Northern UFO News - No 97

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 97
Date: September 1982
Publisher: Northern UFO Network (NUFON)
Country: United Kingdom
Cover Headline: NUFON

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, published monthly by the Northern UFO Network (NUFON), delves into the piezo-electric effect as a potential explanation for UFO phenomena. The editorial section, "A theory that finally works?", introduces Dr. Michael Persinger's theories connecting the piezo-electric effect with UFOs and other anomalies, suggesting a geophysical trigger. The author, Jenny Randles, explains how she discovered Persinger's work and how it aligns with her own developing concepts of UFOs as a combination of subjective consciousness and objective physical effects (UAPs).

Editorial: A Theory That Finally Works?

The editorial by Jenny Randles details her journey in understanding the piezo-electric effect and its potential link to UFOs. She credits Ken Phillips for bringing Dr. Michael Persinger's work to her attention, particularly his 1979 publication 'Space-Time Transients and unusual events'. Persinger's theory posits that anomalies like UFOs have a geophysical trigger, with the piezo-electric effect being central. Randles notes that other researchers, like those publishing in FSR and FORTEAN TIMES, had previously explored similar ideas linking UFOs to geological fault lines. She explains her own two-part concept of UFOs: a subjective 'consciousness' phenomenon and an objective, physical effect she terms a UAP. The Persinger hypothesis, she states, makes sense in light of this. Randles observes that in 1981, the idea seemed to be 'in the air', with others like David Sargeant and Paul Devereux also exploring piezo-electricity, UFOs, megaliths, and fault lines. Her third book for Robert Hale, 'UFO Reality', completed in January and to be published around Summer 1983, extensively covers ionisation, Persinger's effect, and UFO origins. She also mentions her fifth book, 'Pennine UFO Mystery', which will detail 'mystery helicopter' sightings and the Alan Godfrey abduction, and states that Persinger's work played a significant role in filling gaps in her understanding. Randles anticipates that the Persinger effect will gain traction, with an upcoming BBC Horizon program and Paul Devereux's book 'Earth Lights' set to feature the topic.

News and Updates

Obituary: The issue reports the sad death of Anne Harcourt, a long-time servant of the BUFORA council, on August 20th, after contracting a virulent disease.

New Organization: Tam O'Neill has announced the founding of ANSA (Association for the New Science of Anomalies), which will cover UFOs, psychic phenomena, mysteries, astronomy, science-fiction, and space travel, offering monthly newsletters and a journal.

Publication Delays: Surrey group SIGAP has had to cancel production of their journal PEGASUS due to the recession. FSR is also experiencing delays due to the editor Charles Bowen's illness; Gordon Creighton is taking over temporarily.

New Investigator Hazards: Ken Phillips highlights 'Solar powered UFOs' being advertised for £3.50, warning that they are essentially advertising planes. He also notes that Britain is reportedly set to legalize them.

Blackpool Lights: The 1982 Blackpool lights display is noted for using laser beams in its show, leading local police to receive numerous calls reporting them as flying saucers.

Reader Contributions: A 13-year-old reader submitted a drawing of an alien and a description of a 'cigar-shaped disc' UFO.

A letter from Nigel Watson mentions a keen UFO investigator seeking information and guidance on becoming a professional investigator.

Elsewhere This Month

This section reviews several publications and resources:

• MAGONIA 10: Features an issue dedicated to Lawson & McCall's work on UFO abductions as repressed birth trauma memories.
• COMMON GROUND 6: Includes a review of the Salzburg psychological UFOs congress and mentions Alan Garner.
• BUFORA BULLETIN, 005: Praised for its new style and content.
• BUFOS (British UFO Soc.): Has published its first issue, available as part of membership or by exchange.
• UFORM NEWS: The first issue from UFO RESEARCH MIDLANDS, described as neatly produced and mainly for members.

Breakthroughs

Peter Warrington and the author discuss the most important discovery in UFO research over the past decade. Warrington points to Allen Hendry's insight that 90% of UFO data is identified, suggesting focus on these. The author's choice is more abstract: the recognition that UFOs encompass multiple phenomena and that a single solution is a mistake. Readers are invited to share their views on the most revolutionary breakthrough.

Believe It Or Not...

