UFO Times - No 03 - Sep 1989

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO TIMES
Issue: Number 3
Date: September 1989
Publisher: A BUFORA PUBLICATION
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of UFO Times, published by BUFORA, focuses heavily on photographic evidence and the challenges of UFO research. The cover prominently features the word "Photographs," setting the theme for the issue. The magazine delves into various aspects of UFO investigation, including case studies, analysis techniques, and the organizational development of BUFORA itself.

Editorial

The editorial highlights a busy period for the UFO world in Britain over the preceding two months. It discusses the resurgence of interest in crop circles, criticizing the sensationalist claims made by some researchers like Colin Andrews and Pat Delgardo, whose book 'Circular Evidence' is contrasted with BUFORA's own publication, 'Controversy of the Circles.' The editorial also touches upon the Fifth London UFO Congress, where Walt Andrus presented the Gulf Breeze photographic case. The editor expresses skepticism about the Gulf Breeze photos, comparing them to the discredited Billy Meier case and suggesting that alleged UFO photographs should be treated as hoaxes until proven otherwise.

British Photographic Cases by Nigel Smith

Nigel Smith's article addresses the importance of material evidence, particularly photographs, in UFO investigation. He outlines the difficulties in acquiring the necessary tools and expertise, as well as ensuring the safe distribution and analysis of such material. Smith details BUFORA's efforts since 1986 to professionalize its approach to photographic analysis, establishing a centralized system for handling incoming material, defining procedures, and encouraging rigorous analysis. He notes that while he is comfortable with two-dimensional material, other types of evidence have not been forthcoming. Smith reports on the improved resources available to BUFORA, including an 8mm film viewer, and expresses a desire for computer enhancement facilities. He details the process of managing cases, including assigning research codes and issuing receipts. Over three years, BUFORA has handled 28 cases, with 18 being reasonably explained as non-anomalous. Smith emphasizes that photographic evidence alone is often insufficient for absolute identification, citing examples like sunlight glinting off a weather balloon. He recommends IFO evaluations in 9 cases, categorizing them by cause: 3 related to aircraft emissions, 2 to weather balloons, and others to miscellaneous objects like kites and even a duck. The article also discusses cases where the anomaly was only discovered upon film development, and others caused by photographic effects such as multiple exposures, developing stains, or lens reflections. A chart illustrates the number of photographic cases received, categorized by identifiable objects, photo effects, hoax, insufficient info, and pending.

Star Struck

This section briefly discusses a case that convinced the Daily Star and Dr. Bruce Maccabee, a prominent UFO photograph expert. The case involved optical equations to prove its validity, but the negatives have since been lost. BUFORA, however, never believed this case to be genuine.

M1 Video Revisited by Harry Harris

This article re-examines the traffic police remote camera footage from the M1 motorway. After detailed analysis by Mike Sachs, the two main objects in the top right corner were identified as Jupiter and Venus, noted for their natural descent. Mike Sachs accurately predicted their trajectory. Other moving objects were identified as aircraft. The analysis was based solely on the video evidence, acknowledging that other observations by police or civilians not clearly depicted on the film could not be commented upon.

Chairman's Statement: The Way Ahead by Steve Gamble

Steve Gamble, the new Chairman of BUFORA, outlines the organization's future plans and the rationale behind recent subscription increases. He thanks his predecessor, Arnold West, and explains that the subscription hike is necessary to fund BUFORA's expansion. Key initiatives include establishing a central headquarters with an extensive library and case archive, potentially staffed by full-time employees. This aims to improve access to research materials and member services. The second project involves investigating charitable status, which could provide tax advantages. The third project is to organize regional lecture meetings across the country to make BUFORA's resources more accessible to members nationwide. Gamble emphasizes the need to increase membership to support these ambitious projects and improve services, suggesting that doubling membership could significantly boost funding for research and investigation.

Notice of Annual General Meeting

This section provides details for the Fifteenth Annual General Meeting of BUFORA Ltd, scheduled for Saturday, 3rd March 1990, at The London School, Sussex Place, Regent's Park, London. The meeting will cover the Chairman's Report, Council of Management Report, Treasurer's Accounts, and the appointment of an auditor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO evidence, particularly photographic and video material. There is a strong emphasis on rigorous, scientific investigation and a cautious approach to sensational claims, especially concerning crop circles and photographic cases. BUFORA's commitment to confidentiality for witnesses is also highlighted. The editorial stance, as expressed by the editor and Nigel Smith, leans towards skepticism regarding unproven claims and a focus on methodical, evidence-based research. The magazine also promotes the organizational growth and development of BUFORA, aiming to enhance its services and national presence.

