eXoNews cracked digital ufologist examines the evidence.

May 30, 2005 (eXoNews) - That's right, space cadets! It's time once again for another eXoNews roundup of Unidentified Flying Objects! Every so often, when news gets slow, strange visitors from other worlds start showing up in the damnedest places. It's almost as if they've timed their visits to the latest Star Wars film or the end of school! Uncanny! It's almost as if those devious little green men really want us to find them and tell their stories in some Sci Fi Channel Saturday Original Movie starring a bunch of actors we barely remember from hundreds of failed TV shows.

Whatever their reason for showing up in our skies, here is ample evidence that they are back in droves. Just take a look at these recent sightings we plucked from the files of NUFORC (the National UFO Reporting Center)!

To help you visualize the latest NUFORC reports, we employed our cracked team of digital ufologist wizards to illustrate each story with completely unbiased lurid and bogus pix of what these undoubtedly sincere (or maybe sometimes unintentionally dubious) genuine anonymous UFO tipsters might have photographed if they only had a camera somewhere in their possession.

You may shudder at the evidence! You may cry out in fear at the thought of the extraterrestrial menace! Or you may just giggle a little and pay out 8 bucks to see George Lucas' latest fictional space opera instead.

We know our duty here at eXoNews, so scroll down past the Picture of The Week and remember, space cadets, The Truth Is Really Out There!

It was over the trees, but I could not tell distance or size of the object. (eXoNews)

[Please note that all you read below are real reports, unedited or spell-checked, from the files of NUFORC (National UFO Reporting Center). For more of the same or to report a sighting of your own, visit NUFORC at http://www.nuforc.org  NUFORC footnotes are also reproduced here unedited. Ed.]

Mysterious Orange
Posted: 5/24/2005
Location: Statesville, NC

Saw this while relaxing outside on my deck.

There was a full moon, and I was enjoying the light it reflected onto the landscape when I saw an orange/red light: I thought it could be a planet or close star, as it was stationary for about 3 or 4 minutes...

(It was over the trees, but I could not tell distance or size of the object.)

Then suddenly it dimmed its light (s) to about 25% illumination and began slowly to travel to my right (north), and then it accelerated quickly and - zoom! - it was out of sight...

WOW!

The object then appeared to have a faint orange circular glow. (eXoNews)

Mysterious Orange Diamond
Posted: 5/24/2005
Location: Ormond Beach, FL

Looking into the Eastern sky over the Atlantic ocean, I observed a three-dimensional diamond shaped object having the appearance similar to a lantern.

The object was black in color and remained perfectly still in the sky. There was no movement what-so-ever, not even wind movement.

When the sun came up completely, the object then appeared to have a faint orange circular glow around it that was not visible prior, or in the picture I took.

I was unable to observe it for longer than an hour.

However it was still there when I left my house.

When I returned home in the afternoon, it was not longer there.

Mysterious Cylinders
Posted: 5/24/2005
Location: Waxahachie, TX

Remained motionless for several minutes. (eXoNews)

Cylindrical-shaped, wingless object caught my attention during sunset.

It was approximately 100 degrees above the horizon south south-west of Waxahachie, a suburb of Dallas, TX.

Object appeared when it caught the light of the sun, then disappeared, reappeared, several times.

It appeared to be very high, and hovered above the area soundlessly.

It remained motionless for several minutes.

A companion, in the south at about the same altitude, appeared to be identical in shape and was also motionless until it disappeared.

As the daughter of a pilot and aeronautical engineer, I am familiar with many types of aircraft -- none of which are shaped like these two objects or hover soundlessly for minutes.

Parallel to our car at the same speed as our car. (eXoNews)

Mysterious Blue Lights
Posted: 5/24/2005
Location: Warm Springs, NV

2 bright blue-white lights travelling parallel to our car at the same speed as our car.

No other cars or lights anywhere.

After about 8 seconds they disappeared as would meteorites.

But they were much bigger than shooting stars and did not arc across the sky and fade, but travelled in a straight line and then both disappeared instantly.

An hour earlier the GPS in the car mysteriously went crazy . . . couldn't get satelite signal and repeatedly attempted to recalc the route.

 ((NUFORC Note: California Emergency Services office telephone NUFORC at 23:17 hrs. on May 21, 2005, to report multiple reports to their office regarding a bright green light seen in the San Francisco area, and in surrounding counties, on this date. PD))

Mysterious Spinning Thingie
Posted: 5/24/2005
Location: Lewisville, TX

I was returning a friend to her apartment. It was about 8:00 p.m., and as we made a turn around a corner I saw an object in the sky. I looked at the object a few seconds expecting it to turn out to be a helicopter but it looked like it was tumbling and spinning at the same time as this motion was going on it seemed like it was changing shape.

The shape shifting effect was due to the tumbling motion. (eXoNews)

I'm guessing the shape shifting effect was due to the tumbling motion or maybe the shape shifting was causing it to look like it was tumbling. I looked at my friend and asked her if she saw what I saw and she told me she did then asked me what it was.

