Jan., Feb., Mar., 1997 UFO Investigation Reports
Experiencer Case Study: St. Paul, MN 13 Sept, 1997 Field Investigator: Craig R. Lang - MN MUFON 1. Introduction This report describes my compilation of UFO and close encounter related experiences as described by a UFO encounter experiencer living in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Note: the witness's actual identity and contact information is on file with the investigator, and is included on the investigation data forms to be filed with MUFON HQ). This witness came to the attention of Minnesota MUFON in March of 1997 when she e-mailed a sighting report to the Minnesota MUFON webmaster. Minnesota MUFON then followed up on this and the other described events. The information for this report has been obtained via personal interviews during the ensuing months of 1997. UFO experiences have occurred throughout the witness's life and are only partly documented here. This report contains details on these events as related by her, plus analysis and some followup investigation results. Followup investigations may be ongoing where warranted. 1.1 Investigation Background The witness initially contacted MN MUFON via e-mail to report her January 1997 sighting at Prior Lake, MN. The Minnesota MUFON webmaster then forwarded the sighting report to me. I contacted the witness and arranged an interview. Over the subsequent months, I have interviewed the witness twice, plus conducted visits to sighting locations in Minnesota, and obtained additional corroborative information. The witness indicates that there are additional UFO related events occurring throughout her life, which are not included in this report. Many of these have occurred in California and may be of interest to investigators of California MUFON. In addition, I have brought the Arizona encounter event to the attention of Arizona MUFON. The witness has indicated a desire to undergo hypnotic regression to uncover the details of many of her encounters. I have indicated to her the name of at least one psychologist known to Minnesota MUFON (Dr. Ralph McKinney, of Minneapolis, MN). As of the writing of this report, she has not yet elected to undergo hypnotic regression, but has indicated that she is interested in doing so in the future. 1.2 Witness Description The witness is a 65 year old mother of 4 and grandmother of 9. She is a retired real estate agent, and has lived in Minnesota since 1992. From the late 1970's, until she moved to Minnesota she lived in California (Note: many of her UFO related events occurred there). Her health (both physical and mental) are good. Her eyesight is 20/20 and her hearing is also good. She indicates that she has had UFO related experiences for most of her life. These have included sightings, close encounters and paranormal activity. 1.3 Scope of Investigation This investigation has focused on the witness's most recent sightings in Minnesota, plus a number of other events in her life which she considers to be of critical importance. In all cases, she feels these events are unexplainable in terms of ordinary phenomenon. She has indicated that there are many additional events which for varying reasons, were not included in this report. Specifically, many events occurring while she lived in California have not been included in this report. However, these may be of interest to UFO investigators there. She also indicates that some of her children may be undergoing UFO related experiences as well. Thus, this case may be ongoing if she, or any members of her family decide to pursue the matter further. In most cases, the investigation has consisted of witness interviews, plus obtaining context information (weather data, site visits, analysis, available information from local authorities, etc.). In addition, several of the events in this report may be multiple witness events. However, Minnesota MUFON has not yet been able to locate other witnesses to establish this. 2. Sighting and Encounter Descriptions The remainder of this report describes the applicable cases in reverse chronological order. The following cases are parts of this report: 1) Prior Lake, MN CE1 - 27 Jan 1997 2) Hastings, MN CE1 - June 1996 (exact date unknown) 3) St Paul, MN CE3/CE4 - November, 1993 4) Lake Elmo, MN CE1/MA1 - 02 May, 1993 5) White Bear Lake, MN CE1 - May, 1992 (exact date unknown) 6) Lakeside, CA CE3/CE4 - Nov.,1978 (exact date unknown) 7) Kayenta Valley, AZ CE1,5,4 - 6/69 (exact date unknown)
Date of Sighting: 27 Jan 1997
Time of Sighting: 4:27 PM CST
Place of Sighting: Prior Lake, MN
Type of Report: CE1 or FB1
Local Evaluation: Probable Unexplained
Sighting Account
The witness was traveling westbound on Highway 42 at the intersection with
Crest Rd. She had come to a stop at a red light. While stopped, she looked
up (which she says that does constantly) and noticed an object low in the
northeastern sky (in the approximate direction of ValleyFair amusement park).
