MUFON Arizona - 1997 12 06 - Vol 06 No 12

Magazine Overview

This is the December 1997 issue of the MUFON Arizona Chapter Newsletter, Volume 6, Issue 12. The cover features the MUFON logo and tagline "The Truth is Out There," along with an illustration of a desert landscape. The issue focuses on various UFO-related topics, including upcoming meetings, recent sightings, and scientific findings.

Director's Message

Tom Taylor, State Director, reflects on the past year, mentioning significant UFO events such as the 50th anniversary of the Roswell incident, the Phoenix Lights sighting, the declaration of possible life on Mars, and the Hale-Bopp Comet. He notes the continued growth of the MUFON chapter and highlights the upcoming meeting on December 17th, which will feature Richard Sauder discussing "Aliens and Underground Bases." Taylor also expresses a need for members to help establish a group in the Sedona and Flagstaff areas. He informs members that the rent for the meeting auditorium will increase in January, necessitating a slight increase in meeting admission costs, especially for special guests who require travel expenses. He also mentions the 7th International UFO Congress Convention in Laughlin, NV, from February 1-7, 1998, featuring David Oates.

Media Watch

This section provides a roundup of recent media coverage related to UFOs and related topics. It mentions a CBS report on a blue pyramid visible from melting snow in Alaska, a "Hard Copy" segment on abductee implants, and the upcoming "X-Files" film. A list of recently aired and upcoming television and radio programs on UFO topics is provided, including "Mysteries Around Us," "Unsolved Mysteries," "X-Files," "Sightings," "The Visitor," "Strange Universe," and "Dreamland" hosted by Art Bell. Members are encouraged to notify Tom Taylor of any additions or changes to this list.

Sighting Reports

Several significant sightings are detailed:

• Seattle, Washington (November 14, 1997): An unusual sighting of orange globes or bells occurred around 9:15 PMT, reported by 35 witnesses from British Columbia to Sacramento, California. The objects were deemed too slow to be meteorites.
• South of Chicago and Kansas City (December 1, 1997): Strange lights were sighted in these areas.
• Phoenix Area (Past few weeks): Several unconfirmed daylight sightings were reported.
• Chile: The government of Chile has formed a UFO study group due to numerous reports.

50+ Years of Arizona Sightings

Jim Ossipov's comprehensive listing of reported Arizona UFO sightings, compiled over 50 years, is available for purchase at MUFON-AZ meetings for $6.00 or by mail for $7.50.

Calendar

Announcements for upcoming chapter meetings are provided:

• Cochise County Chapter: Next meeting January 24, 1998.
• Pima County Chapter: Contact June for information.
• Yuma County Chapter: Next meeting February 8, 1998.
• Maricopa County Chapter: Meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 1997 (one week early).
• 7th International UFO Congress Convention: February 1-7, 1998, in Laughlin, NV.

A reminder is given that the December MUFON-AZ meeting in Phoenix is on the third Wednesday due to the holidays.

Classified Ads

Information is provided for placing classified ads in the MUFON-AZ Newsletter. Rates are $5.00 for up to three lines and $10 for business-card sized ads. Contact Ruth Hover for larger ad prices.

Article Submission

Members are invited to submit articles and book reviews. Handwritten or typed articles are accepted, but diskette submissions (Word, WordPerfect 5.1, or ASCII format) are preferred. Submissions should be sent to Mary Hart.

Large Triangular UFO Seen Over Santa Barbara Channel, California

On November 14, 1997, at approximately 10:05 p.m., Dr. Ted Loder and Tony Craddock observed a large triangular craft with five to eight lights on its edges over the Santa Barbara Channel. The craft was estimated to be five to ten miles away and traveling at approximately 4,000 to 8,000 mph. Both observers are members of CSETI.

Seattle Sighting

On November 15, 1997, at 9:15 p.m. PST, 25 objects in a "V" shape formation were sighted over Seattle. Peter Davenport of the UFO Reporting and Information Service received 50 calls about the sighting. The British Columbia "Skywatch" group logged 400 hours of observation, concluding it was not a meteorite. Sunny Barcliff reported seeing orange-colored lights moving at a slow speed.

Chilean Air Force Sets Up Committee on UFOs

Chile's Air Force has established a three-member committee to compile reports on unidentified flying objects. The committee will focus on reports from reputable sources like control tower operators and pilots.

M.I.B. and Black Helicopters Bothering Wrong People

A segment from "Strange Universe" is mentioned, detailing two women who were frightened and mistreated by individuals in uniforms who arrived in black helicopters.

Men In Black (MIB) Phenomenon

This section contrasts the older image of Men In Black (MIBs) with a modernized, more dangerous version. The new generation of MIBs reportedly arrive in helicopters, are more violent, and wear paramilitary uniforms. The author questions why prominent UFO figures are seemingly not targeted by MIBs or helicopters, proposing an investigation by asking 100-200 of them if they have been bothered.

"Paradigm Bending... Reality Shattering Experiences"

This section reviews Charles F. Emmons' book, "At The Threshold: UFOs, Science and the New Age." The reviewer praises the book for its balanced and fair-minded approach to Ufology, its comprehensive bibliography, and its conceptualization of UFO theories. The book is described as a valuable resource for skeptical friends and for understanding the intersection of quantum physics and UFO research. The reviewer notes the book's style can be pedantic and repetitive but highlights Emmons' non-confrontational tone. Key concepts from the book include the idea that UFOs may be other-worldly, have interacted with Earth for thousands of years, possess advanced technology, and that governments may be deceiving the public. Emmons' own take on the phenomenon is summarized, emphasizing that UFOs are complex and not a single mystery.

Pathfinder Finds Evidence of Earth-like Conditions in Mars' Past

This news report details findings from the Mars Pathfinder mission, which uncovered evidence suggesting that Mars was once warm, moist, and potentially conducive to the formation of life. The findings are considered a significant boost to the possibility of finding evidence of life on the Red Planet.

Collision Predicted for Milky Way

This news report discusses images from the Hubble Space Telescope showing the collision of two galaxies. Astronomers predict that the Milky Way galaxy will eventually merge with the Andromeda galaxy in about 5 billion years. The collision is expected to trigger the formation of new stars and globular clusters.

Extraterrestrial Encounters Hardly Alien to the Believers

This article features an interview with Carol Fraley, who describes her personal experience with a small, alien-like being. The article also includes insights from Dr. Ruth McKinley-Hover, a therapist who runs an experiencers support group. McKinley-Hover discusses the common reactions of abductees and suggests that these experiences might represent a cultural-sociological shift in belief systems. She emphasizes the importance of listening to experiencers without ridicule, viewing them as being on the "leading edge" of understanding. The article touches upon the idea that 1997 was predicted to be a year for public landings by "Space Visitors."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the investigation of UFO phenomena from a scientific and open-minded perspective. It encourages member participation, reporting of sightings, and the sharing of information. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry into the unexplained, while acknowledging the sometimes bizarre nature of the subject matter. There is a clear emphasis on the MUFON organization as a platform for this research and discussion. The issue also highlights the intersection of UFO research with scientific advancements, such as quantum physics and space exploration, and addresses the persistent cultural phenomenon of "Men In Black."