Orbiter - No 30 - 1991

Magazine Overview

Title: ORBITER
Issue: #30
Date: May/June 1991
Publisher: The New England Aerial Phenomena Report
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Orbiter focuses on re-evaluating well-known UFO cases and critiquing photographic evidence, alongside a nostalgic look at a classic sighting.

Articles and Features

Blue Book Pearls: Seven Islands, Labrador (By Dr. Willy Smith)

This article scrutinizes the 1954 BOAC airliner sighting near Sept Isles, Quebec. Dr. Smith challenges the official Blue Book evaluation, which attributed the sighting to a mirage of the planet Mars. He points out discrepancies in the case summary card's date and time, tracing the error to a rewritten card. Smith argues that the conditions and the moving nature of the aircraft make a mirage unlikely and suggests that the Blue Book researchers, particularly Gordon D. Thayer, did not adequately verify the 'Mars hypothesis.' Thayer's conclusion that the sighting was a 'rare, almost certainly natural phenomenon' is presented as a way to dismiss the case without thorough investigation. The article references the Condon Report and the Blue Book Project Files.

Photo #19: In Question Again (By Barbara Becker)

This piece re-examines the infamous Ed Walters 'road shot' from Gulf Breeze, Florida, analyzing claims made by Bruce Maccabee, Ph.D. Barbara Becker refutes Maccabee's reanalysis, which sought to validate the photo by positioning the UFO further away. Becker highlights that Maccabee's calculations rely on specific sighting-line figures and camera height estimates. A survey commissioned by MUFON on the actual location of the photo revealed that the original measurements for the road's edge were significantly off. Plugging these new figures into Maccabee's own formula results in a camera height of 8.9 feet, which is inconsistent with the perspective from a truck's dashboard (estimated at 5.4 feet). Becker concludes that even with survey data considering a slight slope, the new camera height figure does not fall within the 'reasonable' range proposed by Maccabee.

More Gulf Breeze critique; Open Letter from Zan Overall to Bruce Maccabee

This section contains an open letter from Zan Overall to Dr. Bruce Maccabee, dated May 22, 1991. The author criticizes Maccabee's presentation at a MUFON convention regarding a 'Gulf Breeze update,' specifically addressing the 'ghost-demon photo.' The letter asserts that Maccabee's argument, based on the premise that this photo was taken third at a seance, is false. The author references previous exchanges in the MUFON UFO Journal and claims their own letter had invalidated the attacks made by Maccabee and Ed Walters. The letter requests that Maccabee rectify his 'misstatements' and 'misleading' audience in his Chicago talk. Enclosures mentioned include Walters' letter, the author's letter, and corrections to errata in a paper titled 'Gulf Breeze Double Exposed (GBDE),' along with references to Peter Neumann's testimony about Ed Walters' familiarity with double exposure techniques.

In the Nostalgia Department: Burned by a Flying Saucer (By Marta Robinet)

This article revisits the August 19, 1952, encounter of Sonny Des Vergers, a scoutmaster from West Palm Beach, Florida. Des Vergers claimed to have entered a palmetto forest to investigate strange lights and encountered a dome-shaped craft hovering above the ground. He described a ball of fire with sparks emerging from an opening in the craft, which enveloped him, causing burns to his arms and clothing. The article includes interviews with Deputy Sheriff Mott Partin, who was present when Des Vergers emerged from the woods, and Bobby Ruffing, one of the Boy Scouts who was with Des Vergers. Partin attests to Des Vergers' distressed state and the burns on his arms. Des Vergers himself recounts the experience, describing the heat, the lack of stars, the appearance of the craft's surface, and a 'living creature' within. He expresses a desire to be believed despite the unusual nature of his story. The article concludes with the author's faith in the integrity of Des Vergers, Partin, and Ruffing.

From The Letter Box

This section features correspondence from Carol and Rex Salisberry, who are investigating the reopened Gulf Breeze events. They express skepticism about the authenticity of the photos, citing 'fatal flaws.' They also address claims that they are government agents, demanding proof. The Salisberrys detail their experience sending a letter to the MUFON Journal outlining data disproving the Walters case, which they believed would not be printed but was later confirmed for publication. They note that local MUFON members are reporting 'red light' sightings, some of which they previously determined to be hoaxes, while others seemed legitimate. They observe that these lights began appearing around the time Walters' book was released and sometimes coincide with the presence of Hank Boland or visiting TV crews, leading many locals to believe the Walters case is a hoax. A partial letter from the Salisberrys to Dennis Stacy (Editor, MUFON Journal) dated April 1, 1991, is included, detailing their conclusion that the Walters photos were likely faked, based on their analysis of photos #14 and #19 and major discrepancies between Maccabee's analysis and Walters' account.

Other Sections

• P. #2: From The Letter Box (as detailed above).
• P. #3: Blue Book Pearls (as detailed above).
• P. #4: Photo #19. In Question Again (as detailed above).
• P. #6: More Gulf Breeze critique; Open Letter (as detailed above).
• P. #7: In the Nostalgia Department (as detailed above).
• P. #10: Orbiter Book List - A sale of UFO-related books, including titles on abductions, ancient astronauts, and specific cases like Roswell and the Bermuda Triangle.
• P. #12: Comment on letter section of The Boston Herald.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of Orbiter appears to be one of critical inquiry and skepticism towards official explanations of UFO phenomena, particularly concerning photographic evidence and historical cases. The magazine actively encourages re-examination and challenges established narratives, as seen in the detailed critiques of the Gulf Breeze photos and the Blue Book evaluation of the Labrador sighting. There is a clear emphasis on rigorous analysis and a willingness to expose potential flaws or hoaxes in UFO cases. The inclusion of an 'Open Letter' and 'From The Letter Box' suggests a platform for debate and the airing of dissenting opinions within the UFO research community. The 'Nostalgia Department' indicates an interest in preserving and re-examining classic UFO accounts from earlier decades.

