SIGAP Bulletin No 21 - 1969-02

Magazine Overview

Title: SIGAP BULLETIN
Issue: No. 21
Date: February 1969
Publisher: SURREY INVESTIGATION GROUP ON AERIAL PHENOMENA
Price: 1/-

Main Cover Story: Andes 'Cosmodrome' Investigation

The cover story details an upcoming expedition to the Andes to investigate a mysterious platform. This platform, composed of 10-ton blocks of volcanic rock, was discovered in September but an initial investigation was thwarted by high winds and snow. Explorers hope to clear rumors that the site is a "cosmodrome" for flying saucers. Humberto Sarnataro Bounaud, a 32-year-old businessman and painter, will lead the second investigation, utilizing helicopters and additional equipment. Local peasants and villagers claim to have witnessed flying saucers taking off and landing near the platform. Other reported phenomena in the area include cars restarting without mechanical attention, unexplained smells, and fruit trees blossoming out of season, which scientists have attributed to a strange heat detected by a geiger counter.

The platform is located in the mountains between San Clemente, Chile, and San Rafael, Argentina, approximately 142 miles southeast of Santiago.

Is There Water on the Moon? Was Adamski Right?

This section examines claims made by George Adamski regarding water on the moon and "fireflies in space," noting that some of his statements have been confirmed in recent years, such as the astronauts' description of "fireflies in space." While recent moon photographs seem to contradict the idea of visible rivers, the possibility of lunar water has been speculated upon. The article cites a January 2nd edition of "New Scientist" which reports that three researchers at the University of California (S. Peale, G. Schubert, and R. Lingenfelter) analyzed Lunar Orbiter 4 photographs. Their findings suggest that over 80% of the sinuous rilles on the moon, which are river-like channels, are located on the margins of circular mare basins or craters with mare-like floors. This discovery is presented as strong evidence for the presence of a fluid, likely water, on the moon.

ECHO 2 Explains A Curving U.F.O. (S.138)

This article, indebted to Tim Childerhouse of the Space Department at R.A.E. Farnborough, explains how the behavior of the Echo 2 satellite could account for a reported UFO sighting. David Chaloner observed Echo 2 northbound on December 2nd at 6:15 pm, and the author also observed it near the moon. The explanation focuses on the curved path of satellite transits across the sky. The article notes that the lower the satellite's pass, the greater the apparent curve. An additional factor is Earth's rotation, which causes it to rotate one degree every four minutes, accentuating the curved path. A diagram illustrates the satellite's direction (Northbound) and its path relative to the moon and the observer's Eastern Horizon.

Author to Give Talk on FEB 11th

Norman Oliver, co-author of "The Scoriton Mystery" and "Sequel to Scoriton," and an authority on UFO contact cases, is scheduled to give a talk to SIGAP on February 11th. He has formed a new group called COS-MOS (Contact Space-Men Or Saucers). The talk will be held at 8 pm in the canteen of Plastic Coatings Ltd, By-Pass, Guildford.

Tønsberg Latest

Newspaper cuttings from the 'Tønsberg Blad' (Norway) have been received and are being translated. Latest news from January states that 40 bright UFOs were seen in the area during 1968. Full details are expected in the March edition.

DOG MEETS UFO: A BRIEF SURVEY (Part II)

This extensive survey by D. G. Butcher details numerous instances of dogs encountering UFOs or UFO occupants.

• October 26, 1967, Ringstead Bay, UK: A UFO hovered, causing a witness's Alsation dog to become distraught and refuse to sit. The dog showed distress on four subsequent visits.
• September 26, 1954, Valence, France: A witness's dog, Dolly, howled miserably as a UFO and its occupant appeared. The witness fled, and the dog continued to howl for three days.
• Monza, Italy: A man set his Boxer dog on a UFO entity in a diver's suit; the dog bit the man, suggesting possible disorientation or defensive action by the entity.
• Austria, 1951: A contactee's memory was preserved because a dog's barking frightened a ufonaut away.
• September 30, 1954, Valence, France: A woman and her dog encountered a form 'swathed in cellophane'. The dog's presence caused the entity to retreat into the UFO and depart.
• October 15, 1954, Perpignan, France: A customs official reported a reddish object landing, from which a man emerged who appeared scared by barking dogs before leaving.
• October 17, 1954, Corbierres, France: A hunting dog approached two beings from a UFO but became partially paralysed.
• October 14, 1954, Manosque, France: Similar to the Corbierres incident, a dog approached a UFO and became semi-paralysed.
• October 21, 1963, Trancas, Argentina: UFOs landed and directed light beams at a house, terrifying occupants and their dogs.
• January 10, 1967, Point Pleasant, USA: Barking dogs alerted a witness to a UFO descending a hill towards kennels.
• Autumn 1966, Point Pleasant, USA: Three dogs disappeared, coinciding with UFO appearances in the area.
• November 6, 1957, Everittstown, New Jersey: A gnome-like ufonaut associated with an egg-shaped object stated, "We just want your dog." The dog was barking furiously and frothing at the mouth.
• November 6, 1957, Dante, Tennessee: A boy's dog was seen with other dogs near an egg-like object. A figure grabbed at the dog, which growled, and then picked up another dog which bit him.
• December 14, 1963, Vereeniging, South Africa: Two men saw an "exceptionally large dog." Later, they were buzzed by a UFO at the same spot.
• January 19, 1967, Charleston, West Virginia: A large metal sphere hovered above the road. Three months later, investigator John Keel found "very strange footprints" resembling huge dog tracks, suggesting an animal weighing 200-400 pounds.

The article notes the recurring triad of UFO, a road, and a giant dog in these legends, comparing them to the 'Surrey puma' tracks. The survey is to be concluded in the next issue.

Volunteer Flight Officer Network (V.F.O.N.) Update

Further information is provided on the V.F.O.N., established in autumn 1963 by SIGAP member John Bostock. Its purpose is to create a global network of commercial airline crewmen who report unidentifiable phenomena. Directed by Herbert E. Roth of American United Air Lines, the project involves 118 airlines in 54 countries, with 39,000 crewmen covering over 2.6 million air route miles. V.F.O.N. has processed 1,346 reports, categorized as: 1127 Meteor sightings, 39 Reports of satellites/balloons/launch vehicles, 73 Reports on satellite re-entries, 34 U.F.O. type reports, 37 Reports of uncatalogued debris, and 36 Reports still in process.

New Members

New members joining in January are listed: Rev. Dr. N.J. Cockburn, J. Dunkley, M.C. Holt, and S. White.

Spreading The Word

Omar Fowler and Graham Raine gave a talk on Surrey UFOs to the W.I. at Milland, Sussex, on January 8th, using color slides and tape recordings.

A Report From Wales

A report from Monmouth by Mr P. Davies, sent by SIGAP member Mr D. Toombs, describes a sighting on Sunday, October 13, 1968, at 8:45 pm. While observing the constellation Draco, Davies spotted a bright red light, brighter than Mars. A shaft of white light protruded from the object's right side. Seven friends also witnessed this light, which seemed to shine onto thin cloud. The object then disappeared into thick cloud at 30 degrees above the S.E. horizon.

Editorial Notes

The newsletter was produced by O. Fowler, with contributions from R.C. Beet and D.G. Butcher. Editor Mr R. Toft is welcomed back for the next issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The SIGAP Bulletin consistently focuses on unexplained aerial phenomena, UFO sightings, and related investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, presenting detailed reports, scientific analysis (as in the moon water section), and witness accounts. The inclusion of the V.F.O.N. highlights a systematic approach to data collection. The extensive survey on dog-UFO interactions suggests an interest in the behavioral aspects of encounters and potential interspecies communication or reactions. The publication also engages with historical UFO claims, such as those of George Adamski, and seeks to corroborate or explain them with contemporary findings. There is a clear effort to provide explanations for sightings, such as the Echo 2 satellite case, while also documenting unexplained events.