ACOS Bulletin - Number 7

Magazine Overview

Title: A.C.O.S. BULLETIN
Issue: NUMBER SEVEN
Date: SEPTEMBER 1976
Publisher: AUSTRALIAN CO-ORDINATION SECTION, CENTRE FOR UFO STUDIES
Country: AUSTRALIA

This issue of the A.C.O.S. Bulletin, published in September 1976, serves as the journal for the Australian Co-ordination Section, Centre for UFO Studies. It opens with a formal definition of a UFO, attributed to Dr. J. Allen Hynek, emphasizing that a UFO is an object or light whose behavior cannot be conventionally explained and remains unidentified after scrutiny.

General News and Organization Updates

The bulletin announces the addition of two new member organizations: the Unidentified Phenomena Investigation Bureau (UPIB) from Bunbury, Western Australia, headed by Mr. E.J.M. Dorant, and S.P.A.C.E.R.S. from Elizabeth Field, South Australia, working through UFO Research Inc. of Adelaide. Members are encouraged to welcome and correspond with these new groups.

A significant announcement concerns the A.C.O.S. Bulletin itself. Following a survey of member opinions, it has been decided to make the Bulletin available to the public on a subscription basis for $3.00 per annum to help cover printing and posting costs. Additional pages with information solely for member organizations will be attached to their copies. Members are asked to mention this new subscription option in their own newsletters.

Preparations for "UFOCON two," Australia's second UFO conference in Mount Gambier, are reported to be complete, with a number of papers to be presented. Attendees are reminded to bring at least 30 copies of their papers for distribution after presentation. Surprises are also promised for the conference.

Scientific Articles and Discussions

UFOs and Exhaust Emission Control Laws

Dr. G. T. Stevens presents a paper that may shed light on the "Angel Hair" mystery. The paper discusses a pilot plant in Japan that uses electron beam irradiation to remove sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from combustion gases of heavy oil. This process converts the gases into a white solid, possibly with the composition (NO2)2 S2 O10. Stevens suggests that analysis of Angel Hair might reveal that UFO occupants are concerned about environmental impact, even if they use steam engines fueled by heavy oil.

Relativistic Space Travel and ETI

By D. Seargent, this article explores the implications of relativistic space travel. Seargent discusses how constant 1G acceleration would lead to extreme time dilation and length contraction, making distances outside the ship appear to approach zero for the travelers. He posits that if intelligent civilizations exist and develop relativistic flight, the entire universe would be accessible to them, leading to the possibility of intergalactic exploration and colonization. The article then delves into the likelihood of such civilizations existing, arguing that intelligence functions according to rigid laws similar to physics and chemistry. Seargent estimates the number of civilizations in the universe and calculates the time it might take for them to visit every suitable planet. He finds the lack of evidence for widespread visitation, especially colonization, to be a strong argument against Earth having been visited by such advanced races. He also dismisses the idea that UFOs are related to relativistic spaceships, citing their ephemeral nature and behavior.

UFOs - Time Machines?

This section briefly revisits the idea of UFOs as time machines, posing the question of where crashed UFOs are. It suggests that if UFOs are time machines, any crashed craft could be recovered by an expedition sent to a time just prior to the malfunction, allowing for the removal of consequences.

Ball Lightning

An article from New Scientist (April 15, 1976) describes a luminous sphere observed in Smethwick, England, during a thunderstorm. The sphere, described as bright blue to purple with a flame-colored halo, emitted a rattling noise and a singeing smell. It moved towards the witness, who brushed it away, causing it to explode with a bang. The witness suffered a reddened and swollen hand, and her dress sustained damage. Physicist Mark Stenhoff calls it a "dramatic and characteristic" ball lightning event. Analysis of the dress damage suggests the energy of the ball was under a megawatt. Eric Wooding suggests ball lightning is caused by a vortex ring of plasma.

Interview with Dr. J. Allen Hynek

This section features an interview with Dr. J. Allen Hynek, conducted by Linda Witt of PEOPLE magazine. Hynek discusses his views on UFO sightings, stating he does not discount them as mere optical illusions, citing radar evidence and ground imprints. He notes that the Air Force could not explain over 700 of the 12,600 cases in recently released data, with some intriguing instances of misidentification. The declassification is attributed to the Freedom of Information Act, and Hynek suggests Project Blue Book's purpose was to debunk UFOs, an effort he deems a failure. He criticizes the Air Force's approach, including misclassifying cases and dropping terms like "probable" or "possible" to force a "solved" status. He explains the Air Force stopped studying UFOs in 1969, concluding they posed no threat to national security. Hynek highlights that a wide cross-section of people, not just trained professionals, report UFOs. Regarding the number of sightings, he mentions about 100 worldwide per day, with a significant percentage of the adult population reporting valid UFOs. The "wildest story" encountered involves a Brazilian farmer claiming abduction and radiation sickness. Hynek expresses embarrassment regarding claims of spaceship boarding, calling such reports "junk." He considers the possibility of UFOs being from outer space or an alternative/parallel reality, acknowledging the vast distances involved. He believes solving the UFO mystery will represent a significant quantum jump in science.

