Northern UFO News - No 56

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFOLOGY
Issue: 56
Date: January 1979
Publisher: Northern UFO Network (NUFON)
Focus: UFOs as Extraterrestrial Spaceships

This issue of Northern UFology, a quarterly magazine from the Northern UFO Network (NUFON), delves into the theme of 'UFOs as Extraterrestrial Spaceships'. It aims to provide a platform for discussion and exploration of various theories surrounding UFO phenomena, complementing the more news-oriented Northern UFO News.

Articles and Content

"Whither Comest Thou? From Beyond the Stars" by Ron Sergeant (MUFORA)

Sergeant explores the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH) for UFO origins, considering ancient civilizations' accounts of 'gods' from the skies. He argues that the vastness of space and the potential for life on other planets make interstellar visitation plausible. He addresses the technological challenges of interstellar travel, suggesting that advanced alien civilizations would possess physics far beyond our current understanding, rendering vast distances irrelevant. The article also touches upon the multiplicity of UFO types and occupant descriptions, suggesting it could be explained by different alien races. Sergeant concludes that extraterrestrial spaceships likely exist, but acknowledges that not all UFOs may originate from outer space.

"The Incredible Interstellar Dreadnought!" by John Watson (CHRYSIS)

This article examines the concept of massive, interstellar 'mother ships' often reported in UFO encounters, drawing parallels with science fiction depictions like the 'Death Star' and the ships in 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'. Watson attempts to visualize the technology involved, using a hypothetical 1000-foot diameter sphere as an example. He highlights the immense weight and the need for advanced propulsion systems like 'anti-gravity' or 'anti-inertia drives' to manage such craft. He posits that the technology required is far beyond current human capabilities, suggesting that whoever is building these craft must be highly advanced, likely an extraterrestrial race. The article ends by posing the question of what such advanced beings might want with Earth.

"In the shadows of ufology" by Jenny Randles

Randles offers a commentary on 'The Paul Grant Affair', a case involving a contactee who experienced numerous strange phenomena, including ghosts, poltergeists, MIBs, and two abductions. She discusses the NUFOIS HQ in Nottingham as a resource for researchers and highlights the work of investigators Andy Collins and Barry King. Randles reflects on the nature of UFO investigation, suggesting that a greater degree of susceptibility (psychic ability, past experiences) is often present in witnesses reporting higher strangeness cases (CE3, CE4). She also proposes studying UFO investigators themselves, as they may be more susceptible to the phenomenon. Randles questions the need for complex explanations involving alien spaceships, suggesting that psychological factors or even our own minds might play a role in constructing the UFO mystery. She advocates for Occam's Razor, urging a focus on earthly explanations before looking to outer space, and quotes a passage from Paul Grant's alleged Merak captors about accepting what one believes.

"Those were the Days" by Nigel Watson (SUFORS)

Watson expresses concern that modern ufology is moving away from the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH) towards psychological and parapsychological explanations. He views this shift as a 'deplorable and frightening development' that threatens the study of UFOs as he knew it. He criticizes 'New' ufologists as remnants of the 1960s who have embraced pseudoscience. Watson fondly recalls the 'Old' ufology era, characterized by rational, level-headed scientific investigation. He laments the current state of ufology, describing it as a 'shap opera' with new actors and scripts, and criticizes the focus on strange cases over more conventional sightings. He also reviews several British paperback releases related to UFOs.

"Investigation Standards" by Martin Keatman (UFORA Staffs)

Keatman addresses the critical issue of UFO investigation standards. He points out the inadequacy of many UFO reports, distinguishing between mere reports and actual investigations. He emphasizes the need for standardized formats and detailed questioning to gather sufficient data for evaluation. Keatman suggests subdividing NUFON files into 'acceptable' and 'inadequate' categories to prevent good data from being swamped by trivialities. He argues against submitting identified cases, as they offer little research value. The article stresses the investigator's role in establishing contact with witnesses, concluding reports with their assessment, and the importance of providing clear, objective information that would convince a reader 20 years in the future. He encourages readers to critically assess their own reports for scientific research potential.

NUFON Information

This section provides the general NUFON correspondence and editorial address, along with telephone numbers for the north and Midlands. It lists various associated UFO groups across the UK and internationally, including their addresses and contact details. A sample of 'Low' and 'Medium' definition UFO investigations from October and November 1978, and January 1979, is presented, detailing the date, location, description of the sighting, and the reporting group.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine strongly advocates for the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH) as the primary explanation for UFO phenomena, with authors like Ron Sergeant and Nigel Watson expressing concern over the shift towards psychological explanations. There is a clear emphasis on rigorous investigation and the need for standardized reporting procedures, as highlighted by Martin Keatman. The issue also touches upon the historical development of ufology and the nature of witness accounts, particularly in relation to higher strangeness cases. The editorial stance appears to favor a scientific, albeit open-minded, approach to UFO research, while remaining skeptical of explanations that deviate too far from the physical reality of potential alien visitation.

Title: NORTHERN UFOLOGY
Issue Date: JANUARY 1979
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Northern Ugology, dated January 1979, focuses on UFO and entity sightings reported in late 1978 across various UK locations, including the West Midlands, Manchester, and Staffordshire. The magazine presents detailed accounts of these encounters, often with investigative commentary.

