Australian UFO Bulletin - 2005 03 - March

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, dated March 2005, is published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS). The cover features a striking illustration of a space shuttle and two flying saucers against a starry background, with the title prominently displayed.

Editorial - President Judith Magee

President Judith Magee's editorial touches upon the quiet time her roving reporter, Paul Norman, has been experiencing due to hospital stays. She notes that Norman is a strong advocate for the UFO community and has been making waves in the medical staff. The editorial also mentions Jacqui Purtell, a UFO spotter, who is supervising house construction. A significant point is the mention of a pre-recorded interview with Dr. John Mack that was reportedly not aired on US television, highlighting the challenges faced by UFO researchers in getting their information broadcast. A positive note is a letter from a member appreciating the bulletin.

On The UFO Trail - Paul Norman

Paul Norman expresses his apologies for not being able to contribute fully to his column due to being hospitalized. He anticipates returning to active UFO investigation once his recovery is complete. Norman highlights the increased cooperation from pilots since the VUFORS office opened at Moorabbin Airport, noting that many pilots have reported UFO activity but are hesitant to disclose it publicly for fear of ridicule. He mentions an attempt to get a commercial pilot to file a report with NARCAP. Norman also discusses a documentary being made about the Valentich encounter, noting that VUFORS conducted the major investigation into this case.

Objects Hovering Over Southland - By Lauren FitzPatrick

This article reports on a police investigation in Tinley Park, USA, following nearly 200 calls from residents who witnessed three red lights in the sky. The objects were described as unusual in color, hovering for a while, and moving slowly east. An FAA spokesman stated that nothing unusual appeared on radar. The sighting occurred on a Sunday night, possibly coinciding with trick-or-treating.

Crop Circle Not A Prank Group Says - By Rosemary Parker

This piece investigates a crop circle formation in Lawton, USA, involving a circle joined by a square. Volunteer researchers from the Independent Crop Circle Researchers' Association, led by Jeffrey Wilson, concluded that the formation was not mechanically made by people. Statistical tests showed 'elongated growth nodes' in the flattened plants, which they deem 'unhoaxable.' The group is also investigating other crop circles and has collected reports dating back to the 1800s, noting that about one in five formations since the 1990s are clearly hoaxes, while others are inconclusive. Wilson's group does not speculate on the cause of the formations but asserts their ability to distinguish between genuine and hoaxed circles.

The Early Years - Compiled by Clive Yates

This section compiles selected UFO reports from magazines published in the 1950s and 1960s. It includes:

• Adelaide, South Australia (January 22, 1958): Sputnik II observers reported a strange, bright red object with a halo, moving fast in an easterly direction before swinging north.
• Nantucket Island, Massachusetts (October 7, 1958): The master of the S.S. Nantucket and passengers spotted an oval-shaped UFO hovering, then speeding away to the northeast.
• Greensborough, Victoria (August 27, 1967): A university laboratory assistant described sighting a UFO with a red circular light and white lights, which maneuvered and ascended rapidly.

Rainbows On Titan - Science@NASA

This short piece discusses the European Space Agency's Huygens probe visiting Saturn's moon Titan. It mentions the moon's atmosphere, the potential for intense showers, and the presence of sunlight and 'raindrops' (likely methane or ethane) necessary for rainbows. Professor Jonathan Lunine and atmospheric optics expert Les Cowley are quoted.

International Sighting Reports

This extensive section details numerous UFO sightings from around the world, including:

• Arizona (February 02, 2005): Bright red and blue lights observed, resembling a triangle UFO.
• California (January 29, 2005): A donut-shaped object seen moving unusually.
• Berkeley, California (February 02, 2005): An orange oval object hovered and then flew off at high speed.
• Penn Valley, California (February 04, 2005): A large, rectangular craft observed during a power outage, followed by a deep blue flash.
• Connecticut (February 02, 2005): Blinking red, white, and blue lights seen.
• West Haven, Connecticut (February 07, 2005): A red and yellow disk-shaped object flipped and disappeared.
• District of Columbia (February 10, 2005): A webcam captured an image of a large, flat, metallic-appearing object.
• Florida (February 10, 2005): A shiny silver sphere observed moving independently of a jet.
• Georgia (February 12, 2002): A massive object with blinking lights of red, blue, and white was seen.
• Illinois (January 27, 2005): A U-shaped object, larger than the full moon, was observed.
• Illinois (February 04, 2005): Two large fireballs moved in a crisscross pattern.
• New Jersey (February 02, 2005): Orbs and lines that turned into fireballs were reported.
• Indiana (January 31, 2005): An elongated triangular object hovered over a frozen pond, causing it to melt.
• Pennsylvania (February 01, 2005): A triangular object with three points split into three speeding craft.
• Pennsylvania (February 06, 2005): Two orange lights moved in a circular motion and faded.
• Rhode Island (February 02, 2005): A light resembling a police car light bar, moving erratically, was observed.
• Tennessee (January 26, 2005): A dark triangular object with reddish-orange lights hovered and rotated.
• Texas (February 10, 2005): A video captured green dancing lights.
• Utah (February 04, 2005): A light streaked across the sky without a trail.
• Washington (February 07, 2005): Four craft with red and white lights were seen hovering.
• Washington (January 30, 2005): A triangular aircraft with square lights hovered silently over trees.
• France (February 09, 2005): A huge triangular object moved slowly at rooftop altitude.
• South Africa (February 12, 2004): Five bright white lights were seen moving in a line.
• UK/Ireland (February 05, 2005): Three large bright lights appeared, followed by fighter planes, then the lights faded.
• UK/England (February 02, 2005): A triangular black object moved very fast and vanished vertically.
• Belize (January 25, 2005): Bright lights on a cruise ship darted around rapidly.
• Canada (February 13, 2005): A large vertical row of three lights, with varying brightness and color, was observed.
• Chile (null): A cylinder-shaped object flying fast left a trail.

