Australian UFO Bulletin - 1982 09 - September

Magazine Overview

This issue of "The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin" is the official publication of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society, dated March 1982 (Issue No. 169). It covers a range of UFO-related topics, including notable sightings, research hypotheses, and book reviews, with a focus on Australian and international cases.

Editorial

The editorial, dated October 21, 1982, marks the fourth anniversary of the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich. It highlights the mystery surrounding his encounter with an Unidentified Flying Object over Bass Strait and notes the official report's conclusion that the reason for the disappearance was undetermined. The editorial criticizes the scientific community's tendency to dismiss UFO evidence with the slogan "There is no such thing as an unidentified flying object," suggesting that such incidents are often "probably" attributed to unknown flying accidents.

Contents

• The table of contents lists several articles and features:
• On the UFO Trail
• A recent country sighting
• Star map hypothesis Viable (Betty Hill star chart)
• Betty Hill and the UFO's
• Book Reviews - 2
• A Close encounter in Queensland
• Tips to obtain more reliable UFO witness drawings
• UFORUM
• Mystery Circles
• September 1982

On the UFO Trail

This article by Paul Norman details his 1981 visit with Betty Hill, known as the "Queen of the Abductees." Norman recounts learning new details of her "capture" and notes that individuals were reporting strange experiences to her that they were reluctant to report elsewhere. A highlight was confirmation that the Air Force had detected a UFO on radar the same night and area as the Hills' experience, with the radar report details being discovered by Professor McDonald years later. The article also touches on Betty Hill's experiences being dismissed by critics like Carl Sagan, who Norman accuses of fabricating stories and having a vested interest in debunking UFOs. Philip Klass is also mentioned as a critic who profited from his own UFO debunking book.

A Recent Sighting Up Country

This section reports a sighting by Mrs. A.S. on July 10, 1982, near Rockbank, Victoria. While travelling on the Ballarat Road, she observed a bright white light that resolved into a cigar-shaped object, approximately the size of a semi-trailer, hovering about 200 feet off the ground. The object had green pulsating portholes and emitted green flashes. The observation lasted one minute, after which Mrs. S. felt unusually tired, and her son suffered headaches. No electrical faults were detected in the car.

A sketch of the UFO seen by Mrs. S. is included on page 5.

Star Map Hypothesis Still Viable

Authored by Louis Winkler, PhD, this article examines the viability of Marjorie Fish's interpretation of Betty Hill's star map, which suggests Zeta 1 and 2 Reticuli as a potential extraterrestrial home base. Winkler addresses criticisms from skeptics like Menzel and Sagan, as well as recent rejections from researchers like Bonneau, DaSilva, and Foy, who argue that Zeta 1 and 2 are binary stars, thus violating Fish's criteria. Winkler contends that these criticisms are premature, citing the provisional nature of stellar parameters and the limitations of measurement techniques. He argues that the double nature of Zeta 2 is a marginal finding and that the case for Zeta 1 being double is even weaker. The article concludes that full acceptance or rejection of the Fish hypothesis is premature and calls for patience while more definitive data is accumulated. A table showing variations in stellar distance measurements and a list of references are included.

Betty Hill Is Still Busy On Behalf Of The UFO's

This piece, drawing information from a National Enquirer interview on October 6, 1981, reports that Betty Hill, whose husband Barney died in 1969, continues to be active in the UFO community. She holds "open house" events and lectures on her experiences. The article mentions that her lost earrings were mysteriously returned to her, and she recounted a UFO hovering over Barney's grave. It also details an incident where a small black UFO with a pulsating light allegedly saved her life by startling her car, causing her to stop just before a train passed. Betty believes aliens are still among us and will soon make their presence known to great numbers of people.

