UFO Newsclipping Service - 1971 11 - no 31

Magazine Overview

Title: U.F.O.
Issue: #31
Date: November 1971

This issue of U.F.O. magazine, published by the UFO Research Committee, focuses on the potential for extraterrestrial life and communication, alongside a collection of recent UFO sightings from around the globe.

Extra-terrestrial Life: 'Trying to Talk With Us'

NASA scientist Hans Mark, director of the NASA-Ames Research Center, presented a study suggesting that intelligent life may exist within 500 light years of Earth and is attempting to communicate. Mark explained that while sending a spaceship is economically unfeasible, listening for signals is possible. He estimated the cost of a suitable radio telescope at $1 billion. Mark discussed the challenges of deciphering messages from a completely different intelligence and drew a parallel to studying ancient civilizations by listening to their history. He also noted that the U.S. Viking mission to Mars in 1975 aims to investigate the possibilities of chemical and biological evolution, though he predicted no biological life would be found. The next step, he stated, would be to explore beyond the solar system.

Mark's calculations for the probability of intelligent life attempting communication included factors like star formation rates, the likelihood of planets, the probability of life being intelligent, the desire to communicate, and the 'half-life' of intelligent civilizations. He mentioned a potential joint U.S.-Russian project to search for extraterrestrial intelligence, highlighting that this is an area with few international quarrels.

UFO Sightings and Reports

The magazine features numerous reports of UFO sightings from various locations:

• Arkansas: On September 4, 1971, near Big Danger Mountain, two UFOs were reported, one hovering with pulsating lights and another maneuvering with numerous lights. Another sighting involved a red, pulsating object gliding silently over Dardanelle reservoir.
• California: On June 18, 1971, an electrical disturbance preceded the sighting of a large, red-orange sparkling ball hovering low in the southern sky near Scotts Valley, Felton, and Ben Lomond. On September 6, a bright, square-brown object with a brilliant light approached from the southwest near Ben Lomond. In Boulder Creek, four people observed an object hovering that looked like a 'soup dish turned upside down' with glowing squares and red and green blinking lights.
• Illinois: A Sangamon State University student reported seeing unidentified flying objects in the central Illinois skies, described as hovering at tree-top level and between 300 and 3,000 feet above the ground.
• New Zealand: Several sightings were reported across Otago, including a cartridge-shaped object with flashing colors seen near Orange, Australia; a bright orange object seen over Alexandra; and two sightings in North Otago involving a small object followed by a larger one, and a round, bluish-white object with a red tail.
• Canada: A rocket launched from Virginia was identified as the cause of a sighting over Prince Edward Island on September 21, 1971. It was described as carrying a payload of barium.
• England: Residents of Claydon reported mysterious lights in the sky, described as clusters of orange blobs and a shimmering white light. A report from the Kent coast on August 20, 1971, detailed a glowing red ball of fire that exploded with a tremendous bang.
• Australia: A woman near Orange, New South Wales, reported seeing a strange barrel-shaped object with flashing colors. Another report from Tasmania mentioned a round object varying in color seen travelling at high speed.
• Scotland: Police investigated reports of an unidentified flying object seen in Birmingham, described as changing shape and color.
• Ohio: Mysterious red lights were reported over Northeastern Cincinnati on multiple nights.

Scientific Perspectives and Theories

The issue includes discussions on the scientific approach to detecting extraterrestrial intelligence. The Russian-American Conference on Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence proposed a coordinated international effort to scan the skies for radio signals. Astronomers like Frank Drake and Carl Sagan are mentioned in the context of searching for intelligent signals and the challenges of interstellar communication due to vast distances.

