UFO RESEARCH NEWSLETTER

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Research Newsletter, Vol. I, No. 4, published by UFO Research Associates, covers the period of July-August 1971. It features a prominent article on a strange object sighted by Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker and two prominent astronomers in 1921, along with corroborating reports from England and the U.S. The newsletter also details plans for a new UFO reporting center, discusses UFO-related effects, and presents various sighting capsules from around the world.

Rickenbacker and Astronomers Sight Strange Object

This article recounts a sighting on August 7, 1921, at Mount Hamilton, California, involving Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, America's famed World War I flying ace, and two prominent astronomers, William W. Campbell (director of Lick Observatory) and Henry N. Russell (director of Princeton Observatory). They observed a star-like UFO that moved down and disappeared behind a cloud stratum. Initially mistaken for a celestial body like Mercury, the object was described as yellow and brighter than Venus. Professor Campbell reported that its diameter seemed stellar even through binoculars and that it appeared to partake in the diurnal motion of stars. Speculation at the time included the possibility of a comet, but its position was considered unlikely for a nova or supernova. The observers did not see it again and searched at sunrise and sunset to exclude planetary illusions.

Corroborating Reports

Several corroborating reports of a similar object were noted. About six hours before the Mount Hamilton sighting, S. Fellows, an amateur astronomer in Wolverhampton, England, saw an object that was elongated, reddish-tinged, and about 6 degrees from the sun. He initially thought it was Jupiter but realized it was not a planet or a star. Around 7 p.m. on the same day, Lt. F.C. Nelson Day and others in Ferndown, Dorset, England, also observed the object. Additionally, on August 6, Dr. H.C. Emmert, a physician in Detroit, Michigan, reported seeing a very bright object in full daylight, though there is evidence he may have confused the date and seen the same phenomenon as the others on August 7.

Hynek Plans UFO Reporting Center

Dr. J. Allen Hynek, former chief UFO scientific consultant to the Air Force, is planning a scientific "receipt center for UFO reports." This initiative, discussed in the June 1971 issue of Physics Today, aims to collect UFO sighting data that might otherwise be lost due to a reluctance to report and the fear of ridicule. Hynek, chairman of Northwestern University's Department of Astronomy, believes that for every reported sighting, at least ten go unreported. He and his colleagues, all associated with universities, will act as a center for these reports, with Hynek personally responsible for witness anonymity unless written permission is obtained.

UFO Causes Multiple Effects

This section details a sighting by Gene Whitlock and his family near Chesterfield, Indiana, on May 16, 1971. The huge UFO reportedly caused a power failure, physiological effects in witnesses, animal reactions, emitted a "high-pitched sound," and a strange odor. The object, described as large as a seven-room house, had an antenna-like protrusion and blinking lights. Its approach caused witnesses' ears to hurt, their heads to feel numb, and their bodies to become trembly and weak. Whitlock's epileptic son suffered a seizure. The UFO then headed northeast and disappeared, though its sound lingered.

Witnesses Affected

Following the UFO's departure, the house lights came back on, and Whitlock was able to call local airports and the state police, who did not respond. A large tree near his home died suddenly. His brother reported that residents in Anderson heard an unusual sound and experienced power failure shortly before the Whitlock incident. UFOR is attempting to gather more information on this sighting.

Sighting Capsules

This section provides brief reports of UFO sightings from March, April, and May 1971:

• March 3, 1971 (Auckland, New Zealand): A couple saw a bright, orange, oval-shaped object hover and move south.
• March 11, 1971 (Centralia and Adna, Washington): Witnesses saw a UFO with red and green blinking lights making a "beeping" sound.
• March 13, 1971 (Galvin, Washington): A diamond-shaped UFO with red blinking lights was seen flying low, emitting a "deep whine."
• March 17, 1971 (Korakoa, N.S.W., Australia): A light, brighter than any star, with surrounding lights, flew from southeast to northwest. A second similar UFO followed.
• March 18, 1971 (Deniliquin, Australia): About 64 people saw a cylindrical object with a naked flame, traveling slowly.
• March 22, 1971 (Location not specified, possibly USA): An orange light was seen moving southeast to northwest, then west.
• April 12, 1971 (Irish Sea): A bright flaring light was followed by a red cone-shaped object dropping rapidly towards the sea.
• May 24, 1971 (Near Hamilton, Ohio): An unidentified observer saw a big round thing with blue and smaller lights hovering low.

These sightings were reported in various UFO publications.

Extraterrestrial Life Possibilities Found in Meteorites

This article discusses a NASA research team's finding of identical amino acid patterns in the debris of two separate meteorites. This discovery, reported on June 18, 1971, increases the likelihood of life elsewhere in the universe and supports the theory of life evolving from simple chemical forms. Dr. Cyril Ponnamperuma and the NASA team made the discovery, which is presented as the first conclusive proof of extraterrestrial evolution.

