Australian UFO Bulletin - 1986 12 - December

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, dated December 1986, is the official publication of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS). It features a mix of historical accounts, scientific investigations, and recent sighting reports.

Editorial

The editorial section notes the passing of Dr. J. Allen Hynek, highlighting his significant effort in presenting the UFO story to the scientific community. It details VUFORS's role in financing Hynek's visit to New Guinea for the Rev. William Gill encounter and arranging meetings with witnesses. The editorial also mentions Hynek's interest in the 'bent headlight incident' and his meeting with a Naval Officer involved in a radar/visual encounter in Nawra. Another meeting with Tom Drury in Brisbane is also noted.

Society History

This section provides a brief history of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society, tracing its origins back to the early 1950s with groups like the 'Australian Flying Saucer Bureau' and the 'Australian Flying Saucer Research Society'. The Victorian branch was formed in 1957, evolving into the 'Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society' and finally the 'Victorian U.F.O. Research Society' in 1968. The society has published papers, including the 'Australian Flying Saucer Review', and previously sponsored a radio program. It maintains a dispassionate, scientific attitude towards UFOs and boasts the largest UFO library in the Southern Hemisphere.

On the UFO Trail

By Paul Norman, this article details an investigation into a reported train stoppage coinciding with an unexplained light in South Australia on January 16, 1985. The driver initially mistook the light for a headlight reflection. Further investigation revealed the light appeared to be falling, then reappeared near the engine, causing it to lose power. The article criticizes a news report that misrepresented the incident. It also briefly mentions a blackout in Katherine, Northern Territory, during the presence of unidentified lights.

Photographic Summary of Project Hessdalen - Norway

This article, reprinted from GSW, Inc. 1986, presents a computer analysis of photographs taken during a series of reports of unidentified objects in Hessdalen, Norway. The analysis focused solely on the photographic data, without using sighting descriptions. Photos 1-4 show two white lights with a red light, appearing elongated and distant. Photos 5-7 show a single, bright light source with an aura effect, appearing close to the ground and illuminating structures. Photo 8 shows a light streak. The conclusion suggests that while some nocturnal lights can be replicated, photos 5-7 do not lend themselves to conventional explanations. It also notes that NATO and the Soviet Union have tested RPVS and drones, but these don't fully match the Hessdalen phenomena.

Project Hessdalen - Radar Photos

This section discusses two photographs showing 'radar targets' from the Hessdalen Project. The interpretation of the radar targets is difficult due to poor photographic techniques. The analysis suggests a solid return from a radar-reflecting source, with a non-symmetrical shape. The return is tentatively attributed to a water-laden cloud, but the possibility of it being connected to strange aerial phenomena is not ruled out if environmental conditions do not substantiate the cloud explanation.

Discussion Night

This section provides a diary of upcoming meetings for VUFORS in 1987, including general meetings and an annual general meeting in Melbourne. It also includes a map to the venue, 'The Royal Society of Victoria'.

The Brazilian Connection

By Dr. Willy Smith, this article details a significant UFO incident that occurred in Brazilian airspace on May 19, 1986. An executive plane, piloted by Colonel Osires Silva, was alerted to an unknown object by radar. The object was described as a bright, red-orange light. The Brazilian Defense Center was on high alert, and jet fighters were scrambled. Despite attempts to approach the lights, they were unable to make effective contact. The incident lasted for about three hours.

OMNI: "The Searchers"

Reprinted from OMNI magazine, this article discusses Project Sentinel and its successor, META (Megachannel ExtraTerrestrial Array), developed by Paul Horowitz at Harvard University. These projects use radio telescopes to search for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence. META is capable of analyzing 8.4 million channels simultaneously and can detect signals targeted at our galaxy or out to the universe. The article touches on the nature of intelligence and the possibility of self-annihilation.

Press

This section contains several short news reports:

• Lights puzzle residents (Brisbane, QLD): Residents reported seeing unidentified lights in the sky, with the Weather Bureau and police having no explanation.
• Have THEY landed in Dandenong? (Dandenong, VIC): A man reported seeing a long row of amber-colored lights travelling in a line.
• Perth's UFO Found (Perth, WA): Over 90 reported UFO sightings in Perth were attributed to a low-flying monoplane with flashing advertising signs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the historical development of UFO research organizations in Australia, and the reporting of unexplained aerial sightings. The editorial stance, as expressed in the 'Society History' section, is that UFOs are a scientific problem deserving closer attention, and the society maintains a dispassionate attitude, focusing on evidence and research. The publication also emphasizes its role in disseminating information to the public and its members.

This issue of the Weekend Herald, dated July 5-8, 1986, features a prominent article titled "Society with eyes like saucers" by Nick Place, focusing on UFO phenomena and research. It also includes an extensive report on the Voyager 2 mission to Uranus by Mark E. Sawyer, detailing scientific discoveries. The magazine's cover highlights several UFO incidents and introduces Mrs Judith Magee, president of the Victorian UFO Research Society.

Society with Eyes Like Saucers by Nick Place

This article delves into the serious study of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), contrasting it with casual dinner-table conversations. Mrs Judith Magee, president of the Victorian UFO Research Society (formerly the Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society), is profiled. She has been interested in aviation and UFOs since childhood, joining the air force in 1942 and later working for Ansett. In 1957, she joined the Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society, which now has about 300 members, many from overseas. The society receives funding through membership subscriptions and collaborates with the air force to record UFO activity. Their investigator, Paul Norman, travels globally.

