ACUFOS Journal vol 3 no 5

Magazine Overview

This issue of "The Journal of the Australian Centre for UFO Studies" (Volume 3, Number 5) was published in September/October 1982. The journal is based in Prospect, South Australia, and is published by the Australian Centre for UFO Studies (ACUFOS).

Editorial: Ringing in the Changes

Frank Gillespie, the new and inexperienced editor, introduces himself and discusses the establishment of the ACUFOS Journal and the new management of ACUFOS. He pledges to maintain or improve the standard of the publication and admits he may make mistakes but will do his best. He also mentions a new logo on the cover, the meaning of which will be revealed in the next issue, and invites readers to guess its meaning.

In Search of Breakthroughs by Mark Moravec

This article examines the nature and origin of UFOs, questioning whether progress has been made in understanding them over the past 30 years. Moravec discusses the scientific approach to studying UFO phenomena, initially promoted by Hynek and Vallee, noting that a truly scientific approach has only been initiated in the late 1970s. He addresses the argument that science may not be able to solve the UFO mystery if they are extraterrestrial or directed by a superhuman intelligence. The article explores whether UFO phenomena, even if subjective, can be scientifically studied, drawing parallels with psychological studies of altered states of consciousness.

A Research Strategy

Moravec outlines Vallee's proposed research strategies, which include:
1. Systematic recruiting and training of reliable field investigators.
2. Development of standard 'field investigation' kits and better instructions.
3. Establishment of a backup communication system and access to data-bases.
4. Setting up automatic photographic, magnetic, and gravity anomaly detecting stations.
5. Establishment and dissemination of standard procedures for collecting and analyzing samples.
6. Standardization of procedures for photographic analysis.
7. Development of a capability for physiological study of close-encounter witnesses.
8. Development of a capability for psychological investigation of witnesses.

He notes that reasonable progress has been made in Australia and overseas regarding points 1, 2, 5, and 6, with ACUFOS establishing an investigator network. However, a lack of funds has hindered the acquisition of desirable equipment for trace sampling and analysis. Points 4, 7, and 8 have been largely ignored, though Moravec intends to prioritize psychological and physiological studies of percipients.

Documentation

Moravec emphasizes the critical importance of documentation in UFO research, citing a 1980 survey of Australian UFO researchers who prioritized better investigation, documentation, and research. He stresses that documentation is the first step in any scientific investigation and requires standardized procedures for reliable data gathering. ACUFOS has developed standardized UFO report forms and investigation techniques. He criticizes the trend of some investigators omitting reports of interesting close encounters, arguing that this leads to memory errors, undermines data sharing, and deprives other researchers of potentially important data. He questions the concept of a "breakthrough case" and suggests that a lack of data means there is nothing to study.

Rapid Intervention

To improve documentation, Moravec suggests a rapid intervention program, which involves getting investigators to the scene of a sighting as soon as possible. This requires educating the public to report sightings and maintaining contact with the media. Once a sighting is known, the priority is to determine if it's worth following up, potentially by contacting the witness by telephone. If the sighting has high evidence and strangeness, the closest available qualified investigator should be dispatched. Effective rapid intervention requires forward planning, including knowing investigators' specializations and equipment, establishing a notification system, and securing funding for travel and expenses.

Specialised Research

Specialization is presented as a productive approach to UFO research due to the vast amount of literature and limited time available to researchers. Specialization allows researchers to develop expertise in specific areas like entity reports, physical traces, or psychological/paranormal aspects. This has led to the publication of detailed catalogues of UFO reports, which are crucial for building a quality data base. Two types of specialization are mentioned: linear (permanent focus on one aspect) and project-by-project.

Instrumented Research

Moravec notes that only one researcher in a survey emphasized instrumented research as a priority, despite its potential. This approach requires UFOs to have measurable physical attributes and sufficient funds for equipment. Instrumented research, as part of Vallee's strategy, involves setting up recording stations at "flap areas" (locations of above-average UFO activity). This typically involves interviewing percipients, identifying active sites, and deploying equipment like photographic and electromagnetic radiation monitors. Examples of successful instrumented studies overseas are cited.

