THE UFO REGISTER

Magazine Overview

Title: THE UFO REGISTER
Issue: Volume 1, Part 1
Date: June 1970
Publisher: Data Research
Country: U.K.
Type: Bi-annual journal for recording and disseminating factual information relating to the UFO phenomenon.

The UFO Register: Its Role in UFO Research

The editorial explains the necessity for a new UFO journal, citing the vast and often speculative literature already in existence. It highlights the lack of consistent factual recording and systematic appraisal of UFO reports, which hinders the search for a universally acceptable explanation. While acknowledging the value of theoretical approaches, the editorial emphasizes the need for a factual foundation. The journal aims to address the limited scope and availability of existing UFO newsletters and bulletins, which often focus on local areas and are restricted to members. The late M.K. Jessup's UFO Annual: 1958 is cited as a rare example of an empirical approach. The editorial notes that no single body likely possesses all recorded UFO sightings, making investigations like the Condon report inadequate due to their reliance on a small, selected percentage of reports.

The UFO Register, as an integral part of Contact (U.K.), intends to publish analyses of UFO reports bi-annually, focusing strictly on facts. It will serve as a storehouse of documented information, including reviews of books and articles, catalogues of photographs, and bibliographies. Contributions from readers are welcomed.

UFO Categories

• The journal introduces a categorization system for UFO reports to facilitate analysis. These categories include:
• A. Genuine UFOs: Reports with abundant data for thorough investigation.
• B. Probable UFOs: Data not 100% conclusive, but nearly so.
• C. Possible UFOs: Data less than 75% conclusive, but indicating a genuine UFO.
• D. Reports lacking sufficient data: Often for objects observed for 5 seconds or less.
• E. Rocketry and space capsule debris.
• F. Artificial satellite (e.g., Telstar).
• G. Meteor.
• H. Fireball.
• J. Star.
• K. Planet.
• L. Parhelia, Aurora, Mirages, Temperature Inversions, or comparable natural effects.
• M. Aeroplane.
• N. Meteorological Balloon.
• O. High Flying Birds or Insects.
• P. Hoax, or Hallucination.

All British UFO reports are checked against known astronomical and atmospheric data, as well as aircraft movements, to reduce the possibility of misclassification. Only categories A, B, and C are discussed in the detailed analyses.

1969 Analysis (General)

In 1969, 87 (possibly 88) alleged UFO reports were received from the British Isles. This total excludes foreign sightings and those with insufficient details, such as the Bovedy Meteorite event on April 25th. Reports from England covered various types of lights and objects, but those from Eire were considered particularly interesting.

• Notable Eire sightings include:
• A soundless, star-like object seen in June over Lahinch, Clare, which moved with a 'sluggish circular motion' and left a vapour trail lasting 40 minutes.
• A fast-moving, orange or red arrow-shaped object emitting a hissing sound and 'flames' or a 'yellow streak' seen on February 13th in Cork.
• A brilliant 'luminous' oval object observed over Ballinascarty on the same day.
• A soundless, round object seen over Mullinahone, Tipperary, which changed from orange to red as it descended, appearing to land near a creamery at a height of 150 feet and measuring 6 feet in diameter.
• Five bright lights seen every clear night in April over Bealaha, Clare, which caused local house lights to dim when they passed overhead.

1969 Analysis (Detailed)

The detailed analysis breaks down the 87/88 reports into categories, with Category A having 26 reports, Category B 12, and Category C 17. The geographical distribution shows 66 reports from England, 5 or 6 from Scotland, 3 from Wales, 1 from Northern Ireland, and 12 from Eire.

Reported UFO shapes in categories A, B, and C included cigar-shaped, starlike, flat disc, multisided flat, round, cylinderlike, hatshaped, saucer-shaped, spherelike, and arrowshaped objects. Several objects were described as 'luminous' or 'oval'.

Speed: Speeds varied greatly, from 'very slow' (under 15 mph) to 'very fast' (over 1000 mph). A high percentage of hovering objects were noted.

Sound: Most reported objects were soundless, but exceptions included a high-pitched whining object, a 'whispering' object, a whirring object, and a buzzing object.

Visible Emissions: Some UFOs emitted blue flashes, sparks, smoke, or vapour. One object left a 'trail'.

Colors: Reported colors included white, red, green, orange, yellow, grey, metallic, gold, and silver. No blue or violet colored UFOs were reported in Britain in 1969.

Disruptive Effects: Few disruptive effects were reported. One instance involved a car engine stalling, and house lights at Bealaha (Eire) dimmed on successive nights.

Dematerialization: Fourteen UFOs were observed to suddenly dematerialize, sometimes after tilting. Three cases of sudden materialization were also noted.

British UFO Localities: 1969

The issue provides extensive lists of specific locations within England, Scotland, Wales, and Eire where UFO sightings were reported in 1969, categorized by A, B, and C.

The Flying "Squiggles" of Greystones, Eire.

This section details an incident on February 25th where a strangely-shaped, orange-coloured object, described as 'squiggly' or S-shaped, traversed the sky over Greystones, Eire, at high speed. A similar object followed ten minutes later. Police-sergeant John Hughes took five photographs of the second object, which, though of insufficient quality for reproduction, are described and illustrated by drawings. These objects are noted to closely resemble enigmatic UFOs previously figured in 'Flying Saucers: UFO Reports' and 'Operation Earth', which were sighted in the Americas. The Greystones objects are considered a distinct UFO type, possibly indicative of a new phase in the UFO programme.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the systematic collection and analysis of factual data related to UFO sightings. The editorial stance is firmly empirical, prioritizing documented evidence over speculation. The journal positions itself as a crucial resource for researchers by aiming to consolidate information that is otherwise scattered and difficult to access. There is a clear emphasis on the scientific approach to understanding the UFO phenomenon, with a commitment to rigorous data checking and categorization. The publication also highlights the importance of reader contributions in building a comprehensive global picture of UFO activity.