OVNI - 1996 04 - April

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: April 1996
Publisher: Phenomenon Research Association
Country: UK
Price: £1 plus postage

Main Articles

Subtle Moves Afoot?

The lead article, "Subtle Moves Afoot?", suggests that the media is engaged in an unprecedented program of indoctrination to prepare the public for the acceptance of alien existence and visitation. It notes the increasing 'air time' dedicated to programs like 'The X-Files', 'Star Trek', 'Sightings', and 'Encounters', and how this has led to consumer products bearing their logos, often at inflated prices. The author questions if this is a subtle conditioning process to make the public accept that 'the truth is out there'. The tone of UFO-related programming has shifted from 'little green men' to more serious implications about the origin of visitors. The article mentions Nick Pope, a 'man from the ministry', as an expert on UFO incidents and questions his knowledge regarding a craft seen over Havant in January 1979. The advent of home video cameras has increased evidence of unidentified craft, citing the recent filming of a 'Flying Triangle' over the Morecambe area and a Belgian Air Force radar contact with a similar craft, which could not be explained by known aircraft behavior. The Phenomenon Research Association (PRA) has transferred its UFO report files to a PC, revealing that what were thought to be isolated incidents are actually UFO events occurring in the same area. Specific examples include Flying Triangles seen over a Severn Trent Water treatment works and along the A52 road north of Derby, causing consternation among drivers. The article concludes by speculating that official sources might be behind a plan of gradual indoctrination to prepare the population for future revelations.

Hoagland Blows the Lid Off NASA?

This section reports on an international press release concerning Richard Hoagland, a former NASA scientist and engineer, who was set to reveal further evidence of NASA withholding information about structures on the Moon. According to the release, Hoagland would present an analysis of 30-year-old suppressed evidence in Washington, suggesting ancient artificial structures and astronauts walking among lunar ruins in 'leaked' NASA and Soviet space photographs. The magazine expresses anticipation for full details. Hoagland is also known for his photographic analysis of the 'Face on Mars' and other pyramid structures discovered on NASA photographs. The article includes a piece by Pat Delgado, co-author of 'Circular Evidence', titled "Let's Face It". Delgado discusses the numerous articles written about the landform image of a human face on Mars and his contemplation of creating a model of it. He references an article by Mark J. Carlotto published in 'Applied Optics' in May 1988. Carlotto's research focused on a mile-long feature in the Cydonia region of Mars resembling a humanoid face, initially dismissed as a trick of light and shadow but later rediscovered and enhanced by Di-Pietro and Molenaar, revealing a bisymmetrical object with features suggesting eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Carlotto identified four images of the face, with two higher resolution views available, both under similar illumination. Delgado then describes his own process of simulating the Viking photo's shadow contours using shape-from-shading and photoclinometry. He details the construction of a model based on the length of the feature (2.5 km) and sun elevation (10 degrees), calculating the chin's peak at approximately 460 meters. He notes that the nose ridge was almost parallel to the ground, and a small peak with a sharp valley below it created shadow conformity. The left eyebrow area was a large rounded ridge, the right eye socket a rough bowl-shaped valley, and the mouth a cliff-sided crevasse. The absence of a left eye socket is attributed to a boulder-strewn valley. Delgado concludes that the feature, if a humanoid head, is at best in its eroded, early construction stages, possibly shaped by explosives. Alternatively, it could be a trick of light and shade on a natural feature. He emphasizes the importance of lateral thinking and considering all alternatives. The article is accompanied by three images showing models of the face under different lighting conditions. Delgado states that the planned Mars Surveyor mission in 1996 might provide high-resolution photographs that could confirm his model.

