PRESS CU NG:
From: "Domininn" Wellington, N.Z. Date: 22 NO. 1952
Astronomer Says Flying Saucers Have Basis In Natural Phenomena
DUNEDIN, November 21 (P.A.).—"Flying saucers!" say the uninitiated. "Natural phenomena", retorts Mr. W. D. Anderson, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a life-long sky gazer. In an interview yesterday Mr. Anderson
In an interview yesterday Mr. Anderson scouted recent reports of unidentified objects soaring and swooping through space. "While not prepared to suggest that!
"While not prepared to suggest that every observer has been mistaken in his identification of these mysterious objects, I am firmly of the opinion that all these apparitions have been in fact natural phenomena," he said.
"It is surely significant that none of the recent reports emanated from an established observatory. Experienced sky-gazers who study the heavens as a matter of routine when conditions are favourable have reported nothing unusual," said Mr. Anderson.
He went on to say that it was also significant that at the time of the reports at least two major planets had been prominent in the evening sky-
Jupiter in the north and Venus in the west.
Meteors and shooting stars could also be observed on most clear nights. Clouds, with wind and other atmospheric conditions, would account for the seeming movement of these planets.
"To dub them 'flying saucers' is in my opinion natural enough but absolutely erroneous. Mr. Anderson said. Anyone who sees what he thinks is a flying saucer is at liberty to ring me up and tell me about it. I will try to give an accurate identification, using binoculars or a refracting telescope.
"I am sceptical about these reports but I am very willing to co-operate in the matter of identification."