Awareness - 1993-94 - Vol 19 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: AWARENESS
Issue: Volume 19 Number 3
Date: Season 1993-4 (primarily focusing on events from 1947 and 1993-1994)
Publisher: Contact (U.K) Publication
Country: England
Language: English

This issue of "Awareness" delves into the foundational aspects of Ufology, exploring its 'singular beginnings' and its connection to phenomena like power failures. The cover prominently features the headline "POWER FAILURE - THE UFO CONNECTION" and "UFOLOGY - ITS SINGULAR BEGINNINGS", accompanied by abstract imagery and a flying saucer graphic.

Editorial

The editor reflects on 14 years of editing "Awareness", noting the enduring question of what UFOs are and whether extraterrestrial life exists. The editor expresses a feeling that 1994 might be a significant year for UFO activity, citing an investigation into a sighting of over 50 UFOs by 7 witnesses in Cheltenham on January 25th, 1994. Increased activity is also reported in Northern England and Scotland, with triangular formations and numerous sightings around Bonnybridge, Falkirk. The editor also mentions a UFO conference held by CONTACT (UK) in Oxford on October 16th, 1993, and references an article by Brian James on its proceedings. The editor also notes the publication of a book debunking crop circles, "CROP CIRCLE APOCALYPSE" by John Macnish, and expresses a need to cross-examine its claims.

Obituaries

Two prominent figures in the UFO community are remembered: Stuart "Stu" Smith, who passed away during a UFO conference in Vienna, and Ken Rogers, a founder member of Contact Int' and creator of BUFOS (British UFO Society), who was instrumental in organizing major UFO events and attempted to establish a UFO centre.

Ufology: Its Singular Beginnings

This extensive article by J. Bernard Delair examines the unique and rapid emergence of Ufology as a subject, contrasting it with the gradual development of fields like astronomy and geology. Delair traces the origins of UFO interest back to the 1947 sightings, particularly Kenneth Arnold's observation near Mt. Rainier on June 24th, and the earlier 'foo-fighters' of World War II. The article highlights the role of the media in coining the term 'flying saucers' and immediately speculating about alien origins.

Delair details the Maury Island incident of June 21st, 1947, involving Harold A. Dahl and Frederick L. Crisman, who reported seeing large, doughnut-shaped objects and the ejection of metallic fragments and lava-like material. The article scrutinizes the subsequent events, including alleged interference by military intelligence, the disappearance of evidence, and the curious circumstances surrounding Crisman and the patrol boat. Delair suggests that while the initial sightings by Dahl and Crisman may have been genuine, subsequent maneuvers by intelligence agencies aimed to obscure and discredit the case, making it a pivotal, albeit controversial, event in Ufology's development.

The article also discusses the 'men in black' phenomenon, the psychic or telepathic experiences reported by witnesses, and the rapid succession of sightings in 1947, including those by Capt. E.J. Smith and others. It notes the influence of authors like H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, and the work of Charles Fort in collecting accounts of unexplained phenomena. Delair argues that the 'men in black' activities were likely terrestrial security and intelligence operations rather than extraterrestrial.

Delair concludes that the early UFO cases presented a complete 'Ufological package' almost immediately, unlike other subjects that developed embryonically. The Maury Island case, despite its controversies, is presented as a crucial element in understanding the origins of modern Ufology, influencing aspects like the 'Ancient Astronauts' wing. The article also lists several other UFO landings and sightings from July 1947.

Round Up of UFO Sightings

This section provides a summary of UFO activity in 1993, with a map illustrating 255 reported sightings across the UK, particularly in the South West region. The Virgin Lightship is mentioned as a notable phenomenon, particularly prevalent in March, June/July, and November. The report also notes a fireball event on December 6th.

