BUFORA Bulletin2 - No.14 - Oct Nov 1999

Magazine Overview

Title: BUFORA BULLETIN
Issue: 14
Date: October/November 1999
Publisher: British UFO Research Association
Country: United Kingdom

This issue of the BUFORA Bulletin delves into various aspects of UFO research, including photographic evidence, the phenomenon of hypnagogia, and the media's historical and contemporary portrayal of UFOs and the paranormal. It also provides updates on BUFORA's organizational structure, activities, and its involvement in scientific projects like SETI@HOME.

Editorial: Science and UFOs

The editorial discusses the challenges of securing funding for UFO research, referencing comments made by astronomer Dr. Jacqueline Mitton. It highlights that government funding for scientific research in the UK prioritizes projects with a high likelihood of success, and that many excellent proposals are turned away due to lack of funds. The editorial suggests that the perceived low probability of success in UFO research, similar to some SETI programs, makes it unlikely to receive official government sponsorship.

Contents

The issue features a range of articles and sections:

• Editorial: Science and UFOs (Page 3)
• Here & There: News and updates (Page 4)
• The SETI@HOME Project: An article by Steve Gamble on BUFORA's involvement (Page 5)
• NIC Meeting: Announcement of a meeting in Cambridge (Page 5)
• Media and the Paranormal: Part Two of an article by Anthony Eccles (Page 7)
• Hypnagogia & Lucid Dreaming: An article by Kate Taylor (Page 17)
• Visual Evidence: An article by Brian James (Page 23)
• Lectures: (Page 28)

From Here and There

This section provides organizational updates and news:

• New Council Members: Kate Taylor and Brian James are welcomed to the BUFORA Council.
• Near Miss: A report from the CAA details a near miss incident on June 12, 1998, where an aircraft pilot reported a small metallic object passing within 20 feet, which could not be identified by air traffic control.
• Jim Keith: The passing of conspiracy researcher and author Jim Keith on September 8, 1999, is reported.
• Philip Mantle: Former Council member Philip Mantle has recovered from a period of illness.
• BUFORA Website: Richard Conway and Jay Loring have been redesigning the BUFORA website, which is now taking shape.
• Bulletin Writers Panel: Gloria Dixon, Brian James, and Kate Taylor have joined the panel to assist with the Bulletin's compilation.
• Strange Daze Website: The magazine Strange Daze now has its own website.

The SETI@HOME Project

Steve Gamble writes about BUFORA's participation in the SETI@HOME project. This multinational project aims to detect signs of extraterrestrial civilizations in radio transmissions. The project utilizes the idle time of computers worldwide to process data from radio telescopes. The article explains the project's origins, its reliance on private funding after NASA's initial project was axed, and its methodology of piggybacking on existing telescope observations. The SETI@HOME project aims to map a band of the sky at high resolution. The scientific team acknowledges a slim possibility of finding evidence of extraterrestrials but emphasizes the necessity of looking. By September 20, the BUFORA team had processed over 300 data packets, contributing over a year of computer processing time. The article defends BUFORA's involvement by stating that investigating all theories, including extraterrestrial visitation, is part of its mandate.

NIC Meeting, Cambridge

Gloria Heather Dixon announces an NIC meeting in Cambridge on October 23, 1999. The meeting will cover topics such as BUFORA's moratorium on hypnosis, the postal training course, and issues related to UFO video footage and photographs.

The Good, the Bad and the Downright Ugly - a look at the how the media portrays the subjects of UFOs and the paranormal. Part Two

Anthony Eccles continues his examination of how the media has treated the paranormal, focusing on UFOs. Part One explored 'scareship' sightings in the late 19th century. Part Two discusses how early science fiction, like Jules Verne's and H.G. Wells' works, introduced concepts of space travel and alien invasions, which were not widely accepted at the time due to prevailing technology. The article notes the development of early aircraft and airships, contrasting them with imaginative concepts. It links the evolution of imagination to technological advancement, suggesting that UFOs often take on shapes that later become real aircraft.

