ACUFOS Journal vol 2 no 5

Magazine Overview

Title: THE JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR UFO STUDIES
Issue: Volume 2, Number 5
Date: September/October 1981
Publisher: The Australian Centre for UFO Studies
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of the journal presents a collection of articles that explore various facets of UFO research, from methodological approaches to related phenomena in astronomy and sociology. The publication emphasizes a scientific and reasoned approach to the study of UFOs, advocating for professional debate and data-driven analysis.

Editorial

The editorial, penned by H. Griesberg & K. Basterfield, addresses comments received regarding a previous statement about avoiding "American style 'ufology"'. The editors clarify that their intention was to promote reasoned debate, focusing on the logic of arguments rather than personal attacks on individuals. They stress the importance of an open debate involving the perusal and discussion of work from all researchers, regardless of nationality or thought. The editorial also briefly mentions the successful sixth annual UFO conference, UFOCON 6, held in Adelaide, and notes that spare copies of its proceedings are available.

From Plausibility to Proof: The Science of UFO Prediction

By John Prytz, this article outlines a methodology for forecasting future UFO trends using statistical analysis and computer modeling. The author, working with the Department of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library, describes a project to forecast information needs for the Parliament through 1988/89. This involved identifying dependent variables (e.g., library demand) and correlating them with independent variables (e.g., number of "crisis" per year, number of sitting hours, number of research assistants). By analyzing historical trends and using computer software like CSA's FLARES, they aimed to generate scenarios and produce forecasts. Prytz suggests that this approach, by correlating UFO trends with various potential independent variables (physical, mental, or technological phenomena), could lead to testable predictions and potentially help solve the UFO mystery. He emphasizes the need for a statistically significant database and sophisticated tools to achieve this.

The A.C.U.F.O.S. Investigation System

This section details the establishment of the ACUFOS Investigation System, created in November 1980 and commencing January 1981. Its purpose is to support UFO research in Australia by providing a structured investigation framework for individuals, especially in areas where no formal organization exists. Admission requires a personal application, a fee of $30 annually, and a demonstrated capability to contribute to high-quality UFO investigation work. The fee provides subscribers with six issues of the "ACUFOS JOURNAL", a year's subscription to the "UFO Research-Australia-Newsletter", a 10% discount on ACUFOS publications, and a copy of the monthly "ACUFOS Bulletin".

The Observation of Variable Stars

Reprinted from CRUX and authored by Eric Harries-Harris, this article explores the field of amateur astronomy, specifically the study of variable stars. It highlights that this area of research is accessible to individuals with interest and dedication, without requiring advanced qualifications or expensive equipment. Variable stars are defined as those with unsteady radiation output, which can be regular (e.g., eclipsing binaries, pulsating stars) or irregular (e.g., "Dwarf Novae"). The article explains how amateur observers contribute valuable data by monitoring these stars, often assisting professional observatories and satellite experiments. It also provides references for those interested in joining astronomical societies or variable star associations, including contact details for the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand.

UFOs and Prophetic Religious Movements

Authored by Mark Moravec, this article examines prophetic religious movements as systems of beliefs that predict renewal and improvement. By analyzing three ethnographic examples – the American Indian Ghost Dance movement, the Usurufa Cargo Cult of New Guinea, and the "Bay City UFO Cult" – Moravec presents evidence that these movements share common elements and are responses to social conditions and an "impulse" for change. Key commonalities include dissatisfaction with existing social conditions, rejection of established authority, initiation through revelations from "higher beings", promises of a new age, and the presence of leaders or prophets. The article discusses the historical context of each movement, the nature of their prophecies, and the role of figures like Wovoka and "Mrs Marian Keech". It explores theories of causation, suggesting that movements can arise from cultural clashes or traditional ideologies, and that the individual prophet is a catalyst within a broader socio-cultural context.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the application of scientific methodology and reasoned analysis to the study of UFO phenomena and related subjects. The journal advocates for a professional, data-driven approach, distinguishing itself from more sensationalist forms of "ufology." The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rigorous investigation, statistical modeling, and open, evidence-based debate, while also acknowledging the value of amateur contributions in fields like astronomy and the study of sociological phenomena that may intersect with UFO beliefs.