Tennessee Sightings Researched

George D. Fawcett of Greeneville, Tennessee, is researching a series of UFO sightings by Tennessee residents in 1968. These sightings included objects that moved erratically, sped across the sky, stopped abruptly, and hovered over an Army ammunition plant. Witnesses included police officers, a Civil Defense director, and a radio newsman. Significant sightings occurred in November 1968:

• November 25, 1968 (Athens area): A radio newsman and two teenagers saw oval-shaped UFOs with lights on top and around the middle.
• November 26, 1968 (McMinn County): Police officers reported seeing UFOs. Residents also reported seeing something hover over the town.
• November 28, 1968 (Kingsport): Citizens reported a brilliantly lit bowl-shaped object that hovered over the Holston Army Ammunition plant. Deputy Sheriff J.L. Parrott described it as "bowl shaped and it looked like it was rolling."
• September 27, 1968 (Memphis): Female students at Lausanne School saw an oval-shaped UFO that would "appear and disappear," with red and green lights on top and windows near the top.
• September 10, 1968 (Kingsport): Residents saw an object that flashed, glittered, and changed colors.
• March 7, 1968 (McMinn County): Deputy Sheriff Parrott and others saw a UFO move in three directions over Charleston.

BOAC Magazine Publishes Pro-UFO Articles

Horizons, The Magazine of BOAC Flight Operations, has published a series of pro-UFO articles by Julian J.A. Hennessey. Hennessey, director of EURONET and chairman of the European subcommittee of NICAP, suggests that unexplained UFO reports indicate the presence of machine-like objects operating in our atmosphere that can produce disruptive effects and perform maneuvers beyond known technology. He cites "classic" UFO reports, including:

• July 14, 1952 (Newport News, Va.): Six red-orange discs in formation seen by crew of a Pan American Airways DC-4.
• February 24, 1959 (Bradford, Pa.): Three yellowish-orange lights seen by an American Airlines DC-6 crew and passengers.
• October 2, 1961 (Salt Lake City, Utah): A UFO described as "sand-blasted aluminum" was seen by a pilot and ground personnel, which rose abruptly and flew at high speed.

Hennessey also covered British involvement in UFO investigations, noting that the Ministry of Defence had investigated "flying saucers" since 1947 and had "something like 10,000" files. He criticizes the limited investigation and suggests a general scientific study is urgently required.

British Involvement Covered

Hennessey's series also discusses the British Ministry of Defence's policy on UFOs, which he compares to the U.S. Air Force's. He notes that while many British reports were identified, others were given "ludicrous" explanations. He argues that a comprehensive scientific study is needed, as the Ministry's investigation is not scientifically tenable.

UFO Tract Lacks Supporting Evidence (A Book Review)

This section reviews Ivan T. Sanderson's book "Invisible Residents," which proposes an underwater civilization theory for UFOs. The reviewer finds Sanderson's arguments to be based on sparse details and lacking in evidence, often resorting to "dramatic point-stretching." Sanderson prefers the term UAO (Unidentified Aerial Object or Unidentified Aquatic Object) and claims over 50% of sightings occur over, coming from, going away over, or plunging into water. The reviewer notes that Sanderson shifts from extraterrestrial life to an advanced underwater civilization. The book is described as a "cut-and-paste job with some hefty theorizing." The reviewer also criticizes Sanderson's chapter on the "Bermuda triangle" mystery and his identification of "submarine 'light-wheels.'"

The Problem of the Unidentified Flying Objects

This excerpt features the views of the late Dr. James E. McDonald, a senior physicist at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics. McDonald states that hundreds of UFO reports from credible observers cannot be explained by atmospheric physics or other proposed hypotheses (geophysical, astronomical, technological, psychological). He concludes that extraterrestrial probes are the "least unsatisfactory hypothesis." McDonald criticizes past official Air Force investigations, such as Project Bluebook, as "completely superficial" and "absurdly erroneous." He advocates for more extensive scientific study involving agencies like NASA and NSF, and the exploitation of independent organizations' work. He stresses the need for scientific examination to establish or reject the possibility of extraterrestrial probes, rather than engaging in unsupported speculation about "why" they appear or "contact."

E-M Effects, Animal Reactions in Nevada Report

A UFO was observed hovering over a ranch in the Blue Diamond area of Nevada, near Las Vegas, on June 25, 1971. Dick Mantor, a rancher, reported a white, bright object with a "pinkish cast" that hovered at an estimated altitude of 500 feet, causing his generator to cease functioning. His livestock became "excitable" while the UFO was present. The object flew off at a high rate of speed. Four other ranchers reported similar observations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently presents UFO phenomena as a serious subject worthy of scientific investigation, contrasting with what it portrays as superficial or dismissive official approaches. There's a recurring emphasis on credible witness accounts and the need for data collection and analysis. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry into the UFO problem, advocating for rigorous scientific study and challenging conventional explanations. The publication also highlights the potential for UFOs to have significant physical effects, such as power failures and animal reactions, and explores the possibility of extraterrestrial origins or advanced technological craft.