Magazine Summary

AUGUST

Magazine Issue UFO Research Committee 1950s

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Summary

Overview

This issue of AUGUST magazine focuses heavily on UFO sightings and investigations from July and August 1970. It features reports from various locations including the USA, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada, detailing witness accounts of strange aerial objects. The magazine also touches upon scientific research into UFOs, including the Condon Report and the potential link between UFOs and clear-air turbulence. Expert opinions from astronomers and physicists are included, discussing the possibility of extraterrestrial life and the challenges of UFO research.

Magazine Overview

This issue of AUGUST magazine, dated August 1970, is a compilation of UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) reports and related discussions, primarily focusing on sightings from July and August 1970. It includes clippings from various newspapers across the USA, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada, alongside articles discussing the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena.

Key Articles and Reports

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The magazine presents numerous witness accounts of unidentified aerial objects. A significant report from Kings Mountain, USA, details a sighting from August 1968 where a man photographed a disc-shaped object. The National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena is still investigating this case.

Several recent sightings are documented: a "saucer-shaped" object with a whitish-purple glow was seen in Davenport, Iowa, on July 26, 1970. On July 22, 1970, a "beautiful golden silver" object with a spherical base and a long pointed tail was reported descending on Bismarck, North Dakota. In New Zealand, on July 9, 1970, a mysterious object over Mahuta Beach changed colors from red to blue to brilliant white and exhibited unusual flight patterns.

Reports from Sumner, Iowa, describe a football-shaped, glowing object. The Gaylord area reported a large circular object with bright white lights. In Van Nuys, California, three UFOs were sighted traveling in a line. Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, also reported an unidentified object, with police hearing strange sounds. Renville, Minnesota, had a sighting of a bright red illuminated object. A report from Prescott, Arizona, mentions a silver object falling to the ground with smoke.

Scientific and Expert Analysis

Dr. Gerald K. Ginnings, a professor of mathematics and consultant to the Aerial Phenomenon Research Organization (APRO), asserts that UFOs are real and have been known since ancient times, citing biblical descriptions. He claims to have photographic evidence.

An article discusses the potential link between UFOs and clear-air turbulence (CAT). Dr. David Atlas of the University of Chicago suggests that thin layers of turbulence in the atmosphere might explain some UFO sightings, acting like lenses that concentrate light waves and reflect radar.

The Condon Report and UFO Research

The issue references the Condon Report, a comprehensive study of UFOs commissioned by the U.S. Air Force. Despite the report's conclusion that flying saucers are unlikely, Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a former Air Force adviser, argues that the phenomenon is worthy of investigation and that UFO sighting reports continue to emerge. He advocates for private research, emphasizing that progress will be made by dedicated individuals using their own funds.

Other Notable Reports

A report from July 29, 1951, mentions Ohio Northern University abandoning its study on 'Flying Saucers' due to a lack of concrete evidence and sufficient sightings. Another article from July 23, 1954, discusses a mysterious object identified as a balloon in Oregon. A British radar tracked a huge, glowing, metallic object in November 1953. A report from July 15, 1970, describes a mysterious cylindrical object sighted over Tamworth, Australia, moving at high speed and described as brownish-orange and noiseless.

Space Exploration and UFOs

An article touches upon astronauts reporting mystery flashes in space during the Apollo moon program. British atom specialist Dr. J. V. Jelley theorizes these flashes might be caused by cosmic ray particles passing through the spacemen's eyes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFO sightings as credible phenomena, often quoting witnesses and experts who believe in their reality. There is a clear emphasis on collecting and disseminating reports from around the world. The editorial stance appears to support continued investigation into UFOs, even in the face of official reports like the Condon Report that dismiss the possibility of extraterrestrial craft. The publication highlights the ongoing nature of sightings and the public's continued interest in the subject, positioning itself as a resource for UFO research.

This issue of Canbena News, dated July 1, 1970, is primarily a collection of clippings and reports concerning unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. The publication appears to be a press clipping service, compiling news from various sources, including Australian, New Zealand, Brazilian, and Argentinian newspapers.

UFO Report: Canberra Controversy

The main cover story, titled "UFO REPORT," details a reported sighting of an unidentified flying object over Belconnen, Canberra, on a Monday afternoon. This sighting, made by a 15-year-old high school boy, has reignited controversy surrounding UFOs in Canberra. The president of Canberra's Unidentified Flying Objects Research Society, Mr. J. Drake, stated that such sightings had become comparatively frequent in Canberra in recent weeks. He alleged that authorities, particularly the Department of Air, were restricting the release of information on sightings. Mr. Drake suggested that UFOs were definitely associated with life from other worlds and expressed his opinion that many sightings in Canberra go unreported due to a public stigma attached to those who report them.

Flying Saucer Over Oamaru Last Night?

This article from the Oamaru Mail reports on a sighting by four people in Till Street, Oamaru, New Zealand. They described a strange object in the sky that moved slowly from the south, appearing like a 'car in the sky with two white headlights, with purple and red lights in between.' The object was visible for about 10 minutes. A check with Oamaru Airport indicated no air movements low over the area. Another witness from Hospital Hill described it as too high to be a street light and too slow to be an aircraft, appearing as a small point of light that merged and became larger as it approached.

