UFO Newsclipping Service - 1969 11 - no 7

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Research Committee's clipping service, dated November 1969, presents a collection of news articles and reports detailing various unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings and related phenomena from across North America and Australia. The publication aims to compile and disseminate information on UFOs, often challenging official explanations and advocating for serious investigation.

Key Articles and Reports

Mysterious Egg-Shaped UFO in NW Arkansas

The lead story details a widely reported sighting of an egg-shaped light on Wednesday night, seen by residents in Northwest Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Police departments received numerous calls, with witnesses describing the object as brilliant white, turning blue and then red, moving slowly southeast, and climbing to a higher altitude before appearing as a small star. Deputy Sheriff Marion Foster speculated it might have been a weather balloon, but noted its slow movement was unusual for such an object.

Bartlesville, Oklahoma Sighting

An interpretation of a sighting over Bartlesville, Oklahoma, suggests it was a U.S. weather balloon, with its rays caused by sunlight hitting a metallic instrument box. Another explanation offered for a similar sighting was the moon's sliver reflecting sunlight.

Rancher Reports Strange Light

A rancher near Atkinson, Nebraska, reported seeing a large, intensely bright, orange-colored light hovering close to the ground, described as half-oval shaped. The object appeared to pulsate or give off light rays but remained stationary.

UFOs and NICAP's Research

An article discusses the ongoing work of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), which asserts that UFOs are real, intelligently controlled, and likely extraterrestrial. This is presented as a rebuttal to the University of Colorado's report. NICAP researchers highlight an increase in reports of UFO "landings" and electromagnetic effects. The article notes that UFO reports remain consistent in local press but receive little national media attention.

Scientific Opinions on UFOs

Statements from respected scientists are featured, including Dr. James A. Harder, who stated that the physical reality of UFOs has been proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Nuclear physicist Stanton T. Friedman concluded that the evidence overwhelmingly suggests Earth is being visited by extraterrestrially controlled vehicles. Dr. R. Leo Sprinkle accepts the hypothesis that Earth is being surveyed by spacecraft from an alien civilization. Dr. James E. McDonald suggests Earth might be under surveillance by a high civilization with advanced technology.

Siletz, Oregon Sightings

Ron Springer of Siletz, Oregon, claims to have seen UFOs numerous times. His descriptions include objects shaped like a child's top, with a rotating bottom section and window-like sections emitting light. He also reported a high-pitched hum. The article notes that sightings are common in the Siletz area, with residents often matter-of-fact about their experiences.

The Reeves Family Encounters

Reports from the Reeves family describe a pulsating light and a high-pitched hum filling their home. They witnessed a large object in their yard emitting a glow. The experience was terrifying, and they initially decided to keep quiet about it, but the encounters continued, with doughnut-shaped lights and transparent clouds appearing.

Other Witnesses in Oregon

Delbert Mapes described seeing various objects flying erratically and emitting a bright light at high speeds. Max W. Taylor, a chemist, also reported witnessing lights.

Flying Saucers from Canada?

An article discusses a theory, revealed to Argosy magazine, that flying saucers originate from Canada, stemming from research captured after World War II by German scientists and continued in partnership with Canada. Experimental UFOs are allegedly stored in underground chambers in British Columbia.

Kim Peddicord's Explanation

Kim Peddicord offers an explanation for some sightings, attributing them to large weather balloons expanding at high altitudes, making them appear as large, bright objects. He provides advice on how to document sightings, including noting the time, location, direction, shape, color, and writing down all information immediately.

RCMP Constable Spots UFO in Manitoba

An RCMP constable in Melita, Manitoba, reported spotting an unidentified flying object that appeared as a reddish tower light, enlarged, and moved west before stopping and heading east. The object was estimated to be about twice the size of a full moon and glowed like a red-hot cast iron ball.

Iola, Kansas "Fireworks"

A mysterious "bright flashing explosion of light" was reported over Iola, Kansas, and surrounding areas, dismissed by some official sources as a meteor burning out.

Strange Blue Ice Falls from Sky

In Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, a dark-blue, ice-like mass with a gaseous odor fell from the sky, shattering into pieces upon impact. The object appeared to melt or disintegrate, and speculation ranged from jet fuel to Russian space flights.

