ACOS Bulletin - Number 9

Magazine Overview

The A.C.O.S. Bulletin, Number Nine, published in March 1977, is a journal of UFO studies from the Australian Co-ordination Section, Centre for UFO Studies, based in Gosford, NSW, Australia. It is registered as a publication under Category C.

Editorials and Introduction

The issue begins with a definition of a UFO by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, emphasizing that a UFO is an object or light whose behavior defies conventional explanation and remains unidentified after thorough investigation. The editorial, by H. Griesberg & D. Seargent, celebrates ACOS's third birthday and highlights the significant progress in inter-group cooperation among Australian ufologists, positioning Australia as a leader in this regard. They stress that cooperation is voluntary and that no single group or individual is the sole expert in ufology. The pooling of Australian reports has established the fact of a worldwide UFO problem, a crucial first step for further study.

Dr. J. Allen Hynek's editorial, "The Reluctance Barrier," addresses the psychological hurdles witnesses face when reporting UFO experiences, especially those involving close encounters or 'humanoids.' He notes that fear of publicity and ridicule can prevent valuable data from reaching researchers. He advocates for responsible UFO fact-gathering organizations that protect witness privacy and maintain ethical standards.

Bryan Hartley of NUFON (Northern UFO Network) in England provides a guest editorial. He discusses NUFON's efforts to organize investigators, establish research departments, and provide reference facilities. Hartley is coordinating research into UFO cases involving electronic equipment and is seeking international collaboration. He also manages NUFON and BUFORA's foreign data reference library, emphasizing the need for material to build a comprehensive resource.

Articles and Features

Who's on the Bandwagon? by J. Bigwood (President TUFOIC) critiques the tendency for sensationalists, psychics, and new religious movements to exploit the UFO phenomenon, potentially jeopardizing the credibility of serious researchers. Bigwood urges for a separation of UFO studies from other belief systems and a focus on factual, commonsense investigations.

Some Words on the UFO Problem by J. Allen Hynek succinctly states the paradoxical situation in UFO research: an abundance of sightings but a lack of solutions, leaving researchers 'embarrassed by our riches.'

Flows and Flows of Angel Hair by David Seargent delves into the mystery of 'angel hair,' a substance reported in early UFO cases. Seargent describes its metallic appearance, sticky texture, and rapid dissolution. He explores potential explanations, including spider webs, radar chaff, or ionized material. He posits that angel hair might be linked to the composition of UFOs and could explain electrical effects and bluish glows associated with daylight discs, suggesting it may be a key to the UFO mystery.

Notes on the Australian UFOCAT Printout by K. Basterfield details the UFOCAT computer file, containing 85,000 UFO reports. The Australian and New Zealand section, comprising 81 pages and 1755 cases, was received by ACOS. Basterfield describes the printout's format and notes its limitations in accuracy due to varied sources, but emphasizes its value as an impressive collection of local reports. He highlights the ongoing process of data collection and the potential for improved accuracy with new systems.

Transient Geophysical Bases for Ostensible UFO-Related Phenomena and Associated Verbal Behaviour? by Dr. Michael A. Persinger presents a theoretical model suggesting that UFO-like luminosities and phenomena might be linked to geophysical processes, specifically tectonic stress. Persinger proposes that intense, localized electric fields generated by such stress could ionize the air, creating luminous displays. The article discusses the characteristics of these phenomena, their potential link to earthquakes, and predicts physical and behavioral effects on observers, including sensory experiences and altered states of consciousness.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The ACOS Bulletin consistently promotes a scientific and cooperative approach to UFO research. It emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation, data collection, and the protection of witness privacy. The publication appears to favor explanations grounded in physical phenomena, as evidenced by the detailed article on geophysical bases for UFO sightings, while also acknowledging the psychological aspects of witness accounts and the challenges posed by sensationalism. The editorial stance is one of encouraging collaboration among researchers and organizations, both domestically and internationally, to advance the understanding of the UFO phenomenon.

This issue of 'The UFO Experience' (Volume 10, Issue 10, dated 1977) is primarily focused on UFO reports from Australia and New Zealand, with a significant emphasis on Close Encounter Type 2 (CE2) cases. The magazine explores historical sightings and their associated physical effects, ground traces, and luminous phenomena, proposing a model that links these events to geophysical forces and electromagnetic phenomena.

The CE II Experience in Australia

The article "The CE II Experience in Australia" by W. Chalker B.Sc. defines Dr. Hynek's CE2 category, which involves visible records or physical effects from UFO encounters. It details several historical Australian cases, including an alleged 1893 incident in New South Wales involving a farmer and a 'being' with a 'torch', a 1919 case where a man was knocked senseless by a strange artifact, and a 1902 incident in Sydney where Mr. Bruggmann experienced temporary paralysis after a fireball explosion. The article also recounts a 1909 'airship' wave sighting in New Zealand involving a boat-shaped craft and figures, and mentions the 1969 Flinders Park entity case and the 1975 Lake Sorell sighting, both featuring unusual glows.

