The Delphos Kansas UFO Landing

On November 2, 1971, 16-year-old Ronald Johnson was tending sheep on his family’s farm near Delphos, Kansas when he witnessed a mushroom-shaped craft hovering near the ground. The object left behind a glowing ring in the soil that would remain visible for years.

The Witness

Ronald Johnson was:

• 16 years old
• Working on the family farm
• Tending sheep that evening
• About 75 feet from the object
• Initially thought it was a light

The Object

Ronald described:

• A mushroom-shaped craft
• About 9 feet in diameter
• Hovering 2 feet off the ground
• Extremely bright
• Making a rumbling sound

The Departure

The craft:

• Began to glow more brightly
• Rose slowly into the air
• Temporarily blinded Ronald
• Flew off rapidly
• Left a visible trail

The Ring

Where the craft had hovered:

• A glowing ring remained on the ground
• The soil appeared crystallized
• It glowed in the dark
• Touching it caused numbness
• Remained visible for years

Physical Effects

The ring exhibited:

• Resistance to water absorption
• Unusual texture
• Bioluminescent properties
• Caused skin numbness
• Affected plant growth

Ronald’s Parents

When his parents arrived:

• They saw the glowing ring
• His mother touched the soil
• Her fingers went numb
• The numbness lasted weeks
• They called the sheriff

Investigation

The case was examined by:

• Local sheriff
• Ted Phillips (UFO researcher)
• Various laboratories
• The National Enquirer (offered prize money)
• Won the 1971 UFO case award

Soil Analysis

Tests revealed:

• Organic and mineral composition changes
• Fungal presence questioned
• Water repellent properties
• Some results disputed
• Remains controversial

Years Later

The ring:

• Remained visible for years
• Continued to affect plants
• Attracted ongoing investigation
• The Johnsons stuck to their story

Significance

The Delphos case is significant for:

• Physical trace evidence
• Multiple witnesses
• Long-lasting effects
• Scientific analysis conducted
• Consistent testimony over decades

Legacy

The Delphos landing represents one of the best physical trace cases in UFO history. The ring in the soil provided tangible evidence that something unusual occurred that November night.