UFO Research Newsletter - 1977 12 1978 01 - Vol 05 No 09

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO RESEARCH NEWSLETTER
Issue: Vol. V, No. 9
Date: December 1977 - January 1978
Publisher: UFO Research Associates (UFOR)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the UFO Research Newsletter focuses on governmental and international interest in UFOs, ongoing controversies surrounding photographic evidence, and historical UFO incidents.

White House, NASA Confirm UFO "Study"

The lead story reports that both the White House and NASA have confirmed to UFOR that NASA has been asked to determine whether the agency should continue investigating UFO sightings since the closure of Project Blue Book in 1969. Stanley D. Schneider, assistant to Dr. Frank Press, stated that NASA was asked to conduct a preliminary study. O.B. Lloyd, Jr., NASA's director of public services, indicated that correspondence would be kept in a special suspense file. However, Dave Williamson, NASA assistant for special projects, expressed skepticism, stating that it's not wise to research immeasurable phenomena and that proof of a 'little green man' would be needed for a multimillion-dollar program. Williamson is leading a technical team to recommend by January 1 whether NASA should reopen investigations.

UN General Assembly Asked to Establish UFO Department

Sir Eric M. Gairy, Prime Minister of Grenada, called for the establishment of a department, agency, or committee within the United Nations to study the UFO problem. He also urged an investigation into the Bermuda Triangle mystery and psychic phenomena. Gairy stated his interest was primarily political, believing the UN should take a legitimate interest in a matter of global concern. He suggested a small ad hoc committee as a less costly alternative to a new agency. UFOR acknowledges Clarence W. Stackhouse for supplying Gairy's speech.

More Details on U.S.S.R. Report

Additional details are provided on a mysterious phenomenon reported over the U.S.S.R. around September 20. The Soviet news agency Tass reported a 'huge mass of light' flaring up over Petrozavodsk, described as a 'huge star' moving slowly and emitting 'numerous thin light rays' like a 'torrential rain of light.' The glow ended, and a 'jellyfish' shape became a bright semicircle before moving towards Lake Onega. Gray clouds with a 'semicircular aperture bright red in the center' appeared for 10-12 minutes. A 'bright ball of fire' was also reported over Helsinki, Finland.

Heflin Photo Controversy Continues; Philip Klass Joins Fray

This section details the ongoing controversy surrounding UFO photographs taken by Rex Heflin in Santa Ana, California, on August 3, 1965. Philip Klass, a prominent UFO debunker, has offered to underwrite the cost of a polygraph test for Heflin. The article notes that Heflin has passed every test with flying colors and is considered honest, yet William H. Spaulding of Ground Saucer Watch insists the photos are fraudulent. Mrs. Idabel Epperson criticizes Spaulding's claims about a 'scratch' on the photos. Spaulding claims to have made computer analyses of over 600 UFO photographs at significant cost, raising questions about who paid for it. David A. Schroth expresses concern over the controversy, as his organization uses one of the Heflin photos. Robert J. Kirkpatrick of The Register criticizes detractors for drawing conclusions from copy prints years later. David J. Branch, a former investigator, questioned Spaulding about his analysis methods and reports. Spaulding stated GSW believes the Heflin series is a hoax based on four sets of photographs and is analyzing a fifth set. Branch questioned the scientific validity of reaching a conclusion before completing the analysis. Philip Klass offered to pay for a polygraph test for Heflin, with specific conditions regarding the examiner's qualifications and selection.

The article notes that the feasibility of a polygraph test for Heflin was discussed in 1965, with an associate professor of police science suggesting no meaningful conclusion could be drawn. Kirkpatrick stated Heflin, who recently sustained a serious back injury, is willing to undergo the test. He also described Heflin as a 'very embittered man' due to past treatment. The editor's note expresses the opinion that no convincing evidence of fakery has been presented, and the photos may be the best ever taken, with Heflin's character above reproach. A JPL scientist using advanced computer enhancement declared the films clear with no scratch. The controversy continues, but Heflin has agreed to the test.

Close Encounters: A Celestial Hymn (Film Review)

This section reviews Steven Spielberg's film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind,' calling it a $19 million extravaganza that invokes sensory and emotional experiences. The reviewer praises the film as a Hollywood masterpiece, deeply intellectual, emotional, and spiritual, capable of heightening cosmic consciousness. It is suggested that the film could significantly raise public consciousness about UFOs and potentially influence extraterrestrials towards mass contact.

Secret Memo to President on Los Angeles "Raid" Declassified

A secret memorandum from General George C. Marshall to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, dated February 25, 1942, concerning the 'Battle of Los Angeles,' has been declassified. The memo details an incident where unidentified aerial objects were detected by radar and fired upon by anti-aircraft batteries. The objects were described as white and luminous in a triangular formation. The memo concludes that if unidentified airplanes were involved, they may have been from commercial sources or enemy agents for purposes of alarm or disclosing anti-aircraft positions. However, a Japanese intelligence official later denied such a raid. UFOR credits Barry Greenwood for this information.

Reader's Digest Article Irks Friedman

Stanton T. Friedman, a physicist specializing in UFOs, strongly criticizes Ronald Schiller's article 'Three UFOs - How Real Are They?' in The Reader's Digest. Friedman labels the article 'factually inaccurate, grossly misleading, defamatory,' and a rehash of biases, particularly those of Philip Klass. Friedman rebuts 12 points made by Schiller, including claims about the U.S. Air Force ending its UFO investigation in 1969, the nature of 'sun dogs,' the lack of UFO sightings between 1969 and 1973, and the interpretation of specific cases like the Ohio helicopter encounter, the Delphos incident, and the Travis Walton abduction. Friedman refutes Schiller's interpretations, particularly those influenced by Philip Klass's debunking methods.

AIAA Symposium Slated

A symposium on UFOs and man in space is scheduled for January 28, 1978, in Los Angeles, presented by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the Los Angeles World Futures Society. The morning session will cover 'Scientific Aspects of UFO Research,' with papers by Stanton T. Friedman, Thomas Gates, Dr. Daniel Harris, Adrian Vance, and Dr. Thomas Kuyper. The afternoon session will focus on 'The Transition of Man to Space.'

The Happy Camp, California, Sightings - Part I

This article by Paul Cerny details a series of UFO sightings and incidents in the Happy Camp, California, area from late October 1975 through April 1976. On October 25, 1975, Steve Harris and Stan Gayer observed a large red 'star' and a reddish-orange light. They later found a pile of vermiculite-like material. The next evening, Steve, Stan, and Carl Jackson found three shallow imprints in the ground and detected metal with a detector. A loud, high-pitched sound was heard, followed by the appearance of large, silver and pale blue eyes, described as being about 30-40 feet away. The witnesses felt the entity was watching them. The trio then experienced their car being unable to move for 15-20 seconds before it suddenly bolted forward, damaging the universal joint.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently champions the serious investigation of UFO phenomena, often criticizing debunkers and highlighting cases with strong witness testimony and potential physical evidence. There is a clear stance against dismissing UFO reports without thorough investigation, as seen in the defense of the Heflin photos and the critique of Philip Klass's methods. The publication also covers governmental and international interest in UFOs, suggesting a growing recognition of the topic's importance. The review of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' indicates an appreciation for how popular culture can influence public perception of UFOs. The inclusion of historical cases like the 'Battle of Los Angeles' suggests a broad scope in covering UFO-related events. The editorial opinion, as stated in the Heflin controversy section, leans towards the authenticity of well-documented cases and the integrity of the witnesses.