the apro bulletin

Magazine Overview

This issue of The APRO Bulletin, Volume 30, Number 11, dated December 1982, is published by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc. (APRO) from Tucson, Arizona. The cover features the headline "CLOSE ENCOUNTER IN COLORADO" and a photograph of a pond area, indicating a focus on a specific sighting.

Renewal Notice

The issue begins with a renewal notice for subscribers, informing them that their computer scan card has been removed and no further issues will be sent until their renewal fee is remitted. It provides the renewal fees for U.S., Canada and Mexico, Overseas Surface Mail, and Overseas Airmail.

UFOhio Symposium Papers

A list of papers presented at the APRO UFOhio Symposium in June 1981 is provided, available from APRO Headquarters. The papers cover various UFO-related topics, including the Roswell investigation, human consciousness and UFOs, and sociological aspects of UFO research. Prices for these papers are listed, reflecting copying costs and postage.

Letter to the Editor

Louise Deadman of Arkansas writes a letter expressing her enjoyment of the Bulletin and her appreciation for being a member. As a latecomer to the membership (about ten years), she requests earlier publications and encloses a check. She expresses hope that the Bulletin will continue its work and states her belief that the UFO phenomenon is significant and worth the effort.

Close Encounter in Colorado

Investigated by B. V. Wilson, this article details a one-witness sighting by Elizabeth Conway in El Paso County, Colorado, on August 30, 1982. At 2 a.m., she observed a bright orange ball descending towards a pond, hovering for about a minute with a ticking sound, and then ascending at a 45-degree angle. The object was described as nearly the size of the full moon. Her husband, Mr. Conway, slept through the event. The next morning, Mrs. Conway had a rash. Animal reactions, including frightened horses and barking dogs, were reported by neighbors. Further investigation revealed flattened weeds in a circle about 9 feet in diameter near the pond, and Mr. Wilson estimated the object's diameter to be 12 feet.

The Nova Mess

By Coral E. Lorenzen, this article critiques the PBS television program "The Case for the UFOs," which aired on NOVA. Lorenzen expresses disappointment with the program's reliability and objectivity, noting that it was produced by WGBH and that the case selection was influenced by Kendrick Frazier, editor of "The Skeptical Inquirer." The article highlights the involvement of UFO detractors Philip Klass and James Oberg, criticizing Klass for misrepresenting facts. The critique focuses on the program's handling of the Travis Walton case, where psychologist Dr. Michael Persinger suggested a geological charge caused hallucinations, and polygraph operator John McCarthy claimed Walton failed a test. The article questions the validity of McCarthy's test and points out that other witnesses passed a polygraph confirming their account. It also criticizes the program's portrayal of William Spaulding and the discrediting of physicist Dr. Bruce Maccabbee.

The 1965 Canberra Airport Mariner IV Non-Event

This article examines a report about a glowing object spotted hovering over Canberra airport on July 15, 1965. Civil and RAAF traffic controllers were baffled. The object zoomed away when an RAAF plane approached. The article notes a subsequent difficulty in locking onto signals from the Mariner IV satellite. John Keel's account in Saga magazine suggests the satellite signals were jammed. However, upon closer inspection, the article argues that the timing of the events does not support a direct coincidence, attributing the satellite tracking issue to the Mars gravity effect on Mariner's orbit.

Rock Group Abducted?

This brief report mentions that officials of a Canada-wide UFO investigation group believe a St. Catharines man and possibly his rock group may have been abducted by a UFO. Joe Muskat of the Canadian UFO Research Network (CUFORN) suggested the man might have been implanted with a monitoring device and taken onto an alien craft multiple times. The report notes a possible connection to sightings of strange orange lights over Niagara-on-the-Lake and that the information was gathered under hypnosis.

