UFO Times - No 18 - May Jun 1992

Magazine Overview

UFO Times, Issue 18, dated May/June 1992, is a publication from BUFORA (The British UFO Research Association). The cover prominently features the headline "ETH Hype Or Hypothesis?", suggesting a deep dive into the Extra-terrestrial Hypothesis. The issue includes articles on the state of ETH in the UK, a British abduction case, and a critique of the crop circle season. It also promises news, reviews, and reader contributions.

Editorial: Failed Crop?

The editorial expresses concern over the perceived decline in public and media interest in crop circles, noting the absence of dramatic headlines and the emigration of researchers to the US. It attributes this decline partly to the actions of 'hoaxers' like Doug and Dave, whose claims, whether genuine or not, damaged the subject's credibility. The editorial also mentions the National Farmers Union's request to the media not to publicize circle formations due to fears of crop damage by sightseers. The author speculates that the reduction in media attention has led hoaxers to curtail their activities. The editorial laments that the scientific interest in crop circles may be overshadowed by the controversy, making it difficult for reputable scientists to engage with the subject.

Contact

This section discusses the split between researchers Andrews and Delgado. Andrews, in collaboration with US ufologist Steven Greer, attempted to attract UFOs using laser beams, claiming to have witnessed a "spaceship" on July 30th. The details are sketchy, with equipment stored in a tent during the event. Delgado, however, wants no part in this incident. The author notes the sad irony that genuine scientific interest in crop circles might be lost due to the actions of cereologists and their "excessive hypotheses."

Gulf Breeze on its Knees

This article reports on new findings published in the MUFON Journal that cast doubt on the authenticity of the Gulf Breeze UFO photos taken by Ed Walters. An intensive study by photoanalytic expert William Hyzer suggests the images are characteristic of multiple exposure photography. Hyzer's analysis, including the lack of reflections on a truck in one photo, points to the images being easily produced by simple photographic techniques. The article notes that MUFON, which had promoted the case, must be embarrassed, but commends them for publishing the latest findings. The response from Ed Walters is awaited with interest.

News

UFOs Reported In Siberia: Tass, the former Soviet news agency, reported a series of UFO sightings in Chelyabinsk province, Siberia. Witnesses described revolving, aluminum-silver 'flying saucers' appearing at dawn and night, often coming from the direction of Ziuraratkul lake and a nearby mountain ridge. Fyodor Stepanovich Nesterov reported seeing these objects three times, noting they sailed over a hill without noise and disappeared. He also observed illuminated windows and navigational lights on the objects. Tass also reported an incident in Novosibirsk where police investigated complaints of 'wood goblins' causing water to spin in buckets. Video equipment failed, but biologists suggested an invisible force was at play. Local ufologists attributed the phenomenon to UFOs.

Livingston Plaque Vanishes: The brass plaque detailing the Livingston close encounter has been stolen shortly before an official opening ceremony. The event proceeded despite the disappearance.

UFO Buzzes the Northwest: Hundreds of people in Northwest England and North Wales reported a brilliant blue luminous object on August 17th. While initial analysis suggests a meteor, witnesses claim the object was visible for several minutes, inconsistent with a meteor's brief appearance.

Berlin Hosts UFO Conference: De Welt reported on a UFO conference in Berlin, which included a photograph of a UFO from Mexico. The conference reportedly 'solved' the mysteries of Stonehenge and crop circles. The article questions whether Washington will go public with UFO information.

UFO NEWSLINE: A newsdesk number (0352-732473) is provided for readers to submit UFO news stories.

UFO Group Directory: Ufologist Philip Mantle is compiling a directory of active UFO groups and publications worldwide and requests submissions.

BUFORA OFFICE NEWS

Ministry of Defence Channel Reports to BUFORA: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has become more cooperative, now referring UFO witnesses directly to BUFORA. A meeting is planned to discuss cooperation and MOD's methods for handling UFO reports. John Spencer will represent BUFORA.

Fast Response to Membership Enquiries: BUFORA is receiving approximately 30 new membership enquiries per week, with all dealt with within 24 hours.

Serbian Pilots report 'Foo Fighter': The Yugoslav government confirmed reports from Serbian pilots who saw an orange UFO on May 2nd, 1992. The object was sighted at night over central Serbia at an altitude of 12 kilometers and evaded military actions.

Spot the UFO

13 million people have seen UFOs: Time Life Books used a "spot the UFO" competition as part of a promotion for a new series of books on the paranormal, offering a trip to Hollywood as a prize.

Spot the UFO with Time Life: This section elaborates on the Time Life promotion, highlighting the competition and the prize.

Gulf Breeze Photos Take a Blow

This report by Mike Wootten details a major article in the MUFON Journal questioning the authenticity of the Gulf Breeze UFO photos. Photoanalytic expert William Hyzer concluded that the images were likely produced by multiple exposure photography. Inconsistencies, such as the lack of reflections on a truck in one photo, support this conclusion. The article notes that MUFON has published these findings.

Contact Corner

This section invites BUFORA members to connect with others in their area. Contact details are provided for individuals seeking to meet members or for general contact with UFO Times.

