ACUFOS Journal vol 2 no 6

Magazine Overview

Title: THE JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR UFO STUDIES
Issue: Volume 2, Number 6
Date: November/December 1981
Publisher: The Australian Centre for UFO Studies
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of The Journal of the Australian Centre for UFO Studies presents a collection of articles exploring various facets of UFO research, with a particular focus on the Time Travel hypothesis and a novel perspective on gravity. The publication is registered by Australia Post and aims to disseminate the work of Australian researchers to a global audience.

Editorial

The editorial, by Harry Griesberg & Keith Basterfield, provides an overview of ACUFOS's activities since its inception in January 1980. The ACUFOS JOURNAL was launched to showcase Australian research, and its bibliography service, compiled by John Prytz, has been well-received. January 1981 saw the commencement of the ACUFOS investigation system and the monthly ACUFOS BULLETIN. The editorial notes an increase in reported cases and outlines plans for 1982 to broaden input by seeking additional investigators, especially in country areas. Readers are encouraged to contribute by submitting press clippings or inquiring about becoming investigators.

Marking Time: The Time Travel Hypothesis

This article, authored by Holly Goriss & John Prytz, delves into the Time Travel (TT) hypothesis as an explanation for UFO phenomena. It contrasts this with other theories, such as the Extraterrestrial Intelligence (ETI) hypothesis, collective internal intelligence, and secret weapon theories. The authors explore the concept of time travel, citing D.A.J. Seargent's definition that UFOs are caused by future humans examining their past. They discuss the inherent paradoxes, such as altering the past and its consequences, using examples from science fiction like 'The Final Countdown'. The article questions whether future humans would want to travel back in time, given the dangers and the potential for creating paradoxes that could erase their own existence.

Further discussion on the TT hypothesis considers the possibility of parallel Earths and inter-plane travel, suggesting that UFOs might originate from a unique future of a parallel Earth rather than our own. The authors express skepticism about the TT theory, finding it unsatisfying on philosophical grounds and lacking empirical support. They highlight that the variety of UFO shapes and occupants is difficult to reconcile with the idea of advanced time travelers. The article concludes that the TT theory is "forced, contrived and uneconomical" and should only be considered if all other explanations are found wanting. The authors also touch upon the idea of UFOs being holograms or projections from the future, but find this explanation insufficient for all observed phenomena.

A View of Gravity

This section features an article by Martin Gottschall, with comments by Frank Gillespie. Gottschall proposes a new view of gravity, suggesting that it is a condition in space where the velocity of light changes and decreases towards a gravitational body. He posits that the energy released by falling objects is part of their rest mass energy. This view is presented as having relevance to space flight, suggesting that by creating an artificial gradient in the velocity of light, near light velocity space travel could be achieved.

Frank Gillespie provides critical comments on Gottschall's paper, pointing out what he considers fundamental flaws. Gillespie challenges Gottschall's derivations, particularly in Case 1, where he argues that the assumption of a constant mass is made despite the premise of a variable mass. He also questions the conclusion in Case 2 regarding mass increase and loss of rest mass energy, noting the unclear process and the introduction of an unexplained quantity. Gillespie finds Case 3 impossible to check.

Gottschall's article further explores the implications of his gravity theory on measuring instruments, suggesting that while spectral emissions remain constant, clocks slow down in a gravitational field. He also discusses how his theory could explain why Flying Saucers land rarely, attributing it to the need to dissipate excess energy to avoid a catastrophic explosion upon landing. The article references Daniel Fry's account of contact with 'Aylan' as a potential source of information on artificial fields.

Bibliography

The issue includes a bibliography listing various articles and books related to time travel, UFOs, and science fiction, providing further resources for interested readers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of unconventional hypotheses for UFO phenomena, particularly the Time Travel theory, and the re-examination of fundamental physics concepts like gravity. The editorial stance of ACUFOS appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging research and discussion of various theories, while also maintaining a critical perspective, as evidenced by the comments on Gottschall's gravity paper. The journal aims to be a platform for scientific discussion and to advance the understanding of UFO-related phenomena.

