MUFON New Jersey Chronicle - Vol 02 No 06 - 1992 07-08

Magazine Overview

Title: The New Jersey Chronicle
Issue Date: July - August 1992
Volume: 2
Issue: 6
Publisher: The New Jersey Mutual UFO Network, Inc.

This issue of The New Jersey Chronicle focuses on UFO sightings and related research, featuring a lead story on a potential UFO landing at a Pennsylvania steel mill, investigative reports from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and a statistical analysis of UFO shapes and durations. It also covers the MUFON 1992 International UFO Symposium and includes various columns and letters to the editor.

Unidentified Lands at Steel Mill in Pennsylvania

The cover story, by Michael P. Rellahan, reports on an alleged UFO sighting at Lukens Steel Co. in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. The company is investigating reports that an "unusual object," described as a silver flying saucer with rotating multi-colored lights, landed in the steel yard on June 10, 1992, around 4:30 p.m. One source, the husband of a Lukens worker, described the object as watermelon-shaped. However, another worker, Gerald Wischuck, stated he saw only a balloon. Lukens spokesman Evelyn Walker confirmed that a security guard saw an unusual object above the property and that the company is investigating, but declined to provide further details, stating that accounts vary and a "reasonable explanation" had not yet been determined. A Coatesville police spokeswoman confirmed no one had contacted them about the sighting.

David Jacobs, an assistant professor of history at Temple University specializing in UFO phenomena, commented that while sightings are not surprising, the fact that they are reported is unusual, estimating that only one in 100 sightings are reported compared to the U.S. Air Force's 1947 estimate of one in 10. He noted that public acceptance of UFO sightings has increased due to cultural influences like "E.T." and "Luke Skywalker," leading to less fear than in earlier decades.

From the Editor's Desk

The editor addresses questions about whether a reported landing at Lukens Steel was unidentified or misidentified, noting the company's lack of cooperation. The editor highlights ongoing conflicts within ufology, such as the "Gulf Breeze Photo war" and Jacques Vallee's frustration with organized ufology. Budd Hopkins' "case of the century" is mentioned, with a note that it might have been staged. The editor also touches upon the "Anderson" affair and the "Alien in the TV" investigative case, which will be deferred to the next issue. The lead story on the Lukens Steel Company landing is presented as the first installment by a local newspaperman. Other items include the Assistant State Director's Report on a summer meeting, a reader's views on alien intervention, information on UFO trading cards, and investigative reports on New Jersey and Pennsylvania cases. Joseph J. Stefula provides an "Inside View" of the 1992 MUFON Symposium, and Paul Ferrughelli offers an analysis of UFO Shape/Duration statistics. Upcoming UFO conferences and new items from the Fund for UFO Research are also mentioned.

Investigative Reports

This section details several UFO sightings:

• Strange Nocturnal Lights Video Taped Over Wanaque Reservoir: On June 5, 1992, two witnesses, Tom Briggs and his brother-in-law, video-taped strange yellow-white lights over the Wanaque Reservoir. The lights hovered, pulsed, and changed direction, appearing and disappearing. The area is noted for its history of UFO sightings.
• Brilliant Nocturnal Light Sighted Over Wayne, New Jersey: In early June 1992, a single witness observed a brilliant white light that swayed and emitted a light beam before vanishing. The event lasted a few minutes.
• Close Encounter Near Alcoa Research Facility: On March 9, 1992, two young boys witnessed a dish-shaped, grey or silver object with protrusions and lights near the Alcoa Research Center in Pennsylvania. The object emitted a bright beam of light and made a jet-like sound.
• CEI Reported Near Irwin, Pennsylvania: On March 28, 1992, a fourteen-year-old boy observed a large, oval, orange-yellow object hovering and emitting a bright light, accompanied by a humming sound. The object rose and disappeared.

The editor also notes that the STAR LEDGER reported nothing about a UFO incident on September 1st, which preliminary investigations suggest was an advertising blimp.

MUFON 1992 International UFO Symposium: UFOs The Ultimate Mystery of the Millennia

By Joseph J. Stefula, this report covers the MUFON Symposium held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from July 10-12, 1992. Seven New Jersey MUFON members attended. Key presentations included:

