Australian UFO Bulletin - 1998 03 - March

Magazine Overview

This issue of THE AUSTRALIAN U.F.O. BULLETIN, dated March 1998, is published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS). The cover features a striking image of a space shuttle alongside two flying saucer-like objects against a starry backdrop, with the headline "THE AUSTRALIAN U.F.O. BULLETIN". The issue includes a detailed table of contents listing various articles, reviews, and reports.

Editorial

The editorial, dated March 1998, reflects on the organization's shift from a 'nuts-and-bolts' investigative approach to acknowledging the possibility of contacteeism and abduction experiences. The editorial staff notes that while they have assisted many genuine cases, some have been less credible. They observe that many publications focus on abduction theories due to perceived greater interest and financial potential, even if the truthfulness is questionable. The article highlights the growing school of thought that some extraterrestrial entities may have malevolent intentions. It emphasizes that while UFOs are photographed and filmed, they officially do not exist, and their intelligent control leaves much to be desired.

On The UFO Trail

Written by Paul Norman, this section discusses the diminishing credibility of UFOlogy due to sensationalized documentaries and false reporting. It notes that approximately 10% of reports remain unexplained, with a significant portion coming from airline and military pilots. The author debunks a news-stand magazine's sensationalized report of an Australian sighting, clarifying that a reported "squadron" of orange lights over Melbourne was likely helium-filled balloons. He also corrects a misrepresentation of the 'Knowles encounter,' stating the driver involved was not scared and did not resign. The article announces that Dr. Richard F. Haines, a specialist in pilot sightings, will address VUFORS members, highlighting the importance of sponsoring international speakers.

"Let Us Remember Dragons" A Meteorological Connection in Crop Circles

This extensive article by Ed Sherwood explores a theory connecting crop circles to meteorological phenomena. It introduces the 'Plasma Vortices Theory,' proposed by Professor Terrence Meaden, which suggests crop circles are formed by descending energetic vortices of ionized air. The author shares personal experiences of UFOs associated with crop circles, describing them as luminous, plasma-like balls of various colors. The article details the 'East Field' crop circle pictogram from July 1990, noting its complex design and features like 'Gap Seeking' and electromagnetic malfunctions. It posits that this pictogram symbolized a forecast of the prevailing weather conditions, verified against national weather forecasts. The article delves into ancient symbolism, linking crop circles to 'Dragon Paths' (Ley lines) and meteorological symbols. It discusses various crop circle formations, including those at Old Sarum and Giza, and their potential connection to ancient beliefs about dragons as weather controllers and messengers. The concept of 'Dragon's Footprints' (anomalous flattened crop areas) and 'Dragon's Spoor' are also explored. The article touches upon the 'Dragon's Parade,' a series of pictograms reflecting 'Nine' and 'Dragons,' and suggests these formations are created from collective consciousness and natural forces.

Wiping Theories off Mars' Face

This press cutting from the Sunday Herald Sun (February 1, 1998) discusses the upcoming resolution of the debate surrounding the mysterious face-shaped feature on Mars. NASA's Global Surveyor spacecraft is set to provide high-resolution images of the Cydonia region, which gained attention in the 1970s for its alleged proof of ancient extraterrestrial life. The article contrasts the 'face' theory with the scientific explanation of natural erosion. It highlights the work of astronomer Dr. Tom Van Flandern, who believes a meteor impact shifted Mars' poles, aligning the 'face' perpendicular to the old equator, suggesting an artificial origin. Conversely, Dr. Michael C. Malin, the chief investigator for the Mars Global Surveyor Orbiter Camera, dismisses the 'face' theory as nonsense, attributing the features to erosion. The article notes that the Global Surveyor's images are expected to settle the debate, with Dr. Van Flandern predicting they will support his theory of an extraterrestrial civilization.

