Merseyside UFO Bulletin - Vol 1 No 6 - 1968

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Merseyside UFO Bulletin, Volume 1, Number 6, dated November-December 1968, is edited by John Harney, with John A. Rimmer as Asst Editor and Alan W. Sharp as Science Editor. The cover prominently features the headline "NEW HOPE FOR EXTRATERRESTRIAL COMMUNICATION?" and lists several articles, including "THE SEARCH FOR PHYSICAL EVIDENCE - PART 1" and "THE TUNGUSKA METEORITE".

Editorial: Condon Report - As Predicted

The editorial addresses the recently published Condon Report. While the authors have not yet seen a copy, they understand it aligns with ufologists' predictions, giving the impression that the UFO problem is unimportant. The report allegedly concludes that Earth is not being visited by alien spacecraft and posits that no extraterrestrial intelligent life has the possibility of visiting Earth within the next 10,000 years. The editorial criticizes this statement as "cosmic provincialism." It notes that Major Keyhoe in the USA has denounced the report as an "Air Force whitewash." The editorial suggests that while the report may contain interesting information, its conclusions are unlikely to be taken seriously by ufologists due to the committee's perceived "antics and attitudes" and the publication of Robert Low's "notorious memo." Further comments are promised when more details are available.

New Hope for Extraterrestrial Communication?

By P.E. Hopkins, this article explores the limitations imposed by Einstein's Theory of Relativity on space exploration and communication. The theory states that as a body approaches the speed of light (approximately 186,000 miles per second), its mass increases, requiring infinite energy to reach light speed, thus making faster-than-light travel impossible. This severely limits interstellar journeys, making a trip to Alpha Centauri, even at light speed, a nine-year one-way journey. Radio communication is also limited by the speed of light, with a message to Epsilon Eridani taking eleven and a half years to arrive, and the reply taking twenty-three years. The article then introduces Dr. Gerald Fienberg's revolutionary theory of the tachyon, a particle that permeates the universe and travels with "almost infinite velocity" by losing energy as it gains velocity. While attempts to detect tachyons have failed, their existence could enable instant communication across vast distances and potentially transfer energy, fulfilling science fiction dreams. However, the article cautions that misuse of such technology could lead to complete destruction.

Access to Information: Recording and Retrieval

By John A. Rimmer, this article highlights the scarcity of UFO literature in public libraries, particularly periodical literature. Most available works are popular types from commercial publishers, of limited value for in-depth study. The author argues for a centrally organized system to make a wider range of information accessible, including group journals, privately published works, and UFO magazines. He notes that while UFO groups maintain libraries, this information is often restricted to members. The article points out the difficulty in practically using available material for specific research, contrasting it with efficient information retrieval systems in other scientific fields like "Chemical Abstracts" and "Physical Abstracts." The Cambridge and London Universities' computer record of UFO sighting reports is mentioned as an example of efficient retrieval, but it is noted that direct analysis of sightings is a diminishing part of UFO investigation. The author proposes establishing a national clearing-house for interlending material, similar to Regional Library Bureaux, and developing a viable system for information retrieval, ideally a comprehensive "Index of UFO Literature." This would require significant funding and group cooperation, with the potential use of classification systems like the Dewey Decimal Classification or Universal Decimal Classification to ensure consistency.

Letter to the Editor

Arthur Shuttlewood writes to John Harney, clarifying that he was not "very annoyed" about a previous MUFCB article concerning his comments at a 1966 conference, finding it amusing rather than upsetting. He emphasizes the importance of ufologists pooling resources and avoiding "unhealthy argument." Shuttlewood dismisses the May 27-28 skywatch as a "lightning phenomenon" not relevant to UFO advancement. He expresses a belief in sincerity in seeking truth and mentions a "hostile factor" that is "mainly earthbound."

The Search for Physical Evidence - Part One

By John Harney, this article begins a series reviewing physical evidence and alleged physical evidence of UFO visitations since 1947. The author notes that while many ufologists seek such evidence, its interpretation is often debated. The types of evidence to be considered include: substances or objects jettisoned by UFOs, captured UFOs and occupants, ground markings, and physical injuries to witnesses. The article then delves into the Maury Island Case of 1947, citing Kenneth Arnold's account. The main physical evidence was described as slag-like material falling from a UFO. Arnold's investigation, involving Captain Smith and later military personnel Brown and Davidson, is detailed, including the mysterious deaths of Brown and Davidson in a plane crash shortly after receiving fragments. Major Sander of Army Intelligence suggested the fragments were part of a hoax. The article references Ruppelt's book, which fictionalizes the characters and suggests Ray Palmer's involvement in a hoax. The official Air Force report concluded it was a hoax. The author notes that after over 21 years, the full story remains unclear due to confusion and peculiar actions of those involved.

