JTAP - Vol 2 No 1 - May1981

Magazine Overview

Title: The Journal of Transient Aerial Phenomena
Issue: Volume 2, Number 1
Date: May 1981
Publisher: British Unidentified Flying Object Research Association (BUFORA)
ISSN: 0143-8840
Price: £1.80

This issue of The Journal of Transient Aerial Phenomena (TAP) is dedicated to the scientific study of unusual aerial phenomena. It features a cover image of the Earth and addresses the critical need for precise definitions in the field of ufology. The editorial board includes Richard Beet (Editor-in-chief), A R Pace (Associate Editor), C F Lockwood and R S Digby (Technical Editors), and S J Gamble (Business Manager). Lord Kings Norton is the President and Leslie Bayer is the Chairman of BUFORA.

Operational Levels and Corresponding Goals in UFO Research by Bertil Kuhlemann

Bertil Kuhlemann, Head of Computer Services for the IVA Administration Department of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, proposes a structured approach to UFO research by defining operational levels and corresponding goals. He argues that a more efficient and smoother operation for UFO groups would benefit from co-ordinated sub-goals. Kuhlemann outlines four levels:

• Level A: A comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach requiring significant resources, potentially international or global co-operation, aimed at solving the UFO enigma. This level requires a strong basis and motivational information, possibly related to new propulsion systems or potential threats.
• Level B: A preparatory step to Level A, focusing on answering fundamental questions: "Is there really something?", "How should this be studied?", and "Why should it be studied?". This level requires comprehensive resources for efficient organization and utilization of manpower and instrumentation.
• Level C: Primarily for national, regional, and local UFO organizations, this level involves running field investigations and related activities, often including publishing a journal and organizing meetings. The basis for such organizations rests on a good flow of UFO observations and active membership, though this can sometimes lead to a lack of scientifically-verified outcomes.
• Level D: Connected to the individual ufologist's involvement, this level includes activities like reading UFO literature, reviewing local reports, conducting field investigations, screening data, analyzing UFO data, and actively participating in the organization. This level presupposes a good qualitative level of UFO literature and reports.

Kuhlemann emphasizes the need for harmonization and operational goal-setting, particularly Level B, to support the global effort to solve the UFO enigma. He also suggests the introduction of comprehensive and simple forms for reporting UFO data.

What is a UFO? by Stuart Campbell

Stuart Campbell critically examines the problem of defining 'UFO' and 'UFO report,' arguing that a rational discussion of the UFO problem requires adequate definitions of terms. He notes that public opinion polls often ask about 'flying saucers' without defining the term, leading to caution in data interpretation.

Campbell reviews several definitions:

• APRO (Aerial Phenomena Research Organisation): Defines a UFO as 'any airborne object which cannot be identified by the witness.'
• Carl Sagan: Describes a UFO as a moving aerial or celestial phenomenon, detected visually or by radar, but whose nature is not immediately understood.
• Condon Report: Defined a UFO as '... the stimulus for a report made by one or more individuals of something seen in the sky... which the observer could not identify as having an ordinary natural origin, and which seemed to him sufficiently puzzling that he undertook to make a report of it...' Campbell points out that this definition could include artificial aerial objects and even subjective stimuli like mental illness.
• J. Allen Hynek: Defined a UFO report as 'a statement by a person or persons judged responsible and psychologically normal... describing a personal, visual or instrumentally-aided perception of an object or light in the sky or on the ground and/or its assumed physical effects, that does not specify any known physical events, object, or process or any psychological event or process.' Hynek later defined a UFO as 'The stimulus giving rise to the UFO report.'
• Provisional International Committee for UFO Research (PICUR): Adopted a definition similar to Hynek's but deleted the word 'object' and specific locations to include unidentified phenomena in space or underwater. Their definition of a UFO report is: 'A statement by a person or persons judged responsible and psychologically normal by commonly accepted standards, describing a personal, visual or instrumentally-aided perception of a phenomenon and/or its assumed physical effects, that does not specify any known physical event, object or process or any psychological event or process.' A UFO is defined as 'The stimulus giving rise to the UFO report.'