UFO and Entity Over the West Midlands

This article details an incident that occurred on May 23, 1978, in Brierley Hill, West Midlands. The primary witness is a nine-year-old girl named Melanie, whose story is corroborated by her parents and deemed credible by investigators Mark Pritchard and Geoff Westwood. Westwood, a police officer, interviewed Melanie the day after the sighting. The incident involved a hovering object observed at rooftop height, which then descended to about 8 feet and moved closer to the house, stopping directly in front of the kitchen window at a height of about 3 feet off the ground. The object was estimated to be about 6 feet in diameter. It had a curved, silvery bottom with 'rilled' edges, resembling a silver coin, and a dirty golden dome-shaped top with no visible lights. The surface appeared scratched, suggesting it might be a 'second-hand UFO'. On top of the dome was a round black circle with an odd-looking handle, which Melanie believed allowed the top to lift off. A humming noise was heard when the object was close, which died down when it hovered and resumed when it moved away. The object appeared to rotate anti-clockwise. The most unusual aspect was the appearance of a 'head' sticking out of the dome, covered in a silvery, creased material like leather. This 'head' seemed animate and turned from side to side, though no facial features were seen. The 'head' retracted before the object moved away and vanished. Melanie wishes to remain anonymous, and the investigators note that despite the busy time of day and the built-up area, no other witnesses have come forward.

Mystery Object With Psychic Effects

This report, investigated by Jenny Randles, concerns a sighting on July 21, 1978, in Davyhulme, Trafford, Greater Manchester. The witnesses are Mr. and Mrs. Walmsley, a retired couple. Mr. Walmsley, a master plumber, is described as serious and skeptical, while Mrs. Walmsley, a part-time artist, is more sensitive and imaginative, with a background in psychic phenomena. They initially dismissed the sighting as a meteor, influenced by Patrick Moore's explanation, but later reported it as a UFO after being convinced by Jenny Randles that UFOs are not necessarily frightening. The sighting occurred around 10:15 PM on a warm, sunny evening. Mrs. Walmsley observed an object in the twilight sky and called her husband. They both watched it from outside for about thirty seconds to 1.5 minutes. The object was described as having a dark central disc, almost flat with a slight dome, surrounded by a clear area. Extending from this were about 30/40 'antennae' colored a distinctive red/purple, all of the same length, radiating outwards like rays from a child's drawing of the sun. The object covered about 45 degrees of arc. The witnesses noted that perspective should have altered the antennae length, but it did not. The object vanished in a unique way, with the antennae lights extinguishing sequentially from the ends towards the center over about 12 seconds. The antennae were significantly larger than the central disc, with a total size estimated at about 5 inches at arm's length or the size of the roof of the house opposite. No sound was heard. Mrs. Walmsley felt a curious penetrating sensation of being singled out and watched. Both witnesses attested to a curious stillness and isolation surrounding the event, despite the area not being devoid of people. The investigators note that this is another close encounter where the witnesses appear to have been singled out, and question if it's a coincidence that Mrs. Walmsley is an artist and the UFO was described as artistic.

UFO Plus Lightbeam Phenomenon Over Stafford

Investigated by Martin Keatman and Tony Pace, this incident occurred on October 14, 1978, in Stafford. The witness, a psychiatric nurse named Mark, was on early duty when he noticed a sphere of light at about 30 degrees elevation in the NNE at 06:30 AM. The object appeared two-dimensional and translucent, the size of the sun, and white with a penumbra. After a couple of seconds, it emitted a light beam downwards, described as like a torch beam but straight down. The sphere then grew into a cone (maximum 30 degrees angle), dimmer than the main source, and a star was seen through the beam. The beam began to swing like a pendulum, altering its apparent diameter. After about eight seconds, the beam went out, followed shortly by the sphere of light vanishing. Investigators considered natural explanations, including a helicopter with a searchlight, but found it highly unlikely due to the low height, built-up area, lack of other lights, and absence of sound on a quiet, low-wind morning. They classify it as another example of a UFO plus lightbeam.

The Nottinghamshire Coffins!

Investigated by Nigel Watson, this section discusses several UFO sightings reported in late November 1978 over the Worksop area of Nottinghamshire. The main sighting was by an elderly couple on November 8, 1978, who observed a dark, solid-looking coffin shape for two hours from 05:00 AM. It was in the SE at low elevation and its interior gave out flaming white light, with crosses of red, orange, and purple light flashing within. Approximately 40 similar, smaller objects (about 1/8th the size) were also seen, described as greyish and without flashing lights. These objects remained stationary until daylight, when they faded. The investigator suggests that earlier sightings might have been distorted by the media to fit an unusual UFO type. However, the facts of the case indicate the source was likely atmospheric, possibly distortions of stars due to localized, short-lived atmospheric conditions, with the age of the chief witness (75) potentially playing a part. Despite this, the sightings are considered spectacular. The report includes a summary of reports contained in the issue, categorizing them by type (atmospheric conditions, aircraft, balloon, ball lightning, space debris, insufficient, unknown) and by geographical location.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the detailed reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena and potential encounters with non-human intelligence. The magazine presents witness testimonies with investigative commentary, often highlighting the credibility of the witnesses and the unusual nature of the observed phenomena. While natural explanations are explored, particularly in the case of the Nottinghamshire 'coffins,' the publication seems to lean towards the possibility of genuine UFO activity. The investigators' detailed approach, including interviews and analysis of witness descriptions, suggests a serious effort to document and understand these events. The issue also touches upon the psychological aspects of sightings, such as the feeling of being singled out, and the potential for psychic connections in some cases.