UFO Newsclipping Service - 2009 05 - no 478

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO magazine, published by NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE in May 2009, features a prominent cover story about former astronaut Edgar Mitchell's claims regarding the Roswell UFO crash. The magazine also highlights an upcoming UFO festival in Exeter and delves into various other UFO sightings and related research.

Roswell UFO Crash True

The lead article, "Former astronaut says Roswell UFO crash true" by Steve Hammons, reports on Edgar Mitchell's statements at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Mitchell, an Apollo 14 astronaut, asserted that the core story of the 1947 Roswell crash is accurate and that the U.S. government is withholding information about the existence of extraterrestrial life from the public. He mentioned that people from Roswell confided in him about what they knew, and a Navy admiral confirmed the crash to him. Mitchell stated, "No, we're not alone."

The article "ROSWELL AND SECURITY" discusses the public's potential skepticism and the historical context of military secrecy following World War II. It notes that intelligence officers from the Roswell Army Air Field were among the first to learn about the crash. A press release about a "flying saucer" was quickly dismissed by higher command as a weather balloon, but the incident likely caused shock and concern within the Truman administration and Pentagon regarding its implications.

Another section, "ACCLIMATION THEN AND NOW," explores whether the public is more psychologically prepared for the idea of extraterrestrial visitors today than in 1947. It suggests that media and entertainment have contributed to this "acclimation," but a real-life encounter could still cause anxiety. The article questions how much information the public can accept and whether the situation is good or bad news.

Exeter UFO Festival

An article titled "Exeter UFO Festival could be out of this world" by Jennifer Feals details an upcoming event in Exeter, New Hampshire. The festival, coordinated by the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce, aims to commemorate local UFO sightings, including the 1965 incident involving Norman Muscarello. The event will feature talks by researchers and authors, children's activities, a 1960s dance, and will benefit local charities. Kathleen Marden, niece of Betty and Barney Hill, will emcee the event. The festival is inspired by similar successful events in other locations, such as Roswell, which generated significant tourism revenue.

Other UFO Sightings and Research

Several other articles present various UFO-related accounts:

• "UFOs Over the Ocean?" reports on sightings in Cape May, New Jersey, including an extremely bright light and a second smaller object, with similar activity observed for over three hours. It also mentions an orb-shaped object seen in Atlantic City.

• "UFOs" by Sean Hart is a philosophical examination that includes a personal account of seeing at least three UFOs flying in formation near Vale, Oregon, on a Wednesday night. Hart describes them as having a single red light on their underside and flying in a single-file line.

• "UFO event touches down at Skokie Theatre" by Lilli Kuzma discusses a series of UFO discussions led by investigator Sam Maranto at the Skokie Theatre in Illinois. Maranto emphasizes that UFO accounts date back to ancient times and that evidence of UFOs exists, despite government and academic dismissal. He recounts a sighting at O'Hare Airport in 2006 involving a rotating, counter-clockwise object that appeared to cloak itself.

• "Great balls of fire in the sky" by Mike Argento addresses reports of a fireball seen over southern skies, initially attributed to a Russian Soyuz rocket but later identified as a meteor. The article also touches on other unexplained lights in the sky and consults with Bill Kreiger, a professor of earth science, who suggests atmospheric phenomena or ice crystals as possible explanations.

• "Shy but friendly sky visitor haunts Brushy Creek area" from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat (March 6, 1973) describes an unidentified flying object that follows cars at night in Piedmont, Missouri. Witnesses reported a bright, silent object with four lights (red, green, amber, white) that moved erratically and disappeared quickly.

• "We Saw The Light" by John Prince and Stan Berry from the Piedmont Journal Banner (March 29, 1973) recounts an experience of seeing flashing lights over Piedmont, Missouri, described as erratic, fast-moving, and silent. They consider possibilities like marsh gas, jets, or secret government tests.

• "'Allo, 'allo, 'allo, what's going on up there then?" from the South Wales Echo (March 24, 2009) reports on a Ministry of Defence file revealing that sightings of "very bright" white UFOs in Wales in 1993 were traced to a Russian Cosmos rocket body breaking up. Another incident on December 9, 1991, involving "burning white lights, flames and rumbling sounds" on the Wales-England border, was attributed to a USAF pilot jettisoning fuel.

• "China: News service reports UFO seen by own journalist" details a Chinese newspaper reporting on a journalist who filmed a black object that constantly changed shape above Dunhua.

• "A UFO reported near Lafayette in 1897" from the Journal & Courier highlights an early report of a "phantom airship" or "cigar-shaped flying ship" with lights and two men aboard, seen near Lafayette, Indiana.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent nature of UFO sightings across different times and locations, the ongoing debate about their origin (extraterrestrial vs. conventional explanations), and the role of government secrecy or public skepticism. The magazine appears to present a wide range of accounts, from astronaut testimonies to eyewitness reports and historical records, suggesting an open-minded approach to the subject matter while also acknowledging the need for scientific investigation and rational explanations where possible. The editorial stance seems to be one of encouraging public awareness and engagement with the phenomenon, as evidenced by the promotion of the Exeter UFO Festival and the discussions led by UFO investigators.

