UFO Newsclipping Service - 1986 12 - no 209

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated December 1986, focuses on local UFO investigators and their serious approach to the phenomenon. The cover story, 'Local UFO investigators take their strange sightings seriously,' introduces readers to individuals like Victor Zeller, a professor of astronomy and physics, and Jim Melescuic, MUFON's Massachusetts director, who are dedicated to documenting and researching UFO sightings in an unbiased manner.

Key Articles and Features

Local UFO Investigators Take Their Strange Sightings Seriously

The lead article highlights the work of MUFON (Mutual Unidentified Flying Object Network), an international scientific organization. Victor Zeller, a professor and MUFON investigator, shares his personal UFO sighting from 1962 and emphasizes that MUFON membership is by invitation only, comprising qualified professionals. He notes that many people hesitate to report sightings due to fear of ridicule. The article also mentions Jim Melescuic, MUFON's Massachusetts director, who discusses the organization's hotline and the process of investigating reports. Melescuic estimates that 85% of sightings have rational explanations, but the remaining 15% are of significant interest.

Notable Cases and Theories

The issue delves into several significant UFO cases and related theories. The Cash-Landrum case is presented, where two women claimed to have been affected by a UFO and its pursuers, leading to physical ailments and a court case. The article also references the government's alleged suppression of UFO information, citing the National Security Agency's holding of documents that could jeopardize national security. The concept of 'close encounters of the fourth kind' (alien abduction) is discussed, with the Betty Andreasson case being a prominent example. Jules Vaillancourt, a MUFON director, believes Whitley Streiber's book 'Communion' will encourage more people to speak openly about their abduction experiences.

Historical Context and Research Methods

The magazine touches upon the history of UFO investigation, referencing Project Bluebook and the shift in government stance after its public abandonment. It highlights the work of independent investigators like Joe Nyman, who uses hypnosis to unravel abduction experiences. The article also mentions the enduring interest in UFOs, fueled by popular culture, and the challenges faced by researchers in gaining public and scientific acceptance.

Specific Sightings and Reports

Several recent sightings are detailed across different locations:

• Massachusetts: Victor Zeller's 1962 sighting and a 1986 report from Whitman children about strange lights.
• Oregon: The famous McMinnville UFO photos from 1950 are revisited, with Owen Cunniff providing a mathematical explanation suggesting a 25-foot saucer at 900 feet.
• California: Sightings in Saratoga of mysterious bright red lights, potentially explained as a prank involving a plastic bag and candles.
• Ohio: An explosion over Lake Erie reported by two individuals, with the Coast Guard searching for debris.
• Missouri: Three youths in Sikeston reported seeing a 'hotdog shaped' UFO.
• Chile: Reports of UFOs in Belem and Arica, including sightings of a strange light and two giant UFOs in broad daylight.
• Sweden: Windsurfers encountered an 'alien underwater activity' involving a dark object in the water.
• Poland: A report of a 'black lady' emerging from a dull-silver object in Mokotow, and photos of UFO maneuvers over Brodno, Warsaw, taken by Andrzej K.

Expert Opinions and Theories

James Deardorff, a retired OSU professor, proposes the 'leaky embargo' theory, suggesting aliens are gradually revealing themselves to avoid societal upheaval. He believes Earth is not yet ready for direct interplanetary relations. The article also includes a quote from Carl Sagan, who, while acknowledging the possibility of alien visitation, emphasizes the need for rigorously scrutinized evidence and notes the lack of compelling cases for extraterrestrial visitation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently emphasizes the seriousness and legitimacy of UFO investigation, contrasting it with sensationalized media portrayals. The editorial stance appears to support the efforts of organizations like MUFON in collecting and analyzing data, while acknowledging the challenges of public skepticism and potential government secrecy. The recurring theme is that UFO phenomena, including alleged alien abductions, warrant serious scientific inquiry, despite the lack of widespread acceptance. The publication aims to provide a platform for these investigations and to encourage more people to come forward with their experiences.

This issue of LA TERCERA DE LA HORA, dated June 16, 1986, features a prominent cover story about a mysterious "strange blue cloud" that caused significant damage to six houses in Gran Avenida, Chile, leading to speculation about a UFO.

Article Summaries

Gran Avenida, Chile: UFO Blamed for House Damage

A luminous blue cloud descended upon Gran Avenida in Santiago, Chile, at 2 a.m. on June 15, 1986, causing extensive damage to six houses. Residents described it as a force that pulled everything upwards, with plates flying off roofs and electric cables torn. While some suggested a tornado, many believed a UFO was responsible. The phenomenon was investigated by the Meteorological Department, which found no record of unusual weather conditions.