A Close Encounter in Queensland

This article recounts a close encounter experienced by a Miss L. in late 1956 near Hughenden, Queensland. At 12 years old, while walking across a paddock, she heard a humming sound and felt a force lifting her. She fainted and later found herself in a large, unfurnished room with two men in silver-white suits operating a panel facing a screen displaying a galaxy. After losing consciousness again, she found herself back on the farm, with a huge saucer-shaped craft (estimated at 80 meters in diameter) hovering nearby. The UFO ascended rapidly. Two hours had elapsed since the encounter. Miss L. also witnessed an unusual blue flash during a lightning storm that evening, which she believes was connected to the UFO. She submitted a comprehensive report to V.U.F.O.R.S. for anonymity.

Diagrams of the UFO craft's interior and exterior, including portholes, ceiling height, and crew dimensions, are provided.

Library Book Review No. 6

This is a review by John Auchettl of John G. Fuller's 1966 book, "The Interrupted Journey." The review details the account of Betty and Barney Hill's UFO encounter on September 19, 1961. The book describes their drive, the appearance of a bright, growing object, and their subsequent stop where Barney used binoculars. They observed a solid, cigar-shaped object moving erratically. The review recounts Barney's fear and his approach towards the object, seeing at least six beings inside. Upon returning to their car, they heard a beeping sound and experienced a period of missing time. The book chronicles their constant anxiety and the use of hypnosis by psychiatrist Benjamin Simon to recover their memories of the encounter, which is regarded as a classic example. The reviewer gives the book a 4-star rating.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the analysis of specific UFO sightings and abduction cases, the scientific investigation and interpretation of UFO evidence, and the critique of skepticism towards UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for a more open-minded and thorough investigation of UFO evidence, challenging the dismissive attitude often adopted by official and scientific communities. The publication strongly supports the research efforts of organizations like V.U.F.O.R.S. and encourages public engagement with ufology.

This issue of MENS WORLD, dated July 9, 1983, features a cover story titled "UFO cases reviewed at MUFON," detailing presentations from the Mutual UFO Network's 13th annual symposium in Toronto. The magazine covers significant UFO incidents, expert theories, and investigation techniques.

UFO Cases Reviewed at MUFON Symposium

Roswell Incident

William L. Moore, author of "The Roswell Incident," presented evidence from 85 witnesses regarding a UFO crash near Roswell, New Mexico, on July 2, 1947. He stated that 28 of these witnesses were first-hand observers. Moore highlighted that documentary evidence, including an initial Army press release admitting the retrieval of a "flying disc," was later quashed and replaced with a "weather balloon" story. He believes the recovery of the crashed UFO and its occupants' bodies was a stimulus for subsequent U.S. policy on UFOs, leading to a "high level project" under President Truman with secrecy tighter than that for the H-bomb. Moore quoted a declassified document indicating that official U.S. government policy and project results remained "classified Top Secret."

Close Encounter in Texas

John Scheussler, a NASA scientist and deputy director of MUFON, detailed the close encounter experienced by Detty Cash, Vicki Landrum, and Colby Landrum in Texas on December 29, 1980. The witnesses reported lingering ailments similar to radiation poisoning and observed approximately 23 helicopters around a fiery, brilliant UFO. Scheussler provided an update on the witnesses' health problems, particularly noting the tragic decline of nine-year-old Colby, who suffered weight loss, listlessness, loss of bowel control, susceptibility to infections, leg pains, deteriorating eyesight, and increased tooth decay. Scheussler also investigated the helicopters, learning from a pilot that he had been "called out for a UFO."

Pilot Disappears with Plane

Paul Norman, an Australian investigator, presented his findings on the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich and his Cessna airplane over Bass Strait near Melbourne on October 21, 1978. Norman interviewed 15 witnesses who saw a green light over the strait around the time Valentich reported being followed by a UFO. Norman read the transcript of Valentich's frantic radio broadcasts, which described the UFO's speed and hovering presence. Valentich's last communication was, "It's hovering on top of me again. It's hovering and it's not an aircraft." A "metallic sound" followed, and neither Valentich nor the plane's debris were ever recovered. Norman refuted official explanations, such as disorientation or suicide, citing the plane's gravity-feed fuel system and interviews with Valentich's family.

