UFOs in the daily Press:

"Flying Saucers" are nothing more than fireballs produced by lightning

declares the famous German professor Hans Haffner

HAMBURG. -- The eminent German astronomer Hans Haffner writes in the weekly "Die Zeit" that flying saucers, if one excludes hallucinations and aerial reflections, are fireballs produced by lightning at high altitudes. He claims that his theory aligns with all reported observations of flying saucers to date.

"Let’s put an end to the flying saucer psychosis," he writes. "Flying saucers are, in fact, a natural phenomenon that occurs in the layer of air surrounding the Earth."

Mr. Haffner, professor of astronomy at the University of Hamburg and head of a section at the Hamburg Bergedorf Observatory, states that all aerial phenomena referred to as "flying saucers" seen so far can be attributed to:

1. Hallucinations, which are more common than generally believed.

2. Optical illusions that can even deceive a camera lens, as so-called photographs of flying saucers are often reflections observed when taking pictures against the light.

3. Confusion with weather balloons.

4. Finally, they could be unknown flying objects.

All manifestations in this category can be explained by what is known about fireballs produced by lightning. This phenomenon is rare, and only two or three photographs exist. The size, shape, speed, color, brightness, duration, electrical composition, and mode of dissipation of these fireballs are "remarkably similar" to descriptions of flying saucers, writes Professor Haffner.

THE DEATH OF AN AMERICAN AVIATOR

Fireballs, which are often flattened in shape, sometimes emit very bright rays of light, further corresponding to reports from people claiming to have seen flying saucers. Likewise, fireballs can change shape and direction in less than a second, just like the famous saucers. The changes in direction of fireballs produced by lightning can be easily explained by the influence of magnetic fields and by the faster cooling of one side of the ball. Finally, fireballs always disintegrate suddenly—sometimes silently, sometimes with a loud explosion. This could explain the mysterious disappearance of an American fighter pilot, Captain T. Mantell, who vanished along with his aircraft after chasing a flying saucer. Professor Haffner suggests that Captain Mantell may have collided with an exploding fireball.