This issue of the Herald Sun, dated Sunday, May 09, 2009, delves into the intriguing topic of potential alien visitation with the cover headline 'Did Aliens visit Bendigo?'. The publication also features reports from international sources, including The Canadian and The Local (Sweden), highlighting a global interest in unexplained aerial phenomena.

Did Aliens Visit Bendigo?

The lead story by Mitchell Toy reports on a local man, known only as Anton, who claims to have captured footage of a baffling bright light over his Ironbark property near Bendigo on April 14, 2009. The blurry footage reportedly shows a disc-shaped object hovering for about two minutes. Anton, who fears ridicule, stated he was enjoying tea on his porch when he saw the object. He mentioned another local had also seen the light while walking his dog. The following night, Anton captured a second hovering light, which a satellite tracking website later confirmed was the International Space Station.

Kirby Ikin, chairman of the International Space Society, studied the footage and suggested the object could be a satellite, but noted its trajectory seemed unusually long and slow for one. He acknowledged that while many moving objects in the night sky are satellites, there are still unexplained galactic events. Ikin also mentioned speaking with astronauts who have seen inexplicable things and that aviation professionals often encounter unexplained phenomena. He speculated that classified military aircraft could also contribute to UFO sightings in Australia. The article notes that over 100 satellites pass over Australia daily and cites UFO interest site ufoinfo.com, which reported over 150 UFO sightings in Australia last year, with 40 already in the current year.

Saudi Witnesses Report UFO Crash and Manoeuvres

An article edited by Albert S. Rosales from The Canadian details an apparent UFO/alien sighting in the Al Qasim region of Saudi Arabia on January 7, 2009. Arabic language forums were abuzz with claims of a possible UFO crashing or executing manoeuvres. Witnesses described an intense blue-green light, shooting green lasers, followed by an explosion and a large tremor, indicating a possible crash. Local meteorological bureaus have not provided explanations. The incident was reportedly seen as far away as Kuwait, and the Saudi government is said to have sealed the area where the object was believed to have crashed.

Mystery Flashes in Night Sky Prompt a Range of Explanations

This section from the Grimsby Evening Telegraph (April 4, 2009) discusses strange lights seen over North East Lincolnshire. Two people independently contacted the paper about odd occurrences in the Laceby area. Pupil Emma Broadbent (15) and Nige Allison (35) saw 'protractor shaped' flashes. Separately, Pat Jones (52) and her daughter Claire Smith (20) spotted a multi-coloured flashing object hovering above Grimsby. Various theories were offered, including the International Space Station, which was undergoing construction and visible in the sky, and the launch of a space shuttle. Astronomer Mike Brightmore suggested it might be an Iridium flare from communication satellites, which can cause brief flashes. However, Pat Jones remained adamant she saw a UFO.

Google Unearthly: UFOs Spotted in East End Views

An article from The Sun (March 30, 2009) reports on a fleet of nine silver spheres photographed on Google Street View in Bethnal Green, East London. Sun reader Faye Sharpe discovered the image while viewing her neighbourhood. Ufologist Nick Pope expressed excitement, noting the objects appeared to be in near-perfect formation, with few known aircraft capable of such formation besides the Red Arrows. Pope, a former Ministry of Defence investigator, stated he couldn't find a conventional explanation for the image.

Palmo UFO is Spotted in Qld

This report from the Northern Territory News (May 12, 2009) covers sightings in Queensland, Australia. Two men on the Gold and Sunshine coasts reported seeing a mysterious white light shooting through the night sky. Around the same time, a Territory woman, known as Kym, photographed two 'discs of light' near her Palmerston home. Michael Baker, from Nerang, described seeing a strange light travelling from the west, which turned blue and green and broke up with a sizzle. Ian Mayes saw a bright white light that fizzled out. Springbrook Research Observatory astronomer Andre Clayden suggested these sightings were likely a meteor shower.

Swedish Group Opens 'World's Largest' UFO Archive

An article from The Local (Sweden) published May 11, 2009, reports on the opening of the world's largest UFO archive in Norrköping, Sweden, containing over 18,000 Swedish and foreign reports. Clas Svahn of UFO Sweden highlighted a 1970s incident where a Swedish pilot chased an unidentified object. The archive includes numerous reports, with Svahn expressing conviction in life in space but uncertainty about interstellar travel. The archive is temporarily open by appointment.

My Close Encounter: Leonard Saw UFO in Wood

This piece from the Ipswich Evening Star (April 10, 2009) features Leonard Gibney, who claims he had a close encounter with a UFO in an Ipswich wood in the summer of 1989. He described seeing 'reddish pink lights' and later a 'luminescent orb' descending from the clouds, hovering 50 yards away before vanishing. He mentioned the Rendlesham Forest incident and noted that the county had experienced numerous apparent sightings, leading some to believe Suffolk is a portal for alien craft.

