Australian UFO Bulletin - 1998 12 - December

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin, dated December 1998, is published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS) and focuses on UFO phenomena, investigations, and historical cases. The cover features the title "THE AUSTRALIAN U.F.O. BULLETIN" alongside an illustration of a space shuttle and two flying saucers.

Editorial: Frederick Valentich - 20 Years On

The editorial commemorates the 20th anniversary of the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich on October 21, 1978. Valentich, flying a Cessna 182L, reported a strange aircraft hovering over him before his radio transmission was cut off. His aircraft, VH-DSJ, was never found after an extensive search. The editorial notes that Steve Robey, the last person to speak to Valentich, unveiled a plaque in his memory at Cape Otway Lighthouse. The transcript of the unveiling ceremony includes remarks from Guido and Alberta Valentich, expressing the enduring pain of not knowing. The editorial highlights this as one of twenty known cases of pilot encounters with unknowns ending in disaster, emphasizing that unidentified flying objects are serious business.

On The UFO Trail: The Knowles Family Encounter

This section details the investigation into the "Knowles Family Encounter" or "Mundrabilla Incident" which occurred on January 21, 1988. Paul Norman recounts his involvement in investigating the claim by Faye Knowles and her three sons that an unidentified flying object picked up their 1984 Telstar and shook it before returning it to the ground. The incident gained attention due to physical evidence and police involvement. The article discusses the rapid succession of contradictory explanations from skeptics, including meteorite, dry lightning, and misidentification of the rising sun. It contrasts these with the family's experience and the testimony of truck driver Graham Henly, who corroborated the unusual dust found on the car and the family's distress.

Debunking Attempts

Skeptics' attempts to debunk the Knowles incident are detailed, including an initial analysis of dust samples as iron oxide from brake linings. VUFORS conducted its own analysis, which suggested different components. The article criticizes debunking theories that attribute the event to dreams or dozing off, emphasizing that the physical evidence (holes in the ground, lifted car) contradicts such explanations. Graham Henly's statement that the sooty material was not brake dust and that the dogs were scared is highlighted.

The Encounter in Detail

The Knowles family's account of the encounter is presented. The event began with radio static before they sighted a group of lights. The object caused Sean Knowles to swerve to avoid a collision. The object then landed on the roof of the car, pulling it upwards. The family experienced a sense of impending death, with Patrick feeling his brains were being pulled from his head. The car dropped, bursting a rear tyre. Faye Knowles touched the object, describing it as a warm sponge.

The Investigation Begins

Following the interview, an investigation was launched. Dust samples were collected from the car for laboratory analysis. The car's radio, which had malfunctioned, was found to be working. Slight dents on the roof matched the family's description. The article debunks the theory that the damage was caused by a roof rack, citing Philip Klass, an American UFO debunker, who had suggested this explanation.

Further Corroboration

Further investigation involved interviews with witnesses in Norseman and analysis of dust samples by Dr. Richard Haines at NASA's Ames Research Center. The Philips Laboratory analysis contradicted the Adelaide findings, identifying elements like oxygen, carbon, calcium, and silicon, and fibres of pipe insulation. The article also mentions a witness from Norseman who reported a similar experience and provided accommodation and hospitality. The dust samples were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope, revealing possible radiation, which was linked to symptoms like Fay Knowles's swollen hand and patchy hair loss in the dogs.

The article recounts Mrs. Knowles's request to sell the car, which she considered "jinxed." It also addresses a miscommunication regarding the car's transfer to Melbourne for testing by the Ford Motor Company. The author contrasts speculation with investigation, citing an example of a skeptic's explanation involving headlights near Eucla.

UFO Potpourri

This section presents a collection of shorter UFO reports and articles.

Pre-Kenneth Arnold Era Sightings

This article suggests that the modern era of UFO sightings may have begun earlier than the 1947 Kenneth Arnold sighting, possibly in 1896. It questions the availability of records from earlier periods.

1923 UFO Encounter

A report from the Colorado MUFON News describes a 10-year-old boy, Norman Massie, witnessing a spaceship with five men on board in Illinois. Massie described the machine as metallic with three legs and a dome like melted glass. He kept the sighting secret for years due to fear of ridicule.

