Flying Saucer Digest - No 096 - 1986

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER DIGEST
Issue: No. 96
Date: Winter 1986
Publisher: UNITED AERIAL PHENOMENA AGENCY

From the Editor

The "From the Editor" section begins by referencing the Viking I Lander's touchdown on Mars on July 20, 1976, and the second Lander's touchdown on September 3, 1976. It discusses the ongoing debate about life on Mars, with NASA scientists like Gilbert Levin believing microorganisms similar to lichens exist there. The editor expresses a strong conviction that manned missions to Mars are crucial for humanity's future, stating, "If we stay on Earth we will stagnate and rot. If we go to Mars we will live, oh how we will live!"

Greetings from West Germany are extended, acknowledging a reciprocal relationship with the publication CENAP REPORT and its editor, Werner Walter. The editor recommends CENAP REPORT for those who can read German.

The "About This Cover" section discusses the concept of underwater UFOs and undersea bases, noting that despite extensive ocean floor study, no evidence has been found. The Bermuda Triangle mystery is mentioned as having been solved, thus diminishing its connection to UFOs. The illustration on the cover is revealed to be for the next issue, which is scheduled for printing in mid-February and mailing on March 1st.

The FLYING SAUCER DIGEST is published quarterly by the United Aerial Phenomena Agency (UAPA), with Robert S. Easley as Editor and Allan J. Manak as Associate Editor. The UAPA is a non-profit organization studying UFOs. Subscription rates are $5.00 for 4 issues and $9.00 for 8 issues. Correspondence should be addressed to UAPA or FLYING SAUCER DIGEST, P.O. Box 347032, Cleveland, Ohio, 44134.

Misc. Dept.

This section includes several short news items. Carl Sagan, in a lecture in Cleveland, spoke about the "obscenity of nuclear weapons," referencing his arrest for demonstrating against nuclear weapons testing in Nevada. He warned of the prospect of destroying civilization and the human species due to technology, questioning how long it would be until a failure in nuclear armaments.

"Star Trek: The Next Generation" is announced to be available for TV airing in September 1987, produced by Paramount Television Group with Gene Roddenberry as executive producer. The show will launch with a 2-hour telefilm followed by 24 one-hour episodes.

A brief astronomical perspective is offered, detailing the Earth's axial rotation (1,038 mph), orbital speed (66,700 mph), the solar system's speed around the Milky Way galaxy (605,000 mph), and the galaxy's movement (1 million mph).

Season's Greetings are extended by UAPA, wishing readers a safe and happy Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year.

News Update

The "News Update" section covers several topics:

• Greenhouse Effect and Ozone Layer: The U.S. Department of Energy discusses how human effects on atmospheric composition may overwhelm Earth's life-support system. The National Science Foundation is supervising a study of a drastic drop in ozone over the South Pole, creating a hole the size of the continental United States. James Gustave Speth of the World Resources Institute is advocating for the "Greenhouse Effect" issue to be on the agenda of the next U.S.-Soviet Summit, warning of a "giant planetary experiment."
• Killer Bees: Inn-Siang Ooi, a University of Miami student, died in Costa Rica following an attack by killer bees, sustaining numerous stings.
• Mysterious Ball of Fire: A mysterious ball of fire was seen across several states east of the Mississippi River on August 12, 1986. Explanations range from meteor showers to fuel from a damaged satellite. The phenomenon is being investigated by various astronomical groups and universities.
• Creationism vs. Evolution: On August 18, 1986, 75 Nobel laureates and 24 scientific organizations filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the teaching of evolution over "creation science," which they argue is not science but a religious view mislabeled as science.

An editor's note from RSE (Robert S. Easley) wholeheartedly supports keeping "Creation science" and religion out of the classroom.

Guest Article: What Do You Think of UFOs? (Part III)

This three-part article concludes with reflections on UFOs. The author notes that in the 1970s, UFO activity slowed, but the question remained. The rise of personal computers led to studies like UAPA's "UFOCom," which concluded that UFOs are light sources, not solid devices. The author questions the existence of UFOs in light of high technology, comparing it to the initial wonder felt upon hearing about "flying saucers" as a boy. The author admits to not knowing what UFOs are but knows what they are not, and states that the last thirty-nine years have been an education. A quote from Arthur Constance's "The Inexplicable Sky" is included, discussing the challenges and internal conflicts within pioneer movements.

