MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 087

Magazine Overview

Title: Minnesota MUFON Journal
Issue: #87
Date: Jan/Feb 2001
Publisher: MUFON
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Journal, dated January/February 2001, focuses on "The Basics of UFOs" as presented in the Directors Report by Bill McNeff, State Director of MN MUFON. The journal aims to provide foundational information for newcomers to the UFO subject.

The Basics of UFOs

The article begins by recounting the historical context of UFO sightings, starting with Kenneth Arnold's 1947 report of "flying saucers" over the Cascades. It details the Roswell incident of July 8, 1947, where the intelligence office of the 509th Bomb Group reportedly gained possession of a disc, only for General Roger Ramey to later dismiss it as a weather balloon. The Air Force was subsequently tasked with investigating strange craft and coined the term "Unidentified Flying Object" (UFO).

The journal mentions Frank Scully's 1950 book about a crashed disc with dead aliens, which became a bestseller but was later declared a hoax by True magazine in 1952. This led to a significant 1950 Washington meeting where physicist Robert Sarbacher, associated with the U.S. Defense Department, confirmed the reality of crashed UFOs and stated that their performance could not be duplicated, suggesting they did not originate on Earth. Sarbacher described the subject as "classified two points higher even than the H-bomb" and the "most highly classified subject in the U.S. government." Wilbert Smith documented Sarbacher's statements in a memo.

Canadian researcher Arthur Bray later found this memo, and Sarbacher confirmed its contents, describing the recovered debris as "extremely light and very tough" and the aliens as insect-like. Sarbacher, who died in 1986, is noted as a key witness confirming the reality of UFOs and ETs.

Major Donald Keyhoe, a retired Marine Corps officer, founded one of the largest civilian UFO research organizations in the 1950s and 1960s. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, an astronomer hired by the Air Force in 1948, served as a scientific consultant for 20 years. Initially skeptical, the weight of evidence led him to change his mind, and he authored books and founded the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS).

The 1966 Michigan sightings prompted the Air Force to send Dr. Hynek to investigate. He initially suggested "swamp gas" as an explanation, but public doubt led to the Air Force funding a "scientific investigation" at the University of Colorado, directed by Dr. Edward U. Condon. However, Condon's approach was perceived as an attempt to bury the subject, and his conclusion that UFO study "is not likely to advance science" was widely accepted by the press, despite the report documenting cases with strong evidence of strange craft, such as the McMinnville photos analyzed by William Hartman.

In 1961, Barney and Betty Hill reported a close-range sighting and experienced missing time. Hypnotic regression revealed their accounts of being taken aboard an alien craft. Researchers like Budd Hopkins investigated "Missing Time" phenomena. David Jacobs documented cases and suggested an alien agenda to merge alien and human genetics. Ray Fowler wrote about the Andreasson/Luca case.

Dr. John Mack, a Harvard psychiatrist, investigated abduction cases and faced administrative scrutiny for his views. The article notes that many researchers and authors have doctoral degrees, and an increasing number of scientists are becoming interested in the phenomenon. Evidence is accumulating, pointing to extraterrestrial origins, with over 300 witnesses to the Roswell case, including Major Jesse Marcel, who stated the wreckage was not of this world.

Photographs of General Ramey holding a paper with the words "VICTIMS OF THE WRECK" have fueled speculation. General Arthur E. Exon also came forward, describing material from the crash at Wright Field that was extremely light and tough, and seeing wreckage and bodies at the crash site. Books by Kevin Randle, Donald Schmitt, Stanton Friedman, and Col. Philip Corso are mentioned.

Reports from pilots have been discouraged due to subtle pressure from airlines and the FAA. Investigations in Minnesota have documented sightings of flying triangles, spheres, tear-drop shaped objects, and encounters with "greys." Videos and photos of possible alien handprints have also been received.

The summary concludes by stating that this only scratches the surface of the UFO/ET mystery.

