SIGAP Newsletter No 24 1969-05

Magazine Overview

This is the May 1969 issue, No. 24, of the SIGAP Bulletin, published monthly by the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena. The cover prominently features the headline "METEOR LIGHTS UP THE SKY" by Ron Toft, with Ron Toft listed as Editor, Omar Fowler as Chairman, and Richard Beet as Secretary.

Meteor Sighting Across Britain

The lead article details a spectacular meteor event that occurred on the evening of April 25, 1969. The meteor, described as a chunk of rock heated by atmospheric friction, was seen by hundreds across Britain, including London, Belfast, and Wick. Newspaper, police, and fire-brigade switchboards were inundated with calls. SIGAP Chairman Omar Fowler reported seeing a brilliant whitish-yellow ball of fire with a long greenish-yellow tail, moving rapidly towards the horizon. He estimated its size, duration (three to four seconds), direction (290°-300° W.N.W.), initial elevation (30°), final elevation (20°), and height (80 miles).

Shortly after Fowler's observation, SIGAP received reports from members A. H. Lloyd in Cranleigh and C. Hopper in Guildford. Hopper described the object as electric-blue in colour, with two tails, turning red towards the end, and estimated its size as three-quarters of a degree, moving through 20° of sky towards the horizon, 20° West of North.

Astronomers at the Royal Edinburgh Observatory suggested the meteor remnants landed in the sea off the North Scottish coast. However, the consensus leaned towards fragments landing in Northern Ireland. A resident in Ballymurphy, County Down, Willie Greer, adamantly stated the object had fallen into a bog near his bungalow, describing a greenish-blue light about 2,000 feet up. The incident reportedly caused a nearby mission hall to shake and ground to quake, with some ladies reporting hearing an explosion.

Initially, Mr. Kenneth Gatland, Vice-President of the British Interplanetary Society, speculated the fireball might be the remains of the Russian satellite Cosmos 265, but later changed his mind after checking his calculations.

Later news on page 6 indicates that two fragments of the meteor have been found: one weighing 16 lb. is being examined by atom scientists at Harwell, and a smaller part has been sent to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.

Meteorite Definitions and Statistics

A footnote clarifies that meteors become meteorites after landing. It states that twenty-one meteorites are known to have fallen on the British Isles, with the heaviest weighing at least 102 lb. (largest fragment found was 17 lb. 6 oz.), which landed in Barwell, Leicestershire, on December 24, 1965. The largest known meteorite globally was found at Hoba West in 1920 (South West Africa) weighing an estimated 59 tons, with a much larger one believed to be buried beneath Meteor Crater in Arizona, U.S.A.

UFO Activity Resumes

The bulletin notes a lull in local UFO activity but announces that sighting reports are starting to increase, expected to continue with summer. A glowing rugby-ball shaped UFO was reported over Worplesdon by six people on April 14. Witnesses Ted Kinge, Mick Dobson, Terry Cater, Tony Heather, David Watts, and Bill Webb observed the object, described by Kinge as a brilliant blue-whitish fluorescent light. Bill Webb described it as a very bright light, too large for a plane, with no sound, moving at the speed of a very fast aircraft before disappearing behind a house.

First U.F.O. Convention Announced

Britain's first National Space and UFO Convention is scheduled for Sunday, August 17, at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire. Organized by the Interplanetary Space Travel Research Group (U.K.), the event aims to provide a platform for UFO groups to showcase their research and publications. It will feature prominent speakers, a film show, and refreshments. SIGAP hopes to have a stand at the convention, which opens at 11 a.m. Admission is by programme only.

Special Issue: "The Humanoids"

The world-famous UFO publication "Flying Saucer Review" has released a special 72-page issue titled "The Humanoids," focusing exclusively on reported UFO landings and alleged occupant contact. The price is 12/-.

Dr. Hynek's Evolving Views on UFOs

Dr. Hynek, formerly skeptical of UFOs and calling them "Hogwash," has changed his mind, now viewing UFOs as a "scientific problem." As Chairman of the Department of Astronomy at Northwestern University and a consultant to the U.S. Air Force since 1953, he advocates for UFOs to be treated on par with other scientific issues. He developed a double scale for classifying sightings, including a strangeness index and a credibility index. Dr. Hynek laments the lack of scientific talent and equipment dedicated to UFO investigation and expresses disappointment at never having personally witnessed a UFO.

He advises that when encountering a potential UFO, one should first gather witnesses, attempt to get a photograph, and use tools like thumbnails and distant objects for comparison when estimating speed, size, shape, and brightness. He also notes that imagination can play a significant role, and initial witness statements should not be taken as gospel truth, as factors like lack of sleep, drugs, or even antibiotics can affect perception.

Satellite News: SAMOS 2 and ECHO 2

Tim Childerhouse reports on the return of the naked-eye satellite SAMOS 2, visible in the northern hemisphere from April to September. Launched on January 21, 1961, it has an apogee of about 550 km and perigee of 450 km, and is expected to remain in orbit for another five to six years. The satellite, affixed to an Agena rocket, is about 25 feet long and five feet wide. It is usually a 4th magnitude object but can appear as 6th magnitude when rolling.

