Australian UFO Bulletin - 2001 06 - June

Magazine Overview

Title: THE AUSTRALIAN U.F.O. BULLETIN
Issue Date: June 2001
Publisher: V.U.F.O.R.S. (Victorian UFO Research Society)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Editorial

The editorial, titled "ON THE U.F.O. TRAIL," by Paul Norman, reflects on the Society's formation in 1957 and the changes in UFO research over the decades. It notes the decline of some organizations but the continued importance of keeping in touch, especially with the advent of the internet. The author expresses concern about the subject falling into disrepute due to individuals seeking notoriety or financial gain. Despite a current lull in UFO reports, this period is seen as an opportunity for researchers to delve into the subject's history. The editorial also thanks members for their continued support and donations, emphasizing the Society's commitment to maintaining its principles in writing and investigation, and cooperating with other organizations.

An election notice for the V.U.F.O.R.S. committee is included, with nominations due by July 16, 2001, for a general meeting on September 3, 2001.

On The UFO Trail

This section, also by Paul Norman, details the author's forty-seven-year journey in UFO investigation. He highlights the increasing interest from scientists in UFOs as a scientific problem. Norman recounts visits to Jacques Vallee and meetings with members of the Condon Project in the US in 1967. He discusses his interactions with Dr. J. Allen Hynek, who later visited Australia, and Professor James McDonald, who also visited Australia to investigate sightings. The article mentions Dr. Peter Sturrock's work, including his survey of scientists' interest in UFOs and his efforts to establish the Society for Scientific Exploration and a new journal. Sturrock's book, 'The UFO Enigma,' is presented as a significant review of physical evidence. The author also details Sturrock's academic background and research in physics and astrophysics.

The article references Dr. David Saunders' book criticizing the Condon Project and notes that critical reviews of the Condon Conclusions came from scientists who had conducted UFO research, while laudatory reviews came from those who had not.

Press Release: Anomalous Aerial Phenomena National Reporting Center Holds Technical Meeting

This section reports on a technical meeting held by NARCAP (National Aviation Reporting Center on Anomalous Phenomena) in Boulder Creek, CA, on March 6, 2001. The meeting involved twenty individuals from various disciplines within the aviation community, including aerodynamics, meteorology, piloting, engineering, and astrophysics. They met in Palo Alto on February 17th to plan strategies for collecting and analyzing technical information on anomalous aerial phenomena that might affect aviation safety. Brian E. Smith from NASA's Aviation Safety Program Office noted NARCAP's serious, objective approach and the intriguing reports of objects with unconventional flight characteristics and inexplicable effects on avionics. Bradley Sauer, NARCAP's computer support consultant, emphasized the importance of confidentiality in their analyses. The meeting also included technical presentations on topics such as "Chemtrails" and aircrew reports of electromagnetic effects related to UAP. Dr. Richard Haines, NARCAP's Chief Scientist, stated that while NARCAP does not take a public position on Chemtrails, they would make any positive evidence available.

UFO Potpourri

This section, compiled by John Schuessler, presents a collection of brief UFO sighting reports:

• Plane Buzzed by UFO (September-October 1967): A Bolivian Air Force Captain, Samuel Sanguaza, and his crew witnessed an unconventional flying object described as a bright light, changing colors from red to orange to blue, maneuvering around their aircraft for 15 minutes before disappearing.
• Bell-shaped Object Paces Plane (January-February 1968): A pilot reported a flattened bell-shaped object, estimated to be 30-40 feet in diameter, flying alongside his plane for several minutes at altitudes between 4,000 and 7,000 feet.
• 1967 Landing in Colorado: Kenneth Flack, a student, witnessed an oval object after his vehicle's engine and lights died. Other cars experienced similar issues. The object was seen between the witnesses and the Arkansas River.

Lights Glow on Moon

Astronomers have reported observing lights on the moon. French astronomer Audouin Dollfus claimed to have witnessed clouds of dancing lights in the Langrenus Crater in 1992, which he believes are due to escaping gas lifting lunar dust into sunlight. Some lunar observers expressed surprise at this phenomenon in that particular crater.

UFO Activity Increasing Around the World

Reports indicate a moderate increase in UFO activity globally, including Europe, South America, Australia, and the US, despite solar storms.

Carl Sagan Was an Early Believer in ET

This section discusses Carl Sagan's early views on extraterrestrial life, particularly his co-authored book "Intelligent Life in the Universe" with I. S. Shklovskii in 1966. It suggests Sagan believed in life on Mars and the possibility of Galactic civilizations visiting Earth. The article quotes Sagan and Shklovskii on the potential for extraterrestrial bases in the solar system, possibly on the Moon, and the implications for humanity's technological advancement.

