Magazine Summary
UFO CANADA
Summary
This issue of UFO CANADA from April 1978 focuses on physical trace reports from 1967, detailing incidents in Kitchener, Falcon Lake, and Caledonia, which involved imprints, depressed areas, and oily residues. It also covers a close encounter in St. Adele, P.Q., where witnesses reported unusual lights and sounds. The magazine includes a section on Canadian Gallup Polls regarding UFO beliefs in 1974 and 1978, showing shifts in public opinion. Additionally, it presents a detailed classification system for UFO reports and a map of UFO/IFO activity in Canada for March 1978, highlighting a peak in reports, many of which were misidentifications.
Magazine Overview
Title: UFO CANADA
Issue: Vol: 2 No:4
Date: April 1978
Publisher: UFO CANADA
Country: Canada
Price: 50¢
This issue of UFO CANADA delves into significant UFO phenomena, with a strong focus on physical trace cases and recent sightings across Canada. It also examines public perception through Gallup polls and outlines a system for classifying UFO reports.
Physical Trace Reports from 1967
The lead article, drawing from 'SAUCER, SPACE & SCIENCE' (Summer 1967), defines 'Physical Trace Cases' as UFO incidents that leave verifiable physical evidence. Dr. J. Allen Hynek's definition highlights marks on the ground, damage to vegetation, residues, artifacts, and surface effects on structures.
Brief Reports:
- April 26, 1967 - Kitchener, Ontario: Brian Dorscht reported a dark object, approximately 1 meter in diameter and 1.5 meters in height, with flashing green and white lights and six legs. It rose from the ground with a whirring sound, and a subsequent police investigation revealed six imprints.
- May 20, 1967 - Falcon Lake, Manitoba: Stephen Michalak sighted two bright red objects. One landed, described as 35 feet in diameter with a glow, vent-like openings, a purple light, and a high-pitched sound. Michalak reported feeling a burst of hot air, melting his glove, and becoming ill. A large depressed area was found at the site. This report is sourced from the National Research Council of Canada's Non-Meteoritic file.
- June 13, 1967 - Caledonia, Ontario: Carmen Cuneo observed two aircraft hovering near a mine. One was cigar-shaped (36 feet long) with four windows, and the other was disc-shaped (15 feet in diameter). Three small men were seen under the cigar-shaped object. Later, a large gouge and oily residue were discovered at the site. This is sourced from APRO BULLETIN (November 1967).
UFO CANADA is preparing a catalog of Canadian CE2 (Close Encounter of the Second Kind) reports for publication in May 1978.
Close Encounter in St. Adele, P.Q.
This report details an incident on March 25, 1978, near St. Adele, Quebec. Ms. P. observed two yellow lights moving sideways over the town. She described the object as round with lights on both sides and made of a shiny substance. She also noted two 'snow-cats' (ski hill grooming machines) working nearby. Ms. P. contacted two snow-cat workers, one of whom confirmed seeing a similar object. A report was made to the St. Adele police, who were cooperative but unable to act. Attempts to gain information from local Air Traffic Control were unsuccessful. Ms. P. claims she heard a 'whooshing' sound from the object. The report is still under study by UFO CANADA.
From the Files of UFO CANADA: Lake Baskatong, Quebec (November 6, 1957)
This section revisits a sighting from November 6, 1957, involving Mr. Jacobsen and three friends at a hunting lodge on Lake Baskatong, Quebec. One of the men reported a strange object outside. The object, described as a brilliantly luminous yellowish-white sphere, appeared beneath overcast clouds and emitted conical beams of light. It remained motionless. During the sighting, radio reception failed, but a rapidly modulated signal tone, unlike Morse code, was detected on one frequency. After 15 minutes, the object rose into the clouds and disappeared, after which the radio functioned normally. This report was one of 27 recorded on that date, with three originating from Canada, sourced from 'FLYING SAUCER & STRAIGHT-LINE MYSTERY' by Amie Michel (1958).
Canadian Gallup Polls on UFOs: 1974 & 1978
This section presents data from Canadian Gallup Polls conducted by The Canadian Institute of Public Opinion, comparing public opinion in 1974 and 1978. The polls indicate shifts in public acceptance of UFO phenomena.
- 1974 Results:
- Heard of UFOs: 67% (National), 77% (under 30), 62% (30-49), 61% (50&UP)
- Seen a UFO: 12% (National), 11% (under 30), 14% (30-49), 11% (50&UP)
- Belief in Reality: Real - 53% (National), 69% (under 30), 49% (30-49), 38% (50&UP); Imagination - 26% (National), 14% (under 30), 30% (30-49), 37% (50&UP); Don't know - 21% (National), 17% (under 30), 22% (30-49), 25% (50&UP)
- Total people polled: 1,006
- 1978 Results:
- Seen a UFO: 10% (National), 13% (18-29), 10% (30-49), 7% (50&UP)
- Belief in Reality: Real - 46% (National), 58% (18-29), 48% (30-49), 33% (50&UP); Imagination - 18% (National), 12% (18-29), 19% (30-49), 23% (50&UP); Don't know - 16% (National), 14% (18-29), 16% (30-49), 19% (50&UP)
- Never heard of UFOs: 19% (National), 15% (18-29), 17% (30-49), 24% (50&UP)
- Total people polled: 1,050
In May 1974, 67% of Canadians had heard of UFOs; by 1978, this figure rose to 81%.