Campbell highlights objections to the PICUR definition, including its failure to account for known psychological events and its exclusion of reports from psychologically abnormal individuals. He also criticizes the definition for potentially classifying any unknown phenomenon, including ghosts or sea serpents, as a UFO.

Campbell advocates for an 'open' definition, suggesting that UFOs are the mystery itself, and that while many reports may be explained, some may remain inexplicable due to a lack of information or new theories. He proposes a definition: 'A real object or phenomenon seen in the sky (or on or near the ground but apparently capable of flight) which an observer could not explain or thought was an alien vehicle.' This definition allows for natural or man-made stimuli to be classified as UFOs.

The Hill abduction: Fact or fantasy by Rudy de Groote

Rudy de Groote critically examines the Betty and Barney Hill abduction case, suggesting that it contains strong weaknesses and could be sheer fantasy, with details reported under hypnosis becoming senseless speculations. He questions the data used by authors like Anthony Pace, arguing that the case has too many weak elements.

De Groote focuses on Betty Hill's personality, citing an investigation by Berthold Eric Schwarz that revealed "strangest PSI phenomena" manifesting around her throughout her life, including poltergeist manifestations and "mystery helicopters." He also notes that her close family members have witnessed UFO sightings.

He quotes Allan Hendry, who noted that Betty Hill claimed to observe "as many as 50 to 100 UFOs a night" in a "special area" in New Hampshire and related tales of robots and her neighbor's cat levitating. Hendry also points out that Mrs. Hill set up a giant duplicate of the star map allegedly shown to her by "UFOnauts," and that bulbs representing the aliens' "home star" were frequently removed.

De Groote emphasizes that all details of the alleged abduction came to light under posthypnotic regression, questioning the absolute truthfulness of hypnosis. He references Dr. Benjamin Simon's statement that the abduction was a "fantasy, in other words a dream," and that it "did not take place."

The article also mentions a discussion organized by Chicago radio station WIND in 1974, where Jacques Vallée and J. Allen Hynek interviewed Mrs. Betty Hill and exchanged ideas with Dr. Larry Garrett, an expert on hypnosis. Dr. Garrett stated that regressions are not always accurate.

Other Content

The issue also includes a list of donors to the BUFORA Appeal, an announcement regarding a BUFORA Lecture by Timothy Good, and a notice about a subscription increase to £10.00 effective from September 1981.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes the importance of rigorous definition and methodology in UFO research. The editorial stance appears to favor a scientific, evidence-based approach, questioning the validity of claims based solely on hypnotic regression or unsubstantiated testimony. There is a clear inclination towards open definitions that do not presuppose the existence of a distinct, inexplicable UFO phenomenon, while acknowledging the need to investigate all reports objectively. The articles collectively advocate for precision in language and a critical evaluation of evidence to advance the understanding of aerial phenomena.

Title: JOURNAL TAP
Issue: VOL. 2
Volume: 2
Date: September 1978
Publisher: Bufora
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of JOURNAL TAP features a diverse range of articles, primarily focusing on anomalous aerial phenomena and scientific theories. It critically examines the famous Betty Hill abduction case, explores the atmospheric re-entry of a satellite, discusses various atmospheric phenomena including ball lightning, and presents a new theory on the origin of life.

The Hill Abduction: Fact or Fantasy?

This article by Rudy de Groote critically analyzes the Betty Hill abduction case. De Groote questions the validity of details obtained under hypnosis, citing an experiment where volunteers invented UFO abduction narratives. He highlights the issues with Marjorie Fish's star map, which was based on Betty Hill's post-hypnotic drawing, pointing out inaccuracies and arbitrary selections of stars. An alternative interpretation by Charles Attenberg identified a more accurate star map location. The article suggests that the stimulus for the Hill's experience might have been the planet Jupiter, observed under specific atmospheric conditions on the night of September 19, 1961, as proposed by Robert Sheaffer. The conclusion posits that the experience, while strange, was likely an emotional drama stemming from misidentification.