• Linda Moulton Howe: A 45-year overview of the UFO phenomenon, supporting claims of alien bases and government reverse engineering of recovered discs in Nevada, and discussing crop circles.
• Montague Keen: Discussed the developmental history and investigation of crop circles, advocating for greater scientific community involvement.
• Walt Andrus: Argued for continued long-term study of the UFO phenomenon by all scientific disciplines.
• Stanton T. Friedman: Presented evidence for a second crash on the Plains of St. Augustine in 1947, defending his beliefs against critics.
• Dr. Richard Haines: Presented evidence for electromagnetic drives in UFO propulsion, citing 56 aircraft cases with electromagnetic effects.
• Jeffrey W. Saninio: Defended the Ed Walter's Gulf Breeze photos, though not ruling out hoax possibilities.
• Pavel Popvich: Gave an overview of ufology in the Commonwealth of Independent States, noting the absence of "greys" in contact cases there.
• Jacques Vallee: Critiqued abduction case investigations and the exclusion of other alien types in reports.
• Budd Hopkins: Presented his "Linda" case, with the author noting discrepancies from a previous interview.
• Philippe Piet Van Putten: Discussed UFOs in Brazil, claiming significant involvement of the Brazilian Air Force and aircraft losses in encounters with UFOs.
• Antonio Huneuus: Presented an overview of World Government efforts to investigate the UFO phenomenon.
• Dr. Richard Neal: Stated that the missing embryo-fetus syndrome has not been proven by evidence.
• Clifford Stowe: Argued for a secret Air Force unit involved in recovering spacecraft.

The author's conclusions from the symposium include that pieces of the Roswell craft have been recovered, that ex-military intelligence types are releasing data on government-held UFO evidence, and that the Roswell investigation is taking a new turn.

National Sighting Research Center Update: UFO Shape/Duration Analysis 1986-1991

By Paul Ferrughelli, this analysis examines 669 UFO sighting reports from 1986-1991. It categorizes sightings by shape (e.g., Lights/Illuminations, Disc, Oval, Deltoid, Cylindrical, Rectangular, Other) and duration classes (e.g., 0-9 seconds, 10-45 seconds, 1-2 minutes, etc.).

The analysis found that "light" type reports (Shape A) are predominant in short (0-9 seconds) and long (over 2 hours) duration classes. "Object" type reports (Shapes B-G) are predominant in mid-range duration classes (10 seconds to 27 minutes), constituting 65% of reports in those classes.

A statistical correlation analysis identified 11 strong linear correlations out of 21 possible combinations of shape groups and duration classes. Interestingly, Shape A reports ranked 10th out of 11 in strong correlations, suggesting "lights" may not correlate with "object" types.

Historical comparison shows that while mid-range durations (1 minute to 30 minutes) have remained consistent since 1947-1952, short duration sightings (under 1 minute) were twice as frequent in the earlier period.

The Information Network

This section lists various MUFON newsletters and UFO-related publications from across the country, encouraging readers to share stories and information.

Fund for UFO Research Offers New Items

The Fund for UFO Research, Inc. offers new materials, including "Unusual Personal Experiences: An Analysis of the Data from Three Surveys" by The Roper Organization and a video tape titled "Abduction Roundtable: New Insights into the UFO Abduction Phenomenon." The latter documents a June 1992 conference at MIT involving researchers, investigators, and abduction witnesses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, investigations, and the cultural impact of UFO phenomena. The magazine appears to maintain an open but analytical stance, presenting witness accounts, investigative findings, and data-driven analyses. There's an emphasis on the ongoing nature of UFO research, the challenges in gathering credible data, and the increasing public awareness and acceptance of UFOs. The editorial content also touches upon internal debates and controversies within the ufology community.

This document appears to be a two-page spread from a magazine, likely from late 1992, focusing on UFO-related events and a significant environmental report. The first page prominently features announcements for two upcoming UFO conferences: the "29th National UFO Conference" in Tallahassee, Florida, from October 24-25, 1992, and the "Fall UFO Festival" with Val Valerian in Bordentown, New Jersey, on October 31 and November 1, 1992. The second page delves into a detailed account of a "Case Of The Century" by Budd Hopkins, concerning an alleged abduction experience, and includes a section titled "The Lighter Side of UFOLOGY" with UFO-themed cartoons.

Upcoming UFO Conferences

29th National UFO Conference The 29th National UFO Conference, sponsored by the National UFO Conference (NUFOC), is scheduled for October 24-25, 1992, at the Holiday Inn in Tallahassee, Florida. NUFOC, founded in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1964, is noted as the oldest organization in America for annual UFO conventions. Confirmed speakers include Jim Moseley, Donald Ware, Rick Hilberg, Elaine Douglas, Steven Greer, Bill Clendenon, and Timothy Beckley. The event includes a "Sky Watch" and a fire walk on October 24th at the 60-acre farm of local host Ed Komarek. Advanced tickets are $30 if purchased before October 1st, and $35 thereafter. Hotel rates at the Holiday Inn are $40 per night. Contact information is provided for Ed Komarek (Georgia) and Jim Moseley (Florida).

Fall UFO Festival The "Fall UFO Festival," themed "A Weekend With Val Valerian," is set for October 31 and November 1, 1992, at the Days Inn in Bordentown, New Jersey. Val Valerian, a prominent figure in ufology and editor of the "LEADING EDGE" monthly publication, will conduct two group sessions each day (11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) for lectures and Q&A. The cost is $20.00 for one session or $40.00 for both days. Additionally, "The N.J. & PA. UFO Study Group" will present a "D.J. Music Party with Val" with a cash bar, costing $10.00 per person or $15.00 per couple. Registration is required by September 30, 1992, with seating limited to 150 people. For more information, contact Pat J. Marcattilio in Trenton, New Jersey.

