SIGAP Newsletter No 22 1969-03

Magazine Overview

Title: SIGAP BULLETIN
Issue: No. 22
Volume/Date: March 1969
Publisher: SURREY INVESTIGATION GROUP ON AERIAL PHENOMENA
Price: 1/-

This issue of the SIGAP Bulletin, dated March 1969, focuses on UFO activity, particularly a reported wave of "glowing phenomena" in Norway during 1968. It includes reports from the Norwegian newspaper "Tonsberg Blad" and details various witness accounts, along with discussions on scientific explanations and the role of ufology organizations.

Norwegian UFO Flap of 1968

The main cover story highlights that "AT LEAST 40 GLOWING PHENOMENA HAVE BEEN SEEN IN THE NORWEGIAN SKY DURING 1968". An article from the "Tonsberg Blad" on January 13, translated for SIGAP, details this phenomenon. Wilhelm S. Simonsen, Chairman of the "Popular Scientific Association", confirmed that observations were regular and that his association had received 40 reports in the past year, with over 100 Norwegians having seen UFOs.

Simonsen acknowledged the difficulty in obtaining a complete picture due to multiple reporting groups but stated that their data provided a good overview. He mentioned that in early December, people in the Tonsberg area saw light phenomena, and the "Tonsberg Blad" contacted astrophysical organizations. The scientific explanations offered were Venus, a star, or a satellite. Simonsen expressed skepticism towards scientists who readily dismiss UFOs as natural phenomena, asserting that their own analysis of the 40 reports indicated only two were likely misinterpretations.

He further noted that while the "Echo II" balloon satellite caused many reports, it looked like a strong star. Unlike meteors and satellites, which move predictably, observed UFOs reportedly changed course and speed, stood still, and behaved differently. The bulletin emphasizes that the research is treated as a matter of scientific inquiry, especially given the activity in 1968.

Following the initial report, the "Tonsberg Blad" received requests from organizations in Oslo for contact with observers. The bulletin provides two addresses for those who witnessed the December light phenomena: Populaervidenskapelig Forening in Klofta and UFO INFORMASJON in Torshov, Oslo.

Specific Norwegian Sightings (December 1968)

Another report from the "Tonsberg Blad", dated December 17, 1968, details a series of sightings:

• Canal Bridge to Tenvik: A man in a car saw a glowing object near a canal bridge, which later hovered over Teie and Teiehoyden, then settled at about 100 meters altitude, moving at 50-60 km/h. It disappeared towards the west near Herstad, reappeared near Borgheim, and followed the car. The driver noted it had only one light, unlike a plane, and made no sound.
• Crossroads Sighting: Another man saw a bright glowing object at a crossroads about half an hour before the previous sighting. He described it as a bright "thing" about 400 meters away and 200-300 meters up, moving towards Gipe at a normal car speed.
• Tolvarod Area: During the same period, TV reception from Sweden was disrupted with glimmering and waves, accompanied by a grating sound, for about an hour.
• Teie Sighting: A schoolboy saw a round ball of fire descend over the mountains towards Teie and then turn towards Notteroy, estimated to be within 100 meters of the roofs.
• Eastern Norway Sighting: A couple saw a bright ball at about 8:15 p.m. that came from the west at slow speed and disappeared in the east.
• Notteroy Sightings (December 14): Two men reported seeing a flying object. One saw it from an upstairs window as a shining ball, and another witness corroborated the description. It flew off towards the west.
• Slagenstangen Sighting (December 14): A man saw a glowing thing in the sky at 6:45 a.m. that moved slowly from Notteroy towards Horten, described as having a green shimmering colour and being about the size of a small car. It made no sound.

Scientific and Observational Input

A meteorologist from the Asmund Moene Institute stated that the weather situation discounted the possibility of fireballs or electrical phenomena in the upper atmosphere. An observer from the Astrophysical Institute at Blindern noted that natural phenomena could not account for the Notteroy object, and while a fireball could explain a ball of light following a car, it would typically be associated with thunder. The Observatory confirmed receiving many UFO reports annually but lacked the time for serious examination, finding it difficult to investigate based solely on witness accounts. They mentioned that many reports of "Martians" or UFOs had simple explanations, suggesting weather balloons, aircraft, or satellites lit by the sun. The observer stated they had never had a report they believed in, often explaining them away as the planet Venus.

