MERSEYSIDE UFO RESEARCH GROUP NEWSLETTER

Magazine Overview

This document is the second newsletter from the Merseyside UFO Research Group, dated June 1965. It features an extensive article on the geological classification and origin of craters, questioning extraterrestrial explanations for many reported UFO sightings.

Officers and Meetings

The newsletter lists the officers of the Merseyside UFO Research Group: David Hughes (Chairman), Paul Hopkins (Vice-Chairman), Harlene Black (Treasurer), Alan Rawlinson (Secretary), John Harnwell (Librarian), and Brian Robinson (Minuting Sec.). Leslie Geoghegan serves as Astronomy Sec. and Paul Hopkins as Investigations Sec. The committee members are Ron Donnelly, Leslie Geoghegan, and John Harnwell. Future meetings for the remainder of 1965 are scheduled for July 14, September 3, October 13, November 10, and December 8, to be held in the Lounge at the Free Church Centre.

CRATERS: Their Origin and Classification

Authored by Alan Sharp, B.Sc., B.Eng., F.G.S., F.R.A.S., this article, written specifically for the newsletter, proposes a geological framework for understanding craters. It suggests that many phenomena attributed to UFOs are, in fact, natural or artificial geological formations. Sharp classifies craters into two main categories: Natural (Impact, Explosion, Subsidence) and Artificial (Artificial Impact, Explosion, Subsidence). These are further broken down by causative agencies, including meteorites, volcanic explosions, lightning, volcanic subsidence, subterranean erosion, artificial meteorites (such as space debris), bombs, mining, tunnelling, and general excavation. A significant addition is the category of 'hoax,' subdivided into those for amusement, malice, or gain.

Sharp argues that many UFO craters fall into the 'subsidence' or 'cavity' categories, which can be explained by natural processes like underground erosion in limestone or other calcareous rocks, or by the slumping of unconsolidated sediments. He dismisses the need for UFO intervention to explain crater formation, citing examples like the Dufton Fell case, which he suggests should be viewed in its geological context. The article notes that meteorite craters may contain little meteoritic material due to the impact's energy vaporizing it, as seen in the Arizona meteorite crater.

• Specific examples discussed include:
• Niton: Described as a clear case of subsidence into a smooth-sided cavity of subterranean erosion.
• Berkshire craters: Diagnosed by Reading University as due to subsidence into solution pockets in the chalk sub-stratum.
• Charlton crater: Exhibited a symmetrical pattern of surface indentations consistent with drainage into a central cavity, near the contact between Upper Greensand and Chalk.
• Flamborough Head: Identified as a prominent Chalk feature.
• Dufton Fell: Located in the Alston lead mining district within Carboniferous Limestone, an area with extensive mining history.
• Sanquhar, Scotland: Situated on the fringe of the Leadhills mining district and marking the southernmost limit of Scottish coal mining.
• Lammermuir Hills: Comprise a crater locality in similar geological formations to the Sanquhar district.

Rawlinson, in his concluding remarks on the article, suggests that the sum of coincidences is too great to ignore and that British craters should be seen in their geological framework, not as evidence of extraterrestrial visitations. He also notes that the newsletter is open to comments from researchers in other groups.

Dr. Bernard E. Finch's Sighting

Mr. Sharp also provides a critique of Dr. Bernard E. Finch's sighting, as reported in the current 'F.S. Review'. Sharp doubts the object was Mars and points out inaccuracies in Finch's description of movement relative to stars and the depiction of the Moon's phase, stating the arrow indicating movement points the wrong way and the Moon is shown in the wrong quarter.

AF SECRETLY WARNS PILOT OF DANGER

This section reprints a report from the HICAP 'UFO Investigator' detailing an incident from August 13, 1959. A former Navy pilot, flying a Cessna 170, experienced his Magnesyn electric compass revolving erratically while en route from Hobbs to Albuquerque. He then observed three oval-shaped devices, described as grey and about eight feet in diameter, in close echelon formation. These UFOs circled the plane at nearly 250 mph, leaving a short, wispy trail. After the UFOs disappeared, the Magnesyn compass returned to its original heading, and the standard magnetic compass stopped spinning.

Upon landing, the pilot was interrogated for two hours by an AF major. He was warned that if any unusual illness occurred in the next six months, he should go to a government hospital immediately, as the Air Force would take care of him. The report mentions that Capt. D.J. Ruppelt, former Chief of Project Blue Book, had confirmed instrumentation recording high radioactivity when UFOs passed over test areas, and several cases of illness from UFO radiation are on record.

MYSTERY OBJECTS IN THE SKY NEARLY ALL EXPLAINED (?)

This article, reprinted from the Liverpool Daily Post (May 24), discusses the USAF's investigation of 532 unidentified flying objects (UFOs) reported in 1964. The USAF categorizes UFOs as any aerial objects that observers cannot identify. The majority of these, after investigation, were found to have conventional explanations, including missiles, space satellites, meteorological balloons, searchlights on low clouds, birds, aircraft vapor trails, and anti-radar silver foil dropped by aircraft. Despite the Air Force's claim that these objects do not pose a threat and are within current scientific knowledge, they had investigated 8,908 sightings since 1947. The article questions why the UK government does not reveal the number of British sightings investigated.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this newsletter is the demystification of UFO phenomena through geological and conventional explanations. The editorial stance, particularly evident in the article on craters and the concluding remarks by Alan Rawlinson, leans towards skepticism regarding extraterrestrial origins for many reported sightings. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of scientific and geological frameworks for understanding these events, while also acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena and ongoing investigations by official bodies like the USAF. The inclusion of the pilot's encounter, while detailed, is presented alongside the broader context of conventional explanations for UFOs, suggesting a balanced approach that prioritizes rational analysis.