UFO Newsclipping Service - 1986 07 - no 204

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O. Newsclipping Service, dated July 1986, focuses heavily on the passing of J. Allen Hynek, a pivotal figure in UFO research, and includes several reports of recent sightings and discussions within the ufology community.

J. Allen Hynek: A Pioneer in UFO Research

The lead article, "Top UFO researcher dies at 75," from the Arizona Daily Republic, details the life and death of J. Allen Hynek, an astronomer who became a leading expert on unidentified flying objects. Hynek directed the Air Force's Project Blue Book from 1948 to 1969, eventually becoming disillusioned with the Air Force's approach. He founded the Center for UFO Studies in Evanston, Illinois, in 1973. Hynek coined the phrase "close encounters of the third kind" in his 1972 book "The UFO Experience," which also defined "close encounters of the first kind" as lights in the sky. Steven Spielberg's 1977 movie of the same name was based on his book, and Hynek made a cameo appearance. Colleagues praised his enormous contribution and leadership, noting that UFO research had centered around him. However, critics like Philip J. Klass expressed regret that a scientist of Hynek's caliber became known as a leader of the pro-UFO movement. Hynek's background included extensive work at Northwestern University and contributions to astronomy. He died at Scottsdale Memorial Hospital.

An accompanying article from the Herald, "Hynek: brought respect to the research of UFOs," by Kerry Hill, profiles Hynek's career and his role in making UFOlogy more respectable. Hynek himself downplayed his innovation, stating he had a knack for seeing the value of ideas and bringing people together. He became involved in UFO studies by accident in 1947 when the Air Force needed an astronomer for Project Blue Book. Despite the Air Force's conclusion of no evidence for extraterrestrial craft, Hynek's views evolved, and by 1966, he believed the phenomenon persisted and deserved scientific study. He noted that a 1977 Stanford University survey found 53 percent of American Astronomical Society members felt the UFO subject was worthy of scientific study. Hynek's work on classification systems and his book "The UFO Experience" formed the basis for Spielberg's film. He also worked on the U.S.'s first satellite tracking system and directed observatories. Necia Apfel, a co-author, described him as a scientist with an open mind, brilliant and daring. A 1973 article in New Scientist stated Hynek would be remembered not as an astronomer, but as the man who made UFOs respectable.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

"Shedding light on unidentified flying objects" by John McKelway in The Times recounts a personal sighting of a bright, silent light in the sky years ago. McKelway notes a recent "dearth" of UFO sightings in the past three years, questioning if the Air Force is still concerned. He also mentions an anonymous letter writer who claims to be the president of "UFO Research, Inc."

"'UFO' over Ontario?" by Brandon Griggs in The Daily Report describes multiple calls to Ontario police on Thursday night about a large red light hovering high above rooftops. Witnesses reported hearing popping sounds and seeing flashes of colored lights. Marv Shappi, an airport supervisor, expressed skepticism, while Jim Semon, a witness, described the event as "weird."

The Marin Independent Journal reports on an unexplained "orange 'X'" sighting over Petaluma, California, on Thursday morning, seen by a CHP officer and residents. The object was described as fast-moving and larger than an airplane. Similar sightings were reported in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where jet fighters were scrambled. The North American Aerospace Defense Command stated no man-made spacecraft should have been visible at that time.

The Rohnert Park Clarion features "It's no bird, no plane, so must be UFO" by Jud Snyder, detailing a wave of UFO sightings in southern Sonoma County. Descriptions included a dark, round object with lights, and an object shaped like a big X with green and white lights. The article also includes reactions from individuals asked how they would react to seeing a UFO.

The Lansing State Journal's "Scoffers scathed by UFO disciples" by Jennifer Harsha covers the 17th annual UFO Symposium at Michigan State University. Speakers expressed frustration with skeptics and alleged government secrecy, aiming to elevate UFOlogy to a respected science. They discussed ways to increase public awareness and research without scorn. Speakers included professors and scientists from various fields.

The Post-Dispatch reports on "UFO conference alerts at MSU," detailing the symposium's focus on bringing UFO research into the mainstream and addressing public skepticism. Dan Wright, the symposium director, emphasized that attendees are serious researchers, not "know-nothing crackpots." He highlighted the discrepancy between public belief in UFOs (a 1979 Gallup Poll showed 57% believed) and the scientific community's perceived reluctance.

The Pierce County Herald features "Mr. UFO" by Marjorie Rommel, profiling Wayne Aho, who has been involved in UFO research for 40 years. Aho, who turns 60, claims to have had an "ET" encounter in 1957 and warns of possible destruction to the Grand Coulee Dam. He believes UFOs are "hosts of heaven" and that the Challenger disaster could have been avoided if people understood gravity better. He also claims to have received a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and served in five campaigns during World War II, though a reporter previously debunked his military career claims.