Specific Incidents and Details

• The 'Flying Light' Case: Stamford police investigated a report of an orange and gold-colored light, without definite shape, sighted at about 5,000 feet, moving slowly east to west.
• UFO over River: An angler reported seeing a bright disc flying over the River Soar, which he saw reflected in the water and then streaking across the sky.
• Mystery Object over Alexandra: A cartridge-shaped object with a long tail, colored brilliant orange, was seen gliding slowly and silently.
• 'Not a U.F.O.': A claim of an unidentified flying object over Strahan was discounted by a resident who identified it as a meteorite.
• Lost Couple Saw UFO: A couple reported seeing a huge reddish-orange glow while lost near Fakenham.
• UFOs over Midlands: Reports of a UFO sighted in Birmingham described it as changing shape and color.
• More Saw Lights in the Sky: Multiple reports of lights in the sky over Gloucester, with descriptions ranging from gold-colored to bluish.
• UFOs May Be Display Aircraft: Theories suggest that UFO sightings in Bolton might be explained by RAF displays, weather balloons, satellites, or planets like Mars and Jupiter.
• Object in the Sky: A reader reported seeing a bright orange light that circled and turned to a flashing red light.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent human fascination with unidentified flying objects and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting scientific theories alongside numerous eyewitness accounts without definitive conclusions, encouraging readers to consider the evidence and possibilities. The publication acts as a clearinghouse for UFO reports, highlighting the global nature of these phenomena and the ongoing efforts to understand them.

This issue of The Guardian, dated August 24, 1971, with a daily circulation of 304,102, focuses heavily on numerous reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) across England and Scotland.

Key Articles and Reports

Guide leaders sight 'UFO'

Three Guide mistresses, Mrs. Olwyn Granger, Miss Lottie Hare, and Mrs. Betty McGowan, reported seeing a UFO near their camp at Himbleton Manor, Droitwich, Worcestershire, on August 12th. Mrs. Granger described a tremendous roar followed by an enormous, out-of-control aircraft-like object that hovered silently for an hour in a nearby field. It had red and green lights, no visible wings, and disappeared with a noise, after which a jet aircraft circled the area.

MYSTERY OF THE U.F.O.

Mrs. Marie Roe of Spalding reported seeing an unidentified flying object on Monday night. Initially dismissed by her husband, she later learned of other sightings. The object was described as an orange and gold coloured light, about 5,000 feet high, moving from east to west with no definite shape. Police in Stamford and Wittering also received reports of a similar object.

COLOUR-CHANGE UFO SEEN

Ten people in Inverness witnessed an unidentified flying object that constantly changed shape and colour. Roger Ewen, 17, was the first to spot it, describing it as an arrowhead shape that moved erratically. It changed from lime green to red and then bright yellow over Inverness. Police and RAF were contacted, with a coastguard at Wick reporting a bright red light, which was identified as Mars.

Colchester man chases flying saucers

Mr. Costas Olymbios, a Colchester factory worker, claims he and his relatives saw two flying saucers while sightseeing in Suffolk. He described one as sparkling and golden, and the other as having a big flame on the back. He followed them for about three-quarters of an hour.

Fireball from sea

Couples in Joss Bay, Broadstairs, reported seeing a huge ball of fire heading towards them from the sea, which exploded over the cliffs. Police received several reports of the sky being lit up.

Guider tells of silent airborne machine

This article reiterates the account of Mrs. Olwyn Grainger and two other Guide leaders who saw a silent, airborne machine hovering over a field near their camp in Droitwich on August 12th. They described it as enormous, about 30-40ft long, cigar-shaped with red and green lights, and hovering soundlessly for about an hour. Mr. John Llewellyn, an investigator for the British Unidentified Flying Objects Research Association, called the report unusual.

UFO SEEN IN CITY - REPORT

Mrs. Joan Sheppard and her children reported seeing a strange, low-flying white object in the sky over Worcester. Described as having a nose and triangular wings, similar in shape to the Concorde, it was silent and moved with a wiggle. Police and RAF had no reports of aircraft in the area.

Mysterious lights over the City

A reader, Mr. Lyndon Dennis, reported seeing strange lights over Gloucester, initially thought to be aeroplanes, but then a V formation of blueish lights moving very fast. Mrs. J. Winter also reported seeing a similar thing. RAF Pershore and Staverton Airport reported no aircraft activity.

UFO may have been over city

Mr. William Davies reported sighting a bright orange unidentified flying object over Hereford. This sighting is linked to a UFO photographed by two policemen in Staffordshire.

