Awareness - 1989-90 - Vol 16 No 3

Magazine Overview

AWARENESS, Journal of Contact International, Issue 3, published for the 1989-90 season, is a publication from Contact (U.K.) based in Oxford, England. The issue features a range of articles exploring UFO phenomena, historical enigmas, and theoretical physics.

Editorial

The editorial, dated January 1990, wishes members a happy new year and successful UFO watching. It reflects on a recent successful conference in Oxford, noting the mix of slides, talks, and audience participation, and expresses gratitude for personal UFO experiences shared. The editor laments the typical media misquotes and exaggerations. The editorial also touches upon the ongoing 'cover-ups' series, explaining its purpose is to understand the mechanism of cover-ups, not necessarily directly related to UFOs, and invites reader feedback. It discusses the challenge of balancing diverse interests as an editor, avoiding 'cultist' articles, and the difficulty of understanding advanced mathematical theories presented in the journal. The issue includes an examination of corn-circles, noting the perceived link by many to UFOs, and mentions the inclusion of 'Fortean' material, common in UFO journals.

Articles

The Nazi Enigma by D.K. Mansell

This article delves into the alleged Nazi interest in advanced disc-type aircraft during World War II. It mentions a document presented in 1938 describing a craft that would create a vacuum for incredible speeds, and a 138ft diameter disc supposedly flown in 1945 at Prague. The author cites a British Technical Mission official's discovery of German plans for 'entirely new and deadly developments in air warfare'. Based on correspondence with the German Ministry of Defence, the author believes a tethered disc craft was flown in 1939, and several disc flights occurred in 1944-45, including one reaching 55,000 ft and another engaging in combat maneuvers. The article questions the fate of the research teams and suggests a possible continuation of work in South America, citing the escape of 36,000 leading Nazis. It also discusses the use of long-range U-Boats in potential escape plans, mentioning a U-Boat base at Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, and the surrender of large U-Boats after the war. The author recounts a 1964 fisherman's sighting of a disc craft in Norway beaming light at a sunken German freighter carrying mercury. Another incident from 1965 describes a lorry driver witnessing a large disc craft land, from which 30 men emerged to search the area, leaving a large depression in the ground. The article also mentions a 1979 report of a UFO or missile near the Canary Islands, photographed by many, and a sighting of a World War 2 U-Boat (U567) with Nazi emblems in 1979. The author concludes that Hitler's survival is possible and that the Nazis remain active, possibly influencing events through elaborate escape plans.

Metalogic: How to Cope With the World When You're Spaced Out by M. Soper

This article explores how individuals might operate in altered states of consciousness, particularly in the context of UFO piloting. It suggests that pilots may use an automatic, stilted form of communication to avoid errors under conditions of impeded mental clarity, such as strong fields or altered consciousness. The author outlines a five-step decision-making process: Statement of physical situation, Statement of mission objective, Statement of logical fact, Statement concerning the nature of the present moment, and Statement of required action. This 'macrologic' is presented as a balanced system comprising physical, logical, intentional, quasi-religious, and pragmatic elements, potentially useful in extreme conditions. The article also touches upon the mental effects experienced by astronauts, suggesting that even minor alterations in high speeds and space travel can change the minds of highly trained individuals, leading to an interest in psychic and religious matters.

Holistics: A Whole New Way of Looking at Things. New Physics: The Holomovement: Implications for Ufology by Paul Edwards

This piece discusses the convergence of science and mysticism, particularly in quantum physics and fractal mathematics. It introduces the theories of David Bohm and Karl Pribram regarding the 'Holomovement' and the 'hologram theory' of the brain. The Holomovement is described as the universe's dynamic totality of movement, an 'implicate' order that can 'enfold' and 'unfold'. The hologram theory suggests the human brain creates reality by interpreting patterned light waves from another dimension, the 'holistic frequency realm'. The author posits that UFO phenomena might be an intelligent, Earth-oriented, interdimensional phenomenon that controls perceptions through symbolism and archetypes, potentially influencing historical trends. The article also suggests that some individuals may have access to other dimensions, allowing for interdimensional communication where thoughts and ideas can be manifested as 'real' solid phenomena.

