Orbiter - No 22 - 1990

Magazine Overview

Title: ORBITER
Issue: #22
Date: January/February 1990
Publisher: The New England Aerial Phenomena Report

This issue of "Orbiter" is presented with a prominent hammer and sickle graphic, signaling its focus on Soviet UFOlogy and related phenomena. The editor notes that while the magazine hasn't relocated to Moscow, the content reflects a concerted effort by Soviet Ufologists to share data with researchers in the Western Hemisphere. The issue highlights surprising similarities in how both the US and USSR have dealt with UFO phenomena, including reports of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (CE-3) dating back to the early 1970s and 1980s, suggesting that recent reports from the Soviet press were not entirely new but part of a broader "glasnost" in reporting.

Key Articles and Features

In This Issue

The editorial introduction sets the stage for a 20-page issue with a majority of material contributed from or related to "Soviet Ufology." It points out the shared characteristics in UFO reporting and investigation between the US and USSR, and mentions that CE-3 encounters were reported in the USSR as far back as the early 1970s and 1980s. The editor suggests that the surge in reports from the Soviet press in October 1989 was a result of increased openness ("glasnost").

Communiques and Bits n' Pieces (Page #2)

This section covers upcoming UFO conferences, including the fourth European Rencontres de Lyon UFO congress in France (April 27-29, 1990) and the 1990 Ozark UFO Conference in Eureka Springs, Arkansas (April 6-8, 1990). It also details the "First Great UFO/ ET/ Humanoids/ Visitors/ Alien & Abduction Congress!" organized by the Central NJ & PA. UFO Study Group and the UFO Book Club in Bordertown, NJ (March 31-April 1, 1990), listing numerous speakers and topics.

It Came From The USSR (Page #5)

This article revisits the UFO incident reported in Voronezh, USSR, on October 9th. Tass reported an unspecified number of tall, human-like creatures with small heads and a midget robot landing a "banana shaped object." The incident allegedly involved the creatures terrorizing local youths. Scientists reportedly found rocks at the site composed of an unknown substance. The article notes that the "Voronezh hysteria" led to a flurry of other Soviet UFO reports, with the "Komsomolskaya Pravda" publishing an account of a meeting between a Soviet journalist and aliens. However, the Voronezh story eventually fizzled when it emerged that only a few teens, not "many witnesses," had seen the anomalies, and the mystery rocks were identified as hematite. The author contrasts the Soviet media's handling of the story with the US media's "field day," attributing the US reaction partly to the Soviet press's unusual willingness to report on UFOs. The article also touches on the US closing its UFO studies in 1969 while the USSR appears to be opening up, suggesting potential for unique groups merging Soviet fringe thinking with bureaucracy. It mentions the formation of a UFO research group under Vladimir Azhazha and the Commission for the Investigation of Anomalous Atmospheric Phenomena, highlighting the Soviet government's encouragement of citizen interest in UFOs. NASA engineer James Oberg is quoted suggesting that the government's handling of sightings, particularly by not explaining twilight launches of spy satellites, contributes to the public's interest in flying saucers.

Paranormal Phenomena: Facts and Fiction (Page #6)

Authored by Yu. Platov, B. Feshin, & S. Chernous, this article delves into the visual effects associated with rocket launchings, suggesting that many reported paranormal phenomena sightings are related to these events. It explains the mechanisms behind rocket engines and the optical effects they produce, such as flames, exhaust jets, and the scattering of sunlight by gas-and-dust clouds at dusk. The article argues that these effects, often occurring at high altitudes, can create dramatic visual displays that are misinterpreted as UFOs. It provides detailed explanations of how rocket exhaust can form large, luminous clouds, sometimes resembling "jelly-fish" shapes, and how these can be visible from great distances. The authors present data and analysis, including photographic evidence, to support their claim that phenomena like the "Petrozavodsk phenomenon" were likely caused by rocket launches, specifically the ESV Cosmos 955 satellite.

Fireball Reports (Page #10)

This section compiles a list of fireball sightings from various locations in the USA (Arizona, Florida, New Hampshire, California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts) and England. Each report includes the date, time, observer, location, path, duration, magnitude, color, trail characteristics, and termination of the sighting.

Time To Study The Facts (Page #12)

This article, a reproduction of a Sputnik article from October 1989 by Mark Milchiker, likely discusses the need for a more factual approach to studying UFO phenomena, possibly in light of the Soviet reports and the "glasnost" in reporting.

Information from Darush Bagheri (Page #14)

This section presents information from Darush Bagheri, Director of Possible Relation Review, concerning UFO research in Iran. The letter is printed "as is," detailing the overall view of UFO phenomena in Iran.

