Australian UFO Bulletin - 1990 03 - March

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, dated March 1990, is published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS). The cover features a graphic of space with three unidentified flying objects and a space shuttle, alongside the magazine's title and date.

Guest Editorial: The Faces of Mars

Brian Mathew Crowley, author of 'The Face on Mars', discusses new findings regarding possible artificial structures on Mars. He highlights the work of US computer scientist Vincent DiPietro and Gregory Molenaar, who, using image-enhancement programs, claim to have found at least one, and possibly three, additional 'face' features on the Martian surface, particularly in the Cydonia and Utopia regions. These features are described as having distinct shapes, including possible Egyptian-style headdresses. Dr. Mark J. Carlotto's enhancements reportedly indicate sculptured teeth in the Cydonia face, reinforcing the idea of intelligent design rather than natural formation. The article also touches upon unconfirmed reports of a stone face on the Moon and structures on Venus. It references a report from New Scientist about Soviet Phobos probe images showing 'remarkable features' on the Martian surface, described as spindle-shaped and between 20 and 25 kilometers wide, which were not mentioned in The Planetary Report, leading to speculation about lost contact with the probe and potential cover-ups.

On the UFO Trail

Paul B. Norman reports on the past twelve months of UFO sightings, noting a ratio of 10:1 for mistaken identities and an increase in physical traces. He mentions VUFORS committee members appearing on television and radio. Norman recounts an interview with Dr. Allen Wright of Parks Radio telescope, who, like many orthodox scientists, expressed skepticism about UFOs being present on Earth, citing vast distances. Norman counters by pointing to historical scientific errors and the possibility of higher intelligence. He discusses Clyde Tombaugh's sighting of a cigar-shaped object and Professor Peter A. Sturrock's survey indicating that 5% of astronomers have seen UFOs. Norman criticizes scientists who dismiss UFOs as outside their field and highlights the misinterpretation of Aurora Australis as 'death rays'. He also recounts an experience of mistaking moisture on an aircraft wing for a UFO, contrasting it with an experienced investigator's perspective. The article touches on the possibility of time travel via black/white holes and questions whether other intelligences might have solved such problems. It criticizes journalists who consult 'professors of impossibility' for UFO explanations. A significant case discussed is the filming of UFOs off the coast of New Zealand on New Year's Eve, 1978, following the Frederick Valentich disappearance. Despite numerous conflicting scientific explanations, Norman notes that the objects were detected by radar and maneuvered unusually. He criticizes the official explanation of squid boat lights and the general reluctance of scientists to admit the reality of UFOs, referencing the Astronomer Royal's dismissal of space travel before Sputnik.

The Churchill Park UFO Encounter Ground Ring Summary

This section, authored by John W. Auchettl, details an encounter on October 9, 1989, involving two women driving in Endeavor Hills, Melbourne. They observed an orange-red UFO, initially at a distance of 840 meters, then closer at 150 meters. The object hovered, climbed into the sky, flew over their car, and disappeared. The encounter lasted one minute. The location is described as being near Churchill Park Drive. The following day, a local newspaper contacted Auchettl to investigate. A search for ground marks five days later located a ring at the bottom of a hill. The ring was described as brown-yellow, with evenly spaced holes and semi-cylinders. Measurements of the ring and ground holes are provided. Tree branch disturbance was noted, with a dead branch hanging over a living one. No obvious animal activity was observed. The article includes diagrams illustrating the vehicle's position, the UFO's movement, and the ground ring location. The UFO was described as a bright glowing orange-red ball, approximately 20 feet wide, producing no sound and not illuminating its surroundings. It moved vertically and then flew away horizontally.

Research and Eliminated Research (Churchill Park Incident)

Further research into the Churchill Park incident involved technical analysis at Monash University using a Scanning Electron Microscope. Tests on grass revealed ruptured cell walls and yellowing, possibly caused by intense UV radiation. Soil samples showed slightly elevated levels of alpha particle ray radiation, potentially from Radon gas. Water content in the darkened area was zero. The article notes that UFO activity was extensive in the 50 km radius around the incident in the week it occurred, with 15 reports received. The ground ring began to degrade two weeks after the incident and disappeared entirely within four weeks. No recorded effects were observed on the vehicle or the radio reception. The personal health of the two witnesses was unaffected. Soil analysis identified no unusual elements. Contact with the Rowville State Electricity Commission Terminal Station revealed no power line loss during the encounter.