The object was close enough that I could make out some detail as it turned, but none of the shapes made sense. Sometimes I could make out what looked like an aircraft rudder then a second later it looked like it had an oval like sphere on the one end there were not lights on the object that I could see.

Overall the object had an elongated shape that as I said seemed to be out of control and tumbling and flipping.

I am an ex Air Force aircraft mechanic and the person I was with is a paralegal. I have seen many planes and helicopters and I have never seen anything that moved like this object. It was black and did not reflect light, despite the fact that the sun was shining directly on it. I could also see a perfect translucent circle around the object as it tumbled in the sky. I could see the circle because the part of the sky that was visible inside the circle was a different shade. Also, the object never made a sound that we could hear.

The object seemed to be stationary at first then seemed to move away from us and up. Shortly after it moved a passenger jet flew over the apartment complex and as the jet liner passed over I could still see the object above and further away than the jet and I would say the object was a third to half the size of the jet from my perspective.

I watched the object for about thirty to forty-five minutes and the longer I watched it the further up it went. Fortunately there was not a cloud in the sky and I saw the object climb until it was only a black speck and then it disappeared.

((NUFORC Note: We spoke via telephone with this witness, and we found him to be quite objective in his description of the event. We suspect that he is a very good witness, and quite credible. PD))

It slowly moved Westerly in a wavy fashion. (eXoNews)

Mysterious Orange Triangle
Posted: 5/24/2005
Location: Fergus Falls, MN

A bright orange triangular object appeared from the East at treetop level.

It slowly moved Westerly in a wavy fashion. It then proceeded to move North slowly and faded off into the distance.

The object made no sound. The night was clear and still. I observed this from my backyard on my deck and the neighborhood was quite dark.

On the Northern horizon there was a faint display of the Northern Lights in the distance.

The object seemed to disappear about the point where the Northern Lights faded. The object would fit in the full moon, if the full moon was about half its normal size.

((NUFORC Note: We express our gratitude to the Fergus Falls Daily Journal, and its award-winning journalist, Mr. Brandon Stahl, for publishing their article about this reported event. Please see other report from second witness in Fergus Falls. The source of this report indicated that the object was in the northern sky, from his vantage point. The second witness, who lived three blocks to the north of this witness, indicates that she had witnessed the object to the south, from her vantage point at her home. If that second report is true, the object may have been located between the two witnesses. PD))

Mysterious Unknown Aircraft
Posted: 5/24/2005
Location: Montgomery (50 miles west of; inflight), AL

An unknown aircraft at my 10 o'clock position high. (eXoNews)

Enroute from Houston to Columbia, SC at 35,000 feet in a jet airliner.

As captain I noticed an unknown aircraft at my 10 o'clock position high. At first I thought it was another aircraft and looked at my TCAS. There was no aircraft around in that vicinity.

I then looked back at the craft noticing it was passing us like we were sitting still while we were at Mach .78. I also noticed it was at least 40,000 feet higher than us.

Pointed the target out to the first officer and she saw it as well. It may have been a satellite but it seemed to change directions as got directly off our nose and then dissappeared.

Object seemed to have a strobes. We both know it was not a shooting star so it was either satellite or unexplained.

((NUFORC Note: Witness elects to remain semi-anonymous. PD))

Mysterious Texas Circle
Posted: 5/24/2005
Location: El Paso, TX

A somewhat round object silver in color outlined with what looked like a fluorescent light tube. (eXoNews)

Just one object was seen. It at first appeared to be a helicopter because it hovered and moved very slowy in a south western direction. When I looked at it with my eyes alone, I could not decipher exactly what the image was. I thought it was a plane but the lights seemed too bright.

I also thought that it might be a star or the moon as you might view them as the sun is rising in the morning, however, the object appeared to be moving.

I returned to my home from my morning walk.

I retrieved my binoculars from my car and then viewed the object.

I thought I would see something normal that would explain what seemed abnormal.

What I saw was a somewhat round object silver in color outlined with what looked like a flourescent light tube that rapped arround the entire object.

At the base of the object there were three beams of the same flourescent light that encircled the object. The shape of the beams were similar to the fire seen when a rocket is taking off or boosting power.

They were located at the base of the object. One on both ends and one in the middle that appeared to be shorter that the other two.

I did awaken my roommate and asked him to come outside and view what I had seen. He asked me what he was suppose to see. I told him to just look and tell me what he thought it was. He said that it must be a UFO and just went back to bed. He did see the same image that I viewed.

I checked the morning paper to see if I could find an explanation for what I saw. This evening I telephoned three local TV news stations and asked if anyone had reported seeing any strange obects that morning on the the west side of El Paso. They all answered no. The object that I saw was not a balloon, a plane, a helicopter nor was it like anything I have ever seen in my lifetime.

