Australian UFO Bulletin - 2002 12 - December

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin, dated December 2002, is published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society. The cover features the magazine's title and illustrations of a NASA space shuttle and two flying saucers against a starry background.

Editorial

The editorial, dated December 2002, notes that the Royal Society is undergoing anticipated alterations. It introduces Bernard Wilson as a new committee member who has taken over much of the production of the VUFORS Bulletin, leading to improvements in presentation and layout. The "Social News" section has been replaced with "Did You Know?" for 'brain teasers'. The editorial highlights a significant number of reports received via the VUFORS Web Site and thanks members for their contributions and donations. It apologizes for the delay in printing and distribution due to computer and monitor issues. The committee extends seasonal greetings to the members.

On The UFO Trail

Written by Paul Norman, this section discusses a change in UFO activity in the Grampians, where the large white-lighted object has not been seen for four weeks. The pale yellow-coloured object, previously observed with numerous small red lights, has also not been seen since August, though the number of small active luminous objects has increased to between 35 and 40. These smaller objects have been observed operating in groups, appearing in various formations and movements, and seem to be inspecting each other. The author recalls a similar case where a UFO circled the Echo Two satellite three times. Norman contrasts these observations with earthlights, noting that UFOs display intelligence and awareness. He also mentions similar activity in the Chianti Mountains near Marfa, North Carolina, which has been ongoing for over 100 years, and the Hessdalen Valley in Norway, where investigations by researchers and the Norwegian Defence establishment have not identified the sources of the active lights.

UFO Seen Hovering Over Area

This article, from the Evening Telegraph, Derby, England, dated April 30, 2002, reports on a sighting by Ivan Roulston of an unidentified flying object with six double rows of white lights over Ambergate. The lights appeared for six seconds and were initially mistaken for a helicopter. Roulston had seen a similar configuration sixteen years prior. Omar Fowler of the Derby-based Phenomenon Research Association noted that such light patterns do not conform to Civil Aviation Authority regulations and suggested they could be alien aircraft.

Those Brown Mountain Lights

Authored by George D. Fawcett, this article details the phenomenon of the Brown Mountain Lights in North Carolina. These lights are described as glowing balls of fire, varying in color, and appearing singly or in hundreds. They move, hover, fade, and reappear, sometimes shooting into the air and bursting soundlessly. Fawcett recounts a personal trip in 1971 to see them and mentions an incident where a man was knocked backward with an "electric shock" after touching one. In 1972, a tower was built to observe the lights, with a dozen men experiencing dizziness and an inability to stand after one light rested on the tower. The lights have been known to the Cherokee tribes since 1100-1200 A.D., who believed they were spirits of Indian maidens. Early scientific explanations, such as locomotive headlights, have been largely dismissed. The lights have been studied by various scientific and military organizations, with the U.S. Geological Survey in 1922 concluding they were not of unusual nature or origin, a conclusion that satisfied few. The article notes that the lights are part of the Blue Ridge Mountain chain and are best viewed from Beacon Heights or the former site of Cold Spring Lodge. They are described as resembling starlight, fire, or volcanic infernos, and appear with regularity, especially on dark nights, with the best viewing period being June through August during the dark of the Moon. The article suggests that the lights may have radioactive or magnetic characteristics and have been photographed as a scientific expose. A recent theory of electrical phenomenon has been discounted. The mystery of the Brown Mountain Lights persists.

Crop Circles

Written by Jacques F. Vallee, this article offers personal speculations on crop circles as "Signs" from above or human artefacts. Vallee questions the immediate assumptions that crop circles are caused by Aliens or hoaxes, noting that some complex formations are clearly the work of human artists. However, he points out that many formations appear with high mathematical accuracy and in a short time, suggesting a different origin. Vallee's research, involving microscopic studies of vegetation samples, points towards sophisticated electronic warfare experiments conducted by defence contractors. He suggests that the progression from simple circles to complex geometric figures indicates a calibration process. The energy required to bend vegetation is significant, and the locations of many formations near defence facilities and in controlled airspace support this theory. Vallee considers the possibility of space-based weapons but finds conventional aircraft calibration more likely, citing witness descriptions of a reddish glow and vegetation bending. He also discusses the suspicious nature of the "confessions" of two retired men, suggesting a powerful public relations effort. Vallee raises questions about why witnesses don't see hovering platforms and why experiments continue, proposing that the technology might be evolving towards sociological or psychological warfare applications. He also mentions a physics faculty member's experience with a perfectly reflecting cylinder, suggesting a stealth platform.

Probe Call On UFO

This article by Kelly Ryan from the Herald Sun, September 29, 1998, reports on a silent orange flying saucer terrorizing King Island residents. Half the island's 1400 residents claim to have seen the UFO over four consecutive nights. The object is described as not being a plane and flying too fast to be a helium balloon, resembling an "orange fireball that glows and sheds shards of bright light as it either darts around or hovers in silence." The reports coincide with the 20th anniversary of the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich.

International Sighting Reports

This section compiles extracts from Filer's Files #45-2002 MUFON Skywatch Investigations, featuring various sightings worldwide:

• New York UFO video: A videographer captured footage of a missile-like object flying at an estimated 4,000 feet, which was reported to the FBI, raising concerns about potential threats to aircraft.
• Connecticut Triangle Flying Low: A witness in Manchester saw a low-flying triangular-shaped craft, white in colour.
• Pennsylvania UFOs With Light Beams: In Narberth, a fireball streaked across the sky, followed by a dim star that grew brighter and then disappeared. In Tyrone, a witness observed a bright light moving towards him, which pulsed and emitted a bright blue-white beam before shooting upwards at fantastic speed.
• Florida UFO Videotaped: In Miami, Tony Moreno videotaped several small objects in the sky that appeared to be stationary, twisting, curving, and morphing.
• Ohio Disk: A witness in St. Clairsville saw a disk-shaped object with bright headlights flashing different colours, emitting orange-gold beams.
• Wisconsin 26 UFOs Pass By: In Trego, a witness saw a white and red lighted object that remained stationary for about 25 minutes before disappearing.
• Illinois V-Shaped Formation of Lights: In East St. Louis, a witness observed 100 to 200 lights moving in sequence in a V-shaped formation, which then disappeared when two F-15 fighter jets appeared.
• California Huge Submarine-Like UFO: In Temecula, a witness described a giant submarine-like object, approximately 300 yards long, that moved north and was accompanied by a deep low-frequency rumbling noise.
• South Pasadena: A witness saw a large blue crescent-shaped object, described as a dolphin balloon, wobbling from side to side.
• San Jose: Two witnesses saw a large, brightly lit spherical object flying across the sky, described as bright white with a slight blue tint and a tail.
• Canadian Photos Of UFO (Quebec): A member and his wife photographed a white sphere, reddish on the bottom, which passed over their house.
• Victoria, British Columbia: A witness saw a large craft, resembling a DC-9 but with short wings, which was pure white and moved slowly to the southwest.
• Kitwanga, British Columbia: Four witnesses saw a bright, yellowish-white light with a beam coming from the bottom of an object, which disappeared after three seconds.
• Scotland Cigar: A witness saw a white, cloud-shaped object resembling a cigar, which moved slowly north and then west.
• England Two Green Lights: In Cheltenham, two strange green lights were seen chasing each other.
• Ukraine Circular Hovering Disk: In the Crimean Peninsula, a large circular object, approximately 50 meters in diameter, was observed hovering stationary for over an hour.

Spanish Scientists Investigate Noises

This section reports on a team from the Sociedad Española de Investigaciones Parapsicológicas (SEIP) investigating strange noises in the waters north of Mallorca, which has a history of UFO reports. Hypotheses include underwater flying saucer bases or a displacement from an underwater volcanic area.

ET Calls On Lilydale

Written by Russell Gould for the Herald Sun, November 17, 2002, this article describes a sighting by teenagers Wayne Winter and Adin Monks in Lilydale, Australia. They saw a group of yellow lights, bigger than normal stars, moving in a perfect triangle. They followed the lights for 20 minutes before they vanished. The witnesses, not UFO enthusiasts, were convinced by the experience that "the truth is out there, in Lilydale."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, both local and international, and the exploration of potential explanations ranging from misidentification to advanced technology and extraterrestrial origins. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging members to report phenomena and acknowledging the ongoing mystery surrounding UFOs. The society actively exchanges information with similar organizations and disseminates findings through its publication. There is a clear emphasis on detailed reporting and analysis, as seen in the articles on Brown Mountain Lights and crop circles.

This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 1, published in 2002, focuses heavily on "Victorian Sighting Reports" compiled by Brian Richards, alongside "The Early Years" section compiled by Clive Yates, featuring selected reports from magazines published in the 1950s and 1960s. The magazine also includes "Western Australian Sighting Reports" and a historical overview of the "Society 1957 History" of the Victorian UFO Research Society. Contact information for reporting sightings to VUFORS is prominently displayed.

The Early Years

This section presents historical UFO reports from various locations:

• Sydney, New South Wales - July 2, 1959: An Australian Flying Saucer Bureau report describes a circular, silver aerial body sighted near Sydney Harbour. It hovered for about ten minutes, shot very high, appeared no larger than a pinhead, hovered for another five minutes, and then disappeared to the North. Witnesses disagreed on its nature, with some suggesting a Navy Department balloon, while others found it too large and fast for such an object. No comment was available from relevant government bodies.
• Maiquetia, Venezuela - July 2, 1960: A report from The U.F.O. Investigator details a Venezuelan airline Super Constellation crew's experience of being followed for twenty minutes by a strange lighted UFO. The object was spotted at 3:00 a.m. while the plane was at 10,000 feet. After paralleling the plane, the UFO suddenly shot away at terrific speed.
• Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada - August 19, 1966: Saucers, Space & Science reported fifteen people witnessing a UFO over Muskoka Lake. Spectators saw the object hovering over trees on an island. Mrs. Lewis described it as having red, green, and orange lights, similar to objects seen previously. Mrs. Worts and her son Douglas described it as a spinning disc with coloured flashing lights and shafts of white light. The object was watched for an hour before veering off.

Victorian Sighting Reports (2002)

This extensive section details numerous recent sightings, primarily from Victoria and Western Australia:

• White Cliffs, NSW - July 14, 2002: Six observers saw five round orange to red objects moving slowly and quietly towards the north. The objects appeared about 11 degrees apart.
• Mooroolbark, Vic. - August 11, 2002: Observers saw an unusual array of five round white lights and six smaller red lights moving in a helicopter-like fashion.
• Hume Highway – Melbourne, Vic. - August 20, 2002: A white to cream coloured globular light, about moon-sized, with an illuminated pointed tail, was observed.
• Southern Melbourne Suburb, Vic. - August 28, 2002: A bright green circular object with a fiery red trail was seen passing directly overhead, estimated to be travelling at about 60 km/h at an altitude of 100 metres.
• Thornton - Eildon, Vic. - September 7, 2002: A bright orange light with a faint red light above was observed. It became stationary, disappeared, and a faint white light dropped to the ground.
• Frankston, Vic. - September 14, 2002: A very bright orange light moved rapidly, climbed to 60 degrees, passed silently overhead, and faded out above the southern horizon.
• Croydon, Vic. - September 28, 2002: A bright fluorescent green ball of light, about the size of a 20 cent coin, was observed.
• Queens Park - Moonee Ponds, Vic. - November 9, 2002: Two observers watched a 'Large Object', a 'Small Object', and 'Outliers' move quietly and fade into the distance. The larger objects were described as round and yellow-white with irregular surfaces.
• Phillip Island, Vic. - November 11, 2002: A yellow-white ball of light was observed wobbling from side to side before moving silently into the northeasterly sky and disappearing.

Western Australian Sighting Reports (2001-2002)

This section compiles numerous reports from Western Australia:

• Early 2002: Scores of people reported Orange Balls Of Light (OBOLs), particularly over southern Perth suburbs.
• March 6, 2002 (Hilton, WA): Two witnesses saw a brilliant, constant red light travel slowly, followed by a brilliant white fireball with a truncated tail.
• March 4, 2002 (Augusta, WA): A digital photo revealed a very fast-moving dark object with a light plume.
• March 3, 2002 (Rockingham, WA): A very bright, intermittently pulsating light was observed.
• March 2, 2002 (Perth): A triangular, stationary object with white and red lights was seen.
• March 1, 2002 (Mandurah, WA): Two satellite-type lights were observed, with a triangular arrangement of smaller lights behind them, appearing to be towed.
• March 1, 2002 (Hamilton Hill, WA): A bright, white, star-like object approached, reversed direction, and disappeared.
• February 25, 2002 (Wilson, WA): A silent, star-like object travelled overhead, executed a large clockwise ellipse, and then headed northeast at terrific speed.
• February 22, 2002 (Osborne Park, WA): Two star-like objects flashed intermittently and veered west.
• February 18, 2002 (Kardinya, WA): Two independent witnesses reported an OBOL travelling south to north, described as silent, orange/red, and very bright.
• February 18, 2002 (Heathridge, WA): A bright orange/yellow light passed by, appearing to have smaller lights within the main body.
• February 17, 2002 (Kardinya, WA): An orange light travelled from southeast to west, too bright for a satellite and with an unusual light configuration for an airplane.
• February 16, 2002 (Murdoch, WA): The writer witnessed an OBOL described as not a conventional aircraft or garbage bag.
• February 16, 2002 (Alfred Cove, WA): Three orange/yellow balls of light travelled from south-southeast to north, with one light suddenly rocketing ahead.
• February 16, 2002 (Willagee, WA): A group witnessed three silent, brilliant OBOLs travelling from south to north, described as mercury-vapour streetlights.
• February 16, 2002 (Leeming, WA): Two OBOLs travelled south to north, with one higher up and behind the first.
• February 15, 2002 (Mandurah, WA): Two brilliant orange/yellow lights travelled from south to north, with the lower light varying in intensity.
• February 15, 2002 (Coolbellup, WA): Two OBOLs travelled from southwest to northeast, and video footage was obtained.
• February 9, 2002 (Heathridge, WA): Four silent, bright orange/yellow lights moved west in a diamond formation.
• February 5, 2002 (Maylands, WA): A bright white light moved erratically over the city (Perth).
• January 1, 2002 (Munster, WA): Two bright orange balls of light travelled east to west, one behind the other, with no sound heard.
• January 1, 2002 (Shoalwater Bay, WA): Witnesses reported a light rising from the west, growing larger and brighter, performing aerobatics for an hour and a half.
• December 27, 2001 (Jarrahdale, WA): Three lights in a triangular formation split up, with one white light heading west, one northeast, and the third orange one going north.
• December 19, 2001 (Peppermint Grove, WA): A white light zigzagged, performed a curve, and changed course before heading southwest.
• December 18, 2001 (Karnet, WA): A huge dark shadow, about 30 metres across, moved silently southeast before turning south.
• December 1, 2001 (Kalgoorlie, WA): A shimmering, silver object, described as a sisalation square, travelled west to east.
• November 11, 2001 (Heathridge Park, WA): A large, stationary, bright light was observed. When a laser pointer was directed at it, coloured lights flashed around the object, and it flew at great speed towards the vehicle before vanishing.
• October 16, 2001 (City Beach, WA): A brilliant orange light with a short tail travelled rapidly from south to north.
• October 7, 2001 (Morley/Bassendean, WA): A star-like object zigzagged, came closer, and then retreated. Six pencil-like beams of light shot down from the craft.
• September 7, 2001 (Mooliabeenie, WA): A bright, red, stationary object, spherical in shape, grew bright and dim before fading out.
• August 11, 2001 (Rockingham, WA): Two groups reported a group of three bright OBOLs moving in all directions.
• July 28, 2001 (Waikiki and Warnbro, WA): Five orange lights in a cross formation moved slowly, with one light moving up and down and from side to side. Arrow shapes were reported behind the lights.
• July 18, 2001 (Armadale, WA): Five orange lights travelled east to west, changing position and moving around each other.
• July 17, 2001 (Kelmscott, WA): Three silent, bright orange lights travelled from east to west, moving in and out of formation.
• July 17, 2001 (Westfield, WA): Three OBOLs travelled from east to west behind each other, stopping almost overhead before disappearing.
• June 28, 2001 (Jarrahdale, WA): A flickering red ball of fire was observed going south.
• June 28, 2001 (Ballajura, WA): Six people witnessed a bright red/orange ball that stopped for seven minutes, during which a white object dropped out and fell towards the ground.
• May 5, 2001 (West of Merredin, WA): A bright, white, incandescent light appeared to the north and right-hand side of a vehicle, followed by the van, causing the engine to overheat.
• May 2, 2001 (Woody Woody Mine, WA): An oval object, shaped like a flounder with undulating fins, was observed hovering.
• May 1, 2001 (Nollamara, WA): A brilliant white fireball with a long sparkling tail travelled east to west.

UFO Encountered

This article by Krista Hamblin, from the Warrnambool Standard (October 19, 2002), details an incident where Purnim's Sue Sharples reported a shiny object above her vehicle. The rear windscreen was "sucked from the car and disappear upwards." Experts from Windscreens O'Brien could not explain how the window disappeared, noting that the seal was still attached and there were no glass splinters.

Did You Know?

This section provides contact information for VUFORS sightings hotline and email. It also includes quotes from notable figures regarding UFOs:

• Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding: "The existence of these machines is evident and I have accepted them absolutely."
• Dr. Hermann Oberth: "I believe extra-terrestrial intelligences are watching the Earth and have been visiting us for millennia in their flying saucers."
• Knut Hammarskjold: "I believe in UFOs."
• Dr. James McDonald: "The hypothesis that these UFOs are extra-terrestrial surveillance I regard as most likely."
• Dr. J. Allen Hynek: "At first, without any question at all, I thought belief in UFOs was stuff and nonsense. But not anymore."

Society 1957 History

This section details the history of the Victorian UFO Research Society. It traces its origins back to the "Australian Flying Saucer Bureau" and the "Australian Flying Saucer Research Society" in the early 1950s. The "Australian Flying Saucer Research Society (Victorian Branch)" was formed on February 17, 1957, and later reorganized as the "Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society" and eventually the "Victorian UFO Research Society." The society has published papers, including the "Australian Flying Saucer Review" and the "Australian UFO Bulletin," and has sponsored radio programs. It has maintained a dispassionate attitude towards UFOs, viewing them as a scientific problem, and has held the largest UFO library in the Southern Hemisphere. Membership is open to all genuinely interested individuals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed reporting of UFO and UAP sightings, both historical and contemporary, with a strong emphasis on eyewitness accounts and the physical characteristics of observed phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and documentation of these events, presenting them as potentially significant phenomena worthy of scientific attention, as evidenced by the historical quotes and the society's stated approach. The compilation of numerous reports, particularly from Western Australia, suggests a focus on cataloging and analyzing a wide range of sightings to identify patterns and characteristics.