ACOS Bulletin - Number 4

Magazine Overview

This document is Bulletin Number Four, published in December 1975 by the Centre for UFO Studies, Australian Co-Ordination Section. It covers significant developments in ufology in Australia during 1975, including a major conference and the operational status of the Australian Co-Ordination Section (ACOS).

Ufology Improvements in Australia (1975)

The bulletin opens by highlighting several great improvements in ufology throughout Australia in 1975. The most significant event was Ufocon One, held in October, which brought together Australia's main ufology organizations to share knowledge and resources without any single body dominating. This collaboration led to a decision to hold another conference the following year.

The Australian Co-Ordination Section (ACOS) for the Center for UFO Studies in America has been organized and is now functioning at 100% capacity as requested by Professor Hynek. ACOS has processed a total of 57 UFO reports, averaging one per week. The bulletin clarifies that the Center wants ALL reports, regardless of their initial appearance, emphasizing that only after investigation and no explanation is found are they considered UFO reports. Examples range from brief flashes of light to gigantic silver craft hovering over towns.

Data Collection and Statistical Picture

Enclosed with the bulletin is a request for readers to fill out a 4-page information form to help create a nationwide statistical picture of UFO activity throughout 1975. This information is requested by February 15th, 1976, to allow for analysis over the summer, with results to be published in the first bulletin of 1976.

Ongoing Projects

Horrie Aspinall in South Australia is working on a uniform report form for Australia, compiling various national and overseas forms. Michael Smyth in Sydney is working on a magazine idea. The bulletin urges prompt responses to these gentlemen to facilitate their work.

Which Way do they Rotate?

This section discusses UFO rotation patterns, noting a general trend of counter-clockwise rotation for both UFOs and nests, despite some exceptions. It suggests a relationship between these phenomena, with UFOs potentially causing the nests.

Cassette Library

A suggestion has been made to start a cassette library for ACOS, including recordings of UFO experts, witness interviews, and lectures. The bulletin seeks ideas and information on existing recorded items that could be included. The library would be available to member organizations for a small fee to cover postage.

UFO Reports

The regular feature listing UFO reports received by ACOS has been cancelled for this issue due to a lack of new reports.

Dead Men's Camp Fires

This section details the phenomenon of 'Dead Men's Camp Fires' (D.M.C.F.), also known as 'ghost lights' by Aboriginals. These are mysterious low-altitude UFOs that haunt specific locations in the Australian outback. The 'Blairmore Light' in southern Queensland is described as moving with apparent intelligence. Other D.M.C.F.s mentioned include the 'Yatton Light' in the Burnett District, the 'Quinn Light' in Lachlan River N.S.W., the 'One Tree Plain Light' in N.S.W., and the 'Min-Min Light' of Western Queensland.

An explanation is offered by D. Seargent regarding the 'Dead Men's Camp Fires', attributing them to millions of luminous glow-worms, based on an account by Mr. Allan Camm who encountered a ball of light composed of such organisms.

Documents Available

Two new documents are available from ACOS: 'CONDON CRITIQUES' ($4.00, D19), which includes reprints of evaluations of the Condon Report by Dr. Peter A. Sturrock and Dr. J. Allen Hynek, and 'STATEMENT ON THE DEXTER AND HILLSDALE UFO SIGHTINGS' (75¢, D18) by J. Allen Hynek, addressing the 'Swamp Gas' controversy.

The Difficulties of Ufology by J. Scheibe

This article by J. Scheibe from West Germany discusses the challenges in ufology. He notes that observations suggest strange objects are flying overhead, sometimes leaving marks. He distinguishes between 'unidentified' and 'unexplainable', cautioning against equating them. Scheibe argues that ufology is not yet recognized as a science because it lacks theory, prediction, and thoroughly examined observations, though he outlines steps for it to achieve scientific status.

He proposes that ufologists should focus on recording and evaluating observations, gathering information from relevant sources to categorize them as 'identified' or 'unidentified', and then seeking explanations. Scheibe suggests that the extraterrestrial hypothesis should not be rigidly adhered to, and that the phenomenon might be psychic rather than physical.

UFOs and Potential German Technology

Scheibe also draws attention to a sketch of a UFO resembling a German secret weapon developed during World War II. This described device was a platform with rotating propellers or turbines, capable of hovering like a helicopter, and was reportedly finished at the end of the war, falling into Canadian and American hands.

Some Notes

This section delves into different types of UFO encounters. It distinguishes between nocturnal lights, close encounters of types I and II, and type III close encounters and contactee encounters. The author suggests that contactee experiences are often intensely 'religious' and can alter a witness's philosophy of life. He notes that while serious researchers are more open to type III cases, contactees are often dismissed, with evidence suggesting some may suffer from psychological maladies, drawing parallels to cult structures like the Manson Family.

Contacteeism and Spiritism

The author explores the similarities between contacteeism and spiritism, suggesting a psychic core to the phenomenon. He posits a continuum of UFO occurrences from nocturnal lights to contactee encounters, implying a significant psychic element in all UFO experiences. He argues that contactee experiences, if interpreted psychically, are more understandable than as literal extraterrestrial contacts.

Bridge Cases

'Bridge cases' are discussed, which link conventional UFO sightings with contactee experiences. Examples include the Betty and Barney Hill incident and the Villas Boas case. These cases involve contact but not necessarily in the typical 'message from space' context. Other 'bridge' cases involve sightings of entities that resemble those described in contactee experiences.