I am not one to make up stories. I saw what I saw and so did my roommate. I am sure there is a logical explanation for what I saw and that is why I must know what it was that I did see. Any help that you can offer would be greatly appreciated. I just need to know what it was? Thanks.

3 lights in a triangle formation and a small pulsing red light in the middle. (eXoNews)

Mysterious Leicester Road
Posted: 5/24/2005
Location: Leicester (UK/England),

as i walked up the road i saw 2 bright lights in front of me, at first i thought it was a plane or helecopter but there wasnt any flashing lights on it.

as i walked on i stopped to look at it and as it was over the top of me i saw 3 lights in a triangle formation and a small pulsing red light in the middle.

i rang my dad in to see if it was a military aircraft but he didnt know what it could of been. i could also see a faint outline of a circle but im not sure.

((NUFORC Note: Witness elects to remain totally anonymous. PD))

Mysterious Navajo Mountain Classic
Posted: 5/24/2005
Location: Black Mesa/Shonto, AZ

A round bright disk flying towards me. (eXoNews)

I saw a round bright disk flying towards me.

It was as large as a commercial airplane but it definitely wasn't an airplane.

It was 15 or 20 ft. high with a round domed top.

In the middle were objects that could have been windows.

The bottom was a litle rounded but not flat. It seemed that the top may have been spinning.

The sun was shining on it making it gleam.

The object dipped, then reversed direction and started to climb headed towards Navajo Mountain.

It started to rise very fast and disappeared from sight suddenly.

Mysterious Train
Posted: 5/24/2005
Location: Trinidad, CO

Perfectly round and metallic but the more I stared it seemed to become transparent. (eXoNews)

i was traveling on the train heading southbound towards new mexico. I was looking at the sky, it was a clear day and we had just picked up a bunch of kids.

I noticed a reflection from an object in the sky. The object at first looked perfectly round and metallic but the more I stared it seemed to become transparent. I thought it was a weather balloon but I could not see any devices hanging from the bottom.

I watched the object and soon there were trees that slightly blocked my view of the object but I kept my eyes fixed on it until the trees passed. The trees were only there for 10 seconds tops and I could still see the reflection through the trees. But by the time the trees passed, the object was gone completely.

Planes were visible at the same time and traveled slowly in comparison to the dissappearence of the object. I was facing southeast at the time and if I am standing on the ground it would have been above me at an approximate 70-75 degree angle.

A bit before this happened the train I was traveling on lost power for five minutes.

Mysterious Star Wars!
Posted: 5/24/2005
Location: Earp, CA

It began shortly after midnight, we were laying out in the front yard and saw a black, silent aircraft pass over very low. We thought we saw a Stealth bomber and began trying to see where it went.

We saw another, and after a while we saw several. I went inside so my son could wake up and see them. The three of us layed outside watching for over 4 hours. During this time other types of aircraft appeared, several larger triangular looking aircraft were seen, as well as massive crafts consisting of several smaller crafts joined together. We watched as they seemed to be moving from one large craft to another.

It seemed as though the smaller ones were launching from the larger ones. Straight lines of what looked like stars (but were'nt) were appearing, at one point there were at least five consisting of 8 or more moving lights. During most of the activity in the sky we heard our dogs barking at nothing, cat (not ours) howling, and wild burros schreeching nearby.

Shortly before daylight it appeared as though they began to prepare to depart. At times it seemed as though they were engaged in combat with each other. Many falling star type beams observed, they were red and gold in color. Larger crafts appeared to break down into several smaller ones and depart. Some of the larger crafts had a blue craft that seemed to be guiding them away. One large craft in particular split into two separate pieces one of which departed upward and the other downward in the distance.

The one that appeared to land here looked as though it turned over, changing its position as it was descending, towards 29 Palms. During the entire event, they made no noise.

After most of the crafts had departed 4 gold colored, square objects began to ascend after them, they seemed to have been some kind of guide. It was at this point that my husband called the 29 Palms Marine Corps base. He was transferred to the correct person who basically told him "he hadn't seen anything." This statement was made after he was asked who he was, where he was, what was seen and how many others had seen it.

Then, my husband placed another call to the local Sheriff's Department and was told an Officer would be sent down. As he walked outside after this call, he proceeded to call his father and noticed that the 4 gold square objects were landing in a square formation around our house. At this point we ran into our home and locked the doors and turned off the lights. It appeared that some sort of door or hatch opened and a male human figure get out and began walking toward our home.

We called the Sheriff's department back to see what was taking so long and were told the deputy would not be responding. Husband went back outside and noticed one of the four objects was rising up from the ground again, it hovered at approximately 40-50 feet. He quickly came back inside.

This was approximately 20 minutes before daylight.

At daylight he went outside and observed them all departing, he called us out so we could see it too. They were already several hundred feet off the ground. A little later we drove down to where they had landed and saw circular imprints in the soil as well as laid over weeds. Only found two of these.

[That last one was definitely the best! Once again, be sure to check out NUFORC for more! Ed.]

