MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 168

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MUFON Minnesota Journal, dated July/August 2014, Issue #168, focuses on UFO contact cases, investigation methodologies, and various related mysteries. The journal explores prophecies and hypotheses concerning contact experiences, the challenges of scientific validation, and the ongoing debate surrounding specific cases like that of Billy Meier.

The CE4 Corner: Prophecies and Hypotheses

Craig R. Lang, MS CHt, addresses the complexities of validating 'secret' experiences in contact cases. He notes a recent exchange regarding the Billy Meier case, where an advocate claimed it was the only legitimate ET contact case and criticized other organizations. Lang emphasizes that any valid hypothesis needs verifiable predictions and tests. He outlines the MUFON field investigation process, which has evolved to a high degree of rigor over nearly twenty years to collect data and interact with witnesses.

Validation Criteria

Lang details several criteria for assessing the credibility of sightings or encounters:

1. Consistent Narratives: Witness accounts must align and pass forensic interviewing tests.
2. Corroboration: Multiple independent witnesses whose accounts agree in detail are crucial.
3. Physical Evidence: Ground traces or objects must be carefully acquired, documented, and analyzed to maintain a clear chain of custody.
4. Photographic Evidence: Photographs require thorough documentation, verification of authenticity, and analysis to rule out hoaxes.
5. Information from Entities: In contact or abduction cases, information obtained from non-human entities needs to be clearly captured and recorded.

Testing Contactee Claims

Lang proposes several hypothesis tests for contactee narratives:

• The "Origin Test": Verifying claimed locations of origin for extraterrestrial beings. He cites Marjorie Fish's analysis of the Hill star map suggesting Zeta Reticulii and the Billy Meier claim of visitors from beyond the Pleiades star cluster.
• The "Prediction Test": Evaluating prophecies of future events. Lang notes that prophecies in Judeo-Christian traditions are often warnings rather than specific forecasts.
• The "Technology Test": Verifying extraordinary technology or scientific information provided by experiencers.

He also discusses subjective considerations, acknowledging that while accounts are largely subjective, they are valuable as statistical data. Applying these tests to the Billy Meier case, Lang questions the claim of exclusivity and notes that the claim of visitors from beyond the Pleiades is scientifically testable if the world is physical.

The Disclosure Movement and a Breakaway Civilization?

William I. McNeff, MNMUFON ASD, explores the concept of a secret group exploiting extraterrestrial technology, forming a "breakaway civilization." He questions whether government agencies would try to control such a group and discusses the potential invulnerability of such an entity due to its power and security. McNeff recounts his own UFO sighting in 1951 and a friend's parents' sighting of a blue sphere. He notes that over 60 years, he has encountered many credible UFO reports, suggesting overwhelming evidence of extraterrestrial visitation.

NASA asks for funding to hunt asteroids

This section highlights NASA's Asteroid Retrieval Mission, aimed at capturing an asteroid for study by the mid-2020s. It mentions the potential threat of near-Earth asteroids and NASA's plans for Mars missions. The article notes criticism of the mission's focus and mentions that NASA announced 18 projects receiving $4.9 million for asteroid mission studies. It suggests that extraterrestrial beings might possess technology to solve asteroid problems and energy/pollution issues. Rudy Schild's theory on alien craft power sources related to quantum uncertainty is mentioned, linking it to "Zero Point Energy."

National UFO Alert: Seven States Report

Roger Marsh reports on the National UFO ALERT Rating System for May 2013. California led with 67 cases, followed by Texas and Florida. States like Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota were in the UFO Alert 4 category. The overall alert level for the country was moved to UFO Alert 5. The sphere was the most reported UFO shape in May 2014, with 187 reports, and various distances from witnesses were recorded, along with reports of landings and one entity observation.