1920 UFO Sighting

This report from The Hawk Eye (Oct. 28, 1973) details Clark Linch's sighting of an egg-shaped object near Burlington, Iowa, on June 3, 1920. The object landed silently for 15 minutes, leaving pressed grass but no damage. Linch described it as shiny blue and translucent.

1910 UFO Sighting

An article from the Exeter, England Express & Echo (Jan. 20, 1982) recounts Arthur Robyns's grandmother's account of seeing a "great silver ball" sweep over the Bristol Channel in 1910, causing a tidal wave.

1915 UFO Sighting

This report from the Peterborough Examiner (Nov. 1, 1969) describes a mysterious "aeroplane" with a powerful headlight that hovered over a chemical plant in Donald, Ontario, during WWI. The foreman fired shots at the object.

Iridium & UFOs

Tony Cook's article discusses the new Iridium satellite system and its potential to cause misidentified UFO sightings. The Iridium constellation consists of 66 operational satellites. The article explains that the satellites' Main Mission Antennae (MMA) can reflect sunlight, creating "Iridium Flares" that can be very bright and last up to 20 seconds, potentially visible during the day. These flares are predictable and can be distinguished from genuine UFO sightings using available software and websites. The article includes a photograph of an Iridium Flare.

Life Beyond Earth

This section reports on astronomical discoveries, including the announcement of a planet twice the mass of Jupiter orbiting the star 55 Cancri, located about 30 light years from Earth. This discovery brings the known number of planets outside our solar system to about a dozen.

More Life Beyond Earth

Scientists are increasingly optimistic about the possibility of microbial and intelligent life on other planets, based on new theories of life's evolution. A University of Colorado planetary scientist suggests that life is simple and easy to develop under the right conditions, noting a significant shift in scientific opinion over the past 20 years.

Yeti Sighting

US adventurer Craig Calonica reported seeing two erect-walking creatures with thick, shiny black fur on Mount Everest at an altitude of 6,500 meters.

Leonid Meteor Storm

Australians experienced the Leonid meteor storm on November 18th, though cloud cover affected viewing in some areas. The storm occurs as Earth passes through the tail of comet Tempel-Tuttle. No damage was reported by satellite operators or the Russian Mir space station.

The Early Years

This section presents a selection of UFO reports from magazines published in the 1950s and 1960s.

• Fort Monroe, Virginia (September 24, 1958): Larry W. Bryant was questioned by Army CIC agents about his interest in UFOs and his advertisement for the Air Research Group.
• Sydney, New South Wales (January 25, 1960): Mystery explosions and a reported hovering object were seen over the city, described as "all silver and glistening."
• Westlake, Ohio (September, 1963): Robert Alimo reported a UFO that bobbed up and down and changed color before disappearing when a plane approached.
• Lisbon, Portugal (July 13, 1965): Mysterious cylindrical objects were reported over Portugal, causing electric clocks to stop at an airport. A couple from Matozinhos reported an orange object that interfered with their radio.
• Antarctic: Scientists reported sightings of mystery objects that caused electromagnetic instruments to malfunction.
• Mexico: Two shining objects were seen darting about the sky at high speeds over Chilpancingo.

UFO Sighting Reports

Goughs Bay

Mary-Louise Owen reports on a daylight sighting by an elderly farmer near Goughs Bay, Victoria, on August 9, 1998. The witness described a metallic, saucer-shaped object with a dome, which moved erratically before passing overhead at high speed.

Echuca

James Owen reports on a sighting by a couple near Echuca, Victoria, on August 27, 1998. The witnesses described a large, silent object with a red glow and four wings hovering over their car, causing them to swerve to avoid a collision. The object was later seen to climb steeply and disappear.

Article on our UFO collection was well done

This article, by George D. Fawcett, discusses a positive reception to an article about his UFO collection donated to the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell, N.M. The article highlights the museum's visitor numbers and the processing of the donated items.

Just how many UFO cases have critics investigated?