National UFO Reporting Center - http://www.nuforc.org

Pembrokeshire Wales

Pembrokeshire Wales May 28, 2005 (IC Wales) - A spate of UFO sightings in Wales prompted a secret Ministry of Defence investigation, newly-released information has revealed. The clamour around the possibility of "little green men" visiting Pembrokeshire forced Government officials to look into the situation in the late 1970s. There were numerous tabloid reports, including one of an entire class of schoolchildren claiming to have seen a UFO landing.

Many others reported being petrified by a strange silver alien. It all happened in what became known as the Broad Haven Triangle. Canny tourist operators even started running UFO sighting weekends.

But new documents show despite publicly dismissing the reports as hoaxes, defence experts were racing to get answers.

In a letter from May 1977, MoD minister Dr John Gilbert MP tells officials in the department, "I am being inundated at the present time with representations about UFOs said to have been seen in Pembrokeshire." He asks whether any investigations are being carried out.

A reply tells the minister, "We look into detailed reports of unexplained phenomena to see if they have a bearing on the national defences."

But they reassured we were not in danger of alien takeover, saying, "My department has carried out that type of investigation on the reports received from Wales, but these have been few in recent months.

"No evidence has been revealed to suggest that the alleged sightings in Wales, or indeed those reported from other parts of Great Britain in the past, contained anything of significance from a defence point of view. All I can tell you on the basis of the department's past experience, is that most reports of this nature can usually be referred to a commonplace object, which may have been observed perhaps from an unusual angle or in somewhat unusual weather or lighting conditions."

However, unbeknown to the minister, the RAF in West Wales was asked to carry out a "discreet" investigation.

An extract of a private memorandum to the Provost and Security Service of the RAF, (effectively the military police), reads, "I should be grateful if you would have a look at these papers and let me know whether you think some sort of discreet inquiry would be worthwhile.

"What I would really like to know is the volume of local interest and/or alarm, and whether there is a readily discernible rational explanation for it (perhaps a practical joker), or even whether there is prima facie evidence for a more serious specialist enquiry. But I have not committed you in any way, and I have not even told the minister I am consulting you."

The report called for has yet to be released.

Sheffield University's folklore lecturer Dr David Clarke, who uncovered the other documents under the Freedom of Information Act, is now trying to track it down.

Dr Clarke, who is researching a book called Saucer Full of Secrets about the folklore of UFO sightings, said, "I was really surprised to find this. Generally the MoD dismisses these things and doesn't take them too seriously. But to find they ordered an investigation behind the Minster's back is pretty interesting. It's not quite the X-Files, but it is along the same lines."

Dr Clarke is now trying to get hold of people who were featured in what he sees as the tall tales of nearly 30 years ago.

"What I'd really like is to speak to some of the kids who apparently saw the alien craft."

A newspaper at the time reported Broad Haven Primary School headmaster Ralph Llewellyn backing the claims of his pupils, 14 of whom had drawn similar pictures of the craft.

"What would be fantastic is to meet whoever it was wearing the alien suit," added Dr Clarke. "As far as I've been able to work out it was someone living locally, who'd got hold of a chemical suit, having a great time terrifying people."

The Pembrokeshire  UFO garnered big headlines (BBC)

In 1977 the talk of Pembrokeshire was all about UFOs.

Among dozens of alleged sightings, Billy and Pauline Coombes, living at a remote farmhouse near Broad Haven, were apparently terrified to see a 7ft giant in a silver suit outside their front room window at 1am.

Josephine Hewison, meanwhile, was reported to have seen a 50ft craft the shape of an upturned jelly mould parked outside her greenhouse.

As well as pranksters, and talk of strange goings-on at local military bases, folklore expert Dr David Clarke thinks films fuel the hysteria.

"Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Star Wars had just come out, so the idea of space was very much at the front of people's minds, which is fascinating in itself."

Anyone with stories or recollections from the time wanting to help David's research can get in touch on 07906 377 988.

But it was just Lucas' Millennium Falcon being built for Star Wars (BBC)

UFO fever in Pembrokeshire reached its zenith in the winter of 1979. Stories leaked about a strange saucer being housed in a Pembroke Dock warehouse. It turned out to be a life-sized copy of the Millennium Falcon, which was being created for the Star Wars sequel The Empire Strikes Back, pictured above.

About 30 people working on the project had been sworn to secrecy by producer George Lucas, and had to refer to it by its code-name Magic Roundabout.

Marcon Fabrications, which normally worked with nearby petrochemical industry, were charged with building Han Solo's famous starship. It was able fly millimetres off the ground on compressed air to enable it to be moved easily.

Shortly after the well-kept secret was finally exposed, the 'spaceship' was dismantled and taken by road to Elstree Studios where it was reassembled for the film studios in London.

UFO Sighted In Olmsted Falls Sky

Olmsted Falls OH May 28, 2005 (News 5) - Ohio is home to some of the most UFO sightings in the country. The strange sightings don't end in the night sky, they also lurk in the woods and lakes of northeast Ohio, NewsChannel5's Paul Kiska reported.