Alien Abductees Over the Moon To Find a Close-Encounter Group

By Matthew Dalton, this article profiles a conference in Hastings, England, organized by Joanne Summerscales of AMMACH. The group supports people who believe they have had contact with aliens. Adam Chatterton, identified through 'dowsing' as having otherworldly origins, shared his experience. The article notes that scientists consider intelligent life probable but the odds of aliens reaching Earth with the capability for interstellar travel are low. A Reuters Ipsos poll indicated 20% of adults believe aliens exist and walk among us. Ms. Summerscales has been in touch with about 1,500 people reporting contact. Mike Smith, a musician, shared his experiences of abduction. Geoffrey Crockford, a retired occupational hygienist, believes his team's discoveries show aliens have visited Earth. The group uses metal dowsing rods to identify supposed alien burial and spacecraft landing sites, looking for iridium.

The article touches on the UK Ministry of Defence's past UFO monitoring program, which was closed in 2009. Declassified documents suggest the ministry remains open-minded about extraterrestrial life. Colin Woodford doubts the government has released all its UFO files. Nigel Hughes presented a pair of trousers allegedly from a UFO encounter in Scotland in 1979.

Astronomers Detect Mysterious Signal

Janet Fang reports on astronomers detecting a mysterious X-ray signal in data from the Perseus galaxy cluster using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and ESA's XMM-Newton. The signal, centered at 3.56 kiloelectron volts, could be a signature from the decay of sterile neutrinos, a candidate for dark matter. Esra Bulbul of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics notes that if the signal were from a known element, other signals would have been recorded. The dark matter explanation is considered a long shot but would be a significant discovery. Uncertainties remain, as normal matter in the cluster might have produced the emission line. The findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal, with a preprint on arXiv.

Grand Canyon mystery runs deep

By James Bishop Jr., this article delves into the mysteries of the Grand Canyon. It questions the origins of its bizarre rock formations named after Egyptian and East Indian deities and the designation of certain areas as forbidden zones. A Hopi legend speaks of a young man entering a colossal cave and finding urns, idols, and walls etched with figures. The article discusses rumors of a covered-up discovery in 1909 by G.E. Kinkaid and Professor S.A. Jordan of an underground citadel with artifacts and mummies. Park officials dismiss these claims as fanciful.

Two theories for the origin of the mummies are presented: Asia or the Upper Nile region, with a third postulating Egyptians originated in India. The Smithsonian Institution reportedly denies receiving any relics. Anthropologist Warren Cremer suggests the Smithsonian's adherence to the dogma that no Europeans came to America before Columbus leads them to dismiss such findings. Park officials call the story an "April Fool's joke."

Indian politician ridiculed for World UFO Day Facebook post

Jason McClellan reports on Arun Jaitley, India's finance minister, who faced criticism for posting a message supporting World UFO Day on Facebook. The post was deleted after Reuters contacted his staff. Facebook users expressed disapproval, prioritizing earthly concerns over UFO awareness. The article notes the stigma attached to UFOs that hinders serious study.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal consistently explores the intersection of unexplained phenomena, scientific investigation, and public perception. There's a clear emphasis on rigorous methodology within MUFON's field investigations, while also acknowledging the subjective nature of many experiences. The issue touches upon the growing public interest in UFOs and extraterrestrial life, the potential for government disclosure, and the persistent mysteries that challenge conventional understanding, such as the Grand Canyon anomalies and unexplained astronomical signals. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging the collection and analysis of data while remaining critical of unsubstantiated claims.

This issue of the Minnesota MUFON Journal, dated June 26, 2014, is dedicated to the memory of Terry Hansen, a journalist, researcher, and author known for his book 'The Missing Times / News Media Complicity in the UFO Cover-up.' The publication is presented by The UFO Chronicles and features several UFO sighting reports and organizational news.

Terry Hansen's Passing

The issue opens with a somber announcement of the death of Terry Hansen, who passed away quietly in his sleep due to a massive coronary. His wife, Jessica Hansen, is quoted describing him as 'the most honest person with the greatest sense of integrity,' and expressing gratitude for his adventures. The editorial team extends condolences to the Hansen family.

