Irish UFO News - No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: Irish UFO News
Issue: No. 4
Volume: 4
Date: July 1977
Price: 25p
Publisher: IUFON
Country: Ireland
Language: English

This issue of Irish UFO News, a twice-yearly magazine focusing on ufology and parapsychology in Ireland, presents a diverse range of articles and reports. The cover features an illustration of a man's head and highlights key articles on the Naas sightings, the Voyager deep space probes, and a review of 'New Scientist' on parascience.

Editorial: A Special Plea for Sanity

The editorial expresses concern over the inter-organizational strife within ufology, particularly in the UK. The editor, John Hind, laments that feuds often revolve around prestige and publication rights rather than theoretical or practical investigation issues. He quotes Jacques Vallee's ten-year-old observations about American UFO groups wasting energy on formal organizations with little result, and notes that this description now fits the UK situation. Hind criticizes the 'hordes of people with ludicrous titles' and the 'petty imperative dictates' from monolithic national organizations that hinder independent researchers. He expresses hope that Ireland, being new to organized ufology, can learn from these mistakes and develop a rational, sensible investigation system, avoiding 'area demarcation' and fostering cooperation. He concludes by suggesting that ufologists often take themselves too seriously.

News and Views

A Major Wave in England and Wales

This section reports on preliminary indications of a significant wave of UFO reports in England and Wales. It mentions a report from Broadhaven School in West Wales involving a landing with an entity, and at least seven other close encounter reports from West Wales, including some with occupants. A 'flap' in North Staffordshire is also noted, with one landing and one landing with occupants. The UFO Investigator's Network (UFOIN) shows a major increase in high-strangeness reports and close encounters.

Ufologists At War

This article delves into the discord within UK ufology, stemming from Jenny Randles' criticisms of BUFORA (British UFO Research Association). Randles highlighted issues of bureaucracy, inefficiency, and lack of achievement within BUFORA. Lionel Beer, BUFORA's chairman, responded by asking Randles to resign, which also led to insults directed at those associated with her and NUFON. This conflict has led to a polarization between two main blocs: NUFON/UFOIN and BUFORA, making cooperation difficult. The author expresses sympathy for NUFON/UFOIN but notes reservations about their dependence on Jenny Randles' charismatic leadership.

The UFO Investigator's Network (UFOIN)

UFOIN is presented as a new, exciting concept in UK ufology, aiming to be an informal grouping of independent investigators. Its goals include producing good investigation reports, offering collective functions without the disadvantages of national organizations, and concentrating on high-strangeness cases. UFOIN provides financial support, links with FSR for publications, expert backup, and liaison with authorities. Membership is by personal recommendation, with prospective members required to investigate a case and submit a report.

Meeting of Irish UFO Groups - Naas, 19 June 1977

Representatives from Spectrum, UFORA, Irish UFO Research Centre, and BUFORA (Ireland) met in Naas, organized by Tom Higgins. The primary aim was to clarify investigation procedures following confusion during the Newbridge case investigation. A merger between UFORA and Spectrum was agreed upon, with Spectrum primarily handling Dublin area sightings. Cooperation and exchange of initial report forms were agreed upon, with no objection to UFOIN investigators participating. The preservation of 'raw data,' such as interview recordings, was deemed important for subsequent investigators. The author, TMG Johnston (RIC, BUFORA), believes that past problems were mainly due to communication difficulties and that a cordial relationship has developed.

News From the Final Frontier

This section reports on NASA's space shuttle program. The Enterprise, a prototype shuttle, has completed captive test flights. Its first free flight was delayed. The Enterprise is un-powered and will perform a glide flight; a powered version, shuttle two, is slated for its first space flight in 1979. The article also notes NASA's budget constraints due to increased defense spending, which may threaten projects like the space telescope and the Jupiter Orbiter probe.

The Voyager Deep Space Probes

Written by Miles Johnston, this article details NASA's ambitious 'grand tour' mission of the outer planets using the 'sling-shot' effect. Two spacecraft, Voyager 1 and 2, are to be launched in August/September 1977. The mission includes close fly-bys of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus, with Neptune initially considered but scrapped. The Voyagers are updated Mariner spacecraft with sophisticated systems and high-frequency communication capabilities. Jupiter encounters are expected in March and July 1979, Saturn in November 1979 and August 1980, and Uranus in 1986. The immense distances involved (up to 4.3 billion km to Neptune) will pose significant communication challenges. The spacecraft are powered by radioisotope generators and use hydrazine thrusters for control. Their scientific package includes cameras, spectrometers, and sensors for atmospheric analysis and magnetic fields. The article concludes that Project Voyager is a dream mission for astronomers and that future planetary exploration will rely on sophisticated robot probes.