Kiska reported that police are even left stunned by some of the reports, and the video of UFO sightings can bring chills to even skeptics. And Ohio has the second highest number of reported UFO sightings.

Last week, Olmsted Falls police officers took pictures after getting calls from anxious residents who saw strange green and red lights moving across the night sky.

Police officers observed the moving lights even though the Hopkins International Airport radar didn't indicate anything was in the area.

Police later heard that a new blimp from Akron Goodyear was being tested, but there were no sightings reported between Akron and Olmsted Falls, Kiska reported.

NewsChannel5's photographer Tom Deau has seen a UFO. He shared his story from the summer of 1984.

"It was just hovering in the sky, and, whew, it took off -- gone," Deau said. "It still gives me chills today telling the story. Just weird."

Even Bigfoot or Sasquatch sightings have been reported from Chardon to Niles.

One of the most well-known sightings took place in the Cuyahoga Valley National Forest a few years ago. Several surprised motorists reported seeing a large hairy creature with human-like features crossing Interstate 271.

Cleveland Ufology Project - http://www.clevelandufo.com

Spaceships Will Appear Over Las Vegas On My Signal
Prophet Yahweh Press Release

Las Vegas NV May 25, 2005 (PRWEB) - Prophet Yahweh was blessed to discover the lost, ancient art of summoning UFOs and spaceships on-demand.

There is a difference between UFOs and spaceships. UFOs are usually small flying objects: glowing orbs, metallic spheres, satellite-type flying machines, etc. And, their flight patterns suggest that they are not of this world. But, spaceships are large futuristic vehicles that are clearly designed to carry passengers in like you see in the movies.

Since 1979, more than 1,500 UFOs and/or spaceships have appeared on Prophet Yahweh's signal before witnesses or at unawares. During this time, he was performing his summons privately with only those close to him as witnesses.

But, starting June 1st until July 15th (45 days) Prophet is going public by opening up to the news media. He will demonstrate his ability to call down UFOs and spaceships, on-demand, for them to film and photograph.

Prophet is in direct telephatic contact with his space being friends. They have revealed that they will send UFOs as soon as Prophet starts asking for them to appear. Also, before the 45 day summoning period has ended, a spaceship will descend and sit in the skies over Las Vegas on Prophet's signal.

The spaceship will hover in the sky, not far from Nellis Air Force base, for almost two days. All Las Vegans will be able to see it, day and night, before it goes back up into space. Some news media representatives won"t be able to come to Las Vegas to film the sightings. But, they would be interested in doing a story on Prophet"s ability to summon them. Others would like to see videos of the UFOs, first, to determine if they are real, before coming.

Because of this, Prophet is giving the news media free access to the broadcasts area of his website where they can view his UFO videos. Also, since some news media will not be able to come to Las Vegas, Prophet is willing to travel to any city to call down UFOs for them to document.

If your company would like to film or photograph UFOs and/or spaceships that appear on Prophet"s cue, email your request to him. Afterwards, he will communicate with you concerning it and email you the login information you need to access the UFO videos in the Broadcast Area of his website.

Prophet Yahweh Official - http://www.prophetyahweh.com

Chinese UFOs!

BEIJING May 3, 2005 (AFP) - Meng Zhaoguo, a rural worker from northeast China's Wuchang city, says he was 29 years old when he broke his marital vows for the first and only time -- with a female extraterrestrial of unusually robust build.

"She was three meters (10 feet) tall and had six fingers, but otherwise she looked completely like a human," he says of his close encounter with an alien species. "I told my wife all about it afterwards. She wasn't too angry."

While few Chinese claim to have managed to get quite as intimate with an extraterrestrial as Meng, a growing number of people in the world's most populous nation believe in unidentified flying objects, or UFOs.

Officially registered UFO associations in China have about 50,000 members, but some estimate the actual number of Chinese interested in the subject is probably in the tens of millions.

Zhang Jingping, a leading member of the International Chinese UFO Association, displays what he claims to be reconstructed images of two individuals who allegedly took a Chinese farmer on a nightly UFO aerial expedition across China. (AFP/ Frederic J. Brown)

Sun Shili is one of the most serious enthusiasts, and he knows exactly where he will be the day the extraterrestrials finally make contact with mankind. The 67-year-old retired Beijing professor will be in the 21-member delegation picked by international UFO associations to represent Earth as the first negotiations get underway.

Once a Spanish translator for Mao Zedong during high-level state visits, Sun says language will not be a problem. "We expect to communicate using telepathy," he says.

In a country that has lost its spiritual bearings as Marxism has given way to materialism, the idea of strange worlds light years away offers a last great hope for many.

Richard McNally, a Harvard psychologist, says he recognizes the pattern from research into Westerners who claim to have been abducted by aliens and who characterized the experience as "spiritually deepening."