The Condon Committee and Debunking

The author discusses attempts to 'bury' UFO evidence, citing the U.S. Air Force's commissioning of Dr. Edward Condon to head a project at the University of Colorado. Condon, a skeptic, declared UFOs as nonsense before investigations began. However, some academics involved in the project began to believe the phenomenon was real. The author attended the project in May 1967 and learned that Condon visited only twice. The Condon report, released in January 1969, is criticized for its conclusions being at the front and for leaving over a third of cases unexplained. The article recommends 'UFOS YES' by Dr. Dave Saunders for those interested in the project. A specific case from the Condon report, Captain Howard's encounter with a cigar-shaped UFO in June 1954, is cited, with Condon's dismissive explanation of it being an 'unusual natural phenomenon'. The author notes that 28 such cases were presented to the project, three of which were investigated by the Victorian UFO Research Society and other private researchers. The article also mentions the case of Frederick Valentich and how Dr. Condon failed to 'bury' UFOs. It acknowledges that a small percentage of scientists are now studying UFO reports, but they are better informed than academics who know little about the subject.

Further Investigations and Dust Analysis

The magazine mentions a newsletter distributed in Australia and overseas stating that the Victorian UFO Research Society did not get control samples for dust analysis from the Knowles family car. The purpose of this analysis was to compare the dust with brake dust. Laboratory analyses in the U.S. and Australia proved it was not brake dust, contradicting debunkers. The author notes that VUFORS investigations are expensive, on-the-spot efforts, and that a full report has been delayed due to additional information. The article also references the Elwood, Victoria incident from October 13th of the previous year, where a 'nominee' appeared to offer an explanation for a cigar-shaped object, despite a lack of connection to a burned patch of grass. The author criticizes Dr. Allen Hynek's debunking efforts in Michigan and Dr. Donald Menzel's ridiculous solutions. The article concludes by stating that UFOs refuse to stay undercover.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the investigation of UFO sightings and physical evidence, the critique of scientific skepticism and debunking, and the promotion of the Victorian UFO Research Society's work. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for serious investigation into UFO phenomena, challenging conventional scientific explanations, and highlighting cases that suggest intelligent, non-human origins. There is a clear emphasis on empirical research and a distrust of official explanations that dismiss or obscure UFO evidence.

Title: THE AUSTRALIAN U.F.O. BULLETIN
Issue: 1990
Publisher: Victorian U.F.O. Research Society
Country: Australia
Date: 1990

This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin from 1990 delves into various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, featuring a blend of investigative reports, historical accounts, and discussions on the credibility of UFO sightings. The cover story focuses on scientists urging President Carter to investigate a UFO film verified by 20 experts, highlighting its significance as evidence.

Key Articles and Reports

Churchill Park UFO Investigation

An in-depth report details the ongoing investigation of a UFO ring at Churchill Park, Australia. The investigation includes meticulous analysis of the site, with no recorded power consumption loss or equipment failure during the encounter. Tests for hydrocarbons, insecticides, weed killers, and defoliants found no traces in the ring samples. Alcohol consumption by witnesses was also noted as minimal. The weather was clear and cool with light winds. The investigator, John W. Auchettl, plans to visit the site for six months to examine for abnormal ground vegetation growth. He considers this discovery a significant link to the UFO phenomenon and believes research has been dramatically improved by this encounter, with plans to publish findings.

Credible Witnesses and UFOs

The issue emphasizes the "High Credibility Factor" of UFO sightings, arguing that credible people have been spotting UFOs for years, yet their testimony is often dismissed by a vocal minority and the media. The article criticizes the media's approach of presenting witness testimony and then allowing debunkers to counter it, advocating for a more balanced presentation involving trained investigators and professionals.

