Australian UFO Bulletin - 1993 12 - December

Magazine Overview

Title: THE AUSTRALIAN U.F.O. BULLETIN
Issue: December 1993
Publisher: Victorian U.F.O. Research Society
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin, dated December 1993, is primarily focused on UFO sightings, case analyses, and critiques of skeptical viewpoints. It features contributions from various members of the UFO research community, including office bearers of the Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS).

Editorial

The editorial, written by Paul Norman, discusses viewer reactions to the Frederick Valentich encounter as televised on the 'Unsolved Mysteries' program. It includes several caller comments, some of which reference Dr. Allen Hynek and the concept of a UFO cover-up. The editorial also touches upon a suggestion for a show on a UFO crash in New Mexico and a sighting in Miami. A significant portion addresses a viewer's comment about a photograph, with VUFORS REPLY clarifying that Kodak confirmed the image was not a flaw and that a Melbourne Physicist's initial assessment of it being a cloud or smoke was incorrect due to its speed.

V.U.F.O.R.S. Office Bearers and Welcome

The issue lists the office bearers of the V.U.F.O.R.S., including Judith M. Magee (President), Paul Norman (Vice-President, Sighting Investigations Officer, Editorial Staff), Mark Sawyers (Secretary), Clive Yates (Treasurer), and Steve Partridge (Membership Secretary). A welcome message explains that the society evaluates unusual phenomena reports and disseminates information through its quarterly publication. It also includes copyright information and a membership renewal notice.

Contents

• The table of contents outlines the articles in this issue:
• Editorial
• On the UFO Trail
• Sightings by Astronomers
• Klass' Plasma UFO Thesis
• Michigan MUFON News
• Tasmanian Sighting Report by Hannah Wolfe
• Strange Lights over South Wales
• Victorian Sighting Reports
• UFO Pot Pourri
• Puerto Rican UFO Experience
• Anti Gravity as possible counter to natural force
• Letters to the Editors
• Society News
• Capturing UFO on film or video

Australian Photographic Case (Crayfish Bay 1978) - Computer Analysis Critique

This section presents a detailed computer analysis of six color negatives from a sighting at Crayfish Bay in 1978. The analysis, conducted by GSW (Civilian Aerial Phenomena Research Organization), utilized edge enhancement, color contouring, digitizing, and filtering. The conclusions state that the image is not an emulsion defect or a known type of cloud or weather phenomena. Digital densitometry revealed a highly reflective, metallic structure. The rapid sequence of photos and the nature of the object's appearance suggest it was not a hoax. The object was described as disc-like, very bright, and had characteristics similar to features approximately one mile away. The analysis estimated the object's size at twenty feet with an aspect ratio of 6 to 1. The overall conclusion is that the images represent a bona fide unknown flying object.

On the UFO Trail

Written by Paul Norman, this section recounts his experiences attending the MUFON 1993 Symposium in Richmond, Virginia. He describes an encounter with UFO skeptic Philip Klass and discusses Professor James E. McDonald's visit to Australia in 1967. Norman highlights McDonald's dedication to UFO research and his efforts to brief international figures like U Thant. The article also touches upon alleged repercussions McDonald faced and Philip Klass's later comments about the case being a 'whitewash'. Norman suggests that Klass's lectures were awakening the scientific community and the public, posing a threat to his skeptical stance.

Why Don't Astronomers Ever See UFOs?

This article, an excerpt from a statement submitted to a House Committee by James E. McDonald, addresses the question of why astronomers rarely report UFO sightings. McDonald notes that many professionals who have seen unconventional objects are reluctant to admit it due to fear of public repercussions. He contrasts the small number of professional astronomers with the large number of law-enforcement officers, suggesting the latter are more likely to report sightings due to their random observation of the skies. The article also mentions that astronomers' time is not solely spent scanning the skies. It cites instances of astronomers seeing unidentified objects and discusses the difficulty in obtaining direct reports due to confidentiality concerns.

Case Studies of UFO Sightings

The bulletin presents several detailed case studies, primarily focusing on sightings by astronomers or individuals with scientific backgrounds:

1. Case 20. Las Cruces, N.M., August 20, 1949: A sighting by Dr. Clyde Tombaugh of an array of pale yellow lights moving rapidly across the sky. Dr. Menzel's explanation involving an inversion layer is critically examined and deemed incredible.
2. Case 21. Ft. Sumner New Mexico, July 10, 1947: A midday sighting by Dr. Lincoln La Paz and family of a bright, ellipsoidal object hovering near a cloudbank. Menzel's explanation of a horizontal mirage is also refuted.
3. Case 22. Harborside, Me., July 3, 1947: An observation by amateur astronomer John F. Cole of a cluster of about 10 objects moving erratically. This case is noted as being admitted to the 'Unidentified' category in an early official UFO report.
4. Case 23. Ogra, Latvia, July 26, 1965: A sighting by three Latvian astronomers of a starlike object that appeared as a composite of four smaller objects, rotating and moving away. The explanation of atmospheric optics is deemed insufficient.
5. Case 24. Kislovodsk, Caucasus, August 8, 1967: Astronomers observed an asymmetric, reddish-yellow crescent-shaped object moving eastward, with a point of light ahead of it. The explanation of conventional phenomena is questioned.
6. Case 25. Flagstaff, Ariz., May 20, 1950: Dr. Seymour Hess observed a small, disc-shaped object. The estimated size was 10-15 feet, and its speed was estimated between 100-200 m.p.h. Explanations involving balloons or drifting devices are considered but not fully satisfactory.

The section also mentions other sightings by professional and amateur astronomers and references J. L. Chapuis's observation in France.

