UFO Canada - vol 3 no 2

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO CANADA, Volume 3, Number 2, dated February 1979, is a journal of Canadian UFO/IFO studies. It presents the magazine's first annual report, focusing on statistics from 1977 and including a special report on imagery. The editors, Howard Gontovnick and Robert Sapienza, aim to provide a service to UFO researchers.

UFO/IFO Report for 1977

The primary content of this issue is a comprehensive statistical analysis of 249 UFO/IFO reports collected across Canada in 1977. The report clarifies that a 'UFO' is an unexplained phenomenon, while an 'IFO' is explainable as natural or man-made. The high number of reports from provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec is attributed to the presence of established investigators in those regions.

Provincial and Territorial Breakdown

The report provides a breakdown of UFO and IFO reports by province and territory for 1977. Newfoundland had 2 UFO and 11 IFO reports. Prince Edward Island had 3 UFO and 5 IFO. Nova Scotia had 5 UFO and 6 IFO. New Brunswick had no reports listed. Quebec had 23 UFO and 33 IFO. Ontario had 32 UFO and 12 IFO. Manitoba had 12 UFO and 6 IFO. Saskatchewan had 2 UFO and 6 IFO. Alberta had 10 UFO and 16 IFO. British Columbia had 14 UFO and 16 IFO. In the territories, Yukon had 2 UFO and 3 IFO, and Northwest Territories had 4 UFO and 3 IFO. Locations unavailable accounted for 5 UFO and 6 IFO reports.

Monthly Report Distribution

A detailed monthly breakdown of UFO reports per province is provided, showing fluctuations throughout the year. For instance, Quebec had a peak of 7 UFO reports in October, while Ontario had a high of 11 in May. The total number of UFO reports for the year was 114, and IFO reports numbered 135.

Types of UFO Reports

Based on Dr. J. Allen Hynek's classification system, the types of UFO reports are categorized: Nocturnal Lights (88 reports), Daylight Disc (10 reports), Radar/Visual (1 report), Close encounters of the first kind (12 reports), Close encounters of the second kind (2 reports), and Close encounters of the third kind (1 report).

UFO Characteristics

The report details the number of UFOs per report (One: 78, Two: 17, Three: 8, Four: 2, Five/or more: 9) and the number of observers per report (One: 23, Two: 22, Three or more: 31). Information was available for 76 reports out of 114 total UFO reports. Duration of observations varied, with the majority of reports lasting between 1 minute and 60 minutes. A graph illustrates the monthly distribution of UFO/IFO reports, showing peaks in spring and fall.

UFO Descriptions

Details on the reported UFOs include their color (red, yellow, metallic, silver, green, blue, orange, dull white, grey, gold fluorescent, and various multi-colored combinations), and associated phenomena like pulsating or glowing lights. Characteristics of the reported UFOs include moving slowly, changing altitude, moving erratically, hovering, dropping altitude, sudden disappearance, fast movement, zig-zagging, rotating, descending towards the ground, and interference with automobiles. Objects were also described as leaving vapor trails, and several objects were seen hovering around a central object.

Shapes and Sounds

Observed UFO shapes included lights (2/3 of reports), spheres, half moons, oysters, triangles, ovals, saucers, discs, cones, and cylinders. Some shapes could not be determined. Sounds associated with UFOs, based on limited reports, included high pitch noise, humming, jet sound, whooshing, and an 'unbearable sound'.

Altitudes

Based on 33 reports, approximate altitudes ranged from 0-500 ft. to 5000 ft. or higher.

Sources

Information for the report was compiled from UFO CANADA, UFO Pulse Analyzer, UFO Informer/Project Sum, Canadian UFO Report, U.P. Investigations, UFO Quebec, National Research Council of Canada (Non Meteoritic files), Canadian UFO Report Exchange Network (CUFOREN), and various newsclippings and correspondents.

Special Report: Hypnogogic and Hypnopompic Imagery

This section explores a type of self-generated mental imagery experienced by individuals, particularly during the transitions between wakefulness and sleep. Hypnagogic imagery occurs when falling asleep, and hypnopompic imagery when waking up. These perceptions can be visual, auditory, or sensory, ranging from simple images to complex scenes, often described as vivid with unusual clarity and color. The report notes that this imagery is common, with incidence rates from 51-77% of the population, and can sometimes be mistaken for supernatural experiences. An anecdote is shared about a young couple who experienced a vivid 'false awakening'.

Canada UFO/IFO Summary - February 1978

This section provides a summary of UFO/IFO reports received and compiled by UFO CANADA for February 1978, noting a yearly delay for a complete summary. Similar to the 1977 report, it highlights the high number of reports from Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia due to active investigators. The definitions of UFO and IFO are reiterated. The report distribution for February 1978 shows 19 UFO reports and 29 IFO reports across various provinces and territories.

Types of IFOs (February 1978)

Identified Flying Objects in February 1978 included Aircraft (16), Meteors/Fireballs (4), Snowmobile (1), Swamp gas (1), and Automobile (1). There were also 5 reports with insufficient data and 1 unreliable observer.

Reports of Interest

Saskatchewan Sighting (February 20, 1978)

A driver on Highway #7 near Flaxcomb, Saskatchewan, reported a dark, round object, the size of a large car, with an orange multi-colour glow, bobbing up and down. The UFO flew over two approaching trucks, causing the driver's radio to stop working for about a minute. The electrical equipment returned to normal once the UFO was further away. A similar report from British Columbia in January 1977 is noted.

Manitoba IFO Report (October 22, 1978)

An Air Canada flight crew approaching Winnipeg International Airport reported a mysterious red light. The control tower confirmed observing the light but could not identify it, and radar did not detect it. Local residents reported two loud explosions around the same time. An investigation revealed the explosions were caused by a hoax involving garbage bags filled with gases and road flares. Two men were arrested and charged.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the systematic collection and analysis of UFO/IFO data in Canada, the classification of phenomena, and the exploration of unusual perceptual experiences like hypnagogic and hypnopompic imagery. The editorial stance, as stated in the summary, is to present this report as a modest effort and a service to researchers, aiming to improve future publications and conduct more detailed, objective investigations. The publication emphasizes that articles do not necessarily reflect the policy of UFO CANADA but are published without prejudice.