The Decay of Cosmos 253 Rocket Over England

This paper, authored by D.G. King-Hele, Doreen M.C. Walker, and P.E.L. Neirinck, details the re-entry of the Cosmos 253 rocket into Earth's atmosphere on November 20, 1968. The event, observed over Southern England, was accurately predicted. Despite cloud cover affecting many observers, the authors analyzed available reports and 83 other sightings to determine the rocket's track and height. The track extended from Manchester (80 km) to Canterbury (45 km), with the final burnout area south-east of Dover. The paper describes the visual appearance of the decaying satellite, noting its bright head, cylindrical tail, and fragments described as 'balls of light'. It also mentions the hazard posed by decaying satellites and the role of the Volunteer Flight Officer Network in warning aircraft.

Atmospheric Phenomena Log

This section, written by John Armitage, aims to evaluate phenomena that might lead to reports of anomalous aerial phenomena. It focuses on potential sources of 'strange lights in the sky' (LITS).

Noctilucent Clouds

These are high-altitude, tenuous clouds observed in summer months, typically at latitudes of 50° and above. They are established as a natural phenomenon.

Earthquake Lights

Strange lights observed near earthquake epicentres are discussed, with the Idu earthquake in Japan (1930) cited as an example. Professor Thomas Gold's hypothesis regarding vast accumulations of methane gas deep within the Earth, released during earthquakes, is presented as a possible explanation.

Ball Lightning

Ball lightning is presented as a common explanation for 'light in the sky' phenomena. The Meteorological Office's definition describes it as a rare, luminous sphere. The article notes that while some reports can be explained as after-images, others suggest a real, poorly understood phenomenon. Several recent interesting reports of ball lightning are listed, including:

• June 6, 1977 (Dyfed, Wales): A bus-sized, yellow-green transparent ball observed floating down a hillside, emitting intense light and causing radio static.
• April 12, 1977 (Bromley, Kent): An incandescent blue ball that shattered a concrete gatepost, disrupted telephones, and dug a hole in the ground.
• April 25, 1979 (Bell Green, Coventry): A 'ball of fire' caused a flash, bang, and significant damage to a house during a thunderstorm.
• July 29, 1980 (Tile Hill Lane, Coventry): A 'flashing ball of fire' followed by an explosion, with no reported damage.

The article concludes that while ball lightning phenomena can account for some anomalous aerial reports, it should not be used as an ubiquitous explanation.

News from NASA: New Origin of Life Theory

This section reports on a new theory proposed by Dr. David White, a NASA scientist. White suggests that simple self-replicating chemical systems, rather than complex ones, may have been the precursors to life more than 3.5 billion years ago. His theory posits that these 'proto-enzyme catalysts' could reproduce themselves and were simpler than previously believed. Experiments have shown that short amino acid chains can produce longer chains and catalyst molecules. White's model involves a 'four-component system' including amino acid and nucleic acid chains, which could theoretically create more such systems. The article notes that while the exact mechanism of specification remains a challenge, this theory offers a potential pathway for the origin of life and provides guidelines for future research.

New BUFORA Publication

Information is provided about the 'Congress '79 - Selected Papers' publication by BUFORA, listing four papers and details on how to obtain them.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO phenomena, scientific explanations for observed events, and speculative theories about life's origins. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, seeking rational explanations for reported anomalies while acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on scientific methodology, data analysis, and the debunking of unsubstantiated claims, particularly concerning the Hill abduction case. The inclusion of a detailed scientific paper on satellite decay and a discussion of atmospheric phenomena like ball lightning underscore a commitment to rigorous investigation. The presentation of a new scientific theory on the origin of life further highlights the journal's interest in cutting-edge scientific thought.

