MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 153

Magazine Overview

Title: MUFON Minnesota Journal
Issue: #153
Date: January/February 2012

This issue of the MUFON Minnesota Journal delves into various UFO phenomena, featuring articles on sightings in Indiana, a specific case in Sylvan Lake, Minnesota, and broader discussions on extraterrestrial life, government involvement, and scientific inquiry.

UFO Mysteries in Indiana

The lead article, "UFO Mysteries in Indiana" by MUFON MN ASD Richard Moss, details numerous sightings in Corydon, Indiana. Residents reported round-shaped objects emitting bright lights, cigar-shaped craft with portholes, and small white glowing objects. Some sightings involved large craft, including one described as boomerang-shaped. Amber-colored lights were common, sometimes turning white and extremely bright. One witness described a cigar-shaped craft moving silently above trees. The article also touches upon the incomprehensible technology of aliens and mentions instances of telepathy and abductions. Evidence of landings, such as burnt circles on the ground, and the role of animals as early warning systems (coyotes howling, dogs barking) are also discussed. Sightings were particularly frequent in 1987 and 1988, with objects seen nightly.

The article also recounts a case where three women were looking for a UFO, but only one saw it, raising questions about alien control over perception. Attempts to photograph UFOs are often described as useless. A case is mentioned where a woman felt compelled to go to a farm and saw three white lights. Two cases of abduction are noted, with victims experiencing marks and nightmares. A white sphere of light reportedly tried to enter a house with an infant. The article suggests that many sightings may go unreported.

Another anecdote describes ladies conversing about UFOs when dogs began barking, leading them to witness a white ball of light noiselessly glide over a corn field. One woman signaled the object by flashing her car headlights, and the UFO paused and returned the signal before vanishing.

The CE4 Corner

"A frightened experiencer or a good actor" by Craig R. Lang, MS CHt, presents a case involving a phone call from a young man named 'Ted' who claimed to have experienced an alien abduction in the Nevada desert. Ted described being approached by tall, blonde beings after seeing a device/craft. He was escorted into a large craft filled with technological devices and experienced telepathic communication before blacking out and waking up on the ground. Ted was hesitant to provide his phone number, and a reverse lookup revealed the number was registered to a 'Jim Smith' in Southern California, leading the author to suspect it might be a prank, though he acknowledges the possibility of a genuine, albeit distressed, experiencer.

The Sylvan Lake Case

"The Sylvan Lake Case" by William McNeff, MUFON MN ASD, details an investigation into a report from July 27, 2009, where a housewife in Forest Lake, Minnesota, reported seeing waves and a large swirl in Sylvan Lake, suggesting an object had splashed down. A search and rescue team found air bubbles but no object. Washington County divers located a cube-shaped object on the lake bottom. The article notes that MUFON had a contract with Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) for funding UFO investigations. The case involved investigator Rich Webb, who reportedly found the housewife's story inconsistent, a claim disputed by others in MUFON Minnesota. Later, a military helicopter was observed flying over the lake, and a week later, another circled the perimeter, hovering and taking photos. The dive team later found nothing, leading the author to speculate it could be military hardware or an alien craft.

We should scour the moon for ancient traces of aliens

This article, by Ian Sample, science correspondent for The Guardian, discusses a proposal by scientists Prof. Paul Davies and Robert Wagner to examine moon images for signs of alien technology or activity. The plan involves online volunteers or computerised searches of images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). Scientists believe that the moon's inactive surface could preserve traces of ancient alien civilizations for millions of years. The article mentions that NASA has released thousands of LRO images, and a manual search is deemed impossible, necessitating automated or crowd-sourced methods. Potential artifacts could include messages in capsules, mining evidence, or structures in lava tubes. The scientists acknowledge the low probability of finding such evidence but deem the effort worthwhile due to the moon's proximity and preservation qualities.

ETs and the Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation

"ETs and the Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation" by Bill McNeff, ASD MUFON MN, explores the potential impact of electromagnetic waves on humans and discusses claims by ETs about their ability to manipulate human DNA. An experiencer reportedly told McNeff that ETs could 're-write his DNA' using a machine resembling an MRI. The article references Russian research suggesting that human DNA acts as a biological internet, capable of being influenced and reprogrammed by words and frequencies, following rules similar to human language. This suggests that ETs might possess advanced capabilities to alter DNA.

UFOs and Government: Proposing a New Way Forward

Leslie Kean's article, "UFOs and Government: Proposing a New Way Forward," critiques the White House's response to petitions concerning extraterrestrial communication and presence. The author argues that the petitions were poorly worded and focused on abstract concepts rather than concrete UFO evidence. Phil Larson of the OSTP responded by stating the U.S. government has no evidence of extraterrestrial life or contact. Kean criticizes the attacks on Larson, suggesting they are counterproductive. The article emphasizes the need for a scientific, evidence-based approach to UAP investigation, advocating for a small government office to coordinate efforts and work with international partners. It highlights support from various government, military, and scientific figures for this rational approach. The article also mentions the views of Ed Rothschild, who considers claims of extraterrestrials being here as 'nonsense,' and Nick Pope, who warns against accusing the government of cover-ups. Theoretical physicist Michio Kaku is cited as acknowledging that some UFO cases defy physics, but lacking definitive proof of extraterrestrial life.

