Houston Sky - no 05 - June-July 1995

Magazine Overview

Title: Houston Sky
Issue: No. 5
Date: June/July 1995
Publisher: A Bimonthly Newsletter for Houston-Area MUFON Members and Others

This issue of Houston Sky focuses on the persistent mysteries surrounding UFOs and alleged extraterrestrial contact, featuring a personal account of investigating NASA moon photos, a critical examination of the Roswell autopsy film, and insights from various researchers and authors in the field.

The NASA Moon Photos: My Story of Dealing With NASA in the 1970s

By Vito Saccheri

Vito Saccheri, a MUFON-Houston member, recounts his personal journey into ufology, sparked by an encounter in 1979 with Lester Howes, an American engineer working in Venezuela. Howes confided that he had an ulterior motive for visiting Houston: to obtain access to secret NASA photos of the moon. Saccheri, initially skeptical, was persuaded after reading George H. Leonard's book, "Somebody Else Is on the Moon." Leonard, a former NASA photo intelligence specialist, had come across photos that he believed confirmed the existence of an ancient, possibly current, civilization on the moon. He explained that in 1961, President Kennedy's commitment to reach the moon was partly driven by global reports of 'moon craters' disappearing.

Saccheri and Howes attempted to gain access to these photos at NASA. After initial confusion and redirection, they were informed that unauthorized photos could not be viewed. They used Leonard's published book as leverage, asserting their rights as taxpayers. This led to a bureaucratic process involving numerous forms and background checks. Eventually, they were granted access to the 'Lunar Landing Observatory' off-site. There, they viewed thousands of photos, approximately 32 by 24 inches, which displayed technical information on the back. Saccheri verified Leonard's findings, noting images of boulders seemingly rolled uphill, bolted machinery, chasm bridges, pipe fittings resembling those in the Giza pyramid complex, apparent pipelines, a UFO rising from a crater, and a large rectangular structure within a crater.

Saccheri describes the clarity and resolution of the photos as unprecedented. He also recalls overhearing a transcript from a NASA mission control recording that mentioned a 'bogey at two o'clock' and instructions related to 'alpha' and 'bravo' switching stations, suggesting a covert operation or communication beyond public knowledge. This experience profoundly hooked Saccheri on UFOs.

Worth Repeating

This section features various short articles and quotes:

• Ripples in Academia: Discusses the 'Mack affair' at Harvard, raising questions about academic freedom and research methods in fields like alien abductions.
• The Perfect Explanation: Mentions the Pentagon's unveiling of the $10 million saucer-shaped reconnaissance plane, DarkStar.
• Don't Hold Your Breath: Quotes Steven Aftergood on President Clinton's executive order for automatic declassification of government documents, questioning its practical impact.
• From One Who Knows: Quotes Jack Anderson on government officials covering up unexplained phenomena.
• 'Breakaway Hit... Media and Critical Darling': Discusses Chris Carter, creator of 'The X-Files,' and his personal stance on UFOs and paranormal phenomena.

Roswell Runaround: Update on the Ray Santilli Roswell "Autopsy" Film

By Gayle Nesom

Gayle Nesom critically examines the Ray Santilli Roswell 'autopsy' film, questioning its origin and timing. She notes that the film's emergence coincided with other significant developments in the Roswell case, such as the Mogul balloon theory, a congressional inquiry, and a GAO report, suggesting it might be a diversion. Nesom highlights numerous inconsistencies and suspicious elements surrounding the film, including the procedure performed, the alleged photographer Jack Barnett, the identity of Dr. Bronk, and the roles of Santilli's agents.

She mentions the May 5 London viewing attended by various ufologists, including Reg Presley, Colin Andrews, Philip Mantle, George Wingfield, and Kent Jeffrey. Wingfield expresses suspicion, suggesting the footage could be disinformation. Stanton T. Friedman is quoted as saying he met Santilli briefly and has trouble believing anything he says, noting Santilli admits he is only in it for the money.

Kent Jeffrey, the only Roswell researcher invited to the London viewing, unequivocally declares the film a fraud, stating it has the potential to damage the entire Roswell effort. He acknowledges that if it were genuine, it would be the 'Holy Grail' of evidence.