"Our abductees typically describe themselves as 'spiritual' individuals for whom organized religion provides scant spiritual nourishment, and the Chinese UFO spotters may very well be like our subjects," McNally says.

As Sun, the Spanish translator, sits one sunny spring morning in the Chinese capital, he points at the streets outside and explains how many of the people walking by are probably extraterrestrials in human guise.

They are here to help mankind move human civilization on little by little, he explains. "It's estimated that 80 percent of new inventions come to people in their dreams," says Sun. "Maybe this is is how the extraterrestrials pass on their knowledge to us."

Extraterrestrials are moving mankind on the path towards perfection, but they can only do so in a very gradual fashion, Sun says. "They give us wisdom and skills that are just a little bit more advanced than what we have at any given moment," he says. "If they gave us their full range of knowledge all at once, we wouldn't be able to handle it."

As in most other areas of human endeavor, China is also an emerging force to be reckoned with in UFO research. In September, the International Chinese UFO Association will hold an international meeting on UFO research in the northern port city of Dalian.

"The fact that this meeting can be held shows that China is gradually becoming a great power in UFO research," says Zhang Jingping, a leading member of the association.

A dedicated group of enthusiasts forming the core membership of the Beijing UFO Research Association are on constant alert, ready to move out and investigate observations of mysterious phenomena in the night sky. They take photos, record videos and interview witnesses, all in the interest of addressing the issue from a scientific point of view, according to Zhou Xiaoqiang, the chairman of the association.

"The result is that 95 to 99 percent of the sightings can be explained naturally, like airplanes or satellites," he says. "But a tiny minority may be real UFOs, and we should take them seriously."

Zhou, a 57-year-old executive at a transportation company, spends most of his waking hours studying UFOs, but he remembers a time when it was not allowed.

After the Cultural Revolution broke out in 1966, his fresh university degree earned him a one-way ticket to the deep countryside, a victim of Mao's scheme to instil proletarian values in the intellectuals.

The dreary life almost made him forget there might be something beyond the narrow confines of the rural community where he spent the next decade.

But then when the Cultural Revolution finally ended, and China slowly emerged from decades of self-imposed isolation, Zhou remembers watching Steven Spielberg's film classic "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."

It was a revelation. It was not just a new world that opened up to him, but a whole new universe, where everything seemed possible -- even extraterrestrials.

"Chinese people are interested in UFOs now because their lives have improved," says Zhou. "They no longer have to worry about getting enough to eat, but can start caring about issues like this."

Huang Yanqiu, a 49-year-old farmer from Beigao village in north China's Hebei province, recalls his one and only encounter with extraterrestrials in 1977. He woke up in the middle of the night and found himself in front of two men who looked and spoke like ordinary humans.

But they had special powers, taking him on a nightly flight on their backs to all corners of China, from Heilongjiang province in the north to Fujian province in the southeast. Eventually, they carried him to Tiananmen Square.

For a young man who had never been more than a few kilometers (miles) away from home, but had a secret wish to see the world, it was the experience of a lifetime.

"We couldn't go anywhere at the time. There were no cars, just bicycles," he says. "Maybe it was all just a dream."

Search for Derbyshire UFO Witnesses

The lights were spotted over Derbyshire in 1994. (BBC)

Cardiff UK April 12, 2005 (BBC) - Fresh reports of UFO sightings over Derbyshire have emerged with the release of government documents under the new Freedom of Information Act. The papers reveal a family from Crich claim they saw strange lights in the sky 11 years ago and made a report to the RAF.

A Cardiff researcher is trying to trace that family in an effort to shed some light on the subject. But Chris Fowler said the identity of the eyewitnesses remains a mystery. He said they made an official report, which he has seen under the new act, but their names have been blanked out.

Mr Fowler said there is video coverage of the alleged sighting in August 1994 as well.

"It was videotaped and after a few minutes you can see helicopters approaching and as one of them gets quite close, the UFO disappears," he said. "Then the helicopters circle around and after the UFO reappears after they fly off."

The sighting was independently witnessed by the family who reported it to the RAF - and it was forwarded to the Ministry of Defence.

The Night Stalker was one of Mulder's favorites

Monday ~ Reality stuff and football through January and then Heather Graham (Scrubs, Twin Peaks) in a sitcom followed by returning Jake In Progress and What About Brian, a new drama about "the guy everyone wants as a best friend."

Tuesday ~ According to Jim returns with Rodney (new night - who cares?), followed a Commander-in-Chief, a promising new drama starring Geena Davis as the vice-president of the United States about to become president and co-starring Donald Sutherland and Ever Carradine (Lucky). At 10 PM Tuesdays, Boston Legal returns with a 28-episode season (including what you didn't see this year.)