Former Iberia Airline Pilot Reveals Amazing UFO Encounter

This article features an interview with Juan Lorenzo Torres, a former Air Force and Iberia Airlines pilot, who recounts an amazing UFO encounter. Torres has written a book about his experiences, including this encounter, which he describes as a "collision course."

UFO Sighting Reported (Cornishman, Penzance, England, August 31, 2000)

A mother and daughter reported seeing a brilliant white, fast-moving light over West Cornwall. The object, described as round and oscillating, hovered over St. Michael's Mount for about 15 minutes before moving out to sea. The local UFO research group, CUFORG, is investigating and appealing for more witnesses.

USAF Fighter Plane Disappears In 1953

This report details a case investigated by Sergeant Clarence Dargie, involving a disappearing F94C fighter interceptor plane from Otis AFB, Massachusetts, in June 1953. The plane's electrical systems failed, and despite the pilot ejecting, the aircraft vanished without a trace, and no wreckage was ever found. The official Air Force conclusion was a "disappearing Aircraft." A similar incident occurred five months later in Michigan, where a radar-observed UFO was pursued by a scrambled aircraft that also disappeared.

The section also mentions a disk-shaped metal object found by workers that disintegrated upon touch, and another object that crashed into a car, found to be composed of 5% iron and 95% aluminum. A 1957 incident in Brazil involving a large object and smaller ones is also briefly noted.

You Can't Tell The People: The Definitive Account Of The Rendlesham Forest UFO Mystery

This section reviews Georgina Bruni's book, "You Can't Tell The People," which details the Rendlesham Forest UFO incident of December 1980. The book is described as revealing new facts and testimonies from witnesses, including military and civilian personnel, and examining previously uninvestigated documents. It addresses theories about the incident, such as lighthouse beams or stars, and presents photographic evidence. The review highlights that approximately 80% of the information in the book is new to the public and emphasizes the book's aim to counter the "silencers" and reveal the truth about the incident, marking its twentieth anniversary.

Canadian UFO Sightings

This section compiles several UFO sightings from Canada:

• Lake Cowichan, British Columbia (August 3, 2000): Three witnesses observed recurring UFO sightings, including objects moving in a triangular pattern and displaying red, green, blue, and orange lights.
• Pitt Lake, British Columbia (August 4, 2000): A bright white light suddenly appeared, traveled erratically, and faded from sight.
• Vancouver Island, British Columbia (August 7, 2000): A shiny ball-like object was observed reflecting sunlight, which then reversed course and disappeared at high speed.
• Proctor Ferry (August 17, 2000): An object with red, blue, and green flickering lights was seen moving erratically before landing on a nearby mountain top.
• Surrey, British Columbia (August 21, 2000): A bright light was seen traveling quickly, displaying red and green lights, before disappearing behind trees.
• Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia (August 21, 2000): A spectacular fireball with a green center and a bright yellow tail was observed, with some pieces glowing yellow as they fell.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing investigation and scientific study of UFO phenomena, the presentation of diverse sighting reports from around the world, and the historical context of UFO research. The V.U.F.O.R.S. maintains a stance that UFOs are a scientific problem, encouraging rigorous investigation and the exchange of information. The publication also touches upon the challenges of public perception and potential government secrecy surrounding UFO incidents, as exemplified by the Rendlesham Forest case review. The editorial emphasizes a commitment to factual reporting and objective analysis.

Title: The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin
Issue Date: September 2000
Volume: 41
Issue: 29
Publisher: The Victorian U.F.O. Research Society
Country of Publication: Australia

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, dated September 2000, features a cover story highlighting an increase in UFO sightings globally, with specific attention drawn to a large UFO attempting to land in Illinois and a significant sighting in Texas. The magazine presents a collection of UFO reports from various locations, including the US, Australia, and Norway, alongside articles discussing the nature of UFO evidence, historical research, and related merchandise.

Cover Story: Sightings Increase

The cover prominently announces "Sightings Increase: Huge UFO Attempts Landing In Illinois - Big One Seen In Texas." This sets the tone for the issue, emphasizing a rise in reported aerial phenomena.

Key Articles and Reports

Illinois Huge Craft Attempts to Land

This report details an incident in Downers Grove, Illinois, on July 12, 2000. Beth Skerrett recounts a second-hand account from a security guard who witnessed a "huge object" trying to land in a parking lot. Described as dark silver/blue with a goldish strip, nearly as long as eight buses and almost as high, the object hovered silently for about a minute. It then shot into the air, paused over Aurora, and departed. The report notes the reluctance of witnesses to come forward.

