Data Net - No 18 - 1968

Magazine Overview

Title: DATA-NET CONTROL
Issue: NO. 18
Date: June 1968
Publisher: Data-Net
Country: USA
Price: $4.00 a year

This issue of the "Data-Net Report" is the official newsletter of Data-Net, a group of radio amateurs interested in the UFO problem. The publication is produced by the control station WB6RPL, managed by Michel M. Jaffe. Membership is $4.00 annually, and the "Report" is published monthly. All rights are reserved, and no portion may be reproduced without prior written permission. Copyright is held by Data-Net for 1968.

Concerning the Space Signals

The newsletter reports on data received from DATA-NET SECTION ENGLAND (G3TPW) regarding space signals. Jodrell Bank Observatory reportedly refused to participate in tests, deeming it a waste of time. However, the Cambridge Observatory has been receiving a space signal in the form of a pulse every 1.37 seconds, which appears artificial. This information was released to the scientific press with an explanation of a pulsing white dwarf, though with a four-month delay. The signal was visible on paper readouts, and doppler shift is being checked. Additionally, Stanford reports hearing space signals from four sources, and Lick Observatory states they can see these pulsing sources.

On UFO's in General

A significant flare-up of UFO reports occurred locally about three months prior to this publication. The press and TV adopted a serious attitude. For about two weeks, many reports came from policemen on night duty, describing discs approximately 30 feet in diameter. A slight panic ensued, and the police were told to remain quiet. Many reports from local people were spectacular, but some were investigated and found to be false, leading to the dismissal of the phenomenon.

Data-Net Policy and Membership

Due to recent occurrences, Data-Net re-emphasizes its policy: information is for members only. They are not interested in impressing the public or bragging. They are not a secret group but have nothing to sell. Data-Net members are radio amateurs interested in the UFO subject for their own curiosity. They are willing to cooperate with other serious UFO research groups on a mutual basis and do not wish to get involved in "idiotic competition and feuds." They do not want to waste pages insulting each other to maintain reader interest, noting they have no subscribers.

The C.U. Project and the "Look" Article

The newsletter discusses the "Look" article concerning the Condon Committee (C.U. project). The author's name is omitted due to threats of lawsuits. The article suggests the investigation is being conducted by an incompetent and close-minded set of individuals. There is speculation that Dr. Condon might be holding something back, and the report could be objective, but faith in Condon and his team is low, partly because the Air Force chose an older scientist. The "who pays the piper calls the tune" adage is invoked. The exact purpose of the investigation is questioned, with the Air Force brief only mentioning a vague assignment to "investigate" UFOs. The author doubts the official report will reveal the true nature of UFOs unless Condon has a flying saucer in his lab. Optimistically, the report might state that flying saucers are real objects from a statistical viewpoint, requiring further research. Pessimistically, it might dismiss sightings as mass psychosis or fakery. The author urges readers to wait for the report before judging the investigators.

Data-Net Welcomes and Recommendations

DATA-NET welcomes Steve (G3TPW), director of their England section, who experiments with HF, high power transmitters, and radio telescopes, planning to transmit on the 21.1 CM "HYDROGEN" frequency. Jerry (WA5RON) recommends APRO's book "UFO'S OVER THE AMERICAS," and several other members also recommend books from APRO and NICAPI.

DATA-NET also welcomes W4BNE, director of their Florida section, Ray, who has a team including WFLA-TV and Marshall S. Cleaver of WLCY-TV.

A report from Maryland, also with an omitted author's name due to lawsuits, expresses conviction that only DATA-NET is likely to achieve meaningful results with UFO investigations because its members are technically oriented, open-minded, and not publicity-seeking.

Admiral Byrd's Reports and Other Comments

Comments on Report #16 include the assertion that Admiral Byrd's reports have been misinterpreted and there is no habitable region under the earth's surface. The author notes Bernard's book on the hollow earth and his claim of seeing the Northern lights due to an "inner sun" through a polar opening, which the author disputes based on personal experience. The author also mentions interstellar radio signals with a repetition interval of 1.337 seconds, theorized to be from intelligently produced beacons powered by fusion reactors. Russian technology is noted as unsophisticated but effective. A "Loco Texan" is reportedly scared that his realistic photos might be believed. A "Groo-Loo" near Santa Rosa requires technical evaluation, specifically its effect on a magnetic compass. A humorous note about a page number and forfeited membership pins is included.

