ACUFOS Journal vol 6 no 5

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Journal of the Australian Centre for UFO Studies, Volume 6, Number 5, dated September/October 1985, is published by ACUFOS and focuses on the historical connections between Mars, UFOs, and extraterrestrial visitation theories. The cover features a geometric design and the journal's title. The issue includes an editorial by Frank Gillespie and a lead article by Louis Winkler titled "From the Martian Microcosm of UFOs to the Emerging, Weak Religion (Pt. 1)." It also contains a reply by John Prytz to an article by Frank Gillespie.

Editorial: Not Martians, But What?

Frank Gillespie, the editor, introduces Louis Winkler's paper on Martian UFO-type events, noting that while discussion about pre-1945 UFOs exists, few candidate events have been uncovered. Winkler's research suggests UFO phenomena existed well into the nineteenth century, but interpretations vary. Gillespie concludes that the equation "UFOs ≠ Martians" leaves the overall UFO mystery incomplete.

From the Martian Microcosm of UFOs to the Emerging, Weak Religion (Pt. 1) by Louis Winkler

This article traces the historical fascination with Mars and its potential inhabitants, linking it to the development of UFO beliefs.

First Martian Arrivals

The article begins by discussing the astronomical oppositions of Mars and Earth, which occur every 2.1 years. It highlights the close opposition of September 5, 1877, which coincided with sensational announcements.

• Discovery of Martian Moons: In August 1877, Asaph Hall of the U.S. Naval Observatory discovered two small satellites of Mars, named Phobos and Deimos.
• The 1877 Hoax: In October 1877, the Santa Fe, Argentina newspaper La Capital reported the discovery of a huge aerolite in Carcarana containing a Martian. This was later revealed to be a hoax perpetrated by A. Sevarg and associates.
• Early UFO Sighting: On January 24, 1878, a Denison, Texas farmer reported a dark flying object shaped like a disc, predating the popularization of the term "saucer" in 1947.
• Astronomical Observations: Professional astronomers observed Mars' surface features. Brazilian observers suggested dark areas were vegetation, while Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli reported seeing large linear features he called "canali."

The Influence of Science Fiction and Early Contact Ideas

The article details how early observations and speculation about Mars fueled science fiction and public imagination.

• "Across the Zodiac" (1880): Percy Greg's science fiction story about Mars.
• The 1887 Banjos Incident: Two "strange" children with unidentifiable clothes and "leaf green" skin emerged from a cave in Spain, presumed to be from Mars.
• The Guzman Prize (1891): Pierre Guzman left a prize of 100,000 francs for anyone establishing contact with extraterrestrial intelligence.
• William Pickering's Observations: American astronomer William Pickering observed intersecting "canali" on Mars, termed "oases."
• Camille Flammarion's "La Planete Mars": The French astronomer concluded Mars was likely inhabited by a superior race.
• Percival Lowell's Observatory: Lowell established an observatory in Arizona to study Mars and reported observing "shining specks" that suggested Martians were trying to signal Earth.
• Early Communication Proposals: Johann von Littrow suggested lighting fires (1819), and Francis Galton proposed flashing mirrors (1892) for Mars communication.

"Mysterious Airships" and Early Martian Encounters

The late 19th century saw reports of "mysterious airships" and alleged Martian activities.

• California Sightings (1896): Reports of "mysterious airships" emerged, some described as carrying Martians.
• Stockton Abduction Attempt (1897): Three "warbling" Martians reportedly attempted to abduct a man.
• Aurora, Texas Crash (1897): An airship with a Martian pilot reportedly crash-landed.
• Kansas Cattle Mutilation (1897): A heifer was reportedly taken aboard an airship by six Martians, marking the first cattle mutilation story.
• First Flying Saucer Report (1897): A report of a flying saucer with a dome came from Carlinville, Illinois.
• H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds" (1897-1898): Herbert G. Wells' influential novel about a Martian invasion was serialized, significantly shaping public perception.
• Guzman Prize Renewal and Contact Ideas: The Guzman prize period ended, and ideas for contact evolved, including outlining constellations on Earth with lights (Dr. Schmail, 1901) and psychic waves (Flammarion, 1923).
• Tesla's Communication Ideas: Nikola Tesla suggested using wireless disturbances and later "Television...like moving pictures" for communication with Mars.
• Lowell's "Mars and Its Canals" (1906): Lowell argued that Mars was inhabited.
• Caerphilly Landing (1909): Two men in fur coats emerged from a cylindrical object.
• "Corroboration" of Martian Signals (1913): The New York Times reported on the "striking similarity" between photographs of Mars taken by P. Lowell and W. Jarry-Deslogues, promoting arguments for life on Mars.
• Charles Steinmetz and Marconi: Believed erratic radio signals from Mars could be decoded.
• Nieman and Nieman's Pulse Codes (1920): Proposed transmitting pulse-coded radio signals to reconstruct images.
• French Academy of Science Prize (1922): Offered 100,000 francs for a sign and reply from an extraterrestrial source.
• Science Fiction Films: The article notes the popularity of Mars-themed films, including Edison's involvement in "Hello, Mars" (1919) and influences on writers like R. Bradbury.
• Radio Silence for Mars (1924): The public requested periods of radio silence for the Army Signal Corp and Navy to listen for Martian messages.
• Mansfield Robinson's Coded Message: Conceived sending a coded message via the Rugby wireless.
• Piccard's Claim (1933): French physicist Piccard claimed to have returned from Mars with news of an impending attack.
• Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" Broadcast (1938): Caused panic in the eastern U.S. due to its realistic dramatization.
• Worlds Fair Demonstration (1939): A demonstration of Earth's capability to repel a Martian attack was held.
• Slipher's Spectra (1939): Royal Astronomer Slipher found spectral lines indicative of life on Mars.