Categories of Classification
This section outlines UFO CANADA's system for classifying UFO reports, based on an original system by Charles Lockwood of the British UFO Research Association.
- Classification Types:
- NL (Nocturnal Light): Distant anomalous light(s) in the night sky.
- DD (Daylight Disc): Distant disc-like object(s) seen during daytime.
- RV (Radar/Visual): UFO(s) seen simultaneously by radar and vision.
- CE1 (Close Encounter of the First Kind): UFO(s) seen within 500 ft. of the observer.
- CE2 (Close Encounter of the Second Kind): CE1 reports where the UFO interacts with the environment.
- CE3 (Close Encounter of the Third Kind): CE1 reports where the observer reports seeing occupants.
- Scale of Probability (Part 1): This system rates reports on a scale of 0-10 to prioritize investigation.
- Category A: 1 or more official observers (Pilot, professional astronomer).
- Category B: 1 or more experienced observers (Police, trained UFO investigators).
- Category C: No experienced observers.
- Part 2: Class of Observation:
- Class 1: Permanent record made (physical or physiological traces, photographs, measurements).
- Class 2: Temporary physical or physiological effects reported (occupants, entities, EM effects).
- Class 3: Object seen nearby with features not likely natural or man-made, no effects noted.
- Class 4: Distant object or point of light, shape not clearly distinguishable.
- Part 3: Total Number of Witnesses:
- Group a: 2 or more independent witnesses at different locations.
- Group b: 2 or more witnesses at one location.
- Group c: 1 witness only.
- Point Distribution:
- Category: A-2 pts, B-1 pt, C-0 pts.
- Class: 1-6 pts, 2-5 pts, 3-3 pts, 4-1 pt.
- Group: a-2 pts, b-1 pt, c-0 pts.
Reports rated 5-10 points are considered higher priority for investigation.
Update on Past Months (January - March 1978)
This section provides a summary of UFO and IFO (Identified Flying Object) reports received by UFO CANADA.
January 1978: 7 UFOs, 8 IFOs, Total 15 (First report); 17 UFOs, 9 IFOs, Total 26 (Second report).
February 1978: 7 UFOs, 4 IFOs, Total 11 (First report); 12 UFOs, 8 IFOs, Total 20 (Second report).
March 1978: 25 UFOs, 20 IFOs, Total 45 (First report).
March Summary:
The early part of March saw a peak in UFO and IFO reports, primarily from Southern Ontario. March 6th was particularly active, with many reports from Ontario. However, a significant portion of these were identified as misidentifications of natural phenomena. Dr. Allan Halliday of the National Research Council suggested that a bright meteor visible that evening could explain some sightings. Chris Rogers proposed 'fireballs' (large chunks of rock entering the atmosphere) as another possible explanation. Despite these explanations, several UFO reports from March 6th are still under investigation.
Reports from March '78
This table lists specific UFO sightings from March 1978:
- 2/3/78 - Repentigny, P.Q.: NL type, 30 mins duration, 3 witnesses. A brilliant ball of light was observed stationary for 30 minutes before rising and disappearing. Report is under study.
- 2/3/78 - Lake Ontario: NL type, 5-10 mins duration, 3 witnesses. A colorful oval object hovering at approximately 400-500 feet altitude. It took off upwards when an airplane approached. Sighting confirmed by another witness. Report is under investigation.
- 6/3/78 - Renfrew Co., Ont.: CE1 type, 30 mins duration, 3 witnesses. A huge gray circular object with flashing yellow lights, observed as close as 20 feet. A local clergyman also claims to have seen it. Report is under investigation.
- 11/3/78 - L. Baskatong, P.Q.: CE1 type, 30 sec duration, 2 witnesses. A bright oval object was observed and photographed three times. Report is under investigation.
- 25/3/78 - Whitby, Ont.: NL type, 2 hrs duration, 6+ witnesses. Several people, including police officers and a radio announcer, observed a bright object surrounded by smaller objects. Incident lasted about 2 hours. Awaiting further details.
March Map of UFO/IFO Activity in Canada
A map illustrates the distribution of UFO and IFO reports across Canada for March 1978. Dots represent IFO reports, and asterisks represent UFO reports. Numbers in brackets indicate the total reports received in a province where a large number were reported.
Bookshelf: The Page Research Library
This section features The Page Research Library (PRL), founded in 1969 as UFO-INFO. PRL's objective is to organize, document, and distribute data on UFOs and other 'fortean' topics. It serves as a central clearinghouse for books, periodicals, and research materials. PRL maintains files on over 700 authors, publishes a bi-monthly newsletter ('UFO Periodical Review'), and operates a UFO-Fortean Bookstore in Ohio. It is described as a valuable resource for researchers.
