UFO Newsclipping Service - 1969 12 - no 8

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFORC CLIPPING SERVICE, dated December 1969, is a compilation of news clippings and reports related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs) from various publications across North America. The magazine serves as a repository for witness accounts, expert opinions, and official statements concerning aerial phenomena.

Expert Opinions and Government Stance

Professor J. Allen Hynek, an astronomy professor from Northwestern University, is featured discussing his 21 years of studying UFOs. He urges the public to report sightings, despite the possibility of ridicule, and criticizes the government for closing the subject after the Condon Report study. Hynek notes that many witnesses are intelligent and articulate, suggesting a "vast untapped reservoir of information in the unreported sightings." He also points out that while many UFOs are explainable as "Identifiable Flying Objects" (IFOs), a significant portion remains unexplained.

Physicist Stanton T. Friedman, speaking at the University of California, Riverside, also advocates for a more serious approach to UFOs, blasting the Air Force for "deception" and calling for an end to the "laughter curtain." He asserts that "we have been visited by intelligently controlled vehicles from outside earth," citing Air Force statistics and the Condon Report as evidence of government dishonesty.

Maj. Joseph J. Jenkins of the UFO Research Institute in Pittsburg acknowledges that the number of UFO sightings reported has declined since the Condon Report, which labeled UFOs as "just ordinary objects." However, he emphasizes that many witnesses remain firm in their accounts, stating, "I know what I saw, and I don't care who says they don't exist."

Witness Accounts and Sightings

The issue includes numerous specific sighting reports:

• Cedar Falls, Iowa (November 4, 1959): Five youths reported seeing a bright, red-glowing object over the city.
• New Zealand (November 8, 1969): Mysterious circles of dead vegetation appeared on farms, baffling scientists and locals alike.
• Muscatine, Iowa (December 2, 1969): Reports of a UFO accompanied by car thefts, with a witness describing a bright blue and red flashing light.
• Riverside, California (October 30, 1969): Friedman's lecture detailed his belief in extraterrestrial visitation and criticized the Air Force's handling of UFO data.
• Amherst County, Virginia (November 8, 1969): A couple reported a large, fast-moving object described as "too large to be an airplane."
• Wildwood, Mobile, Alabama (October 21, 1969): Two students reported a saucer-shaped vehicle with luminous panels and red lights, estimated to be 25-50 feet in diameter.
• Watonwan County, Minnesota (November 5, 1969): Deputy Sheriff Ernest Tande and Patrolman Steve Benson reported a flashing red light that hovered and moved erratically.
• Manila, Philippines (July 13, 1969): Three farmers and a construction engineer reported sightings of a large, yellowish "ball of fire" followed by a blinking red light, with some describing Caucasian figures in white flying suits.
• Brandon, Manitoba, Canada (October 11, 1969): A teacher and his wife reported seeing a bright white, oval-shaped light that moved rapidly and silently across the sky.
• Colchester, England (October 24, 1969): A letter describes a "flying jellyfish"-like object, translucent and pulsating, seen hovering at a low altitude.
• Murdochville, Quebec, Canada (October 11, 1969): Two workmen reported a strange phenomenon fitting "flying saucer" descriptions, including a luminous object with blue flame discharge.
• San Luis Obispo, California (November 14, 1969): Bright orange-colored objects were seen in the night sky, with Vandenberg Air Force Base unable to provide an explanation.
• Medford, Oregon (November 28, 1969): Two boys reported seeing a hovering, whirling object with red and white lights.
• Denver, Colorado (November 1969): Youths Bart Rivkin and Richard Farkas suggested that reported V-shaped UFO sightings were actually flocks of birds reflecting city lights.
• Commerce, Texas (November 16, 1969): Charley Roberts reported seeing a bright orange object moving slower than a meteor.
• Kazabazua, Quebec, Canada (November 1969): Ivan McConnell reported seeing a cone-shaped object with a "Jolly Roger" symbol on its side.
• Bethel, Connecticut (November 1969): Danti Vaghi, who has a history of observing UFOs, described several sightings, including a large, dark object with lights and a brilliant white light at its center, and a later sighting of a similar object with a "halo."
• Peninsula Sky (November 11, 1969): A yellowish ball trailing vaporous flame and accompanied by a roar flashed over the Peninsula, possibly a meteor.

Scientific and Astronomical Developments

An article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (December 7, 1969) discusses new data from the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO2), suggesting the universe may be "several times larger than previously supposed" and potentially "open" rather than "closed." This data, based on ultraviolet observations of distant galaxies, challenges existing cosmological models.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the persistent public fascination with and reporting of UFO phenomena, coupled with a perceived lack of official acknowledgment or conclusive explanation. The UFORC CLIPPING SERVICE appears to act as a clearinghouse for these reports, presenting them without overt editorial bias but highlighting expert opinions that call for more serious scientific inquiry. The inclusion of both detailed witness accounts and expert commentary suggests an editorial stance that supports the investigation of UFOs as a legitimate area of study, despite societal skepticism and official reticence.

This issue, dated December 6th, 1969, titled "What Can Lunar Garden Grow? Scientists Probe Moon Myths," explores two main themes: the potential for lunar material to influence plant growth and the ongoing scientific investigation into UFO sightings. The magazine combines scientific findings with historical beliefs and contemporary reports.

