UFO Newsclipping Service - 1970 10 - no 18

Magazine Overview

This issue, dated August 18, 1970, is titled "UFO or satellite" and features a prominent headline: "Believe you me, it was no airplane." It is published by the DAILY TRIBUNE and focuses heavily on reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) from various locations.

Key Articles and Reports

Columbia, Missouri Sighting

A report from Columbia, Missouri, on August 18, 1970, details a sighting by Mrs. Alice M. Thompson and W.B. Cook. Mrs. Thompson emphatically stated, "Believe you me, it was no airplane." She described an intensely illuminated object, much brighter than the moon, with something hanging from it like a long rope. The object moved rapidly and disappeared. A spokesman for the U.S. Weather Bureau could offer no explanation but noted that satellites are visible in the sky.

Nuclear Physicist Stanton T. Friedman's Views

Stanton T. Friedman, a nuclear physicist, is quoted as stating that "Earth is being visited by intelligently controlled vehicles from off the earth." He believes the evidence is overwhelming and that a strong case can be made for this, better than for most criminal cases. Friedman, who has studied UFOs for 11 years, only began speaking publicly about it four years prior. He notes that while he has never seen a UFO himself, he believes in them as he believes in neutrons, which he has studied for 14 years without seeing one.

Air Force Academy's Open Mind on UFOs

An article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer dated October 2, 1970, reports that cadets at the Air Force Academy are being advised to "keep an open mind on the subject of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs)." This advice comes from a 500-page notebook, with a 14-page chapter on UFOs written by Maj. Donald G. Carpenter. Academy officials denied reports of hiding the textbook, explaining the limited supply was due to only 200 copies being printed. The chapter notes that UFOs have been reported for nearly 50,000 years and suggests that while the phenomenon could be psychological, this is "quite doubtful" given the reliable witnesses.

Kansas City Sighting

On October 6, 1970, the Kansas City Times reported that Garth Morris and his wife, along with another couple, witnessed a mysterious moon-shaped object about 4:30 a.m. on U.S. 63. The object descended rapidly, appearing to be about 7 o'clock high, with a sawtooth bottom edge and dripping liquid. It was described as having a phosphorescent glow. Officials at the Vichy airport confirmed no balloons were aloft at that time.

Seattle UFO Lights

On October 7, 1970, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported on a mysterious light in the sky seen by Robert Peterson, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Illinois. Peterson described a bright white light that split into two lights, one red and one white. The red light floated down and disappeared, while the white light moved away. Peterson contacted a UFO authority, James Wright, who suggested that such sightings sometimes repeat in the same area.

Arkansas Light and Noise

The Arkansas Gazette on September 19, 1970, reported a bright light and loud noise over Northwest Arkansas, possibly a meteor or space junk. Witnesses described it as a fluorescent light, red and large, with a trail of sparks. The deputy sheriff believed the object was traveling northeastward at high speed.

International Reports

The issue also includes reports from England (Luton, Rainham, Hinckley), Australia (Ballarat, Riverina, Wagga, Millicent, Berrigan), and other US locations.

• Luton, England: Schoolboys reported an unidentified flying object on Sunday night, the fourth such sighting in three weeks. Descriptions included a bright light, indeterminate shape, and slow movement.
• Rainham, England: A flying saucer was reportedly seen at Rainham, almost landing, described as 20 feet long and 10 feet wide, glowing red.
• Ballarat, Australia: A resident reported an oval-shaped object, glowing blue, sighted at 8:15 p.m., visible for two minutes.
• Millicent, Australia: Police officers and residents saw a "bright beach ball" object that glowed white and red.
• Narrandera, Australia: An 18-year-old railway employee reported seeing a mysterious object that changed color from orange to red.
• Berrigan, Australia: A couple reported seeing a strange light in the sky that changed color from red to orange and then disappeared.

