Merseyside UFO Bulletin - Vol 3 No 5 - 1970

Magazine Overview

Title: Merseyside UFO Bulletin
Issue: 3:5
Date: November 1970
Editors: John Harney and John Rimmer

This issue of the Merseyside UFO Bulletin delves into the practicalities of UFO photography and the persistent theme of official secrecy surrounding UFO investigations. It also features a lively exchange of views in its 'Letters to the Editor' section.

Editorial: Official Secrecy

The editorial addresses the recurring theme of 'official secrecy' in UFO literature, acknowledging the frustrations ufologists face when seeking information from government bodies. It notes that in Britain, UFO inquiries are often directed to a specific office within the Ministry of Defence. While acknowledging the necessity for governments to investigate potential security threats posed by UFO events, the editorial posits that public disclosure would render such investigations futile. It draws an analogy to asking a government for a policy statement on haunted houses, suggesting that governments must focus on the security aspects of UFO sightings without delving into their more esoteric implications. The editorial concludes that secrecy and evasiveness are natural consequences of these official investigations.

Letters to the Editors

Dr J. Cleary-Baker (Editor of BUFORA Journal)

Dr. Cleary-Baker responds to a previous commentary, clarifying his position on the Warminster events. He states he has only once mentioned the Shuttlewood 'phone calls in the BUFORA JOURNAL in 1967, describing them as 'mysterious' and noting they struck a different note from typical cultist claims. He maintains that these messages, and similar ones reported by John Keel, are genuine in the sense of not being vulgar hoaxes. He argues against the idea that his belief in the possibility of positive UFO entities makes him a believer in the 'space brother caper,' comparing it to a Spiritualist accepting benevolent and malevolent agencies without necessarily believing in winged angels and devils.

Peter Rogerson

Peter Rogerson writes to clarify his stance on Arthur Shuttlewood, whom he regards as an honest and sincere investigator. However, Rogerson emphasizes that while he accepts Shuttlewood's integrity, he does not necessarily accept his theories on UFOs. He dismisses the 'space brother' idea as 'puerile philosophy' but acknowledges Keel's point about handling contactees sympathetically. Rogerson criticizes the common practice of deriding and dismissing foreign contactees while attempting to learn from them. He suggests that gazing at lights in the sky is not conducive to understanding UFOs and that contactees may be fed 'unmitigated nonsense.'

Rogerson also addresses Dr. Cleary-Baker's comments, questioning whether Cleary-Baker truly believes the Warminster calls originated from benevolent space people. He quotes Cleary-Baker from BUFORA JOURNAL suggesting a 'breakthrough by 'positive UFO denizens'.' Rogerson asserts that the content of these messages is indistinguishable from typical contactee or mediumistic 'claptrap.' He dismisses the discussion of 'positive and negative entities' as irrelevant, stating he has no time for spiritualists or occultists. He believes it is unwise for investigators to become emotionally involved with those they are investigating and criticizes the lack of rigorous investigation into contact claims in the UK, deeming them the work of 'untrained, scatterbrained cranks.' Rogerson advocates for a panel of experts, including psychiatrists and scientists, for any investigation of contact claims. He concludes by sarcastically acknowledging a perceived accusation that he and John Rimmer are agents of various organizations aiming to denigrate space brothers and promote materialism.

Alan W. Sharp (Science Editor)

Alan W. Sharp expresses his views on John Keel's 'new ufology,' which he describes as 'ufological existentialism with really precious little UFO connection.' He feels that Keel's approach shifts the focus from UFOs to people, which he equates to studying galaxies by watching a woman drink a Scotch. While acknowledging the importance of studying human behavior in evaluating sightings, Sharp questions the continued interest in the UFO side if behavior becomes the primary focus. He suggests that Keel's work has 're-defined the subject out of existence.' Sharp notes that while Dr. Condon's assessment of UFOs may have been harsh, it is unfortunate that someone 'on the inside' chose to deliver the 'coup de grace.' He advocates for accepting defeat gracefully rather than resorting to 'pseudo-scientific claptrap' and dismisses concepts like 'different space-time continuums.' He humorously suggests joining the 'witches of Warminster' in the hope that spacemen might appear.

Article: ADAMSKI, AETHERIUS, FRY? DIOPHANTES ET AL, FAREWELL

Author: Paul Hopkins

Paul Hopkins begins by acknowledging humanity's journey to the moon and its imminent reach for the planets, marking a shift from mystery and imagination to stark realism. He declares the moon 'dead,' devoid of life or even signs of past life, questioning the existence of Adamski's moon bases and alien outposts. Hopkins asserts that the footprints left on the moon will be slowly covered by cosmic dust, and that an advanced civilization would have left more significant marks. He suggests that the idea of aliens visiting the moon is unfounded. Hopkins posits that humanity is entering an age of 'cosmic loneliness,' where science has diminished beliefs in the supernatural on Earth, pushing this realm into outer space. He argues that as science reveals planets to be devoid of intelligent life, these spheres are filled with 'spirit creatures' from different planes. He discusses telepathic contact as a means of communication, but criticizes the 'meanderings of insanity' and personal beliefs that often pass as messages from entities like Aetherius or Diophantes of Sirius Six. Hopkins states that, to his knowledge, no properly authenticated information from these sources has proven valuable. He criticizes prophecies as obvious and daft, such as 'a new age will dawn.'