Gillespie's 'Undercover UFO Theory': A Reply by John Prytz

John Prytz responds to Frank Gillespie's article "An Undercover UFO Theory," published in a previous issue. Prytz focuses on Gillespie's core assumption: "that extraterrestrials visiting Earth do not want the inhabitants to become aware of their presence."

• Prytz's Counter-Argument: Prytz believes this assumption is incorrect. He argues that extraterrestrials visiting Earth likely do not care whether humans are aware of their presence. He suggests that if aliens wished to conceal themselves, they have "failed TOTALLY."
• Evidence of Awareness: Prytz points to the existence of the journal itself, the numerous UFO books, articles, films, and public opinion polls as evidence that the connection between UFOs and aliens is widely acknowledged. He states that the "UFO equals aliens" equation is widely believed.
• Compromised Operations: Prytz contends that if extraterrestrials are trying to conceal their presence, their operations have been seriously compromised. He suggests that awareness precedes proof and that the mere association of UFOs with aliens demonstrates this awareness.
• Alternative Explanation: Prytz implies that if aliens truly wanted to remain hidden, they would not be "caught" so many times. He suggests that the obvious answer is "don't get caught at all!"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the historical narrative of Mars as a potential source of extraterrestrial visitors, heavily influenced by early astronomical observations and science fiction. The journal seems to present these historical accounts and theories without necessarily endorsing them as fact, but rather as part of the ongoing UFO phenomenon and its cultural impact. The editorial stance, as seen in Frank Gillespie's introduction, acknowledges the mystery and complexity of UFOs, suggesting that simple explanations like "UFOs = Martians" are insufficient. John Prytz's reply introduces a critical debate within the journal's pages, questioning fundamental assumptions about alien behavior and their desire for secrecy.

This issue of "UFOs & Fate" magazine, dated January/February 1985, features a prominent article titled "An Undercover UFO Theory" by Frank Gillespie, with a cover headline that echoes this theme. The magazine is published by ACUFOS and focuses on UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial intelligence, and related scientific and speculative topics.

The Undercover UFO Theory

The main article by Frank Gillespie questions the apparent paradox of a massive ET presence in the terrestrial environment, given the logistical difficulties implied by known physical laws. Gillespie argues that if aliens were trying to remain undetected, they would have done so from 'Day One.' He suggests that their technology would allow them to avoid detection easily, perhaps by camouflaging their craft or operating discreetly. The author posits that if aliens had wanted to be noticed, they have done a poor job of it, leading to the humorous conclusion that perhaps the aliens are stupid.

However, Gillespie quickly dismisses the idea of alien stupidity, emphasizing that alien behavior patterns would naturally be alien and different, but not necessarily unintelligent. He draws parallels to human diversity, noting that differences in culture or origin do not equate to stupidity. He argues that any species capable of surviving and evolving over billions of years to achieve interstellar travel would not be stupid.

He critiques the idea of an 'undercover' operation being poorly executed, citing UFO witnesses reporting seeing actual 'spaceships' rather than just UFOs. He suggests that a more effective disguise would be to appear as something less technologically advanced, like a ghost or a Bigfoot.

Gillespie also considers the possibility that aliens might not have initially realized intelligent life existed on Earth in 1947, leading to a subsequent 'undercover' phase to correct this oversight. He finds this unlikely, as any species exploring space would prioritize identifying potential dangers and existing civilizations.

He proposes that aliens might view humanity as irrelevant or unworthy of friendship, similar to how humans perceive dolphins and whales – intelligent but not equals. This indifference, he suggests, would negate the need for strict concealment.

The School Excursion Hypothesis

Frank Gillespie also discusses John Prytz's 'School Excursion Hypothesis,' which suggests a massive ET presence requiring a 'space ark' housing millions, capable of commuting from interplanetary distances. Gillespie finds this solution to the paradox of ET presence to be elegant but raises questions about the ark's location, duration, and effects on Earth.

Three possibilities for the space ark's location are presented: a perpetual traveler, parked in the solar system, or Luna, Earth's moon. The latter resolves many paradoxical elements and is falsifiable. The hypothesis implies that events of the 1940s, such as the development of rockets and nuclear weapons, would have been significant for lunar dwellers, potentially necessitating a major 'undercover' operation to avoid detection or interference.

