IUFOPRA Newsletter - 1995 04-05

Magazine Overview

Title: I.U.F.O.P.R.A. NEWSLETTER
Issue Date: April/May 1995 (Issue 10)
Publisher: IUFOPRA
Country of Publication: Ireland

This newsletter is for members of the Irish UFO Research Association (IUFOPRA) and covers organizational updates, UFO sightings, and astronomical information.

Committee Status and Meetings

The Executive Council includes Pat Delaney (C/Director), Jenny Randles (Director & DOI), Anne Griffin (Director), Karl Morris (Director & PRO), and Aongus De Barra (Director & Assist. PRO). The Committee Members include regional officers for Northern Ireland, USA, Denmark, and the UK, along with an Astro Advisor and CM. A reminder is issued for the next committee meeting at the Skylon Hotel, Drumcondra, on Monday, May 29th, at 8:15 pm, with a request for full attendance from the Irish-based committee. Members are also asked to notify the organization of any address changes.

Director's Comments

Karl Morris, PRO, invites members and other UFO organizations to submit articles, comments, and suggestions for publication in the IUFOPRA Journal and Newsletter. He notes that contributions can be of great value and specifies maximum line limits for submissions (25 lines for the Newsletter, 60 lines or 3 pages for the Journal). Correspondence should be directed to the IUFOPRA address in Whitehall, Dublin.

The Sugar Loaf Mountain Sighting

The newsletter apologizes for the delay in sending out recent newsletters, attributing it to an inundation of UFO sighting reports from across the country, particularly around the Sugar Loaf Mountain area in Co. Wicklow. A specific sighting occurred at night in February 1995. The organization has appealed for witnesses to come forward with information about this sighting but has received no responses so far. They urge Irish members to contact their Box Number if they have any information.

Retirement of Pat Delaney

Pat Delaney, Chief/Director of IUFOPRA, retired from his position as a Police Officer in March 1995 after 36 years of service. The newsletter commends him as "a fair Cop in every sense of the word." He is taking a holiday abroad and will now be able to devote himself full-time to running IUFOPRA. The Executive Council and Committee Members extend their best wishes for his retirement.

Director's Thanks (Page 2)

Pat Delaney expresses his gratitude for the well wishes received on his retirement and pledges to do his best to run IUFOPRA effectively.

Strange But True!

This section recounts an experience where an American ufologist was told by a former employee of OMNI Magazine that the management "DO NOT BELIEVE IN UFOs" despite the magazine's extensive coverage of the phenomenon. The employee suggested that OMNI publishes UFO material for commercial reasons rather than journalistic or scientific interest. Despite this revelation, the author still considers OMNI the best American science magazine for its in-depth coverage of UFOs.

Top Secret Film

IUFOPRA reports on a "top secret" 16mm film, allegedly showing dead aliens, scheduled for its first public screening at a UFO Conference at Sheffield Hallam University in August. The film is also to be the basis of a 91-minute documentary shown by the BBC in August. Classified for almost fifty years, the film was reportedly shot by U.S. Government officials in the New Mexico Desert after a flying saucer crash in 1947. Air Force officials allegedly sealed off the crash site, and the film was classified. Many ufologists believe this event has been covered up. A former Military Cameraman, now 82, copied the film and believes the cover-up was wrong. He passed the film to British TV documentary filmmaker Ray Santilli. The film allegedly shows scientists examining a creature on a slab at the crash site, guarded by Military Police, and conducting an autopsy. It also depicts parts of a spaceship wreckage made from unidentifiable material. Experts believe the cover-up was intended to allow scientists to copy the engineering. The Kodak Film Company has confirmed the film is fifty years old. IUFOPRA hopes to receive further information and will keep members informed.

This section was compiled and researched by Anne Griffin, ACI, and sourced from The Irish Times, dated Monday, March 27th, 1995.

Sub Reminder

A reminder is issued to members to clear their membership subscriptions.

The Planet Mars

This section details astronomical information about the planet Mars. It describes Mars's position in the sky during spring, its opposition on February 11th, and its current distance of 64 million miles from Earth. The text explains perihelic oppositions, where Mars comes within 35 million miles, occurring approximately every 15 to 17 years, with the next one expected in 2003. Mars's mean distance from the Sun is 141.5 million miles. The orbits of Mars and Earth are described as elliptical. Mars orbits the Sun in 687 days and rotates on its axis in 24 hours, 37 minutes, and 22.6 seconds, while Earth rotates in 23 hours and 56 minutes. Mars's diameter is 4,200 miles, and its mass is about 0.11 of Earth's. To observe surface markings, a telescope of at least 4 inches (refracting) or 8-10 inches (reflecting) is needed. The north polar ice cap is also mentioned, and filters can enhance features.

