MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 090

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Journal, dated July/Aug. 2001, issue #90, is a 10-page publication from MUFON, focusing on UFO and related phenomena. The primary articles cover a dispute within the Ufology community, scientific findings related to space and physics, and reports of UFO sightings and incidents.

Directors Report: A Regrettable Dispute: Richard Hall vs. Steven Greer

Bill McNeff, State Director of MN MUFON, addresses a dispute between Richard Hall and Dr. Steven Greer. McNeff praises Richard Hall's long history of service to Ufology, including his work on 'The UFO Evidence' and scientific books. Hall has resigned from MUFON over the inclusion of certain speakers, including Dr. Steven Greer, at the 2001 MUFON Symposium. McNeff acknowledges Dr. Greer's efforts in promoting public awareness of UFOs and ETs, including contacts with government officials and an internationally viewed press conference. He also notes Greer's controversial attempts to communicate with ETs, stating that 'any experiment beats no experiment hands down.' McNeff emphasizes the importance of 'Mutual' in 'Mutual UFO Network,' commending John Schuessler for giving authority and autonomy to local chapters. He believes Hall should have stated his disagreements respectfully and promoted dialogue. McNeff advocates for room in Ufology for diverse approaches, including the scientific, metaphysical, and 'New Age.' An editor's comment clarifies that Hall resigned because MUFON Director John Schuessler censored his negative article about speakers selected for the symposium.

Minnesota MUFON Meetings

Announcements for MUFON meetings on Saturday, July 14th, and Saturday, August 11th, from 1:30-4:45 pm at Room 120, Fairview Center in Roseville, MN. Parking is free, and the building is designated as non-smoking. A map is available on the back cover.

NIDS Becomes Only Official Organization to Receive UFO Reports from the FAA

This section announces that the National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) is now the sole contact point in the United States for the FAA to report UFOs. This change is reflected in four FAA manuals: FAA Order 7110.65, Air Traffic Control FAA Order 7210.3, Facility Operation and Administration, Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), and Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). The FAA wording indicates that NIDS representatives contacted the FAA Administrator in 1999 to offer their institution as the single point of contact. A meeting in April 2000 finalized this course of action, resulting in the official recognition. The official date for FAA offices to receive the new manuals is July 12, 2001, but many offices have already received them.

Arthur C. Clarke Stands By His Belief in Life on Mars

Written by Leonard David, Senior Space Writer, this article reports that Sir Arthur C. Clarke believes new images of Mars show vegetation, including trees. Clarke based his observations on images from the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS), noting that 'Something is actually moving and changing with the seasons that suggests, at least, vegetation.' He sees formations akin to Banyan trees in some photos. The article also mentions a panel discussion at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, featuring Apollo 17 moonwalker Eugene Cernan, science fiction writer Ben Bova, and space historian Fred Ordway. Cernan stated that there is little difference between science fiction and science fact, with time being the only distinction. He described his experience on the Moon as seeing 'infinity' and a vista that 'science did not have an explanation' for, calling it 'too beautiful to have happened by accident.' Ben Bova commented that NASA's space program is driven by politics and that the private sector might need to lead future endeavors. Clarke suggested space tourism or a major discovery like new findings on Mars could reactivate America's space program. Ordway recalled that '2001: A Space Odyssey' came at a time when space was a major public focus. Clarke also speculated about a propulsion breakthrough that would supersede rockets, and Cernan expressed optimism about future space exploration, including living on Mars and returning to Earth.

Italian Team Claims to Have Revived Meteorite Bacteria

This article from SPACE.com reports that an Italian team has reportedly found and revived bacteria, called 'cryms' or 'cristallomicrobi,' within ancient meteorites. These bacteria are believed to be 2 billion years old and survived extreme conditions. The findings were presented at a press conference to the Italian Space Agency. The bacteria share DNA chemistry with Earth life and reproduce normally. However, the cryms were also found in other Earth rocks, leading to skepticism. NASA scientist Everett K. Gibson expressed skepticism, noting the lack of detail on where the meteorites were found and suggesting contamination from Earth bacteria. The article also mentions the criteria for identifying signs of life in early Earth studies and the difficulty in proving indigenous origin.