Roswell Declaration Update

This section provides an addendum to Roswell researcher Kent Jeffrey's Bulletin #2, discussing the ongoing investigation of the Roswell case. It mentions the expected GAO report and a follow-up report from the Air Force. The International Roswell Initiative is also highlighted, with over 17,000 Roswell Declarations signed and a new World Wide Web page being established for electronic signing and access to bulletins.

It also includes a letter from Steven Juster, a New Hampshire high school teacher, detailing how his students gathered over 800 Roswell petitions, emphasizing the importance of freedom, access, and choice in obtaining information.

Deep-Throat

This section offers unsubstantiated rumors from the UFO grapevine:

• The Area 51 Research Center has opened a branch office in Las Vegas, providing a view of the 'Janet' terminal used for transporting Area 51 employees.
• Information about a new UFO museum in Midway, New Mexico.
• Rumors of a public disclosure of UFO/ET reality being imminent.
• The magazine OMNI is no longer publishing monthly and will be available electronically and in print four times a year.
• A mention of a red California wine, Le Cigare Volant, with a UFO theme.
• Austin Bureau reporter Jim Moore is writing a UFO-related novel.

UFO Notebook

By Bill Eatwell

Bill Eatwell's column reviews Paul R. Hill's unpublished work on UFO propulsion. Hill theorized that UFOs use a 'repulsive force field' for flight, explaining unusual flight characteristics and ground traces. The column also touches on witness accounts of UFOs, including the Ohio chase in 1966 involving a 'ice cream cone shaped' object.

Spotlight on Vito Saccheri

By Gayle Nesom

Gayle Nesom profiles Vito Saccheri, highlighting his credibility as a mechanical engineer and his rational approach to ufology. Saccheri's introduction to UFOs came in 1979 through Lester Howes and George H. Leonard's book about NASA moon photos. His business success is attributed to expertise and integrity. Saccheri's background includes defense work and co-founding technical investigation firms. He joined MUFON in 1994 and became involved in MUFON-Houston's planning committee. His NASA story was shared at a training class, leading to this feature.

NASA Photos, from page 3

This continuation of Vito Saccheri's story details his experience at the NASA 'Lunar Landing Observatory.' He describes the room filled with binders of scientific experiments and manned space flight transcripts. He recalls overhearing mission control dialogue mentioning 'Santa Claus coming over the hill' and 'Roger, Apollo. Hold your fix. Switching bravo. Do you copy?', which he found unusual for live broadcasts. He also mentions Marvin Czarnik, a moon photo researcher, who helped develop technical systems at NASA, including instant replay video, which allowed NASA to switch to live news broadcasts while covert operations occurred. Czarnik also knew about code words like 'alpha' and 'bravo' referring to special switching stations that routed reception directly to CIA headquarters in Langley, suggesting this was where the master list of photographs was kept.

Behind the Scenes at "Sightings"

By Vince Johnson

This is Part 2 of a three-part interview with Jonathan Jerald, research director for the TV show "Sightings." Jerald discusses the show's liaison with UFO organizations like MUFON and CUFOS, encouraging viewers to contact them. He mentions developing contacts with individuals like Bill Jones from Ohio MUFON. The show receives hundreds of pieces of mail and e-mail weekly, with about one in twenty leading to potential stories. Jerald acknowledges the problem of hoaxes in ufology, citing a previous Fox show's story that turned out to be a hoax. He also discusses the Roswell film footage story, noting that "Sightings" was aware of it and that Paramount was invited to bid. He expresses skepticism about buying 150 minutes of film based on five minutes of it, and mentions a rumor that the film might be a dramatic production from Brazil with an 'Elvis Rides a UFO' soundtrack.

Breakthrough: A Sampler from Whitley Strieber's New Book

This section features excerpts from Whitley Strieber's new book, "Breakthrough." Strieber describes the book as an honest account of contact with people and a culture very different from our own, concerned with humanity. He states that the book contains proof of the visitors' reality and that it will 'give you pause.' He contrasts "Breakthrough" with typical 'horror stories' about visitors, describing it as a story of intellectual and spiritual transformation. Strieber mentions receiving over 139,000 letters since the publication of "Communion" in 1987, with eighty percent reflecting positive or neutral encounters, sixty percent mentioning fear, and twenty percent reporting negative encounters. He notes that most witnesses are articulate and seeking knowledge, including prominent individuals from various countries.