UFOCUS Vol. 1 No. 4

This section features a "Crop Circle Gallery - 1997" showcasing various geometric crop circle designs from England and mentioning simpler formations in the US and Canada. It also includes a "Report from the 18th Annual Rocky Mountain UFO Conference" by Shirley Parrish, detailing workshops and presentations. Michael Lindemann's lecture on the "narrowing gap between UFOlogy and Science" is summarized, noting the growing acceptance of extraterrestrial life and evidence of ancient life on Mars. Ted Loman's presentation on the "Phoenix Lights" is also mentioned, questioning the official explanation of military flares.

Flying Saucer Review - Soldiers Encounter Entities in Ulster Stake-Out

This brief report describes an unconfirmed CNI News item from July 20, 1997, about eight British soldiers in South Armagh who allegedly encountered "three or four small grey figures in human form" during a stake-out. The entities vanished, followed by a flash of light, causing the soldiers to abandon their post. A former Intelligence Officer of the British Army revealed the case, and an Ulster UFO study group is attempting to interview the soldiers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the evolving nature of UFO research, moving from purely physical evidence to include more subjective experiences like abductions. The connection between ancient symbolism, mythology (particularly dragons), and unexplained phenomena like crop circles is a prominent theme. The issue also addresses the scientific investigation of Mars anomalies and the ongoing debate about the credibility of UFOlogy. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, acknowledging the complexities and controversies within the field while striving for a more scientific and less sensationalized approach. The VUFORS society actively engages with international researchers and disseminates information to its members and the public.

This issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin, dated 1997, delves into various aspects of UFO phenomena, from theoretical calculations to historical accounts and contemporary sightings. The magazine features articles on the Drake Equation, early UFO reports from the 1950s, UFO activity in Puerto Rico, and reviews of UFO-related media.

The Drake Equation

An article by Bob Thrift explains the Drake Equation, a formula designed to estimate the number of technological civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy. The equation consists of seven terms: N = R* x fp x ng x f₁ x f₁x fcx L, where N is the number of detectable civilizations, R* is the star formation rate, fp is the fraction of stars with planets, ng is the number of habitable planets per system, f₁ is the fraction of planets where life develops, fᵢ is the fraction of life sites where intelligence develops, f<0xE2><0x82><0x9C> is the fraction of intelligent life that develops technological civilization, and L is the lifetime of such civilizations. The author provides his own estimates for these terms, arriving at an average of 1875 technological civilizations in our galaxy, while noting that these numbers are speculative.

The Early Years

This section presents a selection of reports from "The Australian Flying Saucer Magazine" published in the early 1950s. It includes a U.S. Air Force release from August 1953 detailing their investigation branch's report statistics, a sighting of a metallic craft over the English Channel in October 1953, and a denial by the U.S. Air Force in March 1954 regarding possessing "hunks" of flying saucers. May 1954 saw numerous flying saucer reports from Brisbane suburbs, and in August 1954, residents in Vienna and Graz reported a silver disc with a fiery tail, with similar sightings in Italy.

Puerto Rico: The Mystery Continues

Scott Corrales reports on the ongoing UFO activity in Puerto Rico, which has been experiencing a significant UFO "flap" since an alleged UFO crash in El Yunque Rainforest in 1987. The article details sightings of triangular UFOs in Mayaguez and Anasco in November 1994, with witnesses describing them as silent, fast-moving, and emitting light. It also delves into the controversial "Amaury Rivera Debacle," concerning photographs of a UFO and F-14 interceptors, and the subsequent debate about their authenticity, with journalist Magdalena del Amo defending Rivera against accusations of forgery and suggesting a conspiracy by a major scientific UFO organization to discredit cases from Puerto Rico. The article also touches upon unusual military activity and the proposed construction of a large radar complex in the Lajas Valley, speculating it could be part of a network to monitor UFOs.

