Australian UFO Bulletin - 1989 12 - December

Magazine Overview

Title: The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin
Issue Date: December 1989
Publisher: Victorian UFO Research Society
Country: Australia
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, published by the Victorian UFO Research Society, features a striking cover with a grey alien's head and the provocative question, "Unexplained Visitors from Where?". The publication aims to disseminate information on local, interstate, and overseas UFO developments to its members and the public.

Editorial Content

The editorial section is extensive, with the Editor & Producer, John W. Auchettl, announcing his departure after five years. He details the significant improvements made to the bulletin during his tenure, including an increase in pages, photos, and stories, and a reduction in errors. He expresses pride in the product and thanks contributors and members. The editorial also touches upon the challenges of UFO research, the need for open-mindedness, and the importance of questioning rather than accepting established scientific dogma. It highlights historical instances where accepted scientific views were later proven wrong, drawing parallels to the current state of UFO research.

Key Articles and Features

"On The UFO Trail" by Paul Norman

Paul Norman recounts his experiences investigating UFO phenomena, particularly along the Nullarbor Plain in Australia. He notes numerous stories from motorists, truck drivers, and pilots about strange lights and objects. He discusses the theory that UFOs are attracted to water sources, citing reports from South America and Australia where UFO activity coincided with depleted water levels in dams and tanks. He also mentions specific cases like the "White Acres Encounter" and a farmer who reported a UFO landing, leaving a circular imprint.

"Circles" (Briefly)

This section discusses the phenomenon of crop circles, referencing the work of researchers Pat Delgado and Colin Andrews, who documented 148 circles in southern England. It describes the precise formations and mentions a "luminous, white, jelly-like substance" found at one site. The article notes that Delgado and Andrews favour the theory of a rotating energy field and are working with scientists. It also touches upon criticism from the British UFO Research Association (Bufora), which accused them of promoting a "space-age myth". The article mentions the potential for molecular changes in affected crops and the passing of these changes into the food chain.

"An Open Letter To Dr. Carl Sagan" by Stanton T. Friedman

Stanton T. Friedman addresses Dr. Carl Sagan, correcting what Friedman calls "false and misleading statements" about flying saucers. Friedman argues that scientific studies, such as Project Blue Book Special Report 14, the Condon Committee's investigation, and work by Dr. James E. McDonald and Soviet scientists, have identified a significant percentage of UFO sightings as "Unknowns" that cannot be explained by conventional means. He challenges Sagan's assertion that UFO sightings are generally mistakes or frauds, presenting data to suggest the opposite.

"Is The Reality Stranger Than Fiction?" (Editorial)

This editorial reflects on the nature of reality and the challenges faced by ufologists. It questions how to approach perplexing problems and suggests that current scientific thinking may lack the flexibility to accommodate new discoveries. The author expresses pity for those who are quick to dismiss possibilities and emphasizes that history has a way of proving even the most confident individuals wrong.

Other Content

The issue also includes a "Committee Nomination" section, a review of "Leitchville Dec 78. Encounters Of Unexplained Kind" by James Oberg, and a "PRESS" section. There is a correction notice regarding a previous edition's date. The publication also features a "Notice To Members" about city meetings and a listing of the Victorian UFO Research Society's office bearers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently promotes the serious investigation of UFO phenomena, encouraging the reporting of unusual sightings and experiences. It advocates for an open-minded approach to research, challenging conventional scientific skepticism. The editorial stance, as stated, is that the opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the VUFORS. There is a clear emphasis on presenting evidence and case studies, while also acknowledging the difficulties and ridicule faced by witnesses and researchers in the field. The publication appears to lean towards the view that UFOs represent a genuine, unexplained phenomenon that warrants further scientific inquiry, rather than dismissing them as mere misidentifications or hoaxes.

Title: JUST CAUSE
Issue: 20
Date: June 1989

This issue of 'Just Cause' magazine, published in June 1989, explores a range of topics related to UFOs, extraterrestrial life, and the scientific community's often skeptical approach to these subjects. The publication features witness accounts, historical context, and critical analysis of ufology.

UFOs and Water

The magazine opens with a discussion on UFO activity potentially linked to water. A report details an empty water tank that went missing and was later found dropped from the air, raising questions about whether 'Ufonauts' were attempting to extract water. The article speculates on whether hydrogen is being extracted from water for propulsion and if this is why UFOs are evasive. It also references recent photos of Mars revealing dried-up river beds, prompting questions about the planet's past and potential surviving life.

