Australian UFO Bulletin - 1974 06 - June

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, dated June 1974, is published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society and is priced at 20 cents. The cover prominently features the title 'U.F.O. Bulletin' and the word 'Australian'.

V.U.F.O.R.S. Change of Policy

The Committee of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society has decided to alter its policy regarding general meetings due to consistently poor attendance over the past six meetings. Despite featuring lectures by scientists like Dr. J.A. Hynek and being well-advertised, the revenue from admission charges has not been sufficient to cover hall rental. As a non-profit organization with limited reserve funds, the Society must arrest this trend to avoid insolvency. Consequently, the meeting scheduled for June 14 will be the last scheduled general meeting. Future meetings will be called on an ad-hoc basis, as finances permit, and will be announced by notice to members. This new policy will also free up Committee members from the time-consuming task of preparing agendas, allowing them to focus on other duties such as correspondence and magazine preparation.

Discussion Groups

The Committee is keen to increase member participation and plans to establish informal Discussion Groups and Sub-Committees to investigate various aspects of the UFO problem. Members interested in participating are encouraged to write to the Secretary at P.O. Box 43, Moorabbin, 3189. The Committee is also seeking members who are willing and able to assist with correspondence and other secretarial duties.

Big U.F.O. Flap in the U.S.

This section compiles several reports of UFO activities in America, as gleaned from the Australian press:

• September 1: In Albany, Georgia, police reported seeing five UFOs, with three objects appearing ahead of two others. The objects reportedly changed colors and flashed blue, yellow, and green.
• September 3: In Manchester, Georgia, two policemen observed a "white glowing object" with blue lights speeding across the sky. They described the craft as having a "blue and white light on either side and something hanging underneath."
• September 17: Mr. Ress Clanton of Griffin, Georgia, reported a "big golden egg" descending from the sky at controlled speed, burning a 12-inch long, five-foot deep hole in the ground. A soil chemist later found the ground temperature in the hole to be over 200 degrees more than two hours after the event.
• September 18: Farmer Ray Lawhorn of Griffin, Georgia, was awakened by a sound like locusts and a bright light. He saw a gold, lit-up object descend like an umbrella. He fired at it with a rifle, and it disappeared into the ground.
• September 29: Sheriff Nathan Cunningham of Obion County, Tenn., reported seeing three UFOs, one described as having a bright white light in the center with red, green, and blue lights around it. He also witnessed two UFOs hover over a Hornbeak riding ring.
• October 3: Eddie Webb, a truckdriver from Greenville, Missouri, claimed he was attacked by a UFO. He reported a bright light or aluminum object approaching him rapidly, and then felt a "large ball of fire" strike his face. His glasses appeared to have been heated internally, according to Dr. Harley Rutledge, a university physicist.
• October 11: Charles Rickson and Calvin Parker, two Mississippi shipyard workers, reported seeing a strange craft emitting a bluish haze while fishing. They claimed three creatures, described as wrinkled, pinkish-grey with big eyes and no toes, carried them into the ship. Sheriff Fred Diamond recorded their account, noting their extreme fear. Dr. James Harder, a University of California engineer, hypnotized the men and concluded it was not a hoax. Dr. Allen Hynek, a Northwestern University astronomer, stated that the men were not imbalanced and that "something here that was not terrestrial" was involved.
• Follow-up reports: Twelve other residents in the Pascagoula area reported seeing a strange object, but the nearby Kessler USAF Base reported no radar contact. Dr. Harder's hypnotic regression suggested the men had a terrifying experience. Dr. Hynek reportedly stated that the craft was from another planet.
• Sheriff Diamond's statement: Sheriff Diamond noted that the men were in such a state of shock that the sooner they forgot the experience, the better. He also mentioned receiving nearly 2,000 sightings since the incident and threatened to seek Presidential intervention.
• Louisiana incident: A group of lawmen chased five strange flying objects through 12 miles of pine forest. The objects swooped down and vanished, with one deputy reporting they came down at his patrol car after he turned off his flashing lights.
• Savannah, Georgia incident: Two military policemen patrolling an air base were "dive-bombed" by a saucer-shaped flying object with red and white flashing lights.
• Delaware incident: A state police helicopter chased a yellow and orange UFO into Maryland before losing it. The object was described as oblong, not thin like a cigar, with a gentle white glow.
• Falkeville, Alabama incident: Policeman Jeff Greenshaw reported finding a metallic creature in the middle of the road that moved like a robot and had no facial features.
• Dayton, Ohio incident: A woman reported an oblong object with blinking lights killed two cows when it landed. This was one of eighty sightings reported in West Central Ohio that night.
• Montgomery County incident: An officer reportedly photographed a red and green blinking UFO hovering over a village.
• Ohio Governor's statement: Governor John Gilligan stated he had seen a vertical beam of amber-colored light for about 35 minutes, admitting he didn't know what it was.
• USAF Chief of Staff's statement: General George Brown stated that UFOs were blamed for an air-sea battle in Vietnam in which two Australian sailors were killed. He mentioned that UFOs "plagued us in Vietnam during the war" and were only seen at night.
• HMAS Hobart incident: The article notes that on June 17, 1968, two Australian sailors were killed and seven injured when three US Sparrow aircraft rockets hit HMAS Hobart off the coast of Vietnam. Damage was estimated at $100,000. US planes also hit the US cruiser Boston and sank a US Navy patrol boat.

The Universe is Teeming with Life!

This article by Franklin R. Ruehl Jr., a theoretical nuclear physicist, argues that the universe is literally teeming with life, rendering proof from UFO sightings unnecessary for his conviction. He criticizes the scientific community for its reluctance to express opinions on this subject, attributing it to fear of stigmatization. Ruehl suggests that more scientists should engage with objective investigations of UFO phenomena.

He posits that with at least 100 sextillion identifiable stars, and potentially one septillion planets within observable galaxies, the probability of life existing elsewhere is extremely high. Even if only a fraction of these planets harbor the prerequisites for life, the number of potential life-bearing worlds remains immense. Ruehl also considers the possibility of life existing in forms beyond our current comprehension, based on different chemical systems, challenging the narrow views of some biologists.

He uses Earth's 4.5 billion-year history and the 2.5 billion years it took for life to appear as a reference point, acknowledging that this timeline might vary significantly for other planets. The laws of probability suggest a distribution curve for the emergence of life. He argues that some planets must have developed life much earlier than Earth, potentially harboring more advanced civilizations. The time required for life to evolve into a technological civilization is another variable, potentially shorter or longer than Earth's 2 billion years.

Ruehl introduces additional variables: the age of star systems and differing rates of chemical reactions. He concludes that a complex model is needed to depict the true state of affairs in the universe. He suggests that if Earth developed atomic bombs at point X, then planets to the left of X represent civilizations that reached this technological milestone much earlier, implying the existence of societies far more advanced than ours.

The Zoo Hypothesis

This section discusses the "Zoo Hypothesis," proposed by Harvard student John Ball in the journal "Icarus." Ball suggests that a supercivilization may be in control of the galaxy and that Earth is part of a "galactic zoo." In this scenario, advanced civilizations deliberately avoid interaction with us, making it impossible to find them. This hypothesis is presented as an explanation for the lack of results in the search for extraterrestrial life.

Dr. John Harder, a professor of engineering at the University of California at Berkeley, is cited as supporting this theory, particularly in light of the Pascagoula abduction incident. He and Dr. J. Allen Hynek examined the two men involved and concluded they had suffered a terrifying experience. Harder suggested that these "space visitors" might be "cosmic anthropologists" conducting random sample checks on inhabitants of their interstellar zoo.

Study of 1000 UFO Reports

M. Claude Poher, head of the rocket division at France's Space Studies Centre, conducted a four-year study of 1000 "serious" UFO reports, including 200 from France. The computer-processed data yielded several conclusions:

• Global Phenomenon: UFO sightings are reported worldwide.
• Influencing Factors: Observations are related to the cloudiness of the sky and population density.
• Witnesses: In 70% of cases, the phenomenon was witnessed by at least two people, sometimes by an entire town. More adults than children reported sightings. Witnesses came from a wide range of professions, with scientists tending to report anonymously.
• Proximity: About 70% of witnesses saw the UFO at a distance of less than one kilometer.
• Object Shape: Eight out of ten witnesses saw round objects; two out of ten saw elongated objects.
• Color: UFOs were red-orange at night and metallic-colored by day.
• Observation Time: 70% of observations were made at night.
• Size: Circular UFOs were between 10 and 30 meters in diameter.
• Noise: UFOs were generally noiseless, with only those within 150 meters hearing any noise.
• Movement: One-tenth of UFOs were seen stationary, 20% moved off slowly, 50% moved rapidly, and the rest moved at very high speed.
• Trajectories: In 50% of cases, trajectories were abnormal.
• Landings: About 20% of reporters claimed the UFO had landed.
• Coherence: M. Poher found the reports coherent, regardless of the observer's nationality or sophistication.

The Universe is Teeming with Life! (Continued)

This section continues the discussion from page 4, emphasizing that as a civilization enters the Atomic Age, its progress accelerates exponentially. A difference of 100 years can lead to a tenfold increase in technological superiority. The author argues that a difference of 1,000,000 years, insignificant on a geological timescale, would mean immense capacity for intergalactic travel. This supports the idea that ancient astronauts could have explored Earth and that we might encounter alien civilizations in the future.

Sightings: 'Power Losses' in Wake of UFOs

• Adelaide, Australia: Three motorists reported "inexplicable" power losses from their cars after sighting UFOs. Peter Heningsen described an object "bigger than a Jumbo Jet" hovering and spinning, emitting three white beams. His car and a friend's suffered temporary power loss. Another motorist described the object as "green and red and spinning with three beams," stating power was "drained from his car."
• Elizabeth and Woodside, Australia: The R.A.A.F. base at Edinburgh received "numerous" calls about UFO sightings.
• Elizabeth, Australia: Four schoolgirls reported being "terrified" by a "brilliant blue light" hovering about 100 feet above them. June Wright described the light descending towards them.
• Meteorological and RAAF response: The Bureau of Meteorology stated there was "no apparent reason for sky lights," while the RAAF said the reports would be investigated.
• Victoria and N.S.W.: Glowing lights were seen over a wide area, though Mount Stromlo Observatory suggested they were likely planets Jupiter and Venus.

Mystery Light Follows Car

• Adelaide to Mildura, Australia: Five men traveling near Lake Culluleraine reported a bright light hovering over their car for several miles. The driver initially thought it was a star but realized it was much lower and would fade and reappear. They heard a funny noise, and the car's acceleration was affected, as if held back by a strong force. The experience left them wondering if people exist on other planets.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings and the scientific and societal implications of potential extraterrestrial life. The bulletin presents a range of UFO reports, from detailed accounts of alleged abductions and encounters in the US to sightings in Australia. It also delves into scientific theories, such as the "Zoo Hypothesis" and the vastness of the universe, to support the likelihood of alien civilizations. The publication seems to adopt a stance of open inquiry, presenting evidence and expert opinions while acknowledging the need for further investigation. The shift in the Society's meeting policy suggests a pragmatic approach to maintaining its operations in the face of financial and attendance challenges, while also aiming to foster more active member engagement through discussion groups.