Australian UFO Bulletin - 2000 06 - June

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, dated June 2000, is published by V.U.F.O.R.S. (Victorian U.F.O. Research Society) and features a cover depicting two UFOs and a space shuttle against a starry sky. The price is listed as 6/00.

Editorial

The editorial, titled "June 2000," addresses the issue of plagiarism within ufology, noting that some individuals copy investigative material without proper credit. The editor emphasizes that VUFORS, after investing significant resources in research, expects proper attribution when their material is used. The editorial also mentions an upcoming General Meeting for committee elections on September 4th, 2000, with nominations due by July 31st.

On the UFO Trail

Authored by Paul Norman, this section discusses the society's skywatch program and highlights an overseas report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. On November 21, 1999, a GEOSYNCHRONOUS ORBITING ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE captured a photo of a UFO with structure and windows, radiating heat. The article also recalls astronaut James McDivitt's 1965 sighting of an unidentified object from Gemini 4, and an incident at Cape Kennedy in January 1961 where a UFO interfered with a missile tracking.

UFOs Have Shown All of These Features

This section explores the characteristics of UFOs, suggesting that their actions demonstrate inquisitiveness, powered flight, and coordinated formations, implying intelligent control. It argues that while caution is needed, the observed behaviors are consistent with intelligent operation. The article notes that UFOs often pace or follow other vehicles and take evasive action when pursued. It also mentions that the two hours after sunset is considered a primary window for observing UFO interactions with satellites.

Intelligence and UFOs

Paul Norman discusses the concept of 'intelligent control' in relation to UFOs, drawing parallels to how human intelligence is inferred from behavior. He posits that observing UFOs perform complex maneuvers and react to their environment suggests a form of intelligence. The article also touches upon the historical scientific skepticism towards heavier-than-air flight, drawing a parallel to the current understanding of UFOs. It notes the potential shift in scientific inquiry, referencing SETI League Inc.'s broadened search for extraterrestrial evidence.

Scope of the Original

This section provides a detailed breakdown of the structure of "The UFO Evidence," a reference source, listing its various sections which cover sample cases, intelligent control, military observations, scientific and civilian reports, special evidence, historical investigations, foreign reports, chronology, patterns, congressional interest, and the implications of UFOs.

Space News: The Sky is Falling

This brief news item reports that NASA is preparing for the re-entry of the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory on June 3rd due to a gyroscope failure. Concerns are raised about potential debris surviving re-entry and endangering people, though the estimated chance of casualty is low. The target re-entry area is the Pacific Ocean.

Are UFOs Watching the U.S. Radio-Astronomical Observatory At Arecibo? Maybe Contact Has Already Occurred?

Authored by Jorge Martin, this article investigates a series of UFO sightings and alleged encounters near the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. It describes how the observatory, used for SETI research, has become a frequent target of UFO activity, suggesting a strong interest from unknown entities. The article recounts several cases:

• A FLYING SAUCER AND ALIENS IN THE BARRIO DOMINIGUITO SUBURB OF ARECIBO: Senora Gertrudis Mendoza reported a sighting in 1981 involving a metallic grey, round object with a cupola and lights, accompanied by three beings. She described one small being and two taller ones examining the craft, which was hovering a few feet above the ground.
• ANOTHER GIGANTIC UFO NEAR THE RADIO OBSERVATORY: Senor Felipe Jimenez reported seeing a very large, bright flying saucer with revolving blue and yellow lights near the Arecibo Observatory between December 1991 and January 1992. He experienced a time distortion, with only five minutes passing subjectively when in reality twenty minutes had elapsed. He also encountered another man who had seen a similar object.
• MILITARY PURSUE A UFO: Senor Jose Angel Rodriguez reported witnessing two OMNI HUMMERS jeeps with armed soldiers and dark vans with radar antennae pursuing a large, glowing ball of light near the Arecibo Observatory in 1994. He also described seeing a boomerang-shaped object with lights hovering near the observatory towers.

Jimenez expresses concern that scientists at the Observatory might be communicating with the craft and that information is being withheld from the public.

Filer's Files #49-1999: MUFON Skywatch Investigations

This section, by George A. Filer, details an ALABAMA UFO SIGHTING on December 5, 1999. J. Vinsant reported waking to a bright white light that lit up his yard. He and his wife witnessed the light climb slowly towards their windows. Later, an explosion was heard. Vinsant then saw an oval/circular shape covered with lights hovering over a mountain, which he watched for an hour and a half.

Analysis of Soil Samples Related to the Delphos Kansas November 2, 1971 Event

Authored by Phyllis A. Budinger, this article revisits the Delphos, Kansas CE2 encounter from November 2, 1971. The event involved a 16-year-old witness, Ron Johnson, who saw a mushroom-shaped object hovering near his sheep. The object emitted a bright light as it departed, leaving a glowing ring on the ground. Soil samples from the ring were analyzed using advanced techniques, building on earlier work by Erol Faruk. The analysis revealed that the ring soil contained approximately 2-3% non-volatile material, primarily humic substance (fulvic acid), calcium oxalate, calcium carbonate, phosphate, sulfide/mercaptan, and sulfate. The presence of calcium oxalate and oxalic acid might explain physical effects on witnesses, while sulfidelmercaptan could account for an odor. The analysis did not prove or rule out a UFO source, but noted that the composition was not consistent with "well seasoned barnyard soil."