Australian A. F. UFO Report Files (Conclusion)

By Bill Chalker, this section continues the examination of RAAF UFO investigations. It discusses the Cressy, Tasmania sightings from October 10, 1960, where Reverend Lionel Browning and his wife observed a cigar-shaped object with vertical bands, followed by smaller disc-shaped objects. Another witness, Mrs. D. Bransden, also saw the spectacle. The article then details a USAF JB57 aircraft encounter with a UFO on November 15, 1960, described as a translucent, fuzzy object moving at high speed. Chalker reviews RAAF UFO files, suggesting that while many reports are misidentifications, some describe intriguing events that warrant further study. He also discusses the controversial Tom Drury UFO film from 1953, noting that the original film frames are allegedly lost or destroyed, despite a file search in 1973 yielding negatives. The article also mentions a DC6 aircraft incident near Bouganville Reef in 1965, where the crew reported being 'buzzed' by a UFO, and a CIA UFO movie screening in Texas in 1967 that allegedly showed a film of four UFOs encountered by a converted RAAF aircraft.

Letter to the Editor (Continued)

This section contains a letter from Bill Chalker, APRO Representative, Australia, discussing the Tom Drury film. He notes that the RAAF's official stance was that the film's 'excised' frames were destroyed. However, a 1973 RAAF file contained negatives of individual frames. Chalker confirms with Tom Drury that he had not seen his 'UFO film' and only received a print without UFO shots. The article also mentions other reports not appearing in RAAF files, such as a DC6 aircraft incident and a USAF Sergeant viewing a CIA UFO film.

Letter to the Editor (Continued)

This letter, from an unnamed author, criticizes the NOVA program "The Case of the UFOs" as propaganda. The author notes that several scientist-UFO experts interviewed had never seen a UFO and were attempting to find natural explanations, such as correlating earthquake activity with lights or insect swarms with electrical discharges. The author dismisses these correlations as illusory and asserts that real UFOs exist and are not a natural phenomenon, based on personal experience observing UFO lights.

Society for Scientific Exploration Formed

This section announces the formation of the Society for Scientific Exploration, comprising over 100 scientists interested in substantiating or disproving the existence of phenomena like UFOs. Peter Sturrock, a Stanford astrophysics professor, is the first president. The society aims to provide a forum for serious scientific inquiry, overcoming the stigma associated with studying such subjects.

Press Reports

This section presents several brief reports of UFO sightings:

• Wisconsin, May 14, 1982: Tom Powers and others witnessed a round, shiny object, about 2.5 feet across, hovering near a gas station.
• Texas, June 19, 1982: Bobby Gray and his family observed three starlike objects moving rapidly and making a 90-degree turn.
• Texas, July 1 (?), 1982: Mena witnessed an object hovering in an unusual manner, described as twice as bright as the sun, which reportedly caused hens to stop laying eggs.
• Ohio, June 19, 1982: Perry Township residents reported a large, red, luminous object hovering for about 25 minutes before accelerating southeast.
• New York, June 24, 1982: Newburgh area residents reported an unusual object with strange lights, which state police tracked to a location where pilots were practicing close formation flying. Witnesses insisted it was not a plane or helicopter due to its silence and ability to stop mid-air.
• Australia, March 28, 1982: Esperance businesswomen and others reported being menaced by a UFO for an hour, describing its changing altitude, speed, and colors.
• Canada, June 29, 1982: Mark Pinnington and Dennis Sennett observed a bright red ball during a thunderstorm that disappeared suddenly.
• England, May 23, 1982: Robert Fairall and Annette Cook were followed by a bright white light that hovered and moved erratically.

Honduras Visitor

APRO received a visit from Mr. Antonio Borgan, President of the Sociedad Hondurena de Investigaciones, indicating a developing relationship for information exchange.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed investigations of specific UFO sightings (Colorado, Australia), critical analysis of media portrayals of UFO phenomena (NOVA), examination of historical UFO cases and potential cover-ups (RAAF files, Tom Drury film), and reports of recent sightings from around the world. The APRO Bulletin consistently advocates for serious, evidence-based investigation into UFOs, challenging dismissive or naturalistic explanations when the evidence warrants. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, critical evaluation of information, and a belief in the reality of unexplained aerial phenomena, while also being wary of sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims.