ACUFOS Journal vol 5 no 6

Magazine Overview

Title: THE JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR UFO STUDIES
Issue: Volume 5, Number 6
Date: November/December 1984
Publisher: Australian Centre for UFO Studies (ACUFOS)
Country of Publication: Australia
ISSN: 0729-2295
Price: $10 (Australian currency) annually

This issue of the journal features a cover with a geometric design and the publication's title and address. The content delves into various aspects of ufology, including the potential connections between celestial phenomena and UFO sightings, the role of technology in research, and theoretical frameworks for understanding UFO intelligence.

Editorial: Communications, Computers and UFOLOGY

Frank Gillespie's editorial highlights the transformative impact of modern communications technology, particularly cheap and powerful personal computers, on the field of ufology. He posits that these advancements enable unprecedented global cooperation and information exchange, potentially leading to a more complete understanding of UFO cases. The article details ACUFOS's efforts to operate its data bank (UFOCOMFIL) and plans to implement a modem for wider access, emphasizing the need for ufologists to embrace computer technology.

Relationships among Meteors, Comets and UFOs

Louis Winkler's article explores the historical and potential links between meteors, comets, and UFOs. He references 19th-century astronomical observations that noted UFO accounts alongside meteor showers, particularly during events like the Leonids and Draconids. Winkler discusses the idea that fireballs might originate from cometary orbits and that UFOs could be related to cometary stream tails. He also touches upon the Tunguska event and the possibility of ice meteoroids as a source for some UFO appearances. The article examines the plasma physics involved and suggests that UFOs might be linked to geomagnetic phenomena, potentially explaining their attraction to automobiles and airplanes and causing engine interference. Statistical correlations are drawn between UFO flaps and specific comets, such as Pons-Winnecke.

Cult Followings and Ufology

Paul and Cassandra Sowiak-Rudej analyze the relationship between ufologists and cult groups, viewing them as subcultures responding to the ETI concept. They note that while cults offer ideological packages providing security, UFO groups often struggle with leadership, finances, and membership conformity, mirroring problems in voluntary organizations. The authors question whether UFO research groups can learn from the more tolerant approach of cults and suggest that ACUFOS has become more open-minded, but without significant membership growth. They ponder whether to broaden their scope or maintain a strictly scientific approach.

Seeing is Believing in Black and White!

This short piece is a postscript to a previous article. It comments on a brief visual seen during a television program, noting a submarine with a black top and white sides, questioning the Royal Australian Navy's color schemes.

A Preliminary and Theoretical Integration of Internal and External UFO Intelligence Hypotheses

John Prytz's article proposes an integration of internal and external intelligence theories to explain the UFO phenomenon. He argues that while 'at-a-distance' events (nocturnal lights, daylight discs, CE1 and CE2 cases) are likely genuine and possibly extraterrestrial, CE3 (ufonaut) and CE4 (contact/abduction) events are more likely to have an internal, psychological or sociological explanation. Prytz questions the anthropomorphic nature of many reported ufonauts, the triviality of their messages, and their ability to break physical laws. He suggests that while extraterrestrial UFOs may exist, the human mind, influenced by cultural expectations and prior beliefs, can embellish these events into elaborate narratives, especially when the 'contactee' phenomenon became popular. He acknowledges that while physical trace cases are hard to explain through internal intelligence alone, the 'imaginary' explanation for CE3/CE4 events is more plausible than a purely external one for these specific types of reports.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the exploration of potential extraterrestrial origins, and the critical analysis of witness testimony and theoretical frameworks. The journal appears to adopt a stance that acknowledges the possibility of genuine, external UFO phenomena while maintaining a rigorous, scientific approach to analyzing reports, particularly distinguishing between observational data and subjective experiences. There is a clear emphasis on integrating new technologies and diverse theoretical perspectives to advance the field of ufology.

This document is a bibliography update, specifically "Part Three" of the ACUFOS Bibliography Service, compiled by John Prytz. It is presented as page 11 of a larger publication, with subsequent pages numbered 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. The content is primarily a meticulously organized list of references to books, journal articles, and other media related to a wide range of scientific and speculative topics.