Percipient Studies

There is significant scope for in-depth studies of UFO percipients, both individually and in groups. These studies should involve psychological, psychiatric, and physiological evaluations to understand the factors important in UFO experiences. The study of "repeater" percipients (those with a history of anomalous experiences) and group research projects are highlighted as promising avenues.

Interdisciplinary Approaches

Moravec discusses the potential benefits of an interdisciplinary approach, which involves studying UFOs alongside other anomalous phenomena such as psychical phenomena, mystery animals, and ancient technologies. He criticizes the tendency to presume the equivalence of all unexplained phenomena, citing the Bermuda Triangle claims as an example of media distortion. He argues that while some outcries against mixing UFOs with other phenomena stem from a lack of scientific examination, a selective and cautious interdisciplinary approach can produce useful data. He notes his own efforts in studying "overlap" areas, suggesting that UFOs and paranormal phenomena may be related. The establishment of the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena in the UK is seen as a positive development for interdisciplinary research.

Funded Research

The article addresses the crucial question of funding for UFO research. Currently, most research is conducted by voluntary, part-time workers who fund themselves. The possibility of obtaining government or private funds is discussed, with examples of government-funded projects like Project Bluebook and the GEPAN program, and privately funded initiatives like FUFOR and Project Starlight International. In Australia, the funding situation is described as grim, with little prospect of government funding and difficulty in obtaining private donations due to the country's smaller population and fewer wealthy individuals. The idea of establishing a tax-exempt organization to attract funds is suggested.

Motivations, Assumptions and Breakthroughs

Moravec delves into the motivations behind UFO research, suggesting that the definition of a "breakthrough" is influenced by these motivations. He identifies a common assumption that UFOs are extraterrestrial spacecraft, and the goal is to prove this. He questions what happens if UFOs are not extraterrestrial, or if they are entirely explicable as misidentified objects or subjective psychological processes. He warns that beliefs and emotional investment might prevent researchers from seeing the true facts.

He also discusses the assumption of a "breakthrough case," where the belief is that a physical craft will eventually malfunction and crash, providing conclusive proof. Moravec suggests that this "breakthrough case" might be a myth, and that the last 30 years of research do not support this idea. Another assumption is that the residue of unexplained UFO reports represents a single phenomenon, leading to exotic hypotheses like time travelers or interdimensional visitors. Moravec proposes that these unexplained reports may represent a mixture of less exotic phenomena, such as ball lightning or hallucinations.

The article then summarizes a list of questionable assumptions that can hinder UFO research progress:

1. UFO phenomena cannot be studied scientifically.
2. Subjective aspects of UFO experiences cannot be studied scientifically.
3. Careful and prompt documentation of UFO cases is not essential.
4. Efforts at producing catalogues of UFO reports are pointless.
5. Interdisciplinary approaches are misguided and dangerous to ufology's reputation.
6. UFOs are undoubtedly physical, extraterrestrial spacecraft.
7. The answer to the UFO mystery will be provided by a "breakthrough case".
8. Currently unexplained UFO reports represent a single phenomenon.

Moravec concludes that recognizing and controlling one's own data-distorting beliefs is the first breakthrough.

References

The issue includes a comprehensive list of references cited in the articles, covering various UFO-related books and publications from authors like Basterfield, Falla, Fuller, Gooch, Haines, Hendry, Hynek, Kusche, Moravec, Vallee, and Winer.

Notice to Contributors

This section provides guidelines for submitting manuscripts to the journal. Contributors are asked to prepare their manuscripts in a way that can be directly photocopied, using A4 paper, 20 mm margins, and economy of space. Originals or first-class plain-paper copies are preferred. Manuscripts not conforming to these specifications may be delayed in publication.

