Awareness - 1987-88 - Vol 15 No 3

Magazine Overview

AWARENESS, Journal of Contact International, Issue 3, 1987-8, published in October 1988 by Contact (UK) Publication, is an English-language magazine focusing on UFO phenomena and related mysteries.

Editorial

The editorial discusses the difficulty in confirming UFO flaps in real-time, noting that reports take time to filter through. It highlights the potential for an eleven-year cycle of UFO maxima, possibly coinciding with sunspot activity, and suggests that UFO activity appears widespread in 1988. The editorial references past flaps in South West Wales and New Zealand during 1977-78, and mentions exciting cases like the Nullarbor Plain incident. It calls for reader participation by filling out a questionnaire to share personal UFO sighting experiences.

The Data Research group's ongoing meetings at three locations are mentioned, along with an apology for potential delays in mail collection at an old address and a reminder to use the new Headquarters address.

Contents

The issue features several articles:

• Contact Int. Members UFO Survey (Pages 2-4): A detailed questionnaire for members to report their UFO sightings and beliefs about UFO origins.
• Cloud UFOs by M. Soper (Pages 4-5): Explores the connection between unusual clouds and UFOs, citing cases where UFOs appear to generate clouds, mist, or 'angel-hair'.
• Yeti Search 1988 by G.E. Ambler (Pages 5-6): Discusses the ongoing search for the Yeti, detailing the 1988 British expedition and its findings, including strange footprints, animal carcasses, and missing equipment.
• UFOs Historical Facts by D.N. Mansell (Pages 6-8): Traces the history of UFO sightings from ancient times to the 20th century, noting that the term 'flying saucer' originated in 1947 with Kenneth Arnold's sighting.
• UFO Kites by G.E. Ambler (Pages 8-9): Investigates the phenomenon of highly reflective spinning foil kites and how their characteristics can mimic reported UFO sightings, suggesting this as a possible explanation for some cases.
• UFO Sightings 1988 by Data Research Members (Pages 10-11): Reports recent unidentified flying object sightings in the Oxford area and North Cornwall, including explanations for some sightings, such as Venus.

Contact International Members UFO Survey

This section encourages members to share their UFO experiences and beliefs. Participants are asked to fill out a questionnaire covering their beliefs about UFO origins (extraterrestrial, intraterrestrial, time warps, natural phenomena, man-made, or misidentifications) and detailed information about any sightings, including date, time, location, duration, sky conditions, object characteristics, and whether the sighting was reported.

Cloud UFOs

Nicholas Trudeau reported a moon-shaped object with red and blue lights near Racine, Wisconsin, on June 27, 1987. The object, described as a brilliant red sphere with an antenna, darted into a cloud and vanished. The article notes that UFOs sometimes use clouds for concealment or generate them. It cites historical cases, such as a 1959 sighting in Corpus Christi, Texas, with four large objects surrounded by a white luminous substance, and a 1877 case in Vence, France, where 'fiery spheres' emerged from a cloud. The article also discusses a 1954 case near Paris involving a blue-violet mist and a cigar-shaped object emerging from a cloud, and a 1952 case in Gaillac, France, where a vertical cloud cigar hovered over the town. The author suggests that unusual clouds should be monitored as they might be craft.

Yeti Search 1988

This article examines the three great unsolved mysteries: UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Yeti. It details the 1988 British expedition to the Nenlung Glacier in Tibet, led by Chris Bonnington, to search for the Yeti. Despite not finding conclusive proof, the expedition noted several intriguing findings: Paul Davidson reported being followed by a large, bipedal animal; Dr. Charles Clarke found fresh droppings and carcasses of sheep with only skins remaining, suggesting an unusual predator; and climbers Andy Fanshawe and Alan Hinkes reported the disappearance of ski-sticks buried at an advanced base camp. The article notes that deliberate searches for these phenomena often prove unsuccessful, with chance discoveries being more likely.

UFOs Historical Facts

This section debunks the notion that UFOs originated in 1947. It states that strange craft and entities have been recorded as early as 1504-1450 BC, citing Egyptian records of a 'circle of fire' with a foul odor. The article lists numerous historical sightings from various cultures, including Hindu Vedas, the Bible, and Aboriginal traditions, all speaking of visitors from space. A chronological list of historical sightings from 295 BC to 1762 AD is provided, detailing objects described as aerial objects, moon-like objects, brilliant lights, fiery shields, sunlike objects, bird-like objects, fiery beams, globes, and aerial ships.

UFO Kites

This article by G.E. Ambler explores the phenomenon of 'UFO Kites,' which are spinning kites made of highly reflective foil material. The author recounts observing such a kite over the Thames in London, initially mistaking it for a UFO due to its bright, flickering appearance and apparent hovering. The article details the construction of these kites and describes two test flights. It concludes that the characteristics of these kites—their flickering, throbbing, humming sounds, and the way their reflective surfaces deceive the eye—closely mimic descriptions of UFOs found in reports. This suggests that many reported UFO shapes, colors, and light effects might be explained by the limitations of human observation when viewing such kites.