Title: UFO Magazine
Issue: Vol. 4, #32
Date: 1989
Price: $2.00
Publisher: Jim Melesciuc
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of UFO Magazine, dated 1989, primarily serves as an extensive catalog of books and articles related to UFOs, ancient astronauts, and various unexplained phenomena. The content is largely a listing of available publications, detailing authors, formats (paperback, hardcover, softcover), and prices, with some international indicators (G for US, E for English, F for French, PR for Portuguese).

Featured Publications and Authors

The magazine lists a wide array of titles, including:

• "Beyond Earth; Man's Contact With UFOs" by Ralph & Judy Blum
• "The Truth About Flying Saucers" by Aime Michel
• "Flying Saucers The Startling Evidence of the Invasion from Outer Space" by Coral Lorenzen
• "Extraterrestrial Visitations from Prehistoric Times to the Present" by Jacques Bergier (focusing on ancient astronauts)
• "Chariots of the Gods" by Erich Von Daniken (ancient astronauts)
• "Flying Saucers Uncensored" by Harold Wilkins
• "Behind The Flying Saucer Mystery" by George Adamski
• "Flying Saucers Here And Now!" by Frank Edwards
• "The Outer Space Connection" by Alan & Sally Landsburg (ancient astronauts)
• "The UFO Report" by Irving Greenfield
• "The Philadelphia Experiment" by Moore/Berlitz
• "Let's Hope They're Friendly!" (Study on the Kaikoura footage) by Quentin Fogarty, from New Zealand
• "This Baffling World" (mysteries) by John Godwin
• "In Search of Ancient Mysteries" by Alan & Sally Landsburg (ancient astronauts)
• "The Uninvited: True Tales of the Unknown" by Sharon Jarvis
• "The Gold of the Gods" by Erich Von Daniken (ancient astronauts)
• "The Astronomical Significance of Stonehenge" by C.A. Newham
• A "Readers Digest Article" from August 1987 titled "What's Behind The UFO Mania"
• "The Cosmic Connection" by Carl Sagan
• "We Ar Not Alone" (SETI) by Walter Sullivan
• "Harmonic 33" by Captain Bruce Cathie (New Zealand)
• "Limbo of the Lost" by John Wallace Spencer
• "Somebody Else Is On The Moon" by George H. Leonard
• "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (novel) by Steven Spielberg

Additional listings include "Science Digest magazine" with a SETI article, and "The Skeptic Inquirer" (Spring 1985).

Astronomy and Science Articles

Beyond UFOs, the magazine also lists books on astronomy and related scientific topics:

• "In The Center of Immensities" by Bernard Lowell
• "Quasars, Pulsars, and Black Holes" by Frederick Golden
• "In Quest of Quasars" by Ben Bova
• "MYTHS Of The Space Age" by Daniel Cohen
• "The First Three Minutes" by Steven Weinberg
• "The World's First Spaceship SHUTTLE" by Robert Powers
• "The Alien Agenda" by Clifford Wilson
• "Unidentified Flying Objects" by Gene & Clare Gurney
• "UFOs Over The Americas" by Jim & Coral Lorenzen
• "Report On Planet Three" by Arthur C. Clarke
• "Sea Monsters" (A collection of Eyewitness Accounts) by James B. Sweeney

Newsclipping and Editorial Comment

A significant portion of the second page features a newsclipping from the "Boston Herald" with the headline "What next? 'Tot snatched by aliens'?". This is followed by a letter from a reader, S. C. Gallo of Dorchester, who criticizes the Herald for sensationalized journalism, using an example of a story about a doctor arrested for hiring a prostitute and the subsequent fears about AIDS transmission. Gallo argues that the paper prioritizes sensational headlines over factual reporting, suggesting that the Herald might resort to stories about UFOs, reincarnation, or miraculous diets if there's nothing else to print.

The "Ed. comment" section directly addresses Gallo's letter, agreeing with the reader's assessment. The editor notes that "unproven sensational claims" quickly capture headlines, while factual data is relegated to the background. This comment highlights a perceived trend in media to prioritize sensationalism over substance, a theme that resonates with the magazine's focus on UFOs and unexplained phenomena.

"Now You Know!" Section

A brief section titled "NOW YOU KNOW!" provides a scientific explanation for why planets appear to move rapidly among the stars (because they are nearer to us) and discusses stellar motion. It notes that stars move at tremendous speeds, but their vast distance makes their motion imperceptible within a human lifetime. The section concludes by stating that the nearest star is approximately 7,000 times farther away than the most distant planet.

Ordering Information

Instructions are provided for purchasing books, stating that all prices include shipping and handling costs. Payments via checks or money orders should be made payable to Jim Melesciuc and sent to P.O. Box #652, Reading, MA. 01867, USA.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the exploration and cataloging of literature related to UFOs and the ancient astronaut theory. The inclusion of the newsclipping and editorial comment suggests a critical stance towards mainstream media's handling of sensational topics, implying that the magazine itself aims to provide a more dedicated platform for such subjects, even while acknowledging the media's tendency to prioritize sensationalism. The magazine appears to curate and offer resources for enthusiasts interested in these fringe topics, while also commenting on the broader media landscape's approach to extraordinary claims.