Australian UFO Bulletin - 2002 06 - June

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin, dated June 2002, is published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS). The cover features an illustration of a NASA space shuttle alongside three disc-shaped UFOs against a starry background, with the headline "Discovery."

Editorial

The editorial section, dated June 2002, reflects on a previous article about time and space and highlights the availability of a related video. It announces a new focus on UFO activity in country Victoria, with investigator Paul Norman documenting elusive phenomena. Videos of these activities are to be shown at the upcoming July meeting at the Royal Victorian Aero Club. The editorial notes a global reappraisal of 1950s UFO reports but expresses excitement about recent Victorian lights that appear to react to flashlights or lasers. The publication also welcomes the return of 'UFO Reporter' from New South Wales. A daytime meeting is planned to give members an opportunity to catch up on cases, view videos, and socialize.

An election notice for a new committee is announced for the General Meeting on September 2nd, 2002, with nominations due by July 15th.

On The UFO Trail

Authored by Paul Norman, this section details ongoing UFO activity in a specific Victorian valley, which has been observed daily since early June of the previous year. The observer's identity and the valley's location are kept confidential. The activity is compared to that in the Hessdalen Valley, Norway, which occurred from 1981 to 1983 and has reportedly returned. The Victorian lights are described as operating in concert with a larger object, sometimes flying in formation. They have been observed to respond to laser signals by turning off their lights, similar to the Hessdalen phenomena, and also turn off when aircraft are present. The valley is approximately 15 kilometers long, similar to Hessdalen. The article mentions that while Hessdalen has radar facilities, the Victorian investigation relies on video footage. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a former UFO consultant for the US Air Force, described the Hessdalen project as a "UFO laboratory."

The article notes that the activity is confined to the valley, with UFOs venturing out at night. The Victorian valley has only two houses, while Hessdalen has about 200 people. The author has visited the site ten times, observing two large objects and up to six smaller ones. The footage is being kept confidential for analysis but will be shown at public meetings. The Victorian lights are typically white but have been seen as yellowish or a mixture of reds. Other locations known for UFO activity include the Pennine Hills in England and Marfa, Texas.

Special VUFORS Meeting

This announcement details an extra VUFORS meeting on Sunday, July 7th, at the Royal Victorian Aero Club (RVAC) in Moorabbin. The meeting will feature video footage of the Victorian valley events and other presentations. Lunch and dinner options are available at the RVAC, and attendees can observe light aircraft activity. Joy flights and flight instruction are also available nearby. Directions to the RVAC are provided.

Pilots Quizzed on Craft Flying Sideways

This news clipping from the UFO Newsclipping Service reports on an incident on January 22nd where Air Force officers questioned a Mid-Continent Air Lines pilot about a mystery plane seen near Sioux City, Iowa. The pilot, Capt. Larry W. Vinther, and his co-pilot, J.F. Bachmeier, along with an unidentified civilian, observed a craft that could fly sideways and reverse direction without turning. The craft was described as having a fuselage like a B-29 but larger, with straight wings and no engine nacelles. Co-pilot Bachmeier described it as cigar-shaped, with no visible engine, tail surface, or exhaust, and unlighted as it moved sideways.

UFOs 'Filmed' Over Former Arms Base

This article by Fran Walker details claims by Sharon Larkin of Harrington, UK, who reportedly has video footage of two unidentified flying objects seen over the former armaments depot at Broughton Moor. Larkin, director of Cumbria UFO Research and Investigations, described one object as a "jack-o-lantern" that moved towards her and was filmed at about 100 ft above her car. She later filmed a second sighting of a large, bright, triangular formation of white lights with a neon blue light in the center, which disappeared when two planes approached and reappeared afterward, heading towards the Isle of Man. The footage has been sent for analysis. Larkin is investigating six sightings in West Cumbria and believes North and East Cumbria will also see activity, stating Cumbria is a "hot-bed of activity for UFOs."