Minnesota UFO Reports

Duluth Sighting (June 10, 1966)

A detailed investigational report from CMS (Center for UFO Studies?) details a sighting by a US Air Force aircraft control & warning operator stationed at Duluth Air Force Base. On June 10, 1966, at approximately 11:15 PM, while driving to work, the witness observed a bright light in his rear-view mirror. The object, described as round and the color of the brightest moonlight, was estimated to be the size of a football field and hovered 200-300 feet above him. It moved at a speed slightly faster than his vehicle for about 5 to 7 minutes before disappearing rapidly. The witness was shocked but not afraid. Upon arriving at work, he overheard a young lieutenant hysterically describing seeing a UFO. The witness decided to keep quiet about his own experience at the time but later shared it with his brothers and son. The report notes that the sighting appears in the NUFORC database and mentions an incident where a UFO buzzed a NW727 airplane, circled it, and came close to its wings, terrifying passengers. Radar tracked the object as it entered the atmosphere or Lake Superior. The investigation concludes the object was an unknown UAV.

North Mankato Sighting (June 17, 2014)

A National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC) sighting report describes an event on June 17, 2014, around 11:00 PM or 12:00 AM in North Mankato, Minnesota. The witness saw a red glowing orb hovering in a tree about 100-150 feet away. The object pulsed brighter twice and then flew southward, leaving a red trail of light about 10-20 feet long before disappearing. The witness estimated the object's size to be between a golf ball and a basketball. The NUFORC note indicates they spoke with the source and found him to be eloquent and sober-minded, deeming the witness reliable.

Minnesota UFO Events and MUFON Information

Upcoming Meetings and Events

The journal lists several upcoming events:

• July 7: Lakes Area Paranormal hosts Marc D'Antonio, MUFON chief photo analyst, who will discuss his experiences with aliens, USOs, movie models, and camera technologies. The meeting is at the American Legion in Waite Park, MN, from 7-9 PM CDT, with a $4 admission.
• July 12: MUFON MN holds a meeting at the New Brighton Community Center, 400 10th St. NW, New Brighton, MN. Meetings run from 2-5 PM, with room opening at 1 PM for social time. Admission is $3 for MUFON members and $5 for non-members.

MUFON Minnesota Contact Information

Contact details for MUFON Minnesota are provided:

• State Director: Craig Lang
• Assist. State Dir. / Field Invest. Coord.: Bill McNeff
• Journal Editor: Joel Henry
• Address: Apple Valley, MN
• Phone: (952) 431-2426
• E-Mail: [email protected]

Online Resources

Links are provided for:

• MUFON Minnesota meeting agendas and special speakers: `http://www.mnmufon.org/agenda.htm` and `http://www.mnmufon.org/event.htm`
• MN MUFON Web Page: `http://www.mnmufon.org` (Webmaster: Joel Henry)
• The Minnesota MUFON Journal (.PDF): `www.mnmufon.org/mmjpdf.htm`

MUFONET and National Hotline

• MUFONET: Broadcasts on 3.9777 Mhz on Mondays at 7:00 PM CST, with Bob Shultz as Net Control.
• National MUFON Hotline: (888) 817-2220 for reporting UFO news and sightings.

Minnesota MUFON Journal Publication

The Minnesota MUFON Journal (MMJ) is a free publication available only as a .PDF document via e-mail request to `[email protected]`. It can also be downloaded from `www.mnmufon.org/mmjpdf.htm`. The journal can be printed and distributed freely, but not for profit. Submissions for news or editorial contributions should be directed to the Editor.

Copyright and Permissions

Articles in this issue are reprinted with permission or are believed to be in the public domain. Copyrights belong to the originator(s) or their assignees. Permission to use or reprint must be obtained from the original author(s).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the investigation of these phenomena, and the role of organizations like MUFON and NUFORC in documenting and disseminating information. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO reports, as evidenced by the detailed investigation of the Duluth sighting and the positive assessment of the North Mankato witness. The publication also emphasizes community engagement through its meetings and the distribution of its journal. The tribute to Terry Hansen highlights the importance of investigative journalism in the field of ufology and the potential for media complicity in suppressing information.