New England UFO Newsletter - No 10 - 1978 04

Magazine Overview

The New England UFO Newsletter, Whole Number 10, published in April 1978, is an information bulletin for the members of the New England UFO Study Group, founded in 1959. The issue features a "Creature Feature" on a close encounter with a "weird blob" linked to "skyquakes", and reports on government officials being puzzled by mysterious high-altitude explosions. It also includes articles on ancient astronauts, UFO trivia, and details of specific sightings.

Creature Feature: Close Encounter with weird blob' by 'skyquakes, say officials

This section details an encounter reported by Joe Guisti, who lives near West Point, New York. Guisti claims to have met two telepathic objects in his yard on December 20, 1977, around 3:55 a.m. One object was described as huge, very broad, and about 10 feet tall. His flashlight went out, and when he turned around, the objects were about six feet away. As he ran to the house, he saw a blue flash like electricity. He estimates he was outside for less than a minute, but the clock in his house showed 4:20 a.m. The next morning, Guisti found two sets of footprints: one round, about 12 inches across, and another like three ovals joined together, about two feet long. Guisti, who does not smoke or drink, believes these objects are linked to mysterious "skyquakes" that have occurred from Connecticut to South Carolina, estimated to have the force of up to 100 tons of dynamite. He believes he communicated with the "things" during the 24-minute gap, questioning the significance of December 2 and 15, dates on which his wife later discovered skyquakes had occurred. He also claims the creatures communicated that they were leaving from "a place offshore".

A more conventional explanation for the booms was offered by Dr. Thomas Gold, director of the Radio Physics and Space Research Center at Cornell University. He suggested that bubbles of methane mixed with hydrogen, escaping from rifts in the seabed, were rising into the atmosphere and being ignited by electricity.

Government puzzled by 'skyquakes, say officials

This article reports on a series of puzzling high-altitude explosions accompanied by bright flashes of light that occurred off the Cape May, New Jersey coast in December 1977. Federal agencies, including NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Department of the Interior, were asked if any of their projects could account for these explosions but all denied involvement. The U.S. Geological Survey admitted to using explosives in the past for geological testing of the continental shelf, but stated this is now done by other means. The Pentagon queried all its branches of defense, but none could offer an explanation. A spokesman for Senator Harrison Williams (D-N.J.) stated that the administration has ordered an investigation.

An editorial note suggests a possible explanation heard on the radio: that the cause might be large masses of methane from decomposing garbage in the deep-sea disposal area rising into the atmosphere and exploding, though the trigger for ignition was not suggested. This theory is compared to the Ann Arbor, Michigan "swamp gas" incident.

UFO-trivia...

This section presents a quiz with four difficulty levels (★ = Easy, ★★★ = Difficult) related to UFO phenomena, including movie locations, Project Bluebook details, and the origin of the term 'stendec'. The answers are provided elsewhere in the issue.

Ancient Astronauts...

Written by Dave Downs, this article explores the similarities between descriptions of ancient "spirits" in a 1930s American Book Company history book and modern UFO phenomena. Downs questions whether these similarities imply a connection or if they are merely coincidental. He suggests that what ancient man called spirits might have been reports of space visitors, echoing theories by Erich von Daniken. However, he also posits that the similarity might be a modern interpretation of phenomena that have always been observed, and that UFO enthusiasts might be pursuing a "modern myth."

Mysterious Explosions in Space Baffle Top U.S. Scientists

This article, reprinted from the ENQUIRER on June 16, 1974, discusses gigantic explosions detected in space between May 1969 and July 1973. These explosions, which could not be explained by scientists, released energy comparable to the sun's output over several days but in short bursts of high-powered gamma and X-rays. The radiation did not penetrate Earth's atmosphere. Dr. Philip Morrison of M.I.T. stated that the blasts could affect Earth's weather and might be caused by objects falling into collapsed stars or unusually large solar flares. The equipment used was designed to detect breaches of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963.

Strange orange glow reported from N.H.