International Sighting Reports

This section compiles various UFO sighting reports from around the world:

• Pennsylvania Star Blinks Off: A witness in Beaver Falls reported a star-like object that suddenly "turned off" like a light bulb. It was the brightest in its cluster and did not move.
• North Carolina Flying Triangle: A witness in Cornelius reported seeing two triangles, amber-brown in color, flying directly overhead, similar in size to an airplane but lower. No sound or lights were observed.
• Georgia Brilliant Flash: In McDonough, a witness observed a bright 'flare-up' like a very bright star at the head of a contrail, which glowed or burned and moved eastward before disappearing.
• Florida Swiftly Moving Lights: In Jacksonville, a cluster of five or six swiftly moving lights were observed moving north at a high, unchanging rate of speed, reconfiguring into a rough arc.
• Indiana Witness Photographs UFO: Brian Vike reports a witness in Dunlap saw a greenish light that was moving much faster than a train. The object was dark, delta-shaped, 15 to 20 feet long, and appeared to be about 100 feet high.
• Wisconsin UFO Follows Witnesses: A witness in Hollister reported seeing a large, bright yellow light hovering slowly and vibrating just above the trees.
• Colorado Video of Cylinder Probably The Best Ever: Tim Edward reports his daughter saw a huge cigar-shaped UFO darting and dancing. He filmed the object, described as having a glimmering white light surrounded by a grey mist, and estimated it to be at least 700 feet to a mile long. It made movements and stopped instantaneously, appearing to "step across the sky."
• UK First Crop Formation of 2002: A simple 60-foot circle with two small standing circles was reported in canola at Soberton, Hampshire, England.
• Italian UFO News Flash - New "Flap" Over The Alps: Reports from Northeast Italy, Czechoslovakia, Germany, and the Netherlands describe a luminous reddish body with a green-bluish trail, observed by many people and pilots.
• Hong Kong Professor Wants Ufology Degree Awarded: Joseph Whan, a manager at Hong Kong City University, is interested in studying UFOs and believes there is a good reason to study what flies overhead. Professor Albert Sow advocates for a university-level Ufology degree.
• SETI@home - Benefits and Considerations: This section discusses the SETI@home distributed computing system, its potential for achieving contact with extraterrestrial life, and security aspects related to the SETI server and database.

UFOs Were Seen Over Air Force Nuclear Weapons Facilities

This article from The Disclosure Project reports that military and intelligence witnesses have come forward with testimony that UFOs are real and have monitored sensitive nuclear facilities since the 1950s. While not hostile, the UFOs were concerned about human weapons of mass destruction. One incident involved UFOs taking more than a dozen intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) offline. Lt. Colonel Dwynne Arneson reported seeing a message about a UFO near missile silos that was hovering, and the missiles were shut down.

Colonel Ross Dedrickson stated that UFOs have destroyed nuclear weapons sent into space and prevented explosions on the moon's surface, indicating extraterrestrials found such actions unacceptable.

Professor Robert Jacobs described an incident where a UFO fired a beam of light at a warhead during a ballistic missile test, causing the warhead to tumble out of space. Mr. Harland Bentley mentioned astronauts in 1967 or 1968 observing a "bogey" that was "another type of ship" with portals and beings inside.

Classified Intelligence

This section compiles documents related to UFOs. It includes a "Bizarre Croatian UFO Story" from a 1993 Russian Ministry of Defence publication claiming Soviet soldiers fired at a UFO which returned fire, causing "complete dematerialisation." It also mentions a reported meeting with extraterrestrials that did not occur. A "Korean War UFO Encounter" describes PFC Francis P. Wall and other soldiers firing on a UFO that retaliated with a ray, causing a burning sensation.

Opening UFO Files

This article by Laura Sullivan discusses the National Security Agency (NSA) posting classified documents online. The plan to deflect UFO requests backfired, leading to increased public demand. A record 36,000 people perused the UFO page, seeking information despite many documents being heavily censored. The NSA staff find the numerous UFO requests time-consuming. Pamela Phillips, chief of FOIA/Privacy Act Services, noted a "significant" increase in such requests. Phillips explained that documents containing the term "UFO" do not necessarily refer to aliens but to objects that were unidentified at the time. Some documents were collected from former employees who found them amusing or had a personal interest.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing investigation of UFO phenomena, particularly in Victoria, Australia, and comparisons to international cases like Hessdalen, Norway. There is a strong emphasis on eyewitness accounts, photographic and video evidence, and the challenges of analyzing such data. The issue also highlights the role of government agencies and the release of classified information, suggesting a potential for cover-ups or a lack of transparency. The VUFORS society appears to be actively engaged in research and public outreach, organizing meetings and sharing findings with its members. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry and a belief in the importance of documenting and investigating UFO reports, while acknowledging the need for careful analysis and avoiding premature conclusions.

This issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin, dated February 2002, features a cover story titled "Space Message or Hoax," exploring the connection between the 1974 Arecibo Message and a subsequent crop circle formation. The magazine delves into the history of UFO research in Australia and presents a compilation of recent UFO sighting reports.

Space Message or Hoax

The lead article by Anna Pukas examines the Arecibo Message, a 1974 transmission sent from the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. This message, a graphic of 1,679 binary bits, was designed to communicate information about Earth and humanity to potential extraterrestrial civilizations. The article highlights the use of prime numbers (73 and 23) for the message's dimensions and binary code as an inter-galactic lingua franca.

Nearly three decades later, a new crop circle appeared near the Chilbolton Observatory in Hampshire, England, which bore a striking resemblance to the Arecibo Message. This has sparked debate among enthusiasts and scientists: is it an ingenious hoax or a genuine reply?

Michael Glickman, a crop circle enthusiast, believes the formation is a clear attempt at communication by another being, emphasizing the universal language of numbers and shapes, particularly binary code. Conversely, Dr. H. Paul Shuch, executive director of SET League, views the Chilbolton formation as a "delightful spoof" and not proof of extraterrestrial intelligence, suggesting it reveals more about human intelligence and humor.

The article details the content of the Arecibo Message, including its representation of binary counting, Earth's chemical composition (hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon), a DNA helix, a stick figure representing human form, a height scale, and our solar system with Earth highlighted. It also explains how the message indicated its origin by referencing the Arecibo telescope's length.

Dr. Shuch also points out the significance of Dr. Bernard Olive's presence during the transmission, as he had previously devised a binary message that went undeciphered by scientists, raising questions about how an alien might interpret such a message.

The Chilbolton Reply, as interpreted from the crop circle, shows a confirmation of binary language. However, it replaces carbon with silicon in the chemical composition segment, which Dr. Shuch suggests is a human joke, linking silicon to science fiction life forms and computer evolution. The DNA representation in the reply is jagged rather than a swirl, implying a different form of DNA. The stick figure has a larger head, suggesting a bigger brain. The reply also depicts a solar system with twin suns and three inhabited planets.

Dr. Shuch raises several points of scepticism regarding the Chilbolton formation as an alien reply. He questions why an extraterrestrial intelligence would use crop circles when radio waves were used for the original message, and why send a message to a field in Britain when the original was directed at a star cluster 25,000 light years away, which would take millennia to reach. He also notes the improbability of aliens intercepting a specifically targeted radio signal.

Michael Glickman counters that it's arrogant to assume aliens would use radio when crop circles have already been observed, and that the Chilbolton message could be a general "to whom it may concern" communication.

The article also mentions another formation in the same field, resembling a shadowy human face, and discusses the history of SETI funding, its rebirth as the SETI Institute, and the ongoing work of the SETI League.

Classified Intelligence

This section briefly mentions soldiers suffering from radiation poisoning and evacuation, with one soldier reporting disorientation and weight loss.

Opening UFO Files

This segment discusses the NSA's online request form for UFO documents, making it easier for visitors to submit requests. It notes that the agency plans to expand its UFO page and that common search terms are being compiled.

IMAX Space Station Tour

George A. Filer reports on a visit to the Kennedy Space Centre and a new IMAX 3-D show about the International Space Station. He describes the show's realistic portrayal of astronaut life in microgravity, including a plastic alien figure. Filer notes the impressive scale of the NASA complex and adjacent Air Force facilities, speculating about advanced systems being developed. He also touches upon the military's interest in developing manoeuvrable space planes and mentions the history of high-altitude flight with the X-15 and the B-52 bomber.

The Early Years

Compiled by Clive Yates, this section presents selected reports from magazines published in the 1950s and 1960s:

• Lae, Papua New Guinea (January 3, 1960): Mr. John Awui and crew observed an umbrella-shaped, white object offshore that moved slowly before ascending through clouds.
• Sussex Downs, England (October 29, 1967): Paul Quick witnessed a rugby ball-shaped object, described as silent and about 1.5 times the size of a double-decker bus, which floated towards him before disappearing.
• Jacksonville, Florida (February 28, 1968): The crew of an Eastern Air Lines flight reported seeing a string of unknown lights, including a flashing red light, that did not register on radar.

