OVNI

Magazine Overview

This issue of OVNI, the newsletter of the Phenomenon Research Association (PRA), is dated November 1991. It focuses on research into crop circles and UFO sightings, presenting findings and theories from the PRA and other researchers.

World Leaders!

The editorial section, titled 'WORLD LEADERS !', expresses the belief that 'field' researchers, like those in the PRA, are capable of making breakthroughs. The author emphasizes the importance of direct observation ('get out and look!'). The PRA claims to have found evidence confirming their hypothesis that High Frequency Radiation is the power behind crop circle formation. This hypothesis is reportedly shared by only a few researchers worldwide and has been sent to universities in Canada, England, and Japan, as well as to researchers in the USA. The research is described as a 'team effort', with particular mention of Alan Hitchcock's 'macro' photographs of crop stems. The newsletter acknowledges the time and expense wasted on 'hoaxers' but suggests their findings will help identify 'genuine circles' in the future.

Microwave Energy: The Search Begins

This section details the PRA's investigation into the cause of crop circles, focusing on microwave energy. The September issue of OVNI had previously mentioned 'crease' and 'burn' marks on crop stems from widely separated circles, along with the height of single standing stems (55cm), which provided clues about the wavelength and power involved. The newsletter includes a sample of photographs showing these 'crease' and 'burn' marks on stems from various locations in Nottinghamshire (Notts.) and Leicestershire (Leics.), including Mansfield, Southwell, Carlton-on-Trent, and Husbands Bosworth, with dates ranging from July 1990 to July 1991. Page 3 of the newsletter displays these marks on crop samples.

Page 4 presents 'EXAMPLES OF SINGLE STANDING STEMS RECENTLY FOUND IN CROP CIRCLE 'EVENTS''. It graphically illustrates the location of 'burn' and 'crease' marks on wheat and barley stems from different locations and dates. The graph shows stem heights in centimeters, with the highest point at 55cm. The examples detail 'crease', 'burn', and 'double crease' marks at various heights on the stems.

Research and Hypotheses on Crop Circles

A new publication from the USA, 'The Summer 1991 Crop Circles: The Data Emerges' by Michael Chorost, is mentioned. It includes a report on Dr. W.C. Levengood, a biophysicist specializing in seed development. Levengood's hypothesis is that an energy input, possibly heat, causes growth nodes on plants within circles to swell, causing lasting but not fatal damage. His microscopic studies revealed pits in cell walls becoming larger and more visible, expanding due to rapid heating of internal water. Levengood tested this by microwaving wheat stalks for 30 seconds, which caused cell walls to swell and pits to expand, mirroring his observations.

Bob Kingsley, Editor of 'The Circular' magazine, commented that Levengood's work and the PRA's findings 'reinforce each other'. Colin Andrews and Pat Delgado's observations that flattened crops continue to grow and appear healthier are also cited as confirmation.

The journal 'Awareness' (issue 4, 1991) by Contact International (UK) also discusses crop circles. An article by Michael Soper suggests that the force flattening corn is impulsive, requiring a force of 10 grams for one second, resulting in an impulse of 1 Newton-second. Soper calculated that for a 3-meter radius, the energy is 22.5 kJ. He ruled out 'plasma' as the cause because the stalks were not singed. However, the PRA claims to have found evidence to the contrary and has shared their findings with Soper.

The newsletter concludes that the energy source appears to be a 'plasma' and supports this theory with photographs of glowing balls of light taken by Japanese scientists and military personnel. For field researchers, the next step suggested is setting up microwave detectors in fields where an 'event' is likely, to obtain final proof. The ultimate question remains: 'Who or what is sending them????'

On the UFO Scene

This section reports a period of 'little activity' in UFO sightings but notes ongoing witness accounts of past experiences. A photograph of a UFO over Derby in 1986 has recently surfaced; although its quality is poor due to enlargement, a drawing is provided alongside a similar craft photographed over Australia years ago.

A Night Visitor Over Ilkeston

A worker at Stanton Works, Mr. Colin Dygutowicz, reported seeing a dumbbell-shaped object flying low overhead at 11:40 pm on August 26th of the current year. The object flew slowly and silently for about 10 minutes, appearing in the East and heading West. It had lights that shone continually, not flashing. Mr. Dygutowicz concluded it was not an aircraft due to its slow speed, wrong shape, and lighting. He and his colleagues reported the sighting to the local police.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Phenomenon Research Association will be held at the Stanley Club, Stanley Common, near Ilkeston, on Wednesday, November 27th, at 8 pm. The main theme will be an in-depth look at the 'Mc Murray Contact Case' from September 1985, featuring exclusive slide photos and a tape recording taken during hypnosis. Admission is 50p for non-members.

Stop Press

A Television Producer, after studying the PRA's 'Microwave' report, has expressed significant interest in their findings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are crop circle formation, particularly the hypothesis involving microwave energy and plasma, and UFO sightings. The editorial stance of the Phenomenon Research Association is one of active, empirical research, emphasizing direct observation and the pursuit of scientific evidence, even when challenging established theories or findings. They position themselves as independent researchers making significant contributions to the field.