Bright Light Scares Area Residents

Reports from Kansas describe residents being scared by bright lights seen on highways, with some attributing them to UFOs and others to unexplained phenomena.

Meteorite's Impact Spot Pinpointed

An article details the search for a meteorite that fell in the Prince George, British Columbia, area, with the impact spot pinpointed and efforts made to find witnesses.

UFO Reported on N.Z. Farm

Members of space research groups believe a flying saucer landed on a remote farm in Tauranga, New Zealand, leaving a 60ft circle of burned vegetation. A horticulturist identified the damage as caused by high-frequency shortwave radiation.

UFO Reported in Night Sky Over Denver

An unidentifiable luminous formation, described as a loose V-shape with lights on each arm, was sighted making multiple passes over the Denver area. The formation was observed by witnesses, including a reporter-photographer team, but attempts to record it with cameras were unsuccessful due to its speed and low intensity.

RCMP Constable Spots UFO in Alberta

An RCMP constable in Melita, Alberta, reported spotting an unidentified flying object that appeared as a sharply outlined, clear ball of light, moving west and then reversing direction before disappearing into the cloud cover.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the prevalence and mystery of UFO sightings, the perceived inadequacy or secrecy of official explanations, and the ongoing efforts by civilian researchers and organizations like NICAP to document and understand these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to favor a serious, open-minded investigation into UFOs, suggesting that they represent a significant, unexplained aspect of reality, possibly involving extraterrestrial intelligence. There is a clear skepticism towards official dismissals and a call for greater public awareness and scientific scrutiny of UFO reports.

This issue of The Valliant, dated Saturday, September 27, 1969, features a prominent cover headline "Life Outside Earth 'Likely'" and a smaller article about a "Flaming Meteor Apparently Picked Solomon for Fireworks." The publication appears to be a newspaper or magazine focused on current events, with a significant emphasis on UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings and related phenomena.

Poul Anderson on Extraterrestrial Life

Poul Anderson, a visiting science fiction writer, expressed his belief that the existence of life outside our solar system is a "statistical certainty." Speaking at a public lecture at the Calgary Centennial Planetarium and later at a press conference, Anderson acknowledged that interstellar travel is currently beyond our capabilities, even with theoretical speeds of light. He estimated that under present propulsion systems, reaching the nearest star would take approximately 5,000 years. Anderson, who has a background in physics and has been writing science fiction for about 20 years, also stated that he does not believe UFOs are evidence of extraterrestrial life, suggesting they might be atmospheric phenomena. He also posited that planets do not need to be identical to Earth to support life, citing the possibility of life on Jupiter that breathes hydrogen.

Flaming Meteor Over Kansas

The issue reports on a spectacular event on Wednesday night when a flaming meteor reportedly exploded just above Solomon, Kansas. Dwight Evans, a truck driver from Kansas City, Kansas, provided a vivid account, describing the sky lighting up like an "arc welder's torch" with a huge ball of fire, blue, red, and orange, emitting sparks. He estimated the object to be about the size of a compact car and exploding about 75 to 10 feet off the ground. Similar reports of a tremendous flash and explosion were received by the Federal Aviation Agency and police dispatchers across several midwest states, extending from Grand Island, Nebraska, to Fort Worth, Texas.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

Several articles detail UFO sightings and the ongoing efforts to investigate them:

Allamakee County UFO Reports

Members of the Clayton County Register staff have been investigating unidentified flying object sightings in their area and reporting them to Dr. J. Allen Hynek, director of the Department of Astronomy at Northwestern University. The Register aims to inform the public rather than alarm them, clarifying that they do not imply UFOs are extraterrestrial craft. The article highlights a family in southern Allamakee County that has been witnessing unusual activity on their farm, with UFOs seemingly preferring it as a landing strip. The family has kept a log of sightings, including landing marks found in a pasture, described as identical and having a specific leg pattern. One sighting involved a shiny silver object that changed to dull red, hovering above a power pole without making noise.