Title: The Journal of Transient Aerial Phenomena
Volume: 2
Issue: 2
Date: October 1980

This issue of the Journal of Transient Aerial Phenomena (Journal TAP) focuses on correspondence and articles related to UFO phenomena, ball lightning, and related scientific investigations. It includes critical analyses of photographic evidence, discussions on theoretical approaches to UFOs, and firsthand accounts of unusual atmospheric events.

Correspondence: Not Ball Lightning

The lead item is a letter from Stuart Campbell, dated October 11, 1980, critiquing a photograph published in 'UFOS: A British Viewpoint' by Jenny Randles and Peter Warrington. Campbell argues that the photograph, claimed by the authors to 'may show ball lightning', actually illustrates a luminous and sinuous trace caused by camera movement during an open-shutter exposure, likely aimed at a street light. He explains that the identical trace patterns of two light sources on the film can only occur if the camera is moved. Campbell expresses regret that the authors, despite admitting the photograph's anonymous source and unknown circumstances, claimed it illustrated the ball lightning phenomenon and allowed it to be published. He emphasizes that while knowledge of ball lightning needs to be widespread, publishing misidentified phenomena does not help.

Correspondence: 'Natural' Theory

Another letter, from Manfred Cassirer, critiques Stuart Campbell's 'natural' theory of UFOs, which suggests they are 'probably a meteorological phenomenon related to ball lightning'. Cassirer questions whether Campbell is familiar with Philip Klass's work and criticizes his arguments as simplistic. He points out that while the plasma hypothesis may not explain all data, the significant increase in UFO sightings since the 'atomic age' needs accounting for. Cassirer also challenges Campbell's dismissal of physical traces and cattle mutilations as potentially due to 'hallucination, wishful thinking and fraud'. He concludes that Campbell needs to present better evidence than regurgitating discredited theories to be believed.

Correspondence: There are more things in heaven

Eric Wilkinson of Belfast contributes a letter detailing a personal observation from May 22, 1966, in Antarctica. He describes a unique meteorological phenomenon: a small, dense white cloud rising vertically as a pillar with successive broken hoops, approximately 100'x100' and at an altitude of 500'-800'. The cloud expanded and contracted, emitting a low buzzing sound. It also emitted a thick black ray of light that hit the ice, creating a 'snow devil', and a second ray that seemed to reflect upwards. Wilkinson, a former senior meteorologist, reported this in his meteorological report but found no logical explanation. He states he is open to offers for explanation, considering it a 'unique meteorological phenomenon'. He also notes that the phenomenon was not bright, though one part reflected a yellowish color.

Contents of the Issue

The issue also includes a table of contents listing several articles:

• OPERATIONAL LEVELS AND CORRESPONDING GOALS IN UFO RESEARCH by Bertil Kuhlemann.
• WHAT IS A UFO? by Stuart Campbell.
• THE HILL ABDUCTION : FACT OR FANTASY by Rudy de Groote.
• THE DECAY OF COSMOS 253 ROCKET OVER ENGLAND by Desmond King-Hele.
• NEW ORIGIN OF LIFE THEORY.
• ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA LOG.

Notes for Contributors

The journal provides guidelines for submitting manuscripts, emphasizing scientific rigor, clear presentation, and conciseness. It specifies formatting requirements for text, illustrations, and references, and states that the Editorial Board reserves the right to accept, revise, or reject submissions. Opinions expressed in articles are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bufora or its council.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal positions itself as a platform for scientific analysis and evaluation of UFO phenomena, aiming to move beyond wild speculation. It encourages contributions from scientists and researchers worldwide, seeking to foster a broad scope and topical comment conducted with scientific rigor. The editorial stance appears to favor empirical evidence and rigorous analysis, as evidenced by the critical examination of photographic evidence and the questioning of simplistic or unsubstantiated theories. The inclusion of diverse topics, from UFOs and ball lightning to rocket decay and origins of life, suggests a broad interest in unexplained phenomena and scientific inquiry.