ACOS Bulletin - Number 18

Magazine Overview

Title: A.C.O.S. BULLETIN
Issue: NUMBER EIGHTEEN
Date: APRIL 1979
Publisher: AUSTRALIAN CO-ORDINATION SECTION, CENTRE FOR UFO STUDIES
Country: AUSTRALIA

This issue of the A.C.O.S. Bulletin is a journal dedicated to UFO studies, featuring a range of articles that explore the phenomenon from various perspectives, including philosophical, psychological, and practical aspects of investigation.

Editorial

The editorial, by H. Griesberg & D. Seargent, announces UFOCON 4, the fourth annual conference of A.C.O.S. member organizations, scheduled for October 13-15 in Sydney. The conference is described as a "THINK-TANK" for representatives of UFO groups and scientific/technical advisors to discuss trends in investigation and research. This year's focus is on "INVESTIGATION, RESEARCH, DOCUMENTATION & the FUTURE." The editorial highlights the significant advancements made in Australia's UFO investigative and research field over the past few years and expresses optimism for further progress after the conference, emphasizing that their written reports will form the history of UFO RESEARCH AUSTRALIA.

Articles

So Where's the Logic?

Author: John Prytz

This article critically examines the logic behind belief systems, particularly contrasting the acceptance of religious tenets with the dismissal of UFO phenomena. Prytz argues that many people readily accept ancient, faith-based accounts of miracles and divine intervention (e.g., creation, angels, virgin births, floods, parting of the Red Sea) without demanding substantial evidence. He posits that this is often based on personal belief and societal sanctioning of religion. In contrast, he observes that similar levels of evidence, or even more contemporary evidence, for UFOs are often met with skepticism. Prytz questions why UFOs are considered less credible than religious phenomena, suggesting that the logic applied to belief is inconsistent. He concludes by urging readers not to dismiss other phenomena and to consider the logic of their beliefs.

UFOs Vs God

Author: David Seargent

Responding to Prytz's article, Seargent discusses the compartmentalization of knowledge and how it can narrow perspectives. He challenges the notion that belief in God is universally "socially acceptable" and that religion is always "sanctioned by society" and "big business," noting that those who are deeply religious can also be treated as outcasts. Seargent suggests that the UFO phenomenon is increasingly being accepted as a form of "religion," with extraterrestrial life potentially replacing God as a source of hope. He argues that the core issue lies with those who demand evidence, and that mystical experiences, where people claim to "see" God, should be given equal weight to UFO sightings as evidence. He also suggests that many reported miracles might have natural explanations and that ancient stories, like the flood or the parting of the Red Sea, could be interpreted through natural or localized events.

Instamatics Rule - O.K.?

Author: Holly I. Goriss

This article provides a practical guide to using "Instamatic" type cameras for UFO photography. Goriss explains the basic functions and film sizes (126 and 110) of these cameras, focusing on Kodak models. He discusses limitations such as fixed focus lenses, shutter speeds, and the importance of proper handling to avoid blurred prints. Tips include holding the camera steady, maintaining a minimum focusing distance of 1.2 meters, and avoiding direct sunlight. The article also covers the use of flash cubes (Magicubes and Flash Cubes), the importance of keeping the camera and lens clean, and the impact of film age and storage conditions on print quality. Goriss cautions against expecting professional results from these cameras, suggesting they are best suited as a "visual notebook" for documenting everyday life, including potential UFO sightings.

Alien Psychology

Author: John Prytz

Prytz delves into the psychological and philosophical reasons behind the lack of public contact from UFOs, assuming they are indeed alien spacecraft. He finds the argument of vast distances and time constraints insufficient to explain why aliens, having made the journey, wouldn't make formal contact. He explores several hypotheses for this "illogical" behavior:

1. Fear of Humanity: Aliens might fear humanity's aggressive nature, akin to how humans might avoid a confrontation with a dangerous dog.
2. Non-Interference Philosophy: Similar to the "prime directive" in Star Trek or the practices of anthropologists studying primitive cultures, aliens might observe without interfering to allow natural development.
3. Zoo Hypothesis: Aliens might view humanity as microbes in a cage, observing us without direct interaction.
4. Quarantine: They might be preventing humanity from advancing into space, particularly with nuclear technology, until a certain moral development is achieved.

Prytz also considers the role of preconditioning, suggesting that decades of UFO reports, books, and media have slowly prepared humanity for the possibility of alien life. He notes that while the idea of aliens hiding until it's "proven necessary" to enforce a ban isn't convincing, the possibility of them observing and waiting for a more suitable time for contact remains.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of belief, evidence, and logic, particularly in relation to UFO phenomena and religion. The A.C.O.S. Bulletin appears to advocate for a rational, evidence-based approach to UFO research, while also encouraging an open mind to various phenomena. The editorial stance is one of promoting rigorous investigation and documentation, aiming to build a historical record of UFO research in Australia. There's a clear emphasis on scientific inquiry and the advancement of the field through conferences and shared findings.