Terry Walters and Ancient Egypt

This section features an account by Terry Walters, described as a person with psychic powers and healing abilities, who has previously been featured in the newsletter. His abilities came to the attention of Robert Bauval, author of 'The Orion Mystery'. Bauval invited Walters to accompany him on an exploration trip to Egypt. Walters recounts his belief that the human race originally came from a planet in the Orion belt. He describes a ceremony at Giza thousands of years ago, where he felt engulfed by sunlight between the Sphinx and pyramids, experiencing chanting and a sense of being in a strange place. Bauval, who had been investigating for twelve years, found Walters' account significant, especially as he had recently discovered something related to it. Walters agreed to go to Egypt with Bauval in November 1995, where he would be introduced to Graham Hancock, co-author of 'Finger Prints of the Gods', and Anthony John West, who discovered the Sphinx is older than previously thought due to rain damage. Walters describes his psychic experience in Egypt, seeing spacecraft and vibrating beacons near the pyramids, which he believes are used for transporting 'Spirits' and 'Souls' to and from Orion. He likens the pyramids to nuclear reactors that glow when working. He also saw streams of water running underground and beings that were part animal with human heads, or large reptiles with human heads, as well as a bird-type figure with a human head. He felt there was a place of importance on the Giza plateau from which he could disappear into the spirit world. Upon returning to the hotel, an earth tremor occurred. Bauval reported that aliens had tried to pull him out of bed during the tremor. Walters believes he has a bloodline connection to the early Pharaohs and communicates with people from a planet behind Orion. He notes that planets are moving and come out of and return to Orion. He also mentions that astrologers have confirmed his predictions about planetary movements. The article is accompanied by a photograph of Robert Bauval examining an old manhole cover in front of the Sphinx, and another of Terry and Diane Walters with Robert Bauval, and a view of the pyramids.

The Evening Sky

Barry Parkinson's column, "The Evening Sky", for April 1996, provides astronomical observations. It highlights a total lunar eclipse on the evening of April 3rd, beginning around 15 minutes past midnight and ending before 2 am. Jupiter is noted to shine brightly in the Eastern sky, with Saturn visible just below it near the horizon in the dawn. The column explains that a lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon enters Earth's shadow, and this happens only at two points of intersection in the Moon's orbit due to its 5-degree tilt relative to the Sun's path. Venus will be prominent in the sky in early April, and Mercury will be visible low on the western horizon in mid-April. Pluto is mentioned as being visible only with at least an 8-inch telescope, located in the star constellation of Ophiuchus. The Lyrid meteor shower is expected to peak around April 21st-22nd, and viewers are advised to find a dark, moonless observing site. The column also criticizes NASA, mentioning a recent incident where a satellite dangling on a 15-mile string was destroyed when the string snapped, costing $400 million. It states that NASA, despite having a 'semi-mythical' status, is rarely challenged for its disasters and has lost over $20 billion in avoidable mission failures in the past 10 years. International Astronomy Day is on April 20th, though the author feels every day is Astronomy Day.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of UFOs, extraterrestrial visitation, and the possibility of a hidden agenda or public manipulation by media and official sources. There is a strong interest in ancient mysteries, particularly those related to Egypt and Mars, and how they might be connected to extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, questioning official narratives and encouraging readers to consider unconventional explanations. The publication also engages with astronomical phenomena, providing practical advice for observers while also expressing skepticism towards large government space agencies like NASA.

This issue, titled 'Mars - the next 10 years', focuses on the future of space exploration, particularly missions to Mars, and also includes reports on UFO conferences and sightings within the UK. The cover story outlines a fleet of explorer spacecraft planned for the next decade, leading up to a potential human landing on Mars by 2015. The publication appears to be from the Phenomenon Research Association (PRA), with the 'Evening Sky' newsletter also mentioned.

Mars Exploration: The Next Decade

The lead article details a series of spacecraft missions to Mars scheduled between August 1998 and 2015. These missions are presented as a collaborative effort by various nations to explore the 'final frontier'. The list includes:

