Orbiter - No 34 - 1992

Magazine Overview

Title: ORBITER
Issue: #34
Date: January/February 1992
Publisher: The New England Aerial Phenomena Report

This issue of Orbiter magazine delves into several intriguing UFO and anomalous phenomena reports, with a strong focus on South American cases. The cover story, "Fort Itaipu (Brazil) Incident," by Jim Melesciuc, details a startling encounter from 1957.

Fort Itaipu (Brazil) Incident

The article by Jim Melesciuc recounts the experience of two sentries on duty at the army garrison at Itaipu, Brazil, on a moonless night in November 1957. They observed a bright orange light that was an object traveling towards them at high speed. The object abruptly reduced speed about a thousand feet above them and slowly drifted down, its "huge round bulk" casting an eerie orange glow. The object was described as disc-shaped and larger than a DC-3's wingspan. As it approached, a steady hum was heard, and a scorching heat enveloped the sentries, causing one to collapse and the other to seek shelter. The heat was so intense that their clothing felt like it was on fire. The incident caused widespread confusion and panic within the fort, leading to the failure of the emergency power generator. The lights went out and then came back on, and witnesses saw the orange light climbing vertically and soaring back toward the Atlantic Ocean. Both sentries suffered second and third-degree burns and were hospitalized. The fort commander reportedly issued orders forbidding discussion of the incident, and intelligence officers worked to silence witnesses.

Dr. Fontes, an M.D. and APRO representative, was contacted three weeks later by an army officer involved. Dr. Fontes' research, summarized in a paper titled "UFO Weapons-Comments On Technical Aspects Involved," suggests that UFOs possess capabilities to interfere with ignition systems, radio transmitters, receivers, electrical circuits, and generators, and can induce sensations of heat or paralysis.

Brazilian Spooklights

This section features an article by Cynthia Newby Luce, reproducing reports from 'Nature' and 'Monthly Weather Review' that detail biological and physiological effects of rare natural atmospheric anomalies, drawing parallels to the Fort Itaipu incident. Luce's personal account describes her experiences in a remote Brazilian mountain village with the "Mae de Ouro" (mother of gold) phenomenon. For at least 150 years, locals have reported seeing a light, usually yellow-orange and slightly smaller than a volley ball, making a slow pass across the hills. Luce first witnessed it in June 1980 with five witnesses. The light, described as having a wavering flight like a butterfly, passed about five feet off the ground and thirty feet away. Her gardener attempted to touch it, and the ball faded, then reappeared. She notes that the phenomenon seems to have intelligence. Her servants have also seen it numerous times. Luce mentions that the phenomenon has increased in frequency during a recent UFO flap. She is investigating whether geological factors, like iron veins in the granite rock, might influence its appearance.

UFOs With Occupants In Argentina

This extensive article by Dr. Roberto E. Banchs, with acknowledgments to Richard Heiden for translation, addresses the presence of strange animated entities of anthropomorphic appearance associated with unusual aerial objects in Argentina since 1949. Banchs emphasizes that these CE-III cases are crucial for understanding the UFO problem. He notes the difficulty in accepting such reports due to their strangeness, stressing the need for scientific verification. The article highlights the complexity of evaluating these reports, which often focus on the human percipient and their environment. Banchs proposes a patient and deep study of these reports, particularly those recorded in Argentina. The section includes a catalogue of 46 UFO reports with occupants compiled by Banchs in 1977, which served as a basis for future research. The criteria for inclusion involved visual observations of UFOs in conjunction with occupants, excluding cases where the humanoid presence was not directly related to the UFO sighting or where witnesses were anonymous or unconfirmed.

Bits 'N Pieces

This section provides a variety of updates and short reports:

• Triangles Over Belgium: Discusses the SOBEPS report on the Belgian UFO wave, specifically analyzing a videotape by Marcel Alfarano. The investigation suggests the lights seen might have been ordinary aircraft approaching Brussels Airport, as air traffic was frequent during that period. The article critiques the way some French magazines sensationalized the event.
• Crop Circles: Critiques the current cereological study movement, specifically Robert Moore's assertion in "Crop Circle: The Crash Of '91." Moore points out flaws in claims by Douglas Bower and others, noting that 'saucer-nests' or circular traces associated with UFO phenomena have been reported in various locations globally since the 1950s, predating Bower's alleged discovery.
• Ball Lightning: Several reports of ball lightning are included, detailing incidents such as a phenomenon observed at sea involving a meteor-like object causing a "sea of fire" and blistering copper plating, and a fireball that destroyed a house in Mont Dore, France, resulting in a fatality and injuries. Another account describes ball lightning striking a house in New Harmony, causing burns and blindness. A report from Kamaran Island details an explosion of a "fire ball" or "ball lightning" that caused extensive electrical disturbances.