Her location at this intersection is at the top of a hill, providing a clear
view to the northwest with no trees in the way. Further to the west, as one
continues driving, trees obstruct the view, however, the intersection and the
stretch to its immediate west (for about a block) has a clear view.
Click here for map of sighting area.
The object was silver saucer shaped. She estimated its size to be approximately
about 40ft in diameter, with a distance of approximately 8 blocks and an altitude
of less than a thousand feet in the air.. It was not spinning, and had no
visible features (such as doors or lights, or windows).
Witness sketch of object [CL annotation]
There was other traffic on the road but she was not sure if any of these other
motorists saw the object. While stopped at the traffic light she continued to
observe the object. When the light changed, she crossed through the intersection,
considering pulling over to watch it further. She indicates that she was watching
it while trying to drive and observed it for probably 20 to 25 seconds. It appeared
to remain motionless [although she indicated that since the car was also moving it
was not easy to tell actual motion].
She estimated the level of the object to be about midway up her windshield, as
depicted in the following sketch:
Witness sketch of view to object through windshield
She drove slowly after going through the intersection, and pulled over somewhat
to the right a little bit. As she watched, the object "blinked out - just like
that it was gone".
Additional Witnesses:
None are known. However, the witness indicates that there were other cars on
the road. Therefore it is a distinct probability that others saw this object.
Weather Conditions:
The witness indicates that it was a clear day.
The Report from State Climatologist is as follows:
Cloud Cover: Clear Sky, no ceiling
Visibility: 10 Mi + (unlimited)
Temp: 24 deg F Wind: 8 Knots from 300 degrees.
Analysis:
Rather than an angular size, the witness indicated an estimate of the absolute
distance and diameter. However, from these parameters, we can compute the
approximate angular size. The distance was given as about 8 blocks, with an
altitude of less than 1000 ft. This would give an angle of:
Arctan(1000ft/4000ft) = approx 14 degrees above the horizon.
The witness estimated the size to be about 40 ft. This gives a size/distance
ratio of 40ft/4000ft = 0.01. A thumb at arms length is about 0.5 inch at a 25in
arm length or a ratio of 0.5/25 = 0.02. Thus the object should have appeared
about half the width of a person's thumb. [note: need to confirm this angular
size with the witness]
Natural Phenomena Check:
No known natural phenomenon could explain this object.
Manmade Phenomena Check:
A typical "null" hypothesis for a sighting such of this type would be that of
a misidentified aircraft, which was moving in her direction, thus appearing to
hover. However, the witness indicates that she had a clear view of the object and
was clearly able to distinguish it from an aircraft.
An object of this angular size is generally quite identifiable under the optical
conditions present that day (clear sky, unlimited visibility). Thus, the possibility
that she misidentified an aircraft does not seem likely. The aircraft explanation
also does not explain the sudden disappearance of the object while within her field
of view.