Hopkins suggests that humanity is moving beyond sensationalism and speculation, reducing the solar system to physical and chemical equations. He believes the 'romantic flying saucer' will fade as generations pass, and the mystery will die by natural causes. However, he maintains that an element of truth will remain, asserting that life must exist elsewhere in the universe due to mathematical probability. He questions whether humanity is keeping this life at arm's length or if it is being kept from us by a divine plan or man's own inadequacies.

He references a newspaper report warning of the dangers of contacting extraterrestrial civilizations, citing Professors Zdenek Kopal and Clyde Tombaugh, who suggested it could be disastrous, likening humanity to ants in test tubes. Hopkins notes that humanity's technological explosion makes it conspicuous due to its radio emissions. He speculates that there may be advanced intelligent races in the galaxy aware of Earth but choosing to leave humanity alone, likening it to a process of civilization where intelligent beings do not ill-treat lower forms of life. He concludes that if humanity survives for another million years, it may still not understand the meaning and purpose of the universe, likening humanity to ants in a test tube, observed and potentially discarded.

Article: SHORT EXPOSURE ASTRO-PHOTOGRAPHY USING EXTENDED DEVELOPMENT TECHNIQUES

Author: Robert Halliday

Robert Halliday's article addresses the common reliance on eyewitness accounts for UFO sightings and emphasizes the value of photographic evidence. He explains that his techniques, developed through personal experience without expensive equipment, can help transform skywatching from a pastime into a scientific pursuit. Halliday details how to obtain photographs of stars down to the 9th magnitude with short exposures (1-10 seconds) by using 400 ASA films and over-developing them to compensate for under-exposure. This process increases the density of the images, making them easier to print.

He explains that extended development artificially increases the effective speed of the emulsion by prolonging development time, which affects the film's contrast range, producing a steeper curve and a loss of middle tones. While this is ideal for star photography, it also increases grain size. Halliday offers two methods to minimize grain: diluting the developer and improving printing techniques. Diluting the developer, used once and discarded, increases acutance and reduces contrast, but requires longer development times. Improving printing involves under-exposing the print at the enlarger and over-developing it, or using the correct grade of paper.

Halliday discusses the advantages of extended development, primarily the very short exposures needed for photographing UFOs. He also touches upon reciprocity law failure, a problem in astronomical photography where emulsions are most sensitive to specific light intensities, leading to less blackening with very low or very high intensities. He notes that slow-speed films require long exposures, which further reduces film speed, necessitating even longer exposures. The article includes a table showing measured exposure times versus required times for various films, illustrating reciprocity law failure. Halliday then provides specific development times for Tri-X and FP 3 films using standard and diluted Promicrol developer at different temperatures.

He concludes by stating that with a camera, tripod, and cable release, one can be prepared for unexpected events like comets, meteors, or UFOs, and be sure of obtaining a photograph if the object is visible to the naked eye.

Editors' Notes

The editors note that they had hoped to feature two of Mr. Halliday's photographs on the cover but were unable to due to technical printing issues. They also invite readers to contact Mr. R. Halliday for further information or to offer their own information on the topic.

Books

A Reference Book of UFO Sounds by Dan Butcher

This book compares UFO sounds with those heard during out-of-the-body experiences. The reviewer, Peter Rogerson, finds the literal interpretation of 'ecsomatic experiences' (feeling external to one's body) problematic, citing philosophical and scientific objections. He contrasts Monism (consciousness as a product of the brain) with Dualism (consciousness as a non-physical mind). Rogerson believes that ecsomatic experiences are intensely vivid hallucinatory events, similar to those induced by LSD-25, with symbolic, archetypal elements. While unable to accept the author's central thesis that UFOs are 'ecsomatic bodies,' Rogerson deems the book worthy of attention for its presentation of evidence that some UFO events are subjective.

The View Over Atlantis by John Michell

Reviewing this book is described as difficult, with occasional 'flashes of brilliance' but generally thought-provoking ideas. The reviewer suggests that the book's general content, at least in their opinion, is lacking.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Merseyside UFO Bulletin consistently engages with the practical aspects of UFO investigation, as evidenced by the detailed article on astro-photography. It also maintains a critical stance on sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, particularly concerning 'contactee' phenomena and 'space brother' narratives, while still acknowledging the need for open-mindedness and rigorous investigation. The publication appears to favor a more scientific and evidence-based approach to ufology, as seen in the editorial's discussion of official secrecy and the letters debating the nature of UFO evidence and explanations. The recurring theme of questioning the validity of certain interpretations of UFO events, while not dismissing the phenomenon itself, is a hallmark of this issue.

