UFO Newsclipping Service - 1970 05 - no 13

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Research Committee UFO Clipping Service, dated May 1970, is presented as issue #13. It compiles various reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) from different locations, alongside discussions on the state of UFO research and related scientific perspectives.

Area Residents Report Sighting UFO Over City (Washington, PA)

This article reports on multiple sightings of a "cigar-shaped 'something'" above Washington, PA, on Friday night. Residents described it as trailing a brilliant, flaming exhaust and traveling at a high rate of speed. The object was seen moving south, with descriptions of its exhaust as yellowish and a yellow glow from its front. One report placed the UFO at 2,000 feet altitude, taking only five seconds to traverse from horizon to horizon. Calls were received from various parts of the city and outlying districts, including Washington County Airport and State Police.

Sky Object Noted by More Readers (Yakima, WA)

This clipping from the Yakima Herald-Republic details reports of a brilliant and sparkling "whatchamacallit" seen over Yakima on Monday night. Mr. and Mrs. Al Miller described a bluish-green trail that broke up and scattered. Mrs. Roy F. David reported a glowing bluish-green trail and a shower of sparks. Harold Rush, a Yakima Weather Bureau employe, suggested it might have been a spectacular meteor, though he stressed it was his personal impression.

Dear Subscribers

This section addresses the subscribers, noting the publication's second year and growth from 8 to 45 subscribers. It mentions printing over 300 UFO newsclippings and the subscription of well-known researchers like Dr. Jacques Vallee, Coral Lorenzen (APRO), and Dr. Bethold Schwarz. It also highlights the addition of coverage from Mr. James Auburn, director of the Meteor Research Society, for Australian clips.

The Light in the Sky (Comet Bennett)

This article clarifies that a bright light seen in the northeast sky in the pre-dawn hours was not a UFO but Comet Bennett. It explains that the comet, named after a South African astronomer, becomes visible around 3 p.m. and is 45 degrees above the horizon by dawn. The Red Deer Advocate is cited, comparing the comet's brightness to the Pole Star. It was first spotted in December and is expected to be visible for a couple more weeks, being of a "non-periodic" variety.

Annan Teenagers Report Spotting UFO (Ontario, Canada)

Trish Block area teenagers reported seeing a reddish-orange object moving in a circular motion above their home on Wednesday evening. The object was observed at 7:25 p.m., appearing to stop and then move slowly away. Witnesses reported no audible sounds and that the UFO moved slower than an airplane.

Orange Object (City, PA)

This brief report mentions a couple seeing an unidentified flying object from which sparks would fall and fade out. They observed a "strange light" in the sky moving in a westerly direction at a very slow rate of speed. At approximately three-second intervals, sparks reportedly fell from the object, fading and then reappearing.

Sees Orange Ball in Sky (Hattiesburg, Mississippi)

Saraiy Gillespie reports seeing an orange ball hanging in the sky on Saturday night, a few minutes after 3 o'clock. The ball was described as being in sharp contrast to the street light, not as bright as the setting sun, and without a trail, glow, or halo. Its size was compared to a pool ball. The witness could not determine its height or distance. The object appeared to be falling imperceptibly but could have been an optical illusion. Its orange color remained constant and then suddenly went out, like a light bulb switch being clicked.

Mysterious Light (Fonda, Iowa)

This piece discusses the phenomenon of "jack-o'-lantern" or "will-o'-the-wisp" lights often seen in Illinois, typically drifting over low ground. The author speculates whether these were swamp gas, St. Elmo's fire, or of supernatural origin. The editor's note defines jack-o'-lantern as a flitting phosphorescent light seen at night, mostly over marshy ground, believed to be from spontaneous combustion of gas from decomposed organic matter.

Night Sky Lit By Some Object (Kelowna, B.C., Canada)

No positive identification was made of a glowing object seen in the eastern sky by Kelowna residents. Observers described it as a ball with a goldy tail, about 10 or 12 times the size of the ball, spread out behind. It was initially closer to the zenith but then moved towards the horizon, appearing dimmer and approaching it. The object was definitely not the Okanagan Arc or a UFO. The report mentions that no charted comets are due until 1986, when Halley's Comet is expected. Comet Bennett is mentioned as being due to circle the sun in August but not visible to the naked eye.

UFO Sightings Are Reported (Roseburg, Oregon)

Reports of sightings of unidentified flying objects continue to come into the Sheriff's office. Two reports from unrelated areas were received around 9:30 p.m. on a Wednesday. Ronald Preston reported seeing a brilliant green ball falling at a 30-degree angle. Phil Gordon also reported a similar object, described as hazy green. His horse nickered, causing him to look up.

AF to Investigate Report of UFO (Blytheville, Arkansas)

Two women visiting Burdette, Mississippi County, reported seeing an unidentified flying object near the Burdette-Interstate 55 interchange. Officials at Blytheville Air Force Base stated they had no explanation and that a board would convene to investigate. The object was described as saucer-shaped, outlined with small white lights, and made a whistling noise as it moved off toward Blytheville.

