Orbiter - No 12 - 1988

Magazine Overview

Title: ORBITER
Issue: #12
Date: October 1988
Publisher: The New England Aerial Phenomena Report

This issue of ORBITER, a publication focused on aerial phenomena, presents a diverse range of articles and reports, including commentary on the vast amount of UFO data collected, case reports from various locations, media logs, and scientific analyses of sightings. The magazine aims to separate sense from nonsense in the realm of UFO phenomena.

Commentary

Dr. Hynek is quoted emphasizing the embarrassment of riches in UFO data, noting that while 85 percent of reports are explainable, a puzzling subset remains. The commentary stresses the importance of rigorous investigation to identify misidentifications and highlights the need for ufologists to study unusual transient phenomena, which are often infrequent and short-lived. It suggests that such events can be found in meteorological, astronomical, and nature journals, advocating for in-depth study to improve investigation quality. The piece encourages open-mindedness regarding UFO causes, acknowledging arguments for extraterrestrial visitors but also powerful counterarguments, urging investigators to exhaust all alternate explanations.

Radio-TV Log

The issue provides a log of media appearances related to UFOs in September and October 1988. Whitley Streiber was a guest on several programs, including 'Good Morning America,' 'People Are Talking,' 'The Larry King Program' on CNN, 'The Late Show,' and 'WBCN-Radio.' The 'Gulf Breeze, Florida events' were covered on 'Unsolved Mysteries' (Channel 4) on October 5th. The program 'UFO-Coverup' aired on WFIX (New York) and Channel 56 (Boston) on October 14th and 15th.

Possible Movie in the Making

Interest from Hollywood producers in making movies based on the books "Clear Intent" and "Night Siege" is noted. Mike Farrell, who moderated "UFO-Cover-up," has shown significant interest in this project.

Astronomical Data

Basic astronomical facts about Mars and the Sun are provided: Mars is the first planet beyond Earth, with a diameter of approximately 4,200 miles. The Sun has a diameter of 864,000 miles and is approximately 92,900,000 miles from Earth.

Case Reports

Two case reports are presented, brought to the attention of Mass. MUFON:

1. Cumberland, Rhode Island (June 19, 1983): Two witnesses observed a dark object about 100 feet over their backyard, emitting a brilliant white light downwards. After about 25 seconds, the object made a "whoosh" sound and moved upward and out of sight. The evaluation was 'Unknown.'
2. Interstate 95 North (May 9, 1988): A witness driving home noticed a red light, the size of a full moon, accelerate towards her vehicle. The vehicle stopped, and the witness became sleepy. Upon regaining consciousness, she was near her driveway, having traveled 14.5 miles from the encounter point. A 20-minute drive took over two hours. The evaluation was 'Unknown.'

Article Log

A log of articles and publications related to aerial phenomena and related topics is provided, spanning from 1950 to 1988, including entries from 'Congressional Record,' 'Harper's Magazine,' 'Life Magazine,' 'Mother Jones,' 'New Statesman,' and 'Popular Photography.' The log also notes numerous articles in nature and science journals dating back to the 1800s and early 1900s, crediting Barry Greenwood for significant legwork.

UFO Trivia

• Levelland, Texas sightings: The most interesting aspect was the word "saucer" first used to describe Unidentified Aerial Objects.
• "Saucer" usage: The word "saucer" was first used to describe Unidentified Aerial Objects in 1929.
• "War of the Worlds" publication: The book "War of the Worlds" was published in 1938.

Remarkable Lunar Halo (January 21, 1913)

Lewis Evans reports observing a square lunar halo from the R.M.S. Balmoral Castle in the South Pacific. The halo had sharp angles and sides estimated at three diameters of the moon. It was visible for some time, even at 5 a.m. the following day.

Corona around Venus (March 24)

E. Gold reports observing Venus surrounded by a faint ring of light, similar to a corona, with no discernible color variation. The apparent radius was estimated at 30' to 1', with no sharply defined boundary. The phenomenon was visible for about ten minutes.