A Brief Look at the South Hertfordshire UFO Investigation Group

By Barry W. Woodgate, this article introduces the South Hertfordshire UFO Investigation Group (SHUFOIG), formed in January 1968. The group aims to help individuals interested in ufology who find investigating alone time-consuming. SHUFOIG was founded by Ray Holmes and Rev. Wilfred Driskel. The inaugural meeting had 22 attendees, including Gordon Creighton (President of BUFORA) and Brian Winder (Vice-president of BUFORA). The group has arranged monthly talks on various UFO-related topics, including propulsion theories and accounts of sightings. Peter Newman's theory that UFOs might not be extraterrestrial but rather a product of an "elite body of scientists" is mentioned. The group has a committee for local sightings and investigations, led by Albert Davy. One notable case investigated was a sighting on August 31st/September 1st, witnessed by at least a hundred people, which the Ministry of Defence explained as an aircraft calibration flight. Another sighting over Chorleywood of an orange, globe-like object is also described. The group is also exploring the link between UFO sightings and motor vehicle ignition failures. The author expresses skepticism about "contact cases," citing the "Scoriton Affair" as a likely hoax and suggesting group investigations are preferable to individual ones.

SHUFOIG is forming a projects committee for building UFO detectors and organizing sky-watches. They are seeking cooperation with other groups and plan to publish a group bulletin. The group has 67 members and is establishing a northern branch. They invite correspondence from other groups.

The Tunguska Meteorite

By Alan W. Sharp, this article details the Tunguska event of June 30, 1908. Travellers on the Trans-Siberian Railway and other witnesses observed a large bolide cross the sky, followed by a massive explosion and a pillar of smoke. Seismic and air waves were recorded globally, with the explosion's energy estimated at 10 ergs, equivalent to a 20-megaton atomic device. Despite the immense energy released, the first expedition to the site nearly 20 years later found no large meteorite crater, and none has been discovered since.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the challenges and methodologies of UFO research. There is a strong emphasis on the need for organized information access and retrieval, particularly through central indexing and interlending systems. The issue also delves into the nature of physical evidence, questioning its interpretation and presenting historical cases like Maury Island. The potential for extraterrestrial communication, both through theoretical physics (tachyons) and direct contact, is explored, alongside a critical examination of official reports like the Condon Report. The formation and activities of local UFO investigation groups are highlighted as a collaborative approach to research. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, acknowledging the complexities and controversies within ufology while advocating for systematic investigation and data sharing. There is a clear skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a preference for evidence-based analysis, though the possibility of genuine phenomena is not dismissed.

MUFOB, Volume 1, Issue 1, dated November 1968, is a publication focused on UFO phenomena and related mysteries. This issue delves into the Tunguska event, UFO investigations in England, and a North Sea UFO incident.

The Tunguska Event

The issue begins by exploring the enduring mystery of the Podkamennaya Tunguska event of 1908. It discusses various theories proposed to explain the massive explosion, including the possibility of a nuclear-powered spaceship or UFO burning up in the atmosphere. Other hypotheses considered are encounters with anti-matter, a large comet nucleus, a substantial iron meteorite, or an aggregate of smaller bodies. The article highlights the lack of an impact crater and significant nickel-iron fragments as arguments against the iron meteorite theory. The location of the main explosion is identified as the South Swamp, a natural depression, suggesting the object exploded in the air. The possibility of a 'stony' meteorite is examined, noting that such material is often friable and disrupts easily. While small silicate and magnetite spherules were found, their origin as direct evidence of the meteorite's composition is questioned. The theory of cometary impact is presented as an alternative, appealing due to the unsatisfactory evidence for more conventional explanations, though the precise nature of cometary nuclei remains speculative. The article also touches upon the idea of anti-matter and space-craft engine explosions, but dismisses them due to the ground phenomena not aligning with a typical atomic or nuclear event. The issue references R.V. Gentry's work suggesting that an increase in carbon 14 in tree rings around 1909 could be consistent with an anti-matter content, but also notes conflicting findings. A key point discussed is the short duration of the observed fireball, which is difficult to reconcile with a thermonuclear explosion and is presented as evidence against such a scenario.