UFO Investigation Challenges

An article discusses the difficulties in studying UFOs, citing "The Laughter Curtain" as a major obstacle, where people are often ridiculed for reporting sightings. The U.S. Air Force's "Project Bluebook" is mentioned, with a 300-page report that was allegedly never publicly released.

Notable Quotes

• "Believe you me, it was no airplane" - Alice M. Thompson
• "Earth is being visited by intelligently controlled vehicles from off the earth." - Stanton T. Friedman
• "The entire phenomenon could be psychological but this is quite doubtful" - Maj. Donald G. Carpenter

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the prevalence and variety of UFO sightings reported across different regions and by diverse witnesses, including ordinary citizens, professionals, and even law enforcement. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious reporting and investigation, giving credence to witness accounts and highlighting the ongoing mystery surrounding these phenomena. The inclusion of expert opinions, such as that of nuclear physicist Stanton T. Friedman, suggests an effort to approach the subject from a scientific perspective, while also acknowledging the skepticism and challenges in public perception and official responses.

There is a clear emphasis on presenting factual accounts and encouraging an open mind, as evidenced by the Air Force Academy's directive. The international scope of the reports indicates that UFO sightings are a global concern, transcending geographical boundaries. The issue also touches upon the potential for advanced technology and the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence, without definitively concluding on the nature of the objects observed.

Title: The Australian UFOlogist
Issue Date: August 1970
Volume: Vol. 1, No. 1
Publisher: A.N.Z. Press Clipping Service
Country of Publication: Australia
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of The Australian UFOlogist, dated August 1970, compiles a series of reports on unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings from various locations, including Australia, Denmark, and South Africa. The magazine features a prominent cover story about a "spaceship" sighting near Barmedman, Australia, and includes numerous other accounts of strange lights and aerial phenomena.

Australian Sightings

Wodonga Youths See "White Spotlight"

Two youths from Wodonga, Peter Simmonds and Ruedigar Brunow, reported seeing a "white spotlight" in the sky near Chiltern early on a Sunday morning. They described the object as being near to earth, below the moon, and disappearing behind trees. They had no previous UFO sighting experience.

"Bright Light May Have Been Meteor" (Bellinger, Australia)

Bright lights observed by people in the Bellinger area were believed to be a meteor entering the earth's atmosphere. Reports from the North Coast and Tablelands described varied lights, including red, orange, and green. A motorist driving from Lismore to Grafton reported a bright red light low in the sky near Gurranang, which did not appear to move relative to his vehicle but was occasionally obscured by trees.

"SAUCERS" OVER WEST DARLING (Wilcannia, Australia)

The editor of Western Grazier reported numerous sightings of unidentified flying objects in the sky near Wilcannia. A notable case mentioned is that of Ralph Power, a radiographer at Broken Hill Hospital, who took six pictures of a craft hovering about 50 feet above the road in broad daylight in 1953 on the outskirts of Wilcannia. The films were confiscated by a RAAF intelligence officer. Other sightings were reported in the Menindee District. Senior Constable Fred Burrell also reported seeing a bright 'star' that changed color and moved erratically near Tibooburra.

"UFO sighted: 'It looked like a spaceship'" (Barmedman, Australia)

Two residents of Barmedman, Mrs. Shirley Ryall and her brother Bevan Adams, reported sighting what they described as a "spaceship" in a paddock on their property. They first noticed a strange light in the sky near Yiddah, which appeared to be lower than a star and moving, with a bright yellow light and a smaller, occasionally disappearing light. This object then appeared as a "strange spaceship object" about a mile from their home. It was described as football-shaped with a series of lights, hovering about six feet above the ground. Mrs. Ryall described the experience as "eerie" and stated there was no noise from the object. She reported seeing another strange light on Friday night but did not sight the object.

