MUFON Massachusetts - Newsletter - 41 - 1987 04

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MUFON Newsletter, dated April 1987, serves as a communication channel for the Mutual UFO Network, Inc., specifically focusing on activities and reports from Massachusetts and surrounding areas. It is edited by James Melesciuc, the State Director for Massachusetts.

Library Display Update

The Massachusetts MUFON chapter has an ongoing panel display at the Medford Public Library throughout April. The article notes that during a previous display in Reading, 60% of the library's UFO-related books were checked out, indicating a significant public interest when the subject is presented professionally. The display aims to present the UFO phenomenon as a serious topic, not an occult one, and suggests more such programs should target the general public, media, scientists, and academia.

Publicity for "INTRUDERS..."

Budd Hopkins, author of the book "INTRUDERS," is scheduled to promote his work in the Boston area on April 27th and possibly the 28th and 29th. Readers are encouraged to report any program appearances by Hopkins to the MUFON hotline.

Bit of News from Vermont

Vermont State Director Bill Chapleau appeared on the radio show "Talk of the Town" on February 19, 1987. He plans to send a video of the appearance and continues to receive a moderate number of case reports, which he promises to share.

Case Reports

This section details several UFO sightings and encounters:

• Central China: On March 12, 12 witnesses reported a metallic, orange-red, straw hat-shaped object hovering at 3300 ft. for about 30 minutes.
• Revere, MA: A witness reported seeing four nocturnal lights in a V-formation travelling northwest to southeast for one minute. This sighting is being investigated by Joanne Bruno and might be related to a C5 tanker or KC 135 aircraft.
• China, Maine: Following up on a previous report, two University of Southern Maine sophomores reported seeing a red light on a tower, which was soon joined by approximately 34 other red lights. The lights moved erratically, then appeared to show a glowing dome. Their radio and the father's television stopped working. The object then swooped down behind pine trees. The witnesses experienced dizziness and nausea. Inquiries to Loring AFB, Brunswick Naval Air Station, and the FAA yielded no results. Notably, a ring with an insignia resembling the Socorro object was found near the lake where the sighting occurred. Dr. Bechtel, the Maine State Director, is continuing the investigation.
• Connecticut: On February 15, 1987, two witnesses reported a spherical object, the size of a basketball, passing directly in front of their vehicle windshield.
• New England: Numerous calls were received due to military maneuvers around March 14.

Classified Ads

The newsletter will begin carrying a Classified Ads section in future issues. Members can submit requests for materials like videos, audios, or books. The editor is personally seeking a hardcover copy of "The UFO Controversy In America" by Dr. David M. Jacobs.

Time Tunnel

This section commemorates the 40th anniversary of the modern era of Ufology by revisiting significant events. Key entries include:

• Five years ago: The Supreme Court refused to hear the CAUS vs NSA case regarding UFO documents.
• Ten years ago (October 27, 1977): A letter from Herbert J. Rowe of NASA stated that UFO investigations were limited to a literature review.
• Twenty years ago (September 1967): Skylook was first published, later becoming the MUFON Journal.
• Twenty years ago (January 6): Dr. J. Allen Hynek spoke at Goddard Space Flight Center, revising his views on UFOs and confirming radar tracking of UFOs at high speeds.
• Thirty years ago: M.K. Jessup's book "The Expanding Case for the UFO" was published.
• Thirty years ago (January 16, 1957): NICAP held a press conference featuring Rear Admiral Delmer Fahrney.
• Thirty-five years ago (January): The Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO) was founded.
• Forty years ago (December 30): A directive established Project Sign, the first official UFO investigation agency.

Recommended Publication

The Society for Scientific Exploration is recommended for its scientific approach. Their publication, "The Explorer," is available for $2.50 per copy.

Thank You from Mass. MUFON

Thanks are extended to Pete Geremia for his presentation on March 14, which included updates on New Hampshire sightings and the Wakefield, NH melting pond mystery.

