UFO Newsclipping Service - 1970 12 - no 20

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO RESEARCH COMMITTEE newsletter, dated December 10, 1970, focuses on recent developments and reports concerning unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. The publication serves as a clearinghouse for information on UFO sightings, scientific investigations, and theories.

Key Articles and Reports

Amino Acids Found in Meteor Suggest Extraterrestrial Life

A significant report details the identification of non-earthly amino acids in a meteorite that fell near Murchison, Victoria, Australia, on September 28, 1969. Scientists at NASA's Ames Research Center, led by Dr. Cyril A. Ponnamperuma, believe this is the first conclusive proof of extraterrestrial chemical evolution. The amino acids, fundamental to living cells, suggest that the building blocks of life can form naturally in space, potentially indicating the existence of life elsewhere in the universe. The meteorite is estimated to be 4.5 billion years old, consistent with the formation of the Solar System.

UFO Sightings Across North America and Beyond

The newsletter compiles numerous UFO sighting reports from late 1970:

• Arkansas Gazette (November 27, 1970): A bright light, possibly a meteor, was seen over Central Oklahoma and a wide section of the nation.
• Winona, Minn. (November 4, 1970): Police observed and investigated an unidentified flying object described as a 'string of lights' that dove into Lake Winona.
• News-Palladium, Pana, IL (October 20, 1970): Three local men reported seeing a white, burning-like light slowly drifting from the sky, described as an unknown object.
• Orlando Evening Star (November 23, 1970): The British Ministry of Defense was investigating a report of an unidentified flying object resembling a fried egg over East London.
• Spokane Chronicle (November 23, 1970): An unidentified 'flying object' was sighted over Mica Peak, possibly a weather balloon, confirmed by the control tower at Spokane International Airport.
• Phoenix, Arizona (November 12, 1970): Albert Formiller reported seeing a round, saucer-shaped object with a searchlight over Cholla Bay, Mexico.
• Beckemeyer, Ill. (November 5, 1970): A group of teenagers and an adult reported a triangular-shaped object with orange and white lights.
• Dupo, Ill. (October 15, 1970): Russell Griffin reported an unidentified flying object that dropped and then zoomed into the sky, described as 'long and glowed white with colored lights at each end.'
• Chicago Tribune (October 19, 1970): Police switchboards were flooded with reports of unidentified flying objects, attributed to the planet Venus and atmospheric conditions.

Scientific Investigations and Theories

• Evanston UFO Class: A class at Evanston High School offered an 'academically approved study of unidentified flying objects,' focusing on the potential philosophic and administrative implications of discovering intelligent extraterrestrial life.
• Eugene H. Burt's Theory: Eugene H. Burt, a science instructor, developed a theory suggesting that UFOs could be spacecraft powered by a form of magnetism, explaining their silent operation and advanced capabilities.
• Venus as a Cause: Reports from New York and Birmingham suggested that the planet Venus, appearing as an intense bright light, was responsible for some UFO sightings due to atmospheric distortion.
• Weather Balloons: Several reports, including one from Spokane, Washington, and another from Birmingham, Alabama, suggested that weather balloons could be mistaken for UFOs.

