UFO Research Committee

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Research Committee newsletter, dated July 1970, is identified as issue #15. It features a prominent cover headline about Heyerdahl's crew sighting a UFO and includes a variety of articles, reports, and expert opinions on unidentified flying objects from around the world.

UFO Reportedly Sighted By Heyerdahl's Crewmen

A radio message from explorer Thor Heyerdahl's papyrus boat Ra 2, sent on Friday, June 13, 1970, reported that crewmen sighted an unidentified flying object on their voyage across the Atlantic Ocean toward Mexico. Navigator Norman Baker stated that the UFO moved across the horizon for several minutes and disappeared in a 'bright orange flash.' The North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) doubted a connection to any space shot and suggested it might have been a meteor. Crew member Ait Madani spotted the object, describing it as orange and much brighter than the moon. It was observed moving from right to left, about 20 to 30 degrees above the horizon, before descending and disappearing with a flash. Heyerdahl's previous attempt to cross the Atlantic in Ra 1 had to be abandoned.

Reports from Canada and USA

A report from Wadena News, Saskatchewan, Canada, dated June 11, 1970, describes five Westport Homemakers seeing an unusual light in the sky on Wednesday evening, June 3. They witnessed an explosion of bright blue light from a central ball of fire, lighting up the sky like sheet lightning. The object was described as a ball of light in the center. A streak of light was also visible afterwards, leading them to wonder if it was a meteor or a flying object.

In Medford, Oregon, on June 26, 1970, the Mail Tribune reported that unidentified flying objects were sighted, coinciding with smokejumper drops using orange parachutes. These may have created an 'eerie image.' A United Air Lines pilot also saw an object, believed to be a missile fired from Vanderberg Air Force Base.

From Federal Way, Washington, the News reported on June 24, 1970, that two ten-year-old girls saw a large object in the sky late Friday night that turned orange and fell somewhere in the Federal Way area at 12:25 a.m. Saturday.

The Daily Olympian, Olympia, Washington, on June 26, 1970, reported that John L. Jones saw a UFO near Henderson Boulevard and Yelm Highway. He described four ball-shaped objects, bright red, hovering for 30 seconds over a field in a diamond formation, leaving a trail of heavy white smoke.

Expert Opinions on UFOs

Dr. J. Allen Hynek, director of the Lindheimer Astronomical Research Center at Northwestern University, spoke at the Midwest UFO Conference in Peoria, Illinois. He predicted that UFO investigators would continue their work through 'own sweat and using our own funds' due to the Air Force's discontinuation of Project Blue Book and a critical Colorado report. Hynek stressed the importance of accurate data gathering and processing, stating that 'Our problem is not a scarcity of data. We are submerged, but most of it is poor.' He advised researchers to specialize in areas like 'nocturnal lights, daylight sightings and physical effects on persons and animals.' He believes progress will be made by dedicated individuals using their own funds.

Mrs. Coral E. Lorenzen, secretary of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO), discussed reported UFO sightings since January 1, 1969, noting 765 investigations by APRO. She mentioned a theory linking UFOs to power blackouts and showed a graph illustrating a similarity between UFO sightings and power blackout incidents.

John F. Schuessler, a senior design engineer for McDonnell-Douglas Astronautics, discussed techniques for interplanetary space flight and means of propulsion, expressing belief in 'flying saucers.'

Other speakers at the conference included Dr. Allen R. Utke, discussing scientific evidence of UFOs; Ted Phillips Jr., on alleged UFO landing sites; and Robert Smulling, presenting pictures of UFOs.

Stanton T. Friedman, a specialist in nuclear rocketry, expressed his conviction that 'visitations of intelligently controlled extraterrestrial vehicles are occurring.' He has studied UFO phenomena for 11 years and believes many professional colleagues are interested. Friedman aims to 'lift the laughter curtain' surrounding UFOs and dispel misconceptions. He testified before a House Committee and lectured widely. He is seeking to form a UFO Research Institute in the Los Angeles area.

UFOs and Scientific Inquiry

Dr. Allen P. Utke, a chemistry professor at Wisconsin State University, criticized scientists for becoming 'defenders of the status quo' and prisoners of their own theories. He, along with others at the conference, was dissatisfied with the Condon Report's findings.

W. T. Powers of Northwestern University argued that unexplained UFO reports are not simply less well-defined than explained ones, but rather that 'real' UFO cases are often more complete and contain clearer descriptions, making it unlikely that additional information would lead to an ordinary explanation.

