1995 04 00 OMNI - Project Open Book

Magazine Overview

This issue of OMNI magazine, dated April 1995, features a prominent cover story on "FORGOTTEN SPACE HERO FOUND" and delves into "ALIEN EVIDENCE: HOW TO PROVE THE EXISTENCE OF ET!". It also highlights the new TV series "BEYOND THE TWILIGHT ZONE: NEW OUTER LIMITS TV SERIES". The magazine is priced at $3.95.

Articles and Features

Alien Implant or Human Underwear?

This article, by Patrick Huyghe, investigates the case of Richard Price, who claims a traumatic childhood incident in September 1955 involved being taken aboard an alien craft and having an implant injected under his skin. Price, then 8 years old, described the event involving humanoids and a machine that scanned him before the implant was inserted into his penis. After years of silence, a doctor confirmed the presence of a foreign object. David Pritchard, a scientist at MIT, analyzed a portion of the "implant" and concluded it was made of terrestrial biological material, specifically calcified tissue, possibly incorporating cotton fibers from underwear. While this analysis rules out a clumsy alien origin, Pritchard acknowledges the remote possibility of highly advanced alien technology mimicking natural processes. Other theories suggest Price may have "induced" the implant through psychological means or that it could be related to sleep paralysis episodes. Psychologists like Robert Baker dismiss the idea of willful self-creation or repression of sexual abuse, leaning towards hallucination associated with sleep paralysis.

The Omni Open Book Field Investigator's Guide: Part Two

Written by Dennis Stacy, this section provides guidance for aspiring UFO investigators. It emphasizes the need for a basic UFO sorting system to assess the importance of a sighting and determine the resources required for investigation. The article distinguishes between "identified" phenomena (attributable to known sources like stars or weather balloons) and "unidentified" phenomena, stressing that "unidentified" does not automatically imply an extraterrestrial origin. The Air Force's approach to evaluating UFO reports is discussed, including criteria such as sighting duration, witness corroboration, geographical range, and investigator proximity. The article also touches upon the historical context of UFO terminology, noting that Kenneth Arnold never used the term "flying saucer," which was coined by a headline writer. The origin of the acronym "UFO" is also debated, with Edward Ruppelt of Project Blue Book often credited, though earlier uses of similar terms by the Air Force are noted.

Close Encounters of the First, Second, and Third Kind

This section, continuing the UFO investigation theme, elaborates on J. Allen Hynek's classification system for UFO sightings. Hynek, a former scientific consultant to the Air Force, categorized sightings into "nocturnal light," "daylight discs," and "radar-visual." More significantly, he defined "close encounters" as events occurring within 500 feet of a UFO. A Close Encounter of the First Kind (CE I) involves a visual sighting without physical effects. A Close Encounter of the Second Kind (CE II) includes physical effects on the environment, such as the Trans-en-Provence case where plant samples showed reduced chlorophyll, or instances where car engines stall. A Close Encounter of the Third Kind (CE III) involves the reported presence of "animated entities," or aliens. The article recounts the case of policeman Lonnie Zamora in Socorro, New Mexico, who reported seeing an egg-shaped craft with two figures nearby. It also mentions the controversial "abduction" category (CE IV), exemplified by the Betty and Barney Hill case, which involved "missing time."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of science, technology, and the unexplained. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, encouraging scientific inquiry into phenomena like UFOs and alien encounters while also grounding these investigations in empirical analysis and classification. There is a clear effort to debunk sensationalism while acknowledging the persistent nature of these reports and the need for systematic study. The inclusion of both scientific analysis of alleged alien artifacts and practical guides for UFO investigation suggests a commitment to providing readers with a comprehensive and critical perspective on these topics.

This issue of OMNI magazine, dated December 1989, with issue number 55 and volume 6, is titled 'INVESTIGATOR'S GUIDE' and features 'UFO CRIME LAB' as its cover headline. The magazine explores various facets of UFO investigation, classification, and the collection of evidence, with a cover price of $3.00.

