ACOS Bulletin - Number 19

Magazine Overview

Title: A.C.O.S. Bulletin
Issue: Number Nineteen
Date: June 1979
Publisher: Centre for UFO Studies, Australian Co-Ordination Section
Country: Australia

This issue of the A.C.O.S. Bulletin, dated June 1979, marks the nineteenth publication from the Centre for UFO Studies in Australia. It is presented as a registered publication under Category B. The bulletin aims to coordinate UFO research efforts across the country and disseminate findings.

Guest Editorial: A New Approach to UFO Research

David Reneke, in his guest editorial, outlines a shift in UFO research methodology in Australia for 1979/80. He notes that traditional approaches are losing appeal, and researchers are taking a more critical look at the problem. The editorial highlights the growth of UFO research in Australia over the past six years, with the formation of ACOS as the national coordinating body and the establishment of new state groups like UFO RESEARCH (FNQ) and UFO RESEARCH (NT). These groups are instrumental in gathering reports, both old and new, from various regions. The recent formation of a sub-state group in Tasmania is also mentioned, enhancing the work of the TASMANIAN UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE. The bulletin emphasizes the importance of a coordinated effort, with all state groups feeding reports to ACOS and data being recorded in the Australian UFO Computer File (UFOCOM) for efficient analysis. Reneke expresses optimism that this coordinated approach will yield the 'hard data' sought by the scientific community, though he acknowledges that the problem is not lack of equipment or expertise, but rather the need for better documentation and a more rigorous approach to evidence. He calls for greater cooperation among researchers, criticizing bickering and secrecy, and urges a unified effort to make 1979-1980 a year of true UFO research.

Articles and Features

Knuckle-Bones, Min-Min Lights and Angel Hair by Dr. R. Molnar

Dr. R. Molnar addresses the article on 'knuckle-bones' from the April 1979 ACOS Bulletin and discusses phenomena like Min-Min lights and 'angel hair'. He emphasizes the importance of precise locality data for investigative purposes, citing examples from his own experience in Queensland. Molnar critiques the vagueness of some location descriptions, such as "western Queensland" or "the Barkly Tablelands," arguing that detailed data is crucial for independent verification. He also discusses an instance of 'angel hair' reported from an airliner, noting the lack of specific time data. Molnar draws parallels to Sherlock Holmes' emphasis on trifles, suggesting that precise details like dates could help in understanding the conditions under which phenomena like angel hair occur, potentially linking them to unusual weather or aircraft conditions. He proposes that reproducing these conditions in a wind tunnel could demonstrate the necessity of an object passing through the air at speed to create angel hair, thus providing a new avenue for investigation and shifting the burden of proof to skeptics.

UFO Reports from Around Australia

This section references an article from the Canadian publication RES BUREAUX BULLETIN (January 1979) concerning the handling of UFO reports by the National Research Council (NRC) in Ottawa. The article suggests that some UFO reports are misidentified as 'meteors' by NRC scientists and filed separately, making them unavailable to researchers. The author recounts an experience where RCMP occurrence reports were not copied because they hadn't been checked as 'meteors'. A specific report from Gander, Newfoundland, and another describing a brilliant UFO near Prince George, B.C., are mentioned. The author expresses concern that a new policy at the NRC, requiring UFO reports to be checked as meteors first, may stem from the discovery that UFO files and incoming reports were disappearing into the 'meteor' files, inaccessible to UFO researchers.

Where is everybody? Speculations on the non-prevalence of extraterrestrials in the universe by John Prytz

This article delves into the implications of the space age on humanity's understanding of its place in the universe, particularly concerning the existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life. It references Ian Ridpath's book 'MESSAGES FROM THE STARS' and Michael Hart's argument that if advanced civilizations were prevalent, they would have explored and colonized the galaxy. This leads to Hart's paradox: abundant extraterrestrials should imply abundant evidence on Earth. Prytz explores the assumptions underlying this paradox, including the abundance of technical civilizations, the feasibility of interstellar travel, the desirability of exploration and colonization, the time scales involved in galactic colonization, and the lack of evidence for such activity. He discusses Drake's formula as a basis for estimating the number of civilizations and explores the motivations for exploration, such as knowledge, exploitation, and survival.

A Note on Hypnopompic and Hypnagogic imagery by Mark Moravec

This article is listed in the index but its content is not detailed in the provided OCR text.

