Magazine Summary
UFO RESEARCH NEWSLETTER
Summary
This issue of the UFO Research Newsletter details a multitude of UFO sightings reported throughout 1973, spanning across at least 20 states. The reports include a wide variety of object characteristics, behaviors, and effects on witnesses and the environment. Notable incidents involve objects emitting light beams, causing electromagnetic interference, and even alleged encounters with non-human entities. The newsletter also touches upon the academic study of UFOs with college courses being offered and discusses ongoing debates about the nature of observed phenomena, such as the Concorde photographs.
Magazine Overview
This issue of the UFO Research Newsletter, Volume III, Number 10, published monthly or bimonthly by UFO Research Associates, covers the period of February-March 1974. It presents a compilation of UFO sighting reports from 1973, detailing numerous incidents from various states across the USA.
1973 Sighting Reports Still Pouring In
The lead section highlights the diverse characteristics of UFO sightings reported in late 1973, including objects causing 'acid' effects on cars, police cars running into ditches after drivers saw 'creatures,' objects emitting light beams that stopped vehicles, and UFOs causing physiological and electromagnetic effects. Reports also mention physical evidence left behind, hovering over buildings and vehicles, animal reactions, landings, sounds, radar tracking, lights shone on witnesses and objects, and high-speed flight. The sightings involved a wide range of witnesses, including radar operators, FAA personnel, pilots, police, and military members.
New Jersey Sightings
Jeanann Rader reported seeing a huge, hamburger-shaped UFO near Glassboro, N.J., on December 3, 1973. The object had red and green lights, emitted bright white lights from its sides, made a 'hissing' sound, and hovered about 40 feet above her car. It moved in a 'darting, horizontal motion.'
In Washington Township, N.J., on October 5, 1973, Dr. and Mrs. Angelo Rose and their five children observed a large, blinking light that appeared to be spinning and moving sideways.
Virginia Sightings
On October 15, 1973, near Mendota, Virginia, an unidentified man saw an object with blue and red flashing lights hovering about 100 feet over his truck, emitting a 'buzzing sound.'
Two nights later, on October 17, Jimmy Hardison and two friends near Beaconsdale, Virginia, observed a red, blinking light fly over trees, head towards them, disappear, and reappear as a 'flying saucer turned upside down.'
Connie L. Grobe and Patricia Childers, members of the Women's Army Corps, reported seeing a large saucer, 25-30 feet in diameter, with hundreds of blinking white lights near Ft. Myer, Arlington, Virginia, on November 29, 1973. The object appeared to be spinning clockwise, executed a 90-degree turn, and hovered, tilting from side to side.
California Reports
On October 17, 1973, Joe Lewis in San Luis Obispo, California, was awakened by a 'buzzing sound' and saw a bright glow move steadily across the sky.
Police Officers C.C. Smith and Joe Wynkoop in Los Angeles, California, observed an oblong, bright, bluish-white object descending rapidly, disappearing, reappearing, and then rising. They chased it at 70 m.p.h.
Robyn Zittle near Arbuckle, California, watched a large UFO hover over her car on November 13, 1973, shining a brilliant light that appeared to be examining the automobile before disappearing.
North Carolina Reports
On October 23, 1973, near Garner, North Carolina, several witnesses saw a red and white object with windows and red flashing lights descend, land in a soybean field, and then zoom off.
Six hours later, on October 24, Steve Pearce in Franklin, North Carolina, heard a 'loud fizzling sound' and saw a reddish-blue, basketball-sized object fall from the sky, smelling like 'rotten eggs.'
North Carolina State University scientists, including geologist Robert Carson, were puzzled by these phenomena, with Carson stating, 'It's not natural. It certainly isn't a meteor.'
On October 25, 1973, John Stewart and his family observed a triangular-shaped object with lights at each apex and three long legs in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The object emitted a 'whirring sound,' blinked red, green, then yellow, and shot downward at tremendous speed.
South Carolina Reports
On September 21, 1973, near Easley, South Carolina, an object with red and white lights paced Sherry Smith's automobile home.
On September 27, 1973, Mark Riles in Sumter, South Carolina, observed a large, oval-shaped object with four legs and a band of square-shaped lights.
On September 29, 1973, near Greenville, South Carolina, an unidentified couple reported seeing an oblong-shaped UFO with multi-colored lights on its pitted body. The object caused the car's radio to malfunction and the woman experienced eye sensations and a severe headache.
On September 30, 1973, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Crisp in Sumter, South Carolina, saw multi-colored lights attached to two egg-shaped objects with tubular metal extensions.
On October 6, 1973, Millard Carter, Jr., and Lawayne Baird in Sumter, South Carolina, followed a hot dog-shaped object with flashing red and green lights that moved in a zig-zag pattern and had a metallic finish.
Pennsylvania Reports
On October 6, 1973, near Flatwoods, Pennsylvania, witnesses saw a large red ball hover over their car, emitting light so brilliant it caused eye irritation.