The 1909 Australian Airships Flap

Written by Jon Wyatt, this article recounts numerous reports of "airships" seen in Australia during August 1909, a time when aeroplanes and airships were still experimental. Sightings were reported in Tasmania and Victoria, with descriptions including bright lights, torpedo-like shapes, and revolving lights. Witnesses described the objects moving rapidly and in various directions, sometimes accompanied by explosions. The origin of these "airships" remains a mystery.

SIGHTING REPORT: MILDURA VIC – 13 & 14 FEBRUARY 2000

This report details a sighting by Allan Wilson, Sunraysia Representative for VUFORS. On February 13th and 14th, 2000, a bright, stationary light was observed in the sky by Mrs. L, her partner Mr. T, and a friend Mr. A. The object appeared to have a yellowish-white primary light with a hint of orange and a bright white tail. It was visible for approximately 10 minutes on each occasion and appeared to be about one mile away. No aircraft were observed or heard by the witnesses. Mr. T took a photograph of the object.

PRESS CUTTINGS OF INTEREST: Paul on the tail of UFOs

This article from the Moorabbin Standard features an interview with UFO researcher Paul Norman regarding the Frederick Valentich case. Norman, a member of VUFORS, is convinced that Valentich encountered an alien craft before his disappearance in 1978. The article also mentions an increase in erratic moving flights observed prior to Valentich's disappearance. It highlights Norman's work in publishing reports on the case and his contributions to the VUFORS website.

UFO ENCOUNTER: New Sighting Caught on Video in West Virginia

This brief item mentions that Chris Miller and others have been capturing video footage of silver orbs near military bases in Nevada, West Virginia, and Arizona since 1996. Naval Intelligence has studied these videos, and the Air Force has made unofficial comments. Chris Miller is compiling this footage into a documentary.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation and reporting of UFO phenomena, with a strong emphasis on scientific analysis and witness testimony. The editorial stance of VUFORS appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the reporting of unusual events while advocating for proper research methodology and attribution. The society actively collects and disseminates information, aiming to provide a platform for UFO-related developments. There is a clear interest in historical cases, scientific explanations, and potential extraterrestrial contact, particularly in relation to the Arecibo Observatory and past events like the Delphos incident and the 1909 airship flap.

Title: UFO POTPOURRI

Issue: March 2000

Publisher: John F. Schuessler

Content: This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin, titled 'UFO POTPOURRI', presents a collection of extraordinary sightings by credible observers, spanning historical reports and more recent encounters. It includes news clippings, personal accounts, and investigative articles.

Flying Discs Reported Over Korea (United Press, February 19, 1952)

This article reports that the U.S. Air Force disclosed that objects resembling "flying saucers" were sighted over Korea by crew members of two B-29 bombers. The objects were described as globe-shaped, bright orange, and emitting an occasional flash of blue light. The first report came from two crew members who saw the objects flying parallel to their plane about midnight on January 29, over Wonsan, Korea.

Air Force Claims Up On Flying Discs (Associated Press, February 20, 1952)

Air Force officers in Tokyo and Korea refused to comment on the report of B-29 bomber crewmen seeing strange orange globes over North Korea on January 29. A spokesman stated, "To affirm or deny it would put us in the position of discussing it and we cannot discuss it." The Air Force later confirmed that B-29 crewmen reported sightings over Wonsan and Sunchon.

Pilot Spots Flying Saucer Near Air Force Headquarters (United Press, March 27, 1952)

Bertram A. Totter, a private pilot, reported sighting an aluminum-colored disc about 40 feet in diameter and ten feet thick while flying over Fairfax County, Virginia, near Washington D.C. He saw the saucer whirling about 1000 feet below him and it zoomed up into the overcast when he dived toward it.

A Childhood Encounter – Narri Nakkara (by Wendy Wolfe)

This narrative explores the childhood experiences of Narri Nakkara, an Aboriginal individual from the Great Central Desert. It discusses his early encounters with paranormal events and elders, suggesting a link between childhood and adult experiences of non-ordinary events. The article posits that such experiences can open a child's mind to other dimensions and realities, and that these accounts are often met with skepticism.

Narri's story recounts a specific encounter with three aged Aboriginal men with snowy-white beards who appeared suddenly and instructed him on ancient Aboriginal law. They vanished as mysteriously as they appeared, leaving no trace of their fire.

The Early Years: A selection of reports from various magazines published in the 1950s and 1960s

Mentone, Victoria – October 16, 1957

Air Marshall Sir George Jones, formerly Chief of Staff of the Royal Australian Air Force, stated he now had an open mind on flying saucers after seeing a mysterious object. He and his wife observed a brilliant white light with a shadowy shape moving at about 400 miles per hour at an altitude of 1,500 feet.

