Magonia - No 78 - 2002 06

Magazine Overview

MAGONIA is a magazine interpreting contemporary vision and belief. Issue number 78, dated June 2002, was published with a cover price of £1.25. The cover features a striking black and white photograph of an astronaut, identified as Maj. Robert White, waving alongside a young boy. The main cover headline poses a question about why a man who said he hadn't seen UFOs wasn't believed, and announces that Curtis Peebles looks at the case of the 'fire-flies from space.' Another headline mentions Matt Graeber searching for meaning in UFO stories, and a third poses the question: 'will the real Dr Hynek please stand up!'

Editorial Notes

The editorial section, titled 'EDITORIAL NOTES', discusses the Fortean Times UnConvention and a panel discussion on 'the death of ufology.' It highlights the views of Colin 'Quid est Veritas' Bennett, who equated hard-line skepticism with a rejection of the 'shining truth' and accused skeptics of having a 'terrible psychological problem with wonder.' Bennett's arguments are critiqued for their perceived 'destructive cultural scepticism.' The editor notes a point of agreement with Bennett regarding the power of hoaxes to shape group identity, referencing a previous 'Hoax' issue of Magonia (no. 75). However, the editorial criticizes Bennett for assuming that only believers reject the significance of hoaxes, arguing that believers often dismiss hoaxes as being solely for monetary gain. The piece also touches on Bennett's perceived alignment with a 'classic-educated, anti-scientific British attitude to UFOs' and his critique of 'white-coated godlings of the laboratory,' positioning him as a representative of 'ufology-as-literary-criticism.'

Fireflies: dynamic pressure, and the X-15 UFO sighting

This article by Curtis Peebles details the exchange of postings on the UFO UpDates Internet mailing-list in late November and mid-December 2001 regarding a UFO sighting made by Maj. Robert White during his July 17, 1962 flight in an X-15 aircraft. The article frames this as a case study of belief, the interactions between believers and skeptics, and how evidence is presented and accepted or rejected.

The debate began with James Oberg objecting to a reference to the X-15 sighting in 'Filer's Files 16,' where George Filer described the object as greyish and 30-40 feet away, but did not mention it tumbling or looking like paper. Oberg suggested engineers had postulated it was ice flaking off the engine nozzle, a common explanation for orbital missions.

Don Ledger challenged this, questioning how ice flakes could survive in the atmosphere at supersonic speeds and be 30-40 feet away, tumbling in front of the pressure wave. The issue of dynamic pressure became central to the debate.

David Rudiak joined the discussion, noting White's flight reached an altitude of about 60 miles at approximately 4,000 mph. He argued that at this altitude, even though not a true vacuum, meteorites burn up, and a 'flat, fragile, completely non-aerodynamic 'ice flake'' would have been dragged backward and disintegrated. Rudiak accused Oberg of resorting to ridicule and employing 'Klassic staples of debunking technique' such as evading, stonewalling, and obfuscating.

Lan Fleming, focusing on the atmospheric drag and heat, questioned how ice could form at such high altitudes and low atmospheric pressure, and how it could remain intact. He also raised the issue of water sources for ice formation.

Oberg, in response, suggested that Fleming and Rudiak needed to read more reality-based books and articles on aerodynamics, and that their 'ice flake' explanation was physically impossible under the actual conditions. He argued that at 60 miles, the X-15 was not in 'space' and experienced significant frictional drag and heating.

Rudiak countered that Oberg's explanation was 'ridiculous' and that the X-15 was still within the Earth's atmosphere at 60 miles, experiencing frictional drag. He also criticized Oberg's explanation of the object's behavior, stating that an ice flake would have been instantly destroyed.

Ledger introduced the idea of a cover-up, suggesting White's 'strained remark' implied he was told not to use certain terms. He also questioned why such reports were dismissed by 'high priced talent.'

Fleming reiterated his doubts about ice formation, particularly from APU exhaust, and suggested that any ice would have been swept away by the wind. He also noted that the object was visible at lower altitudes where the air is denser.

Rudiak continued his critique, emphasizing the effects of dynamic pressure and stating that an ice flake would have been dragged backward and disintegrated. He also accused Oberg of making 'grossly erroneous' statements about the X-15.

Oberg contacted the Edwards AFB History Office and obtained the transcript of White's post-flight debrief. White described seeing 'things' inside the cockpit, but then outside, 'like perhaps it might have been residue or frost or very small little things going by.' He specifically mentioned 'a piece of something about the size of my hand, which looked like a piece of paper,' going past the window.

Rudiak, in response, questioned the source of the ice and dismissed the possibility of it forming on the liquid oxygen tank. He also criticized Oberg for failing to provide evidence of extreme maneuvers and for his explanation of the ice's origin.

Fleming, in a December 8 posting, presented calculations on how an object would behave under dynamic pressure, concluding that a 7-inch long object would be out of sight in 30 seconds, and its movements easily visible from 40 feet away. He lamented that documentation of any conclusions about the object reached by X-15 project scientists seemed to be lost.