References and Explanatory Hypotheses

The issue concludes with a list of references for the articles, particularly for the Argentine UFO occupant cases, and a section on "Explanatory Hypotheses" for various reported phenomena, ranging from journalistic hoaxes and mirages to psychological disturbances and military exercises.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena, eyewitness accounts, and the challenges of scientific investigation and verification. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of open inquiry, presenting detailed reports and analyses while acknowledging the complexities and potential for misinterpretation or hoaxes. There is a clear emphasis on documenting and studying these phenomena, particularly those with physical or physiological effects, and the potential for cover-ups or censorship is also implied, as seen in the Fort Itaipu incident.

This issue, dated January 16, 1992, features the headline "Now UFO is Official" and focuses on the official recognition of a UFO landing incident in Scotland, alongside discussions on crop circles and an upcoming international symposium.

Dechmont Wood UFO Landing Recognition

The lead story details the erection of a memorial in Dechmont Wood, Livingston, Scotland, by the Livingston Development Corporation to commemorate a famous UFO landing. This event, which occurred in November 1979, involved forester Bob Taylor reporting a 30ft high UFO landing on Dechmont Law. Taylor claimed he saw two round, spiky objects drop from the craft and awoke with bruises and torn clothes. Depressions were found in the ground at the site, and no official explanation has ever been provided. This is believed to be the first time a public body has officially recognized such a claim. Malcolm Robinson, founder and editor of SPI (Strange Phenomena Investigations), expressed that this recognition draws attention to the seriousness of the UFO subject and helps make the public aware that UFOs are not just seen in the sky but can also be observed on the ground. He stated, "UFOs are real, but it is what they are, or represent, that is the problem, so making the public sit up and take notice is certainly the way ahead...." UFO groups, including SPI, plan to hold their own ceremonies to highlight the importance of the spot. Lee Halliday, associated with Strange Phenomena Investigations, expressed surprise at the memorial's erection without ceremony and mentioned ongoing investigations into UFO sightings in West Lothian. Paul Filipek, head planner with Livingston Development Corporation, confirmed the plaque was set into a cairn at Dechmont Law.

Crop Circle Phenomena

An introductory section references claims by Bower & Chorley that they began fabricating crop circles in Hampshire in 1978, with others following in Wiltshire from 1982. However, it notes that the first recorded 'contemporary' crop circle discovery by the UFO group PROBE in 1980 was found beneath the Westbury White Horse in Wiltshire. The text emphasizes the importance of unemotive, objective, and clinical examination of the circles phenomena, especially in light of current developments in 'cerealogy' and allegations of fabrication.

International Symposium on UFO Research

An announcement details an upcoming International Symposium on UFO Research to be held from May 22-25, 1992, at the Red Lion Inn in Denver, Colorado. The symposium is geared towards both professional and lay people and is sponsored by the International Association for New Sciences (IANS) and other noted UFO organizations. Registration fees are outlined, with early bird discounts available. The room rate for a single is $50. A list of keynote speakers is provided, including:

• Richard Andrews (Crop Circles)
• Walt Andrus (Director of MUFON)
• Mark Carlotto, PhD (Mars Phenomenon)
• Michael Charust (Crop Circles)
• Jerome Clark (Center For UFO Studies)
• Edith Fiore, PhD (UFO Abductions)
• Stan Freidman (UFO Phenomenon)
• Tim Goode (UFO Phenomenon)
• Steve Greer, MD (Extraterrestrial intelligence)
• Richard Haines, PhD (Former NASA Scientist)
• Linda Moulton-Howe (Cattle Mutilations)
• Scott Jones, PhD (Government Involvement)
• Rima Laibow (UFO Abductions)
• Richard Hall, PhD (Military & Pilot UFO Accounts)
• Brian O'Leary, PhD (Mars Phenomenon, Former Apollo Astronaut)
• John Salter (UFO Phenomenon)
• Don Schmidt (Roswell UFO Crash)
• Leo Spinkle, PhD (Abductions)
• James Harder, PhD (Abductions)
• Maj. Gen. Albert Stubblebine (Ar. ret.) (UFO Propulsions)
• Collin Andrews (Crop Circles)

The symposium schedule includes evening workshops on Friday and Saturday, full-day sessions on Saturday and Sunday, and a banquet on Sunday evening, concluding on Monday, Memorial Day.

Case Report: North Reading, MA

A brief case report describes an incident on April 5, 1991, at 1300 hrs in North Reading, MA. A single witness, viewing from an automobile, reported seeing a dark object with a match-like glow of light inside. The object traveled extremely slow over the treetops with no audible noise.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a strong interest in UFO phenomena, particularly focusing on official recognition of landings and the ongoing mystery of crop circles. The editorial stance, as articulated by Malcolm Robinson, emphasizes the reality of UFOs and the need to bring public attention to the subject through tangible means like memorials and investigations. There's a clear effort to present UFOs as a serious topic warranting further investigation, moving beyond mere sky sightings to include ground observations and physical evidence. The inclusion of an international symposium further underscores the global and professional engagement with UFO research. The magazine appears to advocate for a more open and investigative approach to these phenomena, encouraging public awareness and scientific scrutiny.