The article then focuses on the first half of the 20th century, highlighting the rise of UFO sightings, particularly in the US. 'Foo Fighters' during World War II are discussed, with newspapers initially believing they were German secret weapons. The article questions whether such reports would have been taken seriously by the press if the Allies had not identified them as unknown phenomena.

The post-WWII era, the Atomic Age, and the Cold War saw an increase in UFO sightings. The article draws attention to a wave of sightings in Scandinavia, starting in the 1930s and re-emerging in 1946. The Swedish 'ghost aeroplane' phenomena, characterized by large, unmarked craft flying in all weather conditions, caused concern and led to a joint investigation by Scandinavian defense ministries. Despite extensive investigation, the origin and nature of these craft remained unknown. A Swedish Major-General stated that the reports indicated illegal air traffic over military areas.

Between 1934 and 1936, the 'ghost aeroplane' phenomenon seemed to disappear but returned in 1936, with sightings moving further north. The article briefly mentions H.G. Wells' film 'Things to Come' (1936) as a potential subconscious link to science fiction concepts influencing UFO perceptions. It questions whether modern viewers would recognize the shape of these 'ghost aeroplanes' as similar to a B-52 bomber.

Following WWII, the 'ghost aeroplanes' were replaced by 'ghost rockets' in Scandinavia. These were likened to German V-2 rocket bombs, with reports of them crashing into lakes. The article speculates whether these were related to US or Soviet experiments with V-2 technology over Scandinavian airspace, noting that the US government had not mentioned any such activities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the investigation of UFO phenomena, the challenges of scientific research funding, the historical evolution of UFO sightings and their media portrayal, and the role of imagination in technological development. The editorial stance suggests a pragmatic approach to UFO research, acknowledging the need to investigate all theories while recognizing the difficulties in obtaining mainstream scientific and governmental support due to perceived low probabilities of success and funding constraints. The magazine actively promotes BUFORA's activities and encourages new members.

This issue of UFOCALL, edited by Jenny Randles, delves into two significant historical UFO-related events: the 'ghost rocket' sightings in Sweden and the infamous Roswell incident. It also explores psychological explanations for abduction experiences.

The Swedish 'Ghost Rocket' Phenomenon

The article begins by discussing Sweden's neutrality during World War Two and its industrial capabilities, including those of Saab and Shell Oil, which facilitated links with the US. It notes that UFOs observed in Sweden were not limited to rocket shapes, but also appeared as lights, cigar shapes, and winged machines, with sightings extending to Northern Greece. These objects were sometimes described as very large and bright green, referred to as 'flying green fireballs'. The Soviets were initially blamed for these rockets, which were believed to fly at speeds up to 1000mph, though they denied responsibility.

In 1946, Sweden saw numerous visits from retired military personnel, including General James A. Doolittle, who was famous for his role in US strategic bombing. Doolittle was working with Shell Oil and met with business delegates and military officers. These trips fueled suspicions of secret meetings between Swedish and US intelligence to discuss the 'ghost rocket' events, though this was always denied. Military documents later confirmed that direct discussions between the Swedish and US military on the 'ghost rocket' issue had not occurred, suggesting any liaison would have been conducted secretly through intelligence offices. The press reported these incidents without bias, and the Swedish military was supportive of the press.

Project Twinkle and Early US Investigations

As a side note, the United States established Project Twinkle in the late Forties to investigate unusual green fireballs witnessed by military personnel and project staff. Dr. Lincoln La Paz, an expert in meteors, led the study, which used three camera locations to capture events on film, but ultimately failed. The study's results remained inconclusive based on witness testimony alone.

The Roswell Incident: A Turning Point

1947 marked a pivotal year for public perception of UFOs, with two major events influencing thoughts about humanity's place in the cosmos. The article highlights how the media played a role in shaping public perception.

