Delve Report - 1997 01 - January

Magazine Overview

DELNE REPORT, January 1997, Volume P2, is a newsletter of unusual reports published on an irregular schedule as an exchange publication. This issue focuses on two primary themes: the scientific understanding of black holes and the persistent mystique surrounding the U.S. military installation known as Area 51.

Black Holes: 'I'd bet my car on them'

This section reports on findings presented at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Toronto. Astronomers have found new evidence suggesting that super massive black holes, millions or billions of times the mass of the sun, exist at the centers of most galaxies. University of Michigan astronomer Douglas Richstone, whose team discovered evidence for these central galaxy holes, expressed strong confidence in the findings, stating, "I'd bet my car on them." He and his team believe these black holes may have served as seeds for galaxy formations, including our own Milky Way, and are the likely power source for quasars, the universe's oldest and most luminous observable creatures.

Richstone's team found these black holes by using spectral analysis of stars moving around the centers of nearby galaxies. The stars were observed to be propelled towards the galactic centers, indicating the presence of immense gravitational pull. These black holes are thought to be the remnants of quasars that have exhausted their fuel. The findings suggest that many nearby galaxies, which appear normal, might harbor these super massive black holes. The concept of black holes, stemming from Einstein's general relativity equations, was first postulated in the late 1930s and has remained a controversial subject.

Nevada's top-secret Area 51

The second major focus of the magazine is Area 51, a top-secret U.S. military installation in central Nevada. The article explores the rumors and hype surrounding the base, including alleged sightings of UFOs and the belief that the military is reverse-engineering crashed alien spacecraft. The author, Mitchell Smyth, recounts a personal experience of seeing a light in the sky over Area 51, which his UFO "expert" companion, Chuck Clark, dismissed as a flare for a bombing run.

Smyth discusses the concept of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind,' where one meets aliens or sees their spacecraft. He notes that Area 51 is the place to investigate this, with rumors of alien bodies preserved in a tunnel-city below the base, reminiscent of a James Bond movie. Pentagon officials deny the existence of Area 51, though they admit to a bomb and gunnery range in the area. The article describes the perimeter of Area 51, with warning signs indicating the use of deadly force and surveillance cameras.

Chuck Clark, a resident of Rachel, Nevada, and an author on the subject, shares his experiences and beliefs. He suggests that many strange sights can be explained rationally, such as the testing of secret aircraft like the U-2 and B-2 stealth bomber. However, he also recounts a spectacular sighting of a yellowish, pulsating disc that hovered and then shot away at tremendous speed, which he believes could not have been a conventional aircraft. Clark, along with others, believes the military is rebuilding crashed alien ships through reverse-engineering. He is skeptical of alien abduction stories, stating, "Until I speak to someone who has seen an alien I won't believe it."

The article also mentions Bob Lazar, who claimed to have worked at Area 51 as a physicist in the 1980s and described working on a disc-shaped craft powered by an element not found on Earth. Lazar's claims have reportedly passed lie detector tests.

The town of Rachel, Nevada, has embraced the alien theme, with the Little A'Le'Inn bar and restaurant becoming a gathering place for locals and visitors. The town is located on the 'Extraterrestrial Highway,' and the owners, Joe and Pat Travis, welcome UFOs and crews. The article notes that while many sightings can be explained, the tight security and government secrecy surrounding Area 51 fuel the rumors.

Other Reports

The magazine also includes several shorter reports:

• Scientists moonstruck: Scientists are considering a plan to smash off a piece of Jupiter's moon Europa's icy crust with a missile to find a hidden ocean and potentially life.
• Test kits detect alien pregnancy: A mention of a testing kit for women who fear alien impregnation, along with other strange happenings reported in Britain's Fortean Times, such as Hindu icons drinking milk and sheep found dangling from trees.
• 'Lost' spies in sky may still be on job: Four U.S. spy satellites reported missing since 1990 may have been moved to secret orbits to continue covert duties without being tracked.
• U.S. Air Force may be going sci-fi: The U.S. Air Force is developing a strategic plan called 'Global Engagement' which envisions robot attack planes, killer laser beams, and sophisticated weapons systems for the 21st century. This plan includes developing an attack laser aircraft capable of destroying ballistic missiles with high-energy beams.
• Scientist warns of machines taking control: Roland Burns, a researcher in intelligent machines, predicts that humanity will become dependent on intelligent machines that could eventually control our lives, from traffic management to home systems. He warns of potential malfunctions and machines making decisions for humans.
• Green light gives Italy UFO fever: A report of a strange green light seen in the sky near Rome, which air traffic controllers initially dismissed as an optical illusion.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the intersection of science and the unexplained, the ongoing fascination with UFOs and extraterrestrial life, and the rapid advancement of technology, particularly in military applications and artificial intelligence. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting unusual reports and scientific findings without explicit endorsement or dismissal, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. The magazine acts as a conduit for diverse and often speculative information, ranging from astronomical discoveries to popular culture phenomena and futuristic technological predictions.