Zoneboy
02-18-2009, 07:18 PM
Link (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_612029.html)
What object came down from the sky, landing in a secluded wooded section of Kecksburg in Mt. Pleasant Township more than 40 years ago remains a mystery.
Theories have suggested a weather balloon, a meteor, a missile, or perhaps it was something from another world that touched down on that cold, winter night.
The History Channel's "UFO Hunters" visited the site in September 2008. They spent three days interviewing local witnesses and others such as radio personality Stan Wall, who was manning the air waves that night at radio station WHJB, and Stan Gordon, recognized by many to be the foremost authority on the UFO incident.
"I've been interested in the Kecksburg incident since the night that it happened, and I've been researching it ever since," Gordon said. "Now the case has drawn not only national but international attention, and many people want to know "what happened that night back in 1965?"
The History Channel show is not the only one that has delved into the incident. The subject has been treated on "Unsolved Mysteries," "Sightings," "Discovery Channel" and "Sci-Fi" station.
"The interesting thing about the Kecksburg incident is there were so many people involved," Gordon said. "The History Channel contacted me and interviewed me both at home and at the site, and there were also many others who they talked to."
On Dec. 9, 1965, an object was spotted in the darkening skies, moving over Pittsburgh and heading to the Greensburg area.
"There were so many witnesses who saw something in the sky that night," Gordon said. "Hundreds of people saw what many thought was a plane on fire in the sky."
The object, unlike a natural occurrence such as a meteor, was reported to change directions a series of times, finally landing in the woods near Kecksburg.
"Witnesses said that it didn't come crashing down but it came down slowly, like a controlled landing," Gordon said. "It landed, and then there was a puff of blue smoke that dissipated quickly."
The show will focus on what people witnessed and their feelings about what happened that night.
"People want answers," Gordon said. "More and more people are finally admitting that something did happen, and I think they want to know once and for all what that object was."
Witnesses tell of an acorn-shaped object, partially embedded in the ground, with what appeared to be strange hieroglyphic lettering. It is documented that witnesses saw masses of military personnel in the area and a large, flatbed truck leave the area with an item covered in a tarp.
"There are also accounts of someone having photographs of the object, Gordon said. The rumor has been circulating for years that there are black and white photographs out there, and if they would come forward, it would solve the mystery once and for all."
The History Channel's "UFO Hunters," hosted by William J. Birnes, Pat Uskert and Dr. Ted Acworth, will air at 10 p.m. Wednesday.
What object came down from the sky, landing in a secluded wooded section of Kecksburg in Mt. Pleasant Township more than 40 years ago remains a mystery.
Theories have suggested a weather balloon, a meteor, a missile, or perhaps it was something from another world that touched down on that cold, winter night.
The History Channel's "UFO Hunters" visited the site in September 2008. They spent three days interviewing local witnesses and others such as radio personality Stan Wall, who was manning the air waves that night at radio station WHJB, and Stan Gordon, recognized by many to be the foremost authority on the UFO incident.
"I've been interested in the Kecksburg incident since the night that it happened, and I've been researching it ever since," Gordon said. "Now the case has drawn not only national but international attention, and many people want to know "what happened that night back in 1965?"
The History Channel show is not the only one that has delved into the incident. The subject has been treated on "Unsolved Mysteries," "Sightings," "Discovery Channel" and "Sci-Fi" station.
"The interesting thing about the Kecksburg incident is there were so many people involved," Gordon said. "The History Channel contacted me and interviewed me both at home and at the site, and there were also many others who they talked to."
On Dec. 9, 1965, an object was spotted in the darkening skies, moving over Pittsburgh and heading to the Greensburg area.
"There were so many witnesses who saw something in the sky that night," Gordon said. "Hundreds of people saw what many thought was a plane on fire in the sky."
The object, unlike a natural occurrence such as a meteor, was reported to change directions a series of times, finally landing in the woods near Kecksburg.
"Witnesses said that it didn't come crashing down but it came down slowly, like a controlled landing," Gordon said. "It landed, and then there was a puff of blue smoke that dissipated quickly."
The show will focus on what people witnessed and their feelings about what happened that night.
"People want answers," Gordon said. "More and more people are finally admitting that something did happen, and I think they want to know once and for all what that object was."
Witnesses tell of an acorn-shaped object, partially embedded in the ground, with what appeared to be strange hieroglyphic lettering. It is documented that witnesses saw masses of military personnel in the area and a large, flatbed truck leave the area with an item covered in a tarp.
"There are also accounts of someone having photographs of the object, Gordon said. The rumor has been circulating for years that there are black and white photographs out there, and if they would come forward, it would solve the mystery once and for all."
The History Channel's "UFO Hunters," hosted by William J. Birnes, Pat Uskert and Dr. Ted Acworth, will air at 10 p.m. Wednesday.