MUFON

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MUFON Arizona Newsletter, dated October 1966, focuses on UFO phenomena, investigations, and related topics within the Arizona chapter and beyond. The cover features the MUFON logo and a desert landscape, with the headline "The Truth is Out There."

Meeting and Chapter News

The newsletter announces the upcoming MUFON-AZ meeting on Wednesday, October 23, 1996, at the National Guard Armory, featuring a program on "Alien Abduction Update." It lists the key personnel of the MUFON-AZ chapter, including State Director Tom Taylor, Assistant State Director Paul Ankney, and various Section Directors and Field Investigators. The Director's Message highlights a recent meteor sighting and praises a speaker's presentation of unusual UFO slides. It also notes the appointment of Earlene Ford as Media Representative and mentions preliminary arrangements for a tour of the Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico in May or June 1997. The newsletter also announces changes to the November and December meeting dates, moving them to the third Wednesday of each month.

Media Watch

Tom Taylor's "Media Watch" column provides a rundown of recent television, radio, and newspaper programs related to UFOs. This includes mentions of a CBS Evening News report on a meteorite possibly linked to Mars, a week of UFO programs on The Learning Channel, and the TV series "Dark Skies." It also notes an interview with Bruce Kerner, producer of "Dark Skies," by Art Bell on "Coast to Coast," and a report on a UFO sighting in Scotland. The column also lists various regular programs like "Dreamland" hosted by Art Bell and "UFO AZ/UFO TALKS."

UFO Sightings and Incidents

Several UFO sightings and incidents are detailed throughout the newsletter:

• October 3: An alleged meteorite was reported around 9:00 p.m., described as incredibly bright with a green flash.
• October 9: A rocket launch from White Sands Proving Ground created a spectacular rainbow-colored contrail.
• October 11: CBS Evening News reported on a second meteorite potentially linked to Mars.
• September 26 (Lunar Eclipse): Several UFO sightings were reported in conjunction with the lunar eclipse.
• October 1973 (Mesa, CE4): Ernest Chesser reported being abducted by Nordic-type aliens while camping, undergoing a physical examination and telepathic communication.
• August 28, 1993 (Yuma, DD): A man observed a glowing, round object.
• September 20, 1994 (Yuma, CE4): A young man was abducted by aliens and taken to their craft, witnessing unusual beings and events, including "lost time."
• April 1996 (Carefree, DD): Two men observed a bright object that changed intensity.
• May 9, 1996 (Phoenix, DD): A woman saw a cigar-shaped object that remained stationary.
• June 24, 1996 (Phoenix, DD): A man observed two discs with stop-and-go and wobbling motions.

Special Reports and Features

"Chaos rules in charting comets' paths" (Page 6) discusses how cosmic chaos makes even stable orbits susceptible to dramatic changes, making precise prediction of comet paths impossible. It references the work of Mark Bailey and the potential existence of numerous large objects orbiting beyond Neptune.

"UFO encounter may cost election" (Page 6) reports on incumbent Lynne Plaskett of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, whose credibility was questioned after she appeared on the "Maury Povich Show" claiming a UFO encounter led to her cancer remission. Some voters expressed reluctance to re-elect her based on this.

"Apparent meteor sheds light on night sky in West" (Page 7) details a bright meteor or object seen across the Western US, described as incredibly bright and turning darkness into day. It notes that while likely a natural phenomenon, it was also considered a possible falling satellite.

"Rockefeller Funds UFO Briefing Report for U.S. and World Leaders" (Page 4) highlights a 168-page document delivered to influential figures, advocating for open inquiry into UFO evidence. The report, authored by Don Berliner and others, was funded by Laurance Rockefeller and supported by organizations like CUFOS and MUFON.

"Surreal saloon Beer baron's a sucker for 'El Chupacabra'" (Page 5) tells the story of Ed Chilleen, who became obsessed with "El Chupacabra" after an internet search and opened a saloon named "Goatsucker Saloon" and plans to bottle "Goatsucker Beer."

"In Search of Wisdom??" (Page 5) critiques a pamphlet promoting a trip to India for spiritual wisdom, calling it a "ripoff" and contrasting it with the rich history and philosophies of Native Americans, suggesting they hold true wisdom.

"Antonio Huneeus Meets Travis Walton" (Page 4) describes a meeting arranged for Antonio Huneeus to interview Travis Walton, the subject of the book and movie "Fire in the Sky," at Meteor Crater.

Article Submissions and Subscriptions

The newsletter includes a call for article submissions, encouraging handwritten or typed articles, and requests computer-submitted articles in WordPerfect 5.1 or ASCII format. It also provides information on how to subscribe to the MUFON-Arizona Newsletter for $15 per year.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the investigation and dissemination of UFO-related information. It emphasizes the importance of keeping the public informed through media watch and sharing sighting reports. There's a clear stance against sensationalism and a preference for factual reporting, as seen in the critique of the India trip pamphlet and the detailed accounts of sightings. The chapter actively organizes meetings, tours, and encourages member participation. The inclusion of articles on cosmic chaos and Native American wisdom suggests a broadening scope beyond just sightings to explore deeper philosophical and scientific aspects of the unknown.