UFO Canada

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Canada
Issue: Vol. 3 No. 1
Date: January 1979
Publisher: UFO CANADA
Country: Canada
ISSN: 070 4491
Price: $6 in Canada & U.S.A., $10 (Airmail) Foreign

This issue of UFO Canada, a journal of Canadian UFO/IFO studies, features a prominent report from Newfoundland and an in-depth look at the National Research Council of Canada's (NRC) role in UFO investigations. It also includes a special report exploring psychological explanations for close encounters.

Report from Newfoundland

The lead article details a significant UFO sighting by an RCMP constable in Newfoundland on October 26, 1978. The constable, responding to a call from a local resident, observed an oval-shaped object with a triangular fin on top and flashing lights. Using a high-powered telescope, he described the object as metallic grey with red, blue, and white lights. The UFO was observed maneuvering in various directions and was estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 feet in altitude. It then ascended at a speed estimated to be five times faster than an airplane and disappeared like a shooting star. The report notes that other similar observations were reported in the Maritime region around the same time. Additional details from the 'Globe & Mail' describe the UFO as having blue lights at either end and a flashing red and white light in the middle, with its bottom completely illuminated. Dr. A. McNamara of the NRC's Planetary Science Section suggested that many similar reports might be attributed to the planet Jupiter, which is bright at that time of year.

N.R.C. & The UFO Phenomenon

This section details the National Research Council of Canada's (NRC) involvement in collecting UFO reports. The NRC took over this responsibility from the Department of National Defence (DND) due to the latter's lack of qualified staff and facilities. Prior to 1965, the Air Defence Command (ADC) handled most investigations, but many of their files were subsequently destroyed. The ADC then transferred the responsibility to Canadian Forces Headquarters. The NRC maintains these reports in a 'Non Meteoritic file', which includes tele-reports, RCMP reports, Canadian Forces UFO reports, and correspondence. The article notes that many of these files are incomplete and difficult to read, often containing references to enclosed or future additions that are missing. The filing system is simple: reports are first logged on reference cards and then placed in folders by year, categorized by report date. The NRC serves as a vital source for UFO report collection in Canada, and UFO Canada utilizes these services extensively.

Special Report: A Possible Psychological Explanation for Certain Close Encounters with the UFO Phenomena

Authored by Keith Basterfield and published in September 1978, this article (Part 1) explores psychological explanations for UFO sightings, particularly close encounters. Basterfield suggests that the diversity of hypotheses (extraterrestrial, ultra-terrestrial, hollow earth, etc.) may indicate that we are dealing with multiple phenomena rather than a single one. He proposes dissecting residue cases and categorizing them into 'accidental' and 'deliberate' encounters. Basterfield notes that 'deliberate' cases often occur in the early morning hours (between 0130 and 0430 hrs). He references an article from the MUFON JOURNAL suggesting that reporters be regressed under hypnosis to monitor brain wave patterns, hypothesizing that a predominance of Theta waves might indicate self-generated imagery.

The article then presents a case involving a Miss R., who reported an egg-shaped object with figures on September 6, 1973, while traveling in Australia. She described a white glow emanating from the object, which then died down. The figures were described as human-like in height (190 cm) and wearing white or silver outfits. Miss R. reported hearing a male voice telling her to look out the window, and she was adamant that the driver did not wake her. The case is presented as a puzzle, with Basterfield dividing encounters into 'accidental' (phenomenon encountered and stopped) and 'deliberate' (phenomenon seemed to instigate or continue the event). He notes that 'deliberate' cases, where reporters awake to the event, tend to occur between 1:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. He also mentions similar puzzling cases from Australia, such as 'Ivy Tanks' and 'Gum Creek', which had dream-like qualities.

Basterfield further discusses 'Bedroom invaders' reports where people awake to find entities in their rooms, sometimes feeling paralyzed. He suggests that these events, along with other UFO sightings, might be explained by a known psychological phenomenon: Hypnogogic & Hypnopompic Imagery, which occurs in the early morning hours. This phenomenon is explored further in Part 2 of the Special Report in the February 1979 issue of UFO Canada.

Canada UFO/IFO Summary - January 1978

This section provides a summary of UFO/IFO reports received and compiled by UFO CANADA for January 1978. It notes that the high number of reports from provinces like Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia is due to well-established UFO investigation in those areas. A 'UFO' classification means the object cannot be explained by natural or man-made phenomena, while 'IFO' means it can be explained. The sources of reports include the NRC's Non Meteoritic files, the Canadian UFO Report Exchange Network (CUFOREN), and newsclippings/correspondents. The report distribution by province is detailed, showing varying numbers of UFO and IFO reports. Types of reports include NL-7, CEL, DD, CE2, and RV (CE3), with corresponding types of IFOs like Aircraft, Fireball/Meteors, Satellite, and Debris.

Two Reports of Interest

Two specific reports are highlighted:

1. Haliburton, Ontario (January 18, 1978): Two couples in a car reported an odd-looking object, described as approximately 60 feet long, amber in color, with a flat front resembling tractor-trailer back doors and a barrel-shaped object sticking out of the side. It cruised low to the ground without lights or sound.
2. Wolfville, Nova Scotia (January 30, 1978): Two male observers witnessed an object defined by four lights (two front, two rear) that appeared to rotate and turn fiery red. A glowing object then fell from the rear lights and extinguished itself. No sound was reported, and no air traffic was noted.

Note to Readers

UFO CANADA announces its return to monthly editions after a brief period of quarterly reports, due to reader suggestions. The magazine also notes its legal deposit at the National Library of Canada and the Bibliothèque Nationale du Québec.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are detailed UFO sightings, the official investigation and archiving of such reports by government bodies like the NRC, and the exploration of psychological factors that might explain some phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of UFO reports, while also being open to exploring alternative, non-extraterrestrial explanations, particularly psychological ones, as evidenced by the Special Report. The publication aims to provide a comprehensive overview of UFO activity and research within Canada and beyond.