Corn Circles - A Candid Appraisal by G.E. Ambler

This article critically examines the phenomenon of corn circles, questioning why UFO publications continue to give them significant coverage. The author notes that while initial instances were dismissed as hoaxing or 'wind-vortex' theory, the sheer number of formations appearing (270 new ones in 1989 alone) and their geometric precision discount these explanations. The article highlights that the summer of 1989 had very little wind disturbance, making the creation of circles on still nights unlikely. It presents evidence from a BBC report where a witness experienced an 'energy field' within a circle, which was also detected by a sound recordist. Dowsing experts have also reported picking up signals when passing through circles. The article recounts instances of strange electrical phenomena affecting cars near circle sites, suggesting unknown forces are at play. The author presents statistical evidence to show the low probability of specific formations occurring randomly, arguing that the circles are intelligently laid. The article also discusses the increasing sophistication of formations over the years, from simple rings to more complex patterns, suggesting a potential for further development if the cause is intelligent.

The Meteor Factor: Notes on conventional, spurious, and anomalous 'meteors' by J. Bernard Delair

This article investigates the connection between supposed UFO sightings and meteors. It points out that many UFO reports, upon investigation, turn out to be meteors or related astronomical phenomena. However, conventional descriptions of meteors often omit 'odd' meteors that do not conform to normal trajectories. The author cites authorities like Prof. John C Duncan, who describe meteors as evanescent points of light, with some leaving phosphorescent trains. Exceptionally bright meteors are called bolides, and rarely, a body that falls to ground is termed a meteorite. Meteors typically burn out between 30 and 100 miles above Earth's surface, with heliocentric speeds around 26 miles per second. The article mentions that about 90 million meteors with trails brighter than visual magnitude +5 enter Earth's atmosphere daily, and an estimated 1,000 tons of meteoric material enter the atmosphere daily. It notes that fireballs may differ from ordinary meteors and that their trains can persist for up to an hour.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal consistently explores unexplained phenomena, with a focus on UFOs, but also encompassing related topics like historical mysteries (Nazi Enigma), theoretical physics (Holomovement), and anomalous natural events (corn circles, meteors). The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and critical analysis, while avoiding sensationalism or 'cultist' approaches. The editor emphasizes the need for understanding mechanisms, even when topics seem tangential to UFOs, and encourages reader participation and feedback. There is a clear effort to present a balanced perspective, acknowledging the challenges of interpretation and the diverse nature of evidence.

Title: Flying Saucer Review
Issue: Vol. 35, No. 2
Date: 1989
Publisher: Flying Saucer Review Publications
Country: UK
Price: £2.00
Cover Headline: METEORS OR UFOs?

This issue of Flying Saucer Review explores the complex relationship between meteor phenomena and Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), questioning whether many historical accounts of unusual aerial events might actually be misidentified UFOs rather than conventional meteors. The magazine presents a detailed analysis of meteor characteristics, historical sightings, and the potential for deliberate camouflage by UFOs.

Meteors, Bolides, and Fireballs

The article begins by describing the visual and auditory characteristics of meteors, noting their varied colors, from bluish-white to dull red, and the occasional occurrence of thunder-like noises or explosions. It highlights the distinction made by some researchers, like Gaposchkin and Haramundanis, between fireballs and bolides, with bolides exploding audibly and fireballs being extremely brilliant, sometimes casting shadows.

Dr. Edward Faith's observations on meteor colors are cited, noting that faster-moving meteors tend to be bluish-white, while slower ones are reddish. The sheer number of meteors entering Earth's atmosphere daily is emphasized, with estimates ranging from 15 million to 20 million bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, and potentially up to a billion per day when fainter objects are included.

Meteor Showers and Comets

The regularity of meteor showers, such as the Perseids and Orionids, is discussed, along with less frequent but spectacular events like the Leonids and Draconids. A table is presented correlating specific meteor showers with their approximate dates, orbital periods, characteristics, and associated comets, including the Lyrids with Comet 1861 I, the Perseids with Halley's Comet, and the Leonids with Comet 1866 I.

The article notes the common astronomical view that meteors are remnants of disintegrated comets, although this remains theoretical. It also introduces the concept of 'bouncing' meteors, which skim or bounce off the Earth's atmosphere, and could be mistaken for distant luminous UFOs.

Anomalous Meteor Behavior and UFO Overlap

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to historical accounts of 'meteors' that exhibit behavior inconsistent with standard astronomical descriptions. These reports, primarily from before the advent of powered flight, are presented as potentially being UFOs disguised as meteors. The Volunteer Flight Officer Network, operated by airlines and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, is mentioned as a source for recording such phenomena, with results often semi-classified due to their relation to space exploration projects.

The author argues that many recorded objects behave in 'odd ways' that do not align with conventional meteor textbooks. These anomalous objects are described as looking like meteors but behaving more like UFOs, and vice versa. The article suggests that modern textbooks often ignore these 'odd' meteors, or that writers may be ignorant of them or deliberately suppress such accounts. This potential suppression is framed as a tacit admission by officialdom that UFOs exist.