EMBLA Team Observes Triangle Over Hessdalen

This section reports on an instrumental expedition by the Italian and Norwegian EMBLA team to Hessdalen, Norway, known for its anomalous light phenomena. The team observed "Type 5: Three co-moving lights in the sky: the 'Triangle'" with specific characteristics: distance undetermined, moving from south to north, ascending from 20 to 80 degrees, speed about 30 deg/min, white-yellow color, complex motion with a 90-degree rotation, and a duration of 2-3 minutes. The lights formed an equilateral triangle, with an underlying dark triangular object visible through binoculars. Radioactivity was normal, and the height was undetermined. Witnesses included four people in two groups.

Ringmakers of Saturn

This section features an interview with Dr. Norman Bergrun, author of "The Ringmakers of Saturn." Bergrun claims that detectable activity in Saturn's vicinity suggests the intervention of huge alien machines. He discusses his background as a research scientist at Ames and Lockheed, working on missile systems. Bergrun explains that his interest in UFOs began when he analyzed Voyager 1 and 2 photographs of Saturn, noticing anomalies in the rings, particularly the Cassini Division, which he believes are caused by artificial "machines." He suggests that these objects are "making" the rings, leading to his book's title. Bergrun notes the difficulty in discussing UFOs within mainstream science due to career and reputation concerns, describing it as "academic fascism."

Bergrun recounts his own sighting of a cylindrical object near Monterey Bay in 1971. He discusses the difficulty in finding his book, which was eventually published in the UK. He also mentions his work on a book about the Moon, "Earth's Moon: Why We Never Returned," suggesting it is also an operational base.

He believes that an alien intelligence has been on Earth longer than recorded history and that early human accounts of "gods" may have a basis in reality. Bergrun advocates for relentless pressure on government officials to acknowledge the truth about not being alone in the Universe. He criticizes NASA's current administration for squandering opportunities, particularly regarding Mars exploration.

Bergrun also analyzes the Phobos II mission photographs, suggesting a huge object destroyed the probe, similar in size to objects he found near Saturn's moons. He posits that there are operational bases in the solar system, particularly around Saturn.

ISU Scientist on Team That Finds Compelling Evidence of Ancient Life on Mars

This section reports on research by a team from Iowa State University, including associate professor of microbiology Dennis Bazylinski, who found compelling evidence of primitive life on Mars. They discovered tiny magnetite crystals, or "magnetofossils," embedded in a Martian meteorite, which are produced by a biological process unique to magnetotactic bacteria. The 4.5 billion-year-old meteorite was found in Antarctica in 1984. The research, funded by NASA's Astrobiology Institute, suggests that these crystals, which are chemically pure and defect-free, could be biomarkers for life. The team is investigating whether magnetotactic bacteria could have lived on Mars, supported by findings of widespread sediment layers on Mars interpreted as ancient lakes.

Life Found In Australian Meteorite

This section details a lecture by Professor Richard Hoover, head of NASA's astrobiology unit, on "Microbio-logical life in the cosmos." Hoover discussed possible alien life in the Murchison Meteorite, which crashed in Victoria, Australia, in 1969. His research showed promising verification of extraterrestrial life through the discovery of "indigenous" fossilized microorganisms (bacterial) within the meteorite, using innovative technology. The Murchison meteorite, a carbonaceous chondrite, contains high-temperature and low-temperature minerals, water, and organic molecules, including amino acids not found on Earth. Hoover's findings are similar to those of microfossils found in a Mars meteorite in Antarctica. He presented evidence of cell walls and structures resembling cyanobacteria and purple sulphur bacteria.

Local Reports of Interest

This section, by Bill McNeff, MN MUFON SD, presents "Experiences of 'Sherry'", a preliminary report based on a telephone interview. Sherry describes experiences dating back to 1988, including hearing a sound like "thousands of blowtorches" and an "out of sync" sensation. She also reported seeing a black figure in her home, which had no discernible features and was about 4 feet 8 inches tall.