The Daily Olympian's "Wayne Aho awaits the extraterrestrials" by Vance Horne recounts Aho's upcoming appearance at the New Age Space Convention. Aho details his 1957 encounter in the Mojave Desert, where he claims to have received revelations about Atlantis and the purpose of UFOs being to bring health to Earth. He links the increase in UFO sightings after World War II to the atomic bombings.

Government Secrecy and UFO Policy

An article from the Journal, Alexandria, VA, titled "UFO policy needs study" by Larry W. Bryant, argues that the recent death of J. Allen Hynek highlights the need for a re-evaluation of UFO policy. Bryant suggests that government agencies may be preparing for revelations about a "massive cover-up of hard-core UFO data" and "crash-landed flying saucers." He points to "whistleblowers" who are beginning to reveal information about government UFO data, retrieved artifacts, and intercepted communications.

The Journal Inquirer in Manchester, CT, features "Expert wants facts on UFOs" by Alex Wood, discussing lawyer Robert Bletchman's idea to use a direct mail campaign and advertisements to force the government to reveal information about UFOs. Bletchman believes the government has been actively discrediting UFO believers and that increased public awareness could create political pressure. He cites government documents, including FBI and CIA reports, as evidence. Bletchman plans to solicit donations from celebrities and use them for advertising, aiming to make the issue prominent enough for national media attention.

The State Journal, Lansing, MI, in "On UFOs, 'we're all skeptics'" by Ann Costa, reports on a panel at the MUFON symposium where experts discussed the overwhelming amount of unknown information about UFOs. They criticized debunkers for drawing conclusions without evidence and called for greater government and scientific community involvement. The article notes that a 1979 Gallup Poll indicated a majority of Americans believe UFOs are real, and a Stanford survey showed a majority of astronomers believe the subject warrants investigation.

Other UFO-Related Content

"It's no bird, no plane, so must be UFO" from the Rohnert Park Clarion includes a question: "How would you react to seeing a UFO?" with responses from children and adults.

The Post-Dispatch includes a "Children's Corner" piece titled "To Flying Saucer Fans: Today's Your Day!" commemorating the anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting. It explains that scientists have offered explanations for some UFOs (meteors, planets, etc.) but acknowledges that not all sightings are explained. It mentions the U.S. Air Force's investigation in the late 1960s, which concluded UFOs were not a threat to national security.

The Post-Herald features "Unidentified flapping interrupts UFO dreams" by Rheta Grimsley Johnson, recounting a story about a supposed UFO sighting and then describing strange noises heard at night, later attributed to beavers.

The USA Today mentions a UFO sighting with flashing orange lights over U.S. 93, which NORAD is investigating.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this collection of clippings are the death and legacy of J. Allen Hynek, recent UFO sightings across various locations, the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics, allegations of government secrecy and cover-ups regarding UFO phenomena, and the efforts of organizations like MUFON to legitimize UFO research and bring the topic into mainstream scientific and public discourse. The overall stance of many of the articles, particularly those featuring interviews with researchers and attendees of UFO conventions, is one of advocating for serious, open-minded investigation into UFOs, challenging official explanations, and seeking greater transparency from authorities. There is a clear tension between those who believe UFOs represent a significant, unexplained phenomenon and those who remain skeptical or dismissive.

This issue of 'Foreign News' compiles a diverse range of reports and articles concerning UFO sightings, extraterrestrial life, and related phenomena, primarily from May to July 1986. The publication draws from various international newspapers and sources, offering a broad perspective on the topic.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

Brazil: UFO Near Halley's Comet

The lead article, originally from DIARIO POPULAR (Pelotas, Brazil, May 25, 1986), discusses a sensational photo allegedly showing a UFO near Halley's Comet. Taken on March 20, 1986, by astronomers Rodrigo Campos and Rene Laporte of the Brasópolis Observatory, the image was published in the magazine AFINAL. UFO investigator Walter Karl Bühler confirmed the photo's authenticity, dismissing it as an optical illusion or reflection. The article highlights the difficulty in obtaining official confirmation from astronomers, with some, like Ronaldo Mourao, attributing such sightings to the planet Venus.

United Kingdom: Multiple Sightings and Investigator Profiles

Several reports from the UK detail UFO sightings and the work of investigators. The BOURNEMOUTH EVENING ECHO (June 19, 1986) features Peter Charman's account of seeing a strange light in the sky, which he described as his first UFO sighting. He emphasized that a UFO is not necessarily a spaceship. The EVENING POST (Reading, England, June 16, 1986) reports on Peter Littlewood's conviction that he saw a 'jumbo jet-sized' silver, hamburger-shaped object. The ASHBOURNE NEWS TELEGRAPH (Derbyshire, England, June 5, 1986) mentions Dennis Harriman, sighting co-ordinator for the Nottingham Unidentified Flying Object Information Society, seeking information on a cigar-shaped object with red and white lights seen near Drakelow Power Station.

