Magazine Summary
Time
Ever wanted to host your own late-night paranormal radio show?
Across the Airwaves
You’re on the air. Callers bring Mothman, Fresno Nightcrawlers, UFO sightings, reptilian autopsies, and whispers about AATIP and Project Blue Book. Every reply shapes how the night goes.
Summary
A 1978 Time article presents a scientific explanation for UFO sightings, suggesting they could be insects. Entomologists Philip S. Callahan and R.W. Mankin propose that moths, such as spruce budworms, illuminated by St. Elmo's fire, could account for the glowing, humming objects reported. This theory is supported by records of severe spruce budworm infestations near Roosevelt, Utah, prior to numerous UFO reports from the area between 1965 and 1968. The scientists conducted lab experiments generating electrical fields to demonstrate how insects' exoskeletons and body fluids could produce brilliant flares.
Magazine Overview
Title: Time
Issue Date: November 20, 1978
Publisher: Time
Country: USA
Language: English
This issue of Time magazine features an article titled "Pesky UFOs," which explores a scientific hypothesis that some unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings might be explained by the behavior and illumination of insects.
Pesky UFOs: Insects as UFOs?
The article, published on November 20, 1978, delves into the phenomenon of UFO sightings, specifically referencing 80 reports from Roosevelt, Utah, between 1965 and 1968. These sightings often described glowing, humming objects with blinking lights. The article highlights the book "The Utah UFO Display" by Frank B. Salisbury, a plant physiologist at Utah State University, which was embraced by UFO enthusiasts as evidence of extraterrestrial visitations.
However, the article presents a counter-argument from entomologists Philip S. Callahan and R.W. Mankin of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They were struck by the similarity between the reported movements of UFOs and insect swarms. Their research led them to conclude that the Utah UFOs were likely moths, specifically spruce budworms, illuminated by a natural atmospheric phenomenon known as St. Elmo's fire.
St. Elmo's fire is described as glowing halos observed around the yardarms of sailing ships, church steeples, and aircraft parts. It occurs when high atmospheric electrical fields cause electrons to agitate air molecules, producing a coronal light. To test their hypothesis, Callahan and Mankin generated electrical fields in their lab comparable to those during storms. They confined various insects, including predatory stinkbugs and spruce budworms, within these fields.
The results showed that the insects, due to their dielectric exoskeletons surrounding electrolyte body fluids, displayed brilliantly colored flares from external points like antennae and leg joints. The scientists stated, "There is absolutely no doubt that, given the right weather conditions, nature can produce a high enough electric field to light up flying insects."
Further support for this theory came from U.S. Forest Service records, which indicated severe spruce budworm infestations in forests near Roosevelt just before the reported UFO outbreaks. The article posits that these budworm moths, flying in swarms after feeding on trees, might have been on nocturnal migrations. When attempting to escape atmospheric electric fields on stormy nights, their illuminated forms could have appeared as strange, dancing lights, described by the scientists as a "great 'free-floating discothèque in the sky.'"
The article also mentions Bill Kingsley, RN, in a handwritten note on the scan, though his role or relevance to the article's content is not specified within the text itself.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The primary theme of this article is the demystification of UFO phenomena through scientific explanation, specifically focusing on entomology and atmospheric physics. The editorial stance leans towards skepticism regarding extraterrestrial explanations for common sightings, favoring natural and biological causes. The article promotes a rational, evidence-based approach to understanding unexplained aerial phenomena.
There is absolutely no doubt that, given the right weather conditions, nature can produce a high enough electric field to light up flying insects.
Key Incidents
Approximately 80 sightings of unidentified flying objects were reported near Roosevelt, Utah, between 1965 and 1968.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific explanation for some UFO sightings?
Entomologists Philip S. Callahan and R.W. Mankin suggest that some UFO sightings might be explained by insects, such as spruce budworm moths, illuminated by St. Elmo's fire.
What is St. Elmo's fire?
St. Elmo's fire is a phenomenon that occurs when strong electrical fields in the atmosphere cause electrons to agitate nearby air molecules, producing glowing halos, often seen around pointed objects.
Were there specific UFO sightings discussed?
The article mentions 80 sightings of unidentified flying objects reported near Roosevelt, Utah, between 1965 and 1968, which are proposed to be explained by insect activity.
What evidence supports the insect theory for UFOs?
Supporting evidence includes U.S. Forest Service records of spruce budworm infestations near Roosevelt before the UFO outbreaks and lab experiments showing insects can be illuminated by electrical fields.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- Frank B. Salisburyplant physiologist
- Philip S. CallahanEntomologist
- R.W. Mankinassociate
- Bill KingsleyRN
Organisations
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Utah State University
- U.S. Forest Service
Locations
- Roosevelt, USA
- Utah, USA