Australian UFO Bulletin - 1997 09 - September

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, dated September 1997, is published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS). The cover features the title and a striking image of a space shuttle and two flying saucers against a starry background, with the headline 'Discovery'. The publication aims to inform its members and the public about UFO phenomena.

Editorial

The editorial section, written by Paul Norman and Judith Magee, reflects on their recent speaking engagements at a local secondary college and a seminar at St. Michael's School, which included astronomers and scientists from various institutions. They also recount their participation in the '50 YEARS ON' Conference in Sydney, where they presented papers. The editorial highlights the successful organization of the conference by Moira McGhie and her team, and mentions the pleasant experience of meeting presenter Mike Farrell.

News and Reports

A news item from Reuters reports that a British bookmaker, William Hill, has significantly slashed the odds on humans making contact with extraterrestrial life, indicating growing public suspicion and acceptance of the possibility of life beyond Earth. The report suggests that proof may already exist but has not been officially announced by governments.

Feature Articles

On The UFO Trail

Paul Norman discusses the Roswell Declarations submitted to the U.S. President and Congress, and references a letter from Kent Jeffrey. He notes the serious nature of UFOs, citing a 1959 instruction from the Inspector General of the U.S. Air Force to pilots. Norman recounts two significant encounters: one on November 23, 1953, involving an F89c jet and a UFO near Michigan, and another in March 1967 where radar in Cuba detected a UFO. He also touches upon the early explanation of Captain Mantell's crash as chasing Venus or a balloon, and the later admission of high technology secrecy during the Cold War.

The Close Encounter of Maureen Puddy

This extensive article, presented by Judith M. Magee, details three experiences of Maureen Puddy in 1972. The first involved seeing a blue light over her car, which she initially mistook for a helicopter. A large circular object, described as two saucers together, appeared, radiating a brilliant blue light and emitting a faint hum. The object followed her car for about eight miles. The second encounter occurred when her car mysteriously stopped, and she heard a voice in her head stating, "Don't be afraid... tell the Media... you are now in control." The third experience was a psychic one, where she heard a voice calling her to return to the 'meeting place'. The article also explores the possibility of telepathic communication with the entities and the nature of hypnotic states.

Case Briefs - Explorations & Review

This section includes a sighting report from Emeryville, California, on September 17, 1996, where multiple witnesses observed a self-luminous, ellipsoidal aerial display described as 'clear-white' and later 'candy-like red'. The object moved in 'giggles' or stages. Another report details a sighting near Long Island, New York, related to the TWA Flight 800 explosion, where a pilot reported seeing a missile-like object.

Crack in the Cosmic (UFO) Watergate

This article discusses the claims of whistleblowers, such as Philip Corso and Bob Lazar, who allege that the U.S. government has knowledge of extraterrestrial visitors due to recovered alien crafts. It mentions the 50th anniversary of the Roswell Crash and the growing number of individuals coming forward with insider accounts.

The Extraordinary Affair of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Own Text-Book on UFOs in the 1960s

Gordon Creighton writes about a secret course at the U.S. Air Force Academy in the 1960s that instructed cadets on UFOs. The course, part of 'Introductory Space Science', was reportedly compiled by Major Donald G. Carpenter and later withdrawn.

UFO Potpourri

This section compiles various UFO sightings and related phenomena:

• Rods, Cigars, Missiles, or ?, What Is Going On?: Documents sightings of cigar-shaped or missile-shaped UFOs reported globally since the 1940s, including recent sightings in Australia and the USA. It also references the TWA Flight 800 incident and pilot reports of missile-like objects.
• Invisibility: How Do UFOs Disappear From View?: Explores theories behind UFOs' ability to vanish, discussing concepts like 'another dimension' and advanced stealth technology, including radar-absorbing materials and experimental active-camouflage systems.
• Holograms and UFOs: Discusses the theory that UFOs might be holographic projections, but concludes that this does not explain historical UFO reports. It mentions the use of laser-generated images for deception and the public's experience with holographic images at places like Disney Land.

The Early Years

This section presents a selection of reports from "The Australian Flying Saucer Magazine" published in the early 1950s:

• Mackay, Queensland, May 17, 1953: Captain B.L. Jones reported a strange object maneuvering around his DC3 airliner.
• Melbourne, Victoria, May 19, 1953: The Civil Aviation Department announced a ban on releasing flying saucer reports, stating that it had received Captain Jones' sighting but would not comment.
• New Plymouth, New Zealand, August 1, 1953: A policeman and his wife reported a circular, silver-colored aerial visitor.
• Lismore, New South Wales, November 28, 1953: Four residents observed an illuminated flying object maneuvering offshore.

Other Sections

• Conference Venues: Lists upcoming events including a VUFORS meeting in Wangaratta and the "SETI in the 21st Century" International Conference in Sydney.
• Australian International UFO Symposium: Details of upcoming symposia in Brisbane and Melbourne, featuring various speakers including Whitley Strieber, Bud Hopkins, and local Australian researchers.
• Space Cameras See Things Entering the Earth's Atmosphere: A report from The Houston Post about NASA's new Polar Spacecraft cameras photographing house-sized comets entering Earth's atmosphere.
• Humanoid Physiology: A speculative article from 1979 suggesting humanoids are composed of smooth muscle tissue, and a mention of recent polymer research that matches human muscle reaction times.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the persistent nature of UFO sightings across decades, the alleged government secrecy surrounding the phenomenon, and the ongoing efforts of organizations like VUFORS and MUFON to investigate and report on these events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the reporting of sightings and disseminating information, while acknowledging the skepticism and challenges in proving the existence of extraterrestrial visitors. There is a clear emphasis on documenting historical cases and exploring the technological and physiological aspects of UFO encounters.

