UFO Newsclipping Service - 1971 03 - no 23

Magazine Overview

This issue of U.F.O., dated March 1971, is identified as issue #23 and is presented as an "International UFO Clipping Service" from the UFO Research Committee. The cover prominently features the headline "UFOs probably exist," stemming from an "I-R opinion poll results" conducted by S. Friedman.

UFOs Probably Exist: An Opinion Poll

The article details the results of the January "Opinion Poll" which surveyed 2,700 respondents. Only 8% claimed to have observed a UFO, but a significant 54% believed UFOs exist, while 31% felt they did not. The poll also revealed that most respondents believed the government was withholding information on UFOs and that the Condon Report was not definitive. Regarding the origin of UFOs, a surprising 32% felt they originated in outer space, 27% cited natural phenomena, and only 0.6% considered them a development from "behind the iron curtain."

The tabular results break down the responses:

• Q1: Do you believe that UFOs exist? Definitely: 23%, Probably: 20%, Probably not: 31%, Undecided: 15%, Definitely not: 8%.
• Q2: Do you know anyone who claims to have seen a UFO? Yes: 36%, No: 64%.
• Q3: Have you ever observed a UFO yourself? Yes: 8%, Perhaps: 14%, No: 78%.
• Q4: Do you think that most people who observe a UFO report their sighting to authorities? Most report: 15%, Few report: 36%, Some report: 49%.
• Q5: Do you believe that the government has revealed all its information concerning UFOs? Yes: 24%, No: 76%.
• Q6: In your opinion, were the conclusions of the Condon Report on UFOs definitive? Yes: 20%, No: 80%.
• Q7: Do you think that the government should support further research to document existence or non-existence of UFOs? Yes: 49%, No: 51%.
• Q8: If you consider the possibility of UFO existence, where do you think they originate? Outer space: 32%, Communist nations: 0.6%, Natural phenomena: 27%, Undecided: 35.4%, U.S.A.: 5%.

The article notes that this is an advance copy from "INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH magazine, April 1971 issue," which has a circulation of 90,000 copies and is read by over 350,000 members of the research and development community, many with advanced degrees.

UFO Sightings and Reports

The issue includes several reports of UFO sightings from various locations and dates:

• February 18, 1971, Wenatchee, Wash.: Mr. and Mrs. Allan Rosbach reported seeing a diamond-shaped object flying low to the ground with a deep whine and red blinking lights.
• February 18, 1971, Centralia-Chehalis, Washington: Similar to the Wenatchee report, the Rosbachs saw a diamond-shaped object with red blinking lights.
• February 14, 1971, Malott, Washington: Neil Yarnell reported a round object with two white lights, one steady and one flashing, travelling an erratic course.
• February 11, 1971, Milan, Missouri: Randy Shaw photographed what is claimed to be a flying saucer hovering and circling outside a window.
• February 1, 1971, Delia: Fred Lundin reported a loud noise and a red light, followed by an unidentified flying object crashing and burning, leaving metallic ashes.
• January 28, 1971, Peabody, Kansas: Young Stewart and Lyle Leppke reported seeing a small, diminutive figure moving along the outside of a flying saucer with small windows.
• January 27, 1971, Elkton, Maryland: Ellis Keith Arnold and his family reported seeing an object with no engines, windows, or markings, resembling a Piper Cub without tail wings.
• February 1, 1971, Horseshoe Bend, Idaho: Residents reported watching a large, bright object with flashing lights hovering for an extended period.
• February 1, 1971, Point Pinos, California: Witnesses reported a fireball trailing smoke that splashed down in the ocean.
• February 4, 1971, Indiana and Illinois: Multiple witnesses reported a flaming, meteor-like object crashing, but no evidence was found.

Scientific Theories and Links

Several articles explore scientific perspectives and potential connections related to UFO phenomena:

• Link SST Cancer Theory to UFOs: A report from Washington details a scientist's theory linking supersonic transports (SSTs) to increased skin cancer and a potential connection to the 1965 New York power failure. Dr. James E. McDonald, a proponent of this theory, testified before a House hearing, stating that the correlation between UFO sightings and power failures is "disturbing."
• Mysterious Lights Identified: An article from The Edmonton Journal suggests that mysterious flashes of light reported by Apollo astronauts were caused by high-speed cosmic rays passing through their retinas. Experiments at the University of Washington and Lawrence Radiation Laboratory supported this conclusion.
• 'Orange light' burning jet?: An article from the Bournemouth Evening Echo suggests that a reported "orange light" UFO might have been a jet engine burning.
• 'Weird lights' seen in sky, ionized barium says AF: Reports from Kentucky indicate that pinkish-orange lights seen in the sky were identified as ionized barium released from a rocket during atmospheric tests.