The Absurdity of Extraterrestrial Hypotheses

Scheibe argues that the extraterrestrial hypothesis for type III and contactee cases becomes absurd when examined closely. He suggests that if these cases do not fit the extraterrestrial framework, the hypothesis must be abandoned. He also highlights the dangers of contacteeism, linking it to mental breakdowns and crimes, and states that it is an integral part of the overall UFO problem.

The UFO Clans Gather

A report from TIME magazine describes the first 'serious' international UFO conference in Fort Smith, Arkansas, attended by 350 delegates and U.S. officials. The conference saw accusations against the Pentagon for suppressing UFO reports and discussions on pooling findings from various UFO groups like MUFON, APRO, and NICAP, with the Center for UFO Studies in Evanston, Illinois, acting as a data bank. Dr. J. Allen Hynek is quoted as saying, "We need to stop arguing the existence of the eggs and get down to cooking the omelet."

Center for UFO Studies Operations

Another article from 'Official UFO' magazine describes the Center for UFO Studies, founded by Dr. J. Allen Hynek. Hynek, a former astronomy consultant to the Air Force, envisioned a scientific study of UFOs free from military influence. The Center aims to provide a system for collecting and processing UFO reports for scientific research. It has established a toll-free telephone for police and sheriff departments and works with the Volunteer Flight Officer Network, which covers airlines globally. The Center seeks to gain credibility through its scientific approach, highlighted by a story in the FBI's 'Law Enforcement Bulletin'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently emphasizes a scientific and investigative approach to ufology. It promotes the collection of data, careful analysis, and the avoidance of sensationalism. There is a clear stance against rigidly adhering to the extraterrestrial hypothesis without sufficient evidence, advocating for open-mindedness and rigorous examination of all possibilities, including psychological interpretations. The editorial tone is collaborative, encouraging participation from readers and organizations to advance the field.

This document is Bulletin Issue No. 11, published by the Center for UFO Studies. It details the organization's methodology for handling and analyzing UFO reports, presents statistical data from 1974, and discusses a specific case study involving soil analysis. The publication date is inferred to be March 1975 due to a mention of the March Bulletin and a request for statistics to be returned by February 15th.

Handling of UFO Reports

The Center for UFO Studies treats incoming reports as scientific data, studying, following up, and analyzing them before distributing them to scientists who have expressed interest. The organization intentionally avoids publicizing individual sightings to maintain the integrity of its scientific approach and encourage scientist participation. The report notes that thanks to "solid groundwork," reports are arriving in a steady stream.

1974 UFO Report Statistics

For the year 1974, the Center received an average of more than one report per day, totaling 443 reports. The busiest month had 58 sightings, while the slowest had 27, with an average of 38 per month. Significantly, almost half of the 1974 reports involved more than a single witness, which the document suggests rules out delusions and imagination. While 71% of reports were of nocturnal lights (deemed less useful to scientists), 37 reports described disc-shaped craft seen in daylight, and another 76 were classified as "close encounters," meaning within 1,000 feet of the observer.

California was the state producing the most reports. In 1974, the Center was able to send personnel to the scene of 85 sightings and followed up on an additional 133 reports via telephone or letter.

The Narrogin Depression Case Study

The bulletin presents a report from Dr. G. Stevens regarding the "Narrogin Depression" case in Western Australia. This case involved a depression in an oat field measuring 38 feet by 22 feet. Soil samples were taken from the affected area (Samples 1 and 2) and from an area outside the depression (Sample 3). Initial analysis revealed no radioactivity above background levels. Spectrographic analysis also showed no difference between the samples, with common elements like Silicon, Aluminum, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Titanium, Copper, Chromium, Calcium, Silver, Lead, Manganese, and Nickel detected in similar proportions. Solutions (1:1 extract) from the samples showed pH levels of 5.8 for samples 1 and 2, and 5.4 for sample 3. Conductivity measurements were 406 µS/cm for sample 1, 450 µS/cm for sample 2, and 255 µS/cm for sample 3. Visual inspection revealed no anomalous features. Further tests are planned.

Future of the Center for UFO Studies

The document speculates on the future of Dr. Hynek and his Center for UFO Studies, suggesting that its cautious growth, careful planning, and organization should establish it as the premier scientific UFO organization globally. It highlights the Center's possession of Dr. David Saunders' extensive 40,000-case UFOCAT (UFO Catalog) stored in a computer, and its growing collection of scientific talent. Plans are underway to secure funding from foundations that support a wide variety of projects, even those without immediate promise of success. The Center's future success is seen as dependent on the continued occurrence of UFO sightings; if they remain regular, the Center can gather sufficient current data. If sightings occur in flurries, patience will be required. Regardless, the Center is expected to play a significant role in UFO investigation and potentially in solving the mystery.

Editorial Notes and Apology

The Co-Ordinators, H. Griesberg and D. Seargent, apologize for the delay in the bulletin's publication, attributing it to the Christmas-New Year holidays and the large size of the current edition. They also remind readers to return an attached Sheet of Statistics by February 15th to ensure their inclusion in the March Bulletin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme is the rigorous, scientific approach to UFO investigation, emphasizing data collection, analysis, and collaboration with scientists. The editorial stance is one of cautious optimism regarding the Center's potential to advance the field, contingent on both the phenomenon's continued activity and the organization's ability to secure funding and maintain its systematic approach. There is an underlying belief in the importance of UFO investigation as a scientific endeavor.