Australian UFO Bulletin - 1974 01 - January

Magazine Overview

This issue of the "U.F.O. Bulletin" is a publication of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society, dated January 1974. It is registered as a periodical under Category B and priced at 20 cents. The bulletin serves as a newsletter, providing updates, articles, and reports relevant to UFO phenomena.

Editorial and Society Updates

The Committee extends thanks to members for their support in 1973, particularly for making Dr. Hynek's visit memorable. Appreciation is also given to Sightings Investigations Representatives in country areas and to members and other societies who sent Christmas greetings, with wishes for a prosperous 1974.

Meetings for 1974

Members are reminded that meetings will be held on the second Friday night of every second month, starting February 8th. The guest speaker for the February meeting will be Mr. George Sansom, a qualified chemist, who will lecture on "The uses and abuses of Statistics in relation to UFO's." Meetings take place at the National Mutual Theatrette, 447 Collins Street, Melbourne, at 8 p.m. Library books can be exchanged at these meetings.

Member Participation

The society hopes to hold Discussion Nights in members' homes between general meetings and encourages members to report sightings, forward information, and articles of interest. The bulletin emphasizes that the society's success depends on member support, not just financially, but through investigation and information.

Articles and Features

FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF LIGHT.

By Don Herbison-Evans. This article explores the concept of exceeding the speed of light, not by accelerating an object, but through phenomena like a focused light spot moving across a wall faster than light, or the 'phase velocity' of microwaves. It discusses Einstein's theories and the difference between 'phase velocity' and 'group velocity,' which is the speed at which energy and messages travel. The article also touches upon particles moving faster than light in a medium, emitting Cerenkov radiation, and suggests that a new way of measuring space and time might be needed to circumvent current limitations.

UFO'S MAY BE THE MESSAGE.

By Dr. J.Allen Hynek. Dr. Hynek, a consultant to the U.S. Air Force's Blue Book Project and author of "The UFO EXPERIENCE," posits that the UFO phenomenon might be a form of communication from extraterrestrial civilizations. He notes that many credible witnesses, such as air-traffic controllers and pilots, report UFOs. He questions the assumption that UFOs are necessarily 'nuts-and-bolts' craft, suggesting they might be holographic images or projected thought waves. He argues that while NASA spends millions searching for extraterrestrial life on Mars, a small fraction of that could be dedicated to imaginatively studying the UFO phenomenon, which might hold a message.

U.S. Navy Interested in UFOs.

This section, sourced from Skylook, reports on the U.S. Navy's apparent interest in UFO sightings, specifically in Georgia. It details how Georgia State Police were referring UFO callers to the local naval air station. An interaction with an air control man, Ken Piel, at the Albany Naval Air Station, reveals that information on Georgia UFO sightings was considered classified. Despite a statement from the Air Force that there are no longer classified UFO records, the Navy's response was evasive, with an officer stating he couldn't say anything even if he knew.

'FIRST TO PUBLISH' EXPLOSIVE THEORY.

This piece from the Western Leader (New Zealand) introduces Captain Bruce Cathie's scientific equation, which he claims has almost unlimited application. Cathie believes his theory could help produce a 'selective' laser beam and has agreement from two scientists. He also expresses concern that crucial knowledge is being withheld by a select group, potentially for world control. He suggests that atomic testing is being used to research anti-gravitational sciences, which could make current power production obsolete and lead to space travel mastery. Cathie also asserts that the Earth is a source of unlimited energy, which could destabilize the world's financial structure.

SAGAN, STARFOLK, UFOS.

This section discusses Carl Sagan's views on UFOs. Sagan, a prominent scientist in the study of extraterrestrial life, is quoted as saying that UFOs might be connected to terrestrial life with an undetermined degree of intelligence, rather than intelligent extraterrestrial life. He is also critical of Erich von Daniken's book "Chariots of the Gods" and the ABC documentary on the subject, calling them "dreadful" and full of errors.

BAGBY'S MINIMOONS NONEXISTENT.

This article refutes Dr. J.P. Bagby's 1969 theory that Earth had a number of natural moonlets. Jean Meeus, writing in Icarus, states that the observational data Bagby used was approximate and erroneous, and that the sightings cited were insufficient to calculate orbits. Meeus concludes that Bagby's theory is groundless and that there are no 'puzzling disturbances' in artificial satellite orbits caused by such objects.

Reports from the Press

SATELLITE RE-ENTRY.....AND SOME UFOS AS WELL?

Reports from Queensland and northern NSW describe objects believed to be re-entering satellite debris. Mr. T.J. Linton of the Astronomical Society of Queensland observed 10-12 white objects with blue and orange trails, suggesting they were rocket parts. A separate report from Laurieton describes a cone-shaped object with flashing lights, which reappeared later, moving at a speed too fast to be an aeroplane.

UFO SIGHTING NEAR JERILDERIE.

Five people reported seeing two green, glowing lights following their car for about 4 miles, about 20-30 feet above the ground. Two other aerial phenomena were reported on the same Friday evening: a large, pear-shaped yellow object falling towards the ground near Vittoria, and a brilliant red light, possibly varying to orange, seen over Rockleigh.

MYSTERY AIRCRAFT A PUZZLE.

This section reports on mysterious sightings of unidentified aircraft over Central Australia. The manager of the Alice Springs Airport stated he had no further information, but had heard reports claiming the sightings were a "mistake." The regional director of the DCA in Adelaide indicated that no further action was being taken, noting that there had been a "ball up" at Alice Springs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena with scientific inquiry, physics, and the possibility of extraterrestrial communication. There's a recurring theme of questioning official explanations and highlighting potential cover-ups or withheld information, particularly concerning the U.S. Navy. The publication encourages active member participation and critical thinking, suggesting that UFOs might represent a form of advanced communication rather than just physical craft. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded yet analytical, seeking to separate credible reports from unreliable ones and encouraging a deeper, imaginative study of the UFO phenomenon.