Title: UFO Update
Issue: May 1981
Volume: 1
Publisher: Omni
Date: May 1981

This issue of UFO Update features a critical examination of the prevailing theories surrounding the UFO phenomenon, primarily contrasting internal intelligence explanations with external intelligence theories.

Gottschall's Theories Critiqued

The issue begins with a critique of a paper by Gottschall, highlighting several perceived flaws in his arguments. The critique points out that Gottschall's equation (13) is incomplete, lacks explanations for key terms, and that a variable 'Mo' mysteriously appears and disappears. The author questions Gottschall's understanding of light and energy, noting his claim that energy is inversely proportional to wavelength, which is only true if the velocity of light were constant. The critique also points out Gottschall's substitution of kinetic energy gain for potential energy loss when an object enters a gravitational field, suggesting this creates energy at no permanent cost, which the author deems "unfortunately, it is not quite that easy."

IMAGERY: IT'S MAINLY IN THE MIND by John Prytz

This article by John Prytz argues that internal intelligence theories, particularly 'Imagery' (used as a catch-all for psychological or social explanations), are insufficient to explain the UFO phenomenon. Prytz contends that while these theories might explain a few facets of some UFO cases, they cannot account for the overall picture. He suggests that the popularity of internal intelligence theories stems less from evidence and more from a subconscious desire to avoid the disturbing implications of an external intelligence controlling UFOs.

Prytz posits that the thought of UFOs being directed by an external intelligence is unsettling for some, leading them to favor theories that place humans as the sole cause. He believes this "ostrich-with-the-head-in-the-sand" attitude does a disservice to ufology. While acknowledging the value of internal intelligence theories, he draws a line when they are used to dismiss external intelligence theories like ETI without sufficient logical ground.

He contrasts the explanatory power of ETI with Imagery, stating that ETI can address most UFO cases, while Imagery can only "solve" a few. Prytz emphasizes that the profound importance of proving ETI's existence far outweighs the proof of Imagery.

Critiques of Imagery Theory

Prytz outlines several specific issues with Imagery theory:

• Consistency: Imagery cannot explain the consistency observed in UFO sightings over 35 years, including patterns in location (near power lines, over military bases) and descriptions of objects and occupants. Witnesses often try to rationalize sightings but fail.
• Flap Phenomenon: The "flap" phenomenon, where UFO sightings increase cyclically, cannot be explained by internal intelligence theories because human psychological processes are constant. Prytz notes that despite increased UFO publicity in recent years (e.g., "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"), actual sightings have decreased, showing an inverse correlation.
• Population Density: If Imagery were a major contributor, UFO sighting density should mirror human population density. However, reports often come from rural or isolated areas, which ETI can accommodate but Imagery struggles with.
• Diurnal Cycles: While ETI can account for UFO "flaps" by month, day, or week, Imagery can only easily accommodate diurnal cycles (day/night patterns) related to human activity.
• Multi-witness Sightings: Differences in individual internal makeup make it difficult for Imagery to explain multi-witness sightings, which are common.
• International Differences: The vast differences in psychological and sociological makeup across international borders are not reflected in UFO reports, which are remarkably uniform worldwide. Prytz cites an example of a 1942 Chinese UFO photograph that closely resembles modern sightings, suggesting external influence.
• Physical Evidence: Imagery et.al. cannot explain physical evidence such as UFO films (Tremonton, Utah; Great Falls, Montana; Kaikoura, New Zealand), "saucer nests," or physical/geological traces. It also struggles with radar trackings (July 1952 Washington, D.C.) and unexplained disappearances (Travis Walton, Frederick Valentich).
• Animal Reactions and Electromagnetic Effects: Imagery theory fails to explain animal reactions to UFOs and cases involving electromagnetic effects or "angel's hair."
• Animal Mutilation: Cases of animal mutilation are presented as falling outside the scope of internal intelligence mechanisms, unless they are hoaxes.
• Vividness of Experience: As the distance between an event and a witness decreases, the odds of it being real and external increase, making vivid "close encounter" cases difficult for Imagery to dismiss as mere invention.
• The Year 1947: Prytz argues that the precise social and psychological conditions in mid-1947 that supposedly led to an explosion of imaginary objects are not adequately explained by internal intelligence. He suggests that external intelligence made infrequent appearances before mid-1947 and then increased them, leading to the modern UFO phenomenon and the bloom of ufology.