MUFOB, Issue 3, Volume 3, published in 1970, is a UK-based magazine focused on UFOs and related phenomena. This issue primarily consists of book reviews and short reports on local incidents.

Book Reviews

Outermost edited by Gene Duplantier, Saucers, Space & Science, 1970

Reviewed by Peter Rogerson, this 40-page publication is described as a depressing collection of articles by contactees and their friends. While it includes an article on psychological effects of UFO encounters, pieces by Armand Laprade, and an extract from Gray Barker's 'The Silver Bridge', the reviewer notes inaccuracies in the directory of UFO organizations. Rogerson concludes that the publication is capable of better work.

The Great Wave of 1967 Edited by Gordon Emery and H.Edward Hill, UFO Chronicle, 1970

This 32-page booklet is a collection of statistics on the 1967 UFO wave, providing a basis for analysis. The statistics do not substantiate John Keel's 'Wednesday rule'. It includes appendices with chronological lists of sightings and satellite re-entries, which help to dismiss certain explanations.

How I Came to Accept Unidentified Flying Objects (Flying Saucers) as a Fact by Fred O. Gardner, FRGS.

This duplicated booklet, priced at 3/6, describes the author's journey into the topic of UFOs and discusses various theories. It is considered useful for those wondering how people become involved with the subject. A key point raised is the phenomenon of witnesses seeing UFOs that are invisible to others present, prompting the question of whether UFOs are psychic phenomena or hallucinations.

Science, The Public and the UFO - A Philosophical Study, by Arthur Bray, Bray Book Service, 1967

Peter Rogerson harshly criticizes this 193-page book as boring, dated, and tendentious. He deems it useless for discussing science, philosophy, and ufology due to the author's alleged ignorance of all three. The appendix on Canadian cases is noted as being ten years out of date.

Flying Saucer Viewpoint by Rox Dutta, Pelham Books, London, 1970

This book is categorized as metaphysical UFO literature, similar to works by Brinsley Le Poer Trench. However, the reviewer notes that while Trench is careful with style, spelling, and grammar, Dutta is not. The book is described as badly-written and professionally produced, with clumsy style, random punctuation, and misspellings of names well-known to ufologists, such as 'Condor report' (Condon report) and 'Goodman's airfield' (Godman Air Force Base). The reviewer cannot recommend it due to the existence of better-written books on the subject.

Letters to the Editor

Letter from Norman Oliver, Director of COS-MOS

Norman Oliver writes to clarify the existence of two organizations named COS-LOS investigating the UFO enigma. He disputes Peter Rogerson's characterization of one such group as being influenced by 'unsavoury cultists' and states that his own COS-MOS, formed with Brian Simmonds, does not favour John Keel's ideas. He lists the office bearers and committee members of his organization.

Notes, Quotes & Queries

Challenge Accepted

John Rimmer, following his article 'The Death and Life of British Ufology', accepted a challenge from Norman Oliver of COS-MOS to justify his assertions about British UFO groups. A meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 1971, at the Kensington Central Library, where Rimmer will speak, followed by a lecture from Norman Oliver. Attendees agreeing with Rimmer are invited to a drink afterwards.

The Penny Lane Ghost

A local ghost story from Liverpool, reported in the Liverpool Echo, details a search for a ghost in a printing shop on Penny Lane. Loud pacing sounds have been heard nightly, leading to police investigations. Shop owners John Hampton and Ken Shackman have searched the premises extensively, even using a tape recorder, but have found no explanation for the noise, ruling out vermin. Mrs Jean Druce, a neighbor, also reports being kept awake by the noise. The story notes that at least 11 people have heard the noises, and a journalist who spent a night in the house reported nothing unusual.

An Interesting Comparison

A report from the Bolton Evening News of August 28, 1967, describes a group of workmen witnessing a ghostly, glowing white figure, approximately 10 ft. tall, moving about the ruins of Rivington Castle for about 2 hours. This apparition is compared to a 'borgart' from Lancashire folklore, which can allegedly assume various forms and sizes.

Back Numbers

Information is provided regarding the availability of back numbers of MUFOB, with a note that not all issues are available. M. Herve Matte of Paris is seeking specific available issues.

Merseyside UFO Bulletin

Details are provided for the Merseyside UFO Bulletin, listing the Editor (John Harney), Associate Editor (John A. Rimmer), and Science Editor (Alan W. Sharp). It is stated that opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily shared by the Editors, and the publication is printed and published by the Editors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are critical reviews of UFO literature, with a particular focus on the quality of writing and the validity of the content. There is also an interest in local phenomena, such as the Liverpool ghost story and the Rivington Castle sighting, which are examined in relation to broader UFO and folklore contexts. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards sensationalism and a preference for well-researched and clearly presented material, as evidenced by the harsh reviews of some books and the clarification regarding the COS-MOS organization.