Delve Report - 2000 04 - April

Magazine Overview

Title: DELVE REPORT
Issue: APRIL
Date: March 5, 2000

This issue of Delve Report, a quarterly newsletter of unusual reports, delves into a variety of topics ranging from societal alienation and extraterrestrial beliefs to scientific discoveries and historical mysteries.

Forget E.T.; Phone Home for Reality Check

By Jack Solomon, professor of English at Cal State Northridge, this article posits that the widespread belief in aliens reflects a deeper societal alienation from government. Solomon recounts a personal experience where hikers mistook a person for an alien, highlighting how popular culture has normalized such beliefs. He argues that the skepticism towards government, fueled by events like the Vietnam War and Watergate, has eroded public trust, leading people to embrace conspiracy theories and extraterrestrial explanations. This alienation, he contends, is more significant than the actual belief in aliens and contributes to a withdrawal from civic participation. Solomon concludes that while it's amusing to imagine alien encounters, the real issues and truths lie within earthly problems and societal trust.

Moon's Off-Kilter Orbit Explained

This report from Agence France-Presse discusses a potential answer to the long-standing mystery of the moon's inclined orbit. U.S. astrophysicists William R. Raid and Robin M. Canup propose a variation on the giant impact theory, suggesting that gravitational interaction between the newly formed moon and a disc of debris coaxed the moon into its current orbital plane, inclined by about 10 degrees relative to Earth's equator. This research is published in the scientific journal Nature.

Balls from Sky a Mystery

South African authorities have requested U.S. assistance in identifying two large metal balls that fell from the sky near Cape Town. One ball, weighing 30 kilograms, landed on a wine farm, and the second, oval-shaped object, weighing 50 kg, fell at Durbanville. The objects were described as shining and making loud noises upon impact.

West Coast Sky Watchers Spotting the Most UFOs

This article by Chris Rutkowski, a University of Manitoba science writer, presents the findings of the 11th annual survey of UFO sightings in Canada. British Columbia led in reported sightings in 1999, contributing to a 30 percent national increase. Rutkowski attributes this to an active UFO research community, a UFO hotline, a TV show, and a magazine. While most sightings are explained by natural phenomena, the unexplained cases continue to intrigue researchers. The Yukon also remains a hot spot for UFO activity, with theories suggesting it might be related to secret aircraft testing or a preferred location for extraterrestrials.

Yukon Meteorite a 'Cosmic Bonanza' for Researchers

By Margaret Munro, this report details the discovery of a meteorite that exploded over the Yukon in January. Scientists, including Michael Zolensky from NASA, describe the fragments as a 'cosmic bonanza' offering a glimpse into the universe before the solar system formed. The meteorite, a rare carbonaceous chondrite, contains organic compounds and is of immense scientific value for understanding planetary and biological sciences. The fragments were meticulously collected and kept frozen by a local resident, preserving their pristine condition.

Sighting: Area 51 Images on the Web

This Associated Press report highlights the posting of Area 51 images on the Internet. Aerial Images Inc. is collaborating with Microsoft, Kodak, and others to display photos of the secret U.S. Air Force test site in Nevada. While the images reveal runways and buildings, they do not show any 'little green men' or super-secret aircraft, according to the company's president.

Sex in Zero Gravity Said to Have Been Tried Out by NASA

This article, based on a book by French science journalist Pierre Kohler, claims NASA astronauts practiced 'space sex' in an experiment in 1996 to explore lovemaking positions in zero gravity. The experiment reportedly involved specially selected positions and the use of an elastic belt and inflatable tunnel. However, a British expert from the Science Museum dismisses the account as 'absolute rubbish,' questioning NASA's transparency and the scientific rationale for such an experiment.

Avrocar 'Part of Our History Lost to U.S.'

By Jonathon Gatehouse, this piece details Bill Zuk's campaign to bring the Avrocar, a unique circular jet plane built by Avro Canada in the late 1950s, back to Canada. Only two Avrocars were built as part of a top-secret U.S. military effort to create a new type of supersonic fighter. Both vehicles ended up in American museums, neglected. Zuk believes the Avrocar is a significant piece of Canadian aviation history and is seeking its return, with support from Canadian heritage officials.

A Snowball's Chance in Hell Turns Out to Be Pretty Good

By Margaret Munro, this report discusses research by physicists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory suggesting that snowballs could remain frozen under extreme pressures, such as those found at the Earth's core or in mythical underworlds. The unique properties of liquid water, due to hydrogen bonds forming a diamond-like network, are altered under extreme pressure, making ice less likely to melt.

Star-Naming Business Angers Astronomers

This article by Beth Daley reports on the controversy surrounding companies that sell star names. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) asserts that only its organization is authorized to name celestial bodies, and these commercial ventures are considered scams. The article mentions a lawsuit filed by International Star Registry against Name a Star, highlighting the dispute over who has the right to 'dupe the public.' Astronomers state that these named stars are not officially recognized.

Star of Bethlehem Was Real, Says Astronomer

By Jonathan Petre, this article discusses Mark Kidger's book, 'The Star of Bethlehem: an Astronomer's View.' Kidger argues that the biblical star was a real astronomical event, likely a nova named DO Aquilae, observed in 5 BC. His theory is based on Chinese astronomical records and suggests this nova, along with other celestial events, signaled the imminent birth of the Messiah to the Magi. While welcomed by some, the theory is debated among scientists.

ET CETERA: Clouds

This brief report from the National Post mentions a mysterious cloud of unknown origin that settled over Guelph, Ontario, causing illness and smelling of ammonia or chlorine. Provincial authorities are investigating.

Police End Unidentified Creature's Reign of Terror

This National Post report from Amman details the capture of a small, cat-like animal that terrorized the northern Jordanian city of Mafraq for a month, devouring poultry. The creature, nicknamed Al-Massara, was handed over to local vets for species determination.

Object Falls to Earth in Australia and Sinks Beneath Mud

This National Post article describes a mysterious flying object that landed in an Australian dam, creating a large crater before sinking into the mud. Police have established a 'no-go' zone around the site, and divers are being sent to inspect the object, which could be a UFO, space junk, or a meteorite.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Delve Report consistently explores the intersection of unexplained phenomena, scientific inquiry, and public perception. There's a recurring theme of questioning official narratives, whether concerning government secrecy (Area 51, UFO cover-ups) or scientific consensus (Star of Bethlehem, Avrocar history). The magazine seems to present a platform for diverse reports and theories, encouraging readers to consider unusual possibilities while also grounding discussions in scientific research and historical context. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation into phenomena that challenge conventional understanding, while also acknowledging the importance of critical thinking and the potential for misinterpretation or hoaxes.