OVNI

Magazine Overview

This is the January 1992 issue of OVNI, a newsletter published by the Phenomenon Research Association (PRA), based at 12 Tilton Grove, Kirk Hallam, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, UK. The cover features a line drawing of a flying saucer and other abstract shapes, with the title 'OVNI' and the date 'JANUARY 1992'. The newsletter provides a review of the past year's events related to UFO phenomena and crop circles.

A Revue of 1991

The lead article, 'A REVUE OF 1991', highlights the significant discovery of 55cm wheat and barley stems exhibiting 'burn' and 'crease' marks within crop circles in the East Midlands. It introduces Michael Chorost, a scientist from Duke University, North Carolina, USA, who is researching short-lived radiation in crop circles in Wiltshire and investigating DNA changes in affected plants. Chorost is also exploring the theory that an electro-magnetic force is responsible for forming crop circles, having sent the PRA a nineteen-page paper on the subject.

The article notes that with the 'Iron Curtain' gone, information is emerging about crop circles in the Ukraine area of the former USSR. PRA member Richard Servante is involved in translating a Russian UFO newsletter. Additionally, an article in the October 1991 issue of 'MUFON UFO Journal' is mentioned, which included a photograph of circle marks found on ice after a UFO was reportedly seen hovering nearby.

The cover photograph is identified as one of the most complicated pictograms from 1991, taken by Pat Delgado at Wilton near Salisbury.

'Don't look now, but I think we're being followed'

This section details a report from Jeremy Skertchly of Allestree, a member of the Advanced Driving Institute (I.A.M.). On the night of October 30, 1991, while acting as an observer on a coach driven by a trainee, Skertchly noticed a brilliant light in the rear-view mirror, appearing as if a vehicle was driving right up to the coach's rear bumper with full main-beams. The light was so intense it illuminated the surrounding hedges and fields. Initially, Skertchly assumed it was a sports car trying to overtake on the narrow road.

The light disappeared about a mile later, near a junction. They assumed the vehicle had turned off. After driving for another two miles, they stopped at a garage forecourt. When Skertchly took over driving and proceeded back along the same unlit country road, the 'nose-to-tail' light reappeared, following them relentlessly. As Skertchly approached a crossroads, he slowed down to give the following vehicle ample 'brake-light time'. Upon halting at the crossroads, the light in the mirror vanished completely. This sudden disappearance struck Skertchly as strange. He and the other driver parked the coach, turned on hazard lights, and walked back to the junction and about 100 yards along the road where the light had followed them. They found no concealed entrances, farm drive-ways, or lay-bys where a car could have disappeared, nor any signs of a crashed vehicle. The sky was cloudy with an orange glow from town lights.

Skertchly later spoke to the coach driver, who reacted adversely to suggestions of UFO phenomena. The coach company's maintenance fitter reported nothing unusual about the coach. Skertchly notes that such disbelief is common, and he would have expected an effect on the vehicle's electrics, such as ignition or lights.

A recent case in Spain is mentioned where a driver saw two beams of light in a mountainous region. His car stopped, but restarted after the lights went out. The next day, his electric car clock had stopped. The newsletter also states they are awaiting details of a car driver who encountered a ball of light near Burton-on-Trent.

The Water Works UFO & Infra-Red Beams

This section discusses a report from the December issue of OVNI concerning a UFO that apparently triggered infra-red detectors at a water treatment plant. Paul Foster comments that the triggering of alarms is significant, as infra-red beams are generally not easily bent or deflected except in high gravity fields. He notes that the sun, a large infra-red source, can cause random 'noise' in such systems. However, he emphasizes that more information is needed about the specific system used.

Foster suggests that the object appeared to emit powerful but invisible infra-red radiation along with visible light. He explains that P.I.R. (Passive Infra-Red) detectors are common and would be affected by such radiation. If the system is a 'break the beam' type, it operates continuously, requiring a very powerful source to disrupt it.

Duncan J. Walters then examines two typical modern Interrupted-Beam Infra-Red Alarm systems: the Single-Beam and the Twin-Beam systems. Both rely on a transmitter and receiver, indicating an intruder when the infra-red beam is broken by an opaque object. The Single-Beam system has separate transmitter and receiver units, while the Twin-Beam system uses a passive reflector. Both systems often have special infra-red filters and modulated beams to prevent false triggering by sunlight or external interference.

Walters then analyzes salient points from the water works UFO report:

1. The incident occurred at 2 am in October 1989. A water works is a vital industrial plant, and security systems are crucial. Any alarm call would typically lead to an investigation.
2. The witness described the UFO as 34" at arms length. Walters calculates that if this estimate is accurate, and the witness was 75 yards away, the object itself would be approximately 75 yards (225 feet) in length.
3. The report stated the UFO produced a power source that 'bent' the infra-red beams, setting off alarms. Walters comments that while the alarm triggered concurrently with the sighting, it doesn't definitively mean the UFO caused it. He suggests other nocturnal phenomena, such as bats, moths, or birds disturbed by an approaching witness, could also break the beams. He concludes that moths and bats are known to frequent water areas at night.

Tale Enders

This section provides brief updates and announcements:

• MANSFIELD UFO GROUP: Meets on the first and third Monday of the month at the Four Seasons Library at 7:30 pm. Contact Mrs M. Granger.
• SCENE OVER NOTTINGHAM: A report from Mr Cargill about a bright silver/orange light observed for several minutes at 5 am on Saturday, November 9, 1991, on the Bestwood Park Estate, which moved away, got smaller, and faded.
• Wartime Radar Operator: PRA member Eddie Sherwood met a 1943 radar operator who reported high-speed radar contacts and strange 'echoes' during wartime operations in the Bournemouth area.
• Jeff Whitear (Surrey SIGAP): Has submitted a new theory about energy sources responsible for Corn Circles, which is under review by PRA members.
• Timothy Good: Author of 'ALIEN LIAISON', recently broadcast on BBC Radio Nottingham. He discussed revelations from his book. The editor, Omar Fowler, corresponded with Good about the 55cm stem discovery, linking it to microwave activity. Good replied, thanking Fowler and mentioning sending copies to George Wingfield and Ralph Noyes.
• Pat Delgado: Sent best wishes and gave permission for his 'pictogram' photograph to be used on page 1.
• DERBY YOUNG FARMERS: Listened to a talk on Crop Circles by Omar Fowler on December 13th. Robert Barke, Programme Secretary, thanked Fowler for the talk.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held at the Stanley Club, Stanley Nr Ilkeston, on Wednesday, January 29th, at 8 pm. Omar Fowler will give a slide lecture titled 'THE LINES AND SIGNS AT NAZCA' (Peru). Non-members are welcome with a 50p charge.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on UFO sightings, crop circles, and related phenomena, often presenting eyewitness accounts and scientific investigations. There is a clear interest in exploring potential explanations, including electromagnetic forces and the physical effects of alleged UFOs on the environment and technology. The PRA appears to maintain an open but analytical stance, encouraging reports and research while also critically examining evidence, as seen in the discussion of infra-red alarms and the 'nose-to-tail' light encounter. The inclusion of various local groups and ongoing research projects indicates a community-focused approach to UFOlogy. The editorial stance encourages the elimination of the probable and possible before accepting the impossible, as quoted by Garth Waverley.