Flying Saucer Digest - No 105 - 1989

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER DIGEST
Issue: NO.105
Volume: SPRING 89
Date: November 17, 1896 (Cover Date)
Publisher: UNITED AERIAL PHENOMENA AGENCY (UAPA)

From the Editor

The editorial, "Phenomena, Notes and Commentary," by Robert S. Easley, reflects on the ongoing mystery of UFOs as spring arrives. The editor emphasizes the magazine's commitment to publishing interesting sightings and theories, and to providing factual information, advocating for a "middle-of-the-road" approach. He strongly opposes censorship, citing the controversy surrounding "The Satanic Verses." The editor notes that reader feedback and renewal rates indicate satisfaction with this policy. He encourages readers to submit letters, with permission, for publication.

About This Cover

The cover illustration depicts a UFO sighting from November 17, 1896, in Northern California. Thousands of residents reportedly saw a strange, elongated-shaped vessel, approximately 150 feet long, with a large light in its belly, which illuminated the ground. Newspapers reported the event, but skepticism was present, with some suggesting it was a practical test of flying technology. The editor notes that, ninety-three years later, the nature of UFOs remains unknown.

About Next Issue

The editor teases the content of the next issue, promising outstanding articles, informative retrospectives, and news items.

Our Sister Publication

The magazine promotes "WEIRDOLOGY," a bi-monthly Fortean publication, and provides subscription information.

Spring Sale and Publications

A "Spring Sale" offers the 42-page booklet "MYSTERIOUS THINGS IN THE SKY" by Allan J. Manak for $2.00. This book is described as a chronology of the UFO mystery from 222 B.C. to 1929.

The "Publications" section reviews other magazines. "NORTH AMERICAN SETI MAGAZINE" is highly recommended, with subscription details provided. "CAVEAT EMPTOR," a resurrected publication by Gene Steinberg, is also highlighted, featuring an interview with James W. Moseley and coverage of a UAPA convention. Subscriptions for "CAVEAT EMPTOR" are available.

A Possible Answer

This section features a letter from Peter Gersten, a lawyer, published in James W. Moseley's "SAUCER SMEAR." Gersten expresses disillusionment with the UFO "community" and suggests that UFOs are either natural phenomena or human technology. He argues that government documents released under the Freedom of Information Act point to advanced human technology rather than extraterrestrial origins, and criticizes the shift of ufology towards "science fiction" with beliefs in alien crashes, abductions, and underground bases.

Robert S. Easley, the editor, agrees with Gersten, stating that the UFO field has moved from serious study to the comical, and reiterates Gersten's point that UFOs are likely natural phenomena or human technology.

Manak's Notebook

Ridiculous Explanations

• Allan J. Manak, with over forty-one years in ufology, recounts numerous explanations given for UFO sightings, often attributed to the Air Force or its investigators. These include:
• "Weather balloons" or "Skyhook balloons" in 1947.
• "High flying birds reflecting mercury vapor lights" for blue-green lights in 1951.
• "Hallucinations" or "misinterpretations of conventional aircraft" in 1952.
• "Very white birds reflecting sunlight" for motion picture footage in 1952.
• "Stars in the constellation of Orion" for a 1964 flap, despite Orion not being visible.
• "Swamp gas" for a sighting in Hillsdale, Michigan, in 1966.
• "The Lyrid Meteor Shower" for a spectacular light in Florida in 1981.
• "Unusual astrological conditions" for a sighting in Conklin, New York, in 1988.

Manak finds these explanations often amusing and highlights the Conklin, New York case as particularly laughable.

Foremost Sighting This Issue

This section, chosen by Allan J. Manak and written by Allan A. Seiler, details numerous sightings of strange, low-level aerial lights in Pike County, Illinois, on November 2nd and 8th, 1988. The lights were described as bright, arranged in a horizontal line, and often disappeared suddenly. Witnesses reported seeing pairs of lights, some with descriptions of structural objects like window panes. Several accounts describe the lights moving silently and smoothly, or disappearing as if a switch were thrown. One witness, Ton Coulson, described five yellow lights in a row that went out simultaneously, followed by two more lights that appeared and disappeared sequentially.