This issue of "Flying Saucers" (Volume B, Issue 16, dated October 1968) delves into the complex world of prophetic religious movements, cargo cults, and the phenomenon of UFOs and extraterrestrial intelligence. The magazine presents a scholarly approach, citing numerous academic sources and offering extensive bibliographies.

Prophetic Religious Movements and Cultural Change

The issue begins by exploring the concept of material cargo incorporation into belief systems, particularly in the context of cargo movements in Melanesia. It challenges the simplistic 'deprivation theory,' which posits that dissatisfaction with material and social reality is the sole cause of such movements. While acknowledging that cultural clashes can emphasize differences and fuel movements, the article suggests this is not always the basic cause. The author references studies of cargo cults in Medang, New Guinea, where economic necessity and the desire for status were linked to an obsession for cargo. However, this is contrasted with movements like the flying saucer cult, where material gain was not a primary motivation.

An alternative hypothesis, proposed by Vallee, suggests that these movements are driven by an internal mechanism within human consciousness, pushing beliefs from a materialistic perspective towards a higher level of awareness, which in turn produces cultural change. The article applies this to cargo cults, suggesting that the emphasis on material cargo might have been amplified after European contact.

The unambiguous effect of prophetic religious movements is social change. The magazine notes that these movements often unify traditionally separate and hostile groups, as seen in New Guinea cargo cults reacting against Europeans, leading to more effective societal development. Lanternari views these movements as positive and progressive, paving the way for societal reform. In contrast, Cohn compares them to Hitler's Nazi movement, viewing them as abnormal and negative. The authors caution against assuming that cultural change must follow the Euro-American model.

The core argument is that prophetic religious movements are vehicles for cultural change, driven by both internal impulses and external dissatisfaction. They are catalyzed by prophets and manifest consistent belief systems over time and geography, with minor local variations. Prophecy is presented not just as foresight but as a means of impacting collective consciousness and driving cultural change. The myths and dreams within these movements are not seen as escapist but as representing a form of truth and reality that, while differing from conventional reality, is no less real.

The Nature of UFOs and Extraterrestrial Intelligence

The magazine then shifts focus to the nature of the 'impulse' that initiates movements, particularly in relation to UFOs. Vallee suggests it originates from the 'collective unconscious,' a Jungian concept of a universal human unconscious residue of ancestral experiences. These ancestral images can manifest as 'thought-feelings' or archetypes, and in this context, the UFO itself might be considered an archetype. However, the article notes that the 'collective unconscious' is a theoretical construct and may be unprovable, raising the question of explaining one unknown (UFO) with another (archetype).

It is asserted that prophetic religious movements have always existed. The article speculates on the continued appearance of UFO cults, referencing the growth of contactee clubs in the 1950s and the emergence of 'new' types of contactees in the 1970s, such as Uri Geller. The distinction between religious contactee experiences and abduction cases is explored, with the latter being potentially more acceptable to those who support the extraterrestrial hypothesis. Both types of experiences often involve 'flying saucers,' cosmic philosophies, and paraphysical experiences.

The article poses the question of whether the contactee experience is qualitatively different from other UFO experiences, suggesting that a difference might imply multiple causation or at least a multiple approach to understanding the UFO mystery. The UFO phenomenon is described as appearing to be both physical and paraphysical, akin to the wave-particle paradox of the electron. Any solution to the UFO mystery must consider both physical events (like those at Socorro) and paraphysical experiences (like those of Mrs. Keech and her followers).