What Happened To That Hour? - By James Owen

This article continues the investigation into a missing time incident involving two women returning to Wangaratta via Murchison. They experienced a strange feeling at public toilets, locked their car doors, and then reported passing under an old brick bridge and seeing a sign to Violet Town, though no bridge seemed to exist as described. They felt sinus pressure and noticed the road was straight. The driver checked the clock, which indicated an hour had passed, despite their perception of only seconds. They found themselves in the Strathbogie Ranges, kilometers from their expected location. The elder witness, Mrs. J, developed a painful mark on her stomach after the incident, which has since shrunk and resembles a mole.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings from around the globe, the ongoing investigation of UFO phenomena, and the challenges faced by researchers in publicizing their findings. The publication maintains a stance of serious inquiry into these events, presenting reports and analyses from various sources. There is a clear emphasis on documenting sightings, investigating cases like the Valentich encounter and the missing time incident, and exploring the scientific aspects of phenomena like crop circles and atmospheric conditions on other celestial bodies.

Title: THE AUSTRALIAN U.F.O. BULLETIN
Issue: 220, 221
Date: October - January 2005
Publisher: Victorian Unidentified Flying Object Investigation Centre

This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin focuses on "Victorian Sighting Reports" received by VUFORS, alongside reports from other Australian states and historical context.

Victorian Sighting Reports

The magazine presents numerous eyewitness accounts of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) from various locations in Australia, primarily Victoria, but also South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, and Western Australia. These reports span a range of dates, from a 1943 sighting to early 2005.

Hamilton, Victoria (February 27, 2005) An observer and a companion reported seeing a small white flame emanating from a distant object that moved rapidly northeast. The object's shape and color were not discernible, and there was no visible vapor trail, engine sound, or navigation lights.

Airport West, Victoria (January 27, 2005) Observers witnessed a bright gold light that progressively changed color to orange and then red. The object moved erratically, exhibiting up-and-down and side-to-side motion, and a wobble. It was described as spitting sparks and disappearing when planes approached, only to reappear when the planes had passed. The object appeared disk-shaped with golden light from its base, bathed in swirling vapor or steam.

Cape Paterson, Victoria (January 11, 2005) Two photographs taken during a sunset revealed unusual objects. One photo showed a classic comic-strip UFO approaching from the west, and another depicted a circle of white lights departing to the west.

Murray River, Victoria (January 3, 2005) Several ladies encountered a strange flying object that hovered over their campsite. An unusual symbol was displayed on its underside. One witness felt ill and drained, describing a sense of 'otherness' and mental violation. Physical evidence in the form of a burn scar was also reported.

Mt Stuart, Tasmania (December 10, 2004) A white teardrop-shaped object was observed in the sky, appearing stationary before banking and disappearing, then reappearing and vanishing again. It moved with unspectacular but rapid maneuvers.

Mitcham, Victoria (December 5, 2004) Two distant round white lights, each about the size of a cent coin, were seen stationary in the sky for twenty minutes before suddenly disappearing.

Templestowe, Victoria (November 1943) During World War II, a black cylindrical object, estimated to be 6 feet in diameter and 20 feet long, was seen issuing a bluish flame and travelling at high speed. It emitted a strong chemical smell and was reported to the authorities, who dismissed it as a 'shooting star'.

South Australian Sightings (November-December 2004) Reports from North Adelaide, Woodcroft, and Parkside detail sightings of orange and amber circular objects in zigzag patterns, triangular formations of lights, and a bronze and red ball-shaped object emerging from a cloud.

Queensland Sightings (October-December 2004) Sightings from York WA, Scottsdale, Scamander, Tamborine, Carina North, Innisfail, Gold Coast, and Ipswich describe various phenomena including bright lights, silver ovals, objects with tails, colored lights in formations, and a mid-blue ball-shaped object interacting with a cloud.

Queensland Sightings (Late 1970s - 2004) Further reports from Townsville, Springwood, Redcliffe, and Wynnum detail sightings of bright lights, objects with tails, burning cylindrical objects, and blindingly bright lights moving at high speed.

Did You Know?

This section provides contact information for VUFORS, including their phone number (03) 9506 7080, email address ([email protected]), and website. It also announces that Stanton Friedman's UFO videos are available.

News From The Grampians

Jacqui Purtell reports on a trip to Reids Lookout on February 28, 2005, noting a clear night with minimal UFO activity. A bug detector was tripped off, but no visible objects were detected with a spotlight.

Society History

This section provides a history of UFO research organizations in Australia, starting with the "Australian Flying Saucer Bureau" in the early 1950s. It details the evolution of these groups, including the formation of the "Australian Flying Saucer Research Society" and its Victorian branch, which eventually became the "Victorian U.F.O. Research Society" (V.U.F.O.R.S.). The history notes the society's publication of "Australian Flying Saucer Review" and "The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin," and its dispassionate approach to UFOs as a scientific problem.

Discussion Evening & Subscription Rates

Information is provided for upcoming discussion evenings hosted by V.U.F.O.R.S. in 2005, including dates and times. Subscription rates for membership are also listed, offering different levels of access to the magazine and meetings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the reporting and documentation of UFO/UAP sightings across Australia. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, presenting eyewitness accounts and historical information without overt skepticism or sensationalism. The emphasis is on gathering and disseminating information, encouraging public reporting of sightings, and providing a platform for discussion and research into the UFO subject. The historical section highlights a long-standing commitment to UFO investigation in Australia.