International Reports

Argentina: El Comercio (Lima, Peru) reported on May 17, 1970, about a photographer in Bahia Blanca who captured images of a UFO formation. The objects were described as moving with intense colored light in a rapid, irregular rhythm. The photographer had previously seen and photographed 'Flying Saucers' above Bahia Blanca in 1965.

Venezuela: El Comercio (Lima, Peru) reported on May 3, 1970, about a strange object falling near Cerro Chinito. It was described as a bottle shape on a box of strange metal, resting on four legs. Inhabitants reported a violent explosion before it touched the ground, causing panic.

Angola: The Portuguese overseas province of Angola reported 'Unknown Flying Objects.' The Portuguese news agency ANI reported that a car was pursued by an alleged 'Flying Saucer' emitting a 'very intense light' that terminated abruptly. The director of the Observatory at Mulembra also reported sightings of intense lights and stated it was feasible the objects were 'light bombs' of the Portuguese Air Force.

Australia: The Sun-Herald (Sydney) on June 16, 1970, reported on the Heyerdahl crew sighting. The Whyalla News on May 25, 1970, reported about 15 people in Whyalla claiming to have seen an 'unidentified flying object' described as bright orange with a fan-like tail. However, a subsequent article in the Whyalla News on May 29, 1970, explained this sighting as a hot air balloon made by a 16-year-old boy, Rod Waters.

Canada: The Calgary Herald reported on June 16, 1970, about astronomers at the University of Virginia and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory discovering a second complex organic molecule, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), in outer space, which they deemed 'more indicative of life than death.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing investigation and reporting of UFO sightings, the scientific community's approach to the phenomenon, and the challenges of gathering credible data. There's a clear emphasis on the need for rigorous scientific methods and the skepticism faced by witnesses. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging detailed reporting and scientific analysis, while also acknowledging the potential for misidentification and hoaxes. The inclusion of international reports highlights the global nature of UFO phenomena. The newsletter actively solicits contributions from subscribers to aid in its coverage.

Title: Correio do Povo
Issue Date: May 29, 1969

This issue of Correio do Povo features several reports on unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena, including a significant event in Itajubá, Brazil, and observations from the Atlantic Ocean.

UFO Incident in Itajubá

The main cover story, dated May 29, 1969, details an incident in Itajubá, Brazil, where an unidentified aerial object caused a "black-out" for 15 minutes. Professor Calistrato Borges, a faculty member at the local Engineering School and a member of the State Telecommunications Council of Minas Gerais, witnessed the event. His car engine shut off, and its lights went out, but the power plant generating electricity for Itajubá did not stop functioning. The lights and car engine returned to normal after the object ceased hovering over the city. Borges also noted that telephone lines were not interrupted.

UFO Sighting in Porto Alegre

Another article, dated April 18, 1970, reports on a UFO sighting in Porto Alegre. The account is based on the testimony of Jair Nunes Vieira, an amateur astronomer with over 20 years of experience observing celestial phenomena. He, his wife, and his daughter Marli observed the UFO for 40 minutes on March 1, 1970. The object was described as a luminous, rounded light, equivalent in brightness to Sirius. Professor Ascanio Ilo Frediani created a drawing based on Vieira's description. The UFO appeared at 10:30 PM, about 80 degrees above the horizon, and engaged in a series of complex maneuvers, including horizontal trajectories, descents, ascents, sudden stops, and rapid accelerations, moving at speeds comparable to a jet transport plane. The report includes a detailed, numbered sequence of the object's movements and characteristics, noting its silent operation and the absence of clouds or the moon in the sky.

Thor Heyerdahl's Ship Spots UFO

A report from June 14, 1970, details a message received from Thor Heyerdahl's papyrus boat, the "Ra-2," during its voyage to Mexico. Navigator Norman Baker reported that the crew sighted an unidentified flying object (OVNI) on the horizon. The OVNI reportedly passed by for a few minutes and disappeared in a "flash of orange light." The North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, expressed doubt that the sighting was related to a space launch, suggesting it might have been a meteor. Baker stated the object was sighted on a Thursday morning when the "Ra-2" was approximately 1,200 kilometers west of the African coast. The voyage was part of Heyerdahl's attempt to prove that ancient Egyptians could have used papyrus boats to reach America centuries before Columbus. Ait Madani, a crew member, saw the OVNI moving from right to left above the horizon before descending. Baker described the orange flash as much brighter than the moon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout these reports is the observation and documentation of unexplained aerial phenomena. The newspaper presents these accounts as news, detailing witness testimonies, expert analyses (like Professor Frediani's drawing), and official responses (such as NORAD's skepticism). The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these events without overt skepticism, allowing the accounts to speak for themselves, while also including official or scientific perspectives that offer alternative explanations.