Following pilot Kenneth Arnold's sighting on June 24, 1947, which led to the coining of the term 'flying saucer', a significant event occurred in July near Aurora, New Mexico. This event influenced how the military used the media to manage public opinion on flying saucers and downplay increasing sightings that alarmed the US Air Force.

The Roswell incident, occurring near the White Sands missile testing range and Roswell Army Air Force base, is examined in detail. On July 2, 1947, a thunderstorm passed over Roswell. That evening, rancher 'Mac' Brazel heard a loud bang. The next morning, he discovered a large amount of debris covering an area three-quarters of a mile long and two to three hundred feet wide. The US Army Air Force later claimed the debris was from a weather balloon.

Brazel reported the find to the local sheriff, who contacted Roswell Army Air Force Base. Officers, including Counter-Intelligence Corps personnel and Major Jesse A. Marcel, Roswell's Intelligence Officer, examined the wreckage. They noted the material had unusual properties and loaded vehicles with debris for analysis. By July 8, the military had cordoned off the rancher's land.

On July 8, the Roswell military issued a press release stating that the intelligence office had obtained a 'disc' with the cooperation of a local rancher and the Sheriff's office. The object had landed on a ranch near Roswell, and the rancher had stored it until he could contact the Sheriff. Major Jesse A. Marcel was involved in retrieving and inspecting the object.

Colonel William Blanchard, the Base Commander, believed in maintaining good community ties, which influenced the decision to issue a press release. The release aimed to inform locals and convince the public that the Army Air Force had a 'flying disc', thereby buying time for the military to remove all debris.

Blanchard considered all official communication top secret. The press release stated: "Here is the unqualified statement issued by the Roswell Army Base public relations officer: The many rumours regarding the flying disc became a reality yesterday when the intelligence office of the 509th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force, Roswell Army Air Field, was fortunate enough to gain possession of a disc through the co-operation of one of the local ranchers and the Sheriff's office of Chaves county. The flying object landed on a ranch near Roswell sometime last week. Not having phone facilities, the rancher stored the disc until such time as he was able to contact the Sheriff's office, who in turn notified Major Jesse A. Marcel, of 509th Bomb Group Intelligence office. Action was immediately taken and the disc was picked up at the rancher's. It was inspected at the Roswell Arm Air Field and subsequently loaned by Major Marcel to higher headquarters."

This news quickly reached local and international newspapers. However, Brazel was later escorted to the military base and, in a subsequent appearance on local radio, changed his story, claiming he had found only pieces of rubber, balsa wood, and sticky tape. The official explanation shifted to a weather balloon, and the debris area was reduced to two hundred feet square.

Blanchard used the media to provide an explanation for the debris, aiming to quell rumors. This strategy served two purposes: to buy time for the staff to collect all wreckage and to partially inform the public. Brazel's altered testimony and subsequent apparent financial improvement (acquiring a new truck, meat store, and home) suggest he may have been bought by the military, raising questions about the weather balloon explanation.

Brigadier General Roger M. Ramey of the Eighth Air Force in Fort Worth, Texas, gave a press release where newspapermen were shown wreckage. Marcel posed for a photograph with the debris, which was identified as part of a broken weather balloon with a hexagonal attachment called a 'Re-win target'. This narrative aimed to deflate expectations about flying saucers, prevent escalation, and position Marcel as a scapegoat.

The Roswell Daily Record's front page on July 9th featured headlines like "Gen. Ramey Empties Roswell Saucer" and "Ramey Says Excitement Is Not Justified," with an article stating the mysterious objects were a "harmless high-altitude weather balloon." The use of 'harmless' suggested the public perceived flying disks as dangerous. Sheriff Wilcox was photographed talking on the phone, marking the first instance of journalistic ridicule regarding the subject.

The article questions why intelligence officer Jesse Marcel, experienced with weather balloons, did not recognize the debris. It also questions why such a fantastic story was fed to the press if it was merely a weather balloon. The lack of logged weather balloon flights for June 1st and 2nd, 1947, and the continued military silence, even hindering a US Senator's inquiry into Project Mogul (related to Soviet atomic testing), suggest a cover-up.

