ACOS Bulletin - Number 12

Magazine Overview

Title: A.C.O.S. BULLETIN
Issue: NUMBER TWELVE
Date: DECEMBER 1977
Publisher: AUSTRALIAN CO-ORDINATION SECTION, CENTRE FOR UFO STUDIES
Country: AUSTRALIA

This issue of the A.C.O.S. Bulletin, dated December 1977, is a publication of the Australian Co-ordination Section, Centre for UFO Studies. It is registered as a Publication Category B. The cover features the A.C.O.S. logo, a circular graphic, and a waveform, with the main headline being the definition of a UFO.

Editorials

The issue begins with an editorial by H. Griesberg & D. Seargent, noting that the issue is slightly late due to circumstances beyond their control. They reflect on 1977 as the third anniversary of ACOS and the 25th anniversary of UFO research in Australia. They anticipate increased public awareness of UFOs in 1978, partly due to the Columbia motion picture "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," which they expect will lead to a record year for sighting reports.

Another editorial by Dr. J. Allen Hynek discusses the creation of GEPAN in France, an official scientific body for UFO study. He highlights its significance, noting it will be headed by Dr. Claude Poher, a highly-placed scientist at the French National Centre for Space Studies, and will be a full-time, well-staffed operation, unlike the "Condon Committee." Hynek expresses hope that NASA and GEPAN will form a cooperative and productive team, especially since France has taken the lead in this investigation, a role he believes the United States should have taken.

Articles

To Colonize the Universe?

By David Seargent, this article explores the possibility of mankind colonizing the universe. Seargent estimates the number of potentially habitable planets in the universe based on the prevalence of sunlike stars, suitable distances from galactic centers, and the presence of vegetation. He calculates that there might be approximately 10^7 suitable planets in our galaxy and 3 x 10^17 in the universe. He then models the colonization process, suggesting that with hyperoptic travel, a race could colonize the universe in the order of 10^4 years, leading to a "Type IV civilization" that reaches the limits of the universe. He expresses concern about the moral development of such a civilization, particularly if it mirrors humanity's impact on Earth.

Official Study into the UFO Phenomenon?

This section reports on the establishment of GEPAN (Groupe d'Etude des Phenomenes Aerospatiaux Non-Identifies) by the French National Centre for Space Studies (C.N.E.S.). The American Center for UFO Studies, directed by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, has been asked to cooperate. The article notes that Dr. Claude Poher heads GEPAN and that it will involve members from various government research organizations. It highlights the far-reaching implications of this official French initiative, indicating a growing recognition of the seriousness of the UFO phenomenon. In contrast, it mentions that NASA rejected a White House request to reopen a federal UFO probe, deeming it "wasteful and probably unproductive," though NASA stated readiness to analyze future "bona fide physical evidence."

Close Encounters of the Third Kind - A motion picture with an impact.

This article discusses the upcoming screening of Steven Spielberg's film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" in Australia. It anticipates that the film will present a sympathetic and fictionalized treatment of the UFO subject to the general public, increasing awareness of the "CE3 experience." The article advises ACOS groups to contact local theaters to gather attendance data and correlate it with UFO report frequencies. It also stresses the importance for investigators to see the movie to become familiar with its details and to ask witnesses about similarities to the film only at the end of an interview, to avoid influencing their accounts. The author, Bill Chalker, emphasizes the need for caution to eliminate hysterical contagion and outright fraud, suggesting that the remaining cases could be the object of cautious study.

The Venus Strain or the Devon Bug?

By David Seargent, this article explores the possibility of extraterrestrial life on Venus, specifically within its cloud decks. Seargent posits that Venusian clouds might harbor a microbiotic ecosystem, similar to terrestrial airborne mites. He then links this to an observation by Mr. J. Hedley Robinson of the British Astronomical Association, who drew attention to an article about an organism found in water at the Norman Lockyer Observatory that rapidly liquified gelatine. This organism was found to be a previously unknown type of bacterium. The article notes that the occurrences of these outbreaks coincided with inferior conjunctions of Venus and major geomagnetic storms. The hypothesis presented is that solar wind particles, especially during strong solar flare activity, could blow Venusian bacterial spores into space, forming a "tail" that Earth might pass through during inferior conjunctions, potentially leading to activation of these spores on Earth.

A Comment on the Venus Bacteria.

Dr. R. E. Molnar responds to David Seargent's speculation about Venusian bacteria. Molnar performs a calculation to assess the possibility of solar wind transporting such bacteria from Venus to Earth within the postulated timeframe. He finds that a bacterium could be accelerated by the solar wind to reach Earth in approximately 3 to 4 months with a 10^-2 cm/sec^2 acceleration, or about a week and a few days with a 10^-3 cm/sec^2 acceleration. He concludes that a strong gust could achieve this in the time suggested by Seargent, and that bacteria could arrive on Earth shortly after conjunction if they left Venus before it. He acknowledges unresolved points, such as the correlation between Venus conjunctions and solar flares, the direction of the solar wind, and the survival of bacteria in interplanetary space.

U.F.O.?

A short, humorous poem about seeing a UFO that wasn't there.