George D. Fawcett questions the investigative efforts of UFO critics, arguing that many critics make authoritative statements without proper investigation. He contrasts this with the experiences of UFO witnesses, including astronauts and scientists, and emphasizes that ridicule is not part of the scientific method.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the investigation of specific UFO cases, the analysis of physical evidence, the debunking of skeptical explanations, and the presentation of historical UFO sightings. The Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS) appears to maintain a stance of serious inquiry, encouraging reports and conducting investigations. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between speculation and evidence-based investigation. The magazine also touches upon the broader implications of UFO phenomena, including the possibility of extraterrestrial life and the potential for misidentification of aerial phenomena like Iridium flares.

This issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin, dated May 1998, delves into the continuing mystery surrounding the disappearance of Frederick Valentich and features a variety of UFO-related content, including witness accounts, book reviews, and investigative reports.

The Valentich Mystery Continues

The lead article, "Valentich: 'The Mystery Continues'" by Jason Cowland, revisits the disappearance of Frederick Valentich. Cowland recounts a lecture by Richard Haines where an individual, who had never told his story before, described witnessing a glowing object on the night of October 21st, 1978, over Port Phillip Bay. This witness, identified as 'John', later shared his experience with the author. John, who was involved in a yacht race that night, described seeing a bright light over the Port Arlington area. At approximately 9:30 pm, he witnessed what he described as a "full moon sized explosion with debris type pieces falling from it" contained within a moon-shaped light. No sound was heard, and the sighting lasted about 15 seconds. John and his crew only learned of the Valentich disappearance two days later and John's immediate thought was that he had witnessed Valentich's plane exploding, though no wreckage was ever found.

Book Review: How To Defend Yourself Against Alien Abduction

J. Owen reviews "How To Defend Yourself Against Alien Abduction" by Ann Druffel. Owen expresses that the book offers an exciting and refreshing perspective on the controversial subject of UFOs and abductions. He highlights that the book addresses the common question of how to stop abductions from happening again, a question for which there has been no certain answer. Druffel's investigation is described as exhaustive, and she proposes nine resistance techniques to fend off alien intrusions, categorized as mental struggle, physical struggle, righteous anger, and repellents. The reviewer notes that these techniques are presented as simplistic and achievable by anyone. Druffel also hypothesizes that alien entities may originate from other dimensions and suggests that 'Greys' might not be physically or mentally superior to humans. The book is recommended for anyone interested in UFOs or abductions and can be purchased from Crown Publishers for $12.00 U.S.

Ohio UFO Notebook: Does the U.S. Department of Energy Monitor Private UFO Groups?

William E. Jones reports on an incident at the 34th annual National UFO Conference in Springfield, Ohio. After the conference, Jones observed a gray Ford Taurus with a U.S. Government license plate parked in the lot. He suspected the driver might be a government employee with an official interest in UFOs. Jones initiated Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to the FBI and General Services Administration (GSA). The FBI stated the license plate was not assigned to them, while the GSA indicated the vehicle was under the control of the Chicago Fleet Management Office. A subsequent FOIA request to the Department of Energy revealed the car was assigned to the U.S. Department of Energy, Argonne National Laboratories. The trip report for the car indicated it was used to pick up an aircraft alternator from Cedarville College, Ohio. Jones concluded that a curious government employee had driven a short distance on personal time in a government car to attend the UFO conference, and he learned about how rumors can start, expressing concern about potentially causing trouble for the individual.

Similar Flying Saucers Observed

William E. Jones also details several sightings of similar flying saucer-like objects. He references a 1973 Indiana sighting of a disk-shaped craft with a cone or spiral effect. Another report from March 1996 describes an object in Oklahoma that appeared solid, made of "multiple spheres compressed together," and exhibited hovering, descending, and spinning behaviors. Additionally, sightings from Canada in 1968 and 1969 are mentioned, involving objects that reportedly dropped box-like items. A 1966 sighting near Tulsa, Oklahoma, described a mirror-like exterior craft about 50 feet in diameter with a dark figure visible through a window.