Sighting Evaluation:
Type of Report: Daylight Disk - FB1
Local Evaluation: Probable Unexplained
Significance: Ordinary
Sighting Location: south end of Cannon Falls, MN Sighting Date/Time: 3/17/97, 6:55pm CST Local Evaluation: MA1, unexplained, high significance due to description not matching any known aircraft and apparent stealth ability and noiseless hovering capability. Report Date: 9/29/97 Investigator: Joel Henry (Minnesota MUFON) Sighting Background: The sighting was originally found on Alt.Ufo.Reports newsgroup on the internet and then e-mailed to me. The witness was anxious to find out if there were any other witnesses. Witness details: Female, 40's, good health, married with one adult child. Wears glasses mainly for driving (worn at time of sighting). High School education although self taught computer aided designer by profession. Takes well to technical skills and above average intelligence. Also good artistic skills. She is used to aircraft of all kinds flying above due to proximity to local (Stanton) airport and traffic to MPLS airport. Witness believes alien life a likely possibility and may have seen a UFO (large orange object) fly overhead 20 or so years ago. Sighting Details: The witness was driving to work going south down the east side frontage road along Hwy 52 on the south side of Cannon Falls, MN. She 1st noticed a jet and another plane flying within her view (in front of her). Then she noticed another craft which seemed to hover. She watched it as she approached it until she pulled into the parking lot of Cannon Power Sports to get a better look. (This is the point she felt it was definately not a normal aircraft). She continued to watch it as it came nearer to her. She noted that a small plane nearby made a maneuver as if it was trying to get a better look at the UFO. It rotated CCW (from witness perspective) such that it was then heading toward the NE. The witness felt as though she were being watched by the UFO. She did not get out of the car. As the witness coninued to watch, the UFO seemed to glide away (going NE). She noted no sound and I noted her car was not a noisy one, so a close aircraft or helicopter would probably have been heard. The area was very quiet and calm at the time. (Very little traffic and no people visible in the area.) The witness estimated the UFO then went about ~5mi, stopped and hovered for 3-4 minutes. Then it suddenly dissappeared. She continued on to work. There was no missing time. The sighting took maybe 6-7 minutes total. The witness was not very sure as to the closest distance of the UFO or it's size, not having seen such a craft before. After some thinking she said it was bigger than the small plane. The UFO elevation angle was ~70 degrees above the horizon. (See witness story board). UFO Description: The UFO was chevron (or arrowhead) shaped with dark metallic color and had very large red lights on the tips (~10x normal aircraft size). It travelled front tip towards the rear (opposite of an airplane). There also appeared to be tiny blue/white lights just inside the location of the red lights. One of the red lights (on her left) was blinking on and off like a radio tower light only twice as fast (~1 sec rate). (See UFO drawn by witness). The shape and movement reminded me of a stealth B2 bomber flying backwards (but smaller). Click here for UFO drawing. She estimated the size of the UFO to be ~1 1/2 inches wide at arms length. I estimated size at ~40 feet wide. I estimated the distance to the witness to be ~1000ft. and the height to be just under 1000ft. Land distance would be ~350ft. If the UFO was larger, then distances will obviously increase. If the distances were shorter, then UFO size will be smaller. Other Witnesses: None known, although there were a few cars driving down Hwy52 at the time, none made any reports. Checks with all the local police/sherrif around the area showed no other reports of UFO's. Note: The witness felt that prevailing attitudes about UFO's in the Cannon Falls area would prohibit likelyhood of anyone else reporting one. She also wished to remain anonymous for fear of ridicule. Weather: Calm. Scattered clouds at ~11000ft. No pecip. Stars were not yet visible, although dusk, due to light overcast at ~15000ft. Wind= NE 9mi/hr., Temp= 37F. Natural and Man-Made Phenomena Check & Possible Explanations: Natural phenomena eliminated due to closeness of UFO and details of sighting. The only type of craft that could do both hovering and rotating are helicopters and VTOL aircraft. It looked like neither of these, and both would have been very noisy. The only other possible explanation would be an unknown stealth plane capable of these maneuvers since it was not detected on radar by the Farmington FAA. Seems unlikely such a super-secret craft would be hovering so close to the town of Cannon Falls. Also, the ability to move in an apparently "backward" fashion (center tip in back) is unheard of for any known flying craft. If the UFO was of earthly origin, it would have to be a very advanced and unknown stealth craft. I showed the witness pictures of every concievable aircraft of even slight resemblance (including stealth). She said it was not like any of them. It appears to be an "unknown". Sighting Evaluation: Type: MA1, Evaluation: Unexplained, Significance: High