ACOS Bibliography service by John Prytz

This service is listed in the index but its content is not detailed in the provided OCR text.

Discussion on Galactic Colonization and Time Scales

Pages 6-10 of the bulletin delve deeper into the feasibility of interstellar travel and galactic colonization. The discussion begins by referencing Drake's formula and typical values used to estimate the number of technological civilizations in the galaxy, suggesting that alien civilizations could be commonplace. The feasibility of interstellar travel is examined, noting that while distances are vast, current technology and future advancements could enable travel, albeit over long durations. The article explores motivations for colonization, including knowledge, exploitation, and survival, concluding that survival is a primary driver, offering humanity immortality by scattering across multiple worlds. The text then analyzes the physical dimensions of the Milky Way galaxy (approximately 100,000 light-years in diameter and 1,000 light-years thick) and its age (10 to 15 billion years). It calculates the time required for a civilization to travel across the galaxy at various speeds and with different stop-over times. The analysis suggests that even with advanced technology, galactic colonization would likely take between 2.7 x 10^9 and 5 x 10^9 years, which is well within the galaxy's lifespan. The article concludes that the argument for the exploration and colonization of the galaxy by alien races being possible and potentially having already occurred is plausible.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the coordination of research efforts, and the philosophical implications of humanity's place in the cosmos. The editorial stance is one of promoting rigorous, cooperative, and evidence-based research. There is a clear emphasis on moving beyond anecdotal evidence towards more scientifically verifiable data. The bulletin advocates for open dissemination of information and collaboration among researchers, criticizing secrecy and internal discord within the UFO community. The exploration of theoretical concepts like the Fermi paradox and the mechanics of interstellar travel suggests a forward-thinking and intellectually curious approach to the subject matter.

This issue of the UFO Research Newsletter, Volume 3, Number 3, dated September-October 1978, delves into the complexities of the Fermi Paradox and presents a series of UFO reports from Australia. The publication aims to explore evidence and theories surrounding extraterrestrial life and unexplained aerial phenomena.

The Fermi Paradox: Where Is Everybody?

The lead article grapples with the Fermi Paradox, questioning the apparent absence of extraterrestrial civilizations despite the vastness of the galaxy and the statistical likelihood of life arising elsewhere. It scrutinizes the assumptions within Drake's equation, suggesting that factors such as the origin of life (f₁), the development of intelligence (fᵢ), the conditions necessary for technology, and the lifespan of civilizations (L) might be significantly underestimated or more improbable than commonly assumed. The author posits that Earth might be unique in its technological development, or that civilizations might have extremely short lifespans, succumbing to wars, natural disasters, or predators before achieving interstellar capabilities. The possibility of interstellar travel being far more difficult than anticipated is also explored, suggesting that advanced civilizations might not pursue it or might find it daunting. The article also considers that alien societies might be introverted or unaware of outer space, using Venus as an example of a planet with an opaque atmosphere that could obscure the view of stars. The author concludes that the resolution to the paradox likely lies in the fifth assumption: the lack of concrete evidence for alien presence.

Resolutions to the Paradox

The newsletter proposes two main resolutions to the paradox:

Resolution I: The Paradox Is Invalid As Assumptions (1 to 4) are Invalid

This resolution suggests that one or more of the initial assumptions about the prevalence of alien civilizations, the ease of interstellar travel, or the desirability of exploration and colonization are incorrect. The author finds the first four assumptions to be stronger than their potential faults, leaving the fifth assumption (lack of evidence) as the most likely area for resolution.

Resolution II: The Paradox Is Invalid As Assumption Number Five Is Invalid

This resolution argues that the lack of evidence is not definitive proof of absence. It highlights that suggestive lines of evidence exist, and that aliens might be deliberately concealing their presence. The concept of O'Neil's artificial space colonies is mentioned as a potential method of colonization that would be difficult to detect. The article also touches upon the idea that aliens might fear attracting attention, leading to a 'quarantine hypothesis' or a 'zoo hypothesis' where humans are observed without interference. The possibility of aliens deliberately avoiding contact or waiting for humanity to mature is also considered.