Military Occupation and UFOs

This section connects UFO activity in Puerto Rico with unusual U.S. military maneuvers. It mentions an incident where individuals in protective clothing, claiming to be from NASA, were observed conducting tests. Investigator Jorge Martin notes the unusual presence of a NASA-marked truck escorted by armored personnel carriers at an "aerostat" installation meant for drug interdiction. The Navy's interest in the waters off Cabo Rojo is also highlighted, with reports of nocturnal lights observed by local fishermen. The article mentions the alleged 1988 incident where a triangular saucer "sucked in" two F-14 Tomcats. Despite increased military vigilance, UFO sightings continue, with a belief that efforts to curb illegal drug flow are linked to monitoring strange objects in Puerto Rican airspace.

An Ever Present Mystery

Angel Cruz, owner of a restaurant in Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico, recounts an experience in November 1966 when he and dozens of customers observed a celestial display of a UFO hovering over the water, described as incredibly bright and noiseless. The article also mentions a separate incident involving a pilot's experience with an unknown intruder on USAF radar in November 1953, which led to the loss of an F89C aircraft. This case is described as representative of interactions documented by the UNICAT PROJECT, a joint effort by J. Allen Hynek and Willy Smith to catalog UFO reports.

What Next

This section explores early UFO reports from 1947, focusing on newspaper archives from Melbourne, Australia. It highlights headlines from "The Argus" and "The Sun" regarding "Flying Saucers" being hunted down and the U.S. being baffled. The article notes that while many reports were received, explanations ranged from experimental aircraft to meteors, and that the U.S. military denied knowledge of the phenomena. The author's research in the State Library of Victoria yielded minor references to "flying saucers" and "flying discs" but no direct mention of the Roswell incident.

UFO Crash At Roswell: An Audio Documentary

A review of an audio documentary titled "UFO Crash At Roswell," narrated by Donald R. Schmitt. The CD is praised for its historical information and witness testimonies, offering a valuable research source. It includes original news broadcasts from July 1947 and accounts from twenty-seven witnesses. The reviewer notes that while the content is fascinating, the narration quality varies, and suggests Schmitt could have benefited from professional voice work and sound recording training.

On Pilots and UFOs

A book review of "On Pilots and UFOs" by Dr. Willy Smith, with a foreword by Richard F. Haines. The book is described as providing a representative sample of interactions between pilots and UFOs, documented by the UNICAT PROJECT. The reviewer emphasizes the credibility of pilots as witnesses due to their experience with airborne observations.

Society News

This section provides information on the Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS). It announces the availability of the VUFORS Sightings Hotline and lists items for sale, including a CD-ROM by Stanton Friedman, lapel badges, pens, and back issues of "The Australian UFO Bulletin." Directions are provided for an upcoming lecture by Dr. Richard Haines.

Lecture Announcement

An announcement for a lecture by Dr. Richard Haines, a NASA Research Scientist, on "Pilot Sightings of UFO Phenomena" at the Royal Victorian Aero Club. Dr. Haines has investigated over 3,000 UFO reports and numerous aviation accidents. His book "Melbourne Episode - Case Study of a Missing Pilot" is also mentioned.

Discussion Night and Membership

Information is provided for upcoming discussion nights hosted by the International Committee for U.F.O. Research, including dates, times, and entry fees for non-members and associate members. Subscription rates for VUFORS membership are also listed, offering different levels of access to the magazine, meeting entries, and suppers.

Society History

A brief history of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society is presented, tracing its origins from earlier Australian UFO groups in the early 1950s. The society has published various materials, including the "Australian Flying Saucer Review" and the "Australian UFO Bulletin," and has maintained a large UFO library. It is described as having a dispassionate, scientific approach to UFO phenomena and is open to all genuinely interested individuals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the scientific and theoretical aspects of UFO research (Drake Equation), historical UFO sightings from the 1950s, contemporary UFO activity in specific regions like Puerto Rico, and the role of pilot testimonies. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, treating it as a scientific problem deserving closer attention, as evidenced by the history of the Victorian UFO Research Society. There is an emphasis on documentation, investigation, and the presentation of evidence, while also acknowledging the speculative nature of some aspects of the field.