UFO Sightings 1988

This section presents recent UFO sightings reported by Data Research members. On Whit Monday, Mr. and Mrs. K. Walker and Eric Crawford reported a bright, blinking light over Kidlington, Oxford, which remained stationary for at least three-quarters of an hour. Another sighting involved a spinning object with red and blue lights seen over Thame. An 'explained' sighting involved the planet Venus, which appeared as a bright white light with a red halo under unusual conditions. A significant sighting occurred on a February night in 1988 when Mr. and Mrs. S. observed a large, oval-shaped object with four rows of lights over Oxford, which vanished suddenly. In North Cornwall, residents reported a large, triangular craft making a loud noise, initially mistaken for a jet aircraft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent mystery of UFOs, the search for evidence of unknown phenomena (Yeti, Loch Ness Monster), and the critical examination of sightings, including potential prosaic explanations like 'UFO Kites.' The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging detailed reporting and analysis while acknowledging the challenges in confirming extraordinary claims. There is a strong emphasis on collecting data from members and investigating historical accounts to understand the phenomenon better. The magazine promotes a scientific approach to ufology, seeking facts and objective means to solve these enigmas.

Title: UFO BRIGANTIA
Publisher: Independent UFO Network (IUN)
Frequency: Bi-monthly
Content: A journal featuring articles on all aspects of the UFO phenomenon, including cover-ups, earthlights, controversial topics, archive cases, current investigations, and book/magazine reviews.

Key Articles and Reports

Indian Queens Sighting (June 2, 1988)

The issue details a sighting by Mr. Cocker of Indian Queens, Cornwall, who observed a triangular craft with red and yellow lights disappearing over houses. The object was described as dark in the center with lights along its edges. The experience lasted 58 seconds. Other villagers heard a low-flying jet and felt house tremors. Investigations with RAF St. Mawgan and Culdrose yielded negative results, with both airfields closed or not flying at the time. RAF Culdrose stated they were not flying on the nights in question. The Ministry of Defence was informed, but it was noted they lack resources for such investigations.

Giant Object Over Midlands (February 18, 1988)

Several independent witnesses, including police officers from Willenhall and Walsall, reported a giant illuminated object over the West Midlands. Mrs. Brannan of Redditch described it as a 'city in the sky' with tiny windows. Sergeant Stuart Griffiths and Constable Michael Powell of Willenhall Police described it as a 'very large bright block of light, like an oblong block' with red and green lights, appearing to spin. A motorist near Woodstock, Oxon, may have seen the same object.

Telescopic UFO? (January 5, 1988)

Zena Sfeir, a 16-year-old astronomer from Kensington, London, claimed to have observed a giant stationary UFO through her telescope. She described it as a flat saucer-shape, grey-green with pink blobs, changing to electric blue when it spun. Astronomical experts, including Patrick Moore, identified the object as Jupiter, which is prominent at that time. An interested viewer, Mrs. Leach, contacted the police, and Inspector R.J. Stephens confirmed he witnessed something unusual but deferred to Patrick Moore's identification. The editorial notes that viewing Jupiter with a telescope should clearly distinguish it from a UFO.

Controlled Photographs of UFO - Florida USA (February 26, 1988)

The magazine reports on a high number of UFO sightings in Gulf Breeze, Florida, during February 1988. On February 26th, ten photographs of a UFO were taken at Shoreline Park using a special MUFON four-lens 35mm camera designed for 3D photography. The camera was sealed to prevent tampering, and control shots were taken. A drawing was made by the photographer before development, describing the object as dark with lights and a strange, dancing, rippling atmospheric effect. Approximately 30 photographers, writers, MUFON members, and ufologists attended the development process at Coast Photo Shop. MUFON international director Walt Andrus commented on the rare opportunity to work closely with a witness. The editorial suggests the white spots on the developed photographs might represent the recorded features and roughly agree with the witness's description, likening the overall appearance to a rocket.

Letters to the Editor

Brian Burden (Braintree): Praises Timothy Good's 'Above Top Secret' and criticizes Kinder's 'Light Years'. He raises the issue of UFO secrecy potentially hiding water-powered engine technology that could disrupt the petroleum economy, referencing E.C. Schurracher's 'Strange Unsolved Mysteries' regarding John Andrews' water-to-fuel conversion method. Burden also inquires about the current situation regarding Mars, the connection between Martian oppositions and UFO sightings, NASA's acknowledgment of ancient water courses on Mars, and the possibility of a UFO base on the Moon versus Mars, referencing Keyhoe's enthusiasm for a Martian origin for UFOs.

S.R. Stebbing (MS) Henne Bay: Enjoys the magazine's approach to UFOs and the ecological system. Mentions 'Breath magazine' pursuing similar methods and Leonard Orr's work on physical immortality and the Eternal Flame, with Orr scheduled to appear on LBC Radio Nightline. Stebbing emphasizes that while some may be cranks, many are sensible people focused on extending life and promoting ecological balance.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

UFO Brigantia positions itself as a journal for serious UFO researchers, unafraid to publish controversial articles and challenge accepted beliefs. The Independent UFO Network (IUN), which publishes the journal, holds no specific viewpoint on the nature or origin of UFOs, aiming instead to disseminate research and investigations to provide a broader overview and perspective. The magazine features a mix of witness testimonies, official responses (often negative or dismissive), photographic evidence, and speculative articles on topics like extraterrestrial bases and alternative technologies. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and viewpoints while sometimes offering critical commentary, particularly regarding astronomical explanations for sightings or the limitations of photographic evidence.

The issue also includes advertisements for other UFO-related publications and services, such as 'QUEST The Journal of UFO Investigation', 'UFO Spotters Guide', and various books and magazines on UFOs and related topics. Subscription details for UFO Brigantia are provided, indicating its target audience is dedicated UFO enthusiasts.