UFO Newsclipping Service - 1971 02 - no 22

Magazine Overview

This issue of U.F.O. #22, dated February 1971, is published by the UFO Research Committee and focuses on the ongoing mystery of unidentified flying objects. The cover headline, "Professor Insists UFOs Still Need Explanation," highlights the central theme of the issue, featuring insights from an expert in the field.

Professor Insists UFOs Still Need Explanation

Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a professor of astronomy at Northwestern University, is featured prominently. He asserts that UFOs represent "a real experience" that requires explanation, despite his initial skepticism. Dr. Hynek emphasizes that he is referring to the small percentage of reports from reliable witnesses that cannot be easily explained by natural phenomena or man-made objects. He spent 20 years as a consultant to the U.S. Air Force on UFO investigations, which he termed a "travesty on science." While he doubts UFOs are extraterrestrial visitors, he believes "a phenomena of some sort is there" and that scientists should focus on documenting and observing it, rather than dismissing evidence.

Reports of Falling Objects and Mystery Lights

The issue includes several reports of unusual aerial phenomena. In Decatur, Illinois, three residents reported seeing a falling object or fireball around 5:30 a.m. The sightings were corroborated by a Macon County sheriff's deputy and a truck driver. A similar report came from the Christian County sheriff's deputy. An information officer at Chanute Air Force Base confirmed a report from the Macon County sheriff's office.

In Dargaville, New Zealand, a "mystery light" described as orange-colored was seen in flashes over the coast area. The Northland Times reported this incident on January 7, 1971.

Residents Watch Weekend UFO's

The Idaho State Journal reported on UFO sightings in the Pocatello area during a weekend in February 1971. A deputy investigated a report of an unidentified object hovering over Portneuf Hill. Another report from Boise described a circular object with four flashing lights. Officials could not confirm these sightings, and they were not related to the Apollo 14 mission. The article also mentions a giant fireball seen on January 20th, identified as a large meteorite.

UFO Sighted at Wantage

The Reading Mercury (England) reported on December 18, 1970, a sighting of an unidentified flying object at Wantage. A 16-year-old witness described seeing five round glowing balls in the form of a cross that moved at high speed before vanishing. Another report from Wantage described an object shaped like half an orange with legs underneath.

Scientist Believes in UFOs

Stanton T. Friedman, a nuclear physicist, is presented as a proponent of UFO reality. Based on extensive research and documented reports, he concludes that there are hundreds of well-documented reports from credible witnesses that are best explained as intelligently controlled vehicles whose origins are "from off the earth." He criticizes a "laughter curtain" and "taboo" surrounding the subject, noting that "doubts about UFO reality typically decrease as exposure of data increases." Friedman also highlights characteristics of UFOs, describing them as symmetric, metallic, blunt, streamlined objects with no visible wings or engines, capable of hovering and extremely high-speed flight.

Strange Light In Sky

The Roseburg, Oregon, NEWS REVIEW reported on January 29, 1971, multiple sightings of a strange light and an explosion in Douglas County. These were likely caused by the launch of a Minuteman I intercontinental ballistic missile, though local authorities checked the possibility of a missile crash.

UFO 'Really Huge,' Says County Man

The Norwalk, Ohio, Reflector reported on January 25, 1971, a sighting by Richard Williams and over a dozen others, including law enforcement officers. Williams described a "really huge" object, larger than an airplane, with a wing span of about 30 feet. He initially thought it might be an experimental airplane but later believed it was an unidentified flying object.

UFO Startles Willard Area Residents, Law Officers

The Norwalk, Ohio, Reflector also covered a sighting in Willard, Ohio, on January 23, 1971. Residents and law officers reported an unidentified flying object described as diamond-shaped, approximately 25-35 feet in diameter, with red and white lights. Witnesses described it hovering, making unusual movements, and disappearing at high speed. The incident is noted as possibly related to other sightings in northern Ohio.

UFO Described as Fireball

The Herald (Decatur, Illinois) reported on February 3, 1971, multiple sightings of an unidentified flying object described as a falling fireball across the midwest. Reports came from Decatur, St. Charles, and other locations, with some witnesses describing it as intense and bright.

Riverside Residents Report UFO Sighting

The Times (Riverside) reported on January 10, 1971, a sighting by Dennis Duckworth and township police officer Leroy Martin. They observed a "self-propelled, lighted object" hovering and moving rapidly. Duckworth stated, "Whatever it was, it wasn't of this earth."