Prytz concludes that internal intelligence theorists must provide better explanations before dismissing ETI and adopting Imagery.

1954 AIRLINE CREW OBSERVATION UNEARTHED by Keith Basterfield

This section presents a newspaper article from the Adelaide Advertiser, dated January 11, 1954. It reports on an observation made by the crew of an ANA airliner about 15 miles north of Morgan. Captain Booth, the pilot of a DC3, and his co-pilot, First Officer Furness, reported seeing a strange object that appeared and disappeared for about six minutes. The object seemed to move erratically, as if circling, but they could not catch up with it. While they initially considered it an optical illusion, they could not explain its occurrence. Captain Booth noted that the object moved quickly from side to side and slightly east to west. After checking with the Parafield control room, they learned there were no other aircraft in the area. Booth speculated it might be caused by refraction rays from the sun. First Officer Furness stated the object remained visible for about ten minutes, resembling the silhouette of an aircraft at a distance, and that it appeared to be circling slowly. He also suggested it might have been an optical illusion.

ACUFOS Bibliography Service: Information Resources by John Prytz

This section provides an extensive bibliography of reference tools useful to ufologists. Compiled by John Prytz, it expands on a previous list and aims to be a select guide to indexes, catalogues, directories, bibliographies, and other resources.

The bibliography is organized into several categories:

• General: Current Events (Facts on File, Keesing's Contemporary Archives, Survey of Current Events).
• General Subject Indexes to Published Literature: APAIS (Australian Public Affairs Information Service), PAIS (Public Affairs Information Service Bulletin).
• Newspapers: Editorials on File, The New York Times Index, Newspaper Index to the Washington Post, Newspapers in Australian Libraries (Union Lists).
• Serials: Ayer Directory of Publications, Current Australian Serials, Guide to Current British Journals, Irregular Serials and Annuals.
• Subject Indexes to Journal Articles: British Humanities Index, Canadian Periodical Index, Index to Current Information, Pinpointer, Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature.
• Official and Government Publications: Annual Catalogue of Commonwealth Publications, Australian Government Publications, CIS/Index (US Congress publications), Government of Canada Publications, Government Publications (Great Britain), Index to the Papers Presented to the Australian Parliament, Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications, New Zealand Government Publications, UNDUX (United Nations Documents Index), U.S. Government Reports: Announcements & Index.
• National Bibliographies: Australian National Bibliography, British National Bibliography, Canadiana, Monthly Bibliography (United Nations Library), New Zealand National Bibliography.
• Current and Forthcoming Monographs (Books): Australian Bookseller and Publisher, The Bookseller, Whitaker's Books of the Month & Books to Come, Whitaker's Cumulative Book List.

Prytz notes that many of these resources are available in hard copy, microform, or computerized databases like AUSINET and DIALOG. He encourages readers to utilize electronic terminal facilities for broader access.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical evaluation of different explanations for the UFO phenomenon. The editorial stance, particularly in John Prytz's articles, strongly favors external intelligence theories (ETI) over internal intelligence theories (Imagery). The magazine appears to champion a rational, evidence-based approach to ufology, challenging psychological and sociological explanations when they are seen as insufficient or as attempts to avoid uncomfortable truths. The inclusion of a detailed bibliography suggests a commitment to providing researchers with the tools they need to conduct thorough investigations.