• August 1998: Planet B (Japan) - An orbital spacecraft to study the interaction of the solar wind with Mars' atmosphere.
• December 1999: Mars Survey Lander (United States) - A lightweight surface lander for investigating weather and surface conditions at a near-polar latitude.
• November 1996: Mars Global Surveyor (United States) - A two-year mapping mission by an orbiter covering the entire planet.
• November 1996: Mars 96 (Russia) - A large orbiter with geophysical mapping experiments, two surface landing weather stations, and two surface penetrators.
• December 1996: Mars Pathfinder (United States) - A discovery mission to test new technology with a small surface lander and a surface rover vehicle.
• January 1998: Mars Global Surveyor 2 (United States) - An orbital prospect spacecraft for mineral mapping and extending the surface/orbital communication network.
• 2001: Mars Surveyor (United States, Russia) - An orbital craft and a Martian surface lander.
• 2001: Mars 01 (Russia, United States) - An orbital spacecraft and a Russian (marsokhod) Mars surface rover vehicle.
• 2003: Intermarsnet (United States, European Space Agency) - An orbital craft to extend Martian global communication and Earth data transfer.
• 2005: Mars Sample Return (United States, Russia) - A surface lander and lift-off vehicle to collect soil samples and return them to Earth.
• 2015?: Land and Return (Many Nations) - The first human landing on the surface of Mars.

The editor, Omar Fowler, expresses delight at international cooperation in space exploration.

UFO Conference Report: Havant, Hampshire (April 20, 1996)

The second page details a one-day UFO conference organized by the Southern Paranormal Investigation Group (SPI) in Havant. Speakers included Graham Birdsall (Editor, Quest International UFO Magazine), Gordon Millington (Chairman, SIGAP), Anthony James (Chairman, East Midlands Research Association), and Omar Fowler (Editor, Phenomenon Research Association, Director of Flying Saucer Review, consultant to MU magazine Japan). The conference also featured stalls selling UFO-related merchandise. Photos show attendees Brian and Lorraine Maguire with Omar Fowler, and Anthony and Carole James.

The Flying Triangle Mystery

The PRA stand promoted a new A4 booklet titled 'The Flying Triangle Mystery'. This booklet contains 21 pages of data, including colour pages, photographs, and drawings based on witness sketches. It covers incidents from the Hudson Valley, USA (1983) to a recent event at Morecambe on February 2nd. The booklet has received positive feedback from researchers like Victor J.Kean, Southampton UFO Group, LUPR Scotland, and Birmingham UFO Society. It is available from Omar Fowler for £3.00 (colour) or £1.50 (B&W), plus postage.

Tale Enders: UFO Reports and News

The third page, under the heading 'TALE ENDERS', provides updates and reports:

• Apologies: The issue's lateness is attributed to problems with a local printing company, leading the PRA to purchase its own photocopier.
• Birmingham UFO Society: Reported a black flying triangle (FT) with red and green lights hovering over a lorry park on the M5 near Worcester. A Hercules aircraft approached the FT, which then departed at high speed.
• Stanton Moor: This location is becoming a hotspot for UFO reports. A businessman experienced a confusing episode while driving across the moor late at night, arriving home two hours late.
• BBC Overseas: Broadcast a series of UFO documentaries suggesting that UFOs and extraterrestrial intelligence exist, and also discussed abductions.
• Malcolm Robinson: The Scottish phenomena researcher has decided to cease paranormal and UFO investigation work to focus on his family.
• Hoax: A report of a charcoal cylinder with aliens landing on Salisbury Plain on April 19, 1993, was confirmed as a hoax.
• UFO Sceptic: A witness, Mr Robin Elsey, reported a mysterious dark grey, egg-shaped object flying over Pitch Hill in Surrey, described as looking like a 'rugby ball with the bottom sliced off'.
• Event Announcement: Robert Morning Sky (Hopi Apache Native American) was scheduled to speak at the Andover Cricklade Theatre on June 22nd, discussing alien visitations, along with Busty Taylor and Colin Andrews.
• Tributes: Positive comments were received from Eric Herr (San Diego USA) and Barbara Hughes (Powys, Wales) regarding the OVNI magazine.
• Get Well Wishes: Garry Stapleton, the PRA's computer expert and cover designer, is recovering from emergency heart bypass surgery.
• Next PRA Meeting: Scheduled for May 28th at the British Legion, Allenton, Derby.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently promotes the exploration of space, particularly Mars, highlighting international cooperation. It also actively reports on UFO sightings and related phenomena, featuring a mix of official mission news and anecdotal accounts from researchers and witnesses. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards UFOs and extraterrestrial possibilities, while also acknowledging and debunking hoaxes. The PRA is presented as a central organization for UFO research and dissemination of information through its publications and meetings.