Strieber's 'own conclusion' is called 'AEON,' and he outlines four sources for the characterization of the visitor experience as fearful or evil: those who want to portray visitors as Biblical demons, disinformationists spreading fear, UFO researchers focusing on people seeking help, and witnesses who have had difficult initial experiences. He believes visitors are ready to respond to humanity's needs and that as humanity embraces its potential, the visitors will become less secretive.

Flash Back

UFOs Reported by Foreign Military Personnel

This article recounts an experience in Colombia in 1972 where the author, teaching English to military officers assigned to the Colombian president, asked about UFO sightings. The officers unanimously affirmed their belief that they were being observed by extraterrestrials. The author also mentions a nighttime incident involving a Colombian navy frigate where a glowing object hovered above, affecting electromagnetic equipment.

Subscriptions & Contributions

Information on how to subscribe to Houston Sky, which will be available by subscription only starting in October/November 1995. The cost is $15 ($20 foreign) per year.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Houston Sky revolve around the investigation of alleged UFO phenomena, government secrecy, and the credibility of witness accounts and research. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging readers to examine evidence, question official narratives, and consider the possibility of extraterrestrial involvement while remaining discerning about potential hoaxes and disinformation. There is a strong emphasis on personal accounts and the challenges of obtaining verifiable information from official sources like NASA.

Title: Houston Sky
Issue: No. 5
Date: June/July 1995
Publisher: Houston Sky
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Houston Sky serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas and information among MUFON members and others in the Houston area. It emphasizes that the opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff or other MUFON members. The publication is distributed six times a year, with this issue being mailed to 350 readers.

MUFON-Houston Update

The MUFON-Houston chapter is holding its second meeting on Saturday, June 17, from 3 to 5 PM at the Harvey Hotel, located at 2712 Hwy. 59 (SW Freeway). The meeting agenda includes discussions on how local members can contribute to the organization's growth and a screening of the new Walt Disney special "Alien Encounters From New Tomorrowland." This special is noted for its unique tone and content, reportedly unlike previous Disney productions.

Four participants from MUFON-Houston's first investigations training class have successfully completed their training and are now considered Field Investigators: Claudia Arnold, Steve Clappart, Steve Shaw, and Jeff James. Bill Eatwell and Ronny Wach are awaiting their exam results.

Of the 17 membership surveys received, many respondents expressed a desire to participate more actively in organizational matters. An "operations planning" committee meeting is scheduled for 2 PM on the day of the general meeting for those interested in getting involved. This is presented as the best way to connect with other UFO enthusiasts and learn more about the subject.

Key topics for discussion at the meetings include the location and frequency of future gatherings, and financial support strategies for the upcoming year. The newsletter's operation is currently funded primarily by Rebecca Schatte and Gayle Nesom, with additional support from non-MUFON members. The newsletter will transition to a subscription-based model starting with the October/November 1995 issue. Subscriptions are priced at $15 for domestic and $20 for foreign, with subscriptions not kicking in until after the July/August issue.

There is significant interest in a "Marfa trip," which is tentatively scheduled for mid- to late October. A seven-minute video of the Marfa lights will be shown if it arrives in time. For those interested in socializing after the meeting, the group plans to adjourn to Pico's.

Review: Project Delta: A Study of Multiple UFO by David Mayo

This section reviews "Project Delta: A Study of Multiple UFO" by Richard F. Haines, PhD. The review highlights Dr. Haines' background as an experimental psychologist and research scientist at NASA's Ames facility, where he directed research on the AX-5 "hard" EVA space suit and habitability design for Space Station Freedom. His specialties include sightings by pilots, photographic evidence analysis, and data on close encounters of the fourth kind, which he believes are crucial for understanding the core nature of UFO phenomena.

"Project Delta" is described as a detailed scientific study of multiple UFO sightings, covering flight dynamics, aeronautical technology, and the nature of energy. It presents 230 cases categorized into 17 flight dynamic types, with abstracts and comments. An additional 243 cases are listed with comments. The book covers nearly 500 sightings from 1504 BC to 1993, making it a significant historical document.