Mrs Magee recounts personal UFO experiences, including seeing an orange ball of light shaped like a football in 1962, which she initially mistook for Venus but later identified as something else through binoculars. She notes that while Australians are generally more skeptical than people in South America, public acceptance of UFOs has increased over time. She believes there is intelligent control behind phenomena not originating from Earth and awaits contact from extraterrestrial beings.

The article also touches upon the mysterious disappearance of pilot Fred Valentich on October 21, 1978. Valentich reported being shadowed by a UFO capable of tremendous speeds before his radio communication ceased. No trace of him or his plane was found, leading to theories of a UFO kidnapping, a belief shared by Mrs Magee.

Brazilian UFO Incident (Pages 9-10)

This section details a significant UFO event that occurred in Brazil. On the night of May 23, 1986, multiple UFOs were observed visually and detected by both ground and airborne radars for approximately three hours. The objects were described as balls of light with different and changing colors, intense enough to saturate radar screens. Fighter jets were scrambled but could not approach the targets. Captain Marcio Jordao described the UFOs as having intense light and changing colors, while Captain Armindo Souza Viriato de Freitas reported targets approaching his plane at high speed and making sharp turns.

At a press conference, the Air Minister, Brigadier Octavio Julio Moreira Lima, confirmed the radar saturation and the establishment of visual-radar contacts with "balls of light of multiple colors." He emphasized that radar is not subject to optical illusions and that the echoes were due to solid objects, not clouds. This admission by a high-ranking air force officer of the presence of unidentified objects and the failure of intercept attempts was noted as a significant development. The decision to release the news to the public was reportedly made personally by President Sarney.

Conclusions drawn from the incident include the uncertainty of the number of UFOs, their sudden appearance and disappearance, and the inability of jets to intercept them. Radar echoes remained unexplained due to clear weather conditions. The article also references American press reports about "pingpong balls" but finds no direct quotes supporting this in Brazilian clippings. Speeds of the UFOs were estimated to be around 1500 Km/hr (937 MFH), far exceeding the capabilities of the intercepting jets.

Uranus: A Unique Visit by Voyager 2 by Mark E. Sawyer (Pages 12-15)

This comprehensive report details the Voyager 2 spacecraft's flyby of Uranus in January 1986, contrasting the achievement with the concurrent Challenger disaster. Uranus, discovered in 1781, is the seventh planet from the Sun and the third largest. Prior to Voyager 2's visit, little was known about this "mystery planet."

• Key information about Uranus prior to the mission included:
• Moons: Five known moons: Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon.
• Axial Tilt: Uniquely tilted at 98° to its orbital plane, causing it to spin in a retrograde direction.
• Orbit: Its orbit is very close to the ecliptic plane.
• Composition: Believed to consist mainly of hydrogen, helium, and methane (giving it a greenish color).
• Orbital Period: Orbits the Sun once every 84 years.
• Dimensions: Equatorial diameter of approximately 51,800 km, polar diameter of 49,000 km.
• Mass and Density: Estimated mass 14.6 times that of Earth, density approximately 1.27.
• Rings: A system of rings, smaller and fainter than Saturn's, discovered in 1977.

Voyager 2, launched in 1977, was originally tasked with visiting Jupiter and Saturn. Its successful mission extension allowed it to reach Uranus. The spacecraft made its closest approach on January 24, 1986, coming within 80,000 km of the planet. Due to Uranus' extreme axial tilt, Voyager 2 traveled from the south pole to the north pole, intersecting the equator almost perpendicularly, which limited its opportunities for observation compared to its encounters with Jupiter and Saturn.

• Discoveries and Observations:
• Moons: Voyager 2 discovered 10 new moons, bringing the total to 15. These included two "shepherd" moons (198607 and 198608) that appear to help maintain the integrity of the epsilon ring. The largest new moon was named 198501.
• Rings: A tenth ring, named 1986U1R, was discovered between the epsilon and delta rings.
• Surface Features: The moons displayed stunningly detailed terrain. Miranda was noted for its bizarre and chaotic terrain, shaped by tidal forces. Ariel showed signs of past geological activity and bright deposits. Umbriel was dark and quiet. Titania exhibited fractures, ridges, craters, and glacial flows, indicating a turbulent past. Oberon had an icy surface scarred with bright crater marks.
• Atmosphere: Cloud movement was detected, indicating winds up to 300 kph (180 mph). A faint brown haze at the south pole was attributed to sunlight striking methane, forming acytelene.
• Day Length: The Uranian day was recalculated to be 17.3 hours, differing from previous estimates of 10.8 hours.
• Temperature Anomaly: The dark side of Uranus was found to be warmer than its day side.
• Magnetic Field: Voyager 2 detected Uranus' magnetic field, which is approximately 50 times that of Earth's. The field's calculation suggested the planet's rocky core spins on a more upright axis than its outer gaseous layers.

The report concludes by praising Voyager 2 as a "gallant and tireless ambassador" and one of the most significant scientific instruments ever deployed. The spacecraft's mission is not over, with Neptune being its next destination in August 1989, marking the end of the "Grand Tour" of the giant gas planets.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the unexplained and the frontiers of scientific discovery, from UFO phenomena to space exploration. There is a clear interest in presenting evidence and eyewitness accounts of unusual events, while also acknowledging the scientific rigor applied in investigations, such as the Voyager 2 mission. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting information from various sources, including official reports and personal testimonies, without definitive pronouncements but encouraging further research and consideration of possibilities beyond conventional understanding. The inclusion of references and detailed scientific data suggests a commitment to providing credible information to the reader.