UFO Investigations and 'Silencers' in England

The magazine then shifts focus to UFO investigations within England. It reports on two incidents where individuals involved in UFO research felt they were being 'silenced' or discouraged. Mr. Brian Leathley-Andrew of Coventry started a UFO information bureau but closed it down due to strange experiences. These included persistent telephone problems when making outgoing calls related to UFOs, and an odd incoming call from a knowledgeable but anonymous man who asked probing questions, including one about a Coventry woman seeing aliens working on a space-ship. Another incident involved lights dimming several times during a house visit for UFO business, which Leathley-Andrew, a radio and television engineer, found unusual. The final straw was seeing an apparition with a glowing red head while working on his car, which later changed to an old man's face. He interpreted this as a warning and burned his notes. He apparently cannot recall the exact date of this incident, which he believes occurred on a Sunday evening between late September and early November.

Meanwhile, the Slough Aerial Phenomena Research Association experienced visits from two men who questioned members about their activities, membership, and finances, mentioning the 'IMW'. One member, Mr. S.G. Salter, suspects this is a hoax, possibly inspired by 'MIB books'. The article notes that internal differences of opinion, rather than external pressure, have led to several members leaving the group. The author critically examines Mr. Leathley-Andrew's experiences, finding the dimming lights not particularly convincing and questioning the logical connection to UFOs. The inability to recall the date of the apparition is also noted. While the telephone troubles require more detail for evaluation, the author does not doubt Mr. Leathley-Andrew's sincerity.

North Sea UFO Mystery

A brief report details a 'North Sea UFO Mystery' that occurred on January 10. Mysterious distress signals coincided with an unidentified radar blip. Radio messages placed the aircraft at 22 miles off Flamborough Head, with its height reported at 30,000 feet. No known aircraft, civil or military, were reported in the area. Radar observers at Lindholme saw objects crossing the North Sea and appearing to land in North Lincolnshire. Police and ships were alerted, but nothing was found, and the object remained unidentified. A spokesman for Preston Air Traffic Control suggested such sightings are often accidents due to instrument sensitivity. A Defence Ministry spokesman mentioned 'freak contacts' on radar screens that could have been wreckage, but confirmed no British aircraft were unaccounted for.

Design and Layout of UFO Journals

An article by John Rimmer discusses the design and layout of UFO journals. He contrasts the alleged 'stodginess' of some publications with the potential for well-designed formats offered by modern printing methods like photo-litho. Rimmer criticizes editors who fill pages with excessive lettering, illustrations, and ornaments, emphasizing the need for restraint and simple arrangements. He argues that the appearance of a magazine significantly influences who will read it, suggesting that publications resembling old science fiction magazines might appeal to aficionados but not to the interested outsider.

Skywatching and Self-Deception

This section addresses the credulity and self-deception that can affect UFO enthusiasts. It quotes from the SIUFOP Newsletter, which found that people claiming to have seen UFOs often had large science fiction libraries and vivid imaginations. The article recounts an experience where a skywatch for UFOs resulted in the identification of car headlamps on a distant hill, highlighting the potential for misinterpretation. It notes that many people were often found on hills looking for UFOs, and descriptions of aeroplanes, satellites, and shooting stars were frequently labeled as 'zig-zagging flying saucers'. The author notes that while the society approached reports with an open mind, skepticism grew due to frequent missed sightings.

Guess Who?

This section presents an excerpt from the novel "The Family Man" by John Gale, featuring a journalist investigating unexplained phenomena near Salisbury Plain. The journalist encounters Dr. Mountain Lawless, a 'doctor of philosophy' who engages in skywatching. Dr. Lawless explains his activities involved sitting in a triangle of lights in a field, trying to 'prove a negative' and expressing surprise if anything had happened, as he believed such phenomena would not appear on command. The excerpt also describes Dr. Lawless's appearance and demeanor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of MUFOB include the scientific investigation of anomalous aerial phenomena, the critical analysis of various theories, and the reporting of UFO-related incidents and experiences. The magazine appears to adopt a skeptical yet open-minded stance, presenting different hypotheses for events like the Tunguska incident while also highlighting potential misinterpretations and the need for rigorous evidence. The reports on 'silencing' and the North Sea mystery suggest an interest in unexplained events and potential cover-ups or unusual occurrences. The editorial stance seems to encourage critical thinking and a balanced approach to UFO phenomena, as evidenced by the discussion on skywatching and self-deception and the critique of UFO journal design.