Flying Saucer Digest - No 095 - 1986

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER DIGEST
Issue: FALL 86, NO. 95
Publisher: United Aerial Phenomena Agency (UAPA)
Date: Fall 1986

This issue of the Flying Saucer Digest, published by the United Aerial Phenomena Agency (UAPA), is dedicated to exploring UFO phenomena, with a particular focus on recent sightings and historical context. The cover features a striking illustration of a ring-shaped space station orbiting a planet, with smaller flying saucers in the background, setting a tone of cosmic exploration and mystery.

From the Editor

The "From the Editor" section, written by Robert S. Easley, begins with a somber tribute to Dr. J. Allen Hynek, who passed away on April 27th in Scottsdale, Arizona. Hynek is remembered as the astronomical consultant for Project Blue Book from 1948 to 1969, noted for his controversial 'swamp gas' statement. He is also credited with founding the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) in 1973 and coining the phrase "close encounters of the third kind" in his 1972 book, THE UFO EXPERIENCE. Easley recalls meeting Hynek on three occasions and emphasizes the significant void his passing leaves in the UFO field.

The editor also discusses the 20th anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and expresses concern over proposed weakening of the law by the Reagan Administration. The FOIA is highlighted as a crucial tool for UFOlogists to monitor government involvement. Readers are encouraged to write to their representatives to support the FOIA and are recommended to read William L. Moore's FAIR-WITNESS PROJECT, INC. and Lawrence Fawcett's book, CLEAR INTENT.

Easley outlines UAPA's plans for the coming year, including the release of a UFO Catalog and the upcoming issues of the digest. Issue #96 is scheduled for a November 1st mailing date, featuring a new illustration. Special upcoming issues include #98 (Summer 1987) commemorating the 40th anniversary of the UFO mystery, and #100 (Winter 1987) which promises a surprise.

Greetings from Up North

This section includes a note from Gene Duplantier, who is doing well and has a 1986 UFO book catalog available. He has also launched a new publication called DELVE, described as a magazine collection of the strange and unusual.

New Poll Findings

Jon D. Miller, director of the Public Opinion Laboratory at Northern Illinois University, released findings from a telephone poll of 2,000 adults sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Key findings relevant to UFOlogy include:

• 43% agreed that it is likely some reported UFOs are space vehicles from other civilizations.
• 41% agreed that rocket launchings and other space activities have caused changes in our weather.
• Less than 50% disagreed with these statements.
• Miller suggests this indicates confusion between real and fictional technologies.
• 70% agreed that life likely exists on thousands of planets in the universe.
• 40% gave scientific credibility to astrology.

The Amazing Voyager II Spacecraft

The article provides an update on the Voyager II spacecraft, launched in August 1977. It reached Jupiter in 1979, Saturn in 1981, and Uranus on January 24, 1986. It is now headed to Neptune for a fly-by in August 1989. Despite experiencing 'brain death,' the spacecraft has far exceeded its designed lifetime, which was initially only for studying Jupiter and Saturn. The article laments that planetary exploration faces funding challenges, despite its relatively low cost compared to other government projects like the 'Star Wars' system.

News Update

This section covers several diverse topics:

• Voyager II at Uranus: Early findings indicate Uranus has 15 moons, significant geologic activity, 11 rings, and a unique hydrogen cloud.
• Dinosaur Extinction: The asteroid-impact theory for the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago is gaining acceptance, as detailed in a SCIENCE DIGEST article.
• Bigfoot Research: Grover Krantz, a Bigfoot researcher, is quoted suggesting that obtaining proof might require shooting a Sasquatch, as other evidence like footprints and hair can be faked.
• Massive Space Object: Professor Edwin Turner suggests the discovery of a mysterious object in space potentially containing 10,000 times the mass of the Milky Way galaxy. Craig Wheeler considers the possibility of an exceptionally massive black hole.
• Milky Way Size: Astronomers estimate the Milky Way is 23,000 light years from its center, implying the galaxy is about 70,000 light years across, making it 30% smaller than previously estimated.
• Archaeopteryx Fossil: The 150-million-year-old Archaeopteryx fossil, showing evolutionary transition between dinosaurs and birds, has been retested and confirmed as authentic.
• Radio Telescope Network: A powerful radio telescope in Socorro, New Mexico, is being expanded into a network of 11 telescopes, enabling astronomical 'reading' of distant electromagnetic activity.

Guest Article: Blue Book's Purpose

This article, originally published in the FAIR-WITNESS PROJECT, INC. newsletter FOCUS, examines the purpose of Project Blue Book. It discusses the debate over whether Blue Book was a genuine investigative unit or a front operation to quell public hysteria. A document obtained under FOIA, dated 1956 and classified Secret, is presented. This document from the 4602nd Air Intelligence Service Squadron states that the primary purpose of the UFOB program (including Blue Book) was "to allay hysteria by systematically squelching rumors and illusions."

The article concludes with a quote from Edward de Bono: "I really do believe that the most optimistic thing about the human race is its relative stupidity. There would be little hope if the human race was as bright as it thinks it is and still got itself into so much trouble."