International Reports and Perspectives

The magazine also includes reports from outside the United States:

• Why flying saucers make for Bradford: This section details Vincent O'Connell's experiences and theories about UFOs in Bradford, England. He describes his attempts to detect UFOs with a magnetic detector and recounts sightings of balls of light and white globes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the increasing belief in UFOs among the general public, as evidenced by the opinion poll. There's a consistent thread of skepticism towards official explanations and a call for more government and scientific research. The issue highlights numerous sightings from diverse locations, suggesting a widespread phenomenon. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various reports and scientific theories without definitive conclusions, encouraging readers to consider the possibility of UFO existence and their potential origins, including extraterrestrial ones. The inclusion of international reports suggests a global perspective on the UFO phenomenon.

This issue of Jornal do Brasil, dated December 7, 1970, features a prominent article titled "Astrônomo duvida de versões sobre 'discos voadores'" (Astronomer doubts versions about 'flying saucers'). The magazine also includes a compilation of international UFO sighting reports.

Astronomer Doubts Flying Saucer Versions

The lead article focuses on Ronaldo Mourao, the chief astronomer of the National Observatory in Rio de Janeiro. He publicly contested the conclusions of the Centro de Investigação Civil dos Objetos Aereos Nao Identificados (CICOANI), which had suggested that luminous objects observed in Minas, Guanabara, and Rio states on November 24, 1970, were indeed flying saucers. Mourao argued that numerous natural phenomena, such as solar reflections, auroras, and luminous clouds, could create disc-like forms. To support his view, he presented a series of photographs illustrating the various shapes the sun can take under different atmospheric conditions.

Mourao stated that while he doesn't doubt that credible witnesses saw something on November 24th, and that it was likely not the star Sirius, he believes other phenomena were observed, not necessarily flying saucers. He personally does not believe in the existence of flying saucers and is almost certain that most sightings are explicable by science. He also addressed the reported movements of these objects, noting that natural phenomena can exhibit considerable mobility. Mourao emphasized that the coincidence of sightings in various places leads him to believe more in natural phenomena than supernatural ones. He recounted an instance where a comet was mistaken for a flying saucer in Brazil. The National Observatory, he assured, continues to monitor the sky and has found nothing abnormal.

International UFO Sightings Compilation

The issue then presents a series of brief reports on UFO sightings from various international sources:

• Brazil (November 24, 1970): Reports from Minas Gerais, Guanabara, and Rio states, where CICOANI identified luminous objects as flying saucers, a conclusion disputed by astronomer Ronaldo Mourao.
• France (January 4, 1971): Residents of Cape Corse, Corsica, reported seeing a fireball described as an oval machine with illuminated portholes, possibly an improved flying saucer. Later, gendarmes noted a disturbance on the water's surface, prompting a dive investigation.
• Brazil (September 7, 1970): A luminous object was seen near the border of Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro states, causing temporary blindness to a policeman in a previous incident in the same area.
• France (November 23, 1970): Several residents of Vacqueville, near Luneville, observed a ball of fire that rose into the sky. Earlier, a person in the same area was attracted by a strange yellow-orange gleam vibrating with a droning sound.
• Cuba (January 29, 1971): Two objects, appearing as luminous yellow balls, were observed performing evolutions for about half an hour before disappearing. The Cuban Academy of Sciences suggested these resulted from space experiments rather than meteorological phenomena.
• France (January 28, 1971): Near Senantes, a round, luminous object, the size of a bicycle wheel, was observed turning in both directions, colored yellow and green. Witnesses were explicit that it could not be confused with conventional equipment.
• USA (September 12, 1970): Reports of supposed 'fallen UFOs' recovered in the USA in 1970. U.S. Ambassador Charles W. Yost informed the U.N. about three unidentified fallen objects found in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. These objects varied in weight, with the largest measuring 70 cm x 25cm x 15cm. Investigations were underway to determine their origins, and at least one was on exhibition.
• Ecuador (November 27, 1970): A silent flying object emitting a brilliant, continuous light was observed for about 10 minutes at an altitude of 300m in Quito, particularly in the Campo Grande suburb and other districts. Similar observations were reported in Niteroi and Belo Horizonte.
• Mexico (November 27, 1970): Patients and staff at a suburban Rio de Janeiro hospital reported seeing a 'flying saucer' with a strong light circling for 10 minutes. Similar sightings were reported in Belo Horizonte and other Brazilian locations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the reporting of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and the varying interpretations of these sightings. The primary stance presented through the lead article is one of scientific skepticism, advocating for natural explanations for aerial phenomena. However, the compilation of diverse international reports highlights the persistent public interest and the ongoing nature of UFO investigations, often presenting witness accounts without immediate scientific resolution. The issue reflects a tension between official scientific explanations and the public's fascination with the unexplained in the skies.