Australian UFO Bulletin - 1968 06 - June-July

Magazine Overview

This issue of the "Australian U.F.O. Bulletin", published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society, is dated June/July 1968. It presents a lecture on visual observation techniques for UFOs and includes a collection of reported sightings.

The Techniques of Visual Observation

The issue begins with a lecture by Mr. M. Miller, F.R.A.S., from Mount Stromlo Observatory, presented at the Academy of Science during the CAPIO Convention in Canberra. Miller addresses the common problem of astronomers being disgusted by reports of Venus being mistaken for UFOs, highlighting the poor quality of such observations. He stresses the necessity for observers to be familiar with astronomical phenomena, meteorology, and aircraft types, including high-altitude craft like the U2. He also touches upon aerodynamics and propulsion, cautioning that while extraterrestrial vehicles might not use familiar methods, they would not violate physical laws.

Miller identifies several pitfalls for UFO observers, including the psychological tendency to see what one expects. He divides his discussion into two main areas: astronomical phenomena that can be mistaken for UFOs, and the importance of accurate visual observations.

To distinguish ordinary celestial objects from potential UFOs, Miller urges observers to familiarize themselves with astronomy to identify planets and stars. He describes the naked-eye planets: Venus (bright, near western elongation), Jupiter (less bright than Venus, visible anywhere on the ecliptic), and Mars (distinctly reddish, bright in August 1971). Saturn is orange and less bright than Mars. Other planets are indistinguishable from faint stars to the inexperienced.

Meteors, especially fireballs and bolides, can be visible in daylight and may be accompanied by explosive noises. While spectacular, they are unlikely to be mistaken for intelligent craft. Satellites, numbering in the thousands, can be mistaken for aircraft, and on re-entry, they resemble natural meteors. Key distinguishing features of satellites include the lack of sound, consistent speed and direction (though their path may appear curved), and sudden disappearance into Earth's shadow.

Comets are also mentioned; they do not flash across the sky and are usually reported by astronomers with powerful instruments long before becoming visible to the naked eye.

Miller then moves to the technique of visual observation itself. He notes the abundance of poor observations, citing examples like "as big as a football" or "as big as the Moon." He emphasizes three key aspects: position, direction of motion, and brightness. For position and direction, he suggests relating observations to known objects (e.g., "5 degrees west of Venus") and learning cardinal points (North, South, East, West) and brighter stars for angular measurements. For brightness, he warns against using the Moon as a consistent yardstick due to its varying phases and magnitude.

He advises against estimating miles per hour for moving objects, suggesting instead measuring "angular motion" (degrees covered in a given time). Counting seconds or using a watch is recommended. He stresses that accurate speed and direction calculations require combined observations from multiple observers and that reporting such data without corroboration to the press will likely lead to dismissal.

An illustration is included showing how one's own hand can be used to estimate degree measurements.

Sightings

The bulletin lists several UFO sightings from early 1968:

• January 2, 1968, 9:15 p.m.: A circular blue object, size of the Moon, moved slowly from overhead and disappeared south-west over Brisbane.
• February 25, 1968, 11:00 p.m.: An object, star-sized, moved faster than a jet aircraft from east to west.
• April 2, 1968, 6:35 p.m.: An object moved from north-west to south-east, disappearing behind trees. It was an elongated, duck-egg blue light with a white light nearest the observer and an orange fringe.
• Early February 1968, 8:50-9:00 p.m.: A pin-point of orange light moved very fast in a semi-circle from north-west to south-east.
• March 9, 1968, 5:30 p.m.: A disc-shaped object, about 20 feet across with a central bump, travelled silently south-west over Woodfield, Victoria.
• March 11, 1968, 1:30 a.m.: A saucer-shaped object moved slowly, hoveringly, towards the south-west over Mordialloc, Victoria, then disappeared at high speed, leaving a visible grey trail. It emitted a bright yellow-orange light from its dome.
• April 2, 1968, 6:40 p.m.: An oval object, electric blue and orange-sized, moved very fast like a shooting star and vanished.
• August 2, 1968, 10:00 p.m.: A silver-grey object, like a comet, moved very fast at eye level over Winton, Queensland.
• January 12, 1968, 10:50 a.m.: A disc-shaped object travelled at about 4,000 mph from south to north over Hallam, Victoria, appearing black with a raised central portion.
• Early March 1966, 1:30 a.m.: A red elliptical object, close to the ground, emitted a humming noise that increased in intensity before it took off at tremendous speed.

Amateur Prospector Seriously Burned By UFO In Canada

This condensed article from "Spacelink" (Vol 5, Number 1), credited to CAPRO, details an incident involving Steve Michalak near Falcon Lake, Canada, on May 20, 1967. While prospecting, Michalak saw two red elliptical objects. One landed, and after its glow disappeared, it resembled two stainless steel saucers with a central dome. Michalak reported heat radiation and a whistling noise. The craft was about 35 feet across and 8 feet high. After about 30 minutes, a door opened, emitting a brilliant violet light. Inside, blinking red, white, and blue lights were visible. When Michalak attempted to touch the craft, his rubber glove melted, and his hand slid off. He thought he heard voices and tried speaking in various languages, but received no response. The door closed, and the machine rotated counter-clockwise before taking off at high speed, emitting a powerful blast of heat that burned his clothing and started a grassfire. Michalak drove back to Falcon Lake, suffering from second and third-degree burns on his face and chest, and complained of a strange odor. A radiation test was negative, but his blood count was significantly below normal. His symptoms, including severe sunburn-like appearance and a checked pattern on his chest, suggested radiation burns.

Interested in Telescopes?

Mr. Wood of Altona, who owns nine telescopes and numerous eyepieces, offers assistance to members interested in astronomy and telescopes. Contact is suggested via mail at 30 Bayview Street, Altona, 3018.

Hoax or Hallucination?

This section revisits "The Scoriton Mystery" by Eileen Buckle, which featured Arthur Bryant's contact claims of meeting three Venusians on Dartmoor. It states that Bryant's claim is now considered false. Before his death on June 24, 1967, Bryant suffered from a longstanding brain tumor. His doctors and widow believe his story was hallucinatory, with his doctors suggesting he wove everyday items into his narrative. The co-compiler, Norman Oliver, and Mrs. Bryant have provided facts that make Bryant's story appear false.

Meetings and Help Needed

The bulletin announces upcoming meetings for the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society:

• August General Meeting: Friday, August 2nd, 8 p.m., focusing on the history of UFO research from 1946 to the present, with lectures, slides, and tape recordings. It will include an exhibition of Society files and is open to the public.
• Annual Meeting: Friday, September 6th, 8 p.m., including elections for President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Committee. Nominations are due by noon on Friday, August 23rd.

All meetings are held at Jerram Hall, corner Spring Street and Flinders Lane, Melbourne.

The Committee is seeking members with secretarial or book-keeping experience for assistance. Members interested in borrowing from the Library are urged to contact Librarian Mrs. Kathy Valente for a book list.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical importance of accurate observation in UFO research, distinguishing between genuine anomalies and misidentifications of known phenomena. The publication advocates for a scientific approach, emphasizing the need for familiarity with astronomy and physics, and cautions against sensationalism and uncorroborated claims. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, seeking to educate its readers on proper observational techniques while also documenting reported sightings and investigating specific cases, such as the Michalak encounter and the Scoriton Mystery, with a critical eye towards potential hoaxes or psychological explanations.