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This is a New Zealand Defence Force public release of RNZAF file AIR 39/3/3, "Flying Saucers," which covers 1952 to 1955 and was declassified in September 2010 under the Official Information Act. It collects sighting reports from the public and military personnel, press clippings, and a table of 1952 sightings. It also holds Carter Observatory opinions attributing some reports to meteors. A large part covers the inquiry into lights seen from National Airways Corporation Flight 108 on 31 October 1955, which the RNZAF could not fully explain as Venus.
“Sea”47 pages
will approach nearer to the earth than at any time in the last thirteen years In addition a scientific expedition will journey to Bloemfontein, South Africa, which will be the closest point on earth from which to observe our neighbour planet". You will agree that this is a very significant pointer, it is a very good thing, we are certain that much new evidence and information will be obtained. Here are the major particulars of the planet of our immediate interest. Fourth planet out from the Sun, Distance from the Sun 141,000,000 miles. Distance from the Earth at "Oppositions", furthest point 63,000,000 miles nearest point 34,600,000 miles. Diameter 4,250 miles . Colour through Telecope, reddish mainly, mass compared to earth 0.11, Volume 0.15 . No of Moons 2, Deimos and Phobos. Length of year 687 days . Temporture up to 50 degrees at equator at noon. Diameter of Moons 10 miles. Physical description . Has white polarcaps , greenish-blue areas, reddish-brown areas at certain seasons of the year . Atmosphere as near as our scientists can determine is mostly carbin dioxide with traces of oxygen. Many astronomers have seen while others havent , peculiar markings resembling canals. The length of day or time of revolution is 24 hrs., 37 min., 22.65 seconds. Clouds on Mars vary from red white and blue in colour. Loose leaflet Feb 8 Staistical Release accompanying Quarterly Review "FLYING SAUCERS" illustrates further particulars of the "Oppositions". ## "PROJECT MAGNET" Canadian Project - From the Toronto DAILY STAR of Nov 11th 1953 by Harold Greer: Ottawa, Nov. 11, The World's first scientific flying saucer sighting station is being constructed by Canadian electronic engineers at Shirley's 10 miles north east of here. The work of "Project Magnet" --code name for the secret development of a flying disc powered by electromagnetic propulsion-- the station is being equipped with every conceivable type of recording device in the hope of obtaining the scientific measurements necessary to prove or disprove the existence of flying saucers. "Project Magnet" researchers have found that flying saucer reports come in flurries about two years and two months apart. It may or may not be significant that they have occured when the planet Mars has been in opposition to the earth and that reports are most frequent when Mars reaches its closest point to the earth. Wilbur B Smith, head of the project, told the (Canadian) CP Wire service: Scientists do not believe there is any real proof that flying saucers exist or are interplanetary. However," there is a high degree of probability that they do exist and are interplanetary". Mr Smith told the Toronto Star that there is a 90 to 95% probability that flying saucers do exist: 60% probability that they are "alien vehicles" 10% probability that they originate here on Earth and a 30% probability that they are inconceivable to man--such as some form of time travel involving a form of life other than protoplasm. (Extract from"SAUCERS" F.S.I. publication, March 1954 "FLYING SAUCERS", Quarterly Review of C.S.I. (NZ) is published every three months. Sub now 7/- per 4 issues. Edited and produced by H.H.Fulton at C.S.I. Headquarters I Nissan Place, Onehunga S.E.5. Luckland.New Zealand. (American Subscribers $ I )
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