DOG MEETS U.F.O.: A BRIEF SURVEY (Part III)

This section, by Dan Butcher, continues a survey of cases involving dogs and UFOs, presenting more recent and interesting reports.

• Doddridge County, USA (November 1966): A dog's "hair stood straight up" when two red reflectors were seen, causing the animal to run into a field and disappear, raising the question of abduction.
• Argentina (June 16, 1967): Dogs panicked and fled into fields after hearing a loud rumble and seeing mysterious glaring lights from the sky.
• Tully, Queensland, Australia: In a case involving "U.F.O. nests" (circular depressions in swamps), a witness's dog suddenly went mad and ran into the swamp.
• Betty and Barney Hill Case: Their dog showed signs of severe fright, trembling at the end of the contact experience.
• John Keel Reports: Keel documented a shepherd dog crushed to death in Ohio, USA, with its body broken and the surrounding grass flattened in a perfect circle, similar to the Queensland "U.F.O. nest" case. Keel also examined dogs mutilated as if by a scalpel.
• Maury Island Incident (June 1947): The witness' dog was killed by slag falling from the object.
• Oscar Iriart Case, Argentina (July 1968): A dog was paralyzed.
• West Virginia and Ohio (1967): John Keel noted that disappearances of dogs in the vicinity of UFO sightings were common.
• Florida Encounters: Reports describe dogs encountering "errant hairy monsters", sometimes refusing to pursue them, other times being the aggressor. In one instance, a dog chased a monster into a wood and returned with a chunk of its hide, weakened from blood loss.
• Hexham, North Wales (1904): Charles Fort mentioned a case of a wolf or large dog that ravaged sheep. Bloodhounds and foxhounds could not track it. This occurred during a period of mysterious lights and revivalist activity.
• Buck Nelson, Texas County, Missouri (March 5, 1955): Nelson claimed to have seen a UFO big dog. Three men and a huge dog emerged from a UFO to meet him.
• Charles Garreau's Dog, Chalais, France (November 1954): A dog was patted by UFO entities.
• Buck Nelson's Space Trip (undated): Nelson claimed his dog made a space trip with him, while Howard Menger's dog had to wait outside the UFO.

The bulletin includes a list of 41 references for those interested in further research on these topics.

Other News and Meetings

• Mr. K. Clements Sighting (Christmas Eve): While travelling by train from Princes Risborough to Marylebone, Mr. Clements saw a "flying-saucer". He described it as silver, moving north, with three legs and a red light on top. A sketch of his observation is included.
• COS-MOS Organisation: Norman Oliver, Director of the newly formed COS-MOS organisation, gave a talk on contact cases at a SIGAP meeting on February 11.
• New SIGAP Members: Mrs. B. S. Blundell, Mr. Richard Harrison, Mr. Timothy Binstead, and Mr. K. Clements have joined SIGAP.
• Group Secretary Change: Dick Beet is moving and will no longer be the Group Secretary after April 1. Correspondence should be directed to him at 164 Park Mead, Cranleigh.
• Forthcoming SIGAP Meetings:
• April 15: UFORUM - Guest speaker and informal discussion.
• May 6: SIGAP's Annual Meeting - Editor Ron Toft will give a talk on "The Moon and its Mysteries", followed by officer elections.
• Mid-June: National Skywatch (date to be fixed).

The bulletin also solicits preferences from members regarding the days for SIGAP meetings, which are usually held on Tuesdays at the Plastic Coatings Factory in Guildford.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The SIGAP Bulletin consistently reports on UFO sightings and related phenomena, with a particular focus on detailed witness accounts and investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting evidence and theories without necessarily endorsing them, while also acknowledging the skepticism of the scientific establishment. The inclusion of a detailed survey on dog-UFO interactions suggests a broad scope of ufological research. The publication also serves as a communication channel for its members, announcing meetings, new members, and administrative changes. There is a clear effort to document cases, provide references, and encourage further investigation within the ufology community.