OVNI - 1995 01 - January

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: January 1995
Publisher: Phenomenon Research Association
Country: UK
Price: £1

This issue of OVNI, the newsletter of the Phenomenon Research Association, delves into UFO sightings, research, and related topics. It features a mix of witness reports, expert opinions, and astronomical observations, reflecting the ongoing interest in unexplained aerial phenomena.

Dr. John E. Mack Comments on BBC's "Horizon" Programme (Exclusive)

The newsletter provides an exclusive commentary from Dr. John E. Mack, a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Pulitzer Prize winner, regarding the BBC's "Horizon" programme aired on November 28th, 1994. This episode featured arch-skeptic Dr. Susan Blackmore's investigation into the UFO "Abduction" phenomenon. Dr. Blackmore interviewed "contactees" and investigators like Budd Hopkins in the United States. She also interviewed Dr. Mack, who has worked with over eighty people reporting alien abductions. However, Dr. Blackmore appeared unimpressed, making light remarks during the program. Dr. Mack, in a personal letter to the editor, expresses bewilderment at how someone as intelligent as Dr. Blackmore could reduce abduction cases to "disturbed brain wave patterns," questioning the "ideological rigidity" involved and stating that as a psychiatrist, he cannot fathom it.

Widespread UFO Activity During December 94-January 95

This section details several UFO sightings reported during the winter months.

Cotmanhay, Ilkeston, Derbyshire (December 12th, 1994, 07:15)

A witness, Mrs. F.R., observed a bright light in the sky from her home. Initially thinking it was too large to be a star, the object appeared to approach her. Using binoculars, she described it as a ball with lights that alternated on and off. The observation was partially obscured by clouds. She noted a significant time discrepancy between her initial sighting and when she checked the time after waking her son, suggesting a possible temporal distortion or misperception.

Mackworth, Derby (December 28th, 1994, 21:15)

Investigated by Peter Edwards, this report involves three witnesses who observed a large object with many lights. Mark (14) heard a noise louder than a tumble dryer before seeing the object. He described it as "a very big object with lots of lights." The family dogs began barking intensely, and their young twins woke up unusually early. The object was described as a "dark oval shape with a mass of lights" and emitted a deep roaring sound. It then "went off at great speed." The lights were noted as coloured and very bright.

Ilkeston, Derbyshire (December 19th, 1994, 06:30)

Investigated by O. Fowler, the primary witness, Mr. C.S. Clayton, described a sighting around dawn. He observed an object that was roughly TRIANGULAR with many projections, appearing about a mile away and at a height of around 500ft. It was far brighter than any star and had a bright red light on its top left section. Mr. Clayton, who has excellent eyesight, stated it resembled nothing he had seen before and was unaccountable as an aircraft. The object's brightness was of "arc-light" intensity. A neighbour, Mr. Noble, also found it strange, and Mrs. Noble described it as a "triangular sort of crystal shape, very bright, with a red light on the top left side." The object was observed for about half an hour.

The Death of Leonard H. Stringfield

The newsletter reports the death of Leonard H. Stringfield, a leading American UFO researcher, on December 20th, 1994, at the age of 74. Stringfield retired in 1981 as Director of Public Relations and Marketing Services for DuBois Chemicals. For over 30 years, he was involved with major UFO organizations, including serving on the MUFON Board of Directors. He authored "Inside Saucer Post, 3-0 Blue" (1957) and "Situation Red: The UFO Siege" (1977), and produced four Status Reports on UFO crashes and retrieval cases. His experience included co-operation with the Air Defense Command and serving as an Early Warning Co-ordinator for the University of Colorado UFO Project. He also advised Sir Eric Gairy, former Prime Minister of Grenada, on establishing a UFO research agency within the United Nations. In 1981, he was recognized by MUFON for his contributions. The newsletter notes that Stringfield had been in regular contact with the PRA group and had sent them several of his Status Reports. His passing is described as a "sad loss for the UFO community World-Wide."

The Evening Sky (January 1995)

This column, written by Barry Parkinson, provides astronomical information for January 1995. It notes that the Northern Hemisphere experiences winter's full coldness, yet the Earth is closest to the Sun (perihelion) on January 4th. The column highlights the importance of the Moon in early civilizations and mentions that the rhythms of the Sun and Moon are back in synchronisation in 1995. January is named after the Roman god Janus. The column details an exciting celestial event on January 14th and 15th, a conjunction of Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest "stars" in the sky, visible in the southeastern sky at dawn. It also mentions the Moon passing Jupiter on the 26th and Venus the following morning. Mars is noted as becoming detectable in the northeastern sky after 9 pm and doubling in brightness during the month. The column encourages readers to enjoy the "marvellous, awe-inspiring sight" of the winter stars.

Tale Enders

This section provides brief updates and news items:

• Rendlesham Forest Incident: UFO Magazine (Quest January 95) offers an in-depth investigation into the Rendlesham Forest incident (December 1980), with EMUFORA bringing new evidence through co-operation with Larry Warren and Peter Robbins.
• Bonneybridge Sightings: SKY TV News reported on UFO sightings in Bonneybridge, Scotland, and the local population's concern.
• Flying Triangle Report: EMUFORA magazine (winter 94) features a "Flying Triangle" report from Chipping-Sodbury, Avon, on July 2nd, 1994. The craft, travelling at approximately 20mph, had constant lights and a small cabin on top.
• Latest UFO Reports: Brief reports include a bright light over Ashbourne, Derbyshire (January 2nd), and a bright light seen by two witnesses in Derby (January 3rd).
• Oval Glowing Disc: A business man in Haslemere, Colin Rawlinson, reported an oval glowing disc following him on December 4th, 1994, describing it as "an extraordinary experience."
• Arbor Low: A "mysterious Professor Dunk" suggests Arbor Low is a good location for UFO sightings, especially at midnight, and proposes a summer skywatch.
• Southampton UFO Conference: A one-day conference is scheduled for April 22nd, 1995, in Portsmouth, with various speakers from UFO groups.
• Crop Circles in Sweden: Sweden has had crop circles, with equivalents to "Doug & Dave" (known for hoaxing crop circles).
• Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Phenomenon Research Association will be at The Stanley Club, Stanley Common, on Tuesday, January 24th, at 8 pm.
• Larry King Live from Area 51: The group has received a video of a Larry King broadcast from Area 51, Nevada, featuring American UFO researchers and investigators.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the abduction phenomenon, and the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics, exemplified by the commentary on Dr. Mack and Dr. Blackmore. The newsletter also highlights the importance of astronomical observation and commemorates the contributions of deceased UFO researchers. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation into UFO phenomena, providing a platform for witness accounts and expert analysis, while also acknowledging the skepticism within the field. The inclusion of astronomical data suggests a broader interest in unexplained phenomena and the natural world.