Magazine Summary
UFO RESEARCH NEWSLETTER
Summary
This issue of the UFO Research Newsletter from March-April 1973 details British scientists' attempt to contact a potential alien probe using radio transmitters, based on decoded signals from the 1930s. It also reports on numerous UFO sightings worldwide, including in Uganda, the US (Yakima Reservation), New Zealand, England, Canada, and Brazil, some of which involved unusual object characteristics and physiological effects on witnesses. Additionally, the newsletter touches upon the Pioneer 10 mission's success in traversing the asteroid belt and a discussion on whether Einstein's theory of relativity might be challenged by new findings.
Magazine Overview
This issue of the UFO Research Newsletter, Vol. II, No. 12, published monthly by UFO Research Associates (UFOR) in Washington, D.C., covers the period of March-April 1973. The editor is Gordon I.R. Lore, Jr., and the business manager is Martha D. Hall. The cover headline focuses on British scientists attempting to contact an 'Alien Probe'.
British Scientists Attempting to Contact "Alien Probe"
The lead article details the possibility that mysterious radio signals picked up by European astronomers between 1928 and 1932 were attempts by an alien space probe to communicate. Scottish astronomer Duncan Lunan has reportedly decoded these signals, which he believes indicate an object orbiting Earth at lunar distance. Lunan deduced that variations in echo delay times could represent an intelligent signal. He mapped these delays and found they formed a constellation map, specifically the constellation of Bootes, pointing to a star 103 light years away. The British Interplanetary Society (BIS), with prominent astronomers among its members, is attempting to contact this probe using powerful radio transmitters. The New Scientist is set to publish Lunan's findings. Professor Ronald N. Bracewell of Stanford University noted that Lunan's findings are 'very suggestive' but require confirmation. Anthony Lawton of E.M.I. stated the chances of such echo delays forming star maps by chance are 10,000 to one. Kenneth Gatland, BIS' vice president, found the findings 'utterly astounding' and suggested messages could have been sent thousands of years ago.
NASA has denied tracking the probe, stating they only track their own spacecraft.
Uganda President Reportedly Saw UFO
President Idi Amin of Uganda reportedly saw a UFO that splashed into Lake Victoria and then took off. Radio Uganda reported this as a 'good omen'. Details were scarce, but if true, it would be the first time a head of state admitted seeing a UFO. The Ugandan embassy was checking the report.
The Yakima Reservation Case
This section details ongoing sporadic research into UFO sightings on the 2,800-square-mile Yakima Indian Reservation in central Washington state since August of the previous year. Interesting photographs have been taken by Forestry Supervisor Vogel and engineer David W. Akers. Sightings include those by local Indians, tribal police, and female fire tower operators. Gigantic UFOs have been reported descending into the Yakima-Ellensburg canyon. Plans are underway for synchronized observations using radio contact, motion picture cameras, and automatic recording instruments, including radiation detectors and magnetometers. The research aims to study possible reactions of UFOs to stimuli. Access to the area is controlled by the Yakima tribe.
Worldwide 1970-1971 Sighting Roundup
This section compiles numerous sighting reports from 1970 and 1971 across five foreign countries:
- New Zealand: On April 15, 1971, forest rangers Roger Morel and Robin D. Hay saw a UFO shaped like an inverted ice cream cone with revolving colored lights near Taupo. The object was described as having a hazy green body with a metallic sheen. Three days later, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Hall also reported seeing a similar UFO near Taupo, described as 'about the size of a full moon'.
- England: Roger Cruickshank reported seeing a glowing saucer with a dome, about the size of three buses, in Walthamstow on March 17, 1971. On December 14, 1970, Henry Dalzell and his son saw five round glowing balls in a cross formation over Wantage. A week earlier, on December 7, 1970, a dome-shaped, silver-gray object about 20 feet in diameter was reported near Brightwalton, emitting a whistling sound and ascending at high speed. On December 5 and 6, 1970, three men reported a 'whitish, glowing, round light' over Coventry and Ryton-on-Dunsmore. On November 21-22, 1970, a 'pulsating' UFO with an orange-yellow nucleus was seen over East London.