Lunar Gardening and Moon Myths

The lead article discusses the long-held belief that the moon influences earthly life, including plant growth. It details initial comprehensive botanical tests conducted by Dr. Charles H. Walkinshaw of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, using moon dust brought back by Apollo 11 astronauts. These tests, performed under sterile conditions at NASA's Lunar Receiving Laboratory, involved over 30 plant species. Seedlings of tomato, bean, wheat, and pine survived and, in some cases, appeared healthier when challenged with lunar material. Notably, liverworts showed unusual growth, and no microbes were detected in the moon rock. Dr. Walkinshaw explained that while lunar material is insoluble, plants excrete acids that release minerals, making it usable for growth, similar to earth soil.

Tests with sterilized and unsterilized lunar rock showed differences, with some plant tissue cultures, like tobacco, growing best with unsterilized lunar rock, suggesting that sterilization alters the material's reaction with plants. Fern spores grew best on lunar material, and lettuce germinated vigorously. However, algae growth was initially inhibited, and longleaf pine tissue cultures showed initial inhibition upon direct contact with lunar material.

Further tests with Apollo 12 lunar rocks are planned. Dr. Walkinshaw noted that moon dust alone lacks sufficient nutrients but could serve as a medium if nutrients are added. He described lunar dust as unique, with high titanium content, low potassium and sodium, and a lack of organic matter. The article also mentions that moon rock has considerable magnetic qualities.

The magazine connects these scientific inquiries to historical beliefs, citing ancient philosophers and gardeners who believed in planting by the moon. The lunar month is defined as 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 2.8 seconds. The influence of the moon is explained in relation to the zodiac signs it passes through during its monthly revolution around the Earth. General advice is given: plants bearing fruit above ground benefit from planting during an increasing moon, while root vegetables do best during a waning moon.

The article contrasts the heliocentric and geocentric systems for astronomical calculations, suggesting the geocentric system is considered more advantageous for planting times. It encourages readers to study almanacs for moon planting advice.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The issue includes several reports and articles related to UFO sightings and official investigations:

• Information Sought From Observers (April 22, 1947): This section details the Air Force's "project saucer," a two-year search for information on flying saucers. The Air Force developed a standard questionnaire for observers. While they found normal explanations for about 60% of cases, 40% remained unexplained. The report dismissed possibilities of atomic-powered saucers, alien visitors, and space ships. The number of reports had dropped significantly from its peak in July 1947.

• Woman Spots Flying Disc Second Time (July 5, 1949): A woman in Boise, Idaho, reported seeing a flying disc for the second time. She and six others watched an object moving at high speed and altitude, which then maneuvered and headed north. The disc appeared more elongated than the one she saw two years prior, and puffs of smoke were seen coming from it.

• No Cause Seen For Alarming Nation (April 8, 1949): This article summarizes an Air Force report stating that while reasonable explanations exist for many 'saucer' phenomena, some remain unexplained. It dismisses theories of foreign nations sending missiles or alien visitors. Of 240 U.S. reports and 20 overseas, 30% were identified as conventional aerial objects (like balloons), 30% as astronomical phenomena, and 40% were unexplained. The report notes that attempts to investigate sightings have led to aviation tragedies, including the death of Capt. Thomas E. Mantell, who was pursuing an object over Godman Air Force Base.

• Mysterious Fire Balls In North Utah Skies (April 6, 1949): Residents of northern Utah reported seeing mysterious "balls of fire," which a college professor believed were meteors igniting in the atmosphere. Witnesses reported dark, smokelike vapor trails and loud explosions. The path of these fireballs ended near Mantua, Utah.

• El Cajon Sees Disks Flying in Formation (April 24, 1949): Four "flying disks" were observed in a tight, boxlike formation over El Cajon Valley, California. Witnesses, including a former Air Force fighter pilot and a retired lieutenant colonel, described them as silvery, lightning fast, and about 30 feet in diameter. They maneuvered sharply but maintained formation. The objects were estimated to be traveling at speeds up to 1000 miles per hour. The Air Force was known to be experimenting with saucer targets designed to replace towed sleeve cones, which are rocket-powered and radio-controlled.

• CAA Traces Many "Flying Saucers" To Atmospheric Conditions (December 11, 1952): A report by the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) traced many "unidentified targets" sighted by radar to secondary reflections of the radar beam caused by atmospheric conditions, specifically temperature inversions. These reflections could bend the radar beam, creating false returns. The report concluded that these targets had little effect on air traffic control, except as a nuisance. It also noted that no evidence of hovering or sudden speed increases was found, attributing such reports to controller misidentification.

• U.F.O. Sighted (October 31, 1969): An ATC student in Watertown, N.Y., reported sighting an unidentified flying object with multi-colored lights. Village police also sighted a similar object, described as motionless above the horizon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine presents a balanced view, acknowledging both the scientific pursuit of understanding unexplained phenomena and the enduring human fascination with mysteries like lunar influence and UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging scientific investigation while respecting historical beliefs and anecdotal evidence. There's a clear emphasis on the need for continued research and data collection, particularly in space exploration and aerial phenomena. The magazine highlights that while science can explain many occurrences, a portion of UFO sightings and other unexplained events continue to puzzle investigators, suggesting that the universe still holds many secrets.

The recurring themes include the intersection of science and folklore (lunar gardening), the systematic investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena by government agencies, and the public's ongoing interest in these topics. The magazine seems to advocate for a rational, evidence-based approach while leaving room for the possibility of unknown factors.