Flying Saucer Digest - No 099 - 1987

Magazine Overview

This issue of FLYING SAUCER DIGEST, published quarterly by the United Aerial Phenomena Agency (UAPA), is identified as issue number 99 from Fall 1987. The editor is Robert S. Easley, and the associate editor is Allan J. Manak. The UAPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. Subscription rates are provided, and manuscripts are welcomed.

From the Editor: Phenomena, Notes and Commentary

The editorial section discusses several key topics. Firstly, it highlights the Soviet Union's active pursuit of a joint U.S.-U.S.S.R. Mars probe, emphasizing the potential benefits of combined space knowledge for understanding Earth-type planets and the possibility of past life on Mars. It is suggested that a manned expedition to Mars could be undertaken by 2020.

Secondly, the editorial references the changing results of Gallup Polls on UFOs conducted in 1966, 1973, 1978, and 1987. The latest poll indicates that 9% of the population believe they have seen a UFO, 49% think UFOs are real, 30% do not, and 21% are unsure. Notably, 56% of collegians believe in UFOs, compared to 44% of non-collegians, and 47% believe in life on other worlds.

Thirdly, the issue addresses the controversy surrounding creationism in Ohio. It notes that despite a Supreme Court decision banning mandatory teaching of creationism, many states continue to teach it. A survey of 404 Ohio high school biology teachers revealed that 37.6% favored teaching creationism, and 21.8% were actually teaching it. Dr. Michael Zimmerman, a biology professor at Oberlin College, expressed concern over the poor education of teachers in this regard.

Finally, under the "FOR THE RECORD" section, the editorial includes a letter from six former U.S. astronauts to newspaper editors concerning the fate of America in space and the potential reduction of the NASA budget, which they believe threatens America's leadership in space exploration.

The Importance of Space Exploration

This section, written from the perspective of former astronauts, argues passionately for continued U.S. leadership in space exploration. It asserts that space exploration is not an expenditure but an investment in the future, crucial for maintaining technological leadership and creating economic and personal opportunities. The authors express concern that reducing funding for NASA, particularly for the space station program, could lead to unacceptable alternatives, such as cutting other crucial projects or falling behind other nations like Japan or the Soviet Union in space technology.

They emphasize that an American space station is essential and inevitable, and that now is the time to fund these programs to keep America at the forefront of manned space exploration. The article urges Americans to speak out to their elected representatives to support the space station.

News Update

This section provides brief updates on various phenomena. It mentions a study by Dr. Rosalie David and her colleagues at England's Manchester University on the Egyptian mummification process, suggesting it may have involved treatments for diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and smallpox. It also notes a U.S. Senate investigation into the ozone shield and the potential for solar radiation to cause genetic mutations. A report from the U.S. Geological Survey on the possibility of space debris burning up in the atmosphere is also mentioned.

Manak's Notebook: Angel Hair Falls

This section compiles historical accounts of "angel hair" falls, a mysterious web-like substance reported in various locations over centuries. Examples include:

• September 21, 1741, Selborne, England: Gilbert White documented a countryside matted with cobwebs and a "second shower of cobwebs" falling for hours.
• September 16, 1823, Bewdley, England: Great quantities of webby substances, some in "branched filaments" up to 50 feet long, fell.
• October 1, 1826, Liverpool, England: Fields were covered with a light, filmy substance mistaken for cotton, which fell thickly from the sky.
• Late October, 1881, Milwaukee, Wisconsin: A widespread fall of "spiderwebs" in strands from two to sixty feet long was reported.
• November 21, 1898, Montgomery, Alabama: Web-like substance in flakes and films, resembling fine asbestos fibers, fell and showed a phosphorescent effect.
• February 20/21, 1955, Horseheads, New York: A large quantity of "ragged sheets" and skeins of cobwebby grey fibers fell.

Foremost Sighting This Issue

This article, reprinted from the St. Petersburg Times, details a sighting by Stephanie James and her passengers in rural Marion County, Florida. They observed a strange, brightly lighted aircraft hovering at treetop level. Described as a "large Volkswagen" with green and red lights, the object emitted a large white beam from underneath. The witnesses reported it shot "sparks" from the back and moved slowly before accelerating away rapidly. The local sheriff's department investigated, contacting the U.S. Navy Air Station and other officials, who reported no aircraft in the area at the time. Despite official skepticism, the witnesses maintained their conviction that the object was not an airplane or helicopter.

Recent UFO Sightings

This section presents several recent UFO sighting reports:

• May 20, 1987, Springfield, Kentucky: Four women reported a strange, soft, glowing light that followed their car, seemed to mesmerize them, and then merged with a larger bright light in the sky. They described it as a "big shiny thing" and later saw a "shadow under it shaped like a mushroom."
• May 11, 1987, Lebanon, Kentucky: The Lebanon-Springfield Airport confirmed no aircraft landed or took off during the time of the sighting reported by the four women.
• June 24, 1987: The article mentions the death of Jackie Gleason and discusses his alleged interest in UFOs and a story from his second wife about his visit to Homestead Air Force Base, where he supposedly saw recovered "Uronauts." The author, Larry W. Bryant, sent a FOIA request to Homestead AFB but received no records, and the base newspaper prohibited his "UFO-coverup whistleblower" advertisement.
• April 22, 1987, Soviet Union: A British Airways Boeing 747 jumbo jet crew reported seeing a UFO over the Soviet Union while flying from London to Bangkok. The crew described it as an object with twinkling lights that flew toward them and vanished. They stated it was definitely not an aircraft and that there was no scientific explanation for it.
• April 2, 1987, Clayton, Oklahoma: Ray Martin reported seeing a UFO with eight to ten large floodlights, approximately 1,000 sq. ft. in diameter, hovering over the Potato Hills area for about two hours. The object made no sound. The sheriff's office and Flagpole tower were contacted, and a deputy confirmed seeing an object described as "the size of a car with sparks coming from the rear" that took off at high speed.

Advertisements

The magazine includes advertisements for books on UFOs and related topics, such as "Chariots of the Gods," "Inside the Flying Saucers," and "UFOs Past, Present, Future," sold by the UAPA. There are also advertisements for "Aquarian Mysteries and Rites" and "Lawson Electronics."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, space exploration, and the intersection of science and belief. The editorial stance is clearly pro-UFO investigation and pro-space exploration, advocating for continued funding and research in these areas. The magazine also takes a firm stance against the intrusion of religious dogma into science education, as evidenced by the commentary on creationism. There is a consistent thread of skepticism towards official explanations and a belief that governments may be concealing information about UFOs, particularly in the context of the Jackie Gleason story.