On October 12, 1973, near Circleville, Pennsylvania, a large, bright object hovered over a millworker's automobile, causing electromagnetic effects to his lights and radio.
On October 17, 1973, a large, round object 'buzzed' four school students in Kiski, Pennsylvania, frightening one girl to the point of medical treatment for hysteria.
On October 17, 1973, several police officers in Levittown, Pennsylvania, saw a saucer 'about as large as a small ranch style home' with flashing lights. A second object was sighted, and both took off at incredible speed.
West Virginia Reports
On October 26, 1973, Kingwood City Police and Terra Alta PD reported an unidentified flying object near Fire Tower, Caddell Mountain, West Virginia, with red and yellow flashing lights. Later, a small, four-foot creature reportedly ran out in front of a police car, causing it to go into a ditch.
Oklahoma Sightings
On October 16, 1973, Paul Williams, an air traffic controller at Benedum Airport, Harrison County, West Virginia, saw a bright, color-changing object. A pilot pursued it for about 13 miles.
On November 16, 1973, Police Officers John Roberts, Freddie Rios, and Preston Crosby near Erick, Oklahoma, spotted two UFOs. One landed on the road and disappeared instantly, while the airborne object darted and zig-zagged.
On November 17, 1973, Mrs. Janice Boyd and Mrs. Willa Selsor near Fairland, Oklahoma, were awakened by a sound and observed a large, burnt orange-colored object hovering in tight circles before descending.
Tennessee Reports
On September 26, 1973, Sheriff Lewis Gitchell and others near Ripley, Tennessee, observed two lights moving southwest, the larger emitting a beam.
On October 17, 1973, Mrs. Brenda Holden and Mrs. Johnny Sealy near Southaven, Tennessee, saw two round objects as 'big as an airplane.' One object shined its headlights on them and backed off. Both objects had headlights and smaller red and blue lights.
Massachusetts Reports
A UFO was observed shortly after two power outages in northeastern Massachusetts on October 24, 1973.
On October 27, 1973, Frank Aubrey observed a bluish-white, cigar-shaped object hovering over the American Science and Engineering plant in Woburn, Massachusetts.
Texas Reports
On October 22, 1973, a 15-member university astronomy class and its instructor, Lawrence Brown, in Ft. Worth, Texas, observed a flat object with a dull finish zig-zagging at an estimated 4,000 m.p.h.
On October 23, 1973, San Antonio, Texas, International Airport radar tracked a sphere-shaped UFO with flickering colored lights.
On November 13, 1973, near Poteet, Texas, an unidentified man reported seeing a UFO that hovered over his car while 'tall, thin, green occupants' attempted to stop him. Acid dropped from the object burned paint off his automobile.
Georgia Reports
On October 20, 1973, Henry Lewis and other family members near Albany, Georgia, spotted an object with blinking dome lights. The UFO emitted a light that stopped the car, blew every fuse, and lifted the car off the ground.
Alabama Reports
On September 15, 1973, Ed Bruner and a friend in Montgomery, Alabama, saw an object the size of a washtub that followed them down a river. Later, four UFOs followed them.
On September 15, 1973, Police Officer Gary Clayton and his wife saw a large disc with multi-colored lights near Carrville, Alabama, that made a slight ringing noise.
Florida Reports
On October 17, 1973, a UFO was tracked on radar at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, while witnesses saw four objects traveling in formation.
Kentucky Reports
On October 23, 1973, a woman near Russell Springs, Kentucky, saw two small, red creatures approximately three feet tall standing on her carport. The creatures entered a landed, washtub-shaped craft and took off.
Mississippi Reports
On October 1, 1973, Mr. and Mrs. Owen Burt and Police Officer Charles Barranco in Grenada, Mississippi, spotted a bright orange disc with 'six prongs extending from it' that moved erratically and shot out a 'long light.'
South Dakota Reports
On November 26, 1973, Terry Gross and Dave Ganje near Mobridge, South Dakota, observed an orange object that hovered, then moved over a lake. They pursued it in a small plane at 200 m.p.h., but the UFO outdistanced them.
Michigan Reports
On September 7, 1973, an unidentified woman near Charlevoix, Michigan, saw a round, near-blinding object with nine antennae that swerved towards her.
Ohio Reports
On November 9, 1973, near New Albany, Ohio, several motorists saw a disc with multi-colored lights that beamed a light onto parked cars, then shot straight up.
UFO College Courses in Progress
The newsletter notes that UFOs are the main subject of college courses in New York and California. Dr. Robert F. Creegan offers 'Borders of Science' at the State University of New York at Albany, covering topics like the Greenbank Formula, Project Cyclops, and descriptions of UFO reports. James Staley teaches 'The Literature of the UFO' at Moorpark College in California.
