OMNI

Magazine Overview

This is the July 1984 issue of OMNI magazine, priced at $2.50. The cover prominently features the OMNI logo and a striking illustration of a futuristic spacecraft. The main cover headlines announce an exclusive on "STAR WARS" and a speculative article titled "HOW THE U.S.S.R. COULD DESTROY THE U.S. SATELLITE DEFENSE SYSTEM."

Anti Matter: UFO Update

The "Anti Matter" section includes a "UFO Update" that delves into a controversial theory proposed by Canadian scientist Michael A. Persinger. Persinger, a psychologist and geophysicist at Laurentian University, posits that a significant portion (85%) of UFO sightings are not extraterrestrial in origin but are instead natural phenomena.

Persinger's Electromagnetic Field Theory

According to Persinger, these luminous phenomena, often accompanied by an electromagnetic halo, are generated at geological stress points, particularly along fault lines where tectonic plates interlock. The immense pressure grinds quartz and other crystalline rocks, causing atomic bonds to vaporize and create a plasma resembling "a tiny piece of the sun." This plasma, he suggests, rises to the surface and follows the local topography, leading to sightings near sources of electrical charge like church steeples or antennas.

Persinger's research involved programming a computer to correlate high-energy natural phenomena such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and volcanic activity. He found a particularly robust relationship between UFO reports and earthquakes, a connection he claims holds true from ancient to modern times.

Challenges and Skepticism

Persinger acknowledges that studying these phenomena is complicated by the human mind's sensitivity to electromagnetic fields, which can impair measurement capabilities and potentially lead to distorted perceptions or hallucinations. He likens these effects to those sometimes produced when the brain is electrically stimulated during surgery.

Some UFO field researchers question Persinger's theories, with one suggesting that UFOs might use these electromagnetic fields as guidance systems, similar to how airplanes follow railroad tracks. Persinger dismisses such speculation as lacking scientific rigor, emphasizing the need for hard data.

Data and Future Research

Persinger claims to possess data, including maps showing the relationship between fault strain, earthquakes, and UFO sightings, which he believes supports his hypothesis. He is enthusiastic about the possibility of using these findings to predict upcoming earthquakes based on UFO reports near fault lines, stating, "And we think we have the evidence."

The article is attributed to Allan Maurer.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue touches upon themes of extraterrestrial phenomena (UFOs), geological activity (earthquakes), and geopolitical speculation (Soviet threat to US defense systems). The editorial stance, as represented by the inclusion of Persinger's theory, appears open to exploring unconventional scientific explanations for phenomena traditionally attributed to the paranormal or extraterrestrial, grounding them in natural, albeit extreme, physical processes. The cover also highlights a significant pop culture phenomenon, "Star Wars," indicating a broad scope of interest within the magazine.