Victorian Sighting Reports

This section compiles recent UFO sightings from Victoria, Australia:

• Delahey, Vic (December 31, 1999): A witness observed three orange and red circular lights moving fast, without sound, and noted they were unlikely to be man-made due to the Y2K period.
• Leongatha, Vic (March 1, 2002): An orange object, larger than a star, was seen moving from northeast to east.
• The Grampians, Vic (March 14, 2002): A large, round, white object with three smaller objects was observed in the northwest.
• Mildura, Vic (March 19, 2002): A 'skinny' silver ball with a blue tail was seen, appearing to drop a piece of its tail.
• Caroline Springs, Vic (March 25, 2002): A bright, knife blade-shaped light was observed in the northeast sky.
• Warrnambool, Vic (April 1, 2002): An object described as luminescent and moving at great speed was seen coming from the southern sky.
• Corio, Vic (April 22, 2002): A round circle of red, bright lights was observed, with two in the middle.

Tasmanian Sighting Reports

This section details UFO sightings reported to the Tasmanian Unidentified Flying Object Investigation Centre:

• Beaconsfield (April 5, 2001): A witness observed a bright white light moving northwards, which then accelerated rapidly.
• Newstead (May 18, 2001): A puzzling, silver metallic shape, described as oval with a rounded top and later as a teardrop, was observed.
• East Devonport (May 31, 2001): Two very bright, round, metallic objects were seen travelling fast in a zigzag pattern.
• Norwood (July 9, 2001): A flashing, moving light, cycling through red, green, and blue colours, was observed moving towards the horizon.
• Geeveston (October 9, 2001): A half-circle shape, opaque inside with a well-defined edge, was observed, which later changed to a round shape.

Queensland Sighting Reports

This section compiles UFO sightings from Queensland, Australia:

• Fernvale (December 9, 2001): A white light was observed jumping vertically, moving sideways above trees, and changing colour.
• Gailes (December 9, 2001): A loud, whirring, hollow sound was heard, described as a 'ball bearing in a tin spinning around'.
• Sherwood (December 12, 2001): A yellow-orange, flame-like round light was observed travelling east to west.
• Crestmead (January 15, 2002): A woman reported seeing formations of orange disc-shaped lights on two separate occasions.
• Auchenflower (January 29, 2002): A fast-moving white/yellow light with an oval shape was observed moving horizontally.
• Richlands (February 22, 2002): A giant dome-shaped vehicle accompanied by four pods was observed moving slowly.
• Tullamarine, Vic (February 25, 2002): A taxi driver reported seeing a boomerang-shaped, sky blue metallic object and later a star-like object that changed colour and chased his taxi.
• Manly (March 1, 2002): A reddish-orange light was observed travelling south to north.
• Toowong (February 27, 2002): Two craft with red and white lights were seen moving at high speed, with one appearing to chase the other.

Crop Circles Reappear in B.C. Field

This article by Ian Bailey reports on a series of crop circles found in a barley field in Vanderhoof, British Columbia, Canada. It notes that this is the second time in three years that mysterious circles have appeared in the area. The circles are described as being perfectly formed and appearing to be 'combed' into the field rather than stamped. The phenomenon has been linked to various theories, including aliens and natural energies.

Society News

This section includes contact information for VUFORS (Victorian UFO Research Society) sightings hotline and email. It also lists items for sale, including CD-ROMs, videos, T-shirts, caps, badges, pens, and back issues of The Australian UFO Bulletin.

Society History

This section provides a history of the Victorian UFO 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'. It details the society's name changes and its publications, including the 'Australian Flying Saucer Review' and the 'Australian UFO Bulletin'. The current executive and the society's dispassionate attitude towards UFOs are also mentioned, along with its extensive UFO library.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of potential extraterrestrial communication (Arecibo Message and crop circles), the reporting and analysis of UFO sightings from various locations, and the historical context of UFO research in Australia. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting both believer and sceptic viewpoints on phenomena like crop circles, while also documenting a wide range of reported sightings. The inclusion of historical accounts and society news suggests a commitment to fostering a community of UFO researchers and enthusiasts.