Personal Account: Nocturnal Light Sighting

Page 10 begins with a personal reflection by the compiler, suggesting that most nocturnal light and daylight disc cases are real, while CE3 and CE4 cases are imaginary, with the former serving as triggers for the latter. The author argues that focusing solely on CE3/CE4 cases leads to an incomplete understanding, potentially overlooking the "human intelligence facet" in favor of the "alien intelligence aspect." To illustrate this point, the author recounts a personal experience from late November or early December 1965, during basic training as a US Air Force Basic Airman at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. While lined up for morning chow at 0530 hours, the author observed a tiny speck of light moving from East to West. Initially dismissing it as an Earth satellite, the author later realized its direction was anomalous. The object then executed a "very neat 90° left-hand turn" before continuing westward. The author was unable to alert others due to formation requirements. Nineteen years later, the author remains convinced the event was real and unexplainable by conventional means, including psychological, social, terrestrial, or natural phenomena. The author concludes this section by welcoming comments on internal or external intelligence UFO theories.

ACUFOS Bibliography Service: Updates

The bulk of the document consists of extensive bibliographical listings, organized into various categories. The compiler, John Prytz, emphasizes the comprehensive nature of his work, noting that most items were found without direct assistance and soliciting reader input for any omissions.

Cosmic Chemistry

This section lists books and journal articles related to cosmic chemistry, including topics like "Abiotic organic synthesis in space," "Interstellar molecules and the origin of life," and "Organic chemistry of cosmic dust and cometary ices."

Panspermia

References here focus on the theory of panspermia, covering book extracts and journal articles on the "Nature and origin of organic molecules in comets," "Comets and the origin of life," and whether life could have evolved in cometary nuclei.

Extrasolar Planetary Systems

This section includes monographs and journal articles concerning the search for and detection of extrasolar planetary systems, protostars, and planetary rings around other stars.

Life in the Solar System

This category is further divided into sections on Earth, Mars (pre- and post-Viking), and includes both book extracts and journal articles discussing the possibility of life on these celestial bodies.

Planetary Contamination & Quarantine

This section, noted as not previously featured, lists items related to the potential contamination of celestial bodies and the concept of orbiting quarantine facilities.

Exobiology

This broad category encompasses monographs, book extracts, and journal articles on exobiology, covering topics such as "Is There Life In Outer Space?", the evolution of the cosmos, and the possibility of life beyond Earth. It also includes historical aspects of exobiology and novelty items.

SETI/CETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence / Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence)

This extensive section details numerous journal articles and some book extracts related to SETI and CETI efforts. It covers topics like amateur radio astronomy, specific SETI programs, the search for signals, data analysis, and international petitions for SETI research. It also includes sections on non-radio SETI, such as space probes and artifacts, and messages from Earth.

Cosmic Truths & Consequences

This section includes book extracts and journal articles discussing concepts like "when the aliens come," "anthropic definitions," "anthropic principle," and the "Delphi experiment on mankind's interstellar future."

Space Colonization

References here focus on the colonization of space, including book extracts and journal articles on topics such as interstellar probes, resolving the Fermi paradox, radiation shields, and the requirements for rapid transport to distant stars.

UFOS

This is a major section, divided into monographs, book reviews, book extracts, and journal articles. It covers a wide range of UFO-related topics, including specific sightings, investigations, historical accounts, and theoretical discussions. Subsections include "Earthquake Lights," "Tunguska, Siberia Explosion (1908)," "Astro-Archaeology," "Mysteries of Air & Sea," "Bermuda Triangle," and "Dolphin Communication & Intelligence."

Cryptozoology

This section, previously titled "Monsters," has been renamed "Cryptozoology" to reflect a more professional tone. It includes general monographs and journal articles on unexplained creatures, as well as specific topics like "Sea Serpents" and "Bigfoot."

Artificial Intelligence

This section lists book extracts and journal articles on artificial intelligence, covering topics such as "Machines that think," "future war," technological forecasts for space robots, and the evolution of man and machine.

Further Corrections and Amplifications

Page 16 contains a section dedicated to corrections and amplifications for a previous ACUFOS document (D-16), providing updated details on publication dates, page numbers, authors, and discussion entries for various references.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout this bibliography are the search for extraterrestrial life in various forms (biological, intelligent, and technological), the scientific and speculative exploration of space, and the analysis of unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs. The compiler, John Prytz, demonstrates a commitment to comprehensive cataloging and a belief in the importance of investigating all facets of the UFO phenomenon, including less sensational "nocturnal lights" and "daylight discs." The inclusion of topics like exobiology, panspermia, and SETI suggests an underlying scientific and open-minded approach to the subject matter. The bibliography reflects a period of intense research and publication in these fields during the 1970s and 1980s.