Alleged UFO Photo Analysis

An alleged photo of a UFO taken by a Navy A...L... in mid-June 1954 is discussed. W7ZC reports the photo is genuine and was examined by photographers at Sandia. The UFO reportedly emitted invisible rays and showed turbulence. The object is described as five-sided, and the plane in the photo is a B29. The analysis notes that projected lines from the object miss it by 11%, and the vehicle was flying fast. The photo is presented as evidence of a five-sided UFO, with details about the camera used (Kodak Tourist) and the circumstances of its capture. The article notes that the object was not visible to the eye and that most film can register what is outside human vision. The object was of tremendous size and gave off radiations. The photographer feared the photo was "classified" and delayed its release. The article concludes that the craft was of scientific survey class and its radiations were not beamed at the aircraft.

A preliminary report on the same UFO photograph, researched by D-N members WA7BNC, WB6RPL, and Jos Adamski, suggests that the object might be a lens flare. Using "projection," lines appearing to emanate from the object line up with the sun. The speed of the object would cause it to be out of focus. The woman stated she never saw the object. The researchers are convinced the photo is not a result of darkroom manipulation or fraudulent intent. Their current conclusion is that the woman shot a B29 aircraft against the sun, producing a lens flare. Research is to continue.

Recommended Reading and Data-Net Services

WA5RON recommends "Is There Life On Other Worlds?" by Paul Anderson. The newsletter revisits the Heflin photographs, stating that their research, along with input from others including David A. Schroth of APRO, indicates the photos are invalid. They criticize Wayne Greene of "73" magazine for questioning their findings. It is noted that most serious UFO researchers now agree the Heflin photos were invalid. Members can borrow books on UFOs from D-N Control. The DATA-NET reward for an authentic UFO photo is $21.00. Radio frequencies monitored by WB6RPL, KP4CH, ZD80FE, and WB6TXK are listed. Ads are free for members. ID cards are being made, and information, stamps, money, and members are needed. Articles from members and non-members are solicited, with anonymity honored.

A Strange Encounter

Michel M. Jaffe recounts a bizarre encounter at 3:15 AM on May 27th. A voice knocked insistently at his door. Upon opening it, a man in a black suit entered, identified himself as being from the "Mission Impossible Bureau" (MIB), and demanded a retraction for "nasty cracks" made about the MIB. The man threatened to "rock the boat" and warned Jaffe to stay away from the MIB, Snippy, and T.T. Brown. The man then vanished in a puff of green smoke, only for Jaffe to wake up moments later, his wife asking about the smoke, revealing it was a nightmare.

Pulsar Discoveries and Theories

An article from the San Jose Mercury details strange signals from outer space viewed and photographed through the 120-inch telescope at Lick Observatory. These signals, called pulsars, have traveled an estimated 300 light years. University scientists observed the signals and conducted tests, noting it was "something we've never encountered before." Dr. Leonard Kuhi of the University of California and Dr. David Cudaback reported the findings. The Lick team was the second to view pulsars optically and the first to detect regular variations. Pulsars were first spotted by Cambridge University in England. The signals are repeated at precise intervals and are extremely complicated. The power source is estimated to be in the 10 billion-billion kilowatt range. Original theories were based on radio signals, but the changing light signal has complicated the mystery. The Lick Observatory team worked with a radio astronomy team at Stanford University. Dr. Cudaback worked with Dr. Kuhi, H. Taylor Howard, and Edward K. Conklin.

Stanford had previously made radio observations of pulsars. Dr. Kuhi stated that they could barely pick them up with the naked eye through the 120-inch telescope. The signals were run through a photo-electric photometer and recorded on magnetic tape, then processed by a computer. Tests were completed, and Dr. Cudaback flew to New York to report the observations. There is no standard theory matching the signals, but doubts exist about them coming from an outer space civilization due to the immense power required. The signal made up only about 10 percent of the light captured in the telescope; the remainder came from the sky. The observatory will continue its study, noting that in April pulsars were visible for only an hour, but later in the year would be visible for most of the night. The importance of the Lick discovery lies in the variations found in the light signal.

Condon Study Assailed

An article from THE DENVER POST by John Dunning brands the University of Colorado probe of UFOs a "half-million dollar trick," charging that the study's top men are biased. A former UFO staff worker confirmed the story. Dr. Edward U. Condon, director of the study, dismissed the charges as "falsehoods and misrepresentations" and fired a telegram of protest. The article by John G. Fuller, appearing in Look magazine, is based on Fuller's previous work on UFO stories, including the Betty and Barney Hill case. The CU study is described as a "fiasco," and Maj. Donald E. Keyhoe of NICAP is quoted as severing ties with the project, stating that NICAP is joining Look and Fuller in disclosing facts as a public service because only "one half of 1 per cent" of their cases were investigated.

