OMNI

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue: JULY 1991
Volume: 02484
Date: July 1991
Publisher: OMNI
Country: USA
Language: English
Price: $3.50

Cover Story: Spaceward Ho!

The cover of the July 1991 issue of OMNI features a dramatic illustration of a large, futuristic spaceship with glowing engines, ascending between two large, cylindrical structures against a starry sky. The main headline is "SPACEWARD HO!", suggesting themes of space exploration or travel.

Antimatter: UFO Update: Belgium's military has begun to work hand in hand with private groups to track UFOs

This article, written by Beth Livermore, details an extraordinary collaboration between the Belgian military and private UFO research organizations. The investigation was prompted by a series of sightings of a large, triangular craft, first reported on November 29, 1989, by hundreds of people in two Belgian towns, Eupen and Wavre. The object was described as a dark gray, deltoid shape with a wingspan estimated between 50 and 100 meters, gliding silently across the night sky.

By March 1990, sightings had become widespread, with reports coming from farmers, teenagers, military officers, and professors. The phenomenon gained further credibility when, on March 30, controllers at a radar station in Glons detected an unidentified object on their screens. Colleagues at a station in Ghent confirmed the presence of a slow-moving blip, indicating a potential aerial anomaly.

Professor Leon Brenig, a physicist at the Free University of Brussels, became involved due to the scientific implications. He noted that the object's smooth, unbent edges ruled out it being re-entering steel debris, and its flight capabilities surpassed known NATO aircraft technology, leading him to deem the investigation worthy of his time.

Belgium's air force responded by contributing two F-16 fighter jets, an expert crew, and specialized instruments for a coordinated hunt in the spring of 1990. Four watch groups were established to report sightings to headquarters at an airport southeast of Liège. The airport tower then alerted pilots flying planes equipped with infrared cameras to pursue the craft. Despite the pilots' efforts, they were unable to capture photographs due to the object's reported high speed.

The investigation continues with engineers and physicists at the Free University analyzing radar images, and the Royal Military School examining UFO photographs using computers. Botanists are also studying burn patterns in fields where the triangle was reportedly seen, searching for physical trace evidence.

Walter Andrus, international director of Mutual UFO Network, Inc. (MUFON), described the Belgian effort as "unprecedented" and a "major step" due to the military's cooperation. He contrasted this with the situation in the United States, where, according to MUFON's secretary-general Lucean Clerebaut, various U.S. military and intelligence agencies have investigated UFOs since 1947 but have not shared their information. Andrus expressed hope that Belgium's transparency might "embarrass the U.S. government into admitting some of what they know."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers topics related to science fiction, technology, and the unexplained, with a particular interest in UFO phenomena. The editorial stance, as reflected in this article, appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, highlighting the importance of scientific investigation and government transparency. The article champions the Belgian military's collaborative approach as a positive model for UFO research globally.