Title: THE AUSTRALIAN U.F.O. BULLETIN
Issue: June 1997
Volume: Volume 17
Date: June 1997
Publisher: VUFORS
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin delves into various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, featuring a mix of contemporary reports, historical context, and personal accounts.

Key Articles and Reports

"Prague Encounter Draws Much Interest" This feature details a sighting on January 7, 1992, near Prague, Oklahoma. John, his wife, and daughter witnessed two large, bright white lights. The event escalated when fifteen to twenty helicopters converged on the lights, which then rapidly departed. The report also notes unusual occurrences such as a mercury vapor security light in the yard exploding, and a period of complete silence with no animal sounds.

"Left at East Gate" Book Review This section reviews the book "Left at East Gate" by Larry Warren and Peter Robbins, which recounts the Bentwaters-Woodbridge UFO incident in England in December 1980. Larry Warren, a U.S. Security Officer on duty at the time, provides a detailed account of the encounter, including instructions from superiors not to discuss the event. The review highlights the book's unique descriptions and its potential to strengthen the beliefs of UFO researchers.

Linda Moulton Howe Presentation Report This report covers a presentation by journalist Linda Moulton Howe in Melbourne on May 29, 1997. Howe, known for her work on animal mutilations, also discussed Roswell, crop circles, and Chupacabra sightings. The report details her presentation of UFO footage, including unexplained flying V lights, and her findings on alleged debris from the Roswell crash, which contained elements like Bismuth and Magnesium. The presentation also included a Jim Sparks abduction case.

"Unidentified Contact" - A letter to VUFORS This is a letter from a witness in St Albans, Victoria, describing an encounter on February 19, 1997. The witness observed two featureless, stick-like figures, about 4ft tall, with long skinny arms and legs, wearing dark suits. The figures scurried across the road at high speed. The witness later found evidence that they had entered a nearby property.

Phoenix, Arizona US - Mass Sighting This report describes a mass sighting on March 13, 1997, in Phoenix, Arizona. The observer saw a large, wide-winged object with white-yellow lights on its wingtips and front, heading eastward. The object was described as larger than passenger jets but moved smoothly and consistently.

Local Sightings Several brief reports of local sightings in Victoria and New South Wales are included: * Burwood, Vic. (July): Two objects hovering, then suddenly speeding toward Mulgrave. No sound or lights, only a glow. * Dalemy, NSW (January): A grey, cigar-shaped object sighted out at sea, appearing to change shape before speeding away without sound or lights. * Warburton, Vic. (June): A triangular grey object flashing a red light, flying east to west, initially slow then speeding up. * Seville, Vic. (October 1978): A red circular object appeared to crash into a house then shot away at high speed without sound. * Patterson Lakes area, Vic. (August 5, 1997): Two witnesses saw five orange balls hovering in a circle, with the largest dropping what appeared to be sparklers. They moved over the Bay too fast to be aircraft. * Carrum, Vic. (August 5, 1997): Seven orange/pink lights in a diamond shape, which changed to an arrow, then a heart shape, and two different triangles. A large object, described as like a helicopter body minus rotors and tail, dropped a red light before speeding over the sea. Smaller lights moved at varying speeds. * Chelsea, Vic. (August 5, 1997): A formation of UFOs, with one 'mothercraft' and five smaller ones, heading west. The 'mothercraft' had a red dome, and a red dome-shaped object slowly fell to the ground without flame or sound.

Letters to the EDITOR * June 7, 1997 Sighting: A friend and the author reported seeing a bright orange object with a tail rapidly cross the sky, followed by a smaller ball that shot out and vanished. They noted the lack of media coverage. * May 27, 1997 Sighting: A friend reported seeing a formation of four white points of light traveling quickly north-east and disappearing within seconds. The witness believes they were not meteors or planes due to their speed and movement.

Gapsted Report This section details a sighting on December 16, 1996, near Gapsted, Victoria. Multiple witnesses observed a bright white, cigar-shaped or wedged-shaped object. The object was stationary for about twenty minutes before slowly moving behind a hill and disappearing. The weather was clear and warm, and the object was described as unlike any known aircraft.

Society History

Victorian U.F.O. Research Society This section provides a 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, and the society has published various papers, including the "Australian Flying Saucer Review" and "The Australian UFO Bulletin." The society has maintained a dispassionate, scientific attitude towards UFOs and boasts the largest membership of any UFO organization in the Southern Hemisphere.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around eyewitness accounts of UFO sightings, the investigation of these phenomena, and the challenges posed by official explanations or lack thereof. There is a consistent emphasis on presenting detailed reports and encouraging scientific investigation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards UFOs as a subject deserving of serious study, while also acknowledging the need for critical evaluation of evidence, as seen in the review of Linda Moulton Howe's work and the historical overview of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society's approach.