UFO Classification Systems

The issue details the evolution of UFO classification, starting with the basic distinctions of J. Allen Hynek's system. It then introduces the more comprehensive system developed by computer scientist Jacques Vallee. Vallee's system categorizes sightings into 'Anomaly' (AN) and 'Close Encounter' (CE), further subdividing them based on the degree of interaction and physical effects. AN categories range from simple anomalous lights (AN1) to phenomena with lasting physical effects (AN2), encounters with entities (AN3), and experiences involving reality transformation or lasting injury (AN4 and AN5). The CE categories mirror these degrees of complication, reflecting the proximity and impact of the phenomenon on the witness.

Vallee also employs a 'SVP Credibility Rating' system to evaluate the reliability of UFO reports. This system assesses Source reliability (S), site Visit (V), and Possible explanation (P), assigning a numerical score to each factor to gauge the overall credibility of an incident. For instance, a report rated '222' would indicate a secondhand reliable source, a visit by persons familiar with the phenomenon, and a situation where natural explanations require significant distortion.

High Strangeness Cases

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to 'high-strangeness' cases, where UFOs exhibit behaviors that defy conventional physics. These include reports of UFOs morphing, changing shape, dividing into multiple craft, or disappearing instantaneously. The effects of these encounters are also varied, ranging from harmful (burning, scarring, or even fatal) to beneficial or healing.

The UFO Crime Lab Proposal

Central to the issue is the concept of a 'UFO Crime Lab,' championed by writer and UFO researcher Victoria Alexander. Frustrated by the lack of physical evidence in abduction cases and the tendency of some researchers to readily accept witness accounts, Alexander advocates for applying crime-scene investigative techniques. She argues that if aliens are committing 'crimes' such as unlawful entries, kidnappings, assaults, and rapes, then a forensic approach is warranted. Alexander calls on abductees to actively collect potential evidence, such as urine samples, dried blood, hair, secretions, and particles from their clothing, homes, or vehicles. She emphasizes that police departments are unlikely to assist in such investigations, placing the onus on the abductees themselves, with the help of UFO investigators.

Thomas Van Valkenburgh, bureau chief of the New Mexico State Police crime lab, finds Alexander's suggestion feasible, though he expresses reservations about untrained individuals collecting evidence. John Carpenter, director of abduction research for the Mutual UFO Network, views the proposal positively if executed properly, but expresses concern about potential hoaxes and improper procedures, suggesting an outsider's involvement would be ideal.

Personal Accounts and Observations

The issue includes personal accounts from readers. One anonymous reader details their family's ongoing experience with abductions, including physical marks on their children and the discovery of an unusual orange residue, which they have submitted for scientific analysis. The analysis indicates a high sulfuric content and elements like Rubidium, suggesting a compound not found in typical household environments. Another reader, J. Case, questions the origin of crop sculptures, suggesting they might be messages from aliens easing into human consciousness.

Marshall Jacobowitz recounts two separate sightings of unusual aerial phenomena. The first, in September 1989 near the Grand Canyon, involved numerous lights that formed a large, stacked formation and moved across the sky. The second, several months later in New York City, involved two objects hovering near the Empire State Building. Jacobowitz asserts he was sober during both events and not prone to hallucinations, and that the first event was witnessed by others.

Skepticism and Future Directions

Skeptics, such as Philip J. Klass, remain unconvinced by proposals like Alexander's, arguing that if abductions were factual, significant evidence would have emerged long ago. Despite this, Alexander is developing a manual and a kit to guide abductees in evidence collection, aiming to empower them and shift their mindset from victimhood to active investigation. The magazine's 'Editor's Note' indicates that Omni's 'Project Open Book' is investigating the information submitted by one reader, with results to be published in a future issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the systematic study of UFO phenomena, the challenges of evidence collection, and the need for a more rigorous, scientific approach to understanding abductions and sightings. The magazine appears to adopt an open-minded yet investigative stance, presenting different perspectives from researchers, abductees, and skeptics, while actively seeking to explore and document the subject matter through initiatives like 'Project Open Book'.