Psychic-UFO Connection

Dr. George and Iris Owen from Canada discussed their research into parapsychological phenomena, noting that many individuals who experienced poltergeist activity also reported seeing UFOs. They suggested that UFOlogists adopt interviewing techniques used by psychic researchers to explore potential psychic overtones in UFO reports. They also presented photographs of "spirit photography" and theorized that UFO-like lights in photos might result from spirit phenomena.

Electrical Charges and UFOs

Dr. Michael A. Persinger, a Canadian neurological expert, presented evidence supporting his theory that many "nocturnal lights" and UFO sightings are caused by "ionized clouds" of air formed by electrical charges released from tectonic strains beneath the Earth's crust. He suggested this could also explain "close encounter" stories if individuals come into contact with these electrical fields, potentially causing paralysis and stimulating parts of the brain.

UFO "Flaps" and Earthquakes

Dr. Persinger also presented statistical data indicating a correlation between UFO "flaps" (periods of increased UFO activity) and earthquake activity, noting that light phenomena have recently been recognized as part of earthquakes by seismologists worldwide.

Book Review: "UFOs - African Encounters"

Mark E. Sawyers reviewed "UFOs - African Encounters" by Cynthia Hind, MUFON's representative in Africa. The book is described as enlightening and fascinating, detailing UFO cases from Africa, an area often overlooked in UFOlogy. Hind, who personally investigated most cases, presents the information with an open mind. The review highlights "Edwin's Story" about radio messages from an advanced civilization and a case involving a young couple whose car was affected by a UFO, causing them to accelerate at terrifying speeds and experience time discrepancies. The book is recommended for those seriously interested in UFOs.

Steps to Obtain More Reliable Eye Witness UFO Drawings

Richard F. Haines, a research scientist with over twenty years of experience in human vision and perception, outlined nine steps for obtaining more valid and reliable hand drawings from eyewitnesses. These steps include:

1. Obtaining relative angular size objects in the drawing (e.g., telephone poles, houses) for scale.
2. Including labeled details, especially arrows indicating direction.
3. Having the witness print and sign their name directly on the drawing.
4. Having the witness date the drawing to ensure accuracy.
5. Asking the witness to draw basic shapes (square, circle, triangle) to assess basic coordination.
6. Using colored pencils or crayons to better quantify perceived colors, with suggestions for paint chips or colored gelatins.
7. Noting the witness's age, sex, handedness, and prior UFO experience directly on the drawing.
8. Using a UFO shape recognition test chart for precise categorization and comparison.
9. Including recognizable constellations or star patterns for deducing sky position and angular rate of motion.

Haines references his previous works on UFO appearance recognition and UFO drawings.

Beolah Mystery Circles

The article details the discovery of "Beolah Mystery Circles" by a farmer in N-W Victoria, Australia, on December 8, 1981. Four perfect circles with straight walls were found in a wheat field. Locals had never seen anything like it. V.U.F.O.R.S. investigated and concluded that no animal or man could have created the circles, citing the lack of tracks and droppings. The wheat stems were bent, not crushed, in an anti-clockwise, woven pattern, suggesting the event occurred in early November 1981 when the wheat was green. Measurements indicated two large circles of 16 feet and two smaller ones of 12 feet in diameter. Soil analysis revealed nothing unusual.

Reader Questions

E.M. from Strathmore, Victoria, inquired about the possibility of an unseen planet closer than imagined as a source of UFOs and whether probes are out on such planets. The response included an article from 'Newsweek' (June 28, 1982) discussing the search for an unseen companion to the sun, possibly a dark star or a tenth planet, and NASA's use of Pioneer 10 and 11 probes to investigate.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFO phenomena as a subject worthy of serious investigation, featuring reports from various sources including eyewitness accounts, scientific research, and expert analysis. There is an underlying theme of potential government secrecy and cover-ups surrounding UFO incidents. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded, encouraging detailed investigation and critical analysis of evidence, as exemplified by the inclusion of methods for improving eyewitness testimony and the review of Cynthia Hind's investigative book. The magazine also touches upon the intersection of UFOs with other phenomena like psychic experiences and potential astronomical explanations.