Following Roswell, an official investigation into the UFO subject began. By late 1947, the army and air force separated, with the air force examining reports from both military and civilian sources. The Roswell incident was largely forgotten by the public, but UFO sightings continued. The next issue promises to cover the US Military's efforts to address public demand for answers through Projects Sign, Grudge, and Blue Book, and the media's role.

Hypnagogia, Lucid Dreaming, and the Bed-Based Abduction Scenario

Kate Taylor's article explores psychological explanations for abduction experiences, suggesting that hypnagogia, lucid dreaming, and other sleep states are responsible for the majority of bed-based abduction scenarios. She aims to provide probable explanations to counter the hysteria surrounding these events.

Hypnagogia is defined as the state of consciousness between wakefulness and sleep, where sensory awareness decreases, and thoughts become less logical and sometimes bizarre. Common features include auditory experiences (hearing one's name called) and visual imagery (static landscapes, moving faces, geometric shapes). These experiences can be vivid and easily confused with reality, leading individuals to wake up and respond to perceived stimuli.

The article cites research by Empsom, Blackmore, and McKellar, who have studied sleep states and consciousness. Empsom notes that the process of going to sleep requires a readjustment of thinking. Blackmore highlights that as sensory input and arousal fall, the brain forms perceptions from low-level inputs, such as retinal discharges, leading to "half-formed thoughts, memories as well as low-quality visual and auditory inputs" that combine to form hypnagogic images.

McKellar's research suggests that people may not realize they are experiencing hypnagogia regularly, often needing a chance trigger event to recognize it. The article draws parallels between these scientific findings and the concept of 'awakened' latent abduction memories, suggesting the latter might actually be memories of hypnagogic states.

Visual and auditory phenomena, as well as paralysis, are discussed as common in abduction reports. Paralysis is explained by the profound loss of muscle tone during REM sleep, except for eye movements and breathing. Outside events, like lying awkwardly or becoming entangled in bedclothes, can also be incorporated into hypnagogic states or dreams, creating sensations of immobility.

A case study of John Adams illustrates how these phenomena can manifest. Adams reported seeing a shadowy figure, hearing odd sounds, and experiencing strange lighting effects, all consistent with hypnagogic experiences. The article references Whitley Strieber's accounts of distinct blue light.

Neurologist John Hughlings Jackson's Perceptual Release Theory is introduced, suggesting that as senses receive less input during sleep, the cortex seeks information from low-level random discharges, forming perceptions that would be disregarded in a waking state. This theory posits that half-formed thoughts and memories combine to create hypnagogic images.

The article emphasizes that hypnagogia is not the sole explanation for bed-based 'abductions'; lucid dreaming and false awakenings also play a role. Lucid dreams occur later in the sleep cycle than initial dreams and can grade imperceptibly into false awakenings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, the role of military and government in managing public perception, and the psychological underpinnings of anomalous experiences. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking rational explanations for phenomena often shrouded in mystery and sensationalism, while acknowledging the possibility of genuine unexplained events. The magazine promotes its UFOCALL service for the latest UFO headlines and news.

Title: BUFORA Bulletin
Issue Date: Summer 1999 (List A/99)
Publisher: BUFORA Ltd.
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of the BUFORA Bulletin delves into the complexities of visual evidence in UFO research, questioning the reliability of photographic and video material. It also announces upcoming lectures and features a comprehensive book sales list.

Visual Evidence?

Brian P. James, in his article "Visual Evidence?", explores the challenges in substantiating UFO sightings through visual means. He posits that UFOs are among the most fleeting and elusive phenomena, making them difficult to capture. James emphasizes that BUFORA's focus is on investigating witness reports of UFOs rather than actual UFOs themselves, a crucial distinction.