Bright 'Light' Seen, Vanishes In Area Sky

This clipping from the Idaho Falls Post-Register (July 23, 1970) describes an object that initially appeared as a large star and then showed red and green lights in the sky north of Idaho Falls. The object was reported to the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office. A check with airport authorities indicated no airplanes in the area.

Mystery Light Thought to be Meteorite

Reports from Sydney, Wednesday, attribute a bright light seen in the sky over the North Coast of Australia to a meteorite. Numerous people reported seeing a brilliant light followed by shattering explosions. An airline pilot suggested it might be debris from a space flight burning up on re-entry, while civil aviation officers attributed it to a meteorite. A report of a light off Norah Head was investigated by the police launch Nemesis but found nothing.

Mystery Light, Explosions

This article from the Northern Star (Lismore, NSW) details a mysterious bright light seen by hundreds in the Byron Bay and Tintenbar Shires, followed by violent explosions that rocked houses. Witnesses described the light as 'terrific' and heading straight for them before leveling off and heading out to sea. The light paled and burst into sparks. Other witnesses reported a low rumbling sound and loud explosions. The phenomena shook houses and was described as 'much louder than thunder'.

UFOs in Brazil

Several articles from Brazilian sources detail various sightings:

  • Saramenha district, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais State, Brazil (May 16, 1969): Six people saw mysterious low-flying objects, and a student photographed one. The lights went out in all houses for 15 minutes. The objects were described as performing parabolic evolutions. The electrical power supply was interrupted, causing a 'black-out' that technicians could not explain.
  • Itajuba, Minas Gerais State, Brazil (May 27, 1969): A UFO flew over the city for 15 minutes, causing a 'black-out' despite the power plant functioning. The object's trajectory and effects were noted by Professor Calistrato Borges, whose car motor was disabled and lights extinguished.
  • Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil (March 1, 1970): An amateur astronomer, his wife, and daughter observed a flying saucer for 40 minutes. The evolutions were described in detail, including horizontal and vertical movements, oscillations, and transitions in velocity. The object made sharp angles, stopped and started violently, and moved in absolute silence. It also eclipsed stars.
  • Jujuy Province, Argentina (no date given): A man reported waking to a strange odor and seeing two short-statured beings with large heads and enormous phosphorescent eyes. Terrified, he barred his doors and windows, and the visitors were gone by morning.

UFOs in Argentina

  • Bahia Blanca (Buenos Aires Province), Argentina (February 12, 1970): A UFO was seen by a great number of persons in the early hours of the morning, ascending rapidly and disappearing into space. A guard, Ricardo Hector Radice, witnessed the object suspended a few meters above the ground.

Photographer Admits Flying Disc is Only a Fantasy

This article from Folha da Tarde (Brazil, June 26, 1969) reports that photographer Pepe Maninez confessed to the Federal Police that his UFO photographs and story about a flying disc sighting over the Dourada Mountains near Goiania were false. He admitted to using a trick to obtain the photographs.

Soldier Claims to have Traveled in a Flying Saucer

From Correio do Povo (Brazil, May 18, 1969), this article details the claim of soldier Jose Antonio da Silva, who asserted he had ridden for 48 hours in a flying saucer piloted by three 'sallow-skinned little men.' He was being examined by psychiatrists, psychologists, and other medical specialists.

Other International Reports

  • Belgrade (July 11, 1970): Numerous inhabitants of Belgrade reported seeing an unidentified flying object, described as red and moving at speeds between 400 and 600 km/h. A pilot observed it as a prolonged ball with flames rising vertically. The Belgrade observatory did not register the object.
  • Winterthur, Switzerland (July 17, 1970): An article discusses the possibility of extraterrestrial life and the future of space exploration, mentioning experiments in cryogenics and photon propulsion for interstellar travel.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, mysterious lights, unexplained aerial phenomena, and the potential for extraterrestrial life. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these phenomena as they are presented in various news sources, with a degree of skepticism noted in some articles (e.g., the confessed hoax by Pepe Maninez, and the scientific explanations for some sightings). The publication seems to aim to inform readers about UFO reports from around the world, acknowledging both the sensational aspects and the ongoing scientific and public interest in the subject.

We have a phenomenon that is worthy of investigation. We have Blue Book (the Air Force study) closed and the heavy hand of the Condon report. But we still have UFO sighting reports. The fact is, they do exist.

— Dr. J. Allen Hynek

Key Incidents

  1. 1968-08Kings Mountain, USA

    A man reported hearing a sound like a distant jet airplane and seeing a disc-shaped, aluminum-colored object with a plastic-like bubble top, managing to snap a Polaroid picture before it sped away. A national committee is still investigating.

  2. 1970-07-26Davenport, Iowa, USA

    A 'saucer-shaped' unidentified flying object casting a whitish-purple glow was reported sighted in the 600 block on East Thirtieth Street, Davenport, on Saturday night. This was the second sighting in the area in two days.