Mrs. Mary Louise Armstrong, Low's former administrative assistant, stated the Look story is "all accurate" and that she was a witness to it. She resigned in February, convinced the study was "gravely misdirected." Condon sent a telegram to Garner Cowles, editorial chairman of Cowles Communications, Inc., publisher of Look, requesting a review of the article's "falsehoods and misrepresentations." Condon refused to comment on the charge of "a near mutiny by several of the staff scientists." He reiterated that the story contained "falsehoods and misrepresentations." Robert J. Low, project coordinator, stated the study is progressing on schedule and will contain a complete scientific story. The original contract for the study was signed with the Air Force on November 1, 1966, for $313,000, with an additional $259,155 requested and partially approved later.

Flying Saucer Inquiry Ends Amid Controversy

A report from the Dallas Morning News states that field investigations of "flying saucer" reports by University of Colorado scientists ended Tuesday, according to Dr. Edward U. Condon. A final report will be given to the National Academy of Sciences in September. Condon declined to discuss conclusions. This statement came amid controversy with Look Magazine over an article calling the project the "Flying Saucer Fiasco." The university's $500,000 study, initiated in late 1966 at the Air Force's request, was criticized for failing to make a comprehensive investigation.

UFO Sightings and Historical Accounts

Reprinted articles detail various UFO sightings and historical accounts. John A. Keel reports on a large white disc observed over Grenoble, France. A reddish flying cigar and saucer-shaped object were reported in Finland. Czechoslovakian newspapers published accounts of triangular-shaped objects. A Portuguese airliner pilot reported two luminous orange objects. Canadian Pacific Airlines crewmen reported a similar experience. The article notes that nearly every country has UFO clubs and publications. Great Britain has the "Flying Saucer Review." South America is a hot-bed of UFO reports. Sweden has had sightings for half a century, establishing an official investigating agency in 1910. Australia had sightings in 1909, and South Africa in 1914. England has had incidents since the 1830s. Historical records in India dating back 5,000 years describe aerial objects similar to modern reports. A section in northern Argentina is called "UFO Alley." One of the first "little men" stories came from Venezuela in 1914. The scope of UFO phenomena is described as almost unbelievable, with references from the Bible to modern times.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detection and analysis of unusual space signals, the ongoing controversy surrounding the Condon Committee's UFO study, and the examination of photographic evidence of UFOs. The editorial stance of DATA-NET is clearly stated: to provide information for its members, focusing on serious research and avoiding sensationalism or inter-group conflict. There is a strong emphasis on technical orientation and open-mindedness among its members. The publication also highlights the scientific discovery of pulsars, presenting it as a significant astronomical finding.

This document appears to be a page from a magazine focused on UFOs and related phenomena. The content includes a brief mention of ancient legends and scientific reports, alongside detailed information and images from the Mariner IV mission to Mars.

Content Analysis

Page 1

The first page, numbered -11, contains a short text excerpt that discusses the presence of phenomena related to "ancient legends of the American Indians" across the globe. It notes that these phenomena are not confined to one region, stating, "There have even been frequent and well-substantiated reports from scientists living at both ends of the Poles." The excerpt is followed by a series of asterisks, suggesting the end of a section or article.

Page 2

The second page is heavily focused on the Mariner IV mission to Mars. It features a map of the planet's surface, indicating areas covered by photographs taken by the Mariner IV television camera on July 14, 1965. The accompanying text provides technical details about the mission, including:

• Coverage: Approximately 600,000 square miles, about one percent of the Martian surface.
• Photography Method: Scanned from north to south, recording overlapping pictures in a red-green, green-red filter sequence.
• Distances: The first picture was taken from a slant range of 12,500 miles, with the closest approach distance to the photographed area being 7,400 miles.
• Mission Timeline: Mariner IV was launched on November 28, 1964. It flew by Mars on the 228th day of the mission. Picture playback began on July 15, 1965, and was completed on July 24. A second playback ended on August 2, 1965.
• Data Transmission: Planetary science data, including TV pictures, were transmitted to Earth over distances ranging from 134 million to 150 million miles.

The page also includes several photographs of Mars:

• A photograph labeled "UFO photograph referred to earlier in this report," which appears to be an abstract image with light rays.
• A photograph of Mars labeled "Atlantis, between Mare Sirenum and Mare Cimmerium," taken by Mariner IV on July 14, 1965.
• A set of three images showing a bright region between Trivium Charontis and Propontus II Phlegra. The lower left frame is the raw picture, the lower right frame shows preliminary processing, and the top frame illustrates the most recent step in data processing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this excerpt are the universality of unexplained phenomena, as suggested by the mention of ancient legends and global scientific reports, and the scientific exploration of space, specifically Mars through the Mariner IV mission. The juxtaposition of a potentially UFO-related image with detailed scientific data from a space probe suggests an editorial stance that is open to both unexplained aerial phenomena and scientific inquiry, possibly seeking connections or contrasts between the two.