UFO Chronicle - Vol 1 No 1 - 1968

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Chronicle
Issue: Vol. 1. No. 1.
Date: December 1968
Publisher: UFO Chronicle
Country: United States
Price: 50 CENTS / 2/6 U.K.

This inaugural issue of UFO Chronicle sets out its mission to bridge gaps in UFO research by disseminating information objectively and encouraging a broader, more informed civilian approach to the subject. The cover features a stylized 'UFO' with saucer imagery and the publication's title.

Editorial

The editorial, penned by Gordon Emery, highlights the perceived lack of comprehensive information sharing within the UFO research community. It notes that important details are often not passed on, either within magazines or between different societies. This fragmentation is exacerbated by conflicting attitudes towards 'Contactees' and other aspects of the field, hindering organized exchange. Emery proposes that while an international federation might be too unwieldy, UFO Chronicle will contribute by providing background information to help researchers build theories and find patterns. The goal is to present a broad and well-informed civilian perspective globally, aiming to impress non-believers with greater objectivity. The editorial also expresses a desire for a bi-monthly, and ultimately monthly, publication schedule, contingent on reader response.

Exchange Magazines and Newspaper Cuttings

The publication welcomes magazine exchanges with other interested societies and requests quotes for back copies. It provides the editor's address in Kent, England, for sending publications. Readers are also encouraged to submit newspaper cuttings, with a request to neatly write the newspaper's name and date on each submission.

Directory of UFO Organizations

Page 2 features a directory of various UFO-related organizations, including their presidents or editors, addresses, and publication frequencies and prices. Notable organizations listed are:

• Saucers and Unexplained Celestial Events Research Society (SAUCERS): President Gray Barker, publishing "Saucer News" quarterly.
• Amalgamated F.S. Clubs of America: President Gabriel Green, publishing "Flying Saucers International" quarterly.
• UFO Magazine: Editors Rick & Janie Hilberg, based in Cleveland, Ohio, publishing quarterly.
• Saucers, Space and Science: Editor Gene Duplantier, based in Willowdale, Ontario, Canada, publishing quarterly.
• Aerial Research Systems: Director F.M. Castator, based in Orange, California, publishing "The Sentinel" monthly.
• UFO Researchers: Director H. Edward Hill, based in Kent, England, publishing "UFO Chronicle" quarterly.
• United Aerial Phenomena Agency: Dir. Editor Allan J. Manak, based in Cleveland, Ohio, publishing "Flying Saucer Digest" quarterly.

Page 6 expands on this, detailing the World Union of Flying Saucer Clubs (WUFS C), established on March 15th, 1968. It comprises 18 regular and 9 associate member organizations, aiming to facilitate information exchange, broaden awareness, help organize international conventions, promote publicity and respect for the subject, and advertise publications and clubs. The page lists the founding regular members of WUFS C, which includes many of the organizations mentioned on page 2, along with others from various locations in the US, UK, Germany, and Canada.

Info Sources

Page 5 provides a comprehensive list of "Info Sources" for UFO investigations, primarily focusing on official documents and reports from the United States. These include technical notes and reports from N.A.C.A., a preliminary study of unidentified targets from the CAA, a Library of Congress UFO Bibliography, Project Bluebook materials (Annual Booklet, Sign Report, Grudge Report, Special Report No. 14), and reprints from USAF magazine Airman. It also mentions the upcoming final report of the Condon Project at the University of Colorado. The section states that each subsequent issue will continue to list sources from both official and civilian bodies worldwide.

Queries: UFO Waves and Mars Oppositions

Page 7 features a query from B. Wallace of Sussex, asking about a potential connection between UFO waves and oppositions of Mars. The response details periods of apparent correlation between UFO waves and Mars oppositions, particularly between 1880 and 1915, and then again from 1946 onwards. However, the analysis concludes that the average difference in months between Mars oppositions and reported UFO waves is approximately minus three, which does not statistically support a consistent pattern or a direct correlation with closest approaches. The author suggests that a more appropriate approach might be to analyze total global sightings per year. Unfortunately, comprehensive global records are not yet available.

Historical UFO Sightings (Pre-Arnold Years)

Pages 8, 9, and 10 present extensive lists of historical UFO sightings, categorized under "THE PRE-ARNOLD YEARS." These entries include dates, locations (often with geographical coordinates or descriptions), and coded references to books and magazines where further details can be found. The sightings span from 1901 to 1946, covering a wide range of locations globally, including Persia, France, the UK, USA, Canada, Malaya, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Germany, Belgium, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the importance of information dissemination, the need for objectivity in UFO research, and the establishment of connections between various UFO organizations. The editorial stance is one of promoting a broad, well-informed, and objective civilian approach to UFO phenomena, aiming to bridge divides within the research community and potentially influence non-believers. The publication positions itself as a crucial resource for researchers seeking background information and a platform for inter-society communication.

This issue of the magazine, identified by its page numbering as 'Page 11' through 'Page 19', focuses heavily on UFO sightings and satellite re-entries, primarily from the year 1968. The content is presented across several sections, including detailed lists of satellite re-entries, numerous international UFO sighting reports, and various organizational and subscription information.

Satellite Re-Entries

The primary data presented is a comprehensive list of satellite re-entries, detailing the 'NAME OF OBJECT', 'DATE DECAYED', 'TIME GMT', and 'LOCATION OF RE-ENTRY'. This list spans from September 15, 1968, to November 10, 1968, and includes a wide array of objects such as 'Cosmos' payloads and rocket bodies, 'Zond' fragments and rocket bodies, 'Explorer' debris, and other named payloads like 'Diademe', 'Ops', 'ATS', and 'Apollo' spacecraft components. The locations of re-entry are given in latitude and longitude coordinates.