International Reports

• Kettering Leader (November 13, 1970): Four people in Kettering, UK, reported seeing a silver, flying object described as a 'flying threepenny bit.'
• The Guardian (November 23, 1970): The Ministry of Defence was investigating a sighting of a 'pulsating unidentified flying object' over Hackney, East London.
• Bournemouth Evening Echo (October 3, 1970): Two women reported seeing a silver globe spinning at a fantastic rate and glowing orange.
• Irish Press (November 4, 1970): A Norwegian man claimed he was struck to the ground by the invisible rays of a flying saucer while driving in southern Norway.
• Evening Herald (November 2, 1970): John Shelley reported a landed object in Mullinahone, Ireland, described as a disc, larger than previously reported.
• Western Morning News (November 9, 1970): A mysterious flying object was seen on four occasions over Somerset, described as a large circular object, amber colored.
• Wellingborough News (November 6, 1970): An amateur astronomer's wife inadvertently captured an unidentified flying object on a color slide taken over Gatwick Airport.
• Western Morning News (November 4, 1970): A Norwegian man claimed he was blinded by a 'fiery disc' that hovered above the ground.
• Belfast News Letter (November 4, 1970): A 35-year-old Norwegian claimed he was struck to the ground by invisible rays from a flying saucer.
• Northants Chronicle & Echo (November 19, 1970): An eight-year-old boy reported seeing an unidentified flying object over Northampton, described as a flashing, yellow light that zig-zagged.
• The Mercury, Hobart (November 3, 1970): A Navy Department official was to interview a man who saw an unidentified flying object over St. Helens, Tasmania.
• S.A. Country Newspaper (November 3, 1970): Mr. M. P. Bryan of Mount Gambier saw a bright pink object over the southern skies.
• Sun-Herald (November 8, 1970): A mysterious saucer-like hole was discovered in a remote paddock near Boggabri, Australia.
• Yorkshire Post (November 4, 1970): A report from Ireland mentioned five lights flying in formation.
• The Northern Daily Leader (November 10, 1970): A physicist examined markings on a property near Boggabri, suggesting lightning as a cause, though the phenomenon was considered interesting.
• Advertiser (Swindon) (November 11, 1970): A witness reported seeing a large yellow glowing light that moved with tremendous speed.
• The Border Morning Mail (November 6, 1970): A mysterious object reportedly visited a property in Boggabri, Australia, leaving a depression and holes.
• West Wyalong Advocate (November 3, 1970): Three people reported seeing a strange light on a property near Tallimba, Australia, which changed color and moved erratically.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent reports of unidentified flying objects from various locations, the ongoing scientific efforts to understand these phenomena, and the exploration of theories regarding extraterrestrial origins. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting witness accounts, scientific findings, and theoretical hypotheses without definitively concluding on the nature of UFOs. The inclusion of reports from different countries and the mention of investigations by government bodies and scientific organizations suggest a broad and international interest in the subject. The emphasis on the discovery of amino acids in a meteorite highlights the scientific community's engagement with the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

This issue of the Wairarapa Times-Age, dated October 14, 1970, focuses heavily on reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and strange aerial phenomena. The main headline, "Further sightings of mysterious sky object," highlights local sightings in Masterton, New Zealand.

UFO Sightings in Masterton, New Zealand

The primary article details multiple reports of a mysterious glowing object observed in the sky over Masterton. The first report comes from Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Spackman, who, along with their 15-year-old daughter, watched an object for 15 minutes. They described it as having spokes radiating from a round center. Mr. D. T. Rowland also reported seeing a glowing object in the sky around 9:35 p.m. on a previous night, describing it as round, about three times the size of the largest star, with a yellow glow rather than the blue-white color of a star. He did not believe it was a satellite. Rowland later saw the object again on Monday night over Waingawa while driving home. He and others observed it moving slowly or remaining still, and then it appeared over the hills to the west. Rowland contacted the Times-Age to corroborate the Spackmans' sighting.

International UFO Reports

The issue also includes reports from other regions:

The Timaru Herald (October 10, 1970)

A "Strange Light" was sighted low in the southern sky over the Hunters Hills by a Pleasant Point resident. The light faded and shone over several minutes, appearing about the size of a street light and too low to be mistaken for Venus.

Whangarei (October 6, 1970)

A large, bright unidentified flying object (UFO) making a loud humming noise was seen heading out to sea from Ocean Beach early on a Sunday morning. Mrs. R. Stuart described it as a powerful generator-like noise. She saw the bright light moving slowly towards the beach, but it disappeared out to sea.

The Timaru Herald (October 19, 1970)

A letter from M. A. Thompson dismisses UFOs as science fiction. Another letter from "WATCHERS" in Motueka describes sighting two UFOs over Tasman Bay on October 4th. They hovered and moved up and down, displaying colored lights. One was larger than the other, and they moved towards the hills at French Pass, making no sound.