• Several credible individuals' UFO reports are cited:
• Henry Ford II reported seeing a large, round, white object resembling a dish while flying at 550 mph at 40,000 feet.
• Senator Barry Goldwater, a retired U.S. Air Force general, expressed belief in extraterrestrial visitation, citing reports from air force, navy, and airline pilots.
• Air Force General George S. Brown reported UFOs plaguing Vietnam, specifically in the DMZ in 1968 and near Pleiku in 1969, describing strange craft.
• Astronomer F.M. Stephenson reported seeing two UFOs in New Zealand and suggested comparative study.
• Dr. Charles Maney, professor emeritus, stated that UFOs are "unquestionably from outer space."
• Dr. Hermann Oberth, a V-2 rocket scientist, theorized that flying saucers are real spaceships from another solar system.
• General Douglas MacArthur spoke of a "sinister forces of some other planetary galaxy" as a potential conflict.
• President Ronald Reagan suggested that a common, universal threat, possibly an alien one, could unite humanity and make differences vanish.

UFO Conferences in the USSR

• The bulletin reports on significant UFO research activities in the Soviet Union:
• UFO Congress at Tomsk, Siberia (April 18-25, 1988): Over 300 UFO researchers attended this eight-day conference, organized by the Soviet Union's Academy of Science. Lectures covered various aspects of the phenomenon, and recent investigations of a UFO case near Vladivostok in April 1986 were presented. In this case, a luminous light-ball crashed, exploding into tiny particles that laboratory tests showed to be practically pure gold and silver, with a strange net-like structure.
• UFO Seminar in Petroskoi (Second time): This two-day seminar involved over 50 participants from various Soviet cities. Topics included anomalous phenomena, investigations of the Dalnegorsk phenomenon, damages to woods, and UFO research in Australia. Marina Popovitch, wife of cosmonaut Pavel Popovitch, valued the seminar for the interest shown by mass media and its contribution to the search for new civilizations.

MJ-12 in Japan

A CAUS correspondent forwarded a document alleged to be an official internal memorandum from the Defense Agency of Japan (DAJ). The memo, dated May 1, 1979, suggests the US Air Force has resumed UFO information collection, possibly due to a crashed "Adamski-type" spaceship found near the US-Mexico border. The memo questions if the Self-Defence Air Force of Japan has a specialized UFO section. The authenticity of the document is uncertain, with Nippon TV's Hidehiko Amemiya noting the stationery was genuine but unsure if the document was official.

The Threats of Outer Space

A Soviet military journal cited unidentified flying objects as a reason for the US to halt development of its Strategic Defence Initiative (Star Wars). The article argued that the system might mistake a UFO for an enemy missile attack, leading to a retaliatory strike. The authors emphasized that a lack of information on UFO characteristics increases the threat of incorrect identifications.

Letters to the Editor

• J. Magee discusses a previous article by Paul Whitehead concerning a "huge missing mass" in the universe, suggesting it relates to forces beyond the comprehension of solid matter and possibly another dimension. He associates this with UFO sightings, proposing that energy from another dimension can materialize briefly on Earth.
• E. Mackay comments on the similarity between UFO appearances and biblical accounts of beings, suggesting they could manipulate energy and elements to manifest in human form. He also links the "missing mass" concept to the UFO phenomenon and the search for answers.

The UFO Report (1990 Handbook)

A new handbook by Timothy Good is reviewed, described as an overview of significant recent UFO incidents by an international team of experts. It covers UFO recoveries, sightings from the USSR, China, and Africa, President Reagan's sighting, an attack by a UFO in the Australian desert, British UFO sightings in 1988, mystery circles, the Rendlesham Forest case, and events at Gulf Breeze, Florida. The handbook is indexed and lists key organizations.

Society History

The history of the Victorian UFO Research Society is presented, 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, eventually becoming the "Victorian UFO Research Society." The society has published papers, including the "Australian Flying Saucer Review," and sponsored radio programs. It maintains a dispassionate, scientific attitude towards UFOs and has the largest UFO library in the Southern Hemisphere, though it has discontinued lending due to postage costs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the importance of credible witness testimony, the challenges posed by media and debunkers, and the growing interest in UFOs within the Soviet Union. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for serious, scientific study of UFOs, challenging official skepticism, and highlighting the potential significance of UFOs for humanity, possibly even as a unifying threat. There is a clear emphasis on presenting evidence and encouraging further research and open-mindedness.