Wednesday ~ George Lopez returns in a new slot, followed by Freddie Prinze, Jr. in a new sitcom and hopefully not making the same mistakes in life his dad did. (Maybe he'll get Sarah Michelle Gellar to guest?) Lost returns an hour later than last year, followed by Invasion from Shaun Cassidy and celebrated director Thomas Schlamme (The West Wing). Yes, it's those pesky aliens again. On the yea side, Invasion has the absolutely wonderful Kari Matchett (Nero Wolfe).

Thursday ~ Alias returns at 8PM, followed by The Night Stalker. If Night Stalker sounds familiar, you may be old enough to remember the original adventures of reporter Carl Kolchak. This remake comes from Frank Spotnitz and Daniel Sackheim, who were Chris Carter producer sidekicks on The X-Files and Mulder fans know that The Night Stalker was one of Mulder's favorites (along with Bill Bixby in The Magician.)

Friday ~ Reality and sitcoms.

Saturday ~ Movies.

Sunday ~ The return of Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy

CBS

Monday ~ Two new sitcoms: How I met Your Mother (which features Buffy's Alyson Hannigan) and Out of Practice, which looks like just another sitcom.

The girl who talked to God replaced by a girl who talks to ghosts (CBS)

Tuesday ~ NCIS returns, followed by a new drama called Close To Home at 10PM. Close is from Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI) and features Jennifer Finnigan (Devan Maguire in Crossing Jordan) as a mom/ prosecutor and Christian Kane (Angel) as her hubby.

Wednesday ~ Returning sitcoms lead in to Criminal Minds, starring Mandy Patinkin (Chicago Hope) as the leader of a bunch of "profilers in the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit, who meticulously piece together portraits of killers and other major offenders, leading to what they hope will be the arrest of a prime suspect." CSI:NY returns in the 10 PM slot.

Thursday ~ Remains the same, with the Survivor reality thing followed by returning CSI:Vegas and Without A Trace.

Friday ~ CBS does a two-thirds revamp after canceled Joan and JAG's retirement. Jennifer Love Hewitt replaces the girl who talked to God with a girl who talks to ghosts in Ghost Whisperer. "Inspired by the cases of famed psychic James Van Praagh, it focuses on a young newlywed endowed with the unique ability to communicate with spirits.." Like Medium, but with Hewitt I'll bet on this one surviving.

Jennifer is followed by Threshold, which is less likely to survive. Brannon Braga from the Trek Franchise created it, but it's about still another extraterrestrial craft showing up on Earth to be investigated by a "carefully assembled team made up of a brilliant physicist with strong religious beliefs, a language and communications expert and a highly trained covert operative." Brent Spiner (Star Trek The Next Generation) plays one of those parts. ABC is planning a similar series called Invasion.

Numb3rs returns, thankfully, to the Friday 10 PM slot.

Saturday ~ "Crimetime Saturday", whatever that means, and 48 Hours.

Sunday ~ The returning Cold Case at 8PM and weekly movies to battle ABC's Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy.

NBC

Dennis in uniform (rear) in NBC's The E-Ring (NBC)

Monday ~ Fathom is NBC's new drama about a new form of sea life which mysteriously appears "in locales all over the Earth" and the ensuing investigation of same. This is followed by the return of NBC's big winners Las Vegas and Medium.

Tuesday ~ Reality show, sitcoms and Law & Order: SVU returns.

Wednesday ~ Reality show followed by E-Ring from producer Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI). E-Ring is about life in The Pentagon and has some promise in the form of stars Dennis Hopper and Benjamin Bratt. E-Ring leads in for the return of NBC stalwart Law & Order.

Thursday ~ Sitcoms, reality show and the return of ER.

Friday ~ Reality show, Dateline and Inconceivable about, uh, "one of the most complicated questions: to conceive or not to conceive." That's right, folks. It's about a fertility clinic.

Saturday ~ Movies.

Sunday ~ NBC pits the return of The West Wing, more Law & Order and Crossing Jordan against Desperate Housewives and Grey's.

Two midseason promises from NBC in the form of sitcoms: Four Kings with Seth Green and Thick and Thin from SNL's producer Lorne Michaels starring Jessica Capshaw, Sharon Gless, Martin Mull, Mel Rodriguez, Amy Halloran, and Chris Parnell.

Fox

Monday ~ Arrested Development returns to warm critics and some viewers who still think it's a funny show, followed by Kitchen Confidential. That one is a sitcom about a rock bottom chef who suddenly gets "an opportunity to get back in the game as head chef at a top New York restaurant." Right. Prison Break, which could be a great idea for a reality series, is actually a drama starring Wentworth Miller as a guy who deliberately goes to prison to save his brother Dominic Purcell (John Doe) from a murder rap. Stacy Keach is the warden and Sarah Wayne Callies (Jane in Tarzan) shows up there somewhere too.

That's right, Buffyverse fans. He's back! (Fox)

Tuesday ~ Bones is not about the doctor on Star Trek. It's another show about a forensics guy BUT - pay attention, kids - co-stars David Boreanaz (Angel) as "a former Army sniper who mistrusts science and scientists when it comes to solving crimes." That's right, Buffyverse fans. He's back! House (my favorite new show this year) returns after Bones.