UFOCAT Post-Mortem, A Critique & UNICAT Spinoff (Page #18 & #20)

Authored by Dr. Willy Smith, these articles likely offer a critical assessment of the UFOCAT database and potentially introduce or discuss the UNICAT system, possibly related to UFO cataloging and analysis.

A Bit of Critique On Lazar (Page #4)

This article critically examines speculative stories originating from Robert Lazar, an associate of John Lear, concerning joint alien/US government hi-tech projects at Groom Lake, Nevada. It highlights contradictions in Lazar's statements, particularly regarding the origin of a "Sport Model" saucer and its capabilities, questioning his historical research and the consistency of his claims about hyper-light capabilities versus the speed of light.

MJ-12 Update (Page #4)

CAUS researcher Robert Todd is presented as having found further evidence that could implicate William L. Moore as the forger of the MJ-12 documents. Todd's findings suggest that the type style used for Moore's return address stamp is identical to the classification markings on the alleged Eisenhower briefing paper and the Truman-Forrestal memo, indicating the use of a rubber stamp assembled from a kit.

To Catch A Flying Star (Page #4)

This is an advertisement for a book titled "To Catch A Flying Star, A Scientific Theory of UFOs" by John Ackerman, an aerospace physicist. The book reportedly proposes that UFOs are alien spacecraft and constructs a theory of their flight using the scientific method.

Radio & T.V. Log (Page #4)

This section lists recent UFO-related segments aired on television shows like "Hard Copy," "Unsolved Mysteries," and "Current Affair," as well as a mention of Paul Harvey's announcement of "UFO abduction insurance."

Flights@Fancy (Page #5)

This section contains the article "It Came From the U.S.S.R." discussed earlier.

Radio & T.V. Log (Page #4)

This section lists recent UFO-related segments aired on television shows like "Hard Copy," "Unsolved Mysteries," and "Current Affair," as well as a mention of Paul Harvey's announcement of "UFO abduction insurance."

Attention Abductees!! (Page #3)

This brief item notes that radio broadcaster Paul Harvey announced the sale of "UFO abduction insurance policies" at $9.95 each, with over a thousand policies reportedly sold.

Hungarian UFO Report (Page #3)

A report from the "Science Frontiers" publication is cited, detailing a sighting of four large, bright orange unidentified flying objects by meteorologists and military pilots in Papa, Hungary, on November 25th. The objects were described as spherical and 50-100 yards wide, with one flying at an extremely high speed. A military pilot investigated and located the objects at an altitude of around four miles before they disappeared.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Orbiter" include the burgeoning field of Soviet UFOlogy and its potential impact on global UFO research, the scientific explanation of alleged paranormal phenomena through natural causes (specifically rocket launches), critical analysis of UFO documentation and research databases (like MJ-12 and UFOCAT), and the reporting of specific UFO sightings and related events. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking factual explanations for phenomena while acknowledging the growing interest and openness in UFO reporting, particularly from the Soviet Union. There's a clear emphasis on distinguishing between scientifically verifiable events and speculative or hoaxed claims.

This document, titled 'Fireball Reports Cont'', appears to be a section of a larger publication focusing on UFO and fireball sightings, along with analytical discussions. It includes a series of dated reports from various global locations, detailing specific observations of fireballs and unidentified flying objects (UFOs). Interspersed with these reports are analytical articles and critiques concerning the study of UFO phenomena, data cataloging, and the potential for extraterrestrial contact.

Fireball Reports

The issue begins with a compilation of fireball reports. These include:

• East Germany, April 8, 2037: Observers Dieter Ewald and Tino Maj reported a bluish-white and red fireball of magnitude -8 to -10, lasting 3-4 seconds, terminating by fragmentation.
• Hungary, August 6, 2003: Observer Gabor Glasz reported a yellowish-white fireball of magnitude -8, lasting 5 seconds and fragmenting.
• Austria, September 8, 2035: Observer Wilfred Heise reported a blue fireball of magnitude -8, lasting 3-4 seconds with a 22-second trail.
• E of Brazil, May 26, 2037: The crew of Swissair SR 144 observed a dazzling magnitude fireball for 2 seconds.
• Pacific Ocean, June 20, 2037: Observer F/O A.J. Scott of Quantas Flight QF 18 reported a white fireball of dazzling magnitude for 4-5 seconds, fragmenting into many pieces.
• Czechoslovakia, May 26, 2350 GMT: A significant event involving a -12 maximum absolute magnitude fireball photographed by 5 Czech stations. It traveled 151 km in 3.8 seconds, terminating at a height of 56 km. Detailed data on velocity, height, latitude, longitude, absolute magnitude, and photomet. mass are provided.
• Japan, May 7, 1159 GMT (2059 JST): Observers Capt. T. Stauffer, F/O S.T. Turner, and F/E K. Tobler reported a silver-white fireball with orange sparks and a long afterglow, lasting 5 seconds.

