UFO Newsclipping Service - 1971 01 - no 21

Magazine Overview

This issue of U.F.O. Official, dated January 1971, is a compilation of UFO reports and related articles from various sources, including newspaper clippings and research committee findings. The publication aims to document and analyze sightings and phenomena related to unidentified flying objects.

Key Articles and Reports

1908 Cosmic Body Possibly a Comet

This article revisits the mysterious 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia. A Russian scientist, V. P. Korobienikov, a shock wave expert at the Steklov Mathematics Institute, suggests that the event, which flattened forests over a wide area, was not a solid meteorite but possibly the head of a comet. He theorizes that two of the explosions may have been "sonic booms" preceding the disintegration of the comet's head. Korobienikov notes that comets are believed to be composed of solid matter, including ice and frozen gases. He points to the lack of a significant crater and the presence of small nickel-iron globules as evidence against a solid meteorite impact. The fireball of 1908 was exceptionally bright and was sighted over a 400-mile trajectory.

Montesano Man Reports UFO

This report from Montesano, Washington, details an incident where a man named Keith Brown claims unidentified flying objects affected his motor-driven vehicle. While driving, Brown spotted three lights flying low toward the river. As they neared his car, his engine died. The engine only restarted after the lights flew away. Brown was too frightened to stay and observe further.

Flying Saucer in Australia

From Meekatharra, Australia, mine workers reported seeing a flying saucer watching them at work. They described an orange and white object hovering and hissing for two hours in the sky east of the town.

Light in the Sky Before Dawn - Still Unidentified

This article from Providence, Rhode Island, describes a brilliant white light seen moving from east to west, baffling hundreds of observers. Police officers and residents witnessed the phenomenon. Dr. Charles H. Smiley, professor emeritus of astronomy at Brown University, theorized it might be a remnant of a space shot or satellite. Ralph L. Carlson, a meteorologist, suggested it could be the planet Venus, though noting a discrepancy in its movement direction. Officials at naval air stations could not explain it.

UFOs in SF area?

Reporting from Santa Fe, New Mexico, this article details multiple UFO sightings since November 15th. Objects were described as "intensely bright lights" hovering or moving at high speeds. Sightings were reported by airport employees, security personnel, and residents. The article notes that UFO sightings in New Mexico peaked in 1964 with reports of landings, but have become less frequent since then.

Mysterious Object in Sky Reported

This report from Seattle, Washington, features Dr. Paul W. Hodge of the University of Washington's Astronomy Department commenting on sightings. He suggests that some phenomena might resemble rare meteor events but notes the object was below cloud level and visible when stars were not. He hypothesizes that such objects might be man-made.

UFO, 'Bright As Moon,' Glimpsed Over Dog Canyon New Year's Eve

This report from Alamogordo, New Mexico, describes an object seen on New Year's Eve, estimated to be 100 feet in diameter and spherical. It was described as "bright as the moon" and "wobbled" in the sky. The object reportedly "kicked" other objects out at high speed before flying away. Photographs of an unidentified flying object were also received.

'UFO' Flight Is Filmed By Trio

In Kenyon, Minnesota, police officer Merland Halvorson reported watching a UFO for about an hour. Deputy Sheriff Walt Nelson reported a similar sighting. The object, resembling a bright farm security light, moved slowly and appeared to dissolve as the sun rose.

'UFO' Flight Filmed By Teenage Trio

Three students in Alamogordo, New Mexico, filmed what they described as an unidentified flying object on Christmas Eve. They had prepared with cameras and captured images of what they described as a pair of lights moving in close formation, estimated at about 300 feet in height.

Flaming Object' Sighted in Newport

Newport Township police and firemen searched a wooded area after four residents reported seeing a "flaming object" in the sky. The search was hampered by mud. The object was described as having a bright light and appeared to be descending at low altitude.

Strange Lights Over City Seen by Many Residents

More than a dozen observers in Anchorage, Alaska, reported seeing "flying saucer" lights in a "kind of formation" around 9:30 p.m. The lights were described as bright red. While some speculated about helicopters or inversion layers, no definitive explanation was provided.

UFO Sighted (San Jose, California)

Brad Sparks reported sighting a triangular-shaped light moving slowly on December 2nd. He estimated its width and distance, ruling out Venus and balloons.

Bright Lights In Morning Sky Are Planets

This article from Sacramento, California, explains that bright lights seen in the morning sky are likely the planets Venus and Jupiter, which are brighter than stars. It also mentions an upcoming lunar eclipse.

Caroling UFO Serenades Main Line area

Numerous reports were received in the Main Line area of Pennsylvania about a UFO playing Christmas music. Descriptions varied, with some calling it a "crescent shape with a red glow." Possible explanations included blimps or balloons, but the musical aspect remained unexplained.

That Was No Flying Saucer

This report from Long Island, New York, addresses sightings of a bright light in the sky, which police officials identified as the planet Venus. Despite explanations, some viewers remained convinced it was a UFO.

