1979 09 00 OMNI - Oberg - UFO Update

Magazine Overview

Title: TRUE UFOs
Issue: 1102
Publisher: OMNI
Country: USA
Language: English
Cover Headline: UFO UPDATE
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Article: UFO UPDATE by James Oberg

James Oberg's article, "UFO UPDATE," published in TRUE UFOs, explores the inherent difficulties and complexities of UFO investigation. Oberg begins by stating that the UFO arena is not for those seeking dogmatic certainties, as the subjective nature of identification and imperfect information flow mean some sightings will remain unexplained. He references scientist Hudson Hoagland's 1969 assertion that unexplained cases are not evidence for any theory, as science cannot prove a universal negative and many factors like lack of data, false reporting, and psychological elements contribute to unexplained reports.

Oberg highlights the distinction that proponents of 'true UFOs' make, arguing they are fundamentally different from Identified Flying Objects (IFOs). He discusses the work of Dr. J. Allen Hynek, director of the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS), who believes new theories are needed for unexplainable UFOs. Hynek's managing editor, Allan Hendry, is cited for an editorial illustrating how thin the veil can be between UFOs and IFOs, recounting an incident where a nighttime UFO report from Las Vegas was explained by an Environmental Protection Agency balloon used for air pollution sampling.

However, Oberg points out that without Hendry's 'lucky break,' the case might have remained unexplained. He notes that even diligent investigators like Hendry cannot reduce the residue of unexplained cases to zero. A prominent example is the 'Colusa UFO' or 'Pecha case' from California.

The Colusa UFO Case

Bill Pecha, a 39-year-old mechanic from Colusa, California, reported seeing a glowing, domed 'flying saucer' on September 10, 1976. Pecha estimated the object to be about 45 meters wide and 15 meters above his barn. The UFO reportedly retreated, maneuvered, and emitted a powerful searchlight. Pecha's TV and air conditioner went off simultaneously, leading him to suspect the UFO was 'zapping power.' He roused his family and fled in his pickup truck, with the object reportedly following. Other witnesses also reported seeing a bright light with similar movements. Pecha described the object with a ribbed dome, a dark silver-gray appearance, and a rotating rim.

CUFOS investigated the case, checking radar sites and weather reports, finding no conventional explanations. They estimated the probabilities of the case being a hoax (1%), misperceived aircraft (4%), exaggerated fantasy (35%), or a genuine UFO (60%). Oberg notes that 'genuine UFO' is merely an admission that no explanation has been found.

Oberg discusses potential explanations for Pecha's sighting, including misjudged distance and unconscious assumptions. He notes that the object's movements, if Pecha's distance estimates were accurate, would require acceleration far beyond the force of gravity. The dangling tentacles were compared to high-altitude rocket plumes, but a Soviet space shot in Petrozavodsk, though similar, occurred on a different night. The direction of Pecha's UFO suggested a link to Vandenberg Air Force Base, but the rocket launch there was also on the wrong night.

Pecha's mention of static electricity led to speculation about ball lightning, and some minor damage to vegetation was found, but no radioactivity. The idea that the UFOs were 'zapping power' was investigated by CUFOS investigator Allan Hendry, who found that the power lines Pecha cited were not connected to his home's supply and had no power problems that night. This suggests Pecha's conclusions may have influenced his memory.

Oberg emphasizes that people can be easily fooled by their own senses, leading to fantastic conclusions. He provides another example from CUFOS files: a 1978 sighting in Aurora, Illinois, where ten people reported a 'saucer' that was later identified as a 315-bulb advertising sign attached to a small plane. Hendry attributes such misidentifications to the 'pervasive emotional climate' surrounding UFOs, which can distort ordinary sightings into exaggerated events.

Despite the ambiguities, Oberg concludes that something unusual occurred. He acknowledges that while physical evidence is inconclusive, multiple witnesses testified to the event. The dispute over what the Colusa sighting proved continues, but the courage of witnesses like Pecha to report their experiences is highlighted as crucial for serious UFO research, as the fear of ridicule often silences potential witnesses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the challenges of UFO investigation, the distinction between genuine unexplained phenomena and misidentified objects (IFOs), and the role of human perception and psychology in UFO sightings. The editorial stance, as presented by James Oberg, is one of critical inquiry and skepticism, emphasizing the need for rigorous investigation and caution against jumping to conclusions. While acknowledging the possibility of extraordinary phenomena, the article stresses that unexplained cases alone do not constitute proof of any specific hypothesis and highlights the numerous ways witnesses can be mistaken or their memories influenced by their beliefs and the surrounding cultural context.