UFO RESEARCH NEWSLETTER

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO RESEARCH NEWSLETTER
Issue: Vol. I, No. 11
Date: February - March 1972
Publisher: UFO Research Associates (UFOR)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the UFO Research Newsletter focuses on continuing reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena, alongside updates on space exploration and potential government involvement.

Sighting Reports Continue

The newsletter presents a collection of recent UFO sighting reports from various locations in the United States. These reports are characterized by their potential to cause physiological effects, leave physical evidence, frighten witnesses, illuminate canyons, emit sounds, and be tracked on radar. Photographs of strange lights in the Yakima Valley of Washington state are also mentioned.

Kansas Sighting: On November 2, 1971, Ronnie Johnson, 16, near Delphos, Kansas, reported seeing a brilliant UFO fly fast over a treeline. He heard a rumbling sound and saw a round object emitting a bright light. The incident left a burned ring on the ground, and a soil sample is being analyzed.

West Virginia Sighting: Mr. and Mrs. Ora Masters of St. Albans, West Virginia, reported seeing an orange, fish-shaped object described as "pretty good size" on January 7, 1972. The object hovered over the town for several minutes before disappearing.

Massachusetts Sighting: On New Year's Day, 1972, Paul and Thomas Eldredge and Douglas MacDonald reported seeing a cluster of sphere-shaped UFOs heading northeast in Barnstable, Massachusetts. Selectman George L. Cross recalled seeing a similar object, described as "15 to 20 feet in diameter," in August 1949, which landed in a swamp and emitted whistling blasts before taking off.

Florida Sighting: On December 26, 1971, numerous witnesses in Tampa, Florida, reported seeing UFOs. Police officer George Saclarides observed a light approximately six inches in diameter moving northwest, about 100 feet from the ground. He noted a shadow behind the light.

Yakima Valley Sightings: Late last summer, residents of the Yakima Valley, Washington, reported seeing UFOs. The newsletter includes details of specific sightings photographed by Bill Vogel:

• August 27, 1971: Near Satus Pass, Vogel photographed a "large, bright, tear-drop shaped object" that was nearly fluorescent and emitted red, blue, and green colors. It moved slowly at an altitude of approximately 8,500 feet. Scientists at Grizzle Observatory determined it was not of stellar origin.
• August 28, 1971: Fire fighters on a ridge near Satus Pass saw a UFO emitting a white light descend behind a ridge into a canyon.
• September 3, 1971: Near White Swan, Vogel photographed an object with horn-like protrusions moving from north to south.
• October 8, 1971: Fire fighters on Toppenish Ridge saw an object rapidly changing color from white to green to red to blue. It was described as boomerang-shaped.

Other Sightings: The newsletter also mentions a cigar-shaped object with bright lights at each end seen approaching from the lower end of the Yakima Valley, which descended close to the ground and was tracked on radar. Another lookout saw a round, brilliant white UFO emitting a sound like draining water.

The Red Planet Coming to Light (An Editorial Comment)

This section discusses recent developments from American and Russian probes of Mars. Russian scientists reported that their Mars 2 and 3 probes detected a "hot spot" on the planet and that Mars' upper atmosphere resembled Venus's more than Earth's. The "hot spot" may indicate an internal heat source.

Pictures from the American probe Mariner 9 suggest Mars is "still evolving," showing new phenomena such as pits and hollows up to 10 miles across, and cracks forming a fissure system. Cornell University astronomer Dr. Carl Sagan commented on these findings. Harold Masursky of the U.S. Geological Survey stated that the odds are "enormously improved" that life may have developed on Mars, citing evidence of glaciers and rivers, and the presence of water in the Martian atmosphere. This contradicts earlier information from the Mariner 7 fly-by in 1969, which suggested Mars was geologically and biologically "dead."

Scientist Doubts Travel Beyond Mars

Dr. Hubertus Strughold, considered a pioneer in space medicine, suggests that man may not travel further than Mars due to hostile environments, particularly extreme temperatures. He notes Mercury is too hot on one side and too cold on the other, while Venus is like "the inside of a volcano." Other planets are too cold, and dangers like asteroid collisions exist. Strughold believes life on Mars is "more in the realm of probability than possibility," possibly existing in a low form in the "hot spots" or in dried oceans.