Four Recent Ohio Sightings

Kenny Young presents four recent UFO sightings from Ohio:

1. Gratis, Ohio (February 5, 1998): A triangular object with lights at the corners and center was seen, described as moving extremely slow and silently.
2. Zanesville, Ohio (July 1, 1997): A sighting of a large object at high altitude for 25 minutes, described as 'V' shaped with a bright front light and a reddish glow at the rear.
3. Defiance, Ohio (May 1, 1997): Two witnesses saw a shiny, metallic, rectangular object that made no noise and left no exhaust trail.
4. Kenwood, Ohio (February 28, 1998): A witness observed a formation of four pulsating red lights, initially mistaken for a water tower, that moved in a line and then changed direction.

Australian Sighting Reports

This section compiles several recent sightings from Australia:

• West Richmond (February 22 & 23, 1998): Stephen Place reported a 15-minute sighting of an oval-shaped orange object, which he witnessed again the following night.
• Snowtown (February 12, 1998): A loud noise like a jet engine was heard, and an object was perceived to be moving away.
• Snowtown (February 24, 1998): Another witness reported a loud roaring noise and a bright light that moved over the house, activating smoke detectors and dogs.
• Brooklyn Park (January 31, 1998): Stanley Dunstall observed a round-oval orange object moving at medium speed, described as very bright.
• Moreton Bay (July 7, 1998): A man reported seeing a plume of black smoke rise from the sea, followed by a flash and a black ring in the sky.
• Bunya Downs (July 11, 1998): A couple heard a strange noise like a boomerang and saw something heading north at low altitude.
• Deception Bay (July 13, 1998): A witness reported three large orange lights in a boomerang formation.
• Deception Bay (July 16, 1998): Five witnesses observed three bright red lights moving slowly without sound.
• Lawnton (July 18, 1998): A man reported a bright orange light moving north to south at a constant speed.
• Deception Bay (July 18, 1998): Seven witnesses saw three orange lights moving in a line, which rose quickly, changed direction, and disappeared without sound.
• Indooroopilly (1992): A man saw a large object from which two disks emerged and hovered before departing.

UFO Afrinews: Zimbabwe Sighting

Malcolm Brown reported an incident on August 29th, 1997, at Mana Pools, Zimbabwe. While camping with friends, he observed a large object with two orangey-yellow lights shining down. His friends, Ralph and Nikki, also witnessed it. The object hovered at a 45° angle, moved north-easterly, and disappeared. Nikki observed three additional smaller lights. The lights left a distinct trail in the sky for about five minutes. Malcolm described the beam of light as shining directly down, illuminating about an acre of ground, with no unusual smell or sound. The entire sighting lasted 30-45 seconds. Another witness, Chris, reported seeing similar lights earlier that evening in the Doma farming area.

Meteorite Mystery

A Herald Sun article from November 21, 1998, reports on a gold prospector named Mr. Jonathon who claims to have found a meteorite in country Victoria during the Leonid shower. He stated he saw a meteor streaking through the sky and heard it hit the ground, subsequently finding a warm, 7kg rock. However, the president of the Astronomical Society of Victoria, Mr. Perry Vlahos, expressed skepticism, suggesting the prospector might be embarking on a "gold-digging expedition" and that Leonid meteors are typically too small to strike Earth.

Society History and Events

The issue also includes information about the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS), detailing its history from the early 1950s and its various name changes. It mentions their publication history, including the "Australian Flying Saucer Review" and the "Australian U.F.O. Bulletin." VUFORS is described as having a dispassionate attitude towards UFOs, maintaining a large library, and being open to new members. Upcoming discussion nights are listed for March, June, September, and December 1998, with details on entry fees and subscription rates. A VUFORS Sightings Hotline number is provided, along with items for sale, including a Stanton Friedman CD-ROM, lapel badges, and pens.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the investigation of unexplained phenomena, and the role of government and private organizations in UFO research. The publication appears to maintain a stance of open inquiry, presenting witness accounts and investigative findings without definitive conclusions, encouraging readers to form their own opinions. There is a clear emphasis on reporting recent events and fostering a community of interest through society news and contact information.