UFO Canada - vol 2 no 2

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO CANADA
Issue: Volume Two, Number Two
Date: February 1978
Price: $1.00
Publisher: UFO CANADA
Country: CANADA
Language: English

Editorial

Robert Sapienza, Assistant Editor, reflects on the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," praising its cinematic quality and its accurate portrayal of various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, including the Bermuda Triangle, telepathy, physical traces, and radar sightings. He notes that while the film gives the UFO a good hearing, he anticipates that debunkers will find fault with it. Sapienza also discusses recent legal actions taken by Ground Saucer Watch and Project Starlight International against the FBI, aiming to pressure Congress to expose a "UFO Watergate." He views these efforts as futile and potentially detrimental to UFO research.

The UFO Investigator as a Counselor & Healer

By John B. Musgrave, this article posits that UFO field investigators serve a crucial social function beyond scientific detection, acting as counselors and healers for individuals who have experienced stressful and profound encounters. Musgrave emphasizes that the intensity and genuineness of a percipient's experience are key to convincing skeptical investigators. He argues that more attention should be paid to the investigator's role in helping the percipient cope with the experience, suggesting that this aspect can sometimes outweigh the role of data gathering. The article highlights that UFO investigation is unique in that major contributions come from "amateurs," making it a "people's science." However, this also leads to a lack of formal training and supervision, which can result in harm to witnesses. Musgrave recounts a case where an investigator's statements increased a witness's tension, leading her to move away. He stresses the importance of investigators being aware of their language and the psychological impact on witnesses, recommending that witness names not be made public without careful consideration. The article concludes by suggesting that future research should investigate whether UFO incidents can generate abnormal behaviors, psychoses, and neuroses, noting that some individuals may seek professional psychological assistance for amnesia or dread following UFO encounters.

Seven Maxims of UFOs: A Scientific Approach

By Peter Millman, this article presents seven maxims for approaching UFO phenomena scientifically. Millman discusses various natural phenomena that can be mistaken for UFOs, including bright planets (like Venus), halos, mirages, and meteoric processions. He cites examples such as a sundog observed at Churchill, Manitoba, and a subsun seen over Europe. Millman also mentions the multiple imaging of the moon and a rare meteoric procession in 1913, noting that estimates of visibility duration can be misleading. He references Menzel's work on natural phenomena explaining UFO reports and concludes that while extraterrestrial intelligent life may exist, there is currently no good scientific evidence that it has visited Earth. Millman suggests that if such a visitation occurs, it will be much more self-evident than current UFO cases. He recommends books by Philip J. Klass, Allen Hynek, and L.E. Catoe for further study and suggests research into plasma phenomena and small-scale atmospheric discontinuities.

Bookshelf

This section reviews several books and periodicals related to UFOs and unexplained creatures:

• BIGFOOT - Tales of unexplained creatures: A collection of articles, illustrations, and photographs about Bigfoot and similar creatures, exploring potential connections to the UFO phenomenon.
• ABDUCTION: A recent release by Coral & Jim Lorenzen.
• THE HYNEK UFO REPORT: By Dr. J. Allen Hynek.
• ENCOUNTER CASES FROM FLYING SAUCER REVIEW: Edited by Charles Bowen.
• UFO JOURNALS: UFO INFORMER: A quarterly publication from Project S.U.M. of Ontario, offering a subscription rate of $5 per year in Canada & USA, and $7 foreign.

News Feature: PROJECT S.U.M. - A Research Report

By Howard Gontovnick, this feature introduces Project S.U.M. (Solving the UFO Mystery), a Canadian non-profit organization founded in 1974. Project S.U.M. aims to provide a safe reporting space for UFO experiences, publish reliable information, and conduct scientific investigations into UFO phenomena in Canada. The organization uses an open-minded approach, considering various theories. It employs a detailed UFO classification code system with over 800,000 possible combinations for statistical analysis and computer storage. The article also mentions that Project S.U.M. organized CUFOREN (Canadian UFO Report Exchange Network) to facilitate the monthly exchange of UFO reports among various groups and individuals.

The R.C.M.P. & UFOs

This report, from the Res Bureaux Bulletin, details a submission made to the Commission of Inquiry Concerning Certain Activities of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) regarding their involvement in UFO investigations. The submission, made by the editor of the Res Bureaux Bulletin, highlights that while the RCMP was authorized to act on UFOs only once in 1915, they have been more involved in UFO investigation than any other federal agency in Canada. It notes the RCMP's absence from the Project Second Storey Committee and their keeping of a classified file on their own investigations during that project, which was kept secret until the previous September. The article also mentions that Canadians lack a Freedom of Information Act, unlike the United States, which hinders the declassification of RCMP-related UFO documents.

UFOLOGY Today

This section provides a brief update on international UFO-related news. It reports that the country of Grenada has withdrawn its resolution to set up a special UN committee to study UFOs. However, Sir Eric Gairy is circulating a special draft resolution urging the UN to conduct an investigation into UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the psychological impact of UFO experiences on witnesses and the ethical responsibilities of UFO investigators. There is a strong emphasis on scientific methodology and the importance of distinguishing between genuine UFO phenomena and natural explanations. The magazine also highlights Canadian contributions to UFO research, such as Project S.U.M. and the RCMP's involvement. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, acknowledging the phenomenon's complexity while advocating for rigorous scientific investigation and a focus on witness well-being. There is a clear skepticism towards claims of alien visitation without sufficient evidence, as expressed by Peter Millman.

