THE JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR UFO STUDIES

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Journal of the Australian Centre for UFO Studies, Volume 6, Number 3, dated May/June 1985, is published by ACUFOS and focuses on UFO phenomena in Australia. The cover features a prominent geometric design and the journal's title. The issue includes a variety of articles, editorials, and case studies.

Contents

The issue opens with an editorial by Frank Gillespie, titled "POLICY v. NECESSITY." Gillespie discusses the responsibilities of an editor, including decisions about reprinting material, limiting book reviews, and managing publication weight. He also touches on the decision not to reject submissions based on viewpoint and the controversial stance of not stating authors' professional qualifications, as it is a journal for ufologists.

An article titled "A NOTE ON HALLEY'S COMET AS A SOURCE OF UFOs" by Louis Winkler explores the possibility that particles from Halley's Comet's tail, particularly dust and plasma, may be responsible for certain aerial phenomena and UFO sightings observed on Earth. Winkler references historical events, including the 1910 apparition of Halley's Comet and an earlier brushing by Tebutt's comet in 1861, noting occurrences of auroras, dimming skies, and UFOs.

Frank Gillespie's article "ON THE PREACHING AND PRACTICE OF SCIENTIFIC UFOLOGY" examines the trend towards scientific orientation within UFO groups. He discusses the benefits of this trend, such as identifying mundane explanations for anomalous events, but also cautions against over-reaction and potential 'fanaticism.' Gillespie critiques the 'identification' process, suggesting that the claim of 90-95% of UFO reports being identified as IFOs (Identified Flying Objects) may be overly enthusiastic and that the process is not always scientifically rigorous. He also delves into 'Theoretical Ufology,' critiquing the application of concepts like falsifiability and Occam's Razor in ufology, arguing they are often abused to discredit certain theories while accepting others uncritically.

"UFOs: THE PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE" by Mark Moravec presents an analysis of photographic UFO cases. Moravec outlines the sources of such data and proposes a methodology for compiling and evaluating it. He examines a sample of 12 photographic cases from UFO Research (NSW) files, dating from 1972 to 1978. The study found that three cases remained unexplained, with two featuring particularly provocative images. Moravec details three unexplained cases: Condobolin (1975), Toallo Point (1976), and Bakers Creek Falls (1978), providing witness accounts and investigator's analyses.

A review of Hilary Evans' book "Visions * Apparitions * Alien Visitors" by Mark Moravec discusses the book's focus on the "entity enigma." The review highlights how Evans examines various types of entity experiences, from spontaneous manifestations like apparitions and UFO entities to experimentally induced ones, and explores possible explanations, including psychological and external agent theories.

The issue also includes a "LETTER to the EDITOR" from Hilary Evans, responding to John Prytz's suggestion about distant UFO sightings. Evans agrees that distant sightings might be anomalous phenomena that trigger fantasy experiences, and that distinguishing between 'remote and real' and 'near and fantasy' is crucial for understanding ufology. He also mentions the case of a multiple sighting at Partington, Manchester, UK.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the application of scientific principles to the study of UFO phenomena, the critical evaluation of evidence (particularly photographic), and the exploration of various theories and explanations for UFO sightings and related experiences. The editorial stance, as articulated by Frank Gillespie, emphasizes a commitment to a rigorous and open-minded approach to ufology, while acknowledging the challenges and potential pitfalls of applying scientific methods to the field. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between genuine anomalies and mundane explanations, and on the importance of careful investigation and analysis of UFO reports.

This issue of the ACUFOS Journal, identified as issue number 16 and volume 16, published in November/December 1984, focuses on the complex topic of entity experiences and their potential connection to UFO research. The journal, published by ACUFOS, features a bibliography service and articles related to astro-archaeology, cryptozoology, artificial intelligence, and extraterrestrial life.

Entity Experiences and Hypotheses

The main article, likely a review or excerpt from a book by Hilary Evans, delves into the nature of entity experiences. It questions how and why these experiences occur, exploring various hypotheses. The text discusses the role of hallucinations and dissociated personalities, referencing Jung's concept of symbolic archetypes derived from a collective unconscious.

The "image-bank hypothesis" is presented, suggesting an external resource of information accessible to the subconscious during altered states of consciousness, potentially linked to crisis apparitions and psychometry. Another theory, the "psi-substance hypothesis," posits a psychic 'ether' or substance that registers past events or personality fragments, as seen in hauntings.

The issue also examines "induced-dream hypothesis" experiments, originally proposed by UFO researchers, where individuals attempt to deliberately cause entities to manifest. Examples include the Lawson-McCall experiments, which used hypnotic suggestion to fabricate UFO entity contacts, and the "story of Ruth" case study of controlled hallucinations reported by psychiatrist Morton Schatzman. Other experiments discussed involve projecting one's apparition, summoning entities through magic or witchcraft, and drug-induced entity experiences among shamans.

Author's Stance and Skepticism

The author of the review maintains a balance of skepticism and open-mindedness. While acknowledging the possibility of genuine spirit materialisation and ectoplasm, the author leans towards the hypothesis that physical manifestations have declined due to better detection of fraud. There is also expressed doubt regarding clear evidence for external causes in apparitions and haunting cases, suggesting that the human mind is capable of producing profound experiences without external intelligence.

The author's interdisciplinary approach to studying various entity reports is highlighted as successful in offering insights, suggesting that different types of entities may stem from the same basic processes, with variations influenced by personal, cultural, and situational factors.

Book Recommendation

Hilary Evans' book is described as a state-of-the-art summary of current knowledge on entity experiences and their explanations, recommended for anyone intrigued by centuries of claimed entity encounters.

Bibliography and Related Topics

The issue also contains extensive bibliographies, including a multi-part service on Astro-Archaeology, listing numerous book extracts and journal articles. These cover topics such as ancient astronomical observations, megalithic structures, Mayan astronomy, and the work of researchers like G.S. Hawkins, A. Thom, and A.F. Aveni.

Other sections include bibliographies on Cryptozoology (covering Bigfoot, sea serpents, and the Loch Ness Monster), Artificial Intelligence (journal articles and monographs), and various aspects of UFOs (book extracts, journal articles, electronic media, social aspects, and miscellaneous topics).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the exploration of anomalous phenomena, particularly entity experiences and UFOs, through a lens of scientific inquiry. The editorial stance appears to favor a critical yet open-minded approach, encouraging rigorous investigation while acknowledging the limitations of current understanding and the potential for psychological or cultural influences. The extensive bibliographies suggest a commitment to providing a comprehensive resource for researchers in these fields.