This segment humorously critiques a three-part BBC series on earth, outer space, and Rochdale, featuring Patrick Moore and a 'venusian' speaker. It also mentions the Flat Earth Society and Richard Lawrence, and a BBC apology for an interview not fitting the program's style.

Up & Coming

• TV: A BBC-2 Horizon documentary on UFOs is scheduled for October 25th (repeat October 31st). John Groom, the producer, is described as an 'Oxbridge Beeb type' who believes there is no objective reality to the UFO phenomenon but finds the public's belief interesting. However, Groom assured the author that the program does have positive aspects.
• TV: An ITV networked children's series, 'The Final Frontier', about space and future science, airs Wednesdays at 4:45 pm. Jenny Randles has worked with the production team on a 15-minute feature for the November 3rd show, helping to write the script, aiming to "bring UFOs down to earth".

On the Behaviour of Sponges and Sponges

Bill Dillon discusses the ability of UFOs to de-materialize or fragment. He draws a parallel to the remarkable ability of sponges to reorganize themselves after being forced through a sieve, citing David Attenborough's 'Life on Earth'. He questions if UFOs might be akin to 'flying pieces of information' that can be regulated into any shape or form by controllers, suggesting this could explain the diversity of UFO experiences.

Investigation: The Pickup Bank Encounter

This investigation, by Mike Sacks, details a sighting on July 17, 1982, by a furniture manufacturer and his family on Pickup Bank, Lancashire. They witnessed a bright light emerge, vanish, and then an explosion of light with blue and orange beams, followed by three balls of light splitting off in different directions. The event occurred without sound in a desolate area.

Investigation: The Piezo-electric Effect in Action?

Mark Brown of UFORM investigated a sighting on April 28, 1982, in Thurlaston, Leicestershire, of a brilliant white light. The case report is noted for its detailed consideration of the piezo-electric effect, with Paul Devereux pointing out a nearby fault line.

Another Case of Moonshine?

David Clarke for BUFORA investigated an incident on March 16, 1981, involving two night-nurses at Doncaster Royal Infirmary who reported a hazy white patch of light that took the shape of a domed saucer. David's investigation suggested the moon, combined with low-level mist, might have caused the witnesses to exaggerate the sighting.

Landing with Traces in South Yorkshire?

Richard Adams and Paul Fuller investigated a case from January 21, 1981, in Ridgeway, Sheffield. A farmer's wife reported a triangular tent-like object with 'sack-like' lumps in a field, which left deep cuts. The witness later experienced strange crystalline images on her TV and saw a LITS UFO.

Low Definition Cases

This section lists several brief UFO sightings with dates, locations, and brief descriptions:

• Nov 23, 1976: Green sphere over Ilkley Moor, W Yorks, moving 'v fast', possibly a meteor.
• Sep 26, 1980: Large stationary object over Oldham, Gtr Manchester, possibly Venus.
• Feb 09, 1981: Green sphere seen over Accrington, Lancashire, for 10 seconds, possibly Ball Lightning.
• Mar 7, 1981: Pale blue oval seen over Oswaldtwistle, Lancs, moving at high speed, possibly related to piezo-electric effect.
• Jan 11, 1982: Brilliant W oval over Ilkley, W Yorks, with a 'halo' effect, possibly meteors.
• Aug 10, 1982: Flashing orange lights over Woodhouse Eaves, Leics, later identified as a mining survey team.
• Aug 23, 1982: Silver tube with orange flames over Wallsend, Tyne & Wear, identified as a Fireball Meteor.
• Dec 1979: Brilliant light over Bury, Gtr Manchester, described as an intense orange oval, possibly Ball Lightning.
• Apr 28, 1982: Orange/red oval and blob over Greenhill, Leics, later concluded to be a glider reflecting sunlight.
• Aug 25, 1982: Silver cigar with tail fin over Dundee, Scotland, behaving like an aircraft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the exploration of new theories for UFO phenomena, particularly the piezo-electric effect, and the detailed reporting of various sightings and investigations across the UK. There is a strong emphasis on scientific investigation and the need for researchers to consider multiple explanations rather than adhering to a single paradigm. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded but critical, encouraging researchers to test hypotheses and not dismiss unconventional ideas, while also being grounded in evidence and logical deduction. The magazine also highlights the importance of imagination in scientific discovery and the collaborative nature of UFO research, with numerous mentions of different research groups and their publications.