Mitu, Colombia: UFO Sighting Over Jungles

On June 20, 1986, a UFO was observed for 40 minutes over Mitu, Colombia. The mayor, Mauro Clavijo, testified that the object was luminous, about the size of a DC-3, and emitted a powerful searchlight that illuminated the Vaupes River and surrounding jungle. It displayed red and yellow beams and disappeared in a northerly direction.

Argentine Investigator Claims E.T. is Preparing a Meeting

Miguel Hughes, an Argentine investigator of extraterrestrial encounters, claims that humanity will soon have a public meeting with beings from other galaxies. He suggests that science fiction literature has been used by these beings to prepare humans for future encounters. Hughes believes these extraterrestrials are peaceful and aim to help Earth, contacting ordinary citizens rather than politicians.

Temuco, Chile: UFO Photographed

On July 5, 1986, neighbors in Temuco, Chile, along with correspondents from LA TERCERA, sighted a UFO. The object was photographed and described as smoothly flying northwest at an altitude of about 1,000 meters. It exhibited fluctuating brightness and projected an intense white light with yellowish reflections.

Ovalle, Chile: UFO Fleet Sighted

Two workers in Ovalle, Chile, reported seeing a "UFO fleet" on September 3, 1986. The formation consisted of a large light followed by four smaller lights, then another rectangular one, and finally four more behind. They moved at high speed without making any noise.

Vittaryd, Sweden: Remarkable Light Phenomenon

On October 23, 1986, two residents of Vittaryd, Sweden, experienced a close encounter with a "remarkable object with a sharp red light." The object followed them and came down over their heads, causing terror. They described it as having a fixed red light in front and a white light in the back, moving unlike an airplane, and featuring two enormous searchlights.

Borlange, Sweden: Peculiar Vessels Observed

On November 6, 1986, peculiar vessels were observed in the sky over Vallsan Sea near Borlange, Sweden. Benny Soderkvist described a diffuse cupola-like object surrounded by a ring of sharply-lighted lamps. The object moved towards them and passed overhead, causing a power outage.

Brasilia, Brazil: Luminous Object Sighted

On November 18, 1986, a luminous object, described as the size of a full ball and multi-colored, crossed the sky in Brasilia. Specialists offered divided opinions, with astronomers suggesting a meteor and others a comet. Official air traffic control registered nothing.

Incas and Solar Energy

An article discusses the theory by American researcher Ivan Watkins that the Incas may have used solar energy and gold reflectors to cut enormous stone blocks for their constructions.

The Mystery of Cheops' Mummy

French architects Jean-Patrice Goidin and Gilles Dormion are drilling into the Great Pyramid of Giza in an attempt to discover a secret chamber housing the mummy of Cheops. Their efforts have faced controversy and technical challenges, with initial drilling revealing only sand.

Bigfoot and Other Cryptids

Several articles touch upon the topic of Bigfoot and other mythical creatures:

• The Creature of Memphremagog: Reports of a large, serpent-like creature sighted in Lake Memphremagog, Canada, since 1892.
• Bigfoot Hunters Reported: A brief mention of Bigfoot hunters searching in the Southern Sierra.
• Sasquatch Goes to School: Stanley Johnson, a Bigfoot believer, discussed his encounters with students at Umpqua Community College.
• Our Monsters: Utah's Mythical Beasts: An overview of Utah's local legends, including the Bear Lake Monster, Great Salt Lake Monster, Utah Lake Monster, and Bigfoot.
• Aliens Probably Look a Lot Like Us Earthlings, Scientist Says: Dr. Cyril Ponnamperuma suggests that extraterrestrial life may share fundamental chemical similarities with Earth life, leading to similar physical forms.
• Puzzle of the Monster Earth Cookie: An account of a peculiar keyhole-shaped chunk of earth found in Washington State, baffling geologists.
• Hunt for 'black beast' of Durham: An ongoing investigation into sightings of a large black beast in County Durham, England.
• Colleen Dewhurst in Search of 'Bigfoot': Acclaimed actress Colleen Dewhurst stars in a future Disney movie about an anthropologist studying Sasquatch.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores phenomena that defy conventional scientific explanation, including UFO sightings, cryptid reports, and ancient mysteries. There is a clear interest in presenting eyewitness accounts and theories that challenge established norms, suggesting an editorial stance that is open to the possibility of the unexplained and the extraordinary. The inclusion of scientific perspectives alongside anecdotal evidence indicates a balanced approach to exploring these subjects.