Australian UFO Bulletin - 1986 09 - September

Magazine Overview

This issue of the 'Australia U.F.O. Bulletin', published by The Victorian U.F.O. Research Society in September 1986, presents a diverse range of articles and information for enthusiasts of the unexplained. The publication, registered by Australia Post with publication number VBH0122, aims to disseminate information on UFO phenomena and related research.

Society History

The 'Society History' section provides a chronological overview of UFO research organizations in Australia, starting with the 'Australian Flying Saucer Bureau' in the early 1950s, directed by Edgar Jarrold and Andrew Tomas. Concurrently, Fred Stone founded the 'Australian Flying Saucer Research Society' in Adelaide. Over time, these groups evolved, with the 'Australian U.F.O. Investigation Centre' and later the 'Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society' emerging. In 1968, it was re-organized as the 'Victorian U.F.O. Research Society'. The Society is noted for its publication 'Australian Flying Saucer Review' (later superseded by the 'Australian U.F.O. Bulletin'), a quarter-hour radio program, and maintaining the largest UFO library in the Southern Hemisphere, making its resources available by post to members.

Editorial

The editorial, penned by Martin Gottschall, notes a general public interest in Halley's Comet but observes a 'real drought' of UFO sightings in recent months. It critiques 'debunkers' who attribute sightings to astronomical phenomena or psychological predispositions, suggesting that if their explanations were valid, they would be discredited by the lack of UFO sightings during the comet's appearance.

Articles

On the UFO Trail

Authored by Paul Norman, this article details his 1986 travels across Europe and the USA, focusing on his investigation of UFO phenomena. He describes visiting researchers in London and attending a meeting of the British UFO Research Association. A significant portion is dedicated to his visit to the Hessdalen Valley in Norway, where he met with researchers from UFO RESEARCH NORGE. The article discusses the 'Project Hessdalen' which originated from reports of erratic maneuvering lights observed in the valley since December 1981. These lights were tracked by radar and described as hovering, darting, and appearing near houses and mountain tops. Experiments, including one where a laser beam caused a flashing light to double its frequency, are mentioned. The article also touches upon research into 'Earth lights' and seismic activity, noting that no connection has yet been found. It recounts a famous incident from June 1959 in the Southern Hemisphere, described by Rev. William Gill, involving a craft with two decks and humanoids.

Alienspeak

This article, reprinted from OMNI magazine (March 1986), explores the concept of extraterrestrial intelligence and communication. Written by Edward Regis, Jr., it challenges the assumption that aliens would possess science similar to ours, citing philosopher Nicholas Rescher who argues that organisms evolve in response to their environments. The article suggests that artificial intelligence might be key to understanding alien minds, as intelligence is likely a universal quality. It references Marvin Minsky's work on 'Turing machines' to explain how complex reasoning, including arithmetic, could be common to all intelligent entities, potentially forming the basis for interstellar communication.

Riddle of the Face on Mars

This article, sourced from the Sunday Telegraph (August 10th, 1986), delves into the controversial 'Face on Mars' and other anomalies discovered in NASA's Mariner and Viking probe images. It highlights the work of computer scientists Vincent Di Pietro and Greg Molenaar, who used image-enhancement techniques to reveal distinctive human features on the 'Face of Cydonia' and identified clusters of pyramids, an 'Inca City', and other geometric structures. The article posits that these features might be relics of a lost Martian civilization destroyed by a holocaust. It draws parallels with biblical accounts of the 'Nephilim' and discusses theories about potential interplanetary wars. The 'Face on Mars' and associated structures are presented as possible warnings or messages, with the 'Runway' feature suggesting a potential landing area or accelerator for spacecraft.

UFOs and the Fourth Dimension

Authored by Luis Shoenherr, this article, originally published in the 'Flying Saucer Review' (January-February 1964), examines four hypotheses regarding the nature of UFOs: that they emanate from an unobservable region of the cosmos, voyage outside our space-time continuum using a fourth dimension, are 'four dimensional structures', or are 'time machines'. The author focuses on observational facts that might support the first three hypotheses, including luminous objects behaving under intelligent control, seeming invulnerability, and changing course when approached by aircraft. The article discusses the 'ball lightning' theory and its limitations, referencing reports of 'foo-fighters' and an incident where an R.A.F. bomber was followed by a glowing orange object, and another where a German anti-aircraft battery fired upon a UFO that exhibited extreme acceleration.

Events

A 'December Discussion Night' is announced for Monday, December 1st, 1986, at 'The Royal Society of Victoria' in Melbourne. The event includes an Annual General Meeting followed by an informal group discussion and supper, with a cost of $1.00 donation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the history and activities of UFO research organizations in Australia, the investigation of specific UFO sightings and phenomena (such as Hessdalen lights), the exploration of potential extraterrestrial life and intelligence (including Mars anomalies and communication theories), and theoretical discussions on the nature of UFOs involving concepts like the fourth dimension. The editorial stance, as expressed by Martin Gottschall, is critical of skeptics and emphasizes the importance of investigating UFO phenomena seriously, despite a perceived lull in recent sightings.