Fantastic Abduction Case Revealed
Details are provided on the Dionisio Yanca case in Bahia Blanca, Argentina. On November 3, 1973, Yanca reported seeing a UFO that emitted three creatures, one of whom touched him, rendering him unconscious. Doctors treating Yanca for nervous shock elicited a story of abduction onto the spacecraft for an hour and a half. The aliens reportedly predicted 'grave events' for Earth and had been assessing humanity's survival potential since 1960.
Huge Object Sparks Controversy
Photographs of a huge, bright, mushroom-shaped UFO taken by scientists aboard a Concorde supersonic jet on June 30, 1973, while tracking a solar eclipse, have sparked debate in France. Astrophysicist Serge Koutchmy and Claude Poher suggest the object was at an altitude higher than 56,000 feet and had a diameter of at least 660 feet, listing it as a UFO.
Astronaut Bets on UFOs
U.S. Navy Capt. John W. Young, an Apollo 16 astronaut, stated that the odds favor the existence of UFOs, commenting that it's mathematically improbable that other life sources don't exist in the universe.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The newsletter consistently presents witness testimony and media reports of UFO sightings, emphasizing the variety and frequency of these events. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of UFO phenomena, providing a platform for diverse reports and analyses. The inclusion of college courses and astronaut opinions suggests an effort to legitimize the study of UFOs. The recurring theme is the ongoing influx of sighting reports, indicating a persistent and widespread interest in the subject.
It's not natural. It certainly isn't a meteor.
Key Incidents
Jeanann Rader observed a large, hamburger-shaped UFO with red and green lights and bright white thrusts, emitting a hissing sound and hovering about 40 feet above her car.
Dr. and Mrs. Angelo Rose and their five children saw a large, blinking, spinning light that moved sideways.
An unidentified man saw an object with blue and red flashing lights hovering about 100 feet over his truck, emitting a buzzing sound.
Jimmy Hardison and two friends saw a red, blinking light fly over trees, head towards them, disappear, and reappear as a flying saucer turned upside down.
Connie L. Grobe and Patricia Childers saw a large saucer, 25-30 feet in diameter, with hundreds of blinking white lights, spinning clockwise and executing a 90-degree turn.
Joe Lewis was awakened by a buzzing sound and saw a bright glow move steadily across the sky for about three minutes.
Police Officers C.C. Smith and Joe Wynkoop observed an oblong, bright, bluish-white object descend on a crash course, disappear, reappear, and rise, then chased it at 70 m.p.h.
Robyn Zittle watched a large UFO hover over her car and shine a brilliant light, appearing to examine the automobile before suddenly disappearing.
Pat, Becky, and Bruce Escancy, and others saw a red and white object with windows and red flashing lights descend, land in a soybean field, and then zoom off.
Steve Pearce heard a loud fizzling sound and saw a reddish-blue, basketball-sized 'chunk' fall from the sky, smelling like 'rotten eggs'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of UFO sightings were reported in 1973?
Reports included UFOs that dropped 'acid,' caused cars to stop, emitted light beams, caused physiological and electromagnetic effects, hovered over buildings and vehicles, landed, emitted sounds, were tracked on radar, shone lights, frightened witnesses, circled homes, flew at high speeds, stirred up dust, and were chased by planes.
Who were some of the witnesses reporting UFO sightings?
Witnesses included radar operators, FAA control tower operators, air traffic controllers, pilots, flying service owners, astronomy students, police officers, fire tower operators, radio news directors and announcers, security guards, and military personnel.
What states reported the most UFO sightings in the latter half of 1973?
The newsletter details sightings from numerous states, with specific reports highlighted from New Jersey, Virginia, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Dakota, Michigan, and Ohio.
Are there any college courses discussing UFOs?
Yes, 'Borders of Science' is offered at the State University of New York at Albany, and 'The Literature of the UFO' is taught at Moorpark College in California, covering various aspects of UFO phenomena and research.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- Jeanann Raderwitness
- Dr. Angelo Rosewitness
- Mrs. Angelo Rosewitness
- Debby Cotterwitness
- William Cotterspecial patrolman
- Alan GoodellOfficer
- Jimmy Hardisonwitness
- Connie L. Grobemember of the Women's Army Corps
- Patricia Childerswitness
- Joe Lewiswitness
- C.C. SmithPolice Officer
- Joe WynkoopPolice Officer
- +8 more
Organisations
- UFOR
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Women's Army Corps
- UFO Research Associates
- WSSC Radio
- Burns Detective Agency
- American Science and Engineering
- Skylab
- Eglin Air Force (AF) Base
- National Center of Space Studies
- National Enquirer
- Project Cyclops
Locations
- Glassboro, USA
- Woodbury, USA
- Washington Township, USA
- Hackensack, USA
- Ft. Myer, USA
- Arlington, USA
- San Luis Obispo, USA
- Los Angeles, USA
- Belvedere, USA
- Arbuckle, USA
- Sacramento, USA
- Garner, USA
- Franklin, USA
- Goldsboro, USA
- +6 more