UFO Reports from Iran

A section titled 'POSSIBLE RELATION REVIEW' by Darush Bagheri details UFO activity in Iran:

• September 18, 1976 (Tehran): Citizens contacted Mehrabad Airport tower control about an unidentified bright object. A fighter plane pilot followed it, reporting rapid changes in position, color, shape, and profile. The object went south of Tehran at 1 am, and at 2:30-4:00 am, it reportedly landed in the southern desert. The fighter pilot's radar system malfunctioned.
• February 1977 (Tehran): Another UFO moved from south to north of Tehran and was detected by a commercial pilot.
• June 15, 1978 (Tehran): A UFO was reported to N.I.R.T.V. and Mehrabad airport tower control, changing colors to pink, blue, yellow, and red.
• May 16, 1986 (Kihan): A bright object was seen above the western north Mountains of Tehran.
• May 15, 1986 (Tehran): A large bright object appeared about 3000 meters from the author's house, disappearing and reappearing, changing color from red, yellow, and white. It was speculated that the airforce might have mistaken it for an enemy plane.

The author notes that before the Islamic Revolution, UFO phenomena were discussed in newspapers and on TV, but after the revolution, the subject was largely forgotten and dismissed by the government as propaganda.

Analysis and Critique of UFO Data

TIME TO STUDY THE FACTS by Mark Milichiker

This article, written by a biophysicist, explores the views of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky on extraterrestrial civilizations. Tsiolkovsky believed that life is abundant in the universe and that intelligent beings could exist and make contact with humanity. Milichiker discusses the vast number of UFO reports collected globally and questions whether they should be dismissed as mere hallucinations. He highlights that Tsiolkovsky himself observed anomalous phenomena and believed in the presence of unknown intelligent forces.

The article also touches upon the possibility of contacts with 'ALO' (astra-levitating objects) and mentions the ICUFON organization. It references a statement by US President Reagan about pooling efforts with the Soviet Union to rebuff an extraterrestrial invasion, suggesting it might not have been a mere hyperbole. The author notes efforts to decipher ALO structure and technology and mentions Dr. Colman S. von Kevietzky's warnings about potential conflict with extraterrestrial civilizations.

Milichiker advocates for a scientific approach to studying UFO phenomena, moving beyond speculation to practical research. He emphasizes the need for integral methods, drawing on various scientific disciplines, and requires specialized laboratories for investigation.

UFOCAT POST-MORTEM: A Critique by Dr. Willy Smith

This article critically analyzes the UFOCAT system, a computerized catalog of UFO reports. Dr. Smith argues that UFOCAT's basic design flaw is that it catalogs sources of events rather than actual UFO cases. The system's entries are coded, requiring a complex code book, and many crucial details like witness credibility, terrain, and weather are not coded. The inclusion of Project Blue Book cases, which are largely considered 'IFOS' (identified flying objects), further diminishes UFOCAT's value as a source of genuine UFO cases.

Dr. Smith points out that UFOCAT's statistics, used in some literature, are unreliable due to issues like multiple entries for a single case and the lack of proper source referencing. He concludes that UFOCAT is impractical for average researchers and that a fresh approach, like the UNICAT Project, is necessary.

UNICAT SPINOFF: RE: UFO Cases in Hendry's Handbook

This section, also by the UNICAT Project (March 1989), further scrutinizes Allan Hendry's 'THE UFO HANDBOOK'. It analyzes Hendry's catalog of 1307 raw cases, noting that only 113 were classified as UFOs and 36 as exceptions. However, applying the more stringent criteria of the UNICAT Project, only 20 of these cases qualified as genuine UFOs, representing a significantly lower percentage (1.53%) than previously cited. The authors state that their analysis of other data samples also suggests a low percentage (1-2%) of good UFO cases.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this document are the reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena (fireballs and UFOs) and the critical analysis of how such data is collected, cataloged, and interpreted. There's a strong emphasis on the need for rigorous scientific investigation and a skepticism towards systems that prioritize quantity over quality of data, as exemplified by the critique of UFOCAT. The publication seems to advocate for a more serious and methodical approach to UFO research, acknowledging the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence while demanding evidence-based conclusions. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded scientific inquiry, critical of flawed methodologies but supportive of genuine research into anomalous phenomena.