UFOs and the Earth's Electrical Field

This article explores the relationship between UFOs and Earth's electrical field. It describes the significant potential difference between the Earth's surface and the ionosphere, which fluctuates with weather conditions. The author presents evidence suggesting UFOs interact with this field, noting their tendency to follow the contours of the land. This behavior is seen as consistent with an object sensitive to electrical potential layers. The "falling leaf" motion of UFOs might also be explained as the craft "feeling its way down" to new electrical potential levels. While this interaction supports a terrestrial origin for the phenomenon, it does not settle whether the phenomenon is natural or artificial.

Reports: Penrith UFO Sighting

This section details a preliminary report by Bill Chalker on a UFO sighting on April 12, 1976, in Penrith, NSW, Australia. At least four people observed a brilliant aerial object with bright orange-red light. Before the sighting, a strange noise was heard. One witness observed a large, illuminated black spherical object at close quarters, leaving a white "vapour trail." The following day, a large flattened grass area and four "pod marks" were found. The object was described as a large black sphere with a white light periphery, approximately 30 to 40 feet in diameter, which stopped, slid smoothly, and then vanished after pulsating strongly. A soft white vapour trail was also observed. Six people heard the strange sound preceding the event. The next day, investigators found a grass area swept in an outward direction and four plate-sized "pod marks" near a house fence. Photos were taken, but by early September, the trace and marks were indistinct due to neighborhood traffic.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The A.C.O.S. Bulletin consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, scientific explanations, and the reporting of sightings. There is a clear interest in exploring both conventional and unconventional scientific theories, such as relativistic space travel and Earth's electrical field, as potential explanations for UFO behavior. The publication also engages with the history of UFO research, particularly by discussing the declassified U.S. Air Force Project Blue Book data and interviewing prominent figures like Dr. J. Allen Hynek. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, seeking to understand the UFO phenomenon through scientific investigation and the sharing of information among interested parties and organizations. The inclusion of reports on specific sightings, like the Penrith incident, grounds the theoretical discussions in empirical evidence.

This issue of the Centre for UFO Studies, dated December 1976, focuses on UFO activity in New South Wales, Australia, and introduces a new standardized reference system for reporting sightings. The issue is divided into sections detailing specific incidents and the new organizational framework.

Two Similar Cases on the Central Coast N.S.W.

The lead article details two seemingly related UFO incidents that occurred near Norah Head, Central Coast, NSW. The first, a bizarre case on June 8, 1975, involved a "ghost light" that allegedly emitted smaller objects which, according to witnesses, "attacked" them. Investigators B. Chalker, M. Smyth of UFOIC, and H. Griesberg of ACOS determined that the percipients of this event were likely unaware of another similar case that occurred a few hundred yards away.

The earlier incident, from early February 1973, involved a man and woman parked in a car near the Norah Head Kiosk during light rain. They observed a street light behaving erratically before it faded out. Subsequently, a bright golden ball, approximately the size of the full moon, rose from beyond some trees and hovered. The object changed color from gold to orange and then deep red. When the couple attempted to drive closer for a better view, their car's engine failed to start, and the headlights only provided a dull illumination. This frightening development prompted them to remain in the car. Small red glowing balls were then observed shooting out from the object and traveling downwards, momentarily illuminating the trees behind which they disappeared. The main object then rose slowly and moved towards the southwest, eventually vanishing. Immediately after the object departed, the street light returned to normal brilliance, and the car started on the first attempt. A check of the car battery and starter motor revealed no issues, and the starter motor has not caused trouble since. The area where the UFO rose was dense scrub, and the continuing rain prevented any search for physical traces. This area has since been cleared for the construction of a new Caravan Park.

Current UFO Activity on the Central Coast N.S.W.