Historical 'Meteor' Sightings

The magazine then lists several extraordinary 'meteor' reports from the 19th century, highlighting their unusual characteristics:

• 1830 Feb 15th, Edgbaston, UK: A brilliant light, the size of the full Moon, moved rapidly with a wave-like motion.
• 1838, Falmacottah, India: A bright, stationary object of a contorted form.
• 1846 June 29th, Parma, Italy: A yellow light descended slowly and disappeared soundlessly.
• 1846 July 14th, near Braunau, Bohemia: An explosion was heard, followed by a black cloud from which fiery streaks fell.
• 1847 August 10th, Munich, Germany: An object was observed moving upwards.
• 1847 September 7th, Bombay, India: A large blue fireball changed direction and split into fragments.
• 1847 October 30th, between Mazagon and Sewree, India: A fireball stopped abruptly and dropped perpendicularly.
• 1848 March 8th, near Windsor/Datchet, UK: A kite-shaped meteor moved slowly and horizontally, emerging from behind clouds.
• 1848 April 18th, Oxford, UK: A 'meteor' ascended and then dropped perpendicularly, increasing in brightness.
• 1848 September 4th, Worthing, UK: An object emitted sparks and left a blue 'mark' in the sky.
• 1849 August 8th, Nottingham, UK: A conical 'meteor' moved slowly, vanished, and reappeared.
• 1849 August 10th, Castle Donnington, UK: Two 'meteors' were seen, one exhibiting violent zig-zagging movements.

The article emphasizes that these instances, occurring before powered flight, raise significant questions about their true identity. The temporary disappearance of an object in the 1849 sighting is noted as a characteristic also reported for UFOs.

Conclusion and Editorial Stance

The selection of reports is presented as evidence of diverse 'meteor' behavior that goes beyond standard astronomical descriptions. The authors urge UFO researchers to exercise caution when assessing case reports and not to dismiss eyewitness accounts of meteor-like UFOs simply because they appear to be meteors. Consigning such reports to astronomical archives without thorough investigation is cautioned against, as it could lead to the loss of valuable data.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ambiguity between meteor phenomena and UFO sightings, the historical documentation of anomalous aerial objects, and the potential for misidentification or suppression of evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging a critical re-evaluation of historical 'meteor' reports and advocating for a more comprehensive approach to UFO research that does not prematurely dismiss unusual sightings.

Letter from the President

The 'Letter from the President' section discusses a Channel 4 TV program about extraterrestrial life, noting the presence of both proponents and skeptics of UFOs. The author highlights the greater public interest in the UFO phenomenon in Spain compared to Britain and mentions Tenerife as a UFO hotspot. The letter also recounts a story about American and Russian space scientists finding rocks with identical composition to lunar rocks in Tenerife's mountainous region, near the famous El Teide mountain. The writer expresses a desire to hear from Francisco Padron, a journalist known for his UFO research and contactee experiences in Spain, and mentions a potential UFO convention in Tenerife. The letter concludes with a brief mention of meeting Luis Grifol, a prominent Spanish ufologist, in Barcelona.

UFO Sightings

This section provides a list of UFO sightings reported directly to the CONTACT INTERNATIONAL DATA RESEARCH Group, with dates, locations, and brief descriptions:

• 2/3/89 Madron, Cornwall: Four circular objects seen heading west at airliner speed.
• 7/5/89 Madron, Cornwall: Five witnesses saw a bright silver object change to blue as it moved across the sky.
• 17/5/89 Indian Queens, Cornwall: A single witness observed a formation of about 15 lights, with one leader.
• 7/1/89 Rane Head, Cornwall: An oval-shaped object seen moving slowly, silent, for 15 minutes.
• 5/7/89 Blackpool, Lancs.: A large red-orange object moved at fantastic speed, then hovered.
• 23/7/89 Kidlington, Oxford: A flashing blue light moved erratically, followed by a similar red light.
• 24/7/89 Mevagissey, Cornwall: A very large circular object circled slowly for 20 minutes.
• c. 25/7/89 Worminghall, Thame, Oxon: A bright light hovering low over a barn with two bright lights and a red glow.

A circle formation discovered at Bedgrove, near Aylesbury, is also mentioned.

Advertisements

The issue includes advertisements for various UFO-related books and publications, including works by Timothy Good, Janet & Colin Bord, Charles Bowen, Budd Hopkins, Brad Steiger, and Jenny Randles. There are also advertisements for a UFO Newsclipping Service, Excalibur Books, and UFO and Space Age Publications. Additionally, there is an advertisement for 'Alpha Meditation' and 'Alpha and Theta Brain Rhythm Tapes' from P.F.T.N.