<OVNI>

Magazine Overview

This issue of the newsletter "<OVNI>" from the Phenomenon Research Association (PRA) is dated September 1992. It features a cover with illustrations of various UFO shapes and a prominent announcement for a guest speaker, Arthur Tomlinson. The newsletter contains reports on recent UFO sightings, details from a UFO conference, and research updates.

UFO Reports

The newsletter includes several UFO reports from August 1992, primarily from the Ilkeston and Derby areas of Derbyshire, UK. These reports were prompted by an advertisement in the Ilkeston Advertiser.

• August 22, 1992, 23:30, Ilkeston, West Hallam, Derbyshire: Witnessed by Kay and Brenda H., a circular shaped object was seen with red lights on the sides and a bright white light at the rear, described as like a "rocket exhaust." It was observed at an estimated height of 5,000 feet, moving very slowly from Southeast to Northwest.
• August 17, 1992, 22:40, Ilkeston, Larklands, Derbyshire: Mr. Len Dorman, Sharon Dorman, and a small boy witnessed five white lights in the shape of a half-circle with a flashing red light at the rear, described as "Ginormous." The object moved very slowly, flying around in an arc.
• August 17, 1992, 22:40, Derby: Mr. Alan Hitchcock reported seeing a formation of approximately 10 small white lights accompanied by a second object with a single flashing red light. The objects were at an estimated height of 20 degrees above the horizon, at approximately 4/5 miles, and moving at difficult-aircraft speeds of 200/300 mph from Southeast to Southwest.
• August 25/26, 1992, 05:00, Ilkeston, Cotmanhay, Derbyshire: John Ward, a nightwatchman, observed a brilliant distant hovering light for one minute. The light then suddenly went out, and an object flashed past at high speed heading Northwest, appearing like a shooting star.
• August 11, 1992, 22:30, Derby: Mr. M.F. reported seeing a small white light travelling across the sky, from which a bright light appeared to detach itself. The object was observed at 25 degrees from the horizon, moving East.

Independent UFO Conference: Sheffield

The issue covers a two-day conference presented by Enigma Design and Publishing Group at the Sheffield Library Theatre on August 15th and 16th, 1992. Notable researchers such as Jenny Randles, Ralph Noyes, Norman Oliver, and American author John Keel participated. Representatives from the PRA attended, with a focus on the "Saturday Night Special" event featuring John Keel.

John Keel's lecture, while well-attended, was described as disappointing. He discussed Japanese paper balloons released during WWII that carried armaments and were found across the Pacific and in the USA, causing fatalities. Keel suggested that the "Roswell Incident" might have been caused by the discovery of one of these balloons. He also theorized that many UFO reports from the 1950s were misidentified "Sky Hook" balloons launched by the USA into high-altitude jet streams over the USSR for surveillance during the Cold War, predating U2 spy planes and satellite surveillance.

Keel briefly touched upon the Mothman case and showed slides, directing attendees to purchase his book for more information. He also discussed an acorn-shaped steel object found in the USA, explaining it as a section of an Air Force "H Bomb" that had accidentally dropped, leading to a cover-up. Despite the interest in meeting Keel, the content of his talk and his "cynical approach" were found to be disappointing.

"Secret Life" Author Visits the U.K.

Dr. David M. Jacobs, author of the book "Secret Life," addressed the "Enigma" UFO conference at Manchester University on August 22nd. His talk focused on UFO abductions and his research, which was presented as a first-hand account. A small group of PRA members attended.

The conference organization was described as poor, with late notice, bad publicity, and a lack of clear signage. This resulted in some members missing Jenny Randles' talk, as she had to leave early due to family news.

Dr. Jacobs engaged in discussions with PRA members, who were interested in his research. He apologized for not having books for sale, as the first print had sold out. A synopsis of his lecture revealed his research into abductions began in 1986, utilizing hypnosis to access memories. He detailed the examination procedures conducted by aliens on abductees, noting the absence of typical medical instruments like stethoscopes and describing a "touch procedure" involving poking and flexing. He also mentioned "bonding procedures" involving sexual arousal and the collection of sperm via mechanical devices. Jacobs referenced the Barney and Betty Hill case (1961) and the Antonio Vilas Boas case in Brazil (1957) as early examples of abduction accounts. He also described procedures involving machines for measurement and data recording.

Initial Findings on the Skelmersdale Sample

Alan Hitchcock reported on a blue piece of glass-like material found at the site of a UFO sighting in Skelmersdale in 1981. Two witnesses had observed a strange light at low altitude, and the sample was discovered embedded in a hole the following morning. The sample, held by the Mansfield UFO Group, is sky blue, porous, and aerated glass-like material. It has a melting point of approximately 1,000°C, is non-conductive and non-magnetic, and shatters under low pressure. It can cut glass but can only be marked by a tungsten carbide tool. Geologists have stated it is not a natural mineral or rock but resembles slag, though microscopic examination revealed it to be almost pure, with opacity due to bubbles, which is not compatible with slag. The sample showed no reaction to concentrated Sodium Hyperchloride, Nitric Acid, Sulphuric, and Hydrofluoric Acids, indicating it is not glass, as Hydrofluoric acid would have reacted with it. A remaining section is at Harvard University, USA, for further analysis using a scanning electron microscope to determine its molecular structure.

Tale Enders and Next Meeting

The editor returned from a holiday in Bulgaria, noting the suppression of news from the West and current interest in Crop Circles, with information recently broadcast on radio networks.

EMUFORA is holding a UFO Conference in Leeds on September 26th. The "Fund for UFO Research Inc." in Mount Rainier, USA, has applied for a fund application form from the PRA, related to their work on microwave activity in Crop Circles.

Researcher Anne C. Arnold Silk of the Centre for Crop Circle Studies commended the PRA's microwave presentation paper. Jeff Whitear commented on the book "Earth Energy" by J. Havelock Fidler, believing it supports the PRA's views on microwave effects in Crop Circles and the reversal of energy flow at sunrise and sunset.

The PRA's next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 23rd, at the Stanley Club, Stanley Common, near Ilkeston. The guest speaker will be Arthur Tomlinson, who will discuss UFO cases he has investigated, including the Ilkley Moor Encounter. The meeting will include a video presentation and color slides, possibly featuring an alien image shown on Channel Four's "Clive Anderson Talks Back." Arthur Tomlinson stated his revelations would be "the rigid truth." Admission for non-members is £1.00.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on UFO sightings, investigative research, and conferences related to anomalous phenomena. There is a clear interest in empirical evidence, as seen in the detailed reports of sightings and the analysis of the Skelmersdale sample. The PRA appears to be a proactive research group, engaging with other organizations and researchers, and disseminating information through its newsletter and meetings. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, presenting findings and discussions from various perspectives within the UFO research community, while also maintaining a critical eye, as evidenced by the assessment of John Keel's lecture.