The SHE magazine (London, England, July 1986) features an in-depth article by Jayne Gilman on Timothy Good, a professional violinist and prominent British ufologist. Good investigates 'contactees' and believes governments are aware of and covering up UFO activity. He has collected hundreds of stories, including that of Alfred Burtoo, who claimed to have met alien beings. Good meticulously sifts through reports, aiming to verify accounts before reporting them, and notes that while most sightings have natural explanations, a small percentage remain unexplained. He also highlights the case of Denise Bishop, who reported a burn mark consistent with a laser from a UFO.

The EAST KILBRIDE NEWS (Lanarkshire, England, June 6, 1986) includes a letter from John Houston seeking to establish a fellowship for those interested in ancient philosophies, meditation, reincarnation, telepathy, and UFOs, inviting contact by telephone.

The OBSERVER (Stirling, England, June 13, 1986) profiles Malcolm Robinson, an investigator for SUFON (Scottish UFO Network). Robinson believes something unusual is happening in the skies globally but is cautious about attributing it solely to extraterrestrials. He notes that 95% of UFO sightings have natural explanations, but the remaining 5% warrant investigation. He recounts the 1979 investigation of a landing in West Lothian, where forestry worker Bob Taylor reported seeing an object and two small spherical shapes.

Canada: Lights and Crashes in Squamish Valley

Reports from the PROVINCE (Vancouver, B.C., Canada, July 7 & 8, 1986) detail multiple UFO-like light displays and a possible crash near Squamish. Residents reported seeing bright lights dancing around the Stawamus Chief mountain and a fiery crash near Whistler's Blackcomb Mountain. One witness described a large amber light and a smaller light descending, while another reported two bright lights on the mountain face. A fiery object described as a 'small spherical fireball' was seen crashing behind Blackcomb Mountain.

United States: Bigfoot and Energy Inventions

While not directly UFO-related, the issue includes articles on other unusual topics. The OREGONIAN (Portland, OR, June 1986) mentions a Sasquatch Sighting Writers' Contest in Edmonds, Washington. The ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT (Little Rock, AR, June 22, 1986) discusses the controversy surrounding Joseph Newman's invention of an energy machine that allegedly produces more energy than it consumes, facing resistance from the US Patent and Trademark Office. The TIMES (New York, NY, June 17, 1986) reports on paleontologists debunking 'man tracks' found in Texas as dinosaurian, challenging creationist arguments. The CHRONICLE (Houston, TX, May 26, 1986) also covers the Joseph Newman patent controversy.

Other International Reports

The DAILY TELEGRAPH (London, England, July 9, 1986) discusses crop circles in Hampshire, with an investigator suggesting wind as the cause rather than UFOs. The SUNDAY MIRROR (London, England, July 6, 1986) features UFO expert Dr. Jacques Vallee, who believes aliens may already be among us and that UFOs could be traced back through history.

The JOURNAL (Alexandria, VA, June 25, 1986) reports on mass fainting spells in San Francisco del Oro, Mexico, affecting teenage girls, with residents suspecting pollution from a local mining plant. The RIO GRANDE SUN (Espanola, NM, June 19, 1986) covers a cow mutilation in Ojo Sarco, New Mexico, with the owner suspecting human involvement rather than extraterrestrials.

Scientific Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

Lasers vs. Radio Signals

The EXAMINER (San Francisco, CA, June 4, 1986) features an article on laser physicist John D.G. Rather's assertion that advanced extraterrestrial civilizations would likely use high-energy lasers, not radio signals, for communication due to the vast amounts of information that can be transmitted. He argues that lasers could overcome challenges like solar interference and galactic dust.

The Galactic Club and Listening Programs

The JOURNAL (Albuquerque, NM, June 2, 1986) discusses Bernard Oliver's concept of the 'Galactic Club' and NASA's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) program. The article highlights the efforts of blind physicist Kent Cullers, who leads the signal-detection team. SETI aims to build a powerful radio transmitter to signal Earth's presence and listen for signals from other civilizations. The Fermi Paradox ('Where are they?') is discussed, with the vast distances between stars being a primary explanation for the lack of contact. The article mentions Project Ozma and the ongoing search, noting the difficulty in covering the vast number of stars and frequencies.

Understanding Alien Signals

The DAILY HIGHLANDER (Lake Wales, FL, May 29, 1986) reports on a massive search for life in outer space, with Jill Tarter of UC Berkeley expressing doubt that humans would understand alien messages even if received, due to potential evolutionary differences. Robert Jastrow suggests that aliens might be billions of years more evolved, comparing human understanding to that of earthworms.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent reports of UFO sightings across the globe, the scientific community's efforts to investigate and explain these phenomena, and the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence. There's a clear interest in presenting witness accounts alongside scientific perspectives, though often with a degree of skepticism or a focus on natural explanations. The articles also touch upon the potential for government secrecy and the philosophical implications of discovering alien life. The overall stance appears to be one of open inquiry, acknowledging the unexplained while grounding reports in investigation and scientific methodology where possible.