ACUFOS Bibliography Service: Information Resources - Part II

• Compiled by John Prytz, this section extends a previous bibliography of reference tools. It lists various resources for researchers, categorized as:
• Reference Books: Including American Reference Books Annual, Printed Reference Material, Reference Books in Paperback, and Walford's Guides.
• National Bibliographies: Such as the American Book Publishing Record and the Cumulative Book Index.
• Subject Indexes to Journal Articles: Covering art, biological and agricultural, business, education, engineering, humanities, legal, and social sciences indexes.
• Guides to Associations, Clubs, etc.: Including directories for associations in Canada and Australasia.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly advocates for a scientific and systematic approach to UFO research. It emphasizes the importance of rigorous documentation, the potential of interdisciplinary studies, and the need for well-defined research strategies. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious optimism regarding the scientific study of UFOs, while also acknowledging the challenges, particularly funding and the need to overcome preconceived assumptions. The journal aims to provide valuable resources and foster serious investigation within the field.

This document is a multi-page bibliography update, presented across pages (10), (11), (12), and (13) of a publication. It serves as a comprehensive list of reference materials and articles, primarily focused on topics related to ufology, exobiology, artificial intelligence, and various biographical and directory resources.

Detailed Content Breakdown

Directories and Biographical Resources (Page 10)

• The bibliography begins by listing various directories, including:
• Directory of British Associations & Associations in Ireland (6th ed., 1980)
• Directory of European Associations (2nd ed., 1979)
• Encyclopedia of Associations: Vol. 1: National Organizations of the U.S. (15th ed., 1980)
• New Zealand Associations, Societies & Clubs: A National Directory (1979)

• Under the heading 'E) The Media', it lists:
• Australian Media Contact Register (annual)
• Editor & Publisher International Yearbook (annual)
• Margaret Gee's Media Guide (9th ed., Mar. 1982)

• Under 'F) Who's Who & Biographies', numerous biographical sources are cited:
• Canadian Who's Who (annual)
• Current Biography (monthly, annual)
• International Who's Who (45th ed., 1981-82)
• New York Times Biographical Service (monthly)
• Who's Who (in Great Britain): An Annual Biographical Dictionary (annual)
• Who's Who in America (41st ed., 1980-81, 2 Vols.)
• Who's Who in Australia (triennial)
• Who's Who in New Zealand (11th ed., 1978)
• American Men & Women of Science: Physical and Biological Sciences (14th ed., 1978, 8 Vols.)
• American Men and Women of Science: Social and Behavioral Sciences (13th ed., 1978)
• Dictionary of Scientific Biography (15 Vols.)
• Who's Who in Science in Europe (3rd ed., 1978, 4 Vols.)

• Other categories include:
• G) Quotations: Dictionary of Contemporary Quotations (semiannual)
• H) Public Opinion Polls: The Public Opinion Index Press (annual)
• I) Government Directories: Commonwealth Government Directory (annual)

Bibliography Updates - Sagan, Carl - About & Cosmic Chemistry (Page 11)

• This section focuses on Carl Sagan and related topics:
• Sagan, Carl - About: Lists an article from Omni (June 1982) titled 'Marketing of Dr. Carl Sagan'.
• Cosmic Chemistry: A series of articles and references are listed, including:
• 'Cosmic soup kitchen' (Sky & Telescope, May 1982)
• 'Molecules between the stars' (Astronomy, Mar. 1982)
• 'Discovery of three 'nonterrestrial' molecules' (Mercury, Sept./Oct. 1981)
• 'Far out giant molecular clouds' (Sky & Telescope, Feb. 1982)
• 'Secrets of interstellar clouds' (Astronomy, Mar. 1982)
• 'Search for methylene in space intensifies' (Chemical & Engineering News, Aug. 1982)
• 'Red giants as molecule factories' (Sky & Telescope, May 1982)
• 'Scientists pinpoint new molecule in space' (ANU Reporter, Aug. 1982)
• An interview with Prof. R.D. Brown on 'Australian radioastronomer discovers new organic molecule in space' (Science Show, June 1982)

Panspermia & Exobiology (Page 11)

• Panspermia: References include articles on the role of comets in the origin of life, amino acid distribution in meteorites, and the possibility of non-racemic amino acids.
• Exobiology Bibliographies: Lists entries such as 'Life on other worlds' (Mercury, July/Aug. 1974) and 'Exobiology' (McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology, 5th ed.).
• Exobiology: Further entries cover 'Life on a lonely planet' (Space World, Jan. 1982), 'Planetary atmospheres and the search for life' (Physics Teacher, Feb. 1982), and 'Is there life beyond Earth?' (Chemical & Engineering News, Sept. 1981).