Gillespie suggests that the ETs might be acting as 'symbiotes' rather than 'parasites,' with their actions generally beneficial. He concludes that the 'School Excursion' idea should be modified to a 'Field Training Trip' and could form the basis for an education and orientation program for eventual peaceful coexistence.

Other Articles and Themes

The issue also includes a bibliography of UFO articles from "Fate" magazine, compiled by John Prytz, covering a vast range of topics from 1947 to the mid-1980s. This bibliography highlights the long-standing interest in UFOs within popular culture.

Another section discusses "Exobiology: Life in Extreme/Exotic Environments," exploring the possibility of life on Venus, Mars, and Jovian planets, as well as extra-solar planetary systems. It also touches upon SETI/CETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence/Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence) and the colonization of space, including lunar and Martian bases.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence and its potential interactions with humanity. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various hypotheses and theories, even those that seem paradoxical or speculative. There's a strong emphasis on scientific possibility, while also acknowledging the limitations of current scientific understanding. The articles suggest a growing awareness of UFO phenomena and a desire to understand its implications for humanity's place in the cosmos. The inclusion of extensive bibliographies indicates a commitment to providing researchers with resources for further study. The overall tone is analytical and thought-provoking, encouraging readers to consider unconventional ideas about UFOs and alien life.

This document is a list of publications available from ACUFOS (Australian Close Encounter and UFO Organisation), presented on page 20 of an unspecified magazine issue. The list details various reports, catalogues, bibliographies, and proceedings related to UFO phenomena, primarily focusing on Australian cases and research.

Publications Available from ACUFOS The following publications are detailed:

• D2) OBSERVATIONS OF UFOS FROM AIRCRAFT CREW MEMBERS IN AUSTRALIA: A 19-page compilation by Keith Basterfield, priced at $5.50 plus $2 postage.
• D3) IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF AUSTRALASIAN UFO-RELATED ENTITY REPORTS: A 110-page summary and analysis of entity cases, compiled by Keith Basterfield, costing $22 plus $2 postage. This item has a semi-hard cover and is spiral bound.
• D5) THE UFO-ANTHROPOID CATALOGUE: A 40-page catalogue linking UFOs and giant anthropoid creatures, with summaries and analysis, compiled by Mark Moravec. Priced at $8 plus $2 postage.
• D7) IN SEARCH OF A SUBJECT: AN AUSTRALIAN SEARCH FOR EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL INTELLIGENCE: A 145-page compilation by John Prytz, priced at $25 plus $2 postage. This item has a semi-hard cover and is spiral bound.
• D8) INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL FOR UFOLOGISTS: A 52-page guide on setting up data systems for UFO reports, compiled by John Prytz. Cost is $10 plus $2 postage.
• D10) PROCEEDINGS OF UFOCON 6 (ADELAIDE 1981): A 150-page collection of research papers from the ACUFOS conference, priced at $25 plus $2 postage. This item has a semi-hard cover and is spiral bound.
• D11) A CATALOGUE OF THE MORE INTERESTING AUSTRALIAN CLOSE ENCOUNTERS: A 29-page catalogue summarizing 110 'best' UFO reports involving close approach, compiled by Keith Basterfield. It costs $6 plus $2 postage.
• D12) A PRELIMINARY CATALOGUE OF AUSTRALIAN VEHICLE INTERFERENCE CASES: A 22-page summary of cases and sources, compiled by Keith Basterfield and Paul Jackson. Priced at $6 plus $2 postage.
• D14) PSIUFO PHENOMENA: A 136-page study examining cases that bridge UFOs and psychic phenomena, including a catalogue of Australian cases, compiled by Mark Moravec. It costs $22 plus $2 postage. This item has a semi-hard cover and is spiral bound.
• D16) EXOBIOLOGY AND UFOLOGY: BIBLIOGRAPHY SERIES, Volume 1: This publication, with ISSN 0813-2593, is 120 pages and compiled by John Prytz, costing $22 plus $2 postage. This item has a semi-hard cover and is spiral bound.
• D18) UFOS OVER AUSTRALIA: A SELECTION OF ACUFOS RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DEBATE: A 127-page selection of 28 papers previously published in the ACOS Bulletin and its successor, the Journal of the Australian Centre for UFO Studies. Edited by Mark Moravec and John Prytz, it costs $22 plus $2 postage.

Notes

1. ACUFOS members are eligible for a 20% discount on all listed prices.
2. Publications D3, D7, D10, D14, and D16 feature semi-hard covers and are spiral bound.
3. Payments via cheque should be made payable to ACUFOS (Publications) and mailed to P.O. Box 728, Lane Cove, N.S.W. 2066, Australia.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The document's sole purpose is to list and promote publications from ACUFOS, indicating a focus on disseminating research and findings within the ufology community, particularly concerning Australian cases and related phenomena. The editorial stance is that of a publisher making its catalogue available to interested readers.