Scientific Skepticism and Ufology

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the debate between ufology and traditional science. The article "The failure of the 'science' of ufology" by James Oberg critically examines the field, arguing that it has not achieved scientific acceptance due to its philosophical foundations and methodology. Oberg points out that ufology often relies on anecdotal evidence and the 'residue fallacy' – arguing that unexplained cases prove extraordinary phenomena, rather than accepting them as simply unexplained due to lack of data or other prosaic reasons. He criticizes the persuasive tactics used by ufologists, such as appeals to authority and conspiratorial claims.

Hudson Hoagland is quoted explaining the 'residue fallacy' in detail, emphasizing that science cannot prove a universal negative and that unexplained cases do not automatically validate extraordinary hypotheses. The article highlights that while many UFO witnesses are honest, their perceptions can be generated by various factors, including misidentification, memory limitations, or even undocumented natural occurrences.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

The issue includes several reports of UFO sightings and encounters:

• George Blackwell's Encounter: George Blackwell, a cattle farmer from Sale, Victoria, Australia, recounts an experience on September 30, 1980, where he witnessed a dome-shaped UFO, approximately 3.5 meters high and 8.5 meters long, with blue and orange lights. The object hovered, landed, and then took off, leaving a scorched ring on the ground and a cracked, nearly empty water tank.
• Refinery Sighting: An unidentified object, described as twice the size of a jumbo jet with multi-colored flashing lights, was reportedly seen hovering over the Shell Refinery near Avalon, Australia, for about 90 minutes on July 20, 1989. An air traffic controller suggested a Qantas 747 might have appeared brighter due to low cloud.
• Leitchville Incident: A series of sightings occurred in Leitchville, Victoria, Australia, around December 13-14, 1977. A group of at least 12 people observed a 'mothership' and three smaller objects performing a four-hour display. The smaller objects detached and executed complex maneuvers, including rapid color changes. Additionally, a mysterious circular patch, possibly a UFO landing nest, was found in a paddock.

UFO Research and Organizations

The magazine also touches upon the infrastructure of UFO research. It mentions that the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in Pasadena, California, provides referrals to organizations like the Center for UFO Studies and the UFO Reporting Center. A letter from Patricia M. Riep of NASA addresses a request regarding protocols for handling information about extraterrestrial life, stating that while no official written record exists, discussions have occurred on international levels emphasizing that such discoveries should be considered the property of all humankind.

The history of UFO research in Australia is briefly outlined, detailing the formation and evolution of groups like the 'Australian Flying Saucer Bureau,' 'Australian Flying Saucer Research Society,' and the 'Victorian U.F.O. Research Society,' which maintains a large library and holds regular meetings.

Controversy Over Contact Guidelines

An article highlights a controversy that arose when US State Department official Michael Michaud presented a document outlining guidelines for astronomers making contact with extraterrestrials. The proposed document, intended for all UFO searchers, demanded that any contact be made public and any message be considered global property. However, not all searchers were happy with these requirements, particularly the step of asking governments to sign the document.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of 'Just Cause' appears to adopt a stance that encourages open inquiry into UFO phenomena while also critically examining the methodologies and claims within ufology. It balances witness accounts of unexplained events with a strong emphasis on scientific skepticism and the need for rigorous evidence. The magazine seems to advocate for a more scientific approach to the study of UFOs, distinguishing between genuine unexplained phenomena and misidentifications or hoaxes. The recurring theme is the tension between the public's fascination with UFOs and the scientific community's demand for verifiable proof, with a particular focus on the challenges of establishing ufology as a legitimate scientific discipline.

This document is the cover of 'The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin', a publication registered by Australia Post with the publication number VBH 0122. The cover is predominantly green and features key information about the bulletin and its associated organizations.

Publisher and Affiliations

The publisher is identified as 'The Victorian U.F.O. Research Society', with a return address listed as PO BOX 43, Moorabbin, VIC., 3189, Australia. A logo for the 'Victorian UFO Research Society' is also present on the cover.

Postal Information

The cover indicates 'POSTAGE PAID' from Brighton, Victoria, Australia. A mailing label is affixed, addressed to 'ARCHIVES FOR UFO RESEARCH' located at PO BOX 11027, S-600 11, Norrkoping, Sweden.

Content Summary

As this is only the cover, detailed article content is not available. However, the cover establishes the publication's focus on UFO phenomena and its connection to a research society in Australia, with international correspondence noted.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme is clearly UFO research, as indicated by the title and the named organizations. The bulletin appears to be a registered publication within Australia, suggesting a regular output aimed at disseminating information within the UFO community.