Texas UFO As Big As Football Field

On July 13, 2000, near Graham, Texas, Jerry Fox and his wife witnessed a "very large UFO" hovering about 2000 feet off the ground. Described as round, with white lights, and as big as a football field, the object vanished when Fox attempted to get a closer look. The report highlights Fox's initial skepticism.

Colorado Long Yellow Cylinder

On July 6, 2000, in Thornton, Colorado, a witness observed a bright yellow, almost white object emerging from the western sky. The object, which had no visible wings and moved at a slightly slower speed than other jets, was described as having a shape like two cylinders joined in the middle. It made no noise and passed overhead.

Washington, DC Dancing Metallic Balls

Reported on September 29, 2000, near the Washington Memorial, this sighting involved multiple metallic balls that appeared to dance in circles, occasionally disappearing and reappearing. The objects vanished when a conventional airplane passed through the area. The witness reported developing a subsequent inner ear ache.

Suspected UFO Landing Near Mildura, Victoria, Australia

This report from September 25, 1976, describes an object with red flashing lights seen near Mildura, Victoria. The object rose from a paddock, crossed a road, and disappeared, leaving a circle of depressed stubble. The ground in the circle was later observed to stunt grass growth, and ants avoided the area.

Lake William Hovell, December 31, 2000

Five witnesses in Victoria, Australia, observed a bright silver metallic object with a bright aura in daylight. Described as larger than an aircraft, it moved across the sky without changing shape or position. The object's brightness was attributed to reflecting sunlight.

The Early Years: Selections from 1950s and 1960s Magazines

• This section compiles historical UFO reports:
• Darwin, Northern Territory, October 14, 1959: A "long, black shallow object about 90 feet long" was sighted hovering above Darwin Harbour at high speeds.
• Gilroy, California, July 28, 1967: An oval-shaped, blue-white light with a dark band was observed approaching a fire lookout tower, emitting a whining noise.
• Camarillo, California, January 13, 1968: A UFO was accidentally filmed by Universal Movie Corporation during the filming of "A Man Called Cannon."

Flight Crew Sighting in Florida

On November 12, 1973, a Tallahassee FAA employee reported a UFO traveling at about 2,000 miles per hour at an altitude of 3,000 feet. A Southern DC9 aircrew later observed a spherical, glowing object pulsating and changing color.

Object Observed by Pilots Over Norway

On November 1, 1968, three SAS crews observed a large, bright, ball-shaped luminous object that divided into two parts and appeared to explode into "an ocean of light."

Disc Seen at Brasilia

On November 8, 1968, residents of Taguatinga, Brazil, reported seeing a round object resembling "two overlapping plates" flying over the city and army radio control tower.

Directors Report: Back to the Basics

William I. McNeff discusses the concept of FAQs and the challenges of answering the question "What are UFOs?" He advocates for an "engineering approach," which relies on accumulating evidence from multiple witnesses and data sources to confirm the reality of UFOs. McNeff suggests that many UFOs are misidentified objects, but evidence points to some being craft under intelligent control, likely extraterrestrial. He addresses the government's secrecy regarding UFOs, attributing it to the need for security, the complexity of declassification, and the potential societal impact of revealing advanced alien technology.

Stanton Friedman and VUFORS

This section promotes Stanton T. Friedman's "UFO's Are Real" video series and merchandise, including CD-ROMs, caps, and t-shirts, available through VUFORS. It highlights Friedman's work on the Roswell incident and the Betty and Barney Hill abduction case. The VUFORS Sightings Hotline is also advertised.

Society News

Announcements include items for sale at a discussion evening, such as Stanton Friedman's CD-ROM and videos, as well as second-hand books and magazines. There is also a note about a previous unsatisfactory meeting due to room renovations.

Society History

The history of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (V.U.F.O.R.S.) is detailed, tracing its origins from early UFO groups in Australia in the 1950s. The society has published various papers, including the "Australian Flying Saucer Review" and the "Australian U.F.O. Bulletin," and maintained a large UFO library. The current executive is listed, and the society's dispassionate, scientific approach to UFO investigation is emphasized. Membership is open to those genuinely interested in the subject.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents reports of unexplained aerial phenomena, emphasizing witness testimonies and the need for further investigation. There is an underlying theme of potential government secrecy and the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to analyze evidence and form their own conclusions, while also acknowledging the scientific challenges and societal implications of the UFO phenomenon. The inclusion of historical reports and the detailed history of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society underscore a commitment to the long-term study of UFOs.