Wednesday ~ Returning sitcoms and Head Cases, a comedy-drama with Chris O'Donnell as a lawyer.

Thursday ~ The O.C. returns followed by Reunion, which sounds like a reality show but isn't. This one "marks a groundbreaking concept in series television as it chronicles the lives of a group of six friends over the course of 20 years - all in just one season", sez Fox.

Friday ~ Returning sitcoms and The Gate (working title), which is about the San Francisco Police Department's Deviant Crime Unit. Chi McBride is in it.

Saturday ~ COPS, COPS, America's Most Wanted, MAD.

Sunday ~ Cartoons and a new sitcom with Michael Rapaport (Boston Public and loads of movies.) Gee, remember when X-Files was on Sundays?

UPN

Monday ~ Sitcoms

Sex, Lies and Silver Lake (UPN)

Tuesday ~ America's Next Top Model reruns, followed by Sex, Lies and Secrets, about 20 year-olds living in Silver Lake, which is a trendy-seedy area on the outskirts of Hollywood. Denise Richards and Eric Balfour are both good actors, so who knows what to think of this? (Hint: the annual LA Gay Pride Parade is held in Silver Lake.)

Wednesday ~ America's Next Top Model followed by the return of Veronica Mars.

Thursday ~ Sitcoms, beginning with one starring Chris Rock.

Friday ~ Wrestling

WB

From X-Files alumnae, David Nutter - one to watch (WB)

Monday ~ 7th Heaven returns, followed by Just Legal, a drama from Jerry Bruckheimer about a young lawyer (Jay Baruchel) and an old lawyer (Don Johnson) who "form an unlikely partnership." Unlikely in real life maybe, but pretty commonplace on TV.

Tuesday ~ Gilmore Girls return, followed by Supernatural starring Jensen Ackles (Smallville) and Jared Padalecki (Gilmore Girls). This one is from X-Files alumnae and excellent director David Nutter, McG and Eric Kripke (Boogeyman). Nutter is really great, so this one will be the new baby to watch on The WB.

Wednesday ~ One Tree Hill returns followed by Related starring Laura San Giacomo (Just Shoot Me) and three other women in what sounds like a Sex In The City wannabe. San Giacomo is worth a look in anything, however.

Thursday ~ Ah, you were worried about Clark Kent? Smallville moves to Thursdays at 8 PM, followed by the returning Everwood.

Returning champions (Sci Fi)

Friday ~ Sitcoms, but Franny was renewed so that's good news. Reba and more Reba. Living With Fran returns to Fridays at 9:30.

Sunday ~ Demons beware! Charmed will be back for an 8th season!

FX (the world's slowest website - not all of us have T1 connections, guys!)

Summer series ~ Rescue Me returns June 21st. Over There, a series from Steven Bochco begins in July. Nip/Tuck, uh, not sure because the website timed out.

Sci Fi

Summer series ~ Here are the champions! Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis and Battlestar Galactica all return with new episodes. SG-1 also adds two familiar friends from Farscape.

We will be watching Sci-Fi Fridays!

TNT

Kyra Sedgwick as TV's "next great detective" (TNT)

Summer series ~ The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick starts up June 13th and continues Mondays at 9 PM. The premiere episode will air commercial-free.

TNT is bragging that Sedgwick will be TV's "next great detective".

"Sedgwick plays a CIA-trained, Atlanta detective who has been brought to Los Angeles to head up the Priority Murder Squad, a special unit of the LAPD that handles sensitive, high-profile murder cases."

Could the best thing to happen to TV all year (TNT)

Co-stars J.K. Simmons (Spider-man)

TNT is also going Into The West with Steven Spielberg for a six-week mini-series, which could the best thing to happen to TV all year - especially if it brings back the horse opera.

Into The West has lots of familiar faces, including Tom Berenger, Beau Bridges, Josh Brolin, Gary Busey, Keith Carradine, Balthazar Getty, Lance Henriksen. Christian Kane, Russell Means (!), Matthew Modine, Alan Tudyk and Skeet Ulrich to name a few in alpha order.

Spielberg executive produced (as he did with Taken) and left the writing and directing to talented familiar names.

USA

Summer series ~ The Dead Zone returns Sunday, June 12th at 10/9C. DZ picks up from where it left off last year with Johnny trying to prevent the end of the world.

Jennifer Finnigan (Crossing Jordan) will be a regular Dead Zone guest this season.

The 4400 mini-series continues with new episodes on June 5th. They've got a sweepstakes for you at http://www.usanetwork.com/series/the4400

Monk returns for a 4th season Friday, July 8th at 10/9C.

Dead Zone Official - http://www.usanetwork.com/series/thedeadzone

Nip/ Tuck Official - http://www.fxnetwork.com/shows/originals/niptuck

Stargate SG-1 Official - http://www.scifi.com/stargate