UFO Retrospective: What Do You Think of UFOs? Part II

This installment traces the history of UFO reporting and investigation:

• JANAP 146(B): A classified communication instruction for reporting vital intelligence sightings, including UFOs.
• Project Twinkle: A study of green fireballs that ended.
• APRO founded: The Aerial Phenomena Research Organization was established.
• Project Blue Book: Replaced Project Grudge.
• Canadian Government: Announced the establishment of Project Twinkle.
• NICAP established: The National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena was founded in the mid-50s.
• UFOs as Satellites: The launch of Sputnik in the late 1950s led to theories that UFOs were satellites.
• 1960s Space Race: Mentions the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, and President Kennedy's moon landing goal.
• Gemini Missions: Astronauts James McDivitt (Gemini 4) and Frank Borman & James Lovell (Gemini 7) reported UFO sightings.
• UAPA Founded: The United Aerial Phenomena Agency was founded in October 1966.
• Notable 1966 Cases: Wanaqua Reservoir, Frank Mannor, and Hillsdale College cases are mentioned.
• 'Swamp Gas' Explanation: The issue notes the common explanation for UFOs at the time.
• Authors: Mentions Vallee, Sanderson, von Daniken, Drake, and Constance, with Frank Edwards highlighted.
• 1965 Mass Appearances: A quote from Frank Edwards describes mass appearances in 1965, culminating on August 2-3, with an estimated quarter-million people witnessing unusual lights.
• Condon Report & AAAS Symposium: The Condon UFO Study Report was released in late 1968, and the AAAS held a symposium on UFOs.
• Moon Landing & Blue Book Closure: The US landed a man on the Moon in July 1969, and Project Blue Book closed its doors in December 1969.

Foremost Sighting This Issue

This section details a significant UFO event that occurred in Brazil:

• Brazilian Air Force Pursuit: On Monday, May 22nd, multicolored UFOs the size of pingpong balls saturated radar systems in Sao Paulo and interfered with air traffic. The Brazilian Air Force dispatched four fighter jets (two Mirages and two F-5s) to pursue the objects. One F-5 pilot reported 13 objects accompanying his aircraft. Another pilot described them as "the shape and size of a ping-pong ball flying at a speed of (840 miles)."
• Ozires Silva's Sighting: Ozires Silva, head of the state oil company, also saw three colored lights darting like pingpong balls and detected three objects on radar near Brasilia.
• Air Force Minister's Statement: Air Force Minister Octavio Moreira Lima stated that six jet fighters chased over a dozen UFOs, and at one point, a plane was surrounded by objects. Pilots reported intense green, red, and white lights moving between 160 mph and 990 mph. Lima admitted, "This requires technical information and we have neither replies nor technical explanations for what happened."
• Further Pursuit: Three supersonic Mirage-3 fighters were sent after the F-5Es ran out of fuel, but they could detect the objects on radar without seeing them.
• Presidential Interest: President Jose Sarney was informed of the chase and was "interested and curious."

Recent UFO Sightings

This section compiles several other reported sightings:

• San Francisco Area Sighting: Over a dozen people, including a police officer, reported seeing a "large, orange X" with white lights hovering and darting over a suburban city north of San Francisco. Witnesses described the object as not being an airplane and having small green, white, and orange lights.
• Greensboro, North Carolina Sighting: Frances Shaw reported a close encounter with a "perfectly round orange thing" hovering in the sky. Three other people in the area also reported a bright light. The Sheriff's Department and FAA had no explanation.
• Bellingham, Washington Sighting: Two women reported seeing a "gigantic bank of bright lights" hovering over the city. Officials from the FAA, Sheriff's Department, and police reported no sightings. The object was described as a "flat cylinder" with brighter top and bottom lights.
• Prince Charles UFO Encounter: The Sunday Mirror reported that Prince Charles had a close encounter during a flight home from the USA. The pilot of his RAF VC-10 radioed air traffic control about a "glowing red object" in the sky. Four other aircraft also reported sightings over the Irish Sea. Investigations ruled out meteors or satellite debris. UFO expert Tim Good suggested the advanced nature of the creature might make it aware of the significance of a Royal flight. Prince Philip is also noted as a keen UFO follower.

Fortean Encounters

This section presents unusual events that are not strictly UFO sightings:

• Coventry Ice Block: A large block of ice, about the size of a football, fell from the sky onto a classroom at Potters Green Infants School in Coventry, England, narrowly missing 32 children. The Civil Aviation Authority is investigating, believing it fell from a plane.
• Albuquerque Gas Cloud: A mysterious cloud of gas in Albuquerque, New Mexico, sent over two dozen residents to the hospital. Fire Chief Paul Sorensen stated the gas could not be identified as it dispersed quickly. It smelled like tear gas and was an irritant, but no cloud or smoke was visible.
• West Berlin Finger: Police in West Berlin were mystified by the discovery of a human finger that fell from the sky onto a car roof. No explanation has emerged.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing mystery of UFOs, the importance of government transparency (highlighted by the FOIA discussion), and the scientific and public response to unexplained phenomena. The magazine maintains a stance of open inquiry, presenting various sightings and research findings while acknowledging the challenges in obtaining definitive explanations. The tribute to Dr. Hynek underscores the historical significance of UFO research, while the reports on recent sightings demonstrate the continued prevalence of these phenomena. The inclusion of 'Fortean Encounters' broadens the scope to include other unexplained aerial or atmospheric events, suggesting a general interest in the anomalous.