A diagram illustrates the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Mars during a perihelic opposition, noting the distance of 35,000,000 miles.

The History (Page 4)

This section delves into the history of Mars observation. It mentions a map of Mars by Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli from 1881-2, appearing in Sir Robert Ball's book "The Story of the Heavens." It also references earlier astronomers like Keplar, Newton, Le Verrier, Schröter, and Huygens who worked on calculating distances.

In 1877, during a favorable opposition, Professor Asaph Hall at the Washington observatory (U.S.A.) observed Mars with a 26-inch refractor telescope. He discovered two faint satellites, later named Phobos and Deimos. Phobos, the inner satellite, orbits Mars in 30 hours, 17 minutes, and 54 seconds, while Deimos orbits in 7 hours, 39 minutes, and 14 seconds. This rapid orbit seemed unusual compared to the Moon's orbit around Earth.

Percival Lowell, born in Boston in 1855, studied Mathematics, Physics, and History at Harvard. After working in an Embassy, he turned to astronomy at age 40. Based on Schiaparelli's work, Lowell concluded that the lines on Mars were canals carrying water from the polar regions to cities. He built an observatory at Flagstaff, Arizona, and used telescopes made by John Breashear and Alvan Clarke. Although he found no direct evidence of life, he remained convinced about the canals. Lowell Observatory later became known for other astronomical discoveries.

Details are provided about the two Martian satellites: Phobos is 18 miles by 12 miles and orbits 3,700 miles above the surface. Deimos is 9 miles by 6 miles and orbits 12,500 miles above the surface. Both are described as irregular, pitted with craters, and likely made of a rock similar to meteors or basalt.

Space Probes

Mars is described as an inhospitable planet with an atmosphere primarily composed of Carbon Dioxide (95%), Nitrogen (2%), and Argon (1.2%). Its atmospheric pressure is low (6 millibars), and temperatures range from 0 to -125 degrees Celsius. Early Mariner probes were sent to fly past Mars; Mariner 8 failed, but Mariner 9 was successful, sending pictures for a year.

Star-Chart: Stars of Spring

A star chart is included, depicting constellations visible during spring, with labels for various stars and constellations such as Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Orion, Ursa Minor, and Draco. The chart indicates directions (North, South, East, West) and includes a depiction of Mars.

Again We Repeat This Very Important Item

This section provides ten crucial points for individuals who witness a UFO or experience a close encounter. It stresses the seriousness of such events and advises:

1. Do not approach the landed UFO within 10 feet and stay under cover.
2. Never touch the UFO, as it could be dangerous.
3. If alone, look for another witness but don't spend too much time searching.
4. Do not interfere with UFO occupants; comply if they wish to communicate, and try to manage panic.
5. Memorize as much as possible about the UFO, its actions, and any occupants.
6. Be aware of the time throughout the incident.
7. If you have a camera, take photographs, including landmarks for comparison. Photograph occupants if they are not hostile. Look for signs of the UFO's presence after it has left.
8. After the experience, consult a doctor to check for radiation exposure or other sickness, and consider consulting a psychiatrist due to potential shock or hallucination.
9. Write down everything remembered about the experience, making drawings. Repeat this process four days later without referring to the first account, then compare the two.
10. Contact IUFOPRA as soon as possible via Box 3070, Whitehall, Dublin, 9, or by phone to their answering service (01/088-530332, active 6 pm-10 pm, Mondays-Fridays). Reports should be clear and precise, mentioning any ground marks or physical effects like burns or rashes. A Witness Report form will be sent.

All reports will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the investigation of UFO phenomena with a serious and methodical approach, encouraging member participation and the sharing of information. It highlights the importance of accurate reporting and witness testimony, as demonstrated by the detailed instructions for reporting UFO sightings. The organization appears to be a key point of contact for UFO information in Ireland. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry into UFOs, while also cautioning members about potential dangers and the importance of psychological well-being after an encounter. The inclusion of astronomical content suggests a broader interest in space and planetary science, possibly as a comparative or contextual element to UFO studies.