Bolide - Contributions 0088-0100 Letter

Magazine Overview

Title: BOLIDE
Publisher: ball-of-light international data exchange
Issue Date: September 1989
Co-ordinator: Hilary Evans

This issue of BOLIDE, a publication focused on ball lightning and related phenomena, marks a return after a year-long hiatus by the co-ordinator, Hilary Evans. The delay was attributed to the extensive effort required to move the Library where Evans works. Despite the inactivity, contributors continued to send in material, resulting in this fresh selection of cases and ideas.

Content Highlights

Personal Visits and International Contributions Hilary Evans reports on recent personal visits from several contributors. Among them were Claude Maugé, an old friend, and Mark Moravec, with whom Evans had been corresponding for years. Evans also welcomed Professor Ohtsuki from Japan and Dr. George Egely from Budapest. Both academics were accompanied by television cameramen and brought gifts, including Japanese sake and Hungarian paprika. Evans notes that these academics have compiled significant catalogues of ball lightning sightings in their respective countries, recommending them for their suggestive findings. He particularly draws attention to the physiological and psychological effects reported in Hungarian events by Dr. Egely, deeming his collection essential reading.

Ongoing Research and Publications The issue highlights the ongoing activities of bolide contributor Dave Clarke and his colleagues in Project Pennine, based in the British Midlands. Their situation report was published in BUFORA's journal UFO Times in July 1989. Additionally, a book authored by Dave Clarke, Andy Roberts, and Paul McCartney, titled 'Earthlights revelation', was due for release in September by Hale, and is also recommended as essential reading.

Dennis Stacy, another bolide contributor, has published 'The Marfa Lights: a viewer's guide'. This booklet is described as a brief yet definitive review of the facts and theories surrounding the Marfa Lights, which are considered among the best-known recurring BOLs, possibly rivaled only by the Brown Mountain Lights. The illustrated booklet is available directly from Dennis Stacy.

Collective Book and 'Mystery Circles' Several bolide contributors were involved in a collective book titled 'Frontiers of reality', edited by Hilary Evans. This book includes a piece specifically on BOLs by Evans, as well as substantial mentions of the subject in contributions by Chris Rutkowski and Mark Moravec. Related phenomena, such as bioelectric effects, are also discussed in other chapters. The book, which is richly illustrated, is published by Thorsons of Wellingborough and priced at £14.95.

By far the most important contribution to BOL research, according to the editorial, comes from what might seem an unrelated source: the 'mystery circles' that appear in English farmlands annually. In his status report, 'The Circles Effect and its mysteries', Dr. Terence Meaden details his research into these phenomena. He posits that the vortices causing the circles frequently form luminous plasmas, typically spheroid but often flattening to discoid or 'cigar' shapes due to wind or air currents. The relevance of this research to UFO research and BOLs is emphasized, and Dr. Meaden's book is considered essential reading. It can be obtained directly from Dr. Meaden at Artetech, 54 Frome Road, Bradford-on-Avon, England, for £9.95.

Subscription Information and Subscriber List This issue is noted as the last one for current subscribers. Those wishing to continue receiving the dossiers are asked to send their subscription payment. The subscription fee covers the cost of copying and mailing three dossiers. Subscribers are encouraged to duplicate dossiers for other researchers to reduce the burden of distribution.

A list of BOLIDE subscribers is provided, including their names and addresses from various countries such as Spain, Wales, England, USA, Belgium, Australia, Sweden, France, and Denmark. Notable individuals on the list include Vicente Juan Ballester Olmos, Janet & Colin Bord, David Clarke, William Corliss, Barry Greenwood, Marc Hallet, Dr. Michael Hough, Martin Kottmeyer, Greg Long, Kevin McClure, Dan Mattsson, Claude Mauge, Jim MeleSciuc (MUFON State Director), Mark Moravec, Hillard Piekos, Thierry Pinvidic, Clive Potter, Jenny Randles, Phil Reeder, Bob Skinner, Dennis Stacy, Mark Stenhoff, Dennis Stillings (Archaeus Project), and Uffe Syberg.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of BOLIDE revolve around the ongoing research and documentation of unexplained aerial phenomena, with a particular focus on ball lightning (BOLs) and related events like Earthlights and 'mystery circles'. The editorial stance is one of encouraging rigorous research, cataloguing, and the sharing of information among a dedicated community of contributors and subscribers. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of published works and ongoing investigations, with multiple books and journals being recommended to the readership. The co-ordinator, Hilary Evans, expresses a commitment to the field despite personal and logistical challenges, highlighting the collaborative nature of the data exchange.