UFO Canada - vol 3 no 4

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO CANADA
Issue: Vol. 3, No. 4
Date: April 1979
Publisher: UFO CANADA
Country: Canada
Language: English
ISSN: 070 4491
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Main Articles and Reports

Report from Québec

This section details an incident that occurred on January 28, 1979, in Senneville, Quebec. At approximately 09:50Z, Mrs. J... (name withheld) reported waking to a bright, milky-colored light bathing her room. She observed a yellowish, donut or ring-shaped object with a brilliant white glow, positioned slightly below treetop level. Her husband, Mr. J..., was called and confirmed hearing a low, pulsating hum for about four seconds, though he did not see the object or light. The object reportedly 'shut off' suddenly. Weather conditions were overcast with light rain. An investigation by UFO CANADA revealed that while radiosonde balloons were launched nearby, their altitude (100,000 ft) and timing made them an unlikely cause. The report also considers snow-removal equipment as a possible explanation due to the bright spotlight, but the witness did not recall the characteristic sound. The complete report is available from UFO CANADA upon written request.

Catalog - CE3

This section presents a report from June 24, 1974, near St. Cyrille, Quebec. Mr. A... (name withheld) heard a sound like "bum..bum..bum.." and observed a round, reddish-orange object hovering over a field. He then woke his wife, and they heard a buzzing sound. Mr. A... saw a "robot-like" form, about 6 feet tall, metallic with glowing red horizontal bars, inspecting a storage shed. Later, they observed 15 such forms examining another trailer. The forms moved together, giving the impression of being remote-controlled. An investigation found three flattened grass imprints, each 17 feet in diameter, with the outer 2 feet section flattened. A whitish substance, identified as low-grade limestone, was also found. The witnesses, aged 26, were considered credible and open-minded. The presence of a nearby limestone quarry is noted.

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

Written and researched by Keith Basterfield, this report discusses the possibility that many close encounters may be explained by psychological phenomena, specifically hypnagogic and hynopompic images (images experienced while falling asleep or waking up). The author notes that these nocturnal events often involve vivid illumination and figures materializing or dematerializing. Basterfield suggests that 'wish fulfillment' might play a role, where individuals genuinely want to see UFOs, leading their minds to generate such images. He proposes that interviewers should inquire into the reporter's belief patterns and sleep habits. The report concludes that further research is needed to understand how nocturnal awakenings might generate reported close encounters, and whether similar mechanisms could explain daytime sightings.

CUFOREN Summary - Recent Reports 1979

This feature, published monthly, summarizes recent UFO/IFO reports exchanged within the Canadian UFO Report Exchange Network (CUFOREN). This issue includes reports from:

• New Brunswick (Jan 20, 1979): Six individuals observed a large oval object, appearing as two resting saucers, changing color intensity over three hours.
• Quebec (Feb 10, 1979): Three individuals reported two bright red lights moving diagonally at a slow speed.
• Ontario (Jan 6, 1979): A witness observed a bright light that grew larger, with flashing lights and a colored peak, before ascending.
• Alberta (Jan 31-Feb 1, 1979): Two people reported a large bright red light, later white, with visible wings and a jet-like sound.
• British Columbia (Jan 4, 1979): Two individuals observed two round objects emitting bright red light and white glow.
• British Columbia (Jan 6, 1979): Several people watched a bright light changing colors, which remained stationary before moving south. A meteorologist suggested it might have been Venus.

UFO/IFO Summary for April 1978

This section provides a statistical overview of UFO/IFO reports received and compiled by UFO CANADA for April 1978. It includes a breakdown by province, types of reports (UFO, IFO, NL, DD, RV, CE1, CE2, CE3), and a comparison with 1977 data. A graph shows the distribution of reports by day of the month. Notable reports from April 1978 include:

• Welland, Ontario (April 27, 1978): Three people reported a bright object with sequential colored lights hovering at approximately 200 feet.
• CFS Moise, Quebec / Moncton, New Brunswick (April 27, 1978): Two fireball-type objects were tracked by radar and aircraft pilots at high altitudes.
• Chalk River, Ontario (April 25, 1978): A radar operator detected a UFO exhibiting a "race track pattern" at high speed, with rapid turns.
• Ninette, Manitoba (April 25, 1978): A witness observed a circular or egg-shaped glowing object, followed by five additional objects, which later reappeared and moved slowly.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on Canadian UFO and IFO (Identified Flying Object) sightings and investigations. It aims to unite researchers and share reports across the country through features like the CUFOREN Summary. The publication presents detailed witness accounts, investigative findings, and sometimes explores potential explanations, including psychological factors as discussed in Keith Basterfield's special report. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting data and theories without necessarily endorsing any single explanation, while emphasizing the need for further research. The magazine also provides statistical summaries of reported phenomena, contributing to a broader understanding of the UFO/IFO landscape in Canada.