UFO Sightings

The magazine features extensive reports of UFO sightings categorized by geographical region:

United Kingdom Sightings

• Several incidents are detailed from various UK locations:
• October 21, 1968, Meopham Green, Kent: A housewife saw a 'golden ball' hovering near trees, which moved rapidly after a plane passed, then returned.
• September 11, 1968, Knowle, Bristol: A star-like object changed color from silver to reddish and moved at high speed.
• September 8, 1968, nr Beauminster, Dorset: Three cars simultaneously stopped, their electrical systems failed (batteries dead, compass spinning, clocks stopped, radiator cold), and a radiation reading was later detected.
• September 6, 1968, Chew Reservoir, Somerset: A brightly glowing tubular or disc-shaped object with an upturned lip was observed drifting, tilting, and rising before disappearing.

Continental Sightings

• Reports from mainland Europe include:
• September 11, 1968, nr Cognac, France: A couple saw four brilliant, round or spherical objects of light moving in sequence.
• September 7, 1968, Cuenca, Spain: A triangular object was observed by a meteorological station, reported high above jet fighter range.
• September 5, 1968, Madrid, Spain: A bright object sighting caused a traffic jam and prompted an Air Force F104 jet to scramble; the object was tracked at 90,000 feet and described as giving off a 'blinding light'.

North American Sightings

• Sightings from the USA are documented:
• August 27, 1968, Detroit, Michigan: A large round object with a hanging cable was seen, travelled slowly, and disappeared with an explosion.
• August 26, 1968, Detroit, Michigan: A round object with a swaying cable and lights was observed, then exploded.
• August 21, 1968, Brooksville, Florida: A circular object with unusual lights exhibited 'slip and slide motions', stalled a car, and emitted a 'swooshing' noise.
• August 21, 1968, Detroit, Michigan: A solid round object with a cable and colored lights was viewed for twenty minutes before a flash and disappearance.
• August 1968, N. Volusia, Florida: Reports of reddish-orange oval objects with yellow rings and yellow balls of fire, described as extremely low and large.

South American Sightings

• Reports from South America include:
• August 1968, Cauquenes, Chile: Six inhabitants reported seeing a flying saucer take off, and an income tax collector's car suddenly stopped with its lights out.
• July 3, 1968, Quilnes, Argentina: A woman felt an invisible force, was taken into an enclosed space with two metallic-clothed beings, and experienced intense heat before being returned.
• July 2, 1968, Salta, Argentina: A boy saw a bright object and a tall, luminous being suspended in the air, which spun and rose into the sky.
• July 2, 1968, Sierra Chica, nr Olavarria, Argentina: A boy was beckoned by two men with short white hair and semi-transparent legs, who offered him a ride in their silvery, elliptical machine with three landing legs. The machine took off vertically, leaving three holes in the ground in an isosceles triangle pattern.

Stop Press and Exchange Information

The 'STOP PRESS' section includes details on 'EXCHANGE COPIES', where organizations receive free advertisements for regular exchanges. It notes a lack of recent UFO information from Australasia, possibly due to French A-Bomb tests. Airmail subscription options are provided for Australasia and North/South America. A 'VFON REPORTS' section states that a scheme receiving reports from airline pilots has logged 1389 reports, including 74 satellite re-entries and 34 cataloged as 'Unidentified'. Acknowledgements are made to various exchange publications, and the magazine seeks 'REPRESENTATIVES' in all countries to provide monthly reports and news cuttings in return for free membership and airmail copies.

Estimated Decay Dates

Another list provides 'ESTIMATED DECAY DATES' for various satellite payloads and debris, ranging from December 14, 1968, to January 23, 1969.

Speculative Article: 'THERE IS NO PATTERN...'

This article questions the lack of a clear pattern in UFO activity over the past 20 years. It suggests that patterns might be deliberately obscured, and that any changes brought about by superior alien cultures might be nudges rather than forced impositions. The author posits that UFO sightings could be an artificial 'Noise level' introduced to effect radical change. The article also speculates on why visitors might not have made official contact, suggesting they may be assessing human reactions or achieving their ends covertly. It concludes by questioning the validity of assessing alien motives based on human time scales.

For Sale and Wanted

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a 'FOR SALE and WANTED' section. This lists numerous books on UFOs, flying saucers, and related phenomena, with authors like J. Vallee, D. Kraspedon, Albert K. Bender, and G.H. Williamson. It also lists back issues of 'BFSB Flying Saucer News', 'Saucer Forum (U.K.)', and 'USAF Mirman Reprint'. The 'WANTED' section seeks specific books, a 9-page report from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (1965), documents from U.S. House hearings on UFOs (1966), and old Flying Saucer magazines from various countries. Information on recently published articles on UFOs is also requested.

UFO Information Centers and Researchers

• The final pages list various UFO information centers and researchers, including:
• Detroit UFO Information and Research Center (publishing 'Detroit UFOIRC Newsletter')
• Public UFO Information Center (publishing 'Flying Saucer Observer')
• Committee on Aerial Phenomenon Research Investigations (publishing 'CAPRI News')
• National Investigation Committee for Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) (publishing 'NICAP Chronicles')
• Interplanetary Intelligence Research Organisation on UFOs (IIROUFO) (publishing 'The IIROUFO Report')
• Solar Light Center (publishing 'Star Craft')
• UFO Researchers (publishing 'UFO Chronicle')

These entries provide directors' names, addresses, and publication details, along with subscription costs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are clearly satellite re-entries and UFO sightings, presented as factual reports with detailed observations. The magazine acts as a repository for such data, encouraging reader participation through reports and requests for information. The speculative article introduces a more philosophical and questioning tone, exploring the potential motivations and methods behind UFO phenomena. The overall stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of UFO-related events, while also engaging with broader theoretical questions about their nature and implications.