Rhodesia Herald (September 28, 1970)

Couple, awakened in the night, see three UFOs over Salisbury: Mr. and Mrs. Clive Esson of Mount Pleasant Park, Salisbury, reported seeing three unidentified flying objects in the early hours of Saturday morning. One object radiated a huge light, and the three craft moved forward together in a swirling vapour trail. Mrs. Esson described the experience as "sinister" and noted the absence of sound.

Rhodesia Herald (October 1, 1970)

UFOS AGAIN REPORTED OVER THE CITY: Three flashing objects were reported hovering around Salisbury. Mike Swift (17) watched them for an hour through binoculars, describing one as a yellow ball with a red ring, and the other two as dull yellow with red glows. Mrs. J. Zaverdinos of Borrowdale saw a red object for about five minutes, initially mistaking it for a star.

Rhodesia Herald (September 29, 1970)

A COMET: Several people reported seeing flying objects on Saturday. Mr. Colin Joosten was certain he saw a comet. Mrs. Nancy Hammond saw a meteor streaking across the sky at 2:50 a.m., described as enormous with a wide tail and bright orange, breaking into three. Mr. Raymond Stitt also thought it was a meteor. Others reported hearing an "unearthly noise" at 11 p.m. on Sunday.

The Daily Dispatch (October 22, 1970)

A flying saucer flew over us, claim women: Two Pretoria housewives, Mrs. R. Katzke and Mrs. D. Groenewald, claimed a flying saucer flew over them at a height of less than 40 feet. They heard a swishing, swooping noise and experienced a cold, goose-flesh sensation. Mrs. Groenewald saw a bright, metallic, circular-shaped object moving at high speed. The Waterkloof Air Force station stated it was unlikely to have been one of their aircraft.

Umtali Post (October 14, 1970)

FLYING OBJECTS OVER BEIT BRIDGE CAUSE A STIR: The author of a previous series on UFOs, Mr. David E. Douglas, reported on recent sightings near Beit Bridge. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt Townley described a brilliantly illuminated, torpedo-shaped object with two red objects in tow, moving at high speed and maintaining a uniform gap. They noted no noise or interference. The object was seen at tree-top level and disappeared behind a kopje. Another witness, game warden Mr. Histam, also saw a "strange fiery chariot" passing over the Sabi.

The Star (October 21, 1970)

Goose flesh from a flying saucer: This article details the Pretoria sighting further, with Mrs. Lyndal Katzke and Mrs. D. Groenewald reporting the encounter. They described a swishing, swooping noise and a strange emotional feeling. Mrs. Groenewald saw a bright, metallic, circular-shaped object moving at high speed.

Nelson Evening Mail (October 13, 1970)

U.F.O.: A letter from L. H. Taylor questions if authorities are "white-washing" evidence of surveillance from outer space and expresses a feeling of being spied upon.

Nelson Evening Mail (October 8, 1970)

U.F.O.'s: A letter from E. J. Taylor corrects previous details in his letter about a UFO, clarifying terms related to "lenses" and "ionized."

SUFOI Newsletter (Denmark)

This section presents a report from Erling Jensen, chairman of Scandinavian UFO Information (SUFOI) in Denmark, detailing the observation of police officer Evald Hansen Maarup near Haderslev. Maarup reported his patrol car being surrounded by a bright bluish-white light, causing the car's engine and lights to stop. He then observed a conical light being drawn into a large grey object. Maarup took photographs of the event. The object accelerated vertically without sound, and the car's systems returned to normal afterward.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings across different continents (New Zealand, South Africa, Rhodesia, Denmark) and the consistent descriptions of unusual aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these events objectively, presenting witness accounts, and including letters that offer skepticism or further inquiry into the phenomena. The inclusion of detailed reports, witness testimonies, and even photographic evidence (from the Danish case) suggests a serious interest in the subject matter. The magazine aims to document these sightings and provide a platform for discussion and investigation.