UFO Flap in Western and Northwestern Suburbs in Early July

This article by Bill McNeff details a series of UFO sightings in the western and northwestern suburbs of Minneapolis in early July. A retired man in Becker, MN, reported an object hovering over his neighbor's yard on July 5th, emitting white light beams that projected down and then retracted, followed by a flame-like projection. The object was described as having dark brown upper and lower domes with a bright central section. On subsequent nights (July 7th, 9th, and 11th), the same object was seen, progressively further away. On July 13th, two women in Maple Grove, MN, reported seeing an orange glowing sphere and captured video footage.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent presence of UFO phenomena, the challenges in investigating them, and the need for a more structured and scientific approach to understanding these events. The journal highlights the diversity of reported sightings, from detailed descriptions of craft and their behavior to claims of alien encounters and abductions. There's a consistent emphasis on the importance of evidence, credible reporting, and the potential for scientific inquiry to unravel these mysteries. The editorial stance appears to advocate for a rational, evidence-based approach, encouraging engagement with government and scientific communities while cautioning against unsubstantiated claims and conspiracy theories. The issue also touches upon the potential for advanced extraterrestrial capabilities, such as DNA manipulation, and the possibility of finding evidence of past alien activity beyond Earth.

This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Journal, dated November 2011, delves into several key topics including a UFO sighting investigation, advancements in exoplanet research, and critical discussions on government transparency and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

UFO Sighting Investigation

The issue details a UFO sighting where witnesses captured 30 seconds of video of a hovering, oblong white object. The object was estimated to be the size of a VW beetle and approximately half a mile away. A photo-analyst was unable to identify the object, doubting it was a conventional aircraft or a 'Chinese Lantern' balloon. Further analysis of the video, enhanced for brightness, showed the object drifting slowly. Radar data from the FAA covering the time period of 1:30 am to 2:30 am was analyzed by William Puckett. He identified a radar track of an object moving west at about 1:45 am at 60 mph, which did not coincide with any highway. Airport radars are designed to avoid ground objects, but can sometimes detect them under specific conditions. An astronomy professor advised that a temperature inversion, which could explain such a detection, was unlikely under the observed weather conditions. The investigation is ongoing, but the objects are considered unidentified, with no further interviews of the prime witnesses deemed necessary as the best evidence has been obtained.

Exoplanet Habitability Research

A significant portion of the journal is dedicated to the search for life beyond our solar system. Scientists like Dirk Schulze-Makuch and Abel Mendez are exploring new ways to classify exoplanets. They propose a two-tiered system using an Earth Similarity Index (ESI) to categorize planets with Earth-like features and a Planetary Habitability Index (PHI) to describe conditions conducive to life in more extreme environments. This approach aims to avoid an overly restrictive, Earth-biased perspective. The ESI is a quick screening tool for detecting Earth-like exoplanets, while the PHI considers chemical and physical parameters that could theoretically support life, even in non-traditional environments like hydrocarbon lakes on Titan or orphan planets. The paper, "A Two-Tiered Approach to Assessing the Habitability of Exoplanets," was authored by a group of international researchers from institutions including NASA, SETI, and various universities.

Government Transparency and FOIA

The issue includes an editorial from the LA Times titled "Obama's Secrets," which criticizes the Obama administration's proposals to allow government agencies to lie about the existence of documents sought under FOIA. The article argues that this policy is outrageous and makes a mockery of FOIA, providing a license for the government to deceive its citizens. It highlights instances where federal agents have denied the existence of important documents, citing national security as justification, but suggests that protecting the government from embarrassment is often the stronger motive. The article references a case where the FBI was reprimanded by a federal judge for misleading the court. It advocates for discarding the proposed rule and promoting transparent government.

Another article, "Declassified Documents Find A Home On The Internet" by John Greenewald, Jr., discusses the importance of the Freedom of Information Act in releasing millions of pages of declassified information. Greenewald, founder of The Black Vault internet archive, has made it his mission to archive these documents, offering a free repository for FOIA-released materials. The article emphasizes that knowledge is power and encourages sharing information obtained through FOIA. The Black Vault accepts submissions in .pdf format with the FOIA response letter attached, blacking out personal information while leaving names and agencies intact.

SETI and Space Situational Awareness

An article by Lewis Page reports that the US military, specifically the US Air Force Space Command, is providing funding to restart SETI's efforts to check newly discovered Kepler exoplanets for signs of alien civilizations. However, the primary interest of Space Command is in using SETI's detection instruments for "space situational awareness," particularly for tracking satellites in orbit around Earth. While SETI's work might detect extraterrestrial radio signals, the military's immediate focus is on monitoring human-made objects in space.

MUFON Minnesota Information

The journal also provides contact information and website links for MUFON Minnesota, including details for their State Director, Assistant State Directors, Field Investigation Coordinator, and Journal Editor. Information is provided for attending meetings and accessing the Minnesota MUFON Journal (MMJ), a free PDF publication available online. A national MUFON hotline number is also listed for reporting UFO news and sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the unknown, whether it be unidentified aerial phenomena, the potential for life on other worlds, or the government's handling of information. The editorial stance, particularly evident in the critique of government secrecy and the promotion of FOIA, strongly advocates for transparency and public access to information. The journal appears to support scientific inquiry into unexplained phenomena while also championing the public's right to know.