U.F.O. Clipping Service
This is an advertisement for a service offering complete U.S. and Canadian coverage of UFO and monster-related subjects on a monthly basis. It encourages subscriptions for $5.00 per month.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
This issue of UFO CANADA maintains a consistent focus on documenting UFO sightings and related phenomena, particularly those with physical evidence. The magazine aims to provide detailed reports, categorize sightings systematically, and track public opinion on the subject. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and information dissemination, encouraging readers to engage with the subject matter through polls and classification systems. There is a clear effort to present factual accounts, even while acknowledging the ongoing nature of investigations and the possibility of misidentifications.
"Physical trace cases can be defined as those UFO cases in which definite physical changes in the immediate vicinity of a UFO sighting have been recorded: marks and surface changes on the ground, damage to vegetation, residues and/or artifacts found, and surface effects of some duration on buildings and vehicles..."
Key Incidents
A witness observed two yellow lights moving sideways over St. Adele, described as a round object with lights on both sides, made of a shiny substance. Two snow-cat workers also reported seeing a similar object.
A dark object, 1 meter in diameter and 1.5 meters in height, with flashing green & white lights and six legs, was observed rising from the ground with a whirring sound. A police investigation revealed six imprints.
Two bright red objects were sighted flying at high speed. One landed, described as 35 feet in diameter with a glow, vent-like openings, a purple light, and a high-pitched sound. It emitted hot air, causing illness, and left a large depressed area.
Two aircraft, one cigar-shaped (36 feet long) and one disc-shaped (15 feet in diameter), hovered near a mine. Three small men were seen under the cigar-shaped object. A large gouge and oily residue were found at the site.
A brilliantly luminous yellowish-white sphere, smaller than the moon, appeared beneath clouds, emitting conical beams of light. Radio reception failed, but a strange modulated signal was heard. The object then rose and disappeared.
Several people observed a big brilliant ball of light that lit up the sky, remained stationary for about 30 minutes, then rose and disappeared.
Two youths observed a colorful oval object hovering, estimated at 400-500 feet altitude, with a cone of light beneath it. It made no sound and was about a mile away. It took off upwards when an airplane approached.
A huge gray circular object, about 40 feet in diameter, with flashing yellow lights, was observed by two boys and a local clergyman. It came as close as 20 feet.
Two men observed a bright oval object during a hunting trip, which was photographed three times. The UFO was visible for 30 seconds.
Several people, including police officers and a radio announcer, observed a bright object surrounded by smaller objects flying to and from it. The incident lasted about 2 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 'Physical Trace Case' in UFO research?
A 'Physical Trace Case' is defined as a UFO sighting where definite physical changes have been recorded in the immediate vicinity, such as marks on the ground, damage to vegetation, residues, artifacts, or surface effects on buildings and vehicles.
How does UFO CANADA classify UFO reports?
UFO CANADA uses a system that includes categories like Nocturnal Light (NL), Daylight Disc (DD), Radar/Visual (RV), and Close Encounters of the First, Second, and Third Kind (CE1, CE2, CE3), along with a scale of probability based on observer qualifications and report details.
What were the key UFO sightings reported in March 1978?
March 1978 saw numerous reports, including a bright ball of light in Repentigny, P.Q., a colorful oval object over Lake Ontario, a large gray object in Renfrew Co., Ontario, a bright oval object photographed near Lake Baskatong, and an incident in Whitby, Ontario, involving a central object and smaller surrounding objects.
How has public opinion on UFOs changed in Canada between 1974 and 1978?
Between 1974 and 1978, the percentage of Canadians who had heard or read about UFOs rose from 67% to 81%. In the same period, the percentage who believed UFOs were real also saw shifts, with 'Real' responses increasing from 53% to 46% nationally, while 'Imagination' responses decreased from 26% to 18% nationally.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- Dr. J. Allen HynekUFO researcher
- Brian DorschtWitness
- Stephen MichalakWitness
- Carmen CuneoWitness
- Mr. Charles LockwoodDeviser of probability system
- Dr. Allan HallidayNational Research Council
- Chris RogersGraduate student
- Wido HovilleInvestigator
- Ms. P.Witness
- Mr. T...Witness
- Howard GontovnickEditor
- Robert SapienzaAssistant Editor
- +5 more
Organisations
- UFO CANADA
- SAUCER, SPACE & SCIENCE
- National Research Council of Canada
- APRO BULLETIN
- UFO-INFO
- Page Research Library
- British UFO Research Association
- Canadian Gallup Polls
- The Canadian Institute of Public Opinion
- Toronto Star
- Montreal Star
- CUFOREN
- Canadian Press Clipping Service
- UFO QUEBEC
- +6 more
Locations
- St. Adele, Canada
- Kitchener, Canada
- Falcon Lake, Canada
- Manitoba, Canada
- Caledonia, Canada
- Ontario, Canada
- Quebec, Canada
- Laval, Canada
- Lake Baskatong, Canada
- Repentigny, Canada
- Lake Ontario, Canada
- Renfrew Co., Canada
- Whitby, Canada
- Toronto, Canada
- +2 more