Title: UFO Times
Issue: Number 2
Date: 1989
Publisher: UFO Times
Country: United Kingdom

This issue of UFO Times focuses on the critical need for precise definitions in the statistical analysis of UFO reports, with a detailed article by Paul Fuller. It also covers highlights from the 5th International UFO Congress, updates on astronomical and space exploration news, and an investigation into the crop circle phenomenon.

Statistical Treatment of UFO Reports

Paul Fuller's article, "The Statistical Treatment of UFO Reports," emphasizes the paramount importance of definition when evaluating UFO reports statistically. He argues that to accurately assess the range of phenomena, one must be able to distinguish between valid and invalid reports, using the analogy of identifying apples versus oranges. Fuller questions when a UFO report is NOT a UFO report, citing the Rendlesham Forest case as an example of a complex, ambiguous report that might be excluded from a statistical database due to its questionable authenticity. He warns that excluding such cases, even if seemingly minor, could lead to a biased dataset. The article discusses the challenge of classifying reports into mutually exclusive subgroups, especially when phenomena overlap, such as entity reports also being ground trace cases. Fuller suggests that multivariate statistical techniques like Factor Analysis could aid in creating independent classifications based on data variations, but stresses the importance of choosing the correct parameters.

Critical Decision

Fuller elaborates on the Rendlesham Forest case, describing it as possibly the most well-known British UFO report, involving radar trackings, trace marks, radiation effects, and contact with entities, all compounded by conflicting testimony. He expresses hesitation to include it in a statistical database due to its doubtful authenticity, but acknowledges the risk of excluding a statistically valid case. He extends this dilemma to other high-strangeness reports involving military personnel, such as the Lakenheath-Bentwaters events and the Tehran (1976) case. An approach of using a 'Pending' database (like MAYBECAT) for dubious cases is mentioned, but this carries the risk of losing valuable data on complex, ambiguous events. The core issue, Fuller contends, is that without clear definitions, statistics merely measure subjective variations among ufologists.

Classification

The article highlights that the definition of a valid UFO report is just the beginning. The next challenge is determining if all reported events stem from the same phenomenon. If so, analysis can focus on describing that single phenomenon. However, if multiple, independent phenomena are involved, cases must be classified into subgroups for separate statistical analysis. This classification is complex due to the overlapping nature of some reports, such as entity cases also involving ground traces, or car stop cases involving entities. The article notes that multivariate statistical techniques can help by comparing cases across parameters and producing their own classifications.

Congress 89: The 5th International UFO Congress

PHOTO-CALL by Mike Wootten

The 5th International UFO Congress, held over three days starting July 14th, opened with BUFORA president Sir Patrick Wall emphasizing the need for open-minded and thorough UFO research. Hilary Evans presented on 'Balls of Light' and his BOLIDE project, noting that light phenomena have been reported throughout history, not just since Kenneth Arnold's sighting.

The Friday afternoon session featured an abduction debate with six speakers: Walt Andrus, Cynthia Hind, John Spencer, Claude Mauge, Jenny Randles, and Maurizio Verga. Viewpoints varied significantly, with Walt Andrus discussing a 'nuts and bolts' reality, John Spencer a more subtle 'psycho/socio' reality, while Claude Mauge and Maurizio Verga reported abductions as rare or non-existent in France and Italy. Cynthia Hind discussed African cultural differences in reporting.

Friday continued with Claude Mauge discussing UFO definition and Philip Mantle detailing the Barnsley Photographic Hoax, highlighting inter-continental cooperation. The evening concluded with a gala dinner and a talk by Lionel Beer.

Saturday began with Ken Phillips updating the Congress on latest Anamnesis developments. Bertil Kuhllemann spoke on the UFO community's stance with official and governmental departments.

Paul Fuller presented his latest findings on crop circles, researched over nine years, discussing theories by meteorologist Terence Meaden. This talk was controversial. Cynthia Hind spoke on 'Close Encounter Effects on People in Africa.' Walt Andrus presented the Gulf Breeze case in detail, using over 200 slides.

Sunday featured papers by Maurizio Verga and Giant Paolo Grassino on cases and UFO research evolution in Italy during the 1980s. John Spencer delivered a keynote speech, emphasizing the vital need for witness-led investigations and re-evaluating the Betty and Barny Hill case in mundane terms. He warned against investigators pushing hypnotized witnesses into fabricated scenarios.