The debate effectively ended on December 8, with personal attacks on Oberg but no resolution to the core question of the sighting's nature.

The article then shifts to the historical background, referencing earlier 'firefly' sightings by John Glenn and Gherman Titov in 1961-1962. It also details Joe Walker's X-15 sighting on April 30, 1962, where film showed 'barbell shaped, bright-orange' objects.

Maj. Robert White's X-15 flight on July 17, 1962, was planned to set a new altitude record. The flight reached a peak altitude of 282,000 feet. During the descent, White reported seeing the object. The article notes that NASA scientists admitted they could not explain the object or its presence in space, and that the release of a photo followed a three-week investigation.

The article discusses the dynamic pressure calculations, with Oberg's estimates being challenged by Rudiak and Fleming. It highlights that the effective wind speed at 60 miles, based on calculations, was significantly lower than initially suggested by some, and that an ice flake would not be immediately incinerated or broken up, but would be affected by fractional dynamic pressure.

Case Study: Believers vs. Skeptics

The article concludes by drawing several points from the X-15 sighting debate:

• Evidence: Believers' estimates of dynamic pressure were based on rough rules of thumb, leading to significant errors. The object's ability to keep pace with the X-15 was seen as evidence of its anomalous nature.
• Acceptance/Rejection of Evidence: Believers argued that ice could not survive the flight conditions and that there were no sources for ice formation. Skeptics, conversely, struggled to explain the object's behavior within known physics.
• Research: The debate highlighted a tendency for quick, 'off the cuff' comments, with Oberg being the only one to contact official sources like the Edwards AFB and Dryden History Offices for research.
• Cover-up: The idea of a cover-up was a central theme for believers, used to explain away the lack of evidence for extraordinary events and to preserve the belief system.

The article notes that the X-15 program was fast-paced, and while the sighting was a curiosity, it did not affect the research program. It also mentions that the belief system is preserved by explaining away contradictory evidence.

25 Years Ago

This section looks back at Magonia's content from 25 years prior (1977). It mentions an article by John Harney arguing 'The Case for Humanoids,' suggesting that extraterrestrial life forms would likely have physical similarities to humans. It also references Ron Westrum's essay 'Knowing About UFOs,' which examined how knowledge about UFOs circulates in society, and Willy Smith's 'Schematic Chart of Ufology.' The section also notes a brief mention of the 'INTCAT' project and reviews of UFO books, including a critical take on Randles and Stanway's 'UFO Investigation' and a more positive view of V-J Ballester Olmos's catalogue of 'type one' cases in Spain and Portugal.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly engages with the dichotomy between belief and skepticism in the context of UFO phenomena. The editorial notes and the detailed analysis of the X-15 sighting demonstrate a critical examination of how evidence is interpreted and debated. While acknowledging the power of hoaxes and the importance of seeking truth, the magazine appears to lean towards a more analytical and evidence-based approach, as seen in the critique of Colin Bennett's 'destructive cultural scepticism' and the detailed dissection of the X-15 debate. The recurring theme is the complex interplay between subjective belief, objective evidence, and the potential for misinterpretation or deliberate obfuscation within the study of unexplained aerial phenomena.

This issue of Magonia Magazine, identified by its issue number '11', features a cover story by M.J. Graeber titled "ON DOWN-TO-EARTH UFO EXPERIENCES". The central question posed is whether there is a signal in the noise of the UFO experience, or if meaningfulness follows silently in its wake. The magazine focuses on the psychological and symbolic aspects of UFO encounters, moving beyond purely technological interpretations.

Article: ON DOWN-TO-EARTH UFO EXPERIENCES by M.J. Graeber

Graeber posits that UFO sightings and close encounters have an "extraordinarily symbolic relationship to the observer's psychical status". He suggests that understanding a witness's psychological make-up can provide a better understanding of the human side of the UFO experience and its impact. This approach offers new avenues for objective UFO researchers.

Graeber proposes considering UFOs as "unintelligible imagery" rather than advanced technology, akin to analyzing a patient's dreams to decipher ambiguous imagery. He references a previous case study, "The Raefield Affair" (UFO Universe Magazine, spring 1997), where a young man's UFO sighting was interpreted as symbolic representations of his personal "anxieties" and "conflicts" regarding his failing marriage.

He then introduces "The Bailey Case", an unpublished UFO report, to explore how "self-perception/Dynamic Display UFO experiences" might be possible for a group of individuals. The case involved a sighting on the night of November 17, 1977, near Willow Grove Naval Air Installation in Pennsylvania, around 7:30 p.m. The investigator, Gordon Myers of UFORIC, found the witnesses to be sincere. Mrs. Bailey described a disc-shaped object flying low, which was grey with a dome, and sported white lights on its edges and a red light underneath. Her thirteen-year-old daughter, Susan, noted an inverted V-shaped protrusion on the trailing edge. The object reportedly made a humming sound and had blinking lights.