UFOs Reported Here (Chicago)

Chicago and suburban police departments received numerous reports of unidentified flying objects. The article mentions that the planet Venus is particularly bright, potentially causing confusion.

'Flying Saucers' Spotted Over Immingham

Two men in Immingham, England, witnessed a "spherical shaped light" that hung motionless before moving slowly across the sky. They made sketches of the object's flight path. The object reportedly gave off a vapor trail and then disappeared.

DID YOUTHS SEE FLYING SAUCER?

This article from Matlock, England, details three youths who saw a "metallic-grey, saucer-shaped object" with red and white lights. They described it as spinning and moving towards Ambergate. A similar sighting was reported in London the same day. A police spokesman confirmed they investigated but saw nothing.

Others, saw that Flying Saucer

This report from Hackney, England, discusses a sighting of an unidentified object with a yellow-orange nucleus and a black oval outline. Another witness reported seeing lights in a circle with a brighter, reddish light. The Ministry of Defence is investigating.

THREE UFO SIGHTING CLAIMS

This article from Swindon, England, describes a man who saw a dome-like object, half orange and half silver-grey, with legs and aerials. The object reportedly took off very fast with a whistling noise. Police and RAF investigated but found no obvious traces.

Have you spotted any UFOs recently?

This piece discusses sociologist Donald Warren's "status-inconsistency theory," suggesting that individuals who feel they don't fit into society are more likely to report UFO sightings and believe in extraterrestrial origins. The study focused on white males over 21.

Mystery object

A shopkeeper in Wolverhampton, England, reported seeing a strange reddish-yellow object hovering high above a football ground. He saw the object disappear and reappear on several occasions.

The objects in the sky

This report from Anchorage, Alaska, mentions an "inversion layer" potentially causing optical illusions. However, observers described "flying saucer" lights in formation.

UFO probe Vader family

In Vader, Washington, the Wallace Bowers family reported seeing a gleaming, orange-shaped disc object angling up into the sky. This followed the discovery of large footprints in their yard. The object was described as having a dome and revolving circles, and it emitted a "sharp" sound.

Light Object Seen

Residents in Virginia and neighboring states reported seeing a light phenomenon in the southern skies. Descriptions included clouds, haze, or a "spray" surrounding a bright light. Some suggested it looked like a "big jellyfish."

That 'UFO' was Venus

This article from Chicago, Illinois, explains that bright lights seen in the sky were identified as the planet Venus, which appears as a morning star. Police switchboards were flooded with calls from people convinced they had seen a UFO.

What was big white 'UFO' in our sky last night?

This report from Kentucky describes a large white object in the southeastern sky that drew curious gazes. The control tower at Greater Cincinnati Airport had no report. One witness described it as a "weather balloon" with a red underside and white top.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the reporting and investigation of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on witness testimony, with numerous accounts from ordinary citizens detailing their sightings. The publication also touches upon scientific explanations, including astronomical phenomena (like Venus) and psychological theories (status-inconsistency). The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting these events, presenting various perspectives, and encouraging further investigation, while also acknowledging the possibility of misidentification and hoaxes. The inclusion of newspaper clippings from diverse locations suggests a broad scope of coverage.

Notable Quotes

• "The Tunguska body was certainly not a solid meteorite, according to Korobienikov, but until he has proved beyond doubt that it was the head of a comet, he prefers to call it a 'cosmic body.'"
• "The status inconsistents gave a clear preference for the extraterrestrial interpretation."
• "I never used to read science fiction but I will now," declared David.
• "Mommy, come look!"
• "It is difficult to say how large it was, because one could not tell its distance," he said. "But it looked about four times as large as the brightest star."

Key Facts Synopsis

This issue of U.F.O. Official presents a collection of UFO sightings and related discussions from late 1970 and early 1971. A key scientific article re-evaluates the 1908 Tunguska event, suggesting it may have been a comet rather than a meteorite. Numerous eyewitness accounts are detailed from locations across the United States and the United Kingdom, describing various aerial phenomena, their shapes, colors, and behaviors. Some reports include alleged effects on vehicles or the discovery of physical traces like footprints. The publication also explores potential explanations, including astronomical bodies like Venus, and a sociological study linking UFO sightings to psychological factors of "status inconsistency."

FAQ

• What was the 1908 Tunguska event? The 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia, which flattened forests for miles, is re-examined by scientist V. P. Korobienikov, who suggests it was the head of a comet, not a meteorite, possibly causing sonic booms.

• What types of UFOs were reported in this issue? Reports include disc-shaped, spherical, triangular, oval, and crescent-shaped objects with colors ranging from orange and white to red and silver grey. Some reports mention specific behaviors like hovering, rapid movement, and engine interference.

• Are there any scientific explanations for UFO sightings mentioned? Yes, some sightings are explained as astronomical phenomena like the planet Venus. A study by Donald I. Warren suggests that 'status inconsistent' individuals are more likely to report UFO sightings, often preferring extraterrestrial interpretations.