Contact UK Case Studies

Several individual sightings are detailed:

• March 25, 1993 (Chadwell Heath, Ilford): A disc-shaped object with a raised central point was observed, causing car instruments to drop to zero.
• January 8, 1993 (Headington, Oxford): A large, strange light moved slowly, changing colour before disappearing.
• July 12, 1993 (Nr. Tadley, Basingstoke): A domed-shaped light with flashing lights moved sideways.
• July 3, 1993 (M25 Nr. Gatwick): A very bright light, later identified as a distinct object with flashing lights, was observed.
• August 24, 1993 (St Marys Rd, Kettering): Two female witnesses saw a bright, hovering object, followed by a larger object.
• September 12, 1993 (A22 to Buxted): An oblong object with a strange, heavy noise was observed.
• November 8, 1993 (Islington, London): A large, glowing white spherical object with a disc-like projection was seen.

Stop Press: The "CHELTENHAM FLYERS"

This report details a significant multiple sighting of 50-70 star-like objects over Cheltenham on January 25th, 1994, witnessed by seven people. The objects moved in formations and were considered to be at high altitude and silent. Witnesses described them as unlike anything seen before and felt inspired rather than fearful.

Alton Barnes Early Riser

A farmer in Alton Barnes, Wiltshire, reported being trailed by a bright light, suggesting it was not Venus due to its visibility at that time.

Update March 31st 1993, Major Sighting

This update confirms a major UFO sighting over Ireland and France, occurring simultaneously with sightings in SW England and Wales. The Ministry of Defence suggested a rocket re-entry could explain some sightings but not all, leaving open other possibilities.

Ireland: Synopsis of events

Reports from Ireland describe various sightings, including a large object with bright lights near Ashkeaton, a silent craft like a Jumbo Jet over Limerick City, orange stars leaving fiery trains over Sligo County, and lights with jet streams over Co. Meath.

France: Synopsis of events

Reports from France detail sightings of objects with tails, glowing cigar-shaped objects, and a comet-like object. A particularly notable sighting involved a stationary triangle of lights near St. Etienne, Loire, which moved off silently and was estimated to be only 200 meters away.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the origins and early development of Ufology, the nature of UFO phenomena, and the potential for government or intelligence agency involvement in obscuring or discrediting sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, acknowledging its mysteries while critically examining evidence and historical accounts. There is a clear emphasis on the historical significance of the 1947 events as the 'birth period' of modern Ufology, and a continued effort to document and analyze contemporary sightings.

This issue of UFO Magazine, Volume 92, Issue 4, published in July/August 1991 by CONTACT INTERNATIONAL (UK), focuses on a variety of UFO-related phenomena, including detailed accounts of sightings, investigations into crop circles, and the potential link between UFOs and electrical power disruptions. The cover prominently features the title "UFOS and How to See them" by Jenny Randles, a professional Ufologist.

Swedish Sightings

The magazine details several sightings in Sweden. One incident involved a 'blinking' object observed near Berga and Arlanda, which men initially mistook for an aircraft but later became convinced was purposefully frightening. The object was described as like a "hot dog with bread" and was seen to pass overhead multiple times. Contact with military air traffic control revealed no known flying activity in the area. Another report from Ritorp, Sodertalje, describes four boys witnessing a star-like object that moved quickly towards them, appearing to be an aircraft but without blinking lights. It sank lower, then flew away at high speed, described as noiseless with multiple searchlights and a red blinking light.

Brandstorp Incident

A significant case highlighted is the Brandstorp incident, where four people witnessed a 'sectioned' object swaying over water. An unknown witness described a completely black triangular "Aircraft" swinging out over the water before disappearing at high speed. Another witness, Aulis Lahtinen, described a "whooshing or whining noise" followed by a black triangular object flying at unusually high speed from the West, swinging North and disappearing. The sound was described as peculiar and unlike anything heard before. Later the same day, a similar strange noise was heard in Hjo. UFO Sweden received anonymous reports from women who heard a strange sound over their building, likening it to a "flying saucer" with a "strange cosmic sound."

Canadian Landing

A preliminary landing report details an event on October 12, 1993, near Cranberry Lake, Powell River, Canada. A husband and wife witnessed a "structural non-conventional craft" shaped like an "upside down ram's horn." The object emitted a greenish fluorescent glow and had a triangular opening from which a small being, approximately 3.5 to 4 feet tall, emerged. This being, described as human-looking with a pale green frock, communicated telepathically with the woman, conveying that it was from a base on the West Coast and that its purpose was to implant thoughts of conservation. The being was reportedly "born or 'created'" in the base from human-alien bonding.