THE ET CONCEPT - HYPE OR HYPOTHESIS?

By Norman Oliver

Norman Oliver explores the Extra-terrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) for UFOs, distinguishing between 'hype' (extravagant publicity) and 'hypothesis' (a proposition for reasoning). He argues that while hype is abundant, the ETH can be a valid hypothesis. Oliver critiques the notion that UFOs are solely 'in the mind', pointing out that most reported phenomena (IFOs) have physical origins. He suggests that the remaining percentage of unexplained sightings could also be physical, and not necessarily 'all in the mind' or psychic. Oliver uses the term 'craft' to describe these physical objects, acknowledging it can be controversial but justified for certain reports. He argues that assuming an extra-terrestrial origin for these craft is an assumption not necessarily supported by evidence. He discusses Occam's Razor, suggesting simpler explanations should be preferred. Oliver also touches upon the definition of 'alien', noting it doesn't exclusively mean extra-terrestrial. He references past BUFORA JOURNAL articles that outline working hypotheses for UFO sightings, including misidentifications, hoaxes, and natural phenomena.

Oliver presents a possible ET-based scenario, emphasizing it's a hypothesis, not an act of faith. This scenario suggests that a proportion of UFOs are solid, manufactured objects, some of which are likely alien in origin, possibly terrestrial-based. These bases might be for planetary observation, with occasional incursions from home satellites or planets. He posits that humanity might have been created by these visitants through genetic experimentation or were 'won' in the past, making us their 'property'. Confusion and disinformation would be used to prevent public discovery. He also questions if animal mutilations and crop circles fall under this 'WE ARE PROPERTY' concept, finding it difficult to connect them directly to UFOs.

A TYPICAL BRITISH ABDUCTION

By Philip Mantle

Philip Mantle details his and his colleagues' research into UFO abductions in Britain. He presents a case investigated by Contact International (UK) involving a 19-year-old youth from North Wales who claimed to have been taken aboard a UFO and transported to a mother ship beyond Pluto on February 8th, 1985. The youth, disturbed by the experience, contacted Contact International. The investigation team, including Derek Mansell, met the youth and his mother. The witness described walking home in the early hours when he was attracted by a humming noise from a field. He saw a large, dull, black, dome-disc shaped object hovering about 2 feet above the ground. Humanoids, described as helmeted and featureless except for dim eye-lights, approached him, and he was taken aboard the UFO. His captors wore greying suits with gold belts and braces.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO Times strongly engages with the Extra-terrestrial Hypothesis (ETH), presenting arguments both for and against it. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious scientific inquiry, urging against dismissing physical evidence or jumping to conclusions. There's a clear emphasis on rigorous research, as exemplified by BUFORA's aims and the detailed investigation of abduction cases. The magazine also highlights the challenges in researching UFO phenomena, including the impact of hoaxes, media sensationalism, and the need for clear definitions and methodologies. The recurring theme is the ongoing debate about the nature and origin of UFOs, with a preference for evidence-based investigation over unsubstantiated claims.

Title: UFO Times
Issue Date: February 1985

This issue of UFO Times delves into various aspects of ufology, featuring a detailed account of a purported alien abduction, the results of ESP experiments, and reviews of conferences and books.

Abduction Case: Wheatley Incident

The issue begins with a detailed report of an incident that occurred on February 8th, 1985, involving a witness from Wheatley. The witness claims to have been taken into an alien craft, observed in a control room with consoles and a screen, and then decontaminated. The beings communicated telepathically and prepared him for a 'time change'. The craft then took off noiselessly, and the witness reported seeing planets of the solar system. He was then taken aboard a mother ship where he underwent a medical examination, including having his arm burned and probes used on his neck and chest. He was given the choice to refuse the removal of his eyes. A tape in his pocket was analyzed, and its music was picked up by the craft's console, which also detected his thought waves.

The beings reportedly came from a planet beyond the constellation of Lyra and breathed pure oxygen, disliking Earth's polluted atmosphere. They claimed to have bases on the Moon but destroyed them when probes were sent from Earth. They also explained that Black Holes are force fields around solar systems and that the scout ship was made from an unknown plastic.

After approximately 6 hours, the witness was returned to Earth, experiencing missing time. A policeman found him and drove him home, arriving at 5:30 am. This indicated a missing time period of about 1.5 hours.

An on-site investigation was conducted 16 days after the incident by Contact International representatives Derek Mansell, Geoff Ambler, and David Ridge. They met the witness, his mother, younger brother, and grandfather. The witness, who had been calm and relaxed a week after the incident, recounted his story, which largely agreed with his previous statements. The burn marks on his arm were visible. He mentioned that further contact had faded, possibly due to informing outsiders. The investigators found no physical evidence of a landing in the field, but a computer check indicated that most planets were in the same quadrant as claimed by the witness. The investigation team concluded that the witness experienced something beyond reasonable doubt.

IUN-BUFORA Investigation

Further interviews with the witness were conducted by a researcher from IUN-BUFORA. The witness was extremely nervous and upset, experiencing nightmares about the event that led him to seek hypnotherapy. His experience altered his life, making him interested in 'green' issues and leading him to write poetry and songs. The case is described as a typical British abduction, differing from US cases in its lack of small grey aliens and genetic experiments.