U.F.O. is sighted in Tamworth

Sightings of an unidentified flying object were made in the Tamworth area, with a police officer among those who spotted it over Wilnecote. Pictures taken by a police officer in Aldridge were described as 'interesting'. Astronomers suggest the object could be Mars.

U.F.O. SIGHTED OVER CLAPTON

Mr. James Scott Walker claims to have seen a bright orange oval-shaped light, jagged at the rear, shooting through the sky over Clapton. He contacted police, who could not confirm a UFO sighting.

WELL, IT LOOKED LIKE A SAUCER!!

This article from the Loughborough Monitor reports a 'flying saucer' scare with sightings of bright dots or lights on consecutive nights. Geoffrey Cripps saw a round orange object, and Mr. Ronald Brown reported mysterious lights. A police check with East Midlands Airport revealed no aircraft. 18-year-old Catherine Woolley described an object shaped like a saucer from the side, with a pillar box red glow, moving from side to side.

I SAW UFO TAKE OFF CLAIMS OBSERVER

A Newbury club investigating UFO sightings reported a man who saw a mysterious object taking off from a field at Brightwalton. The object was described as circular, dullish-grey, about 20ft in diameter, with a fuzzy halo and a faint hum. Indentations were found on the ground. The club president, Mr. Rodney Lloyds, believes it was not an aircraft and that the Air Ministry's explanation of a helicopter is unlikely.

Brightly-coloured UFO is spotted over Corby

A UFO was sighted over Corby's Kingswood Estate, described as a dazzling orange ball, nearly as bright as the sun. It was seen by four policemen the previous night and by local residents for over an hour.

Reader sights a U.F.O.

Mr. D. H. Cooper reported sighting a stationary, egg-shaped object in the centre of a small dark cloud over Porthcawl, South Wales. It was brilliant and then moved steadily northeast, leaving a brilliant white and reddish glow before disappearing. He dismisses the explanation of Mars.

UFO shocks camp girl

Three Girl Guide leaders near Himbleton Manor, Droitwich, reported seeing a UFO. Mrs. Grainger described it as a 'plane' coming towards them, which then veered off, cut its engines, and hovered level with trees for about an hour. It had three red lights and a silhouette that didn't look like a plane.

Golden UFO with trailing smoke just vanishes

An unidentified flying object was seen in the sky on Friday evening by residents of Mandeville Road Estate in Hertford. Described as gold-coloured with smoke trailing behind it, it moved with a wiggle and then vanished. It was described as large and not a shooting star.

SHINING WHITE UFO'S SPOTTED Neighbours see spheres

Mr. David Bretch and his wife reported seeing four glowing white UFOs heading for Winter Hill near Bolton. They were silent, sphere-shaped, and moved in joined pairs. Other neighbours confirmed the sighting.

'Orange ball' U.F.O. in Norfolk sky

A Hainford man reported seeing a bright orange ball moving across the sky, then up and down, with its light changing to red flickers. He is convinced it was not an aeroplane or helicopter.

Mystery sky lights spotted again

Reports of mysterious lights seen over Merseyside, North Wales, and parts of Liverpool are detailed. Three bright lights turning to orange and blue were seen travelling in a specific direction. Flashing lights were accompanied by rumblings and dogs whining. Explanations ranged from aircraft to meteorites and Jupiter.

Mystery flying object in Crosby

A shining bright object was spotted over Crosby, described as cylindrical with an object on top like a conning tower. It was seen by a neighbour and nearby children. Preston Air Centre had no reports of unidentified flying objects in the area.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the prevalence of UFO sightings and the mystery surrounding them. The newspaper presents a range of witness accounts, from detailed descriptions of silent, hovering machines to bright lights and colour-changing objects. While some reports are attributed to astronomical phenomena like Mars or Venus, many accounts are left unexplained, fueling the 'mystery' aspect. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these events as they are told by witnesses, without overtly endorsing or dismissing them, though the inclusion of astronomical explanations suggests a balanced approach to reporting.