Study Warns of Biological Life Collapse

Massive Wave of Extinctions from Climate Shift A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a report from the Worldwatch Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based environmental think tank, titled "Life Support: Conserving Biological Diversity." The study warns that an unprecedented collapse of biological life has begun worldwide, driven by increasing emissions of carbon dioxide and a resulting climate shift. Key findings include:

• Bird Species Decline: Three-fourths of the world's bird species are experiencing declining populations or are threatened with extinction.
• Amphibian Decline: Amphibians, including frogs, salamanders, and related species, are declining worldwide.
• Rice Variety Loss: In Indonesia, 1,500 local rice varieties have disappeared in the past 15 years, with nearly three-fourths of current rice descending from a single plant.
• US Native Species at Risk: In the United States, about 3,000 native plants, nearly one in eight, are considered endangered, with over 700 likely to disappear in the next decade.

John C. Ryan, a research associate at Worldwatch, emphasizes that the top priority for halting biodiversity loss is the protection of wildlands. The report notes that while industrial nations have decimated their wetlands (over 90% lost in Italy, New Zealand, and California), remaining wildlands and protected areas, including national parks, cover about 5% of the Earth's land surface. However, many of these areas are arid and incapable of supporting diverse biological systems.

Ryan concludes that "without immediate reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, the impacts of global warming will probably make the world's current biological collapse pale in comparison." He stresses the importance of incorporating diversity into human production systems and protecting it in wilderness. The study identifies per-capita consumption and rapid population growth as the most intractable forces driving this crisis, stating that "no conservation strategy... can get around the fact that the more resources one species consumes, the fewer available for all the rest."

Budd Hopkins' "Case Of The Century"

An Important Abduction Experience This section details an important abduction experience that Budd Hopkins presented at the 1992 MUFON Symposium in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The case involves a woman named Linda, who was allegedly abducted from her 12th-story apartment window in downtown New York City at 3:30 a.m. Under hypnosis, Linda described being taken by three small gray entities, floated out her window, and into a hovering craft.

Witness Corroboration Approximately three months into his work with Linda, Hopkins received a letter from an alleged witness to the event. This witness was one of three men, including a prominent political figure (whose identity is protected) and his two security guards. They were driving the politician when their vehicle stalled on a dark downtown street near Linda's building. From their stalled car, they observed a UFO hovering above the building. They witnessed Linda, dressed in a white gown, and three small humanoids "roll" out the window in a fetal position, uncoil, and rise into the bottom of the craft via a blue beam. They described the scene in detail using binoculars.

Political Figure's Dilemma and Potential Revelation Fearing the loss of their classified positions and to protect the politician's identity, the witnesses initially did not report the incident. After months of guilt and anguish, they decided to inform Budd Hopkins. Hopkins was able to assure them that Linda was safe and that he had received corroborating evidence, including nearly identical drawings, from another woman who had witnessed a similar event while driving across the Brooklyn Bridge. This other witness, along with several other motorists who did not report, observed the same event.

Hopkins believes that the political figure needs to come forward and make a public statement. He considers this a distinct possibility due to the man's remorse and concern, and the public's right to know. Hopkins suggests that if this case were to be revealed, it could significantly advance ufology, potentially ending government deception and ushering in an era of UFO reality. He dismisses the idea of an elaborate plot to deceive as a remote possibility, citing the sincerity of all involved witnesses.

The Lighter Side of UFOLOGY This section features a collection of UFO-related cartoons, noting an "overabundance" of such cartoons in local New Jersey newspapers over the past several months. It presents an expanded version of "The Lighter Side of UFOlogy," showcasing representative samples from July and August. The cartoons include:

• "Belvedere" by George Crenshaw, with a caption "I SAID, ONLY DUCKS!!"
• "Frank and Ernest" by Bob Thaves, with a dialogue bubble "OKAY-A BURGER, A BEER AND BACK HERE IN FIFTEEN MINUTES..."
• A cartoon depicting a "NASA EXTRATERRESTRIAL SEARCH PROJECT" with a message "WE GOT A RETURN MESSAGE FROM ALPHA CENTAURI: 'THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD.'"
• A cartoon titled "ELVIES - THE LOGICAL EXPLANATION" by Bob Thaves.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The magazine appears to cover a mix of UFO conference announcements, significant UFO case investigations, and broader societal issues like environmental concerns. The inclusion of the Worldwatch Institute report on biological collapse suggests an editorial stance that acknowledges and reports on critical global issues beyond the immediate UFO topic. The "Lighter Side of UFOLOGY" section indicates a desire to balance serious UFO investigation with lighter, more accessible content. The "Bits & Piece's" section seems to serve as a general news and information update within the UFO community. The overall tone is informative, aiming to keep readers abreast of both upcoming events and significant findings in the UFO field, as well as important global developments.