Dr. Haines focused on multiple-object sightings because such studies were rare and because the presence of multiple objects reduces the likelihood of prosaic explanations. He formulated hypotheses based on UFO evidence and drew conclusions by comparing them with the data. The book includes a statistical breakdown of sightings based on various criteria.

A thought-provoking hypothetical question posed in the book is whether Leonardo da Vinci, if given a modern battery-operated digital watch, could have significantly advanced his world beyond understanding it as a timepiece. This leads to speculation about whether the government is attempting a similar advancement with crashed saucer technologies.

Dr. Haines concludes that there is a high probability that Earth is being visited by intelligently controlled craft. He states that writing the book profoundly affected him, forcing him to confront his own skepticism and closed-mindedness, and he challenges readers to consider the implications of the data.

"Project Delta" is available for $9.95 plus $2.00 S/H (total $11.95) from LDA Press, PO Box 880, Los Altos, California 94023.

Nasa Photos, from page 9

This section, continuing from page 9, discusses a congressional subcommittee report from 1972 or '73 concerning moon rocks brought back by astronauts and a feasibility study on moon colonization. The report concluded that colonizing the moon using plastic air bubbles was unrealistic and that oxygen would need to be transported from Earth. It noted that significant amounts of oxygen were trapped within moon rocks, and the recommended solution involved pulverizing the rocks on a large scale, storing the liberated oxygen in underground caverns, and using the debris to fill existing craters. This observation about craters eventually disappearing was made by astronomers long before the first moon landings and initially prompted scientists in the 1950s to analyze early moon photos.

The author expresses a belief that the moon could be occupied by other entities that periodically visit Earth, a concept that made sense in the 1960s when NASA was focused on space exploration. The discussion touches upon debates regarding mining rights and the potential for placing missiles on the moon. The author contrasts this with the current focus on space stations rather than moon bases, questioning why companies are not pursuing moon mineral rights and recalling Pan Am World Airways' past sales of advance tickets to the moon. The author also questions why the Defense Department has not pursued funding for a strategic missile base on the moon, despite ongoing development of "Star Wars" technology.

The author agrees with Leonard and thanks Lester Howes for involving him, expressing an intention to track down Leonard to discuss transcripts.

Of Interest

This section provides information on upcoming events and resources:

• Houston Area:
• HUFON (Houston UFO Network): Meets the first Friday of the month at 7:00 PM at the Innova Building, 20 Greenway Plaza.
• MUFON-Houston: Meeting on Saturday, June 17, 3-5 PM at the Harvey Hotel, 2712 SW Freeway. This meeting will include an informal business session, a 55-minute Disney UFO film, and plans for the Marfa trip. Afterward, attendees can adjourn to Pico's TexMex at 5:30 PM.
• VISIT (Vehicle Internal Systems Investigative Team): Meeting on Thursday, August 17, at 6:30 PM at the Freeman Memorial Library, 16602 Diana Lane. The meeting will cover reports from the 15th Rocky Mountain UFO Conference and the 1995 MUFON (Seattle) UFO Symposium.

• Elsewhere:
• MUFON 1995 UFO Symposium: Titled "Ufology: A Scientific Paradigm," held July 7-9 in Seattle, Washington. Registration is $55. Contact Marilyn Childs.

MUFON UFO Hotline: (800) UFO-2166.

A quote from Arthur Schopenhauer is included: "Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world."

A 1994 calendar from the Centre for Crop Circle Studies is also mentioned.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Houston Sky revolve around the ongoing activities and discussions within the MUFON-Houston community, including meetings, investigations, and future planning. There is a strong emphasis on the scientific study of UFO phenomena, as exemplified by the review of Richard F. Haines' "Project Delta," which advocates for rigorous analysis of evidence to understand the nature of UFOs. The magazine also touches upon broader topics such as the potential for moon colonization and the historical context of UFO research. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and a willingness to confront skepticism, encouraging members to actively participate and consider the implications of the data presented. The publication aims to foster a community for those interested in UFOs, providing a platform for sharing information and ideas.