Flying Saucer Digest - No 035-36

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER DIGEST
Issue: Nos. 35 & 36
Publisher: UAPA Publications
Country: USA
Language: English
Price: 5 issues $2.00; 10 issues $3.75 in the U.S.A. Canada, Mexico and elsewhere, 5 issues $4.00; 10 issues $5.90
Cover Headline: BRILLIANT FLASH LIGHTS NIGHT SKIES

Content Summary

This issue of the Flying Saucer Digest, dated March and April 1978, presents a compilation of numerous unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings reported from various locations across the United States, Canada, and England. The cover story, "BRILLIANT FLASH LIGHTS NIGHT SKIES," details an event on March 28, 1978, in Oceanside, California, where a bright flash of light, described as 'flaming and really bright,' was observed, followed by a loud boom. The light streaked across the sky and was seen throughout the county, with some witnesses reporting a blue-green tint. Astronomers at the Palomar Observatory were unsure of the light's origin, suggesting it might have been a meteor or re-entering space debris. Officials at Miramar Naval Air Base and a Coast Guard spokesman also expressed uncertainty, with the latter calling it 'an unknown natural phenomenon.'

Further reports from California suggest a layer of ice at high altitudes might have reflected light. Andrew Simon of the San Diego county UFO Research Organization noted the widespread nature of the event, with reports from Chula Vista to Carlsbad, calling it 'a mystery.' Some witnesses claimed to see objects in the vicinity of the flash, describing one as 'A plate with cups on the top and bottom' and another as an 'elongated object' approximately 500 feet long and 100 feet wide.

The digest then moves to other reported sightings:

• Arcade, N.Y. (March 22, 1978): Six members of the Cattaraugus Sheriff's Department reported seeing two unidentified flying objects, one red and blue, the other green and white, hover in the Great Valley area for about ten minutes.
• Bryan, Ohio (April 13, 1978): The Williams County sheriff's department received a report of an unidentified object with flashing red and blue lights hovering over the Goebel Wrecking Co.
• Ruston, La. (March 20, 1978): Louisiana State Police investigated an accident where a city employee, Charles E. Green, claimed he was fleeing a 'big ball of light' that 'swooped' down and chased him, causing him to lose control of his car and strike a utility pole.
• Edmore, Michigan (April 1, 1978): A potato farmer named 'Digger' Shovelle reported discovering a UFO landing site. He described being blinded by 'eerie flashing lights' and hearing a 'whirling, whishing, whoosing sound,' after which he saw 'a half dozen' round discs hovering.
• Torrance, Calif. (April 16, 1978): Three farmers reported seeing an unidentified flying object, described as a round disk with a green-copperish light and a roaring sound, land in their fields near the northern Mexican city.
• Bridgeport, Conn. (April 10, 1978): A fourteen-year-old student reported seeing four flying objects with lights, described as round and noiseless, near Blackham School. His mother corroborated that dogs in the neighborhood barked as the objects approached.
• Lewisburg, W. Va. (April 11, 1978): James Burgess reported seeing a 'huge fireball with a long tail' moving from north to south without sound.
• Exeter, Canada (March 9, 1978): Residents in Ontario reported sighting an unidentified flying object, described as a yellow light much larger than an aircraft beam, that flashed across the sky.
• Janesville, Wis. (April 17, 1978): A woman reported an unidentified flying object traveling on County B, described as round with a clear dome on the top and bottom.
• Pascagoula, Miss. (March 24, 1978): Kenneth and Patricia Atwell reported seeing a bright and huge UFO, estimated to be 200 to 300 feet above the ground, with alternating red and white lights, moving west at a rapid speed.
• Bartesville, Okla. (March 18, 1978): Numerous reports of a 'large red object' seen floating south into Oklahoma were noted.
• Denville, N.J. (April 12, 1978): Police received a report of an unidentified flying object sighted over Boonton, described as a luminous red ball with rays shooting out, which hovered before ascending rapidly.
• Elm Grove, Wis. (March 23, 1978): Reports of an unusual UFO sighted near the WTMJ radio towers were received.
• Leeds, England (March 1, 1978): Karen Rooney claimed to have sighted a UFO, sparking a search. Police were unsure of what she saw, suggesting it could have been a parachutist or balloon.
• Perth, Australia (April 8, 1978): Hundreds of residents in Sydney reported a UFO that 'whistled through the sky.' Experts suggested it could have been a large meteorite, described by witnesses as a 'ball of fire as big as the moon.'
• Bradford, England (March 14, 1978): A group of youngsters claimed to see a large disc-shaped white light hovering, which then vanished, followed by smaller lights. Bradford police also received several sightings of unidentified flying objects.
• England (February 9, 1978): Several people thought they spotted an unidentified flying object over Chosen Hill, but Air Traffic Control suggested it might have been an aircraft.
• England (March 4, 1978): A couple saw a disc-shaped bright light above electricity pylons that changed from bluish to red and disappeared upwards and outwards, described as 'rather like a sunlamp.'
• England (February 22, 1978): A housewife is convinced she saw a UFO hovering over her garden, describing it as 'no bigger than a football' with spikes, moving slowly before vanishing.
• England (March 7, 1978): An oval-shaped object was seen near Skipton, which changed into an elongated shape and traveled at high speed, initially thought to be smoke or a cloud.
• Leicester, England (February 3, 1978): Three independent sightings of a mystery object, described as 'oval' and 'saucer-shaped' with a dull, red glow, hovering over Burbage Common were reported.
• Toronto, Canada (April 6, 1978): Sightings of a cylindrical UFO with square, flashing red lights over Welland were being studied, with witnesses noting it was wider on top and made no noise.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the widespread and diverse nature of UFO sightings. The publication appears to be a non-profit organization dedicated to the study of unidentified flying objects of undetermined origin, as stated in its masthead. The editorial stance is one of reporting these phenomena without overt skepticism, presenting witness accounts and official statements, even when they express uncertainty or offer conventional explanations like meteors or aircraft. The digest aims to document these events, providing details on dates, locations, witness descriptions, and any official responses or investigations, thereby serving as a record for those interested in the study of UFOs.

The publication details its subscription rates and contact information, indicating it is a bi-monthly publication. The managing editor is Allan J. Manak, and circulation is handled by Donna M. Manak.