The personal impact of prophetic religious experience is highlighted, with prophets undergoing personality changes and followers adhering to radical belief systems, often at the cost of personal distress and tragedy. An example is given of members of Mrs. Keech's movement quitting their jobs before a predicted disaster, with one member expressing profound belief despite personal sacrifice.

The issue emphasizes that prophetic religious movements are not merely delusions of 'backward natives' but are occurring in contemporary, 'highly developed' societies. The popularity of flying saucer cult ideas is noted, with members receiving numerous visitors and calls.

Are UFOs Impersonating the Perseids Meteors?

A specific article by John Prytz investigates a curious discovery made while monitoring the Perseid meteor shower on August 12, 1977. Two low-light level TV cameras recorded three 'meteoroids' arriving on near parallel courses within 1.3 seconds of each other. Their velocities and radiants aligned with mean Perseid values, but the frequency of this occurrence was highly improbable.

The authors of the original article concluded that the three objects were likely fragments of a single larger Perseid meteoroid that had collided with a dust particle in near-Earth space. Calculations based on their apparent magnitudes, assumed densities, and parent object shape supported this fragmentation theory, suggesting a high-velocity collision as the cause. The authors were excited by the prospect of such a fragmentation occurring close to Earth, estimating the odds of an individual meteor breaking up near Earth to be a few in a million, though improving during a major shower.

Prytz, however, proposes an alternative scenario: that three extraterrestrial spaceships, under intelligent control and using the meteor shower as cover, infiltrated Earth's airspace to carry out some 'dastardly deed,' such as stealing water or mutilating cattle. He questions whether this scenario is any less probable than the scientific explanation and asks for reports of 'close encounters' on August 12, 1977.

ACUFOS Bibliography Service: Extraterrestrial Intelligence (ETI)

This section, compiled by John Prytz, introduces the concept of 'intelligence' in the context of extraterrestrial life (ETL). It notes that while previous bibliographies focused on ETL, this one concentrates on ETI, acknowledging the fine line between exobiology and ETI. The references cover various aspects, including the nature of first face-to-face contact, outer space law, theology, space colonization, ancient astronauts, UFOs, and SETI/CETI.

The bibliography is divided into several categories:

• Extraterrestrial Intelligence - General Survey Articles: Covering topics like the Fermi paradox ('Where is Everybody?'), the 'Zoo Hypothesis,' and the possibility of life existing only on Earth.
• Extraterrestrial Intelligence - Religious Aspects: Exploring the intersection of life in outer space with religious and theological concepts.
• Extraterrestrial Intelligence - Legal Aspects: Discussing legal implications, such as 'Galactic Geopolitics' and the validity of the 'Golden Rule in Space.'
• Unidentified Flying Objects - Bibliographies: A comprehensive list of articles and books on UFOs, including discussions on sightings, alleged cover-ups, and the psychology of perception.
• Exobiology: Focusing on the scientific search for life beyond Earth, including Antarctic meteorites, the possibility of intelligent life, and the synthesis of organic molecules in space.
• Life in the Solar System: Examining the potential for life on planets and moons within our solar system, such as Titan and Jupiter.
• ETI & Exobiology - Bibliographies: Further resources on interstellar travel, communication, and related topics.
• Astro-Archaeology & Ancient Astronauts: Investigating the connection between ancient civilizations and astronomical knowledge, including the study of ancient celestial charts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the human drive to understand the unknown, particularly concerning phenomena that challenge conventional scientific and societal norms. The magazine explores the psychological, sociological, and even spiritual dimensions of belief systems, from cargo cults to UFO sightings. There is a clear editorial stance that these phenomena, while often dismissed or explained away by mainstream science, warrant serious investigation and consideration. The extensive bibliographies suggest a commitment to providing readers with a comprehensive resource for further study, encouraging a critical yet open-minded approach to topics that blur the lines between science fiction and potential reality. The issue implicitly argues that these 'anomalous' phenomena are not confined to 'backward natives' but are present in highly developed societies, reflecting deep-seated human needs and curiosities.