Title: FLYING SAUCER REVIEW
Issue: June '86 edition
Date: July 17, 1986
Publisher: Steve Partridge (Membership Secretary)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the Flying Saucer Review delves into complex theories surrounding Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), primarily focusing on the concept of a fourth dimension and its implications for understanding these phenomena. It also covers recent sightings and discusses the broader context of extraterrestrial intelligence and scientific investigations.

The Fourth Dimension Hypothesis

The core of the issue explores a hypothesis that UFOs operate within a fourth dimension, which is not perceptible to beings confined to three-dimensional space. The article uses diagrams (Figure 1 and Figure 2) to illustrate how a UFO's force field might extend into this fourth dimension, causing luminescence in our space even if the object itself is not fully present. This concept is proposed to explain the sudden appearance and disappearance of UFOs, as well as their luminous effects, which are attributed to the propulsive force field.

It is suggested that the luminescence and color changes observed are related to the intensity of the force field and atmospheric conditions. The shape of the luminous projection is thought to depend on the four-dimensional shape of the force field component. The article posits that UFOs might appear and disappear 'into nothing' within our space, consistent with numerous eyewitness accounts.

Furthermore, the hypothesis suggests that if a UFO is entering our space, its operator would need to reduce the force field intensity, causing the luminescence to dim as the object materializes. This would result in observers first seeing a luminous mass that grows, then dims, revealing the UFO's hull.

UFO Movement and Observations

The issue discusses how UFOs moving solely along the fourth dimension might appear as stationary luminous discs or balls that gradually change diameter. This phenomenon has been reported, particularly when UFOs are withdrawing from our space. An illustration from Ehrwald, Tyrol, describes a disc-like object that stopped, reduced its size, and then accelerated away, a recurring event observed on multiple days.

Scientific Investigations and Challenges

The article highlights the lack of precise measurements and sufficient observations to definitively prove the fourth dimension theory. However, it presents arguments in favor, including the idea that a UFO's propelling force must act in the dimension of its movement, thus requiring a force field extending into the fourth dimension. It also notes that force fields are generally considered to have four-dimensional structures.

Reports of radar observations where targets could not be visually confirmed are cited as potential evidence. The theory suggests that radar pulses might escape into the fourth dimension, leading to energy loss. An experimental setup involving a radar sender and receiver is proposed to measure this potential energy deficit, which could either challenge the law of conservation of energy or necessitate its extension to a fourth dimension.

Orthoteny and UFO Trajectories

The concept of orthoteny, the alignment of UFO sightings along great circles, is linked to the fourth dimension hypothesis. It is suggested that these alignments might indicate areas where UFOs' four-dimensional space intersects with our three-dimensional world, or where the energy required for materialization is minimal. The article explores two possibilities: either UFOs and our space are embedded in a higher-dimensional continuum, or they are two different intersecting continua. The orthotenic alignments could represent narrow channels or isolated materialization areas. Solving the technical problems of travel between dimensions could potentially allow earthly craft to explore the origins of UFOs.

Extraterrestrial Intelligence and Scientific Skepticism

The issue addresses the popular explanation that UFOs are controlled by extraterrestrial intelligence. It notes the vastness of the universe and the statistical probability of other civilizations existing. Scientists like Carl Sagan are mentioned for their work on exobiology and the search for extraterrestrial life through radio messages and space probes.

However, skepticism exists. The Condon Committee's report, commissioned by the US Air Force, concluded that there was no convincing evidence of UFOs being extraterrestrial spacecraft. This led to the closure of Project Blue Book. Despite this, some researchers, like Hynek, argue that the committee failed to address the fundamental question of whether UFOs are real phenomena.

The possibility of UFOs being real but not extraterrestrial is also considered, with speculation about visitors from 'inner space' or parallel realities, as explored by Jacques Vallée, who links UFO encounters to ancient myths of contact with non-human beings.

Notable Sightings and News

The issue includes several recent reports:

• New Guinea Encounter: A detailed account of an encounter where figures from a UFO seemingly interacted with a priest and his assistants through gestures and lights.
• Ehrwald, Tyrol Sighting: Multiple sightings of a disc-like object in 1950.
• Queensland 'Space Show': A spectacular sighting in north Queensland in July 1986, described by witnesses as a massive fiery ball gaining altitude.
• North Bay, California Sighting: A report from May 1986 of an X-shaped craft with blinking lights seen north of San Francisco.

Membership News

This section, written by Membership Secretary Steve Partridge, details changes in membership procedures, including the discontinuation of membership cards and receipts for cheque/postal order payments. It introduces a new computerized system for notifying members of their status via a coding on the Bulletin's address label. Information on marketing items like windcheaters, T-shirts, cloth badges, stickers, and back issues of publications is also provided, along with a reminder to notify the society of any address changes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the exploration of advanced scientific and speculative concepts to explain UFO phenomena, particularly the fourth dimension theory. The magazine appears to maintain an open-minded stance, presenting various hypotheses, including extraterrestrial origins, parallel realities, and the potential for scientific measurement of these phenomena. While acknowledging skepticism and the limitations of current scientific understanding, the publication encourages further investigation and analysis of UFO reports. The editorial stance seems to favor exploring unconventional explanations when conventional ones fail to account for the observed facts, as evidenced by the critical analysis of the Condon Committee's conclusions and the emphasis on unexplained sightings.