UT001: Analysis of Soil Samples Related to the Delphos UFO event (Delphos, Kansas, 11-02-1971)
From The Black Vault Encyclopedia Project
Contents |
Background/Objective
The famous Delphos, Kansas CE2 encounter occurred at approximately 7:00 in the evening on November 2, 1971. 16 year-old Ron Johnson was tending sheep when he saw a mushroom-shaped object approximately nine feet in diameter with multicolored lights covering its surface. The object, about 25 yards away, was hovering about two feet off the ground. The UFO sounded like "an old washing machine which vibrates." When it took off it temporarily blinded Ronald with a bright light from its base. Ron went to get his family, and when they returned the entire family saw the object in the sky.
At the site where the UFO had hovered witnesses saw "a glowing ring on the ground" and luminescence on nearby trees. Ron’s parents experienced numbing effects on touching the ring. One investigator said that the soil "felt strange, like a slick crust, as if the soil was crystallized." On examination the soil was found to be impermeable to water and "dry to a depth of at least one foot". A foul odor has also been reported by some investigators .
The objective of this analysis was to build on the initial analysis done by Erol Faruk on the Delphos ring soils in the 1970s . At the very least it is hoped this investigation will be a base case for reference to future analyses. Erol Faruk developed his analytical approach based on his experience as an Organic Chemist. He analyzed these materials using 1970’s technology which has advanced dramatically in 20 years. Computerization, new techniques, and instrumentation have advanced the field of analytical sciences to previously unachievable heights. Yet, Faruk’s work was outstanding and provided preliminary observations and conjectures regarding unknown residues extracted from the ring soils. My approach to the analysis, as an Analytical Chemist, is different; and there is nothing to contradict his initial observations.
Both ring and control soil samples from this event were located on Thanksgiving Day 1998, and received for analyses on December 7th. Thanks to the wisdom of John Timmerman, the samples were preserved in his attic for many years after closure of the CUFOS Chicago office. Documentation/sample labeling existed attesting to their authenticity, and they were encased in their original tightly closed film containers with no sign of tampering.
Budinger Analysis Report
Phyllis Budinger's Post Analysis Notes
This report is discussed in the following publications:
- Ted Phillips, "Delphos A Close Encounter of the Second Kind", The UFO Research Coalition, Fairfax, VA, 2003 ISBN 1-928957-01-3.
- Phyllis A. Budinger, New Analysis of Soil Samples from the Delphos UFO Case, "Journal of UFO Studies", J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies, Chicago, IL, New Series, Vol. 8 2003.
- Phyllis A. Budinger, Delphos Soil Analysed, "MUFON UFO Journal", Number 427, November 2003.
- Dwight Connelly, "The World's Best UFO Cases", Bookseller, Inc. Martinsville, IL, 2004.