Dallas, Texas – June 5, 1965

Colonel James A. McDivitt, command pilot for the Apollo 9 lunar mission, confirmed sighting three UFOs while in space. He described the first as a dot of light, the second as a white tubular device with a long pole, and the third as defying description. The Gemini spacecraft photographed an object, which the Air Force initially identified as a Pegasus satellite, a claim widely rejected.

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – July 16, 1965

An unidentified flying object, a silver metallic object, was sighted by eight people from Canberra airfield. Civil Aviation officials observed it hovering at an unknown height between 20 and 30 degrees from the ground for twenty minutes.

Valentich Disappearance: New Evidence and a New Conclusion (Richard F. Haines & Paul Norman)

This paper presents new evidence regarding the disappearance of Frederick Valentich on October 21, 1978. Three witnesses reported seeing an airplane descending steeply with a much larger object with green lights flying above it. The authors conclude that Valentich's airplane likely crashed into the sea SE of Cape Otway, Australia. The nature of the accompanying object remains unidentified.

Guido Valentich, Frederick's father, is mentioned as a friend of the Society who assisted in analyzing the flight path. Joan Price comments on the paper's publication and the importance of dedicated research.

Close Encounter Of The Second Kind – Ovens River Sighting (James Owen, VUFORS Nth East Representative)

This report details an encounter experienced by a 15-year-old female witness, Miss A, on January 13, 2000, near the Ovens River, Boorhaman, Australia. She reported hearing a loud screaming, whistling noise and seeing very bright lights spinning like "Hollywood movie lights." The object, described as solid and round with lights spinning around the bottom, hovered for 30 seconds. The witness's dog also reacted fearfully. Police confirmed a helicopter was in the area earlier, but not at the time of the sighting. The witness's reluctance to report the incident due to fear of ridicule is noted.

UFOs on the Internet (By Tony Cook - VUFORS)

This section includes brief updates:

• Extrasolar Planet Scorecard: Astronomers have found up to eight more planets around Sun-like stars, bringing the total to at least 40 since 1995.
• Australia in the Space Race: The Christmas Islands have been approved as the location for the Asia Pacific Space Centre, with launches expected in 2003.
• SETI@Home: The project celebrated its first anniversary and reached 2 million participants, utilizing spare computer power for data processing.

Melbourne Sighting – Summer 1997 (by Tom Denning)

The author recounts an event from 1997 where, while driving, he observed a dark square cloud-like object. He then noticed a reflective silver object hovering nearby. An airforce fighter jet approached the silver object, and after the jet passed, the silver object shot down at high speed, made a "u" turn, and ascended rapidly into the clouds. The author is left to his own interpretation that it was a UFO.

Aldinga Beach – 1 March 2000 (SIGHTINGS)

Ian Hamilton reported seeing two objects: one bright white and large, the other reddish-white and small. The large object frequently appeared and disappeared, while the small object suddenly exploded like a fireball and disappeared. The large object continued flying north.

North Haven – 8 February 2000 (SIGHTINGS)

Ms Canton reported spotting a golden object with red lights, described as a huge star-shaped object. Her dog first noticed it. The object moved erratically, appearing to be a huge star, then a tiny one, before moving west and then returning. It was visible until 11 pm.

Port Noarlunga South – 28 February 2000 (SIGHTINGS)

A 71-year-old pensioner reported a 3-minute sighting of two white, round objects that zig-zagged across the sky. The objects caused interference to street lights and moved erratically, relocating eight times. The witness was certain they were not aircraft.

Society News

• VUFORS Sightings Hotline: A hotline number (03) 9506 7080 is available for reporting sightings.
• Items for Sale: The issue lists "UFOs...THE REAL STORY" CD-ROM, VUFORS lapel badges, and VUFORS pens for sale. Back issues of The Australian UFO Bulletin are also available by mail.

Society History

This section details the history of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS). It began in the early 1950s as the "Australian Flying Saucer Bureau" and evolved through various names, including the "Australian Flying Saucer Research Society" and the "Australian U.F.O. Investigation Centre." The "Australian Flying Saucer Research Society (Victorian Branch)" was formed in 1957, later becoming the "Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society," and finally the "Victorian U.F.O. Research Society" in 1968. The society has published papers, including the "Australian Flying Saucer Review" and the "Australian U.F.O. Bulletin," and sponsored a radio program. The current executive took control in 1978. The society maintains a dispassionate attitude towards UFOs, considers them a scientific problem, and has the largest UFO library in the Southern Hemisphere, though postage costs have forced them to discontinue lending.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting of diverse UFO sightings from different eras and geographical locations, with a focus on credible witnesses and detailed accounts. There is an emphasis on scientific investigation and the historical development of UFO research organizations in Australia. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting evidence and encouraging further investigation, while acknowledging the skepticism often faced by witnesses. The magazine also highlights the importance of personal accounts and the potential for childhood experiences to shape perceptions of the paranormal.