Dr Willy Smith's paper, presented by John Spencer, argued that the Gulf Breeze case was an elaborate hoax, a view not well-received by the audience or Walt Andrus. Jenny Randles reported on an abduction panel's conclusions regarding investigative practices. The Congress concluded with further debate and presentation of the 'Mr Ed' photos related to Gulf Breeze.

The event was considered a modest profit, with most delegates providing favorable feedback. The ICUR team was congratulated.

The ICUR team: J. Spencer, B. Kuhlemann, M. Verga, G.Grassino, S. Gamble, B. Digby, Walt Andrus, Sir Patrick Wall.

CIRCLES UPDATE

By Jenny Randles

This section updates on the crop circle phenomenon, particularly following the publication of "Controversy of the Circles" by Paul Fuller and others, and books by Dr Terence Meaden and FSR consultants Colin Andrews and Pat Delgado. The 'Circular Evidence' book by Andrews and Delgado received significant media publicity, coinciding with a large number of circle discoveries in Wessex in the summer of 1989. Some circles featured novel designs, and claims were made about potential health dangers from radiation in crops, which bolstered book sales but concerned some farmers.

BUFORA's research team has focused on rationality and common sense, co-funding research with the meteorological community and sponsoring public debates. The article contrasts this with what BUFORA perceived as the irresponsibilities of FSR consultants. Jenny Randles recounts a debate with Colin Andrews on the Gloria Hunniford radio programme.

Hype

The PR hype surrounding the crop circles was significant, amplified by the fortuitous arrival of over 200 circles in Wessex. The article questions whether the publicity and the increase in circle numbers might be related, noting that many circles appeared before the book or publicity.

Serious Research

BUFORA's stance is to promote rational investigation. The article mentions their co-funding of research with the meteorological community and sponsoring of public debates. "Controversy of the Circles" outlines the position of Paul Fuller and Jenny Randles. The new events of 1989 are noted as needing future digestion and reporting. The article highlights a media battle against perceived irresponsibilities of FSR consultants.

Essex Circles Discovery by Mike Wootten

Mike Wootten describes his investigation of a 30 ft circle discovered in Shenfield, Essex, on August 3rd, 1989. The circle was first noticed on July 18th, located 8 ft from a public footpath. Ten days later, another circle appeared 5 ft away. The article notes that crop circles have been appearing with varying and complex patterns for years.

Analysis

Both circles at Shenfield swirled in a clock-wise rotation, with corn stems broken at the base. The central point was precisely in the middle of both circles. The topography of the area was noted as having slight undulations. A local resident reported a three-point leyline passing 50 yards away. Wootten, after studying the area and discussing findings with Paul Fuller and Terence Meaden, concluded that these circles were hoaxes, likely due to heightened media attention.

Gwent Circles Mystery Solved

Colin Andrews initially stated that 98 circles discovered on a ridge in the Welsh Black Mountains were "something of major proportions." However, it was revealed that a farmer had created them to allow young grouse access to heather shoots.

SKYWATCHER

Edited by Gary Anthony

This section provides astronomical information, including planetary movements and meteor showers for September and October 1989.

The Planets

• Venus: Visible as a brilliant evening object in September, moving into the south-western sky in October. Notable conjunctions with Spica and Antares are mentioned.
• Mars: In conjunction with the Sun on September 29th, making it unobservable in September and October.
• Jupiter: A conspicuous object in the night sky in September, visible as a morning object in October. A conjunction with the Moon is noted.
• Saturn: Moving slowly eastwards in Gemini in October, reaching a stationary point. It is a prominent object in Sagittarius in September.

Meteor Showers: The M Orionids shower is noted for October.

skydATA 1989

Lunar phases (First Quarter, Full Moon, Last Quarter, New Moon) are listed for September and October.

RA/Dec Coordinates: Provides celestial coordinates for Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

SPACE NEWS

Galileo - Going to Jupiter

The Galileo mission to Jupiter is scheduled for launch on the NASA Shuttle Atlantis on October 12th, using a less powerful solid booster. The probe will use a gravity assist path via Venus and is expected to reach Jupiter in late 1995. Galileo is designed to enter Jupiter's atmosphere to reveal new details about the planet. The launch schedule is uncertain due to the redesigned shuttle, incorporating lessons learned from the Challenger disaster.

