1986 07 00 OMNI - Hynek obituary

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue Date: July 1986
Price: $2.50
Cover Headline: MYSTERIES OF THE DEEP

This issue of OMNI Magazine, dated July 1986, delves into a variety of intriguing topics, with a prominent cover story focusing on "Mysteries of the Deep." The cover art features stylized koi fish swimming towards a central dark vortex against a checkered background, evoking a sense of wonder and the unknown.

Featured Articles and Content

The magazine presents a diverse range of articles, including:

• Robots Probe the Titanic: An exploration of how robotic technology is being used to investigate the famous shipwreck.
• Amphibious Man: The Next Step in Human Evolution: A speculative piece on the potential future of human adaptation and evolution.
• Underwater Comets: An article examining the phenomenon of comets in aquatic environments.
• Whale Suicides: An investigation into the reasons behind mass whale strandings and deaths.
• The Ultimate Space Quiz: A quiz designed to test readers' knowledge of space and astronomy.
• Why God Rested on the 7th Day: A philosophical or theological exploration of this concept.
• Arthur C. Clarke on Extraterrestrial Life: Renowned science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke shares his perspectives on the possibility of life beyond Earth.

J. Allen Hynek: UFO Update

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the life and work of J. Allen Hynek, a renowned ufologist who passed away in May 1986, shortly after witnessing Halley's Comet. The article recounts Hynek's journey from a skeptical astrophysicist and chairman of Northwestern University's astronomy department to a leading figure in UFO research.

Initially, Hynek assisted the Air Force in explaining UFO reports, viewing them as a fad. However, over his 16-year consultancy with the notorious Project Blue Book, he gained access to extensive data that began to change his perspective. He noted patterns in reports from credible sources like engineers and pilots, leading him to take the phenomenon more seriously.

In 1972, Hynek founded the Center for UFO Studies in Evanston, Illinois. This small, friend-funded operation produced respected papers in a field often populated by enthusiasts and frauds. Hynek is credited with defining the UFO and characterizing the UFO witness. He also coined the term "close encounters of the third kind."

Despite his extensive research, Hynek was never able to fully explain the UFO phenomenon. He did not believe intelligent life could traverse physical space in such craft, nor did he accept that saucers were mere illusions. His final theory, proposed in his later years, suggested that UFOs might be manifestations of a "parallel reality," appearing and disappearing without a trace. This theory, however, alienated some colleagues and supporters.

Hynek's career was also marked by a setback when an anonymous benefactor's promise of a million-dollar UFO center in Scottsdale, Arizona, was withdrawn, leading him to leave his Evanston base. The article suggests that such struggles are often the price for challenging conventional notions of reality and transcending the bounds of time and space.

Hynek's legacy is characterized by his forward-thinking view of science and his passion for the subject. He is quoted as saying, "I imagine myself in front of the fireplace... entertaining friends not with ghost stories but with one interesting UFO tale after the next."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

OMNI Magazine consistently explores the intersection of science, technology, and the unexplained. This issue, in particular, highlights a fascination with deep-sea mysteries, the future of human evolution, and the enduring enigma of UFOs. The magazine's editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to consider unconventional ideas and scientific possibilities, as exemplified by its in-depth coverage of J. Allen Hynek's groundbreaking, albeit sometimes controversial, work in ufology.