Investigative findings suggested the object's description could align with a small fixed-wing aircraft performing a banking maneuver. The humming sound was also noted. A puzzling factor was the fin-topped disc shape, not an airplane outline. The investigators theorized that the mind might fill in missing details of the object's configuration due to observational distances and atmospheric conditions, especially since the sky was overcast and the object was reported as grey. Susan mentioned the object initially looked like two high beams, similar to car headlights.

Mrs. Bailey and her daughters were profoundly affected by the sighting, with Mrs. Bailey rekindling a desire to write poetry about the experience. The investigation revealed a symbolic relatedness between the sighting and Mrs. Bailey's personal life situation, which was marked by separation from her husband, financial difficulties, and concerns for her children. Her dynamic display experience involved observing lights that she intuitively linked to her family members and children, culminating in the sighting of the disc-shaped object.

Graeber discusses the psychological probe of Mrs. Bailey's experience, noting that it revealed a symbolic connection to her personal life. Her faith provided strength, but the church's rules on divorce were unacceptable. She sought affection, respect, and understanding, embarking on a journey of self-reliance. Her transformation involved writing poetry, improved well-being, and nightly skywatches. The article suggests her experience might be a modern-day equivalent of a religious experience, bolstering her personality and providing refuge, strength, and hope.

The article concludes by presenting four possibilities for the Bailey experience: weightless alien spacecraft, holographic transmissions, "psychical projections," or phenomena perceived by individuals in a synchronous psychical and physical state, challenging the concept of reality and the observer-phenomenon relationship.

Book Reviews

The magazine features several book reviews:

• Keith Tutt's "The Search for Free Energy": Explores attempts to create free energy machines, noting the involvement of figures like Hal Puthoff and the prevalence of pseudo-scientific claims and secrecy.
• Nick Cook's "The Hunt for Zero Point": Focuses on the theory that the US government possesses anti-gravity technology inherited from the Nazis, a concept the reviewer finds highly dubious and reminiscent of science fiction.
• Lynne McTaggart's "The Field: the quest for the secret force of the universe": Discusses claims linking zero-point energy to phenomena like ESP and homeopathy, presenting it as revolutionary science but raising doubts about the claims and the individuals involved.
• William F. Hamilton's "The Phoenix Lights Mystery": An account of the author's investigation into the multi-witness Phoenix Lights case, which the reviewer notes has resulted in differing conclusions, with some suggesting flares rather than anomalous craft.
• David Clarke and Andy Roberts' "Out of the Shadows: UFOs, the establishment and the official cover up": Examines government secrecy concerning UFO investigations, highlighting disagreements and confusion among both ufologists and scientific advisors. It reviews cases like those at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, concluding that 'evidence' is often less clear-cut than portrayed, with natural phenomena and human perception playing significant roles.
• James Moseley and Karl T. Pflock's "Shockingly Close to the Truth: confessions of a "grave-robbing" ufologist": A review of a book that offers a critical and often humorous look at prominent ufologists, revealing their personal flaws and preoccupations. The reviewer notes that personalities are central to UFO research and that value-free judgments are impossible.
• Marcus Chown's "The Universe Next Door", Steven Hawking's "The Universe in a Nutshell", and Martin Rees's "Our Cosmic Habitat": These science books are briefly mentioned, with the reviewer noting that while mainstream science may seem less imaginative than paranormal claims, its ideas are often expressed mathematically and are less contradictory to established observations.

The Pelican Writes...

This section features "The Pelican" (Denis Plunkett) commenting on the state of ufology. He notes the progression of the subject with scientific results and measurable data, but also critiques the "typical 1950s ufology" characterized by discussions in pubs and fuzzy photos. He dismisses a story about "Dr Jonathan Reed" and his dog being killed by an alien as highly dubious. "The Pelican" also recounts an encounter with Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Charles Bowen, and an Australian astronomer, portraying Hynek as agitated and critical of British licensing laws, contrasting with Jim Moseley's depiction of him as unflappable.

Hold the Back Page

This section discusses various references to "Magonia" found online. It highlights a film titled "Magonia" by Dutch director Ineke Smits, described as a poetic drama about imaginary worlds and dreams. It also mentions a "jazz-rock band" named Magonia from Boston, MA, whose music is described as "Instrumental music that stretches the traditional boundaries of guitar, bass and drums. A pulsating lounge-noir vibe that is soothing, raucous and chic." The section concludes by mentioning the discovery of "magonia pubescens," a species of nut, and the genus "magonia" found in South America.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena with psychology, perception, and the human experience. There's a critical yet engaged stance towards ufology, acknowledging the importance of witness testimony and investigation while also scrutinizing claims for potential misidentification, psychological factors, and sensationalism. The reviews of books and the "Pelican Writes" section suggest a preference for rigorous investigation and a skepticism towards unsubstantiated or overly dramatic claims, while still acknowledging the enduring mystery of UFOs. The magazine appears to value in-depth analysis and a critical examination of evidence, often contrasting it with more armchair or sensationalist approaches to the subject.