  3. 1970-07-22Bismarck, North Dakota, USA

    A Bismarck man reported seeing a 'beautiful golden silver' object with a large spherical base and a long pointed tail, traveling at a high rate of speed and appearing to be rapidly descending on Bismarck. A similar object was seen in Mandan.

  4. 1970-07-09Mahuta Beach, New Zealand

    A mysterious object, visible for several minutes, was observed changing from bright red to blue and then brilliant white, revolving. It then shot vertically into the sky and took off at a 45-degree angle with three flashes of brilliant white lights.

  5. 1970-07-23Sumner, Iowa, USA

    An object shaped somewhat like a football, glowing brightly and seemingly surrounded by a haze, was traveling quite rapidly across the sky, reported near LaPorte City, Iowa, and also sighted east and north of Sumner on two separate occasions.

  6. 1970-05-31Gaylord area, USA

    Three local men reported seeing a huge circular plate-like object with very bright white lights and three dimly-lit red lights on its base, hovering at an altitude of around 200 feet, traveling slowly before taking off with great speed in a south-westerly direction.

  7. 1970-07-24Van Nuys, California, USA

    A telephone caller reported sighting three UFOs on Saturday night in King Edward Park, traveling in a line. He followed them until they disappeared over the harbour.

  8. 1970-07-17Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    Mrs. Lucille Harris and her son, David Needham, reported seeing an unidentified object in the sky near this community. Police officers also heard 'weird and eerie' high-pitched sounds in the same area.

  9. 1970-06-18Renville, Minnesota, USA

    Several residents, including the city patrolman, observed a strange object in the sky late Tuesday evening, carrying a fairly bright red illumination for well over an hour, first seen at about 10:30 p.m. and disappearing below the skyline at midnight.

  10. 1970-08-03Prescott, Arizona, USA

    A Ballarat man claims he saw an unidentified flying object over Ballarat about 3:50 pm on Tuesday. He described a silver object falling to the ground with a cloud of smoke.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is clear-air turbulence (CAT) and how might it relate to UFOs?

CAT is an atmospheric 'ghost' that suddenly shakes jet aircraft. It's theorized that small-scale CAT, which concentrates light waves, might reflect radar signals and explain some UFO sightings optically and on radar screens.

What was the conclusion of the Condon Report regarding UFOs?

The Condon Report, a 968-page study commissioned by the U.S.A.F., concluded that flying saucers are 'just not on.' While acknowledging some reports are unexplainable by normal means, it ruled out the possibility of flying saucers due to the vast distances involved for extraterrestrial life to travel.

What is the stance of Dr. J. Allen Hynek on UFO research?

Dr. Hynek, a former Air Force adviser on UFOs, believes the phenomenon is worthy of investigation and that UFO sighting reports do exist, despite the closure of Project Blue Book and the Condon Report's findings. He advocates for private, dedicated research.

What are some of the shapes and behaviors reported for UFOs in this issue?

Reported shapes include cylindrical, disc-shaped, circular plate-like, football-shaped, spheres, tear-drops, and rugby balls. Behaviors described range from speeding away and rapid descent to hovering, traveling at high speeds, and sudden acceleration or disappearance.

In This Issue

People Mentioned

  • Dr. Gerald K. GinningsProfessor of Mathematics
  • Daniel ShuttlesSighted object
  • Dr. David AtlasProfessor of Meteorology
  • Dr. J. Allen HynekAstronomy professor
  • Mrs. Coral E. LorenzenSecretary and co-founder of APRO
  • John F. SchuesslerSenior design engineer
  • Dr. Allen R. UtkeChemistry professor
  • Ted Phillips Jr.Employee of Missouri Highway Department
  • Robert S MullingPhotographer
  • Marshall WoodsonWitness
  • Mrs. Lucille HarrisWitness
  • David NeedhamWitness
  • +13 more

Organisations

  • UFO Research Committee
  • National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena
  • Air Force
  • Project Blue Book
  • National Academy of Sciences
  • Laboratory for Atmospheric Probing
  • Naval Electronics Laboratory
  • U.S. Weather Bureau
  • Aerial Phenomenon Research Organization (APRO)
  • East Tennessee State University
  • Atomic Energy Authority
  • UFO Research Society
  • Department of Supply
  • RAAF
  • +22 more

Locations

  • Kings Mountain, USA
  • Washington, D.C., USA
  • Davenport, USA
  • Bismarck, USA
  • Mandan, USA
  • Mahuta Beach, New Zealand
  • Sumner, USA
  • LaPorte City, USA
  • Johnson City, USA
  • Oklahoma, USA
  • Tuscon, USA
  • Greensboro, USA
  • Auburn, USA
  • Gaylord, USA
  • +6 more

Topics & Themes

UFO SightingsUnidentified Flying ObjectsAerial PhenomenaClear-Air TurbulenceMeteoritesSpace ExplorationUFOFlying SaucerUnidentified Flying ObjectSightingsWitness ReportsRadarMeteorologyMeteoriteSpaceAstronautsUSAFNew ZealandSouth Africa