Porterville College Forum Will Hear UFO Scientist

The Porterville College Forum announced a presentation by Stanton Friedman, who is convinced that Earth is being visited by intelligently controlled vehicles from outer space. His talk, "Flying Saucers Are Real," was scheduled for Wednesday and would cover data from scientific studies, misconceptions about UFOs, and the feasibility of interstellar travel.

UFO Sighted in Purcell Area

The Joplin, Missouri, Globe reported on January 6, 1971, a sighting of an unidentified flying object described as "brighter than a harvest moon" by the James Henderson family and later confirmed by a Jasper County Sheriff's deputy. The object was described as being about three-quarters of a mile high and moving in a southwesterly direction.

Mystery Flash Lights Illinois Sky

The St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported on February 3, 1971, a brilliant object that flashed over central Illinois, possibly a meteor. The object was seen for about 4 seconds and was described as intense. Authorities stated no strange objects were picked up on radar.

Science, Not UFOs, to blame

This article from Johnson City, Tennessee (January 21, 1971), explains that "strange lights" seen by residents were the result of tests by the Air Force involving vaporized barium, creating "plasma clouds" for upper atmosphere tests.

UFO course help for the bored

The Toronto Telegram reported on December 3, 1970, that Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology was offering a course titled "Flying Saucers, Fact or Fantasy?" to explore the UFO phenomenon.

UFOs Sighted In Richmond Area?

The Richmond, Michigan, Review reported on December 10, 1970, a sighting by three local residents of an object described as car-like with blinking lights, making a droning noise, and hovering. The object reportedly followed them before disappearing at high speed.

Berrien Springs Man Sights 'Strange Glow'

The St. Joseph, Michigan, Herald Press reported on December 16, 1970, that Oliver Harmon, an electronics engineer, saw a "strange glow" in the sky, described as red and moving like the tail of a rocket.

'No life ever on moon' - city scientist

This article from Calgary, Canada (January 11, 1971), discusses a University of Calgary scientist's conclusion that life never existed on the moon, based on studies of lunar samples. However, the scientist believes life likely exists elsewhere in the universe.

Strange Flash In Sky: Reports

The Telegraph (Brisbane, Queensland) reported on December 18, 1970, a mysterious explosion in the air accompanied by a vivid white light over Indooroopilly. A witness described it as a violent event that shook his house.

An absence of UFOs

An article from The Christian Science Monitor (December 14, 1970) discusses the apparent decline in UFO sightings and public interest. The author hypothesizes that this absence might be more significant than their previous presence, suggesting factors like the Condon Report's negative summary and the possibility of Earth's magnetic poles reversing.

Flash of Fire Seen in Sky

The Memphis Press-Scimitar reported on February 2, 1971, mysterious flashes of fire seen over the Mid-South, primarily by airplane and riverboat crews.

Three UFO Sighting Claims

The Coventry Evening Telegraph reported on December 8, 1970, three UFO sighting claims over Coventry, England. Witnesses described "whitish, glowing round light" and objects moving at high speed.

NARRANDERA BOYS SIGHT U.F.O.s

The Narrandera Argus (Australia) reported on December 26, 1970, that three boys sighted what they believe was a flying saucer. They described a small speck of light moving at considerable speed, with fluctuating brightness, and a peculiar path.

WAS THIS UFO A MIRAGE?

The "East London Express" reported on November 27, 1970, multiple claims of a "pulsating" UFO hovering over East London, England. Witnesses described an oval-shaped, orange-yellow object with a red corona.

DID YOU SEE ANY FLYING SAUCERS?

A Kirkby Reporter article from December 9, 1970, asks for information from people who sighted UFOs over Kirkby in 1964, as part of research for a book.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent mystery of unidentified flying objects, the scientific community's attempts to explain or investigate them, and the public's continued fascination with the phenomenon. The editorial stance, as represented by Dr. Hynek and Stanton Friedman, leans towards a serious, scientific approach to understanding UFOs, moving away from sensationalism and towards evidence-based analysis. There's a clear emphasis on the need for further research and documentation, even as many sightings remain unexplained. The issue also touches upon the societal impact of UFO reports and the public's willingness to believe in phenomena beyond conventional understanding.

This issue, primarily from the Didcot Advertiser dated 10 DEC 1970, with additional clippings from various other publications spanning from 1954 to 1971, focuses heavily on reports of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and mysterious aerial phenomena.

UFO Reports and Sightings

The Didcot Advertiser prominently features a report from 10 DEC 1970 about an unidentified flying object seen over the Berkshire Downs near Brightwalton. A man reported a silver-grey, dome-shaped object, approximately 20 feet in diameter, with windows and aerials. It hovered for three to five minutes before disappearing into the clouds at high speed, reportedly making a whistling noise.