X-Ray Observatory for ESA

At a Paris meeting on June 12th, ESA selected instruments for its X-ray Multi-mirror Mission (XMM). This observatory will use a large array of mirrors in a deep Earth orbit to study X-ray emissions from faint stars and galactic nuclei. The deep orbit is necessary because Earth's atmosphere absorbs X-rays. XMM will feature three imaging telescopes with a focal length of 7.5 meters, aiming to provide unprecedented detail on celestial X-ray sources, from nearby stars to massive galaxies.

XMM Facts

XMM is part of ESA's 'Horizon 2000' program, with an expected operational lifetime exceeding 10 years after its scheduled 1998 launch. It will be ESA's largest scientific satellite.

Investigator Information: Contact Gary Anthony at BUFORA ARP for astronomical information related to case investigations.

INTERNATIONAL UFO SEMINAR

By Stanton T. Friedman

Announces two illustrated lectures by nuclear physicist Stanton T. Friedman titled "Flying Saucers ARE Real." The lectures are scheduled for Sheffield Central Library Theatre on Saturday, October 28th, and Radcliffe Civic Centre, Manchester on Sunday, October 29th. The events are sponsored by the Independent UFO Network and supported by BUFORA. Friedman's lecture will cover five large-scale scientific studies of US Air Force data, with over 60 slides and a Q&A session. Advance bookings and details can be obtained from Phillip Mantle.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the rigorous scientific approach to UFO research, emphasizing definition and classification, as seen in Paul Fuller's articles. The issue also highlights the ongoing debate and research into crop circles, presenting both the 'hype' and 'serious research' perspectives. The coverage of the UFO Congress showcases the diversity of opinions and ongoing investigations within the ufology community, particularly concerning abductions. Space exploration news from NASA and ESA provides a broader scientific context, contrasting with the more speculative UFO topics. The editorial stance appears to favor a rational, evidence-based approach, while acknowledging the complexity and ambiguity inherent in UFO phenomena. The magazine also promotes services like UFOCALL and upcoming events like the Stanton Friedman lectures, aiming to keep its readership informed and engaged.

Title: UFO Times
Issue Date: May 1989
Publisher: BUFORA Ltd
Country: UK
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of UFO Times focuses heavily on reviews of books and studies related to UFO phenomena, with a particular emphasis on terrestrial explanations and the investigation of sightings.

Reviews

Earthlights Revelation by Paul Devereux

The review of Paul Devereux's book 'Earthlights Revelation' highlights its argument that UFOs are generated by subtle tectonic strain along fault lines, creating close encounter visions. The reviewer, Mike Wootten, states that the book addresses previous criticisms of a lack of evidence and strengthens the theory. Devereux's work presents numerous UFO cases researched and traced to specific local faulting, suggesting these are not coincidental. The book also critiques 'ETHers, Nuts and Bolters' (extraterrestrial hypothesis proponents), with Devereux quoted as saying, "The extraterrestrial projection onto UFOs is the scream of a lonely species." The review notes that the book successfully places classic cases, like the Arnold encounter in the Cascade mountains, within an earthlights framework.

The Circles Trilogy

This section reviews three books on crop circles: 'Circular Evidence' by Pat Delgardo & Colin Andrews, 'The Circles Effect and its Mysteries' by George T. Meaden, and 'Controversy of the Circles' by Paul Fuller & Jenny Randles.

• Circular Evidence: Described as a beautifully produced book with large colour pictures, it is noted as being short on words and firm theory. It provides a chronological look at circle formations from 1979 to 1988, detailing types, patterns, measurements, photographs, and diagrams. However, the reviewer criticizes its attempts to connect circles with other unknown events using shallow theories lacking scientific support, though it does mention the vortex theory.
• The Circles Effect and its Mysteries: This book by George T. Meaden is presented as a scientific work, drawing on his meteorological background. It focuses on the vortex theory, is systematic, cross-referenced, and includes an index. Meaden's theory accounts for circle formation, hitting buildings, and glowing vortices due to electrostatic charge. The reviewer notes that Meaden does not mention Paul Fuller's contribution.
• Controversy of the Circles: This book is seen as offering a wider-angled view, including the politics, personalities, media hype, and a survey conducted by BUFORA with TORRO of cereal farmers. It is described as a well-thought-out, authoritative work that does not shy away from controversial aspects.

The reviewer recommends 'Circular Evidence' for pictures, 'The Circles Effect and its Mysteries' for meteorologists, and 'Controversy of the Circles' for a comprehensive view.

