UFO Magazine News Bulletin issue 12 1976

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO MAGAZINE NEWS BULLETIN
Issue: 12
Date: Fall, 1976
Publisher: UFO MAGAZINE NEWS BULLETIN
Country: USA
Price: $1.00 for four issues

Articles

NASA SPACE MISSIONS, EXOBIOLOGY AND THE UFO by Robert S. Easley

This article explores the burgeoning connection between America's space exploration endeavors and the growing scientific and public interest in UFOs and extraterrestrial life. It begins by chronicling key milestones in U.S. spaceflight, starting with Alan Shepard's sub-orbital flight in 1961 and John Glenn's orbits in 1962, followed by the Project Mercury and Project Gemini programs. The Gemini program saw Ed White become the first American to walk in space. The article acknowledges the tragic Apollo One fire but highlights subsequent successes, including the lunar landings and the initiation of Project Skylab, which demonstrated the potential for humans to survive long-duration space travel, even to Mars.

The author notes that as humanity ventured further into space, the age-old question of life elsewhere gained new urgency, leading to the development of Exobiology as a respected scientific field. Eminent scientists like Walter Sullivan, Isaac Asimov, and Carl Sagan are mentioned as contributors to this area.

Dr. Carl Sagan of Cornell University is presented as a leading voice in Exobiology, researching data from the Viking Probes on Mars. Sagan estimates that over 100,000 planets in the galaxy could be suitable for life, raising profound implications for potential extraterrestrial contact.

The article also touches upon the theories of Erich von Daniken and others regarding ancient astronauts, citing evidence like the Lines of Nazca and the Pyramids. It suggests that the current era, marked by humanity's entry into space and propensity for conflict, might be a logical time for extraterrestrial visitors to monitor Earth, potentially out of concern for universal security.

The author concludes that the increase in space missions and the rise of Exobiology have coincided with a rise in UFO sightings, posing the question of whether these phenomena are trying to communicate something about humanity itself.

RECENT UFO SIGHTINGS by Rick R. Hilberg

This section details several recent UFO sightings reported in the summer of 1976:

• UFO "Took Control" of Truck in Kentucky (July 18, 1976): Near Gravel Switch, seventeen residents witnessed a strange aerial object. Charlie and Doris Gilpin reported that the object hovered over their truck, causing it to sway violently and seemingly take control of its movement. The object appeared to hold the truck back, making travel slow despite high speedometer readings. Doris Gilpin described the object as round, like a hornet's nest, with red, blue, and green lights, and noted a humming sound and breeze emanating from it when it hovered close to the ground. The object was present for several hours, and Mrs. Judy Taylor reported it followed her car. Some witnesses reported the sighting to the sheriff's department, who advised them to see a doctor due to concerns about radiation, though no radiation was found on the truck.
• Police Spot UFO over Highlands, New Jersey (July 25, 1976): Patrolman Fred Dickelman and Sgt. Thomas Sutton observed an object in the sky that was gently moving back and forth, illuminated by a red light circled by a white one. The object was described as wedge or arrowhead shaped, about the size of a child's kite, and appeared to be at a low altitude. It swayed towards Shore Drive and was observed for about an hour before disappearing.
• Two Men Sight UFO over Lithia, Florida (June 30, 1976): Mike Lafferty and his neighbor, William Parrott, saw a black, floating object described as 18 feet long, six to eight feet wide, and seven feet high. It was oblong with square corners, resembling a large van. Parrott only caught a brief glimpse before it vanished. The two men searched for traces of the object for an hour. This was the second sighting reported in the county that week, following a report of a fiery object flying at high speed.

Spokesmen for the sheriff's departments stated that no explanation could be given for these sightings, and they were under investigation.

Notes From The Saucer's Cup by Robert S. Easley

This column provides a roundup of recent articles and publications of interest to UFO enthusiasts:

• "The Mutilation Mystery" by Ed Sanders in OUI (September issue) is noted for its detailed look at cattle mutilations.
• Dr. Gerald K. O'Neill's exploration of American cities in outer space is mentioned from an August PENTHOUSE interview.
• Dr. J. Allen Hynek is interviewed in the August 16 issue of PEOPLE, where he states that solving the UFO puzzle will be a "mighty and unexpected quantum jump" for science.
• The October issue of OUI will feature a Jerome Clark article on the Brownsville, Texas, bird.
• The writer announces his role as a Contributing Editor for "Space Twilight - UFOlogist Corner": STAR DANCE, the official newsletter of the Westminster UFO Phenomena Research Center, and provides subscription details.
• Two Cornell University Professors remain skeptical of the Loch Ness Monster, with one suggesting the creatures in photographs resemble giant sturgeons and the other identifying an object as an old log. However, recent discoveries of prehistoric manmade stoneworks submerged in the Loch suggest significant changes in water levels over time. Research equipment problems have hampered recent Nessie investigations, though large swimming objects have been detected on sonar.

Space Exploration and Scientific Developments

• Mars Exploration: The search for life on Mars continues with the landing of Viking 2 in early September. Dr. Harold Masursky notes new features in the landing area. Viking 1 shows tantalizing signs for life, but definitive statements have not yet been made.
• Mars Map: A refined map of Mars, including polar regions, is available for $1.00 from the U.S. Geological Survey.
• Hybrid Cells: Biologists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have successfully fused human cells with plant cells, creating a hybrid that is expected to behave more like a plant. Scientists state these hybrids will not grow hands or feet.

Recommended UFO Publications

The following publications are recommended:

1. UFOLOGY (P.O. Box 3073, Munster, Indiana 46321): $4.00/year, quarterly.
2. OHIO SKY WATCHER (5852 E. River Road, Fairfield, Ohio 45014): $4.00/year, quarterly.
3. UNKNOWN WORLDS (Route 2 Box 159, Vina, Alabama 35993): $3.00/year, bi-monthly.

Television Specials

Leonard Nimoy will narrate "In Search of.....", a national television syndication series dealing with mysteries.

Award

Rick Hilberg is congratulated on receiving the Robert J. Loftin Memorial Award as UFOlogist of the Year.

Around And About The Saucer World by Rick R. Hilberg

This column covers recent UFO-related events and conventions:

• Defiance, Ohio Lecture: A public UFO lecture program, "Myths, Monsters and Mysterious Saucers," was held on September 18th at Defiance College, featuring topics like UFOs, monsters, "Star Trek," and ancient astronauts. Bob Easley hosted the event.
• Thirteenth National UFO Conference (August 27-28): Held in Cleveland, this conference involved serious discussion of Ufological matters. Attendees included Jim Moseley, Gray Barker, Tim Beckley, Gene Steinberg, Al Manak, Ed and Beth Biebel, Bob Easley, Cliff Stenberg, Charles Wilhelm, and others. The author notes the importance of these gatherings for swapping information and theories.
• The author expresses disagreement with Allen Greenfield's characterization of convention attendees as being apart from "reality," asserting that the UFOlogy movement is subjective and wide open.
• The fourteenth National UFO Conference is planned for next year in San Francisco, hosted by Dale Rettig.
• The Page Research Library offers a catalog of rare items for sale.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of scientific advancement, particularly in space exploration, with the phenomenon of UFOs and the search for extraterrestrial life. There is a clear interest in presenting witness accounts of sightings, alongside scientific perspectives and theories, including exobiology and ancient astronauts. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and investigative, encouraging discussion and research within the UFOlogy community, as evidenced by the promotion of publications and conventions. The publication aims to inform readers about current events, scientific developments, and the ongoing mystery of UFOs.