Comparison of Unidentified Triangular or Deltoid Aircraft Location Patterns in Three Independent UFO Databases

This section details research by NIDS, MUFON, and Larry Hatch into triangular object sightings. NIDS published a summary of research into a subset of their database, concluding that extremely low altitudes reported in over thirty cases may constitute a safety hazard. NIDS then examined the relationship between triangular object sightings and US Air Force bases (AFMC and AMC). They found a scatter of sighting locations around air corridors between these bases. To examine data integrity, NIDS solicited reports from MUFON and Larry Hatch, obtaining data on over 450 additional sightings. The combined data confirmed the trend of sightings between AFMC and AMC bases and revealed a corridor in the plains states devoid of both sightings and bases. The hypothesis is that the US Air Force may be flying large triangular or deltoid shaped aircraft between these bases. Comments are invited.

The Secret of Matter Discovered

This article by BBC News Online Science Ed. Dr. David Whitehouse reports on the discovery of direct Charge Parity (CP) violation, which explains nature's preference for matter over antimatter. The universe should have had equal amounts of matter and antimatter, leading to annihilation shortly after the Big Bang. However, a tiny difference allowed matter to form galaxies, stars, and life. Scientists studied the behavior of neutral K mesons, observing 20 million CP-violating decays. The tiny difference in decay rates between neutral K mesons and their antiparticles was determined with high precision. Experiments took place at CERN and Fermilab, with initial results in 1993 not being precise enough. More accurate measurements have now confirmed that direct CP violation exists. The article explains CP symmetry and how it was previously thought to be conserved, but T Lee and C Yang demonstrated P violation in 1956. The predicted CP-violation was first observed in 1964, and the new precise measurement brings scientists closer to understanding the universe's origin.

New UFO Novel by Bruce Maccabee

Bruce Maccabee announces his new book, 'Abduction In My Life,' described as a novel for those familiar with UFOs and also to alert the 'non-UFO world' to UFO reality. The book includes factual information and references, aiming to engage readers with the 'real stuff' alongside the fiction.

The German News Agency (dpa): Turkish Department of Religion Takes Position in UFO Discussion

This news brief from Istanbul reports that the Turkish Department of Religion has taken a position in the UFO discussion, stating that according to Islam, beings exist not only on Earth but also in space. The Turkish newspaper 'Sabah' cited the head of the department saying UFOs could be real.

UK's CAA Files Document 30 UFO Near Misses

This article, originally published by the Western Daily Press, reveals that the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has documented 30 near-miss incidents involving UFOs over the past two decades. These incidents, involving pilots and air traffic controllers, have been kept in the CAA's X-Files. The CAA spokesman stated that they have no argument with what pilots have seen, even if unexplained, and that they keep an open mind about UFOs. The article details several incidents, including a British Airways pilot's sighting of a large, silver disc-shaped object moving at phenomenal speed, and a near-miss involving an unidentified flying object passing an airliner at 22,000 feet. Other reports include cylindrical objects and triangular UFOs.

A Nuclear Catastrophe in Paleoindian Times?

This piece from Science Frontiers, ARCHEOLOGY, introduces a theory of terrestrial catastrophism supported by evidence suggesting a nuclear catastrophe in Paleoindian times. The authors, identified as a nuclear scientist and a consultant, propose that the Great Lakes region was subjected to particle bombardment and nuclear irradiation, altering natural uranium abundances and transmuting nitrogen to radiocarbon, thus explaining anomalous dates. They claim some North American dates may be up to 10,000 years too young. Supporting evidence includes young radiocarbon dates, physical evidence of particle bombardment, anomalous uranium and plutonium ratios, and tree-ring and marine sediment data. The authors suggest a nearby supernova burst about 12,500 years ago caused this event, leading to heating, ice melt, and biological extinctions, potentially resetting archaeological models.

The Heavens at War

This article from New Scientist magazine discusses the potential for space to become a battleground, with the US developing secret particle-beam projects for space warfare. Russia and China are also preparing for combat. While particle beams are a decade away, simpler space weapons are already deployable.

