OVNI - 1998 01 - January-February

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: January/February 1998
Publisher: Phenomenon Research Association
Country: UK
Price: £1 plus postage

This issue of OVNI, the Newsletter of the Phenomenon Research Association, marks a 'New Look Newsletter for 1998' with a bi-monthly publication schedule. The editorial expresses a desire for improved presentation while emphasizing the importance of content. The issue features a range of articles on UFO phenomena, ancient mysteries, and astronomy.

Feature Article: Mayan Contact with 'Space People'

Dr. Oscar Padilla Lara, described as a friend from Guatemala and an Abogado y Notario, contributes a significant feature. Dr. Padilla, a prominent member of UFO organizations in the USA and South America, discusses the theory that pre-Columbian Mayans may have had contact with 'Space People'. He has conducted extensive investigations into old records in Guatemala City, tracing a chronology of events from antiquity through the Olmecs, Mayas, and Quiches. This approach is presented as a new outlook on Guatemalan history, similar in scope to past investigations by Eric Van Danniken.

Royal Interest in UFOs

The issue notes the Duke of Edinburgh's continued interest in UFO reports. He sent his thanks to the PRA for a copy of Omar Fowler's booklet, 'Flying Triangle UFO's: The Continuing Story.' The Duke also conveyed his best wishes for the future via Captain Samuel Courtland. The article references a TV interview with author Desmond Leslie, recalling the Duke's interest in meeting Stephen Darbishire in 1954 after Darbishire photographed an 'Adamski' type craft. A subsequent secret meeting was arranged. The report also touches upon a previous OVNI article concerning Squadron Leader Peter Horsley's encounter near Buckingham Palace in 1997, where he was to meet a Mrs. Markham and was introduced to the concept of a 'Great Force' and an 'interstellar emissary' named 'Janus' assigned to the 'British beat' who was intent on meeting the Duke of Edinburgh.

UFO Sightings and Reports

Minehead Incident Follow-up:

A further report is presented concerning the craft that halted Mr Simon Bushell's car near Minehead, Somerset, on November 4th of the previous year. Two children, Sam and Jodi G., from Luxborough, witnessed the event from their upstairs window. They described the UFO as a black, almost round craft emitting a wide beam of intense white light, followed by a bright red beam that made trees appear to be on fire. The craft made no sound and was described as being about the size of a tea cup saucer. It initially appeared stationary, then spun anti-clockwise at increasing speed before moving away westwards at a 'high velocity'. The children's pet hamster became unusually active during the sighting. The children's mother also reported houses shaking some weeks prior, with no reported earth tremors. Mr. Anthony Carr of Paulton near Bristol sent a recording of a pulsating roaring noise from the sky.

East Anglia Activity:

Intense UFO activity is reported along the coast of East Anglia, with sightings of Flying Triangles, balls of light, and luminous craft at ground level. One of the main witnesses, a camcorder operator, believes he is 'interacting' with an alien intelligence and has mentally contacted an intelligence, resulting in a glowing craft with flashing lights. Thetford Forest is noted as an area of unusual activity, with reports of black Cadillacs, men in tinted glasses, and individuals in black 'jump suits'. A comment from an information source suggests highly personal matters are occurring between these individuals.

Latest Flying Triangle Reports:

• Cambridge (November 21, 1997): Mr. P. Chapman reported observing two low lights near Babraham and Little Abbington that moved erratically before hovering at about 70 degrees. He described the object as a black triangle with white lights underneath and on the sides. The craft then moved at about 20mph.

Reports from the UFO AWARENESS GROUP, Waterlooville, Hampshire:

• February 1997 (Eyke NR Rendlesham): Witnesses driving towards Eyke experienced car radio static and saw a large, solid, triangular-shaped object pacing them, darker than the sky, with three bright dazzling lights. It hovered silently and was visible even after they reached home.
• August 12, 1997 (Bromeswell/Eyke/Woodbridge): A witness saw a fuzzy saucer-shaped object keeping pace with his car, which later changed to a sharper triangular shape. Other cars had stopped to observe it. Before disappearing, it reverted to a saucer shape.
• August 28, 1997 (Ipswich/Castle Hill/Whitton): Girls driving saw a bright light which they initially thought was a star. It then moved downwards, and they observed a distinct triangular-shaped object hovering, followed by a circular object with two bright lights and smaller flashing lights. The object hovered for about 45 seconds at an exceptional speed before moving over Ipswich Docks and disappearing.

