Georgia Sky Watch - 1996 02 - no 04

Magazine Overview

Title: Georgia Sky Watch
Issue Date: February 1996
Publisher: MUFON of Georgia
Document Type: Newsletter

This issue of the Georgia Sky Watch newsletter, published by MUFON of Georgia in February 1996, serves as an open forum for exchanging ideas and information concerning UFOs and related phenomena. It features a mix of recent sightings, upcoming events, personal experiences, and historical UFO cases.

F-16s Chase Glowing Red Light Across Georgia

The lead story details a sighting on February 15th where a civilian reported witnessing F-16 fighter jets chasing a glowing red light across the Georgia sky. The witness, who had a military background, heard the jets' afterburners and then saw the object and jets disappear over the trees. MUFON of Georgia received the report and is investigating, with Public Relations Director Henry Owens noting that the organization's hotline is becoming more widely known.

Upcoming Events and Lectures

The newsletter highlights several upcoming events. Most notably, international UFO lecturer George Fawcett is scheduled to speak to MUFON of Georgia on April 13, 1996, at the Gwinnett County Justice and Administration Building. Fawcett, who has been investigating UFOs for nearly 50 years and authored "Quarter Century Studies of UFOs," will present a slide show of UFO photographs. The event costs $15 at the door.

Other listed events include a field investigator training class, a MUFON of Georgia meeting on March 9th, the Gulf-Breeze UFO Conference from March 15-17, and the Second Annual UFO and Alien Research Conference in Greenville, South Carolina, on May 4-5.

My Experience with CSETI and a Close Encounter with Steven Greer

Susanna Felder recounts her experience attending a seminar by Steven Greer, founder of CSETI (Center for the Study of Extraterrestrial Intelligence). She describes CSETI's protocols for attempting contact, which involve flashing lights, playing ship sounds, and coherent thought sequencing. While she found the seminar generally excellent and signed up as a CSETI member, she was shocked by a clause in the membership agreement requiring the surrender of all original audio or video recordings of encounters. Felder expresses her disagreement with Greer's stance on this issue, feeling that the larger universe belongs to everyone.

Felder then describes a "field work" session at Black Rock Mountain where participants attempted CSETI protocols. During this session, they observed oddly moving lights that appeared to be satellites but made right-angle turns and circled overhead. The session was disrupted by excited participants and curious onlookers, leading Steven Greer to decide to leave the area.

Message From the Editor

Mark Ausmus, the editor, encourages readers to attend MUFON of Georgia meetings and utilize their hotline for reporting sightings. He notes that about ten people are undergoing field investigator training and that the existing investigators are overloaded. The newsletter also addresses membership dues, emphasizing that the $22 fee helps cover postage costs for mailings to various organizations and media outlets to gather information. The editor highlights MUFON of Georgia's extensive efforts to collect UFO reports, positioning them as a primary entity in this endeavor, with a humorous nod to potential secret government agencies.

Minutes From the Meeting - February 1996

Roberta Puhalski reports on the February 10, 1996, MUFON of Georgia meeting. Assistant State Director Michael Norris welcomed attendees and explained MUFON's mission, founded in 1969 for the scientific study of UFOs. Kelley Owens, Public Relations Officer, encouraged membership and discussed efforts to obtain non-profit status and mail letters to media outlets. A decision was made to keep monthly meetings on Saturdays, and a sky watch in LaGrange was agreed upon. Norris also urged a shift towards more active investigation, considering the physical impact of UFOs on the environment.

The discussion then turned to CSETI, with several attendees having participated in Greer's workshops. Michael Norris cautioned that CSETI's protocols assume benevolent extraterrestrial intelligence, which might be a perilous assumption if the intelligence is not benevolent. A tape by Linda Moulton Howe on cattle mutilations and crop circles was to be shown later.

The meeting also touched upon reasons why individuals fail to report sightings, with hypnotherapist Leigh Culver sharing insights from his work with abductees. Culver also shared observations from a recent trip to the Soviet Union. The discussion covered various sightings and media experiences.

Can UFO Technology Save Us?

This is part two of an article by S. Christopher Early, Georgia State Director for MUFON. It lists various institutions in Europe and America that hold UFO information, including museums, libraries, and universities. The article highlights the Georgia Tech library's resources, including its computerized catalog and patent archives.

George Fawcett's Research and Vision

This section features George Fawcett, North Carolina director for MUFON, who has accumulated UFO information for nearly fifty years. His dream is to establish a UFO-shaped museum to house this data. The article mentions his research methods, including visiting libraries and news media, and his interest in historical anomalies documented by figures like Charles Fort and Thomas Dick.

Excerpts from Thomas Dick's work on "The Faculties of Superior Beings" are presented, discussing gradations of intellect in the universe and the potential for highly advanced intelligences with extraordinary sensory and cognitive abilities.

Science Facts & Trivia

Henry Owens provides a brief explanation of electromagnetism, defining it as the physics dealing with electricity and magnetism. He notes that visible light is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet light, infrared light, microwaves, and radio waves, all propagating at the speed of light.

Twin Earths Comic Strip

A comic strip titled "Twin Earths" from The Atlanta Constitution on July 13, 1952, is presented, depicting a discussion about photographic evidence of a flying saucer near the White House.

Jet Pilots Ordered to Chase All Saucers

This article, dated July 29, 1952, from The Atlanta Constitution, reports that the Air Defense Command alerted jet interceptor pilots to pursue any "flying saucers." This action followed unsuccessful attempts by F-94 jets to intercept "glowing white lights" and other mysterious objects sighted over the Washington D.C. area. The Air Force remained skeptical, stating that reports showed no discernible pattern indicating control by a reasoning body. Eyewitness statements from Air Force and commercial pilots were being studied. The article also mentions that 12 "blips" of light appeared on radar at National Airport.

Workers at Area 51 Attempt to Sue Department of Defense

This brief report, referencing a February 8, 1996, Wall Street Journal article, details a lawsuit filed by four former civilian workers at Nellis Air Force Base against the DOD. They allege violations of hazardous-waste law due to the burning of chemicals and classified materials, leading to health problems. The government's refusal to comment, citing national security, is noted.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the scientific investigation and study of UFO phenomena through MUFON. It encourages public participation in reporting sightings and joining the organization. There's a clear emphasis on gathering evidence, training investigators, and disseminating information through publications like the Georgia Sky Watch newsletter and the MUFON UFO JOURNAL. The publication also explores various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, from recent sightings and personal experiences to historical cases and theoretical discussions about extraterrestrial intelligence and technology. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and a belief in the importance of understanding UFOs, while also acknowledging skepticism and the need for rigorous scientific methods.