Another report details a "DULUTH, MINN. AUG. 7, 1979 ET CASE" from a 75-year-old woman. While stopped at a crossroad, she and her companion, Ruth, saw three short beings. Two floated into a ditch, while one stopped in the road, described as cement-colored with big black eyes. The being's head was large, with no nose or ears, and its mouth and chin came to a peak. Ruth experienced hysteria, and the car's dash lights went out. The witness's husband ridiculed the story. The report notes that Dr. Steve Hero will conduct further investigation.

The "Field Investigator Update: December 2000" by Craig R. Lang mentions that November and December are typically quiet months for UFO sightings but notes several new reports, contributing to a "Midwest UFO Flap." One sighting in Southern Minnesota described a large, square-shaped object with two red and two white lights.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the historical documentation of UFO sightings, the alleged government cover-ups and secrecy surrounding the phenomenon, and the scientific investigation into potential extraterrestrial life. The journal appears to adopt a stance of open inquiry, presenting evidence and theories from various researchers and scientists, while also acknowledging the skepticism and challenges faced by those who study UFOs. There's a clear emphasis on providing basic information for those new to the subject, alongside reports of more recent investigations and scientific discoveries related to astrobiology and potential extraterrestrial origins.

This document is page 11 of the Minnesota MUFON Journal, dated December 2000. It focuses on recent UFO sightings in Minnesota and provides information for those interested in UFO investigation.

UFO Sightings in Minnesota

The journal details several recent UFO sightings in Minnesota. One incident occurred in the Duluth/Superior area on December 10, 2000, where a large black triangle with a multicolored array of lights on each side was observed. Another notable sighting took place in the Minneapolis northern suburbs, specifically in Brooklyn Park, on December 5, 2000. Two witnesses reported seeing a large dark triangle passing in front of the moon. They described the object as silent, slow-moving, gliding, or hovering, and it took about a minute to pass out of view. Minnesota MUFON has interviewed the witnesses in this case and is continuing its investigation.

The author notes a trend in recent UFO sightings, with observed objects consistently described as dark, triangular/rectangular, silent, and slow-moving. The author poses questions about the purpose of these objects and their presence in the sky during cold fall/winter nights.

Minnesota MUFON Information and Investigator Training

The journal provides contact information for Minnesota MUFON. Richard Moss is the State Director, Bill McNeff is the Assistant State Director, and Craig Lang serves as the Field Investigator Coordinator. Joel Henry is the Journal Editor and Webmaster.

Craig Lang can be contacted for those interested in becoming UFO investigators. Prospective investigators must join MUFON as a trainee, purchase the field investigator manual, and attend classes. The next training class is scheduled for the first three Wednesday evenings in February 2001, provided there is sufficient interest.

The journal emphasizes the ongoing need for more investigators to study the UFO phenomenon.

Contact and Resources

For further details on sighting cases and to stay updated on current MN MUFON cases, readers are directed to the Minnesota MUFON website at www.mnmufon.org. Craig Lang can be contacted directly via phone (763-560-1532) or email ([email protected]) for information or updates.

• Additional resources include:
• Minnesota MUFON Web Page: http://www.mnmufon.org (Joel Henry, Webmaster)
• MUFONET: 7.237mhz Saturday at 7:00 am CST (Bob Shultz, Net Control)
• National MUFON Hotline: 1-800-836-2166 for reporting UFO news and sightings.
• Back issues of the Minnesota MUFON Journal: www.mnmufon.org/mmj.htm

Editorial and Copyright Information

News and editorial contributions to the journal are welcomed. The copyright for articles belongs to the originator(s), and articles are reprinted with permission or are believed to be in the public domain. Permission to use or reprint must be obtained from the original author(s).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme of this issue is the reporting and investigation of recent UFO/UAP sightings within Minnesota. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, encouraging public participation through reporting and becoming trained investigators. The journal aims to document and analyze these events, prompting thoughtful consideration of their implications.