Project Pennine: A Landscape UFO Study in the North of England (Part 2)

This concluding part of Dave Clarke's paper investigates UFO sightings in North England, particularly focusing on the Pennine region. The study examines the 'Project Pennine' investigation into a series of sightings, including a reported 'phantom helicopter' in January 1974 in Derbyshire and surrounding areas. Police forces were involved in attempts to trace the helicopter, which was assumed to be flying without a license at low altitude. Newspapers suggested it might be used by IRA terrorists or for smuggling immigrants. However, the investigation concluded without identifying the pilot or solving the mystery.

Clarke's study suggests that no real helicopter was involved, tracing witnesses who now state they never positively identified the object as a helicopter. Sightings often involved lights, beams, or peculiar sounds. The paper links these phenomena to geophysical factors, such as tectonic strain and earth-tremors. A significant event discussed is an earth-tremor in North Wales on January 23, 1974, which coincided with numerous sightings of strange aerial light phenomena and a reported flaming object crash. Dr. Ronald Maddison suggests that rock movements along faults can generate electric potential, leading to electric discharges.

The study also references Dr. Michael Persinger's theory that tectonic strain can predict areas where luminosities occur, particularly near sharp shapes and powerlines. The association of strange lights with prominent rock formations, quarries, and powerlines is noted as a recurring theme in the Pennine study. The project aims to correlate low-level light phenomena with geological faulting, magnetic, and gravitational anomalies.

Spectacular displays are linked to major earth-tremors, with a notable event in July 1984 following an earth tremor, leading to many sighting reports. The evidence suggests that these flaps of sightings are related to geophysical light phenomena released through seismic stress fields, with a demonstrated correlation between UFO movements and geological faulting.

The paper concludes that there is ample evidence from 1974 and 1984 suggesting that earth tremors in North Wales and the Irish Sea area can produce luminous UFO spectaculars over the Pennine hills. It argues against invoking extraterrestrial visitors, suggesting that rural traditions associate these light phenomena with natural processes rather than aliens.

News

Contact International Relaunch

Contact International, an organization, has relaunched its in-house journal, 'Awareness'. The 28-page A5 magazine is described as being behind the times and very ETH-centred, featuring the Meier photographic case and other histories.

UFO Documentary Video

A new UFO documentary video film produced in the United States is mentioned, starring Telly Savalas. Titled 'Channeling: Voices Beyond', it chronicles alleged alien contacts via channeling, featuring figures like 'Bashar', 'Mena', 'Leah', and 'Lazaris'.

Letters

Mystics by Steuart Campbell

Steuart Campbell writes a critical letter regarding Bill Dillon's article 'Aspects of New Physics within Ufology'. Campbell dismisses Dillon's ideas as mystical nonsense, arguing that aliens are not educating humans using 'New Physics' on a psychic plane. He defends Newtonian mechanics, stating they are still relevant, and refutes the idea of 'instantaneous transfer'. Campbell also criticizes Dillon's understanding of the microscopic world and the concept of photon duality, stating there is no evidence for other dimensions or universes. He concludes that Dillon's acceptance of the 'UFO Myth' and preoccupation with mysticism have led him astray.

Well Done by R.K.Grant

R.K.Grant writes to praise the publication, calling it a 'superb publication' with a new format. He specifically commends the skywatch section, recent case section, and the overall improved quality. The 'UFO update phone-in' (UFOCALL) is highlighted as a great idea.

BUFORA Postal Library

Information is provided about the BUFORA Postal Library, which offers a large collection of books on UFOs and related topics, available against a returnable deposit.

Stop Press

Tornado Dogfight with UFO Reported

Reports received by BUFORA's investigations department allege an incident on July 5th involving an RAF Tornado fighter and an anomalous orange light above Blackpool Promenade. The Tornado reportedly flew dangerously low and fired at least one air-to-air missile at the light. RAF Walton denies any such incident, but BUFORA investigators are continuing to make inquiries.

Diary

This section lists upcoming BUFORA lectures and events across the UK, including lectures on Abductions, The Bromley Poltergeist, Stanton Friedman lectures, and a Project Pennine event in Manchester.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of UFO phenomena, with a strong emphasis on exploring terrestrial and geophysical explanations over extraterrestrial hypotheses. The reviews of 'Earthlights Revelation' and 'Project Pennine' exemplify this stance, suggesting that natural phenomena like tectonic strain and seismic activity can account for many sightings. The critique of Bill Dillon's 'mystical' approach in the letters section further reinforces the magazine's leaning towards scientific investigation and skepticism towards non-empirical explanations. The editorial comments, particularly in response to letters, indicate a willingness to publish controversial viewpoints to stimulate discussion while maintaining a focus on research and investigation, as supported by BUFORA's resources and activities.