Professor to Discuss Fruitless UFO Search (Pocatello, Idaho)

Dr. William Markowitz, professor of physics at Marquette University, is scheduled to discuss "UFO Mania: A Chapter in the History of Science." He will argue that the pursuit of UFOs for the past 22 years has been a "major folly of the 20th century" and that the U.S. Government's engagement was due to pressure from believers in extraterrestrial surveillance. He asserts that while UFOs are real and reported by reliable witnesses, they could not be extraterrestrial spacecraft if the laws of celestial mechanics and physics are valid.

Paroch Me, But Your Flying Saucer Is Still Showing

This article discusses the ongoing interest in flying saucers despite the Air Force ending its study of unidentified flying objects. It highlights that some prefer to define UFOs scientifically as "unexplained phenomena." Dr. Robert M. L. Baker Jr. prefers the term "anomalistic observational phenomena." The article mentions Project Blue Book and its cost, and notes that the Air Force concluded further study was a waste of time and money. However, private organizations like NICAP and APRO continue their investigations, believing that UFOs can now receive serious scientific attention free from military considerations. Representatives from these groups, including Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Dr. Robert M. L. Baker Jr., David Branch, Stanton Friedman, and Richard Greenwell, are featured.

Farmer And Safety Patrol Trooper Watch 'UFO's Near Culberston

This report details an incident near Culbertson, Nebraska, on Saturday, February 28th. Mr. and Mrs. Dale Nowka and State Safety Patrol Trooper Dale Rowedder reported seeing unidentified flying objects. The Nowkas described a red light in the northwest, which they initially thought was an airplane. Trooper Rowedder described the object as a "saucer" with greenish-blue lights and a turning movement. The object reportedly disappeared and reappeared, leading them to believe there were two objects. Federal Aviation Agency and North American Air Defense Command radar reportedly tracked five objects in the area. A plane sent to investigate could not spot any objects out of the cloud cover.

Canada's UFO Project Dies

This article reports that the University of Toronto's seven-man UFO project, announced two years prior, has never gotten off the ground. Dr. Rod Tennyson, director, stated that they needed physical evidence, which they did not receive. The Canadian study was designed to complement the American investigation by Dr. Edward Condon. The Condon report concluded that no evidence existed to support extraterrestrial visitors. The USAF disbanded its reporting apparatus and destroyed computer records. In Canada, the study never really got underway, with the group finding only six serious cases among hundreds of reported sightings. Dr. Tennyson stated the group is ready to investigate if reports warrant, but university officials consider the study dead.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent reports of UFO sightings across various geographical locations, the descriptions of these objects (shapes, colors, behaviors), and the ongoing debate about their nature and origin. The publication highlights the skepticism and official dismissals of UFO phenomena, particularly referencing the Condon Report and the disbanding of Project Blue Book. Simultaneously, it emphasizes the continued dedication of private researchers and organizations who believe in the importance of investigating UFOs and are actively collecting data and encouraging public reporting. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting these reports and the surrounding discussions, providing a platform for both eyewitness accounts and scientific/skeptical viewpoints.

This issue of "Flying Saucers? Well-Maybe-!" (Vol. XLIV, No. 57, dated Wednesday, March 8, 1950, with content also referencing dates up to April 1968) delves into the persistent and evolving phenomenon of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). It features a collection of reports, analyses, and opinions from various sources, including news clippings, scientific organizations, and individual witnesses.

Key Articles and Reports

"Now Flying Saucer Seen; This One From Mars" by Paul F. Ellis (United Press Science Editor): This article reports on a dramatic sighting by Charles B. Moore, who, along with four navy men, observed an elliptical object in New Mexico. Moore, an experienced weather observation balloon expert, estimated the object to be 100 feet long and at an altitude of 300,000 feet, moving independently of Earth's gravity at a speed exceeding seven miles per second. Official reports were made to the navy and air forces, and Commander Robert B. McLaughlin of the navy's guided-missile program suggested it might be an authentic spaceship, possibly from Mars.

"Prospector Claims Flying Disc Crashed With 2 'Dwarf Pilots'" (Paper Unknown, Aug. 19, 1947): A prospector named Buck Fitzgerald reported that a "whizzing disc" crashed near Death Valley, and two small, human-like beings emerged before disappearing into the sand dunes. His sidekick, Mase Garney, also witnessed the event. The disc was described as 24 feet in diameter and capable of flying at 300 miles per hour.

"Weird Discs Found" (Paper Unknown, Aug. 19, 1949): Federal agents and State Police discovered two weird discs in an abandoned barn in Baltimore. These discs, six feet in diameter and equipped with a propeller and motor, were reportedly made by an inventor named Jonathan Caldwell, who had disappeared years earlier. Officials noted the discs appeared capable of flying.

