Flying Saucer Digest - No 209 - 2015

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER DIGEST
Issue: NO. 209
Date: SUMMER 2015
Publisher: R. Hilberg Publications
Country: USA
Price: $10.00 in U.S.A.

This issue of Flying Saucer Digest is an abbreviated one due to computer system issues, with a promise to return to normal coverage in the fall. The issue features several articles on UFO sightings and related phenomena.

The 1967 Moline, IL Film

This article recounts the experience of Bill Fisher, a Moline police officer, who witnessed and filmed a strange, bright, silvery object hovering over the Mississippi River on March 9, 1967. Fisher, who had parked his three-wheel patrol motorcycle near Sacred Heart School, retrieved an 8mm movie camera and captured about two minutes of footage of the object, which had moved away by then and was indistinct on film. The incident made Fisher a key witness in a U.S. Air Force investigation into UFO sightings in the Moline-Galesburg area. Two USAF captains interviewed Fisher and others, consulted with air traffic controllers and pilots, and calculated weather conditions. Unlike most Project Blue Book reports, the investigators could not reach a firm conclusion on the Moline phenomena, stating the sightings were "most likely" attributable to balloons in rural areas, but were "unable to positively identify the object" spotted by Fisher and others, calling it an "air vehicle of some kind."

Fisher's son, William Jr., who was 11 at the time, corroborated the sighting, describing the object as "big oblong shape just hanging there. There were no wings. It was oblong and really shining and hanging. It was silvery white, just reflecting sunlight." Both father and son maintain it was an unidentified flying object, with William Jr. emphasizing that the key word is "unidentified."

Officer Fisher had placed the movie camera on his motorcycle after hearing of previous local UFO sightings, driven by natural curiosity. The Air Force investigators noted his interest in science fiction and his habit of watching the sky. Fisher felt the investigators used leading questions. He remains adamant about what he saw, stating it was not a balloon and that other people also saw it and were startled.

His statement to Capt. Kato in 1967 was detailed, describing the object as having no rotor, moving northwest, and being "elongated," with a metallic and shiny surface.

"Massive" Cigar Spotted in Texas

A witness in San Antonio, Texas, reported seeing a "massive" cigar-shaped UFO on June 1, 2015. The object moved into a dark cloud and disappeared. The witness was driving on Hardy Oak Boulevard when the object was first seen.

Flying Cigar Over Florida Golf Course

A Florida witness in West Palm Beach reported a silent, low-flying, cigar-shaped UFO on May 29, 2015, while walking her dog at Okeeheelee Park. The witness described the object as cigar-like with a dome/bump on top and a row of windows. It made no sound and appeared to be reflecting off clouds, making it camouflage-like. The witness, who is familiar with identifying aircraft, stated it was unlike any plane, helicopter, blimp, or drone she had seen. The object moved into a dark cloud and disappeared.

Aliens Not Ruled Out in Radio Bursts from Space

This section discusses scientific analysis of fast radio bursts (FRBs) from space. Scientists Michael Hippke and John Learned discovered a pattern in the signals' dispersion measures that suggests an artificial origin. They estimate the likelihood of a coincidence as 5:10,000. The signals, first recorded in 2001, have led to speculation about extraterrestrial beacons. Seth Shostak of the SETI Institute and Jill Tarter, former director of SETI, have considered extraterrestrial technology as a possible explanation. While natural origins are possible, they do not fully account for the observed pattern. The conclusion is that if natural sources are ruled out, an artificial source, human or non-human, must be considered.

Winds Caused Rain of Worms in Norway?

This brief report describes an unusual event in Norway in mid-April where earthworms were found covering snow-covered landscapes near Bergen. Biology teacher Karstein Erstad found thousands of worms, believing they could not have crawled through the thick snow. Experts suggest strong winds may have swept them up from the ground and deposited them in the area. Similar reports of "worm rain" have emerged from other areas near Bergen and even the Swedish border.

Book Reviews and Publications

The issue includes a review of "UFO Repeaters!" by Timothy Green Beckley and Sean Casteel, a book that features photographs and stories of individuals who have repeatedly encountered UFOs. The book is available to FSD subscribers.

It also promotes "Rick Hilberg's Book of Weirdology," a reprinted and expanded edition of a previous newsletter, covering fortean cases, ghosts, mystery creatures, and UFO research. This book is available for $10.00, with an offer of three free issues of FSD.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO sightings, eyewitness accounts, and official investigations, often highlighting unexplained aspects. There is a clear interest in presenting a range of phenomena, from classic UFO encounters to more recent scientific investigations into cosmic signals and unusual atmospheric events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into anomalous phenomena, presenting evidence and witness testimony while acknowledging the limitations of current understanding. The inclusion of book reviews and promotions for related publications suggests an effort to engage readers with the broader field of fortean and paranormal studies.