South African Sightings

"Mystery object lights up sky" (Rhodesia and Transvaal)

An unidentified flying object was seen over Rhodesia and the Transvaal, traveling from west to east at high speed. Reports came from Bulawayo, Plumtree, Gwanda, Que Que, Fort Victoria, and Chiredzi. The object, described as a brilliant green and white light, appeared to burn out as it crossed the sky. A Meteorological Office spokesman suggested it was likely a meteor or a satellite burning up on re-entry. In Johannesburg and Pretoria, callers reported a fiery object moving across the Reef at great speed and low altitude, described as "white-hot to pink" with a blue-red tail before disintegrating. A correspondent in Louis Trichardt reported a distinct hissing sound. Mrs. A. Bird described it as "beautiful but terrifying" and moving too fast for an ordinary aircraft. Mrs. E. L. Barker noted it looked like an aircraft burning and breaking up. Mr. J. C. van den Berg reported it disappeared towards Jan Smuts Airport. Mr. A. W. J. Schoeman described it as a regular path burning like magnesium, breaking into seven equal fragments, each appearing as large as the original object, visible for 30-40 seconds.

"Fiery UFO disintegrates in Transvaal"

This report reiterates the sighting over the Transvaal, with scores of people in Johannesburg and Pretoria reporting a fiery object moving at great speed and low altitude. It was described as "white-hot to pink" with a long blue-red tail before disintegrating. Mr. Schoeman emphasized it was no ordinary aircraft, describing its path and disintegration in detail.

Danish Sightings

"Policeman saw a flying saucer" (Haderslev, Denmark)

Police constable Evald Maarup of Haderslev reported a mysterious experience while on patrol. His car was suddenly surrounded by a sharp blue-white light, the motor stopped, and the car's lights went out. The radio was dead, and the temperature rose violently. He managed to take six photos with the police car's camera, showing a round white luminous object. The object vanished as suddenly as it appeared, and the car's systems returned to normal. Lieutenant Colonel P. Schroeder stated that the constable would be questioned and a report issued to the Air Command, which collects UFO information. Major Broens-Hansen stated no known aerial episode could naturally explain the phenomenon.

"Pilots Chased Balloons" (Esbjerg and Ringkobing, Denmark)

Air force staff sent planes over Esbjerg and Ringkobing following reports of UFOs. The objects were identified as so-called weather balloons, involved in meteorological studies. The large balloons, bound in a triangle, were at an altitude of 17 km. They are normally sent up twice daily by meteorologists and ascend rapidly.

"Planes-- not UFO's": 'UFO affair at Haderslev thought to be cleared up' (Haderslev, Denmark)

The air force suggested that the Haderslev incident involving the policeman could be explained by the overflight of six training planes, with the landing lights of one causing the strong glow reported by the policeman.

French Sightings

"The flying saucer was... a balloon-sonde" (Saint-More, France)

A balloon-sonde from the national weather bureau excited residents of the Saint-More region, being referred to as a "flying saucer".

"Flying saucers in Bourgogne (Burgundy)?" (Saint-More, France)

Several residents of the Avallon region saw a "UFO" performing evolutions over Saint-More. A motorist, Patrick Carre, saw a bizarrely shaped, hemispherical machine sitting on the ground on a "foot". The object had the color of dull metal and emitted a powerful, suffocating heat. It left burn-marks and an impression of the "foot". Another account described an orange ball ascending obliquely at full speed.

"A "strange body" in the Brabant sky" (Flemish Ardenne region, Belgium)

A strange body traversed the Flemish Ardenne region, moving irregularly and emitting a sparkling light. It came from the direction of Bever-Galmaarden and disappeared towards Ninove.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue highlights a global interest in UFO sightings during August 1970, with reports from Australia, Denmark, and France. While many sightings are attributed to conventional explanations such as meteors, weather balloons, or aircraft, a significant number remain unexplained or are described with characteristics that defy easy categorization. The magazine appears to present these reports factually, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also noting official explanations where available. The editorial stance seems to be one of documenting these phenomena and exploring the possibility of unidentified aerial objects.