Five UFOs Form Cross
This section continues the English sightings, detailing the five glowing balls seen by Henry Dalzell and his son, which split into formations. It also covers the Brightwalton sighting of a dome-shaped object.
"Pulsating" Object Over East London
This subsection elaborates on the East London sighting from November 21-22, 1970, describing the object's oval, orange-yellow nucleus and its pulsating nature.
Page 5 - Further Sightings and Effects
- England: Frederick Chamberlain reported seeing a pulsating object, the size of a single-decker bus, over East London. Brenda Panayioton saw an orange-yellow glow from a UFO. Mrs. Elizabeth Bunn in Dumfries, Scotland, saw a bright object approaching at high speed.
- Finland: Strange objects were reported over Finland for about 12 days in early 1971. A UFO seen on January 3 over Kuusamo emitted intense light that melted snow, leaving behind residues identified by some scientists as calcium, thallium, titanium, and sodium.
Violent Physiological Effects Noted
- Canada: A UFO sighting over Quebec and Charny on October 5, 1970, reportedly caused violent physiological effects in a female witness, including paralysis, sickness, burning eyes, and diabetes manifestation. Two policemen also observed a luminous UFO emitting a hissing sound.
- Brazil: On August 30, 1970, a guard at an Itatiaia hydroelectric complex saw a plane-like object and was blinded by a ray it emitted. Another woman in Minas Gerais experienced heat, an intense light, strange burns, vision disturbances, and partial paralysis from a blue-white ray. On September 6, 1970, policemen in Itatiaia saw a multi-colored object maneuvering over a dam.
Man Blinded by UFO
This subsection details the Brazilian sightings, including the guard blinded by a UFO ray and the woman experiencing burns and vision disturbances.
Pioneer 10 Emerges from Asteroid Belt
NASA announced on February 15, 1973, that the Pioneer 10 probe had emerged unharmed from the asteroid belt en route to Jupiter. The craft carries a message of peace intended for extraterrestrial intelligence. Scientists now believe the asteroid belt poses little danger to spacecraft. Plans for Pioneer 11's launch in April 1973 are also mentioned, with concerns about Jupiter's intense radiation belts.
UFOs Spotted in Pennsylvania
On January 25, 1973, several hundred people in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties, Pennsylvania, reported seeing five or six brilliant, orange discs flying in formation, which broke into two groups and headed toward McKeesport.
Einstein's Theory May Become Obsolete
Dr. Mark Stull of the Stanford Radio Astronomy Institute suggests that current radio astronomy findings, particularly regarding quasars, might challenge Albert Einstein's theory of relativity. He proposes that new laws of physics might be needed and suggests the possibility of a five-dimensional time-space concept, which could potentially explain extraterrestrial visits and enable faster-than-light travel.
Object Startles Ohio Residents
On January 22, 1971, residents of the Willard-Tiro area of Ohio reported seeing a 'really huge' bat-shaped UFO, estimated to be 25-30 feet in diameter, with lights on its wings and what appeared to be exhaust engines. The object hovered over a witness's automobile. Police officers also observed the object.
Famed Sci-Fi Writer Discusses Life on Other Worlds
Poul Anderson, a science fiction writer, speculated in a speech that there could be between one and three billion worlds in our galaxy supporting life, though it might be radically different from Earth's. He discussed possibilities of life based on isomerism and theorized about potential life-supporting conditions on Jupiter.
"Phantom of Orly"
A huge UFO, estimated to be twice the size of the largest known plane, was tracked on radar at Orly International Airport, Paris, on February 15, 1956, moving at approximately 2,000 m.p.h. This was the third such tracking in less than a year.
"Saucer" Spotted in 1878
This section recounts the first known use of the word 'saucer' to describe a UFO, based on a January 25, 1878, report in the Denison (Texas) Daily News. Farmer John Martin saw an object that appeared orange, grew in size, and moved at a 'wonderful speed', described as 'about the size of a large saucer'.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The newsletter consistently reports on UFO sightings from around the world, emphasizing scientific investigation and analysis. There's a recurring theme of unusual object characteristics, unexplained phenomena, and sometimes physiological effects on witnesses. The publication appears to maintain an open-minded stance towards the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence and advanced technology, while also noting official denials or lack of investigation from agencies like NASA. The inclusion of historical sightings and scientific discussions (like the potential obsolescence of Einstein's theory) suggests a broad scope in UFO research. The editorial stance is one of reporting and encouraging further investigation into these phenomena.