Investigator Ed Fogg reports on a phenomenon observed by Dyanne and her brother-in-law Bob on February 24, 1978, while driving on Loon Mountain Road in Lincoln, New Hampshire. They described a sharply defined, light orange beam of light descending vertically from a cloud over a nearby mountain. The beam's edges were parallel, and there was no apparent glow on the bottom of the "cloud" or the mountain top. Both witnesses observed this for about 12 minutes. Dyanne felt the beam was transparent, and there were no observable physical or psychological effects noted.

Thoughts while shaving...

Written by Ed Fogg, this piece reflects on the history and purpose of the New England UFO Study Group (NEUFO), founded in 1959 by George D. Fawcett. Fogg recounts the group's early meetings in various locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and lists notable guest speakers like Barney and Betty Hill, August C. Roberts, Ivan T. Sanderson, and Rev. Guy Cyr. He mentions periods of fluctuating membership, occasional dissension, and the group's efforts to maintain an acceptable public image despite criticism. Fogg emphasizes the importance of serving as a "filter center" for reliable reports and identifying questionable events. He highlights the group's use of a computer system to retrieve specific information from reports to identify patterns that might lead to a solution to the UFO enigma. The group is currently focusing on events east of Worcester County, Massachusetts, and welcomes information from other areas for verification purposes.

Have You Renewed Your NEUFO Study Group Membership?

A brief call to action for members to renew their NEUFO Study Group membership.

The Lakeville-Taunton Sighting Report Continued

By Joe Nyma.n. This article continues the report from the previous month, providing a sketch and measurements related to the sighting by Mr. and Mrs. Burton Cole on December 19, 1976. Based on measurements and assumptions about the object's movement, the calculations indicate an object approximately 89 feet in diameter, located 1846 feet away along the ground, and hovering at an altitude of about 1066 feet. A map of the sighting is included, along with calculations for size estimation. The author notes that the proximity of the Middleboro airport raises questions about potential misidentification, though he believes the estimates are accurate.

Dear Members and Friends

This section contains an announcement for the next NEUFO meeting on Sunday, July 23, 1978, at the home of Ed and Kyra Fogg in Foxboro, Mass. The meeting is described as an open officers' meeting where members can share ideas, suggest speakers, and provide sighting reports. The newsletter also announces an increase in dues to $6 per person and $8 for husband and wife for new members, effective April '79. Old members who have not renewed are asked to pay $4 per person or $6 for husband and wife. The "passing of the hat" at the April meeting raised $29.01. The editor, Dave Downs, is thanked for initiating the newsletter, which is sent to many countries. A notice for a family outing is also mentioned.

Directions to the Fogg's House

Detailed driving directions are provided for reaching the Fogg's home in Foxboro, Massachusetts, including routes from Route 128 and Route 95, with landmarks and street names.

FAMILY OUTING - Sat., August 19, 1978

This section announces a family picnic hosted by Stella Lansing at her home in Palmer, Massachusetts, on Saturday, August 19, 1978, starting at noon. Members are encouraged to bring picnic supplies, lawn chairs, bathing suits, and fishing gear, as the home is on Lake Thompson. A new playground for children is available, and a field trip may be planned after dark. A rain date is set for Sunday, August 20. Contact information for Stella Lansing or one of the officers is provided for weather uncertainties.

Directions and Map to Stella Lansing's House

Provides driving directions and a hand-drawn map to Stella Lansing's home in Palmer, Massachusetts, including routes from Route 20 and the Mass Pike.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The New England UFO Newsletter consistently focuses on UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and related events within the New England region and beyond. The editorial stance, as articulated by Dave Downs and Ed Fogg, appears to be one of open inquiry and careful investigation, aiming to filter credible reports and contribute to a wider acceptance of the UFO subject. There's an emphasis on scientific analysis where possible, but also an acknowledgment of the mysterious and unexplained aspects of the phenomena. The newsletter also serves as a communication channel for the New England UFO Study Group, providing updates on meetings, membership, and activities, fostering a sense of community among its members.