UFO RESEARCH NEWSLETTER

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Research Newsletter, Vol. II, No. 9, dated December 1972 - January 1973, is published by UFO Research Associates and focuses on a "deluge of summer reports" of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) from 1972. The newsletter covers numerous sightings from Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada, and the United States, alongside an ongoing investigation into a specific case and commentary on scientific perspectives on extraterrestrial life.

Deluge of Summer Reports Continues

The lead article details an extensive encounter experienced by Mrs. Helen Benger and her cousin, Mrs. Dorothy Simpson, on August 27, 1972, near Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. They observed a bright yellow light with a green flashing top that moved erratically, hovered, and then disappeared. The object reappeared, paced their car, and caused their headlights to dim. They described the craft as a "dull, metallic silver color with [an] involved structure." The following night, August 28, near Woomera, South Australia, the object reportedly returned, signaled with a torch, and its light faded and reappeared. It then landed, lifted off, and created a distinct green, iridescent circle of light, described as "as high as a house."

Following this, the newsletter reports on other sightings. On September 19, 1972, in Melbourne, Australia, photographer Ray Jamieson captured images of a UFO that performed "loop-the-loop" maneuvers. A UFO reportedly plagued Taree and Traralgan, Victoria, for weeks, appearing as a "fiery, reddish ball." Police constables in Traralgon also witnessed a large object that lit up the area and shot skyward. In New Zealand, sightings included a "bright piercing light" over Napier and two UFOs seen by a youth club near Taradale. Reports from England described a "glowing melon-shaped structure" with a "T' shaped door" near Heald Green, and "three cloud-like shapes" making a low buzzing noise in Hainault. Other English sightings included an "inverted superbowl" in Monmouthshire and an "eyeball"-like object in Midford.

Canada also contributed reports, with a UFO "as big as two or three houses" seen over Sudbury, Ontario, and radar-tracked objects near North Bay. Near Beausejour, Manitoba, a family saw a "bright luminous object" pace their car and hover over their home. In British Columbia, an unidentified couple reported a saucer emitting "streaks of light."

The Delphos Case

This section, written by Dr. Robert F. Creegan, a philosophy professor, discusses the continuing investigation of the Delphos, Kansas case, which occurred on November 2, 1971. A teen-aged farmer reported a luminous object that landed or hovered, leaving a glowing circular area on the soil. This soil was found to be hydrophobic (resistant to water) and had an excess of calcium. Samples were studied by multiple laboratories, which confirmed significant differences from surrounding soil. However, no clear link was established to any ET vehicle theory. The presence of fungus might explain the glow, and a waxy substance could explain the unwettability. Despite careful investigation, the case remains inconclusive.

Enquirer Confirms Florida UFO Plane Chase

The newsletter reports that the National Enquirer investigated and confirmed a UFO incident where an object was tracked on three radar screens and chased by two F106 fighter interceptors from Homestead Air Force Base, Florida. The event, dated September 14, 1972, is described as a high-quality report involving military and civilian witnesses.

Sighting Capsules

This section provides a rapid-fire list of numerous UFO sightings from July, August, and September 1972, across various locations:

• Australia: Warwick (silver object), Stanthorpe (red circular object), Weeaproinah (silver-grey object), Magges (big red light).
• Canada: Bay of Fundy (oval object with colored lights), Ottawa (strange objects, red and green arrow-shaped object), Brant Hill (blue-green luminous disc), Glace Bay (noiseless UFO).
• England: Norfolk (two large balls with candles).
• New Zealand: Blenheim (glowing red light), Towai (orange-gold "cigar"), Riwaka Valley (silvery object entering atmosphere), Auckland (white cigar-shaped light exploding into a glow).
• USA: San Mateo, California (large, bright object), Cordova, South Carolina (bright light), near Truckee, California (circular, shiny object), Danville, Lafayette, Martinez, and Orinda, California (large, orange sphere), near Stuart, Virginia (smoking ball of fire), near Merrillan, Wisconsin (illuminated rabbit hutch), Olympia, Washington (round ball with dots, buzzing noise, electric shock).
• Other: A report of a ball of fire seen by thousands across the Western and Northwestern U.S. and Canada, which was also tracked on radar.

Scientists Support ET Life Probability

This article discusses statements from seven prominent scientists, including Wernher Von Braun and Sir Fred Hoyle, who believe that advanced extraterrestrial civilizations likely exist. At a panel discussion at Boston University, four scientists agreed on the existence of highly developed civilizations elsewhere in the universe. While Dr. Carl Sagan and Prof. Richard Berendzen found the idea of contact commendable, Prof. George Wald expressed concern about potential harm from ETs. Dr. Wernher Von Braun supported the idea of life on other planets but did not believe in UFOs. Sir Fred Hoyle speculated that ETs might be superior and could help solve global problems. Russian scientist Alexander Oparin suggested life originates on multiple planets, with Mars being a likely candidate in our solar system.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently reports on a wide array of UFO sightings, emphasizing detailed witness accounts and often citing newspaper sources. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting these phenomena seriously, while also acknowledging potential explanations (like Venus, meteors, or hoaxes) where applicable, as indicated by the editor's note. The publication aims to inform its readers about the latest reports and ongoing investigations in the field of UFO research. The recurring theme is the sheer volume and variety of reported sightings, suggesting a widespread and persistent phenomenon that warrants continued attention and investigation.