The Year of Abductions

This article by James Melesciuc discusses the recent surge in media attention on the subject of Ufology, particularly abduction reports, fueled by major newspapers and books like "Intruders" and "Communion." MUFON membership has reportedly increased by 10% due to this publicity and ongoing library exhibits. The author expresses concern that new members drawn solely to abduction casework might find other areas of UFO investigation anticlimactic. He stresses the importance of a broad knowledge base, including history, government involvement, and other types of UFO phenomena. The article lists prominent abduction cases from the past, such as the Villa Boas (1957), Hill (1961), Schirmer and Andreasson (1967), Roach (1973), and Travis Walton (1975) cases. It also touches upon 'channeling' as a new form of 'contactee' phenomenon. Melesciuc cautions that abduction reports can be contaminated by prior publicity, and emphasizes MUFON's role as a scientific body dedicated to objective research. He notes that Budd Hopkins was interviewed by a Cape Cod newspaper and suggested that if abduction accounts are real, they have enormous implications for mankind, potentially indicating a widespread psychological problem.

UFO Experience and Investigation

The article continues by exploring the implications of abduction accounts, with Budd Hopkins maintaining an objective perspective. Aphrodite Clamar's work in "Missing Time" is cited, questioning whether abductees are victims of hysteria or genuine experiences. Despite extensive interviews, Clamar cannot definitively answer the question, suggesting further exploration is needed, including the use of hypnosis, while cautioning that hypnosis can be used to embellish stories or lie. The article stresses that abduction casework requires experienced investigators knowledgeable in abduction patterns to screen out potential contamination from psychotics or hoaxers, which could damage the organization's credibility.

MUFON Field Investigator Exam

The MUFON field investigator's exam, drafted by Central Region Director Dan Wright, is presented as a valuable tool for assessing the scope of UFO phenomena and the depth of study required for investigators. It aims to guide participants to credible materials and research.

Focus: Felix In The Void

This short piece discusses the discovery of another solar system around the star Beta Pictoris, 50 light years away. It speculates that if intelligent life exists there, it might be receiving NBC broadcasts from 1936, sent at the speed of light. It poses the question: "How far does light travel in one second?" The answer is provided: 186,000 miles.

Says Government Wants To Prevent Panic: UFO Researcher Cites Cover-Up

This article by Pat Grossmith reports on UFO researcher Robert Hastings' assertion that the U.S. government has conducted a 40-year cover-up concerning Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) to prevent public panic. Hastings presented slides of CIA, FBI, and U.S. Air Force documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, which reportedly detail UFO sightings near military bases, nuclear facilities, and violations of sensitive airspace. He claims military jets have unsuccessfully attempted to intercept UFOs, which then zoomed off at high speeds. Hastings recounted his personal experience in 1967 at Malmstrom Air Force Base, where five UFOs were tracked by radar before disappearing at high speed. He described the government's official explanations for sightings (solar reflections, clouds, meteors) as inadequate. The article mentions Project Sign, the first official UFO investigation agency, and a 1953 document indicating the CIA took over UFO investigations from the Air Force. Hastings believes a "debunking campaign" was recommended to counter UFO reports. He also cited the Betty and Barney Hill abduction case in 1961 and a 1969 Pease Air Force Base radar report correlating with the Hills' abduction. Hastings believes the nation's biggest blackout on November 9, 1965, was caused by UFOs due to a huge unexplained surge of power. He also referenced a 1950 FBI document about the recovery of three-foot-tall alien bodies from crashed UFOs in New Mexico, though acknowledging this document is disputed among researchers. Hastings advocates for government transparency, stating the public has a right to know.

Worcester Telegram: Airborne Army Lights Up Sky

This brief report clarifies that green lights seen recently in the sky were likely Army Special Forces troops on maneuvers, not UFOs, according to Maj. Leo T. Murphy of Fort Devens.

Scientists: Asteroid Largest Ever Studied

This Associated Press article reports that scientists Frank Kyte and John Wasson believe an asteroid that impacted Earth 2.3 million years ago was much larger than previously estimated (between one-third and two-thirds of a mile in diameter). Its impact, equivalent to 10,000 megatons of TNT, may have triggered the most recent ice age by throwing debris into the atmosphere. This is the largest object from which intact samples have been recovered.

The Far Side

A single-panel cartoon by Gary Larson depicts a character inadvertently causing an alien's demise by shaking its head vigorously.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes MUFON's role in serious, scientific UFO investigation. There's a clear emphasis on distinguishing credible reports from hoaxes or misidentifications, particularly concerning abduction cases. The issue highlights the challenge of public perception and the potential for government secrecy or misinformation, as argued by Robert Hastings. The editorial stance favors open investigation and public awareness while maintaining a rigorous, evidence-based approach. The recurring theme of UFOs impacting human understanding, from psychological implications to potential environmental effects (like the asteroid impact), is evident throughout the articles.