Title: Ufology Today
Issue: 20
Date: January 1978
Content Focus: UFO Sightings, particularly in Canada, and related information.

United Nations Proposal

The issue begins with a brief mention of a conclusion regarding a UN proposal. It states that no other delegations besides Grenada commented on the proposal. The draft resolution will be circulated among member states, but due to a lack of interest, there will be no voting on it. If no other states show interest, it will likely not be placed on the 33rd assembly's agenda in September 1978.

Information Section

Edmand Scientific Company Slide Collection

The Edmand Scientific company (Dept. ADO3, Edscorp Building, Barrington, N.J. 08007 USA) has compiled a collection of 35mm slides narrated by Dr. J. Allen Hynek. This collection is divided into three sets:

• Set 1: Deals with Close Encounter cases (P-42, 594).
• Set 2: Focuses on UFO characteristics (P-42, 593).
• Set 3: Contains slides on UFOs & IFOS.

Each set includes a cassette and costs $14.95 plus $1 postage. The entire collection can be purchased for a special price of $39.95 (Set A includes 20 slides, Sets B and C include 25 slides).

Conferences

MUFON Symposium

The ninth annual MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) symposium is scheduled to be held in Dayton, Ohio, on July 29 & 30th, 1978, at the Dayton Convention Center. Speakers will include Major Donald Keyhoe, Raymond Fowler, Ted Bloecher, and Richard Hall, among others. For further information, contact MUFON at 103 Oldtowne Road, Seguin, Texas, 78155 USA.

British UFO Research Association Lectures

Overseas, the British UFO Research Association will host a series of lectures in London at the Kensington Central Library. Contact information for BUFORA is c/o Norman Oliver, 95 Taunton Road, London, SE12 8PA, England.

Canadian Sightings

This section details UFO sightings reported in Canada from January 1978, sourced from CUFOREN (Canadian UFO Report Exchange Network).

1) St. Catherines, Ontario (January 17, 1978, 2:10 am): Mary Walker reported being awakened by an extremely bright light that illuminated her yard and half the street. This was categorized as a Nocturnal Light (NL) and is under investigation by Project S.U.M. due to insufficient data.

2) St. Catherines, Ontario (January 19, 1978, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm): Mrs.B. (anonymous) observed a large white triangular light traverse the sky with unusual movements, including rapid changes in direction, before disappearing northward. This was also categorized as NL and is under investigation due to insufficient data.

3) 20 miles northwest of Edmonton, Alberta (January 6, 1978, 04:00 GMT): Several witnesses saw a cylindrical cigar-shaped UFO with red and white lights flying parallel to their automobile. The UFO disappeared when they exited their car. The evaluation suggests a high possibility of an aircraft, categorized as CE I (Close Encounter of the First Kind).

4) Yorkton, Saskatchewan (January 11, 1978, time unknown): A bright red oval object was observed moving slowly at tree-top level for 15 minutes, heading towards Melville, Saskatchewan. It made no sound. The evaluation notes that while an aircraft on a slow approach to an airfield might explain it, UFO CANADA cannot confirm this, and the case is evaluated based on its characteristics due to lack of cooperation from airport authorities. Categorized as CE I.

5) 4 miles southwest of Estevan, Sask. (January 15, 1978, 5:30 pm): A sighting of approximately 10 minutes duration, categorized as NL.

6) Nipigon, Ontario (January 19, 1978, 7:40 am EST): Under clear skies, a 40-foot long and 30-foot wide fluorescent UFO was sighted at an altitude of 200-300 ft., traveling at an estimated 100 m.p.h. A jet-like flame was observed at the back, but no sounds were heard. Categorized as CE I. Still under investigation.

7) Robertsonville, Quebec (January 23, 1978, time unknown): Under partly cloudy skies, a formation of approximately 150 bright lights was observed flying together, moving east to west at various heights above the clouds. The lights were brighter than stars and made no sound. Categorized as NL. Still under investigation.

Sighting Categories

The issue defines sighting categories as designed by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, director of the Centre for UFO Studies:

• NL (Nocturnal Light): Distant anomalous lights seen in the night sky.
• DD (Daylight Discs): Distant disc-like objects seen during the day.
• RV (Radar/visual): UFOs seen by radar and vision simultaneously.
• CE I (Close Encounter of the First Kind): UFOs seen within 500 feet.
• CE II (Close Encounter of the Second Kind): CE that leaves behind physical traces.
• CE III (Close Encounter of the Third Kind): CE I with humanoid occupants seen.

January UFO/IFO Activity Map

A map of Canada illustrates UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) and IFO (Identified Flying Object) activity for January. The map indicates 7 UFOs and 8 IFOs reported during the month.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to maintain a neutral and investigative stance, presenting reported sightings and information from various sources. It emphasizes the importance of detailed reporting and classification of UFO phenomena, as evidenced by the inclusion of Dr. Hynek's classification system and the evaluations of each sighting. The focus on Canadian sightings highlights a regional interest within the ufology community. The inclusion of information on scientific collections and conferences suggests an effort to connect researchers and provide resources for further study.