Delve Report - 1996 03 - March

Magazine Overview

Title: DELVE REPORT
Issue: March 1996
Publisher: DELVE REPORT
Country: Canada
Language: English

This issue of DELVE REPORT, published in March 1996, presents a collection of articles exploring UFO phenomena, space exploration, and the intersection of science and belief. The cover prominently features the "New Mexico festival out of this world," referring to the second annual UFO Encounter Festival in Roswell.

Roswell UFO Encounter Festival

The town of Roswell, New Mexico, is preparing for its second annual UFO Encounter Festival on July 6-7. The event is expected to draw many visitors and will include guided field trips to the 1947 UFO crash site. UFO researchers, authors, and "phenomenologists" will host public lectures and present papers. Visitors can also explore local museums such as the UFO Enigma Museum and the International UFO Museum and Research Centre. Information for tourists is available through the Roswell chamber of commerce.

Asteroid Travel by 2010

Eugene Shoemaker, an astronomer who co-discovered the comet that impacted Jupiter, suggests that humans could realistically travel to asteroids before 2010. He posits that asteroids are the easiest celestial bodies to visit in the solar system, even easier than the moon. Shoemaker, who has helped find over 80 asteroids, notes that about 1,500 large asteroids orbit near Earth. A trip to a closer asteroid would take about six months and cover approximately 15 million kilometers. Asteroids, considered remnants of a failed planet formation, may hold keys to understanding Earth's evolution and could be a source of rare metals like platinum. The article also mentions former NASA astronaut Gary Payton's work on a reusable launch vehicle designed to make space missions cheaper.

Gulf War Syndrome Linked to Nerve Damage

A scientist has found evidence suggesting that British veterans suffering from Gulf War Syndrome may have damage to their nervous systems. British neurologist Goran Jamal's research, published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery And Psychiatry, identified nervous system dysfunction, particularly in the limbs, of 14 selected veterans. This finding challenges the British defence ministry's stance that there is no evidence of a common syndrome among Gulf War veterans.

CIA Warns of Terror Threat

An official from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) warned Congress that the threat of nuclear, chemical, or biological attacks by extremists is at an all-time high. Gordon Oehler, director of the CIA's Nonproliferation Centre, cited the increased accessibility of nuclear materials and technologies following the dissolution of the former Soviet Union as a primary reason for this heightened risk.

UFO Spotters Excited by New Sightings

This section reports on recent UFO sightings, including pulsating lights in Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories, a close encounter between a jet and a wedge-shaped UFO in England, and footage of a large metallic disk in South Korea. The article notes that UFO sightings have increased significantly, more than doubling in Canada over seven years. It also touches upon the discovery of potentially life-sustaining exoplanets. Michael Persinger, director of Behavioral Neuroscience at Laurentian University, suggests that UFO sightings often occur in areas with unusual weather and geophysical activity, which can cause temporary brain malfunctions. The article also mentions the role of media in shaping perceptions of aliens and discusses the possibility of "visitation experiences" being linked to emotional stress.

"I've seen the triangular ships in the sky," doctor says

Dr. Laurie Vassos, a medical doctor from Saskatoon, claims to have been transported by aliens and is treating patients who report similar abduction experiences. Joyce Halfin hosts a bi-weekly show on interstellar UFOs and believes aliens will land to help Earth through future planetary chaos. A Bowmanville woman claims to have been abducted multiple times with her daughter and runs a support group for abductees. Their stories are compared to those documented by Harvard psychiatrist John Mack in his book "Abduction: Human Encounters With Aliens."

Nevada Welcomes Space Aliens

Nevada has officially renamed state route 375 the "Extraterrestrial Highway" to capitalize on the area's reputation for UFO sightings and attract tourism. Four highway signs will be erected, with suggestions that they be placed flat for alien landings. The highway is located near Area 51, a top-secret U.S. Air Force range, fueling rumors of military testing of alien technology. While the government denies such claims, Nevada has a history of using gimmicks for economic gain. The renaming is seen as a marketing tool, similar to how U.S. 50 was promoted as the "Loneliest Highway in America."

Magnet for UFO Seekers

The highway is a magnet for UFO seekers due to its proximity to Area 51. Visitors report seeing spaceships with odd lights traveling at warp speeds. The state transportation board approved the renaming, with support from local legislators. The highway's only restaurant/bar/motel, the Little A'Le'Inn, displays a sign that reads "Earthlings Welcome."

Scientist Sagan Fights Rising Tide of Nonsense

This section reviews Carl Sagan's book, "The Demon-Haunted World," which argues that science works and has revealed a world of wonders, but that a lack of public understanding of science is a recipe for disaster. Sagan criticizes pseudosciences like astrology and the antiscience belief that all understanding is subjective. He debunks alien abductions, crop circles (calling them a hoax), and claims about crystals transmitting thought. Sagan also explores why people fantasize about alien encounters, suggesting it's partly due to human psychology. The review highlights Sagan's "skeptic's tool kit" for critical thinking and expresses concern about the failure of education systems to combat ignorance and gullibility, while noting that surveys show a public eagerness for real science news.

U.S. Army Destroys Missile with Laser

Scientists successfully used a ground-based laser to shoot down an armed, short-range rocket in a test conducted at the White Sands missile range in New Mexico. The test involved a deuterium fluoride laser, invisible to the naked eye.

They ARE Out There!

This section reviews "Alien Bait," a play by Calgary's One Yellow Rabbit theatre company. The play satirizes UFO enthusiasts and investigators, exploring the world of those who believe they have been abducted by aliens. The review notes the play's use of lighting, minimalism, and sound, and its "inspired twist" of mocking the "experts" who create elaborate classification systems for abductors and alien types. The victims are portrayed as fearful and lonely, with their beliefs made public. The play is described as a "thought-provoking 90 minutes of entertaining stagecraft combined with sophisticated barbs of wit."

Doctor Probes Objects Reportedly Left by Aliens

A California surgeon, who wishes to remain anonymous due to fear of repercussions, has reportedly extracted small foreign objects from individuals who claimed to have been abducted by aliens. The doctor performed operations on two patients, a woman and a man, who believed they had been abducted. The extracted objects were encased in a thick, dark membrane and were difficult to cut. The objects were described as magnetic and glowed under ultraviolet light, similar to "fingerprints" reported by abductees. Skeptics remain unconvinced, demanding more evidence. The objects are undergoing electrical, chemical, and microscopic analysis.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of DELVE REPORT consistently explores the theme of UFOs and extraterrestrial encounters, juxtaposing them with scientific inquiry and skepticism. The magazine appears to present a balanced view, featuring articles on alleged sightings and experiences alongside scientific explanations and critiques of pseudoscience, as exemplified by the review of Carl Sagan's book. There is an underlying interest in the psychological and societal aspects of belief in the unexplained, as well as a pragmatic approach to tourism and economic opportunities related to UFO phenomena. The editorial stance seems to favor critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning while acknowledging the enduring human fascination with the unknown.