A Possible CE3/Monster Case

This section, authored by D. Seargent, details a series of unusual events and sightings at Crackneck Point lookout in NSW, Australia. Initially considered a possible CE3 (Close Encounter of the Third Kind) due to a flap of sightings and an orange light on the sea, further investigation identified the light as a fishing boat. However, a subsequent sighting on April 3, 1978, involving multiple witnesses, described a 'monster' with pulsating lights, mysterious footfalls, and 'cold feelings.' The area has a history of strange occurrences over at least 8-13 years, including dark shapes, mystery footsteps, shadows, lights on the ocean, cold waves of air, and reports of an 'invisible man.'

During the April 3 incident, a cassette player reportedly malfunctioned, possibly due to an electromagnetic effect. This is corroborated by a local family's account of an electrostatic field created by an approaching thunderstorm that caused hair to stand on end. The article attempts to explain these phenomena by considering various possibilities:

1. The Cassette Player: The malfunction is attributed to a possible short circuit caused by a loose wire, rather than an electromagnetic effect.
2. Lights: The lights observed are suggested to be from aeroplanes or phosphorescent organisms in the sea.
3. Noises: Most noises are identified as boats or ordinary night sounds.
4. Shadows, Cold Spots: These are attributed to the area's 'reputation' and normal atmospheric conditions like convection currents.
5. The Creatures: The 'monster' sightings are speculatively linked to an eccentric semi-hermit who lives near the lookout and may be dressing up. However, recent sightings continue even after the property was sold, suggesting other possibilities.

The article notes that the case has been subject to investigation and that some aspects have been explained away, but the core mystery of the creature sightings remains.

A Note on Hypnopompic and Hypnagogic Imagery

Authored by Mark Moravec, this section discusses the potential role of hypnopompic (between sleep and wakefulness) and hypnagogic (between wakefulness and sleep) imagery in explaining UFO close encounter cases. The author emphasizes the need for adequate documentation and points out that if objective physical phenomena accompany a sighting, it cannot be explained solely by imagery. The article cites two cases:

• Palma, Spain (July 1967): A witness reported seeing an intense light and two small entities, with small footprints found outside the window, suggesting objective phenomena.
• Seattle, Washington (August 1975): A woman reported being paralyzed and seeing a small, grey, football-sized object with a ramp and tiny beings. The author notes that total paralysis for an extended period would be fatal, suggesting a partial state of paralysis or anaesthesia.

Moravec argues that 'mini-UFOs' are absurd and do not support the extraterrestrial intelligence hypothesis. He suggests that if hypnagogic imagery can explain some UFO cases, it might make the 'nuts and bolts' extraterrestrial intelligence hypothesis more tenable, but cautions that 'classic' features in imagery cases might mirror those in apparently inexplicable CE3 experiences.

UFO Reports from Around Australia

This section compiles recent UFO reports received by various Australian UFO research organizations. The overall trend indicates a low number of reports for the current year, suggesting a world-wide lull in sightings.

• TA79051 (March 30, 1979, Maatsuyker Island): Two people observed a bright yellowish light above a boat that grew in size and intensity, lit up the island, and then disappeared. The object was described as dark and cigar-shaped, with a bright light reflecting on it.
• TA79068 (March 4, 1979, Pipers River): Ten people around a campfire saw a bright orange light hovering over the sea for about 10 minutes. It had a red reflection on the water and was initially cigar-shaped, then changed to a saucer-shape before diving into the ocean.
• TA79028 (February 5, 1979, Lawitta): An 18-year-old man experienced a blackout while driving and woke up in a hospital. He recalls his car's radio dying, an intense white light enveloping the car, and the car lights and motor failing. He was found by police driving without lights and was disoriented.
• QB79008 (January 16, 1979, Bramston Beach): A woman driving home noticed an object in the sky that was not the moon. The object was round and golden. Shortly after, her car headlights began blinking and then went off completely.

Reports So Far Received This Year

A table summarizes UFO reports received by UFO Research (NSW), Tas. UFO Inv. Centre, and UFO Research (FNQ), categorizing them into N.L. (Nocturnal Light), CE1 (Close Encounter 1), CE2 (Close Encounter 2), CE3 (Close Encounter 3), and DD (Daytime Disc).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent mystery of the Fermi Paradox and the ongoing collection and analysis of UFO sighting reports. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, seeking rational explanations for phenomena while acknowledging the possibility of genuine unexplained events. The publication encourages critical examination of evidence, exploring both conventional and unconventional hypotheses, including psychological factors and the potential for extraterrestrial intelligence. There is a clear emphasis on presenting data and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, while also providing expert analysis and bibliography services to aid further research.