Some Subjective Aspects of the Naas Sightings

Authored by John Hind, this article revisits the Naas sightings reported in a previous issue, focusing on the subjective experiences and co-incidences surrounding the events. Hind addresses a spiritualist, Olivia Robertson, who questioned the omission of a 'psychic sitting' that occurred before the sightings. Hind explains that 'psychic sittings' are not typical for him and that the sitting was an attempt to understand the phenomena. He argues that while the objective details of the sightings are important, the subjective aspects and co-incidences are also crucial for a comprehensive understanding. He describes his own reactions to two sightings: the first, a bright moving object, initially led to an objective interpretation (flare/firework), but later evoked a strong sense of strangeness and a feeling of being personally targeted. The second sighting was similar objectively but stronger subjectively, leading to a feeling of 'detached tranquility' and a mystical experience, including nightmares about UFOs. Hind lists four co-incidences: the prior 'psychic sitting' hinting at a sighting, the investigation of similar phenomena, a prediction of the second sighting by Chris Gaffney, and ideal positioning for observation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently emphasizes the importance of rational, objective investigation in ufology, while also acknowledging the significance of subjective experiences and co-incidences, particularly in the Naas sightings report. There is a clear concern about internal conflicts and disorganization within the ufological community, especially in the UK, with a plea for sanity and cooperation. The magazine also covers broader scientific and exploratory themes, such as NASA's space probe missions, demonstrating an interest in the intersection of unexplained phenomena and scientific endeavor. The editorial stance appears to favor a grounded, yet open-minded approach to ufology, encouraging rigorous investigation and inter-group collaboration.

This issue of IUFON (Issue 4, Volume 4) focuses on the intersection of mysticism, ufology, and parapsychology, featuring reviews, case reports, and methodological discussions. The content spans pages 9 through 15, indicating a substantial portion of the magazine is dedicated to these topics.

Review: Exploring Mysticism by Frits Staal

The issue begins with a review of Frits Staal's book, 'Exploring Mysticism'. The reviewer, initially hoping for insights into UFO reports related to 'mystical experience', found the book provided firm ideas on how investigators should approach such cases. Staal's work aims to dispel the Western preconception that mysticism is not amenable to rational enquiry. He argues that while a precise definition of mysticism isn't possible at the outset, the book covers religious experiences, meditation, and drug-induced 'trips'. Staal's approach is described as logical and witty, exploding the myth of mysticism's irrationality. The reviewer notes that Eastern religions often have a 'rational' mysticism, unlike the typically non-rational Christian religion, which may explain why Westerners find mysticism irrational. The core of the book, according to the review, is developing a methodology for studying mysticism through direct experience. It addresses the problem of needing to accept dogma to experience mystical states, arguing that in Eastern and some modern Western systems (like Yoga and Transcendental Meditation), mysticism can be separated from dogma. Staal discusses two methods for attaining mystical experience: using a 'guru' or using hallucinogenic drugs. He suggests that while the resulting states of mind may be similar, they are not identical, and the method used might be a factor. The reviewer highlights the difficulties and potential dangers associated with both methods, particularly the need to distinguish between method and dogma when using a guru, and the significant medical, social, and psychological issues with hallucinogenic drugs, advising their use only under expert supervision. The book is recommended for those interested in religions, the occult, and the non-nuts-and-bolts side of ufology.

Magazine Reviews: Skywatch, UFO Research Review, UFORUM, Pulsar

The issue also reviews several other publications:

• MAPIT's 'Skywatch': Described as a bi-monthly exchange magazine from the Manchester Ariel Phenomena Investigation Team, it is generally well-produced with an international readership and high-quality contributions. A quote from an article by Mr. R. Markwick on contactee cases is highlighted for its intriguing, albeit slightly humorous, perspective.
• UFO Research Review: This magazine from the Nottingham UFO Investigation Society is ranked third among British UFO publications. The latest issue features Jenny Randles discussing the extraterrestrial theory.
• UFORUM's 'Commentry': The first issue of this monthly magazine from UFORUM (UFOs and Related Unexplained Mysteries) primarily consists of extracts from other UFO magazines, with expectations for more original content as it establishes itself.
• Pulse's 'Pulsar': This publication is not solely a UFO magazine but is devoted equally to ufology and 'leyography'—the study of ancient site alignments. The connection between leyography and ufology is explored, tracing back to the 1950s and Aimee Michelle's work on UFO witness alignments. The reviewer notes the lack of rigorous statistical verification and theoretical explanations for these alignments, suggesting leyography often remains subjective. However, 'Pulsar' is recommended for those interested in practical and empirical studies in 'off beat archaeology'.

Review Special: New Scientist on Parascience

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to a critique of a 'New Scientist' article on 'parascience'. The 'New Scientist' section included three major articles and one minor one, covering the Bermuda Triangle, UFOs, and 'spoon-bending'.