A.C.O.S. NEWS

This section provides updates on A.C.O.S. activities. It includes a request for members who can translate foreign languages to assist with translating incoming correspondence. It also reminds members to use new reporting forms from January 1, 1978, and mentions that photographic analysis of unusual objects can be forwarded to Frank Gillespie, with potential further analysis by Ground Saucer Watch Inc. in the USA. Finally, it announces a new exchange group with CENAP, a West German organization, to share information on UFO activities in their respective countries.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the scientific investigation of UFOs, the potential for extraterrestrial life and space colonization, and the impact of popular culture on public perception of these topics. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious scientific inquiry, advocating for rigorous data collection and analysis while remaining open to unconventional possibilities. There is a clear emphasis on international cooperation in UFO research, as evidenced by the discussion of GEPAN and the exchange with CENAP. The publication also demonstrates a commitment to educating its members and the public on UFO-related matters, as seen in the advice given regarding the "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" movie.

Title: UFO REPORTS FROM AROUND AUSTRALIA
Issue: (10)
Date: April 1977 (specific reports range from July 1975 to July 1977)
Publisher: Not specified
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of 'UFO REPORTS FROM AROUND AUSTRALIA' presents a collection of witness testimonies detailing various aerial phenomena observed across Australia. The reports span from July 1975 to July 1977 and include detailed descriptions of objects, their movements, and the circumstances of their sightings. The magazine also includes a scientific analysis of soil samples from a reported UFO-affected area.

UFO Sightings and Witness Testimonies

ND 77001: 17th April 1977

Mr. F. Eames of NSW reported seeing a large, slow-moving light while preparing for a fishing trip. The object was described as cigar-shaped, approximately 40 feet long, with glowing, shimmering edges and three dark portholes. It was estimated to be moving at 10 MPH and made no sound.

ND 77002: 18th April 1977

The following morning, Mr. L. South of Port Macquarie, NSW, witnessed a white light ascending over a sand dune. The object moved towards him, stopped momentarily, then moved back towards the beach and descended. He observed it travelling over the water at increasing speed before climbing rapidly and disappearing in a SE direction. The object was estimated to be 50 feet in diameter, bright white, with no visible openings. Its ascent was so rapid that it became as bright as an average star within 30 seconds and disappeared within a minute.

TA 77078: 22nd June 1977

A woman in Tasmania noticed a bright glow over a hillside. A very bright white light then rose from behind the hill, moved into the sky, turned south, and moved off slowly. The witness attempted to photograph the object and called her daughter to see it.

TA 77085: 23rd June 1977

While travelling near Richmond, Tasmania, a 29-year-old woman and her son observed a pinkish light low over the town. The object was flashing and appeared to move back south before becoming stationary over a central block. The witness described it as roughly rectangular with rounded corners, approximately 3 meters long and 1 meter high, with a flashing light in the middle. It floated silently. When the witness moved her car to get a different view, the object moved off to the NW at level flight and disappeared within 30 seconds.

TA 77109: 29th July 1977

A woman, her daughter, and two grandchildren travelling on the Midland Highway in Tasmania saw an object maintaining position with their car. It was described as a bright silver cylinder moving in an upright position, with a smoke haze around it and a "frayed rope" appearance. The object was below cloud level. Upon reaching Epping Forest, the object was lost to view.

TA 77127: July 1975

A family travelling east on the Tasman Highway near Hobart, Tasmania, experienced their car stalling. They noticed an object over the middle of the road, estimated at 20 meters elevation and 200-300 meters distant. The object was silent, round, white/grey, and appeared metallic with a glow. It had an appendage below, described as a line and a squiggle. The object then ascended extremely fast, spiraling away to the SW. The husband, a mechanic, checked the car but found no fault. The object was later seen high in the sky as a diminishing light.

Analysis of Soil Samples from Karawinna, Victoria

Three soil samples from an area in Karawinna, Victoria, reportedly affected by a UFO on 25th September 1976, were analyzed by ACOS's Scientific Consultant, primarily using thermoluminescence. The sample from the center of the affected area showed slightly higher thermoluminescence than samples from the edge or outside the region. However, the conclusion was that this difference may have a natural cause, and further tests would be needed to resolve the uncertainty. Suggestions for improved documentation and sampling were also provided.

Experimental Procedures and Findings:

1. Radioactivity: No unusual radioactivity was detected using an EMI Hand and Clothing Monitor.
2. Emission Spectroscopy: A trace of lead was detected in the control sample, but no other unusual features were noted.
3. Quantitative Analysis: All samples showed virtually the same concentration of naturally radioactive elements (uranium, thorium, potassium).
4. Thermoluminescence: Using a Con-Rad Model 5100B, a significant difference was noted between the edge sample and the outside sample at a slow heating rate. Using a Harshaw 2000A, the peak height of the sample from the center appeared generally higher than from the edge or outside, though there were too few results for a definitive comparison. Peak temperatures were similar across samples.
5. Effect of Artificial Irradiation: Due to insufficient material, a full characterization was not possible, but the natural thermoluminescence corresponded to approximately 500 rads of gamma irradiation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the detailed reporting of UFO/UAP sightings from various parts of Australia, emphasizing witness accounts and physical descriptions of the objects. The inclusion of a scientific analysis of soil samples suggests an editorial stance that seeks to investigate potential physical evidence related to UFO phenomena, while also maintaining a critical and evidence-based approach, as seen in the conclusion that the soil sample differences were likely natural. The magazine appears to be a compilation of case files, presented factually with minimal editorial commentary on the nature of the phenomena themselves.