Fastfacts: Other Unusual Sightings in 1989

This sidebar provides a brief overview of other UFO-related events in 1989, including widespread sightings over Belgium involving triangular UFOs chased by F-16 jets, and Ministry of Defence files released in May 2008 detailing almost 1,200 UFO sightings between 1987 and 1993. It mentions an 'alien banana-man' sighting, a glowing flying saucer landing in Surrey, and a man with a 'flying suit' encountered near Norwich.

Slade Star's Close Encounter in Bournemouth

An article from the Bournemouth Daily Echo (April 3, 2009) recounts rocker Noddy Holder of Slade's alleged UFO sighting in Bournemouth. He described seeing a circular flying saucer emitting beams of light over the sea. He also reported his hotel room filling with 'white light' at midnight. His wife was skeptical, attributing it to a police helicopter. The article notes that the area has experienced other sightings, including a cigar-shaped object over Poole Harbour.

Visitors from the Stars Are Filling Our Sky

This report from Your Ashford (April 15, 2009) highlights an increase in UFO sightings in Kent, England, with 56 recorded in the last decade. Examples include a disc-shaped object above Rainham, bright orange craft above Ashford, and lights in formation above Canterbury. The article notes a dramatic rise in UK UFO sightings nationally and quotes Nick Pope, former head of the MoD's UFO project, on the public interest in the phenomenon.

I Saw a UFO Flying Above the Pub (and no, I hadn't been drinking)

This piece from the South Manchester Reporter (April 2, 2009) features Gordon Maycock, who claims he saw a UFO over Withington on March 29, 2009. He described an object with a fin attached that moved slowly before shooting off into space. He wonders if anyone else witnessed it and notes that the Ministry of Defence has no reports of UFOs in that area at that time.

Photographer Believes He May Have Seen a UFO in Night Sky

From the Harrow Observer (April 9, 2009), this article details an amateur photographer, Ahmad Zaigham, who snapped a mysterious light in the night sky on March 31, 2009. He described the light as unlike any aircraft and noted the object faded and travelled at high speed. He heard a whistling sound. The image has been uploaded to Flickr, and the article mentions potential interest from NASA. It also references the release of previous Ministry of Defence UFO files.

Can Anyone Explain UFO Above Harbour?

The Chichester Observer (April 9, 2009) reports on James Morgan, who spotted a strange, 'very visible disc-shaped object' hovering above Chichester Harbour on April 3, 2009. He described it as metallic silver, rotating on its axis, and unlike any known aircraft, helicopter, or balloon.

UFO Expert Speaks

This Waterford Observer (April 17, 2009) article announces that Nick Pope, former head of the Government's UFO research project, will be speaking at a conference in Garston Manor, organized by the local paranormal interest group 'Into the Unknown'. The conference will cover crop circles, alien abductions, and other paranormal topics.

Helicopter's Close Encounter with Speeding UFO

From the South Wales Echo (March 24, 2009), this report details a police helicopter crew reporting a UFO above RAF St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan. The crew described another craft hurtling towards them, forcing them to swerve sharply to avoid a collision. They were convinced it was a UFO, despite the potential for ridicule.

Plea for Help in 30 Year 'UFO' Mystery

The Huddersfield Daily Examiner (April 13, 2009) features a retired detective, John Hanson, calling for help to solve the mystery death of Zygmund Adamski in June 1980. Adamski was found dead with strange burn marks on his neck, and his death has been linked to UFOs. Hanson hopes to get the cold case re-opened.

Walk in the Shoes of Bigfoot

This section from the Sunday Chronicle (San Francisco, CA, April 26, 2009) lists five places on the West Coast associated with Bigfoot, including Happy Camp (California) with its annual Bigfoot Jamboree, the San Diego Museum of Man featuring a Gigantopithecus reconstruction, The Bigfoot Lodge in Los Angeles, Willow Creek (California) with its Bigfoot Museum, and the Bigfoot Discovery Museum in Felton, California.

Sasquatch Sited in Little Pend Oreille

This article from The Statesman Examiner (Colville, Washington, April 1, 2009) details David Thompson Davenport's encounter with a creature he believes to be Sasquatch in the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge. Davenport describes hearing strange noises, finding his shelter damaged, and later encountering a large, ape-like creature with dark eyes and broad shoulders. He claims the creature charged him and he was subsequently found on Highway 20 with scratches and bruises.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this collection of articles are UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and encounters with mysterious creatures like Bigfoot and Sasquatch. There is a consistent presentation of eyewitness accounts, often accompanied by expert opinions or official statements (or lack thereof). The editorial stance across these publications appears to be one of reporting on these phenomena, acknowledging the public's fascination, and presenting various perspectives, from skeptical explanations to the conviction of witnesses. The articles collectively suggest a widespread and ongoing interest in the unknown, with a particular focus on events that challenge conventional understanding.