Reports Continue (Continued)

Yakima Valley Photographs: The newsletter includes photographs taken by Bill Vogel in August, September, and October 1971, in the Yakima Valley, Washington. These images were studied by scientists at Grizzle Observatory and determined not to be of stellar origin. The National Weather Service could not offer an explanation.

British TV Photo Case: Additional facts are presented regarding a UFO photographed by a British TV crew on October 26, 1971, near Enstone, Oxfordshire, England. The film, viewed by millions, showed a white object moving at unbelievable speed, making a sharp turn and leaving a white vapor trail. The Ministry of Defence confirmed they were examining the film but offered no comment.

AF May Have Secret UFO Project

Lou Corbin, news director of WFBR-Radio, suggests that the U.S. Air Force and other military/intelligence agencies may have secret UFO projects, possibly named "Project Old New Moon" and "Blue Paper." Corbin, who has received classified UFO information, is convinced these projects exist, though he cannot prove it. He indicated that these programs are "exclusively UFO" and "must be really covered."

White House Denies UFO "Red Alert"

Ann Grier of President Nixon's press staff denied that the President was involved in a telephone "Red Alert" concerning UFOs approaching Houston, Texas, and Los Angeles, California. The Defense Department also denied NORAD's involvement. The incident reportedly began when Bill Eckhardt of Oklahoma City overheard conversations involving NORAD officials and Air Force bases discussing a "Red Alert" due to UFOs over the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific. Eckhardt initially thought it was a joke but later became puzzled. A voice, allegedly sounding like President Nixon, was reportedly heard saying, "This is probably the most unusual phone call I'll ever make." Tinker AFB stated that NORAD telephone lines crossing with civilian lines was unlikely, and the White House stated President Nixon was working on his State of the Union speech. The Defense Department and NASA denied knowledge of the incident.

A footnote mentions that the phone line used for the conversation was still out of order 30 minutes after the conversation ended.

Does Congress Have a Responsibility to Investigate the UFO Problem?

By Dr. James E. McDonald

In this excerpt from a prepared statement, Dr. James E. McDonald argues that Congress has a responsibility to investigate the UFO problem. He outlines several hypotheses for UFO sightings, including secret test vehicles, misidentified natural phenomena, hoaxes, hallucinations, or extraterrestrial (ET) origin. McDonald states that he has been driven towards the ET hypothesis, despite its apparent improbability.

He laments the lack of hard, physical evidence and instrumental observation in UFO research, attributing this deficiency to the scientific community's general dismissal of the UFO problem. McDonald contends that reliable witnesses have reported seeing machine-like devices exhibiting performance far exceeding current technology. He believes that a thorough review of past investigations is necessary before a truly adequate, scientifically-oriented UFO investigatory program can be established.

McDonald suggests the objectives of a Congressional inquiry should include:

• Reviewing the history of official AF investigations and consultative studies.
• Hearing testimony from key individuals involved in important programs.
• Reviewing the Robertson Panel Report and the CIA's role.
• Assessing the scientific adequacy of the post-1953 Bluebook program.
• Reviewing the background and prosecution of the University of Colorado's AF-sponsored study.
• Examining the position of non-governmental groups.
• Hearing testimony from witnesses in selected UFO cases.
• Reviewing UFO evidence from other parts of the world.
• Deliberating on where and how to establish a scientifically-oriented UFO investigatory program.

Notes: The newsletter mentions a potential delay in the next issue due to the editor's injury. Contact numbers for reporting sightings are provided. The next issue will feature reports on UFOs over Argentina, excerpts from Dr. James E. McDonald's statement, and a story on the manufacturing of "UFOs" in Kansas.

Additional Witness in Maryland Sighting Case: Ronald Fisher reported seeing a "bright orange ball that glowed red" near Centreville, Maryland, on December 13, 1971. The object grew smaller and disappeared behind trees before reappearing and vanishing completely. It made no noise.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent nature of UFO sightings, the potential for scientific and governmental investigation, and the ongoing mystery surrounding these phenomena. The editorial stance, particularly evident in Dr. McDonald's contribution, strongly advocates for a more serious and systematic scientific and governmental approach to understanding UFOs, criticizing the current lack of attention and resources dedicated to the subject. The newsletter itself serves as a platform for disseminating these reports and fostering discussion on the topic.