Summary-Critique of Klass' Plasma-UFO Thesis

• This section critically analyzes Philip Klass's hypothesis that many puzzling UFO cases can be explained as plasmas. The author argues that Klass's thesis contains serious scientific errors and misunderstandings. Key criticisms include:
• Klass fails to provide quantitative data for his hypotheses.
• He overlooks the unstable and evanescent nature of plasmas, suggesting their existence for extended periods without a clear energy source.
• His explanations for energy sources are shown to have fatal difficulties.
• Klass builds a thesis on misunderstandings about air pollutants and atmospheric electricity, leading to erroneous deductions.
• His claim that pilots observing UFOs is due to aircraft falling apart is quantitatively assessed as absurd.
• He overlooks cases where UFO maneuvers defy explanation by his Coulomb-attraction hypothesis.

The author concludes that Klass's book is filled with errors concerning plasma theory and related physics, questioning whether Klass himself has a closed mind or if the book's weakness stems from ignorance of fundamental physics.

UFO Sightings Investigated

This short article reports that the Victorian UFO Research Society is investigating a spate of unexplained lights in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne, having received 80 reports in three weeks. The society is sending out forms to screen reports and cautions the public about hoaxers, noting that two balloons simulating UFOs were recovered. It is mentioned that about 10% of UFO sightings remain unexplained after investigation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of UFO phenomena, the challenges faced by researchers and witnesses in a skeptical environment, and the analysis of specific sighting cases. The publication strongly advocates for the serious study of UFOs, presenting evidence and arguments that challenge conventional explanations and debunking skeptical theories. There is a clear stance against misidentification and hoaxes, while emphasizing the need for genuine reports and further investigation. The critique of Philip Klass's work highlights a commitment to rigorous scientific analysis and a rejection of simplistic explanations for complex phenomena. The society actively engages with its membership and the public to gather and disseminate information on UFOs.

This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin, dated August 1993, is a compilation of UFO sighting reports, investigative articles, and historical society information. It features contributions from various organizations, including MUFON (Michigan) and the Victorian UFO Research Society.

Sighting Reports from Michigan

The magazine details several sightings from Michigan, USA. On July 19, 1993, near Davison, a woman and her friend reported seeing an object significantly larger than a plane, with three lights forming a triangle, described as 'hovering' and 'bouncing'. Another report from July 18, 1993, near Barton City, describes three children alerting their mother to 'falling stars', which she then observed as four long beams of light moving in half circles over her home. On July 29, 1993, a MUFON member near Davison witnessed three objects flying in a triangular formation, each appearing as large as a Cessna plane, flying below dark clouds. An update mentions a witness in Goodrich who woke to find her bedroom and yard lit by a light from above, and her husband unresponsive.

Tasmanian Sighting Report

Reverend Mr. Bill Drooger recounts a sighting from August-September 1965 near Oatlands, Tasmania. He observed an object resembling a plane on fire, approximately 4000-5000 feet high. Upon stopping his car, he noted no engine noise. He then saw six smaller objects, described as 'lighted arrow-heads', emerge from the main object in a triangular formation and fly off at high speed.

Strange Lights Over South Wales

An account from July 27, 1992, describes Mr. W. Price observing four orange lights moving in a delta shape across the sky in South Wales. A fifth light joined them, after which the objects moved in and out of formation. No sound was heard.

Victorian Sighting Reports

The bulletin includes a detailed UFO sighting report from George Simpson of Chelsea, Victoria, Australia, dated September 9, 1993. He observed a large amber-colored light moving rapidly for only two seconds, described as faster than a conventional aircraft but slower than a meteor. The report also lists several other sightings from various locations in Victoria, including Keilor Downs, Montrose, Doveton, Anglesea, Dandenong, and Carrum, occurring between September 27 and October 24, 1993. These reports detail objects with various lights, shapes, and behaviors, including a cigar-shaped object and lights in a square formation.

Puerto Rican UFO Experience

A significant report details an event on December 28, 1988, in southwestern Puerto Rico, where witnesses reported a large, triangular UFO interacting with two military jet airplanes (identified as F-14s). The jets reportedly disappeared after approaching the UFO. A similar event is reported from November 16, 1988, in San German, Puerto Rico, involving a large yellow light and two jet fighters that vanished. Investigator Jorge Martin has verified these incidents and notes the lack of official records despite numerous witnesses.

Researchers Considering Anti-Gravity

An article by Donald Smith discusses scientists, such as Ho Jung Paik at the University of Maryland and Frank Stacey in Australia, who are investigating gravity and searching for a potential fifth natural force that might counteract it. The article mentions the development of highly sensitive measuring devices like LIGO.

Letters to the Editor

George Simpson, a camera technician, offers advice on maximizing the chances of capturing UFOs on film or video, emphasizing preparedness and camera settings. Rob Kennedy writes about a UFO sighting he experienced with two acquaintances in Zimbabwe on August 6, 1993, involving three 'flashing' objects.

Society News and History

The issue includes information on VUFORS selling a library of UFO books. It also features a historical overview of the Victorian UFO Research Society, detailing its formation in the early 1950s and its evolution through various names and leaderships. The society's dispassionate approach to UFOs and its maintenance of a large library are highlighted. Subscription rates and upcoming discussion nights for the International Committee for U.F.O. Research are also listed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed documentation of UFO sightings from diverse geographical locations, the investigative efforts of organizations like MUFON and VUFORS, and the historical context of UFO research in Australia. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious scientific inquiry into the phenomenon, encouraging witness participation and providing practical advice for documentation. The inclusion of historical accounts and scientific research into gravity suggests a broad scope of interest within the UFO community.