Orbiter - No 32 - 1991

Magazine Overview

Title: ORBITER
Issue: #32
Date: September/October 1991
Publisher: The New England Aerial Phenomena Report
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of ORBITER magazine delves into several intriguing topics within the realm of unexplained phenomena, with a strong focus on space-related sightings and terrestrial UFO cases.

Phobos 2 & Marina Popovich's UFO?

The lead article, "PHOBOS 2 & MARINA POPOVICH'S UFO?" by Jim Melesciuc, examines the sensational claims made by Dr. Marina Popovich, a retired Soviet Air Force Colonel, on the CBS television program "Hard Copy." Popovich stated that during the 1989 mission of the Soviet probes to Mars, the Phobos 2 probe, shortly before it vanished, photographed a massive, cigar-shaped object approximately 25 kilometers long and 1.5 kilometers wide, near the Martian moon Phobos. The article includes a quote from Popovich describing the object. The accompanying photograph is sourced from "Sky & Telescope" (February 1990).

Melesciuc contrasts Popovich's account with the findings of Roald Z. Sagdeev, scientific director of the Phobos mission. Sagdeev's interview in the Soviet science journal "Priroda" suggests that the loss of both Phobos spacecraft was almost a certainty due to design flaws and a rushed development timeline, with insufficient time (less than 3.5 years) to complete the project, which ideally requires 6-7 years. Sagdeev attributes the demise to various defects and low survivability, noting the loss of radio link occurred when the spacecraft turned to photograph Phobos.

The article further scrutinizes Popovich's UFO claim, suggesting a conventional explanation might exist. It posits that the "cigar-shaped object" seen in the images could be artifacts caused by the Termoskan scanning method used by the probe, particularly visible on the right side of the images. The author expresses regret over the apparent lack of research and objectivity in Popovich's claims, especially given her alleged contacts in the Soviet Politburo and knowledge of discussions between Presidents Bush and Gorbachev at the Malta Summit.

Commentary: Winter Looms

Barry Greenwood's commentary, "WINTER LOOMS," offers a somber reflection on the current state of UFO research. He expresses disappointment that after nearly thirty years of dedicated study, the field seems to have deteriorated, with the initial promise of breakthrough and discovery fading. Greenwood criticizes the tendency within UFO research to pursue misdirected causes, prioritize short-term gain over careful fact-seeking, and settle for sensational or immediate answers rather than rigorously investigating facts. He highlights the inherent difficulty in UFO research due to the lack of concrete information, leading to reliance on assumptions, which he argues have often been disproven. Greenwood laments that many have not learned from past mistakes, readily accepting new, sensational claims without sufficient evidence, contributing to a societal hunger for the novel and different. He also notes the influx of alleged government documents accepted uncritically by self-styled "authorities" who are not held accountable for verifying their sources. Greenwood concludes by likening the current state of UFO research to leaves falling in autumn, signaling a coming "winter" for the field.

From The Letter Box: Crop Circle Revelations

Christopher D. Allan, a British researcher, reports on recent developments concerning the crop circle phenomenon. He reveals that two men, aged about 60, have confessed to hoaxing a large number of crop circles, starting in 1978. They claim to have created around 250 circles using planks, ropes, and torches, primarily during summer nights in the Hampshire region, specifically mentioning Cheesefoot Head. Allan notes the anger and defensiveness from some "experts" in the field, including one who suggested the hoaxers were "disinformation agents." He points out that the confession does not account for all crop circles, leaving the vortex theory still potentially valid, but acknowledges the embarrassment caused to those who had previously promoted other explanations. The confessors, Douglas Bower and David Chorley, are reportedly planning to visit the US.

Now You Know!

A brief meteorological note mentions an extreme temperature fluctuation in Spearfish, S.D., on January 22, 1943, where the temperature rose 49 degrees in two minutes and then fell 58 degrees within two hours.

Blue Book Pearls: Ft. Monmouth, NJ.

Dr. Willy Smith provides an analysis of the September 10, 1951, Fort Monmouth, NJ, UFO sighting, which was officially explained as a balloon in the Blue Book files. Smith, a scientist with the UNICAT Project, argues that the official explanation is untenable. The incident involved two Air Force officers, 1st Lt. Wilbert S. Rogers and Major Ezra Ballard, flying a T-33 trainer jet. They reported observing a fast-moving object below their altitude, which descended, flew southwest, and then executed a port turn towards the sea. The object was described as descending and then moving at high speed (up to 550 MPH).

Smith details how the Air Force attempted to explain the sighting as two balloons launched from Evans Signal Laboratory. However, he presents evidence from the Blue Book microfilm files that contradicts this. The balloons, launched at 11:12 AM, would have reached a bursting altitude of 104,000 ft. The observed object, however, was at a much lower altitude (5000-8000 ft) and descended, which balloons do not do. Furthermore, the object's speed and behavior were inconsistent with a balloon. Smith also refutes a speculative paper suggesting the pilots' track was imprecise, highlighting that the observation occurred in daylight, the pilots could determine the object's position against the background, and their description differed significantly from a balloon.

The article also touches upon the leak of this case to the press, noting that the pilots' conversation was overheard by a van driver. Reporter Dick Aurelio of NEWSDAY broke the story, leading to an Air Force investigation into the leak, which involved an interrogation of Major John Barnard Barron, the public information officer. Barron signed a statement distancing himself from any suggestion that the pilots saw a flying saucer.