Remarkable Occurrence (February 14, 1809)

An account from the ship 'Warren Hastings' describes a severe storm during which three distinct balls of fire were emitted from the heavens. One ball struck the main-mast, setting it on fire and killing a man. Another struck a sailor, shattering and burning his arms. The third ball killed a Chinese crew member and wounded the main-mast. A nauseous, sulphureous smell lingered after the storm. Luke Howard's 'Climate of London' is cited for a related event on the same day in Plymouth Dock and Paris involving lightning strikes and house damage.

Parhelic Circle (February 16, 1951)

F. G. Maunsell reports observing a circular halo passing through the moon at zenith in Southampton. The halo, appearing white and about half a degree wide, was likely caused by reflection from ice crystals.

A Moon-Pillar? (February 23, 1951)

W. M. Witchell describes a curious sky phenomenon at moonrise in Abinger, Surrey, appearing as a reddish band extending vertically upward from the moon's disc, resembling "hair standing on end." He wonders if it could be the moonlight counterpart of a sun-pillar and seeks reader experiences.

Cobwebs or Flying Saucers? (September 26, 1943)

P. R. Bishop recounts a colleague's observation of objects resembling "flying saucers" over Port Hope, Ontario. Upon closer examination with field glasses, these were identified as large masses of "cobwebs," possibly with thistledown, reflecting sunlight and appearing spherical. The author suggests this could explain some "flying saucer" scares, as prevailing winds could carry such webs from other regions.

Supposed Meteorite (June 17)

Mr. Thoning Bassnett of Ottawa, Illinois, submitted specimens of "scoria" described as falling in a V-shape during a storm. The material, described as volcanic bombs, was warm to the touch and left a scorched appearance on the ground. The article notes that the Illinois scoria is unlike any meteorite and suggests a terrestrial origin, contrasting it with a reported "lava" fall in Mississippi.

Remarkable Display of Phosphorescence

Mr. A. A. Carnegie, an officer on the ss. Patrick Stewart, describes an electric phenomenon in the Gulf of Oman involving "light shafts" of brilliant light sweeping across the ship at high speed. These bars of light, about twenty feet apart, were dazzling and appeared to pass through the ship without effect. The phenomenon lasted about an hour. A similar display was observed by Mr. W. S. Hoseason.

Display of Phosphorescence (March 14, 1907)

Mr. S. C. Patterson, second officer on the P. & O. s.s. Della, reports shafts of pale yellow light moving rapidly over the surface of the water in the Malacca Strait. These appeared as spokes of a wheel, about 300 yards long, moving faster than a quick-flashing electric light. The phenomenon lasted about half an hour.

Remarkable Optical Phenomenon (Late June 1855)

S. Alexander relates an account from a lady who observed a "peculiarly weird and hazy condition of the atmosphere" with a commingling of rainbow hues. Innumerable balls of decomposed light, uniform in size and appearance, were seen in the sky, on the earth, and on trees. This phenomenon, confined to the region around the sun, lasted about twenty minutes.

Commentary on Ball Lightning and Optical Phenomena

Several individuals, including Mr. Symons, Mr. Whipple, Rev. W. Clement Ley, Mr. Munro, Mr. Waring, and Capt. Thomson, discuss their experiences and skepticism regarding ball lightning and other electrical phenomena. They describe observations of globular lightning, electrical discharges in rarefied air taking the form of discs, and St. Elmo's fire. The discussion touches on the speed of lightning, the possibility of optical illusions, and the scientific understanding of electrical discharges.

"Flying Saucer" Phenomena

By Otto O. Binder, this article proposes the formation of a "World Society of Flying Saucers" to search for answers to the "greatest aeronautical mystery." It references Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting near Mount Rainier, which inadvertently coined the term "flying saucers." The article notes the rapid proliferation of sightings and the U.S. Air Force's investigation, which concluded that no earthly technology could have created the reported vehicles. The term UFO (Unidentified Flying Objects) became official, with the ATIC processing reports. The article questions the validity of UFO sightings, citing Colonel Lawrence J. Tacker's book "Flying Saucers and the U.S. Air Force," which attributes most sightings to illusions or peculiar weather conditions. It also highlights the lack of agreement among UFOlogists regarding craft characteristics and the absence of confirmed UFO photographs.