Date/Time of sighting: 3/23/97, ~9:25PM-9:50PM CST Place of Sighting: Northfield, MN Local Evaluation: Unexplained CE1 (Close Encounter of 1st kind) or MA1 (Maneuver of 1st kind). Possible NEV. Significant. Investigator: Joel Henry Minnesota MUFON FI Sighting Account: The witnesses were heading South on Hwy 3, returning to witness #2's home after having left the Rosemount theater at ~9:15PM. On their way to Farmington, they saw what they first took for the Hale-Bopp comet (which was actually N. E. of them). They watched the object which they described as shimmering like a 4th of July sparkler (with some blue, green, and red) to about 5-6 south of Farmington (approx. the location of Viking Auto Salvage), when the shimmering stopped. They then noticed it was actually 2 objects next to each other hovering over a spot on the north side of Northfield. The witnesses continued to watch the objects as they approached it (continuing south down HWY 3)and they became clearer as they got nearer. They pulled over to the west side of HWY 3 at about the spot where 47 meets HWY 3 and got out of the car to get a better look at the objects. This was at ~9:45PM. Witness #1 was unsure of distance and size of objects. He described their size as approx. 3 houses. Witness #2 was certain that the objects were about 300-350 ft away. The elevation angle was ~45degrees and the objects were west of the witnesses. They were clearly 2 hovering triangular shaped objects (witness #2 described as approx. 1/2 way in size between a small and a large plane). The objects then rotated towards the N. W. and glided away at a casual speed (towards Lakeville). The trees obscured their vision of the UFO's at a point after they headed N. W. The witnesses noted that the UFOs did not resemble any aircraft as they had no wings. They also moved in a manner unlike ordinary aicraft. They were also certain the UFO's were not helicopters. The UFO's made no noise at all. UFO description: The 2 objects were identical in shape and size and were triangular and black and had white lights in each corner and a huge red/amber light in the center (looking at bottom of UFO's). There were slight protrusions on each side in the rear (see drawing). They both moved together in formation. Size estimate: 40-50ft on a side. Witness #2 described UFO as 2 inches wide at arms length. Height at ~2 water towers high. Click here for image of drawing of ufo by witness #1. Witness Descriptions and Background: Witness #1 is son of a witness of a different sighting in Cannon Falls just a few days earlier. He was skeptical of her sighting before he had his own. Witness #2 is a friend of witness #1. Both are males in their early 20's. Both seemed like ordinary honest down to earth type guys not given to lying or pranks. Both are employed as autobody repairmen. Neither witness expected the objects to be UFO's when they first caught sight of them. Witness #2 was a bit bothered by the sighting. Witness #2 said he saw a possible UFO years earlier whose description matches the Pheonix, AZ boomerang seen in March 97. Both witnesses requested anonymity due to local attitudes about UFOs. Neither witness reported the UFO's to the police. Additional Witnesses: None known. Will continue to try to locate more witnesses if possible. Cars were seen moving down HWY 3 during the sighting. Natural and Man-Made Phenomena Check: Nothing likely due to close distance in sky and size of objects as well as description. The sky in the area was clear. Other Possibilities: Unknown super-secret high tech stealth military craft with a new unknown propulsion system? Unlikely due to shape and absense of wings and flight behavior. Also, Northfield, MN seems a strange place for super-secret military craft to be hovering around (Area 51 maybe). You won't keep a secret long if you fly around populated areas. Weather Data: Clear sky. Wind: 5-10mph. No Precip. Temp: 60F. Sighting Evaluation: I believe this CE1/MA1 are possible NEV's (Non-Earth Vehicles) and therefore Significant. The Witnesses had a good close look and are certain that the UFO was NOT an airplane or anything like one. Witness #1 drawing showed a clearly equilateral triangle design with totally non-airplane like lighting. Very similar to many other UFO's reported.