SOUTH LINES U.F.O. STUDY GROUP NEWSLETTER

Magazine Overview

Title: SOUTH LINES U.F.O. STUDY GROUP NEWSLETTER
Issue: No. 18
Date: September 1969

This newsletter from the South Lines U.F.O. Study Group focuses on various unexplained phenomena, including UFO sightings, potential astronomical explanations, and intriguing geological and biological mysteries. The content is presented in a series of short reports and articles, reflecting the interests of a UFO study group.

Reports and Articles

Orange Saucer Over City

The lead story details a sighting of an 'orange saucer' over Leicester on Saturday night, August 25, 1969. Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Black reported seeing a light hovering over the city at 12:25 am. Mrs. Black described it as gradually moving away and picking up speed, then disappearing after throwing off a shower of yellow light. She stated, "I have never seen anything like it before - it was definitely a flying saucer." Mr. Black attempted to borrow binoculars but was unsuccessful. The sighting lasted four minutes.

Flying Objects Were Russian Satellites

In response to the Leicester sightings, R.M. Livemore, a member of the Leicester Astronomical Society, offers an explanation. He believes the two objects seen were likely a newly-launched Russian rocket followed by its satellite, possibly a Proton or Cosmos vehicle. Livemore, whose hobby is observing satellites, saw similar objects on the following night, noting their speed and brightness variations. He attributes the seven-minute separation between the objects to air drag on the rocket.

Dam Tall Fellow

This brief report from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada, on Saturday, August 31, 1969, states that three workmen at a dam site claim to have seen a humanoid figure approximately 15 feet tall.

Modern Public Houses

Two modern public house names are mentioned: 'The Flying Saucer' in Gillingham, Kent, and 'The Man In Space' in Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire.

The Link Between Earth And Moon

This article explores a theory proposed by leading Russian astronomer Dr. Nikolai Kozyrev, who claims to have found evidence linking earthquakes and lunar disturbances. The report cites tremors felt in the Middle East and Japan on March 31, which were reportedly followed by a 'disturbance' in the lunar crater Aristarchus. Soviet scientists detected an escape of underground gas from the crater's western slopes. Dr. Kozyrev compared 600 earthquake records with 400 lunar 'temporary effects' observed between 1904 and the present, finding an unusually large number of coincidences within two days of each other. The article suggests this link might be related to gravitational influences causing tidal effects.

Dinosaurs

Astronomers now suggest that the sudden and complete extinction of dinosaurs, which inhabited Earth for a hundred million years, might have been caused by a lethal storm of radiation from a supernova or an exploding star. The article posits that some specific lethal force must have wiped them out.

It's Time We Landed Men On Earth

Written by Charles Curzon and published in 'Weekend' April 23-29th, 1969, this piece argues that scientists should focus more on mapping and understanding Earth's resources rather than solely on the Moon. It highlights that less than a quarter of the world's land surface has been adequately mapped and surveyed, with vast unexplored regions in South America (like the Amazon tributaries and Colombian mountain ranges), Peru, Southern Brazil (Mato Grosso), Patagonia, Mexico, and Africa (Sahara) potentially holding immense mineral wealth and areas for future communities. The article also touches upon the growing world population (currently around 3,500,000,000) and the increasing pressure on resources, suggesting that by the year 2600, finding habitable land and food sources will be critical, even if humans have landed on the Moon.

The Ringing Rocks

This section describes 'The Ringing Rocks,' found in about a dozen locations in eastern Pennsylvania. These rocks, covering about 10 acres in one instance, are salmon-pink, range in size from a fist to a small house, and ring like bells when struck. They are found in lush green woodland, yet no leaves are on them. Geologists, mineralogists, and chemists have been unable to explain this phenomenon.

Undersea Object

In 1965, a mysterious object was tracked by US naval vessels on anti-submarine maneuvers in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 34 miles deep. The object was tracked for over four days and was determined to be traveling at about 150 knots (175 miles per hour) with a single propeller. The article notes that no known vessel can travel at such speed underwater, and scientists have only recently reached depths of 20,000 feet, where the fastest travel rate is only two knots.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently explores unexplained phenomena, UFO sightings, and potential scientific or pseudoscientific explanations. There is a clear interest in extraterrestrial possibilities, as evidenced by the 'flying saucer' reports and the discussion of satellite explanations. The publication also delves into geological anomalies (Ringing Rocks), potential extraterrestrial impacts (dinosaur extinction), and the broader implications of space exploration versus terrestrial needs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unusual events, presenting various perspectives and reports without definitive conclusions, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional explanations. The inclusion of articles on Earth's resources and population growth suggests a broader concern for humanity's future, linking terrestrial challenges with the broader context of exploration and the unknown.