Scientific Explanations for UFO Sightings

The article details how the ATIC explains a large proportion of UFO reports. These include illusions caused by temperature inversions, where warm air layers refract light-rays, making distant objects appear to hang in the sky. Examples cited are the "Washington Attack" in 1952, where temperature inversions and electrical/magnetic conditions created phantom radar blips and visual sightings. Other explanations include Venus, Mars, Jupiter, or Sirius appearing as bright objects, radio towers creating illusions, and large weather balloons. The article emphasizes that even radar can be fooled by atmospheric conditions.

Challenges to the UFO Theory

The article presents several points challenging the extraterrestrial origin of UFOs:

1. Lack of Contact: If other-world civilizations are visiting Earth, why haven't they made direct contact with authorities?
2. Astronomical Observation: No astronomer has reported seeing a UFO through a telescope, and no photographic plates from observatories have captured such craft.
3. Photographic Evidence: No ordinary camera has obtained a genuine UFO photograph; alleged photos are often hoaxes or distortions.
4. UFOlogist Disagreement: UFOlogists lack consensus on fundamental details like craft shape, size, speed, or propulsion.

The article acknowledges the possibility of interplanetary ships but notes that Dr. Otto Struve finds the reported UFO phenomena unconvincing for an extraterrestrial hypothesis.

Myth Makers

This section discusses the phenomenon of UFOlogists themselves, suggesting that belief in flying saucers is a modern myth, akin to earlier beliefs in gods, ghosts, or witchcraft. Dr. Carl G. Jung is cited as viewing this as a subconscious wish for a "father-image" or "savior" in uncertain times, with aliens often depicted as benevolent beings.

Psychological Factors in UFO Sightings

The article notes a correlation between increased UFO sightings and periods of public anxiety or technological advancement, such as the "Washington Attack" and the launch of Sputnik. It suggests that fear and public imagination contribute to sightings, with some traced to orbiting satellites.

Quarterly Comments

This section features critical commentary on the "Gulf Breeze" photographs. Dr. Robert Nathan expresses discomfort, suspecting double exposures and cut-and-paste techniques. Dr. Bruce Maccabee, however, claims to have analyzed photographic evidence, including stereo photos, and found no evidence to refute the sighting reports, suggesting the crafts are not from Earth unless operated by an unknown human race. The comments also include a letter from Dr. Richard F. Haines to Dr. Maccabee, requesting access to photos for analysis, and a letter to Dr. Maccabee from Robert D. Boyd questioning the potential for independent analysis and the handling of profits if a book were published. Willy Smith is mentioned for his critique of Dr. Maccabee's work.

Results from UFO Cover-up Telephone Poll

A telephone poll regarding the "UFO Cover-up" broadcast shows that 20% had no experience with UFOs, 66% reported CE-1 (Close Encounter of the First Kind), 5% reported CE-2, 3% reported CE-3, and 6% reported CE-4.

FAQ

• Question: What is the general consensus on the percentage of UFO reports that can be explained? Answer: Experience has shown that about 85 percent of UFO reports can be explained, with investigators prioritizing the rigorous weeding out of identified flying objects (IFOs).
• Question: What are some common explanations for UFO sightings mentioned in the magazine? Answer: Common explanations include temperature inversions, the planet Venus, weather balloons, meteors (bolides), and optical illusions caused by atmospheric conditions or light refraction.
• Question: What is the U.S. Air Force's stance on UFO sightings? Answer: The U.S. Air Force, through the ATIC, has investigated UFO reports and attributes the vast majority to illusions or familiar objects seen in distorted forms, with about 2 percent remaining in 'unexplained' files.
• Question: What is the significance of the Gulf Breeze photographs discussed in the magazine? Answer: The Gulf Breeze photographs are discussed in the context of scientific analysis, with Dr. Robert Nathan expressing skepticism about their authenticity due to potential double exposures, while Dr. Bruce Maccabee found no evidence to refute their genuineness.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards sensationalized claims, emphasizing scientific rigor, evidence-based analysis, and the debunking of misidentifications. While acknowledging the existence of unexplained cases, the magazine leans towards terrestrial or natural explanations for most sightings, contrasting this with the beliefs of UFOlogists. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of careful investigation and the scientific method in understanding aerial phenomena. The coverage of the Gulf Breeze case highlights the ongoing debate between proponents and skeptics within the ufology community.