Sarah Lipcaman reported similar bright lights in a horizontal line on November 8th, which would "just shut off" and then reappear. Tom and Mary Bunting saw four or five horizontal rectangular red lights, later replaced by two large red lights that trailed away.

Jack and Shirley Thomas reported seeing "brilliant lights" and outlines of small windows above treetops, described as "white and yellow." Their drawings of the lights were identical. Lori Hoover reported a sighting of red and yellow lights arranged with a central light and three on each side.

Around and About the Saucer World

This section begins with a plug for the sister publication "WEIRDOLOGY," encouraging subscriptions. It then presents two cases:

Landing in Atoka County, Oklahoma

A local lawman, who wished to remain anonymous, reported seeing and attempting to photograph a UFO on September 4th. He received a call about a helicopter-like object landing in a pasture. Upon investigation, he observed an orange, circular object flaming around its edge. He could not estimate its size but knew it was airborne and not an aircraft. He lost radio contact after reporting his observations and attempts to photograph the object.

The property owners later found a circular scorched area, about four to six feet in diameter, with burnt black weeds. Neighbors reported unusual animal behavior, including dogs acting "spooky" and coyotes behaving strangely.

UFO Retrospective

This section looks back at 1964, described as a significant year for historical events and ufology. It highlights the Lonnie Zamora sighting in Socorro, New Mexico, on April 24, 1964, as one of the most convincing UFO sightings.

#### New Mexico Policeman Sees Landed Saucer and "Little Men"

Officer Lonnie Zamora reported seeing an egg-shaped metallic or white object resting in a gulley, with two girder-like legs. He also saw two small, humanoid figures. The object had red markings and emitted a roaring noise before rising and disappearing. Dr. J. Allen Hynek investigated the site, but the landing area was trampled. Evidence included a burned area and wedge-shaped impressions. Despite a lack of radar confirmation and other witnesses, the report suggests a Cuban helicopter landing at Miami International Airport without radar detection as a parallel. The testimony of Opal Grinder, who heard from a tourist about a strange craft and a police car, is also mentioned.

George Mitropolis, a resident of Albuquerque, also reported seeing a similar luminous object with a glow underneath, described as an "upside down bathtub."

Dr. Hynek concluded that Zamora's story was credible and that he had seen something, possibly a U.S.-made experimental craft, though the Air Force denied this. The Air Force admitted no solution to the Zamora case, classifying it as "UNKNOWN."

#### The Second New Mexico Landing

Within hours of the Socorro incident, Orlando Gallegos in La Madera, New Mexico, witnessed a strange craft emitting blue flame from jets around its bottom. The object was egg-shaped, shiny metallic, about as long as a telephone pole, and 14 feet in circumference. It had no windows. The next morning, the ground was smoldering, with a large charred area and strange marks. Police and Air Force officials investigated, noting evidence of extreme heat and short duration.

#### Twelve Shots Fired at Flying Saucer

On April 27th, Don Adams of Edgewood, New Mexico, reported a glowing green object hovering above his car. His car stalled, and he fired six shots at the UFO, hearing them bounce off. He reloaded and fired again. The object then drifted silently northwards. After the UFO left, his car resumed normal operation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are historical UFO sightings, particularly those from the late 19th and mid-20th centuries, and the critical examination of official explanations for these phenomena. The magazine consistently questions the credibility of explanations provided by authorities like the Air Force, suggesting a pattern of dismissal or misdirection. The editorial stance, as articulated by Robert S. Easley, is to present factual information, maintain a balanced perspective, and encourage critical thinking, while lamenting the perceived shift of ufology from serious study to sensationalism. The issue champions the idea that UFOs are likely natural phenomena or human technology, rather than strictly extraterrestrial in origin, and advocates for open discussion and research without censorship.