Exobiology (cont.), Life in the Solar System, ETI, Space Colonization, Astro-Archaeology (Page 12)

• Exobiology (cont.): Includes articles like 'How to read the cards' (Fortune, Feb. 1982) and 'Probing evolution's pathways on Earth and beyond' (Chemical & Engineering News, May 1982).
• Life in the Solar System: Mars (Post Viking): Features 'Face in space' (Omni, April 1982) and 'Lamarck on Mars' (Omega, Sept./Oct. 1982).
• Life in the Solar System: Jovian Planets & Satellites: Mentions 'Mission on Titan' (Science Digest, Nov. 1981).
• Extraterrestrial Intelligence (ETI): Includes 'Star War' (Omni, May 1982) and 'UFO update: (theories of Frank Tipler)' (Omni, April 1982). An article 'Most advanced civilization in the galaxy is ours' by F.J. Tipler is cited from Mercury (Jan./Feb. 1982).
• Space Colonization: Lists 'High Road' by B. Bova (1981) and 'Space colonies' (in 2081: A Hopeful View of the Future, 1981).
• Astro-Archaeology: References 'Archaeoastronomers convene in Oxford' (Sky & Telescope, Jan. 1982), 'Skies of Babylon' (New Scientist, Aug. 1982), and 'Telling time with Venus' (Omega, Sept./Oct. 1982).

Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOS), Tunguska, Monsters, Artificial Intelligence (Page 13)

• Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOS): A substantial section covering various UFO-related articles:
• 'UFOs: Australia's secret documents revealed' (Omega, Sept./Oct. 1982)
• 'UFO counseling' (Omni, July 1982)
• 'UFO update: (Budd Hopkins & UFO Abductions)' (Omni, May 1982)
• 'Unidentified flying objects (UFO)' (McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 5th ed., 1982)
• 'Huge UFO' (Omni, April 1982)
• 'UFO update: (Brazilian sighting: 7 Feb. 1982)' (Omni, June 1982)
• 'UFO world record' (Omni, May 1982)
• 'On the nature and origin of flying saucers and little green men' (Current Anthropology, April 1981)
• 'Saucer as big as a bullring' (Economist, Dec. 1980)
• 'Seismic fireballs' (Science Digest, Nov. 1981)
• 'UFO update:(classified American UFO documents)' (Omni, July 1982)
• 'Earthquake lights and the UFO Phenomena' (Sixty Minutes, Aug. 1982)
• Tunguska, Siberia Event (1908): Includes 'Tunguska and ozone' (Omni, May 1982) and 'Tunguska meteorite and atmospheric ozone' (Sky & Telescope, Jan. 1982).
• Monsters: Features articles on the Loch Ness Monster ('Loch Ness saga', 'Chasing the Log Ness Monster', 'Loch Ness: the monster unveiled') and the Champlain Monster ('Champlain monster meeting').
• Artificial Intelligence: Covers topics such as 'Can computers learn?' (World Press Review, April 1982), 'Smart machines of tomorrow' (Futurist, Aug. 1981), '3-D intelligence' (Omega, Sept./Oct. 1982), 'Computers on the road to intelligence' (New Scientist, Aug. 1982), 'Race for the thinking machine' (New Scientist, July 1982), 'Friendly interfaces' (Technology Review, Jan. 1982), 'Conversations with an intelligent chaos' (Datamation, May 1982), 'To teach a machine' (Technology Review, Jan. 1982), and 'Why can't a computer be more like a man?' (Economist, Jan. 1982).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are clearly the compilation and updating of bibliographical resources across a wide spectrum of scientific, pseudoscientific, and reference topics. The editorial stance appears to be one of comprehensive cataloging and information dissemination, providing researchers with access to a broad range of literature. The inclusion of UFOs, exobiology, and monsters alongside more conventional scientific and biographical entries suggests an interest in fringe and speculative topics within a broader academic context.