This issue of the ACOS Bulletin, dated January 1979, is a publication focused on ufology and related phenomena. It features articles, case reports, and bibliographies, with contributions from various authors and researchers.

Quarantine and Alien Contact

The issue begins by discussing the importance of quarantine, referencing the Apollo astronauts' isolation to prevent the introduction of alien microbes. It highlights the potential risks of contamination for both humans and aliens, suggesting that this concern might explain the lack of direct contact. The article posits that if aliens are to land, they might use spacesuits or communicate remotely to mitigate these risks. It also touches upon the 'close encounters of the third kind' and the improbability of aliens disregarding contamination protocols, suggesting this might cast doubt on some reports.

Theories on Alien Avoidance

A table is presented listing ten theories for why aliens might avoid direct contact. These include: UFOs not being alien spacecraft, aliens fearing humans, aliens avoiding confrontations, aliens preconditioning humans, a non-interference policy, the Zoo Hypothesis, alien black bans, contamination fears, environmental fears, and time frame differences. The author finds theories 4 (preconditioning) and 5 (non-interference policy) to be the most plausible, though the latter is somewhat contradicted by close encounter reports.

Graphology as a UFO Research Tool

An article by David Reneke proposes the adoption of graphology (handwriting analysis) as a tool for UFO research. The author argues that while some dismiss it as pseudoscience, it is used by businesses and even taught at universities. Graphology can provide insights into a witness's personality, potentially aiding investigators in assessing the sincerity and reliability of their accounts. The article notes that handwriting analysis is used in criminal investigations and suggests it could be invaluable for cases involving close encounters and psychic manifestations.

Min-Min Lights

An article by R. Boundy explores the phenomenon of 'Min-Min' lights, often reported in isolated areas of Australia. These lights are described as bright, steady, yellow-white or silver-white, and can exhibit unusual movements. While some attribute them to natural or supernatural causes, the author suggests they share characteristics with UFOs and should be considered part of the UFO phenomenon. The article references studies by Bill Wentworth, who is investigating these lights as a potential form of 'supernatural phenomenon'. Several accounts of Min-Min light sightings are detailed, including those from the Northern Territory, West Australia, and Queensland.

Angel Hair

David Reneke also contributes an article on 'angel hair,' a mysterious substance believed to fall from hovering UFOs. The author recounts a personal experience of witnessing fibrous, silver-white strands falling from a low-flying aircraft near Mascot Airport in Sydney. He notes that the substance resembled thick spider webs and fell uniformly on a cushion of air. Despite investigations, no clear explanation has been found, with fuel spillage being a tentative theory, though its fibrous nature makes this unlikely. The author questions whether angel hair is indigenous to UFOs.

The ACOS Bibliography Service

This section introduces a new regular feature: the ACOS Bibliography Service, compiled by John Prytz. This service aims to help readers keep up with the rapidly increasing information in ufology and related fields by providing select bibliographies on topics of interest. The first offering is a bibliography on General Exobiology, followed by a bibliography on Dr. Carl Sagan, Exobiologist. The service will cover various sources, including newspaper articles and journal pieces, but will exclude books and foreign language publications.

Other Sections

The issue also includes a section on "Which Bone are you?" which categorizes people based on their contribution to organizations (Wishbones, Jaw-bones, Knuckle-bones, Back-bones). It also describes the 'Petrozavodsk Phenomenon' as a luminous event likely caused by the launch of the Soviet satellite COSMOS 955. Helpful suggestions are provided for UFO investigators, emphasizing the importance of collecting weather data and maintaining contact lists. Finally, there is a section on 'Notes on Fungi and other causes of markings,' discussing fungi and slime mould as potential explanations for physical trace cases, and a 'Reports from Around Australia' section detailing several UFO sightings from January and February 1979.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the unexplained phenomena associated with UFOs, including potential alien contact, the nature of sightings, and the scientific or pseudoscientific approaches to studying them. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the use of various tools and methodologies, including less conventional ones like graphology, to investigate UFO reports. There is a clear emphasis on rigorous research, data collection (such as weather patterns), and the critical examination of evidence, while also acknowledging the mysterious and often inexplicable nature of the phenomena discussed. The publication aims to provide a platform for sharing information, case studies, and bibliographical resources for those interested in ufology and exobiology.