Another significant report from the 18 DEC 1970 edition of the Swindon Evening Advertiser details multiple sightings of "mystery lights" over Wantage and the Harwell Atomic Energy Establishment on December 15, 1970. Witnesses, including Mr. and Mrs. Victor Brown and PC George Brooks, described two lights moving slowly that disintegrated over Harwell around 11 p.m. in a shower of sparks. This was noted as the third recent sighting in the Wantage area, following a dome-shaped object and five spheres seen in a cross formation.

Further reports include a sighting by Mr. Michael Warner of Cassington on December 16, 1970, who described a "very white, bright glow" travelling in a low arc for about five seconds. The Ilford Recorder on 25 NOV 1970 reported a "flying saucer" spotted by Mrs. Jessie Tibley in Barkingside, described as a bright silver object sliding across the sky.

Sociological Analysis of UFO Reports

A clipping from the Natal Mercury dated 6 JAN 1971, referencing a report in the American journal "Science," discusses a sociological hypothesis known as the "status inconsistency theory." According to this theory, most people who report UFOs are "status inconsistent males." These individuals experience frustrations because their social backgrounds may not align with their jobs or social circles. The study, conducted by Donald I. Warren, a University of Michigan sociologist, suggests that UFO sightings offer an escape from a harsh social system. Women were found to be twice as likely to report UFO sightings, reflecting a "mixed up state." The analysis indicated that the better educated among the "status inconsistent" group were the most susceptible to reporting UFOs.

International UFO Reports

Clippings from other countries highlight a global interest in UFOs:

• Dublin's Evening Press (dated 4 JAN 1971) reports that Dublin is a hub for UFO activity in Ireland, with the Hibernia Ufo Investigation Society (HUFOIS) accepting 22 proven sightings in 1970, a decrease from the previous year.
• The Nelson Evening Mail (New Zealand, 4 DEC 1970) mentions a theory about a barrel found at Ruby Bay being a waste product from a UFO.
• The Nelson Evening Mail also notes a sighting of a "silver white disc" in the sky on November 26, 1970.
• The North Western Evening Mail (UK, 7 DEC 1970) reports a Barrow housewife seeing a "tiny spherical object" that "may have been a weather balloon."
• The Press (Christchurch, New Zealand, 9 DEC 1970) details a report of a bright light moving quickly over the Port Hills, described as spherical and slightly larger than a star.

Historical UFO Accounts

Several older clippings provide historical context:

• An article from The Topeka Daily Capital (9 FEB 1955) discusses "Weird Lights Seen Hovering in Southwestern Kansas Sky" in February 1955, with reports of lights forming triangles and lines.
• A Los Angeles Times clipping (13 NOV 1956) mentions Spain deciding to investigate flying saucers, with a newly founded "interplanetary studies center."
• The Arkansas Democrat (3 NOV 1957) reports on "Tennessee Residents Note Strange Lights," with numerous sightings of lights hovering and flitting over hills in November 1957.
• A clipping from The Medford Mail Tribune (3 NOV 1957) discusses an "Object Hinted From Neighboring Planet," referring to a cigar-like object sighted over West Texas and New Mexico, with Dr. Lincoln La Paz suggesting it was "either man-made" or a "meteoritic phenomenon."
• The Denver Post (28 AUG 1956) reports a "'Flying Saucer' Hangs in Colorado Skies Two Nights," describing a round, red object seen over Fort Collins.
• A clipping from The New York Times (24 APR 1956) references an Air Force documentary film titled "'Saucer' Movie Made Public," showing footage of "unidentified flying objects" from 1950 and 1952.
• The Science section (28 MAR 1955) presents Dr. Walter Dornberger's theory that many UFO sightings could be explained by "deformed tornadoes or slices from twisters" generating light.
• A clipping from May 5, 1957 quotes Henry J. Taylor, nominated as U.S. ambassador to Switzerland, stating that "Flying Saucers May Exist" and that at least 10% of reports are "very disturbing."
• A clipping from September 19, 1954 reports a missionary seeing "human figures in flying saucers" over New Guinea.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout these articles are the persistent reports of unexplained aerial phenomena, the attempts to scientifically or sociologically explain them, and the public's enduring fascination with the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors. While some articles lean towards skepticism or offer conventional explanations (weather balloons, atmospheric effects), others highlight the baffling nature of certain sightings and the need for further investigation. The sociological analysis suggests a psychological component to reporting, while historical accounts demonstrate the long-standing nature of the UFO phenomenon in public consciousness. The overall stance appears to be one of reporting on these events and theories, acknowledging the mystery while also presenting various perspectives and potential explanations.