• Bermuda Triangle Article: Authored by Graham Massey, this article is distinguished by Massey's original research. It debunks the myth of disproportionate disappearances by analyzing individual cases, attributing the sensationalism to authors like Charles Berlitz. Massey's research indicates that many 'strange disappearances' are exaggerated by inaccurate reporting, and the claim of an unusually high number of 'without trace' losses is not supported by figures. He also examines the techniques used by Triangle writers, finding a lack of original research and a tendency to copy from sensational newspaper articles.
• UFO Article: Written by Ian Ridpath, this article is criticized as superficial and negative. The reviewer finds it to be a historical resume of the UFO story, primarily focused on the United States, with an 'extraterrestrial' viewpoint. Cases like the Betty Hill abduction and the Pascagoula case are dismissed with what the reviewer considers biased oversimplification, misrepresenting details and dismissing hypnotic revelations as 'imaginative gloss'. Ridpath's conclusion that the burden of proof lies on ufologists is challenged, with the reviewer asserting that the thousands of people reporting fantastic experiences warrant study regardless of the ultimate explanation.
• Parascience Phenomenon: The third article discusses 'spoonbending' or the 'Gellar effect', noting that research by Taylor, Collins, Crussard, Puthoff, and Targ has encountered problems with repeatability under tighter experimental controls. At Surrey University, Prof. Thakur is developing a philosophy of parapsychology, with work on telepathy and psychokinesis underway. However, funding issues are a concern for these projects.
• 'Finding a Home for a Stray Fact': This fourth article reviews books by William Corliss, which collect and cross-reference anomalous observations. Corliss aims to challenge scientific hypotheses, suggesting either the information is false or science has much fundamental work to do. These 'source books' have been useful in areas like ball lightning and could be applied to ufology.

Letters: Psychic Phenomena

Thomas Higgins of Naas, Co. Kildare, writes about the growing interest in psychism. He argues that ufologists should focus on concrete facts and logic but also explore other investigative methods, including psychism, which he believes are being neglected due to an 'innate orthodoxism'. He challenges those who claim an open-minded approach to establish a wholly psychical investigation department within the Irish UFO Research Association.

Investigations Report

This section details the current state of UFO activity and reporting in Ireland, noting a low level of monitored activity. IUFORC investigators have been refining their data presentation system.

• Code Numbers: 'N' codes will be used internally and cross-referenced with other organizations.
• Sighting Type: The Hynek system (NL, DD, RV, CE I, CE II, CE III) is adopted, with modifications to DD, CE I, and CE III definitions for generality and metric unit compliance.
• Reliability of Investigation: A system based on NUFON is adopted, with levels A (on-site investigation) to E (unconfirmed report).
• Probability: Defined as High, Mid, and Low, this assesses the reliability of observer reports, primarily for lower strangeness events. It's noted that complex cases like the Hill or Pascagoula cases are too complex for simple probability estimates. The concept is limited to 'observations' rather than 'experiences'.
• Strangeness: Defined using Jacques Vallee's categories (1-7), this measures how 'out of the ordinary' a sighting is. Table 1 provides a decoding of these categories, from 'Transient observation' to 'Reality Gap' cases. The Hill case is noted as having aspects in categories 3, 5, and 7, while the Naas sightings fit categories 2 and 6.

Case Reports:

• N. 42 (Whitehall, Dublin): A witness reported seeing a three-jet military plane followed by a UFO underneath it. The UFO was described as two ovals surrounded by a darkish blur. The jet appeared to take evasive action. The UFO's flight path was observed to be curved downwards. The investigation level was D, and probability was assessed as 'Insuf. data', with strangeness as Category 2 or 3.
• N. 43 (Near Donaghadee, Co. Down): A witness described a stationary, sharply defined, oval object, milky or pearly white, about twice the apparent size of the full moon across its major axis. The observation lasted about 30 minutes. Possible explanations considered include a moon-based illusion or noctilucent cloud. The area has connections to local folklore ('Fairy Hill') and Bronze Age settlements. The probability was assessed as 'Mid', and strangeness as Category 2.

Newbridge Photo Case:

This case is concluded to be a probable hoax based on a technical report from BUFORA's photographic analysis department, indicating a physical fabrication. A second analysis is pending.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes the importance of rational methodology in investigating phenomena, whether they are related to mysticism or UFOs. There's a clear critique of sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, particularly in the review of the 'New Scientist' article. The magazine promotes rigorous investigation, data collection, and the use of systematic approaches like the Hynek system and strangeness categories. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging ufologists to explore all avenues, including potentially controversial ones like psychism, while maintaining a grounded, evidence-based approach. The publication also serves as a platform for reviewing other relevant magazines and publications in the field.