Puerto Rico and US Power Grid Anomalies

The issue connects UFO phenomena with electrical power disruptions, citing events in Puerto Rico and the USA. A remarkable incident in Puerto Rico on March 17, 1991, involved thousands of witnesses observing a huge disc hovering over a transformer station for thirty seconds, drawing immense power and causing the station to be ruined. The mystery lies in how the UFO could cheat safety systems that usually cut power instantly. Another case from El Conquistador describes a bright light engulfing the area, followed by a power failure and a UFO described as a "round, strange type of craft with a shiny nickel-type metallic round edge" that emitted electrical rays and discharges before shooting away at high speed. The witness described it as an "alien craft, something not normal."

Comparisons are drawn to the USA East Coast blackout of September 11, 1965, where a pilot reported a glowing object over Niagara Falls, and another spherical machine was seen in Syracuse, New York. A Colusa Sun Herald report from September 13, 1976, mentioned a huge glowing object hovering over a house during a reported "outage." The magazine presents a graph comparing Federal Power Commission power failure reports with US Air Force UFO reports from 1954-1969, suggesting a correlation.

Physics and UFOs

Physicist M.C. Soper discusses "Anomalous Electrical Phenomena: Delayed Overcurrent Tripping (The UFO Connection)," exploring how UFOs might interact with electrical systems. He notes that shorting a power cable typically results in an immediate grid shutdown, making the observed power draw by UFOs anomalous. The magazine suggests that UFOs may be absorbing electrical energy for their own purposes.

Crop Circles and Lights

The issue features a report on crop circles, particularly focusing on photographs taken by PUFORG (Plymouth UFO Group) in Cornwall and Wiltshire in 1991. These photographs show strange lights appearing within crop circle formations, some appearing close to people. The lights were not noticed at the time of photography and are described as a "strange phenomenon occurring within another very strange phenomenon." The report emphasizes that these photos are genuine and not contrived. The analysis of a Bythorn pentagram crop circle by mathematician Michael Soper suggests its geometry is designed to induce harmony. The report also notes the increase in crop circle formations in Sweden, Holland, and France.

Book and Video Reviews

Several books and videos related to UFOs are reviewed, including "UFOS & HOW TO SEE THEM" by Jenny Randles, "ALIEN IDENTITIES" by Richard Thompson, "ANGELS AND ALIENS" by Keith Thompson, and "PASSPORT TO MAGONIA" by Jacques Vallee. Videos reviewed include "PENETRATING THE WEB VOL.1," "THE TERRESTRIAL CONNECTION," and "CROP CIRCLE COMMUNIQUE." The issue also promotes "MESSENGERS OF DESTINY," a video about UFO activity in Mexico, and "UNDENIABLE EVIDENCE," a guide to the crop circle phenomenon.

Conference Reports

Reports from "THE CONTACT INTERNATIONAL UFO CONFERENCE - 16/10/98" are included. Palden Jenkins presented on the concept of Earth as a specific phase of existence. Derek Sheffield discussed Belgian UFO cases and their political implications. Edward Ashpole spoke on SETI and CETI, addressing alien involvement in human evolution. Brian Burden presented on "Men In Black" and the origin of the term "flying saucer." John Holman discussed a "Campaign for Alien Acknowledgement."

Editorial Stance and Themes

The magazine consistently explores the unexplained aspects of UFO phenomena, presenting witness accounts, photographic evidence, and investigative reports. There is a clear emphasis on the need for more open discussion and acknowledgment of UFOs, challenging official narratives and suggesting that governments and industries may have reasons to suppress information. The recurring themes include unexplained aerial phenomena, potential alien contact, the mystery of crop circles, and the intriguing connection between UFO activity and disruptions to electrical power systems. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to consider alternative explanations and to question established scientific and governmental positions.