Reviews and Conference Reports

The Aliens Revealed Conference: This one-day conference at UMIST featured US ufologist George G. Fawcett, who discussed the 'grand ETH cover-up' hypothesis and 'angel hair'. John McNish of the BBC presented on crop circles, including a demonstration of a hoax. Jenny Randles discussed SETI and the UFO connection, noting differences between UK and US alien descriptions and questioning the decrease in UFO photographs despite increased camera ownership. Jacques Vallee, a speaker, was skeptical of crashes and abductions but mentioned physical evidence cases and the Voronezh affair. He also discussed nighttime incidents in Brazil involving beams of light.

Crop Circles: Conclusive Evidence? by Pat Delgado: This book is reviewed as visually interesting with many color photographs but a disappointing text, filled with 'wishy-washy inferences'. The review criticizes Delgado's claims about lettering in crop circles and his suggestion that government departments might be involved in organizing hoaxes.

ESP Experiments

Experiments A & B: Playing Cards: Seven participants and a control subject were tested for telepathy and clairvoyance using playing cards. The results were not significant.

Experiment C: Objects: Seven participants attempted to match household objects. The total number of correct matches was 7, with MCE (mean chance expectation) of 8.

Experiment D: Map Locations: Seven participants attempted to identify map locations. Subject 8 achieved a significant result with a p-value of 0.0238.

Experiment E: Words: Participants attempted to match phrases. One correct match was made by subject 8, considered a chance result.

Experiment F: Drawings: Participants were asked to draw items. The rank sum was 24, exactly equal to MCE.

Experiment G: Clock Face: Participants attempted to replicate the time on a stopped clock. Subject 17 came closest to the target.

Experiment H: Old Masters: A precognitive test involving matching paintings. The target was judged first out of five on a majority vote, but scored second overall.

Conclusion of Experiments: The experiments showed no evidence of an extra-chance factor. Subject 8's performance in the map test was the most interesting result, but the p-value was not considered significant in the context of eight subjects. The artificial test situation may have inhibited psychic functioning.

Reader's Letters

Pineal Connections: Dr Frank McGillion writes regarding Dr Roney-Dougal's article, cautioning against over-interpretation of the pineal gland's role in human physiology and ufology. He emphasizes that while melatonin influences other hormones, its direct link to magnetic fields in humans is not established, and animal studies with non-physiological doses should be extrapolated carefully.

Editor's Comment on Pineal Connections: The editor acknowledges the speculative nature of Dr Roney-Dougal's ideas but finds them thought-provoking and potentially opening new avenues of research.

UFOs, States of Mind and the Pineal Connection: Another reader, Edward Brown, discusses the connection between neurons, quantum events, and wave functions, stating that neurons are too large to be affected by quantum events and that wave functions do not arise merely by thinking. He also questions the connection between yogic chakras and bodily glands, and the influence of magnetic fields on the pineal gland.

Campbells Camps: Steuart Campbell critiques the magazine's dichotomy of UFO researchers (ETH believers vs. 'imbalanced' individuals), arguing that most reports come from people of sound mind. He suggests that UFOs are caused by misperception of astronomical objects or mirages, with some elaboration via dreams or hypnosis. He also points out a defect in the new sighting questionnaire for not asking for observed altitude.

Editor's Comment on Campbells Camps: The editor disagrees with Campbell's assertion that most reports are astronomical objects, citing that only 17% of IFOs are related to astronomical objects. He also mentions the Livingston case as an example that cannot be explained by Campbell's theory and states that a new 'All Sky Diagram' is planned for the questionnaire to estimate altitude.

Questionnaire Suggestion: Darryl Hedger suggests adding a compass dial printed over a UK outline to the new sighting questionnaire to aid witness orientation.

Skywatcher

This section covers the EUVE satellite ready for launch, the Atlas-1, and practice for the Hubble Space Telescope repair mission. It also notes the Eta Aquarid meteor shower and provides a 'skydATA' table for May and June 1992, including moon phases and planetary positions. Information is provided courtesy of ESA and NASA.

Diary and UFOCALL

The diary lists upcoming BUFORA events, including lectures and a conference. Brigantia Books is advertised for rare UFO titles. UFO Newsfile, a subscription service, is also promoted. UFOCALL is presented as a telephone service offering the latest UFO news and cases.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a critical yet open-minded approach to ufology. While acknowledging the possibility of genuine UFO phenomena, it emphasizes the need for rigorous investigation and scientific scrutiny. There is a clear distinction made between physical evidence and subjective experiences, with a healthy skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims. The magazine also highlights the differences in reported alien characteristics between UK and US cases, suggesting that the 'Earthly' nature of some phenomena might be more relevant than extraterrestrial origins. The ESP experiments, though inconclusive, represent an attempt to explore psychic abilities within a controlled scientific framework. The editorial stance appears to favor empirical evidence and reasoned analysis, while remaining open to the broader implications of the UFO phenomenon. The inclusion of reader letters and editor's comments fosters a dialogue and encourages critical thinking within the ufological community.