"Lunan's findings are staggering," he told the Enquirer. "The chances of different echo delays forming star maps purely by chance are 10,000 to one."
Key Incidents
Mysterious radio signals from space were picked up by astronomers, potentially attempts by an alien space probe to communicate.
Ronald N. Bracewell suggested alien probes might contact Earth by transmitting a map of star constellations.
President Idi Amin reportedly saw a UFO that splashed down into Lake Victoria and then took off.
Numerous UFO sightings, including by tribal police and fire tower operators, with some reports of gigantic UFOs descending into the Yakima-Ellensburg canyon.
Forest rangers Roger Morel and Robin D. Hay reported seeing a UFO shaped like an inverted ice cream cone with revolving colored lights.
Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Hall saw a UFO about the size of a full moon, which closely followed the description of the one seen by Morel and Hay.
Roger Cruickshank saw a glowing saucer with a dome, about the size of three buses, which swooped low at great speed.
Henry Dalzell and his son saw five round glowing balls in the form of a cross, one section of which moved at high speed while the rest vanished.
An unidentified man reported a dome-shaped, silver-gray object approximately 20 feet in diameter that emitted a whistling sound and took off at high speed.
A 'pulsating' UFO with an oval, orange-yellow nucleus center was observed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What evidence suggests British scientists are trying to contact an alien probe?
Scottish astronomer Duncan Lunan claims to have decoded mysterious radio signals from the 1930s, which he believes are from an alien probe. The British Interplanetary Society is attempting to contact this probe with powerful radio transmitters.
What was the nature of the alleged alien probe signals?
The signals, received decades ago, had normal echoes and a puzzling second set that returned after delays of three to 15 seconds, suggesting an object beyond the ionosphere, possibly orbiting the moon.
Have there been any official government statements on UFOs?
A NASA spokesman denied reports that the agency was tracking the alien probe, stating that NASA only tracks its own spacecraft unless requested to track others by other agencies.
Were there any UFO sightings involving physiological effects?
Yes, a UFO in Quebec, Canada, reportedly caused violent physiological effects including paralysis, sickness, burning eyes, and diabetes manifestation. In Brazil, a guard was blinded and another woman experienced burns and vision disturbances.
What is the significance of the Pioneer 10 mission mentioned?
The Pioneer 10 probe successfully emerged from the asteroid belt, and scientists now believe it offers relatively little danger to spacecraft. The craft also carries a message of peace intended for extraterrestrial intelligence.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- Duncan LunanScottish astronomer
- Malcolm BalfourEnquirer reporter
- Ronald N. BracewellProfessor of astronomy
- Anthony LawtonTechnical manager of the computer division
- Terence NonweilerProfessor of aerodynamics
- Kenneth GatlandBIS' vice president
- Idi AminPresident of Uganda
- Robert F. CreeganProfessor
- David W. AkersEngineer
- VogelForestry Supervisor
- Roger MorelForest ranger
- Robin D. HayForest ranger
- +8 more
Organisations
- British Interplanetary Society (BIS)
- Scottish Association for Technology and Research in Astronautics
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- E.M.I.
- UFO Research Associates (UFOR)
- Societe de recherche sur les phenomenes mysterieux
- Westmoreland County UFO Study Group
- Stanford Radio Astronomy Institute
- NASA's Ames Research Center
Locations
- northern sky
- Bootes
- Uganda, Uganda
- Lake Victoria, Uganda
- Kampala, Uganda
- Yakima Indian Reservation, USA
- central Washington state, USA
- Yakima, USA
- Toppenish, USA
- Taupo, New Zealand
- Walthamstow, England
- Harwell, England
- Wantage, England
- Swindon, England
- +6 more