This section reports on UFO sightings from September 1976. On September 3rd, at 1804, a senior medical social worker from Gosford Hospital, driving from Terrigal to Gosford, observed a brilliant white object hovering above tree-top level in the west. The object was approximately the size of the full moon. He sought to gather more witnesses, and subsequently, five other people observed the object. One witness, a 12-year-old boy, described it through binoculars as "the top of a mushroom when viewed through binoculars." The object hovered for some time, then descended slightly, remained motionless, and then rose again. A senior medical Technologist from Gosford Hospital and his wife were the last to see the object. At 1853, the object began to move slightly, reduce in brightness, momentarily reappear, and then get smaller as it disappeared to the south. The weather was calm with a full moon.

A few days later, another man contacted UFO Research, Central Coast, reporting a similar object seen from Green Point on the same night, around 1810. This object initially moved northeast but changed course to the east towards Terrigal when directly overhead.

On September 10th, a retired couple in The Entrance observed a "big round globe-like, very brilliant white light" hovering for about 25 minutes over Tuggerah lake. After 25 minutes, the light extinguished, and a beam of light shone down onto the water for about 5 minutes. The beam then vanished, and the object was no longer visible. The woman noted that just before the light died and the beam appeared, the object changed color rapidly from brilliant white to deep orange.

On the same night, around 1930, a woman in Woy Woy reported seeing a brilliant white light flying over her home. However, she refused to speak with investigators or provide further details, stating she felt extreme fright. Attempts to locate her have failed.

On September 18th, a woman in Davistown reported seeing a strange object just above tree-top level around 2100. The object had two large lights, similar to car headlights, and a reflection was visible. She described the front as long and shaped like the point of an ice-cream cone, while the back was the brightest. She watched it move out over the water without making any noise. As it faded, a round, orange ball, about the size of an orange, appeared from behind a tree. This ball also made no sound and followed the same direction as the first object. The witness expressed a desire to know what these strange objects were, stating, "I have never believed in such things, but until I know what these strange objects were, noone will ever say there are no UFOs."

Another report came from a woman in Holgate who, with her husband, daughter, son, and his friend, witnessed a strange object for 20 minutes between 2010 and 2030. The object was seen in a WNW direction, at 30 degrees to the horizon, just above tree-top level, and appeared about 4 times larger than a star. It was described as having a central shape, similar to a football on end or an egg, with revolving orange, blue, and green lights. The lights sped up, and the object increased in size. It ascended slowly, descended, and sometimes climbed at a 45-degree angle to the right before returning to its original position. It then dropped behind trees, returned to its original position, and finally disappeared below the horizon.

Radio station 2GO received numerous calls on the following Monday reporting similar objects seen on Saturday night. Callers and listeners were urged to contact UFO Research Central Coast, with more sightings expected.

New Reference Numbers

This section, dated December 1976, details a new uniform reference number system designed for UFO reports across Australia. The system was developed with the help of Mr. Andy Cole of Sydney, who will operate the computer, and is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year. The system aims to provide a quick reference point and aid in the programming of the new computer.

The reference numbers will consist of two letters followed by five numbers. For example, the first report received by UFOIC of Sydney in 1977 will be assigned the number NA 77001, regardless of whether it is identified as a UFO or IFO (Identified Flying Object). The first letter "N" signifies the state (e.g., N.S.W.), and the second letter "A" identifies the organization or individual within that state. The numbers "77" indicate the year the report was received, and "001" is the sequential order of the report. Subsequent reports from UFOIC in 1977 will be NA 77002, and so on. The system accounts for potential overruns of 999 reports per year by using letters and numbers in the sequence (e.g., NA 77101, NA 77402).

The computer has been programmed for this system. The document lists initial reference numbers for the first reports of 1977 for various organizations and individuals participating in the ACOS program, including UFOIC, UFO Research-Central Coast, T. Bishop, K. Blackman, P.U.F.O.R.O., Q.U.F.O.R.B., V.U.F.O.R.S., T.U.F.O.I.C., UFO Research Inc. S.A., S.P.A.C.E.R.S., and UFO Research-W.A. It also lists codes for other sources in N.S.W., Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania.

These last six codes are reserved for reports from sources like newspapers, magazines, books, or older reports that may not warrant full investigation but will still be entered into the computer. Reports will be entered chronologically. It is emphasized that each report should be assigned only one reference number, even if there are multiple witnesses to the same event. The reference number must be displayed on the first page of any report.

H. Griesberg and D. Seargent are listed as Co-Ordinators for A.C.O.S.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and investigation of UFO/UAP sightings, particularly those occurring in Australia. The magazine presents detailed witness accounts and highlights the efforts of organizations like UFOIC and ACOS in gathering and analyzing this data. The introduction of a standardized reference system underscores a commitment to systematic data collection and organization within the UFO research community. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, encouraging detailed reporting and investigation.