He notes that UFO reports often rely on witness recollections, which can be fallible and change over time. While 'visual evidence' might seem to lend more credence, James points out that even classic UFO photographs, such as the Adamski 'Scoutships' and the McMinville photos, have been subject to re-examination with modern digital imaging techniques, sometimes leading to new interpretations, such as explanations involving experimental stealth aircraft.

The article questions whether the increasing accessibility of cameras and the rise of video evidence have truly made the evidence more reliable. Examples like Eduard 'Billy' Meier and Ed Walters are cited where the evidence is not conclusive. The popularity of cine-film in the 1960s also yielded dubious footage, including Adamski's, though some modern analysis suggests his 'cardboard cut-out' ships might have been real, distant objects.

James then turns to video evidence, particularly from home camcorders. He argues that much commercially produced UFO footage is of poor quality, often out of focus, especially night footage. He demonstrates with his own footage that a camcorder pointed at a bright star or planet, like Jupiter, can produce anomalous images that appear UFO-like, complete with 'propulsion trails' and distinct shapes. These are attributed to camera processing faults, such as the scanning lines of the CCD or the way it handles bright images against dark backgrounds.

He recounts an incident where a local newspaper reported a mysterious pulsating UFO filmed over Oxford. However, a conversation with the videographer revealed the footage was of a Boeing 737, and the pulsating effect was due to the camcorder's auto-focus struggling to lock onto the light source. James stresses the importance of critically examining witness reports against the footage, noting that even daylight footage can be poor due to high magnification.

The article also touches upon the 'Mexico City hockey puck' type of object, questioning why they appear to spin consistently in one direction, which he relates to the scanning motion of camera CCDs. He raises the question of whether researchers are deluding themselves in their quest for evidence.

James then discusses the 'digital age' of photography, highlighting that while it offers new tools, it also introduces more difficulties in establishing visual evidence. The quality of digital images is dependent on the camera's resolution and settings, and can become pixelated or 'blocky'. Furthermore, the ease with which digital images can be processed, resized, cropped, masked, enhanced, and color-adjusted on home computers opens up endless possibilities for manipulation and hoaxing, citing the Oliver's Castle crop circle/UFO video as an example.

He concludes that after 50 years of UFO photography and images, the pursuit of definitive proof is paradoxically becoming harder as technology advances. The methods at their disposal cast more doubt on what images might show, and the burden of proof becomes heavier, suggesting that researchers may increasingly have to rely on witness accounts.

Last Word: Dreams and UFOs

Glenn Campbell offers a concluding anecdote about mistaking a dream for a UFO sighting. While parked at night, he reported seeing large, multicolored spacecraft move silently above his car. He described the experience as vivid but felt paralyzed. Upon reflection, he realized he was lying face down in the back seat of his car and could not have seen out the front window. He concluded that the 'impressive craft' were a dream, likely triggered by his desire to see UFOs.

BUFORA Events and Bookshop

The bulletin lists upcoming BUFORA lectures in London, including talks on "The Pleiades Legacy" by Len Farra, "UFO sightings in the UK" by Arthur Tomlinson, and "Altered States of Consciousness" by Professor Arthur J. Ellison. It also details meetings for BUFORA London and APRA.

The BUFORA Bookshop offers a wide selection of UFO-related books, including research reports like "Men-In-Black" and "Bolide Report," conference proceedings, and back issues of magazines such as "UFO Times" and "BUFORA Bulletin." Prices are listed, and orders can be sent to BUFORA (pub) at 16 Southway, Burgess Hill, Sussex.

References

The article cites "Sleep and Dreaming" by J. Empsom as a reference.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical evaluation of evidence, particularly visual evidence, in UFO research, and the potential for misinterpretation due to technological limitations and psychological factors. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards sensationalism and a call for rigorous, evidence-based analysis, while acknowledging the importance of witness testimony. The bulletin promotes a thoughtful approach to the subject, encouraging deeper thinking and critical analysis of claims.