Scientists Becoming Believers In Spiritualists' Paranormal Powers

This article from The Telegraph reports on a scientific experiment at the University of Arizona that produced evidence suggesting some 'spirit mediums' have paranormal talents. The study involved five mediums and two 'sitters,' with mediums providing accurate information about deceased relatives. The mediums achieved a success rate of 83 percent, with one achieving 93 percent. Skeptics' arguments about 'cold reading' were addressed by a control group, which scored significantly lower.

NASA Satellite to Give Best View Yet of Big Bang

This Reuters report details the launch of NASA's Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) satellite, designed to provide the best picture yet of the early universe by measuring the 'fossil light' from the Big Bang. The MAP satellite is 1000 times more accurate than its predecessor and will spend 14 months collecting data to reconstruct the birth of galaxies and predict the universe's demise. Cosmologists believe the universe began as a small region and rapidly expanded in the Big Bang. The discovery of a remnant of this early universe in the 1960s, ultra-violet light, now exists as microwave energy.

Field Investigator Update: July 2001

This update from MN MUFON FI Coord. Craig Lang notes a busy period with interesting events across North America. Minnesota MUFON is investigating several cases, including multiple witness sightings and objects captured on video. Two specific cases are highlighted: an 'Anomalous "Satellite"' case being investigated by Bill McNeff and Wendy DeVore, where a skilled scientist witness argues the object could not be a conventional craft; and the 'Afton Sighting,' investigated by Bill McNeff, where a witness reported seeing a translucent soap bubble-like object that moved very quickly. The witness also reported a similar sighting as a child in 1964 near Ames, Iowa. A 'Mounds View Video' case is also mentioned.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include UFO sightings and investigations, the scientific study of phenomena (both physical and potentially paranormal), and the implications of these studies for our understanding of the universe and life. There is a strong emphasis on reporting factual accounts and scientific findings, even when they challenge conventional understanding. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging diverse approaches within Ufology while maintaining a commitment to scientific rigor and documentation. The dispute between Hall and Greer highlights the tension between different methodologies and the importance of free speech within the community. The inclusion of articles on physics, space exploration, and even spiritualism suggests a broad scope of interest beyond traditional UFO reports.

This document is issue 13 of the Minnesota MUFON Journal, a publication dedicated to reporting and investigating UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) sightings in Minnesota. The content consists of detailed accounts of various sightings, witness testimonies, and investigative notes, along with contact information for the organization and opportunities for public involvement.

Reported Sightings and Investigations

Hwy 10 and 135W Sighting A man near the intersection of Hwy 10 and 135W videotaped a glowing object for approximately 10 minutes. The object moved from ESE to WNW, against the surface wind direction. At one point, a smaller object appeared to fall from the main object before fading. Witnesses described the object as a large orange glowing brick shape with pulsating streams of orange light, resembling liquid metal. It had two round, whitish areas at the front and a large, whitish, transparent dome top. The estimated size was as big as a large airplane, and its altitude was between 5000 to 10,000 feet. After passing, about 5 to 8 whitish lights shot out from the object. The estimated distance was 1.5 to 3 miles, and it was last seen at 4000 feet up, moving in a W-NW direction.

Beaver Dam, WI Video Case Investigated by Casey Halt in cooperation with Wisconsin MUFON, this case involves a witness contacted via the MN MUFON hotline. The witness described an object flying with strange behavior for about 40 minutes around 8:00 PM on Saturday, June 9. The object had short wings and a main body, bigger than a bird, but different from an airplane. At least two people saw it and captured some of it on video. The video was shown to the Dodge County sheriff department, who suggested it might be a Harrier type plane. Casey Halt later described the video as showing a dark object floating at a distance, with delta wings and a pointed tail section, exhibiting behavior similar to a kite but too high and large for one, with no string visible.