Determining UFO Size and Reporting

An article provides guidance on how to determine the size of a UFO and the importance of reporting sightings. It suggests marking the spot, orienting the flight path with landmarks, using a coin or small object at arm's length for size comparison, and timing the object's movement between landmarks. Witnesses are encouraged to get accurate counts and draw maps while the event is fresh in their minds. Reporting sightings to authorized local reporters or Dr. Hynek's team is emphasized.

Recent Sightings and Expert Involvement

Recent weeks have seen numerous reports, with as many as eight sightings in one evening, though many were simply lights in the sky. The article mentions Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Fred H. Beckman (chief scientist at Argonne Cancer Research hospital), and Ted Paillips (Missouri state highway commissioner) visiting Elkader to investigate reports. A notable sighting was at the Arno and Dean Wilke farm, two miles east of Elkader. Ed Olson and Bob Grifath are representatives collecting information for the investigating team.

UFOs in West Bloomfield, Michigan

Two sightings of unidentified flying objects in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, have raised questions. One sighting was by a township police officer. However, police spokesmen were reluctant to provide details, referring to the object as a "light in the sky" and downplaying its significance. A housewife in the area reported seeing no unusual objects, only birds and airplanes. In neighboring Bloomfield Township, police reported no UFO sightings.

UFO in Southern Maryland

A UFO was sighted in Southern Maryland on Monday, observed high in the sky for several hours. Reports were received by the Telegram staff, with witnesses agreeing it was a large, pear-shaped balloon, possibly a weather balloon, observed at a high altitude. The object was described as translucent plastic and much larger than a jet plane. The FAA suggested it was a runaway weather balloon released from Alamagordo, New Mexico, but could not confirm who released it or how it could remain aloft with a rip.

UFO in Ottawa, Canada

An 18-year-old waitress in Chapeau, Quebec, reported being terrified by an unidentified flying object that she saw from her bedroom window and later from a parking lot. She described it as white and red, flashing, and only six feet away. A smaller craft reportedly left the main object and went into the yard. The object was witnessed by others, including members of a hotel band, who described it as real and having a whirring noise, green and silver in color, with a three-foot-long antenna.

UFO in Muskogee, Oklahoma

Residents of Gooseneck Bend, Muskogee, Oklahoma, reported seeing an unidentified object on Saturday night. The phenomenon was observed for over an hour and was described as a "sliver-locking" disk near the Arkansas River. It changed color and shape, separated, and disappeared. The Tulsa Highway Patrol suggested it was a weather balloon released from Tulsa that may have drifted toward Muskogee.

UFO in Lincoln, North Carolina

An unidentified object has been hovering over Lincolnton, North Carolina, for two days, described as a bright, shiny object that remained unmoved. The Times-News received numerous calls about the object, which was seen by many citizens.

Meteor Report Probed in Canada

Ottawa scientists are investigating reports of a sizable meteor that flamed to earth near Prince George, Canada, on August 20. Seismographs recorded impact shocks, and witnesses reported seeing flaming objects break away from the main mass. The area is heavily timbered, making it difficult to pinpoint a landing site.

UFOs Comparable to Witchcraft

Dr. William Markowitz, a physicist and astronomer from Marquette University, presented a lecture comparing UFO mania to witchcraft and spiritualism. He stated that there is no scientific evidence for the existence of UFOs and that intersteller travel is impossible within the known laws of physics. Markowitz cited historical examples of unsupportable superstitions and refuted claims of seeing rivets on aircraft. He noted that UFO sightings have increased over the years but suggested that the "laughter curtain" prevents many observers from reporting their experiences.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the possibility of extraterrestrial life and the persistent reports of UFO sightings. There is a clear division in perspective, with some individuals and publications embracing the idea of alien visitation and actively investigating sightings, while others, like Dr. William Markowitz, remain highly skeptical, attributing sightings to misidentification, psychological phenomena, or natural occurrences like meteors and weather balloons. The editorial stance, as suggested by the inclusion of various reports and expert opinions, appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting the information to the public while also offering counterarguments and scientific explanations. The articles highlight the public's fascination with the unknown and the challenges in obtaining definitive proof or official confirmation regarding UFO phenomena.