• Where were UFO sightings reported in this issue? Sightings were reported from various locations including Siberia (1908 event), Australia, Providence (Rhode Island), Santa Fe (New Mexico), Dog Canyon (New Mexico), Kenyon (Minnesota), Alamogordo (New Mexico), Matlock (England), Hackney (England), and Dunn (North Carolina).

This issue of UFO REPORT, dated December 1970, compiles a wide array of UFO sightings and related accounts from various newspapers and publications across the globe. The magazine serves as a collection of witness testimonies, news clippings, and letters to the editor, focusing on unidentified flying objects observed during late 1970.

Key Articles and Reports

'Flaming' UFO Seen Over Wimborne (Bournemouth Evening Echo, Dec 1, 1970) Mrs. Phyllis Wallace and others in Wimborne, UK, reported seeing a large, bright object in the sky around 6 pm that looked like "a plane on fire." It had an oval shape and flames coming from it, described as moving "like a rocket." Gordon Wallace, Mrs. Wallace's son, added that the object had flames "flickering around the edges."

'That Thing' Over Bray (Dublin Evening Press, Dec 9, 1970) A witness from Bray, Ireland, observed an object in the sky east of Bray Head on a Sunday morning. Initially thought to be a star, it began to move and displayed "wings coming out and back again," remaining in the same place until the sun rose and it faded.

Night Sky Object (Halifax Evening Courier, Nov 25, 1970) Mr. K. Birkenshaw of Halifax, UK, spotted a "strange flying object" while travelling through Barkisland. He described it as travelling towards Lancashire at a "terrific speed," too fast to be an aeroplane.

Flying Saucer Seen at Hayes (Hounslow Gazette, Nov 28, 1970) Tom Chesterman of Hayes, UK, reported seeing a bright, stationary object that was yellow-blueish in color. His mother described it as looking "something like the headlights of an aeroplane but there was no noise with it." He also felt as if it were "pinning him down to the bed."

'Walkabout' - Flying Saucers? (The Examiner, Dec 3, 1970) This section includes a letter from Mrs. Hope Fulton of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, who recounts an old bushman's tale about seeing "peculiar circular lights" in the sky that seemed to hover. The bushman attributed them to "drought time."

UFO Seen (W.A. Country Newspaper, Nov 9, 1970) A UFO was sighted over the Porongorups, Australia. George Schezney reported seeing a large light that changed color from blue to red then orange. He and his girlfriend watched it for about half an hour before it faded.

What 19 Miners Saw Above Their Camp (The West Australian, Dec 12, 1970) Supervisor Ted Murphy and 18 miners at the Thad-ura copper mine, near Meekatharra, Australia, witnessed an unidentified flying object hovering over their camp before dawn. Described as white with an orange-red tinge, it was about three times as bright and big as the brightest star. Two color photographs were taken.

Two More Saw U.F.O. (ANZ Press Clipping Service, Nov 7, 1970) Two people reported seeing an unidentified flying object in the southern sky near Mount Gambier, Australia. One witness described it as a flare over Mount Schank.

'A Luminous Object in the Arles Sky' (Le Provençal, Nov 7, 1970) Four young individuals in Arles, France, observed an unidentified object emitting spirals of light (pink and white) above Montmajour abbey. They calculated its position and found no corresponding star in astronomical charts.

"UFO's" Now Reappearing in Mexico (Correo, Oct 15, 1970) Three UFOs were detected by radar at the Mexico International Airport, remaining stationary over the control tower for several minutes. Farmers also reported seeing them over the Mexico valley.

UFOs Active (Launceston, Tas., Nov 27, 1970) Jeremy Holden, President of the Tasmanian Unidentified Flying Objects Bureau, writes about a swarm of UFO sightings in Tasmania and stresses the importance of public reporting, noting that official UFO debunking by the U.S. Air Force ceased decades ago.

Other International Sightings

• France: A luminous object was seen over Barneville-sur-Mer (April 2, 1970), described as red-orange and descending slowly. In Avignon (Oct 20, 1970), a shining object traveled from east to west, leaving a luminous trail. Another report from Paris (July 24, 1969) describes a yellow ball surmounted by a pyramid passing in front of the moon. Yerres (Oct 15, 1970) reported disc-shaped objects passing in front of the moon.
• Denmark: A winged object was seen at Soenderballe Beach (Aug 13, 1970), described as oblong and circling twice.
• Norway: Chauffeur Reidar Salvesen reported being attacked by a "flying saucer" on a highway, resulting in his windshield being smashed by an invisible force.
• Canada: Sightings of a silent fireball were reported in Candiac, St. Leonard, and Three Rivers, Quebec, on August 3 & 4, 1970.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the sheer volume and geographical spread of UFO sightings in late 1970, the diverse descriptions of the objects, and the persistent mystery surrounding their origin and nature. The editorial stance appears to be one of open reporting and investigation, encouraging witnesses to come forward and highlighting the lack of definitive explanations from official sources. There is a clear emphasis on presenting witness accounts as credible, with some articles actively countering skepticism and urging the public not to ridicule those who report sightings. The publication seems to align with the view that UFOs represent a genuine phenomenon worthy of study, even if concrete proof remains elusive.