"Rickenbacker Thinks Flying Saucers Real" (Indianapolis, Ind., June 12, 1950): Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, president of Eastern Air Lines and a World War I ace, stated his belief that flying saucers are real, citing the number of credible witnesses. He suggested that if they exist, they likely belong to the U.S. Air Force, though Air officials denied having such equipment.

"'Saucers' Soar Back Into News" (At Rainy Lake, Minneapolis, Minn., May 23, 1951): This report details sightings of crystal balls and bluish white stars near Rainy Lake. About 50 residents claimed to see a phenomenon resembling a crystal ball that moved like a hummingbird and flashed across the sky. Separately, an American Airlines pilot reported a "bluish white star" darting around his plane at high speeds.

"Just Jet Plane, Airport Asserts" (Disk Police Saw, May 20, 1950): Two detectives in Louisville claimed to have seen a flying saucer, but Standiford Field authorities identified the object as an F-84 jet fighter, explaining that external fuel tanks could give it an unusual appearance.

"Half Moon Shaped Object Is Seen" (Daytona Beach Morning Journal, Jan. 4, 1952): J. B. Gormley, a clerk, reported seeing an unidentified object traveling silently at high speed over South Daytona. The object was described as half moon shaped, about 30 feet across, made of metal, and at an altitude of 400-500 feet.

"'Airmen Unable To Pin Down Elusive Saucer'" by Arthur J. Snider (Chicago Daily News Service, 1952): This article discusses the U.S. Air Force's efforts to track UFOs, with the Air Technical Intelligence Command having sifted through 1,280 sightings. While about 80% were explained by known phenomena, approximately 250 remained unexplained. Capt. E. J. Ruppelt, head of the investigation, clarified that "unexplained" does not mean they believe disks exist, only that they cannot prove or disprove them.

"'S'NUFF, HE CRIED" (Saturday, January 21, 1950): This piece references sensational articles from the Amarillo, Texas Globe-News, suggesting that flying saucers are spaceships from other planets, with some found by the government and being examined in secret laboratories. It claims these ships contained small beings (about 36 inches tall) and were equipped with gadgets like radios. The government is reportedly releasing this information slowly to avoid consternation.

"MYSTERY BLAST - AID TO STAR" (The San Diego Union, Jan. 7, 1952): A woman reported seeing what appeared to be a shooting star close to the ground on the canyon rim near Kearny mesa.

"Santa Fe Find May Be Meteor" (Mexico, Missouri Ledger, March 17, 1970): M. O. Rodgers found rocks resembling meteorites on his property northwest of Santa Fe. These rocks were found in an area suspected of being a meteorite fall site in December 1967. The samples were noted for their weight and a liver-red, closely packed substance.

"THE UFO PROBLEM" by Stanton T. Friedman: This article discusses the growing interest in UFOs among scientists and engineers, noting the formation of groups like the UFO Research Institute. Friedman highlights that a significant number of Americans believe in UFOs and extraterrestrial visitation. He contrasts the viewpoints of "believers," like himself, who see overwhelming evidence of extraterrestrial visitation, and "non-believers," such as astronomer Carl Sagan, who argue that such civilizations are too distant and their behavior too erratic to support the idea of visits.

"WHY ARE UFOS BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY?" (Stanton T. Friedman): Friedman outlines reasons for the increased seriousness with which UFOs are being treated, including advancements in space programs, the efforts of reputable investigative groups like APRO and NICAP, and the rise of a new generation of scientists. He also details the work of the Pittsburgh group in investigating sightings and collecting data.

"PENNSYLVANIA UFO SIGHTINGS" (Stanton T. Friedman): This section details numerous UFO sightings investigated in Pennsylvania, including the Portage County, Ohio, sighting where two policemen chased a UFO. It also emphasizes the importance of photographic evidence and the potential for amateur astronomers to capture images of UFOs.

"WHAT SHOULD AN UFO WITNESS DO?" (Stanton T. Friedman): This guide provides practical advice for UFO witnesses, stressing the importance of gathering as much information as possible immediately after a sighting. Recommendations include getting additional witnesses, photographing the object, using optical aids, noting details of motion and appearance, checking for interference with electronic devices, and observing animal responses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent mystery of flying saucers, the credibility of witness testimony, the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, and the debate between those who believe in extraterrestrial visitation and those who remain skeptical. The editorial stance, particularly through the contributions of Stanton T. Friedman, leans towards taking the UFO phenomenon seriously and encouraging rigorous scientific study, while acknowledging the skepticism from some scientific quarters. There is a clear emphasis on the need for more accurate documentation and systematic investigation to move beyond speculation and towards resolution.

The issue highlights a shift in the UFO landscape, moving from sensationalism to more serious scientific inquiry, with organizations and individuals actively working to legitimize the study of UFOs and provide a platform for credible reports. The articles collectively suggest that while many sightings can be explained by conventional phenomena, a significant number remain unexplained, warranting continued investigation.