Further historical accounts include a 1961 Bowna-Hume weir case with 'pink rain', a 1969 Casino case with a persistent luminous patch, and the 1971 Delphos landing case. Earlier cases from 1925 in Western Australia describe a deserted object leaving scuffed earth, and a 1919 New Zealand sighting of a dull grey object that rapidly ascended. A 1932-1933 case in Queensland involved a boy encountering a disc-shaped object that emitted humming and mist, causing a headache.

The article notes that ground traces became more common from late 1965, citing the Eton Range, Tully QLD, Bourkes Flat, and Westall cases. It highlights significant 'nest' cases from the north coast of NSW in 1969 and mentions trace reports from various Australian locations throughout the early 1970s.

Geophysical Models and UFOs

An accompanying section discusses "Pre-event amnesia associated with the electric shock-induced alteration in consciousness" and "Conclusions" that suggest a close relationship between intense UFO episodes and a model involving geophysical forces. It posits that unusual displays of normal geophysical forces and intensified electric and magnetic phenomena could explain some physical and persistent luminous displays, emphasizing the need to understand the context and geometric form of these events.

References

A comprehensive list of references is provided, including works by J.S. Beal, J.L. Coffman, J.S. Derr, D. Finkelstein, R.S. Hill, J.R. Powell, R.A. Herin, M.A. Persinger, G.F. Lafrentiere, T. Terada, and Y. Yasui, covering topics from fields and earthquakes to parapsychological experiences and luminous phenomena.

CE II Study Group

The publication announces the formation of a CEII study group, whose primary aim is to study and document UFO trace cases. Interested individuals are directed to contact Bill Chalker in North Sydney, NSW. The group's preliminary areas of study include ground trace marks, natural ground effects, physical and physiological effects on witnesses and animals, luminous phenomena, interference with equipment, inertial variations, and miscellaneous anomalous effects.

CRUFON - The Citizen's Radio UFO Network in the U.S.

This section details the organization and function of the Citizen's Radio UFO Network (CRUFON) in the United States. It explains that CRUFON is a network of privately owned transmitters and receivers, operating under the Federal Communications Commission. It utilizes CB channel 5 as the unofficial UFO reporting frequency for sightings within 150 miles. The network aims to coordinate investigations and reporting of unidentified aerial phenomena, with HAM radio operators playing a key role in transmitting messages globally. CRUFON forwards initial sighting reports to UFO Registry Centers for cataloging and follow-up.

ACOS NEWS

This section reports on name changes of two member organizations: Queensland UFO Research Bureau is now UFO RESEARCH - QLD, and UFO Investigation Centre is now UFO RESEARCH N.S.W. It also initiates a study on "UFOs and animal reaction," inviting comments and providing a preliminary list of Australian and New Zealand cases with reported animal reactions.

UFO Reports in S.A.

UFO Research Inc. has accumulated records of UFO reports from South Australian sources, utilizing three systems: an Index Card System (1955-1974), a Reports Log System (1974-present), and Files (1955-onwards). The section also includes a table showing the number of incoming UFO reports recorded by UFO Research Inc. from 1972 to 1976, with percentages of unknown cases.

UFO Photographs

An appeal is made for groups or individuals possessing photographs of alleged UFOs to contact Jeff Bell of UFO Research W.A. for a UFO PHOTO CATALOGUE being compiled by an American UFO Researcher.

The Victorian Flying Saucer Investigation Committee of 1953

This historical account details the formation and activities of the Victorian Flying Saucer Investigation Committee in 1953. The committee, comprising members from various professions, concluded that 'flying saucers' were real, material objects. Despite facing condemnation from orthodox authorities, they established the objective existence of UFOs. The committee's activities eventually suspended due to members becoming scattered and the secretary's immersion in official duties.

UFO Congress in Acapulco

An announcement is made about an international congress on UFOs to be held in Acapulco, Mexico, from April 17th to 24th. A list of lecturers is provided, including prominent figures in the UFO field such as Walter Andrus, Kenneth Arnold, J. Allen Hynek, John Keel, Donald Keyhoe, Jacques Vallee, and Erich Von Daniken.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, particularly physical traces and effects (CE2 cases). There is a strong emphasis on collecting and analyzing data that can be presented to scientists, with a critical stance towards explanations that are not empirically verifiable. The magazine advocates for a rigorous, evidence-based approach to ufology, aiming to gain scientific recognition for the field. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging researchers and the public to contribute to the study of UFOs, while also acknowledging the psychological and routine physical aspects that may be associated with some reports.