Far Out by Pelger

Two cartoon illustrations are presented: one depicting a rocket with "U.S.A." and "magnetism" written below it, and another showing a docking scene with "O.K. Houston...ready for docking."

UFO Retrospective

This section analyzes UFO sightings from the Office of Public Affairs of the U.S. Department of Defense.

• Socorro, New Mexico, April 24, 1964: Policeman Lonnie Zamora reported sighting an object about a mile south of town. He described it as white, egg-shaped, supported on girder-like legs, emitting a roar, smoke, and flame. He saw one or two figures in coveralls. The object rose and flew off. Sgt. Chavez of the New Mexico State Police arrived later and observed slight depressions and apparently burned brush. Air Force investigators found no other witnesses, no unidentified aircraft or radar blips, no unusual meteorological activity, and no foreign material or radiation. Soil samples and burned brush analysis yielded no conclusive evidence of extraterrestrial origin or threat.

• Washington, D.C. Sightings, July 19/20 and 26/27, 1952: Excitement was generated by sightings of unidentified flying objects visually and on radar. Objects were reported to have speeds of around 7500 mph. Jet intercepts were unsuccessful. FTD reports suggested the President of the United States took an active interest. Visual descriptions varied, with objects changing color from orange to green to red. The FTD concluded that radar sightings were due to anomalous propagation (bending, ducting, etc.) caused by temperature inversions and moisture. Visual sightings were attributed to similar mirage effects and atmospheric lenses.

Foremost Sighting This Issue

This news account from a September 5, 1986, California newspaper describes a silent, colorful flying object seen over the Sierra foothills before dawn. U.S. air defense officials had no explanation. Witnesses described it as a bluish-green light with a large tail, shedding pieces. The phenomenon was seen over a 40-mile area. Beale Air Force Base and NORAD reported no known aircraft or re-entering satellites. Vandenberg Air Force Base also reported no aircraft or missile launches in the area.

Recent UFO Sightings

This section compiles sightings from two UFO clipping services:

• Celina, Tennessee, July 13, 1986: Residents reported an unidentified object hovering over a local softball game, making a deafening noise. Witnesses described it as 250-300 feet long, octagonal, with outside lights and a beacon. It sounded like a jet plane and appeared to be going down at a 45-degree angle. Dwight Goolsby reported seeing a craft with a spotlight-like light on each side. Melba Burch stated it sounded "mighty darn low."
• Hesperia, California, June 8, 1986: Mel Hardman and his wife reported an X-shaped UFO "cavorting" in the predawn sky. They described it as two frankfurters crossed within an oval white glow, like a "soft light" bulb. It hovered with a wobbling motion. Maj. Lloyd Patterson of George Air Force Base had no recent reports of UFOs.
• Petaluma, California, May 22, 1986: An X-shaped UFO, described as black or orange with white and green lights, was seen by over a dozen people.

Fortean Encounters

This section presents unusual news items:

• Medical Marvels: A ten-year-old girl in Birmingham, England, shot in the head, didn't realize it until doctors removed a .22-caliber bullet months later. A 23-year-old man in China has his heart, liver, and spleen on the right side of his body.
• Dinosaurs in Venezuela: A Devon student is joining an expedition to remote mountains in Venezuela, inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World," where dinosaurs are reputed to roam.
• Monster of Tianchi Lake, China: People have reported seeing a "quai wu" (strange beast) in Tianchi Lake, described as a gold-colored creature with a large, horned head on a long, hairy neck. Some reports describe a beast 12 feet out of the water with a cow-like head, dog-like body, and duck-like bill. Skeptics suggest it's imagination or a volcanic rock. The book "Wonders of the Changbai Mountains" speculates it might be a descendant of the Plesiosaurus, though the mountains are only 2 million years old.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Flying Saucer Digest include UFO sightings and investigations, the exploration of space (particularly Mars), and the intersection of science and unexplained phenomena. There's a consistent focus on presenting eyewitness accounts and official reports, often followed by scientific or skeptical explanations, as seen in the Washington D.C. sightings. The editorial stance, particularly from Robert S. Easley, is clearly in favor of scientific inquiry into UFOs, while also being critical of pseudoscience and advocating for rational explanations. The issue also touches upon broader societal concerns such as nuclear weapons and environmental issues, framing them within a context of humanity's future and its place in the universe. The publication promotes itself as a dedicated platform for the study of UFOs and related mysteries.