Further 'Gulf Breeze' Critique & Observations

Dr. Bruce Maccabee contributes his observations and critiques regarding the Gulf Breeze sightings. He notes that since his previous letter, approximately 50 more sightings have occurred. Maccabee himself witnessed an unexplained array of lights over Gulf Breeze on September 16, 1991, consisting of 8 or 9 incandescent-white lights forming an ellipse. This sighting, lasting about 70 seconds, was observed by 34 witnesses, some of whom took photographs and videotapes. Triangulation estimates placed the object at 2,000-4,000 feet away, 1,000-3,000 feet high, and 4-8 feet in diameter.

He also mentions the reappearance of the "red light" type of UFO on September 20 and 22, a phenomenon previously reported and documented by Gulf Breeze witnesses. Maccabee discusses the difficulty in explaining these sightings, considering possibilities of a massive, well-funded hoax intended to discredit UFO research or, alternatively, a new phase of UFO activity that is gradually building observational proof.

Fireball Reports

This section compiles reports from the Global Volcanism Network, detailing several fireball sightings across the USA. These include observations from Southern California on May 1, 1991, where multiple residents witnessed a bright fireball described with varying colors (blue, greenish-blue) and fragmentation. Other reports cover sightings in Virginia (November 24, 1990), Ohio (March 17, 1991), Michigan (April 18, 1991), and Texas (May 4, 1991). The Texas sighting was videotaped, and the North American Air Defense Command confirmed no man-made space debris was expected to enter the atmosphere at that time and location.

Orbiter Book List

The issue concludes with a "BOOK SALE" section, listing various books related to UFOs, abductions, ancient astronauts, and related topics, with prices and conditions indicated. Titles include "The Roswell Incident," "The Andreasson Affair," "Communion," "Mankind/Child Of The Stars," "Project Bluebook," "Majestic," and works by authors like Whitley Strieber, Budd Hopkins, and Jacques Vallee.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO claims, the distinction between evidence-based research and sensationalism, and the persistent mystery of unidentified aerial phenomena. The magazine appears to maintain a stance that encourages skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, particularly those that align with preconceived notions or lack rigorous factual support. There is a clear emphasis on analyzing official reports (like Project Blue Book) and contrasting them with witness testimony, often questioning official explanations when evidence suggests otherwise. The issue also touches upon the possibility of hoaxes and disinformation within the UFO community, while still acknowledging the potential for genuine, unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance, as reflected in the commentary and analyses, favors a cautious, evidence-driven approach to understanding UFOs.

This document is page 11 and 12 of a publication identified as "UFO Magazine", Volume 4, Issue #2, dated 1989. The primary content consists of a catalog of books and articles related to UFOs, ancient astronauts, astronomy, and various mysteries, along with their prices and authors. The magazine is published in the USA, and the listed prices include shipping and handling costs.

Catalog of Books and Articles

The catalog is extensive, featuring a wide range of titles and authors. Several entries focus on "ancient astronauts," including works by Erich Von Daniken ("Chariots of the Gods", "The Gold of the Gods"), Jacques Bergier ("Extraterrestrial Visitations from Prehistoric Times to the Present"), and Andrew Tomas ("The Home Of The Gods").

UFO-related titles are abundant, such as "UFOs The Whole Story" by Coral & Jim Lorenzen, "The Truth About Flying Saucers" by Aime Michel, "Flying Saucers The Startling Evidence of the Invasion from Outer Space" by Coral Lorenzen, "Flying Saucers Uncensored" by Harold Wilkins, and "Behind The Flying Saucer Mystery" by George Adamski. "Unidentified Flying Objects" by Gene & Clare Gurney and "Report On Unidentified Flying Objects" by Edward J. Ruppelt are also listed.

Astronomy is represented by titles like "The First Three Minutes" by Steven Weinberg, "In The Center of Immensities" by Bernard Lowell, "Quasars, Pulsars, and Black Holes" by Frederick Golden, and "In Quest of Quasars" by Ben Bova.

Other notable categories include mysteries and unexplained phenomena, with books like "The Philadelphia Experiment" by Moore/ Berlitz, "The Bermuda Triangle" by Charles Berlitz, "Stranger Than Science" by Frank Edwards, "The World's Strangest Mysteries" by Rupert Furneaux, and "The Uninvited: True Tales of the Unknown" by Sharon Jarvis.

Several magazine articles are also referenced, including a SETI article from "Science Digest magazine," an article on UFO Mania from "Readers Digest" (August 1987), and content from "The Skeptic Inquirer" (Spring 1985).

Special Mentions and Trivia

The catalog includes a "Did You Know" section with a trivia fact: "The noisiest animals are the howling monkeys of Central and South America, whose screams can be heard up to 10 miles away." This fact is attributed to UPI.

Ordering Information

For all purchases, checks or money orders are to be made payable to Jim Melesciuc, with the mailing address provided as P.O. Box #652, Reading, MA. 01867, USA. The note "All Sales Final" is also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are overwhelmingly focused on UFO phenomena, ancient astronaut theories, and unexplained mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of cataloging and presenting a wide array of literature on these subjects, catering to an audience interested in paranormal and extraterrestrial topics. The inclusion of "The Skeptic Inquirer" suggests a potential, albeit limited, engagement with skeptical viewpoints, though the bulk of the listings lean towards the sensational and unexplained.