ECHO 2, the brightest satellite in orbit, is predicted to decay by the end of May. Suggestions are made that its plastic skin might survive re-entry. Observers are encouraged to look for a bright, fast-moving object going north, which could be ECHO 2 on one of its final orbits.

SIGAP Consultants and Meetings

Mr. Childerhouse, a consultant for SIGAP, works in the Space Department at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough. He gave a talk on "New Satellites in Space" at the April meeting, informing members that 1,610 objects were in orbit on March 1. He noted that many satellites, some with reflecting mirrors or small searchlights, and military space vehicles equipped with motors to change orbit, can be mistaken for UFOs. He confirmed that the Worplesdon sighting on April 14 could not be attributed to the Pageos A satellite due to its direction, height, and speed.

Hayling Island Sighting Detailed

The retired Hayling Island nurse's sighting on March 18 is further detailed. The object was described as brighter than a star, moving in various gyrations, descending vertically, hovering, and then ascending at approximately 90°. It had a dazzling white color with a shower of glistening light beneath it, a pointed end, and a dark band. SIGAP Chairman Omar Fowler interviewed the witness, who is in her late 70s but mentally alert, and concluded it was unlikely to be an aircraft or natural phenomenon. The witness, familiar with constellations, had not seen anything like it before.

New Appointments and Publications

Ron Toft, SIGAP Bulletin Editor, has been appointed official English correspondent to the Argentinian UFO publication "Espacio." The editor of "Espacio," Senor Guillermo Aldunati, will represent SIGAP in Argentina. This is seen as valuable given the increase in UFO reports, particularly "contact" cases, in South America. Ron Toft has also been appointed English representative for the U.F.O. Research Committee (U.F.O.R.C.) based in Seattle, Washington. U.F.O.R.C., formed in June 1965, has researchers across the States and representatives in Argentina and Chile, and publishes a monthly bulletin.

"PEGASUS" Magazine Announcement

SIGAP announces its plan to launch a new magazine called "PEGASUS," named after the star constellation and Greek mythology. It will replace the "SIGAP Bulletin" and feature a quarto duplicated format. "Pegasus" will cover local and foreign UFO news, SIGAP projects, developments in astronomy and space research, and other interesting topics. The first issue is expected shortly.

Cambridge U.F.O. Seminar

A special UFO seminar was held at Churchill College, Cambridge University, on April 19, aimed at making British UFO Research Association members more proficient researchers. SIGAP Chairman Omar Fowler attended.

Richard Farrow, B.U.F.O.R.A. Information Officer, discussed the challenges of extracting useful facts from witness reports, particularly regarding size exaggeration and the importance of compass bearings. A discussion ensued about checking witness book-cases for science fiction or UFO books. B.U.F.O.R.A. has a psychologist, Mr. Stonebridge, and other consultants like Dr. Cleary-Baker, Anthony Durham, and Norman Hardy, to help analyze reports.

Stephen Smith, B.A., Research Director for B.U.F.O.R.A., interpreted the Condon Report, emphasizing the need for intensive investigation of major cases and proper documentation. He appealed for help from affiliated groups.

Anthony Durham spoke on "Perception," highlighting natural phenomena that can be mistaken for UFOs, such as ball-lightning, meteorites, and atmospheric effects. He noted that five percent of the male population and one percent of the female population are color blind, and that planets, satellites, and aircraft account for 50 percent of UFO sightings. He also mentioned temperature inversions and mirages as common explanations.

Stewart Miller discussed witness reliability, advising interviews within 24 hours and asking witnesses to write down incidents without interviewer input initially. Questions about details should follow, with the interviewer observing for signs of nerves or imagination. He stressed that imagination can be a factor and that initial statements might not be accurate.

Roger Stanway and Anthony Pace shared experiences from "flap" investigations in Staffordshire, advising prompt note-taking and conserving energy. They also suggested keeping a UFO activity diary and restricting information given to the press to avoid influencing potential witnesses.

The seminar was deemed highly useful, fostering a wide range of views and being more beneficial than listening to one person's theories.

Newspaper Sensationalism Addressed

Early reports of a talk by Air Marshall Sir Victor Goddard suggested he revealed UFO secrets, but it is clarified that he only offered thoughts that deepened the mystery. Sir Victor spoke on Extra Sensory Perception and stated that UFO secrecy rumors had no basis in fact, calling a "Evening News" report about him "newspaper sensationalism."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The SIGAP Bulletin consistently focuses on UFO and aerial phenomena investigations, emphasizing rigorous research methods, witness credibility, and scientific analysis over sensationalism. The publication aims to inform its members and the public about sightings, research findings, and related scientific developments, while also promoting UFO research groups and events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, seeking rational explanations but acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena.