evidence (optical aids, photograph, effects, landed, occupant seen, traces). A list of specific sightings from October 1972 is provided, including dates, locations (Colwood B.C., Traralgon Vic., Badin N. Carolina, Aldergrove B.C.), codes, and witnesses.

Clipping the News

This section compiles news reports of recent UFO sightings:

• August 3, 1972 - Novi, Michigan: Four people reported seeing unusual flying objects described as oval-shaped with white lights forming a halo, making a humming sound. One object was seen to make a right-angle turn and disappear rapidly. Police noted the descriptions were favorable to other reported UFO sightings.
• August 5, 1972 - Evant, Texas: At least five witnesses reported a circular UFO with bluish, pinkish, and reddish lights, hovering for about five minutes before moving off to the west at high speed. The object was low enough to cast a beam of light.
• August 6, 1972 - Georgetown, California: A family reported seeing oblong objects, sometimes standing on end, other times on their side, emitting green, yellow, and white lights with a mist. They described one object as being as large as a dining room table and heard a humming sound. Military bases in the area reported no UFO activity.
• August 10, 1972 - Green River, Wyoming: A silvery object with bright flashing lights was reported by multiple witnesses, including police, moving rapidly and on a downward trajectory during a sunny afternoon.
• August 27, 1972 - York, North Dakota: After observing a moving light, a 'bald spot' was found in a field with scattered, lightweight, rock-like clinkers. Samples were sent to the state geologist.
• August 30, 1972 - Wick City, Pennsylvania: An object described as having flashing red, green, and yellow lights, similar to stars, was observed stationary for approximately three hours.

Other Sections

• Announcements: Information on membership, rewards for authentic photos, shop & swap services, research library access, and availability of specific UFO books and back issues.
• Data-Net Communication Centers: Details the network schedule for Wednesday evenings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the search for evidence and explanations for UFO phenomena, the connection between historical accounts and modern sightings, and the reporting of contemporary UFO events. The editorial stance, as stated in the 'POLICY' section, is that DATA-NET believes sufficient evidence exists to prove the reality of UFOs and aims to find answers to their nature and origin. The publication encourages contributions from its members and the public, emphasizing a commitment to research and information gathering.

This issue of UFO Report, dated September 1972, Volume 1, Issue 11, presents a collection of UFO sightings and related news from various locations across the globe. The magazine focuses on witness testimonies, official reports, and some commentary on the scientific investigation of these phenomena.

Reported Sightings and Incidents

Kittanning, Pennsylvania (August 31, 1972)

A report describes an object as a "bright light with a sort of tail formed of windows or portholes through which lights, red, yellow, and green, shone." Witnesses claimed these variegated lights were seen forming a ring around the Kittanning area, and that blinking lights were not connected to the spherical vehicle but detached. A resident of Johnston Avenue reported similar flashing illuminations visible for several nights. The Buhl Planetarium and Allegheny Conservatory had not received other reports as of noon. An expert suggested that mechanical issues or distortion could cause such reports, but noted the duration of the sighting (three hours) ruled out simple explanations like celestial bodies. The incident was logged at the Emergency Operations Center.

Olympia, Washington (September 7, 1972)

A 15-year-old boy, Chris Norleen, reported being struck by what felt like an electric shock from a UFO. He described the object as a round ball with dots, having a "smiling face" and making a buzzing sound. Deputy Ed Nowak confirmed the youth had no visible injury but suggested a medical checkup.

La Grande, Oregon (September 11, 1972)

Don Miller, a district ranger, presented a picture of a UFO that had passed through the northwest area. He reported it was silver-colored, had a red flame stream, and traveled at a very high speed.

West Palm Beach, Florida (September 12, 1972)

Multiple witnesses, including Mr. Smith and his neighbor, reported seeing 11 objects pulsating with red, yellow, green, white, and blue lights. They described the objects as flipping, whirling, and flashing tiny lights through what appeared to be portholes. The objects turned like a ring and then became whitish. After accelerating, a red tail appeared. Palm Beach International Airport control tower personnel observed the phenomenon, though an FAA spokesman cautiously suggested they were "stars changing colors." A woman from the county planetarium expressed a belief that an invasion was imminent.

West Palm Beach, Florida (September 14, 1972)

This report details the mystery of a UFO that was tracked on radar at Palm Beach International Airport for about an hour. The radar sighting followed reports of mysterious glowing lights. U.S. Air Force officials acknowledged their initial dismissal of the object as "the planet Venus" or a "weather phenomenon" might have been premature. Two F106 fighter interceptors were scrambled to investigate. Sheriff William R. Heidtman initially thought it was Mars but later identified it as Venus. Maj. Jerry B. Smith, a fighter pilot, also believed it was Venus. However, control tower observers described the object as "cigar-shaped" and "all lit up," and an Eastern Airlines pilot confirmed it was unlike anything seen before. The object was traveling at an estimated 100 knots and moved erratically. The operator noted it looked like a commercial airliner but approached at a much slower speed. The object was estimated to be about two miles from the tower. The FAA also confirmed radar contact. The case was initially closed, but further investigation by the News-Times suggested it might be reopened.

Quapaw, Oklahoma (September 19, 1972)

Mr. and Mrs. George McWatters reported a brilliant blue-white light of undetermined origin over the Devil's Promenade area. They described it as coming up over the river, moving east, and getting brighter. The light appeared to be hanging above treetop level, with an odd bluish-green and white color, too bright to look at directly. They saw it clearly despite the rising sun and lack of stars. Mrs. McWatters noted it appeared "bigger than any star I've seen, and brighter." Before vanishing, two smaller lights appeared to the south. The light seemed to get brighter as it moved away, disappearing about six to 10 miles away. A check with local airports revealed no weather balloons or aircraft reports.

Colwood, British Columbia, Canada (October 5, 1972)

Mrs. R. Rennie reported seeing what she believes was a UFO land on a small mountain behind her house. She described it as a bright star, then an orange-colored oval-shaped ball that moved jerkily towards the north, hovered, and then came to rest on the mountain top. After a few minutes, it rose and disappeared, leaving a trail of jet streams. The object was estimated to be about 16 to 18 feet in circumference. Pat McInnes, a UFO researcher, examined the landing spot and found that some moss had been rubbed off the rock. Soil samples were sent for analysis.

Colwood, British Columbia, Canada (October 11, 1972)

Mrs. Marjorie Parker and her 10-year-old son Rob reported seeing a large elliptical object emitting whitish-yellow lights from about eight openings while hovering over the Victoria area. The light turned bluish, and the object moved noiselessly. They watched for about 20 minutes before it moved out of sight. Mrs. Parker was uncertain if it was a UFO but stated it was not an aircraft.

Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada (October 18, 1972)

Mrs. Marg Kocsis and her brother, George, were awakened by a loud, unidentifiable sound and observed a bright light rising swiftly in a southeast direction. The animals on their farm reacted with distress, kicking up a fuss of howling and barking. The weather conditions that morning included a fairly heavy fog.

Traralgon, Victoria, Australia (October 8, 1972)

A night patrolman, Lawrence Pinchen, claimed he was followed about 20 miles by a bright light near Traralgon. The light turned red and shot up into the sky. He checked searchlight alarms and found no explanation. He and Constable Peter Cavanagh followed the light to Rosedale, where they watched it until 6 a.m. and photographed it. Constable Cavanagh stated it was "not a star--not in daylight."

Badin, North Carolina (October 8, 1972)

Victor Devereaux reported sighting an object estimated to be 3,000 to 4,000 feet up, moving at around 300 miles an hour, with no sound. He described it as silver-colored, shaped like a dumbbell with enlarged ends tapering to a cone-like point, and about 120 feet long and as large around as a house. He observed it moving from the northeast toward the southwest. He could detect no sound, no gondola, and no windows. He also looked for wings or tail surfaces but saw none.

Boeley, England (November 11, 1972)

Police investigated reports of a UFO sighting over a lonely stretch of Midland countryside. A housewife and a young farmworker claimed to have seen three lights hovering about 700 feet in the air for four hours. Two police officers also saw the lights. The farmworker, Keith Harris, described seeing "three lights--apparently from three separate vehicles--hovering backwards and forwards." He noted they were like radiating lights, changing color from red to white and back again, and kept disappearing over the horizon and reappearing. He was certain they were not planes due to the lack of engine noise and concluded they were UFOs.

Scientific Commentary and Investigations

J. Allen Hynek and the Condon Report

J. Allen Hynek, an American astronomer, is featured for his book "The UFO Experience." In it, Hynek criticizes the Condon report, "The Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects," as unscientific and designed to discredit UFOs. Hynek concludes that UFOs exist and present a scientific problem, contrary to the Condon committee's findings. Astronomer Bruce Murray reviewed Hynek's book, calling it a "valid, if speculative, scientific topic." The issue notes Condon's response to these criticisms.

The ENQUIRER's Blue-Ribbon Panel

The ENQUIRER offered a $50,000 reward for proof of an extraterrestrial UFO and a $5,000 award for the most scientifically valuable evidence. A panel of five scientists and educators was named to judge claims. The panel was considering over 1,000 reports and planned to continue its research through 1973. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a panel member, noted that "reports that clearly cannot be explained in conventional terms" exist. Dr. James Harder highlighted reports of landing sites with physical evidence. Dr. R. Leo Sprinkle mentioned strong reports, and Dr. Frank B. Salisbury noted reports verifiable by scientific methods. Jim Lorenzen of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization praised the "extremely valuable body of evidence."

Pictures of UFO-Like Craft in French Literature

The magazine presents two drawings from French novels published in 1896 and 1905, depicting aircraft similar to modern UFOs. Figure 1 is from "The Black Invasion" by Captain Driant, and Figure 2 is from "The Infernal War" by Mericant, described as the "flying machine of the Capazza (1889)." This information was provided by Spanish researchers Antonio Ribera and Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings across different continents, the variety in descriptions of UFOs, and the ongoing debate within the scientific community regarding their nature and explanation. The editorial stance appears to favor the serious investigation of UFO phenomena, highlighting witness accounts and scientific efforts to understand them, while also acknowledging skepticism and the challenges of definitive proof. The inclusion of the ENQUIRER's reward program suggests a push for more rigorous, scientific evidence.