U.F.O. sightings discounted by R.N.Z.A.F. experts

Press, 26 January 1979, Page 2

U.F.O. sightings discounted by R.N.Z.A.F. experts

PA Wellington Assertions that unidentified flying objects were sighted over the north-east coast of the South Island late last year have been discounted by the Royal New Zealand Air Force after an investigation of the reported sightings. The R.N.Z.A.F. concluded that the unidentified radar and visual sightings reported t>y aircraft and the air traffic control radars, were the result of natural, but unusual, atmospheric ohenomena. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said that any connection between the U.F.O. sightings and activity at the Mount John American base had been discounted also. A report, released yesterday by the Ministry of Defence, said the investigating officer had interviewed all the principal witnesses involved in the sightings on the nights of December 20 and 30. He had also worked with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Civil Aviation Division of

the Ministry of Transport, and the Meteorological Service.

The report attributed the sightings to lights from the ground, the sea or Venus, affected by atmospheric refraction, and distortion.

It said that the unexplained radar sightings were “spurious returns.”

“Radar sets are known to be subject to spurious returns, and it was significant that when the large light was being filmed by a television team on board the Argosy freighter, neither Christchurch nor Wellington radars reported any related visual sightings.” It was also revealed that for some time the Wellington air traffic control radar had been giving spurious returns off the east coast of the South Island. The investigating officer said he was satisfied there were no unexplained physical objects in the skies at the time of the sightings. “During December and; early January, atmospheric conditions over New Zealand were conducive to freak effects on radar and light waves. Also, the planet Venus was rising in the eastern sky early in the morning, and at this time of the year is unusually bright in appearance.” “During that time more than 50 Japanese squid boats sailed from Wellington to a position 190 km off Banks Peninsula.” “Not only would the squid boats give a good source of radar return in transit to the squid fishing grounds, but they generate a lot of light when fishing at night. Each boat generates about 200 kilowatts of light to attract squid to its lures, and this light cannot be discounted as a cause of some of the

visual sightings,” the report said.

The investigating officer also speculated that the lights seen at the mouth of the Clarence River could have come from trains or vehicles travelling along the coast and been affected by unusual atmospheric reflections and refractions. But, he said, there was no evidence to connect the many radar and visual sightings in the Clarence River and the larger lights seen to the east.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman “categorically discounted” any suggestion that air activity of any kind had taken place which posed a threat to New Zealand’s security.

“The Ministry of Defence does not share the view of those who believe we are visited from outer space, or covertly by the aircraft or machines of potentially unfriendly nations,” a spokesman said.

It was not the job of the Ministry of Defence to in vestigate so called unidentified flying objects in peacetime, but it took an active interest in all such reports, he said.