Chisholm, MN Case (Filer's Files) This case, investigated by Minnesota MUFON, involved a witness in her yard on June 23, 2001, while her son tested a new digital camera. Two UFOs appeared in the downloaded images, which the son did not see at the time. The photos showed disk-shaped, metal objects. One object was descending toward the ground with fire from its rear, about 80 feet above the yard. Another object, seen two minutes earlier, was hovering above a swamp, a foot above the ground. These objects were described as identical, metal, and very small, about the size of a small car, not airplanes. The case has been assigned to investigator Steve Hero.

Older Cases Investigated by Bill McNeff

#### Mille Lacs, July 3-4, 1999
A witness at a cabin on the north shore of Lake Mille Lacs observed a yellow-orange light in the northern sky around 10:30 PM on July 3, 1999. The object made a 90-degree turn and performed loops past the Big Dipper, also hovering at times. The witness continued to observe until around 4:30 AM.

#### Mille Lacs, July 5, 1999
The following evening, the witness and a man from a neighboring cabin saw a similar object. This sighting climaxed with a close approach of a five-foot diameter glowing orange sphere to within 150 or 100 feet of the witnesses, frightening the neighbor. The witness believes these were the same "orange orbs" seen on the previous nights. A second witness confirmed seeing an object flicking over the lake, moving strangely, and described it as huge but far away. The shape was roundish but skinnier in front, not quite a pyramid shape. Both witnesses agreed it was larger than a point source, with angular sizes varying from 0.3 to 3 degrees. Ball lightning was considered but ruled out due to speed and directional changes. Hoaxing and aircraft were also ruled out.

Chisago County Video Case Craig Lang reported on a sighting in Chisago County with associated video. A family observed a bright light at the tree line across their lake. The wife, husband, and daughter observed it using naked eye, telescope, and video camera. The video has been sent to Marilyn Ruben of the BLT research team. The initial observation was a single light emerging from the tree line, hovering, and ascending imperceptibly. It appeared to have a slow horizontal drift to the west. Over about 10 minutes, it ascended above the tree line. A second light appeared, also ascending slowly. Both lights were observed for close to an hour before descending and fading out.

#### Account of 8:30 Event
Initially, a single light was observed at the tree line, ascending slowly. It appeared to have a slight horizontal movement. Over about 10 minutes, it ascended above the tree line. A second light appeared, also ascending slowly and with similar brightness. They were observed for about an hour until they descended and faded.

#### Sighting Account (10 PM)
At about 10 PM, two bright lights were observed to the ESE, closer and brighter than the previous ones. The left light remained for 5-10 minutes, then dimmed and moved right. The right light remained for about 10 more minutes until it dimmed and was lost. This object was also captured on videotape.

#### Object Description
The objects appeared as bright lights, point sources to slightly spherical in shape, several orders of magnitude brighter than surrounding stars. They moved slowly, with steady light, a slight flicker or twinkle. Through a telescope, they remained point sources of white light, surrounded by a visual halo or points. They appeared similar in brightness to aircraft landing lights.

Minnesota MUFON Information

The journal provides contact information for Minnesota MUFON, including State Director Richard Moss, Assistant State Director Bill McNeff, Field Invest. Coord. Margaret DeHarpPorte, and Journal Editor Joel Henry. Phone numbers, email addresses, and the organization's website (www.mnmufon.org) are listed. A National MUFON Hotline (1-800-836-2166) is also provided for reporting UFO news and sightings. Information on back issues of the Minnesota MUFON Journal in .PDF format is available on their website.

Investigator Training and Involvement

New reports are being investigated by several new investigators. The journal encourages those interested in UFO studies to become field investigators. Classes are conducted approximately three times a year, and interested individuals are encouraged to contact Craig Lang. To become a field investigator, one must join MUFON as a field investigator trainee and purchase the MUFON field investigators manual. The organization emphasizes the need for more investigators to understand the UFO phenomenon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed reporting of UFO/UAP sightings, the presentation of witness testimony, and the use of photographic and video evidence. The journal highlights the investigative efforts of Minnesota MUFON and its collaborators. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, encouraging public participation and rigorous investigation. The emphasis is on collecting data, analyzing evidence, and ruling out conventional explanations, as exemplified by the quote regarding electricity and aircraft.