Gulf Breeze, Florida Skywatch Diary:

Carole Baker reports on UFO sightings in the Gulf Breeze area, drawing from research in local newspapers. The earliest report found is from the Pensacola News Journal, July 27th, 1952, detailing a Navy man's sighting of three ember-red lighted objects. Other 1952 reports include disc-shaped objects with orange glows and orange-colored discs. The article also mentions sightings around Washington D.C., River Edge, New Jersey, Cleveland, Ohio, and Key West, Florida. The well-publicized Ed Walters case from the late 1980s is highlighted as making Gulf Breeze synonymous with anomalous phenomena, though other witnesses have also provided photographic and video evidence. The article notes that fishermen and long-time residents share stories of 'weird lights' dating back to their grandfathers, and mentions the 'Jane' photographs from 1986. The history of sightings in the area is described as long and intriguing.

Pensacola News Journal Reports (Continued):

• October 16th, 1973 (CRESTVIEW): Two individuals reported an unidentified flying object hovering near Interstate 10 with normal and flashing lights, which then swooped away silently.
• October 16th, 1973 (15 miles east of Destin): Philip Lynch reported four white UFOs travelling at high speed towards Destin with no noise. The Air Force's Air Defense Training Center reported no radar trace.
• July 8th, 1975 (Grand Lagoon): Twelve observers fishing reported watching two unidentified flying objects darting at incredible speed for over two hours. The objects resembled stars but maneuvered with extraordinary speeds and 90-degree turns, leaving light trails like comets. Mrs. Chesley Severns described the brilliance and maneuverability, and Charles Fillio, a retired Navy navigator, observed the flights. A teenager, Denise Woltzen, noted patterned movements. Mrs. John Bethune observed a reddish light that would extinguish and reappear. The FAA reported no unusual sightings.

The Evening Sky: January 1998

Walter Berg provides an astronomical overview for January 1998. Key points include:

• Perihelion: Earth is closest to the Sun on January 4th (91 million miles).
• Seasons: Despite perihelion, the Northern Hemisphere experiences winter due to its tilt away from the Sun.
• Constellations: Orion is highlighted for its eye-catching symmetry, with Betelgeuse and Rigel noted. Sirius is also mentioned.
• Planetary Visibility: Venus will briefly disappear from view. Jupiter and Mars will be observable, with Mars moving across the western sky. On January 1st, Jupiter is below the Moon, Mars below Jupiter, and Venus below Mars. By January 20th, Mars will have moved towards Jupiter.
• Meteor Shower: The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks on January 3rd, with the sky expected to be dark and moonless after midnight.
• Eta Carinae: The article mentions Eta Carinae, a star approximately 7,500 light years away, 1000 times larger than the Sun and 4 million times brighter, which underwent a massive outburst 155 years ago.
• Uranus Moons: Two new moons have been discovered orbiting Uranus, bringing the total to 17.
• Solar Observation: A solar observation satellite has discovered that the Sun rotates at different rates below the surface, potentially related to sunspot formation.
• Viewing Tips: It takes about 15 minutes for eyes to adjust to darkness. Warm clothing is recommended for comfortable observation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OVNI are the ongoing investigation and reporting of UFO sightings across different geographical locations and time periods, from recent UK incidents to historical US reports. There is a strong emphasis on presenting eyewitness accounts and detailed descriptions of observed phenomena. The magazine also explores the intersection of UFOs with ancient history and archaeology, particularly concerning Mayan civilization. The editorial stance, as indicated by the statement 'We believe in the free exchange of UFO information,' suggests an open and inclusive approach to the subject matter, aiming to disseminate information and encourage further research.

This issue of OVNI, identified as page 10 through 14, focuses on the intersection of ancient civilizations, particularly the Maya, with potential extraterrestrial contact, alongside a compilation of recent UFO sightings. The content draws from archaeological findings, historical texts, and contemporary reports, suggesting a long-standing presence or influence of non-terrestrial beings on Earth.

Ancient Civilizations and Extraterrestrial Contact

The magazine presents several arguments for extraterrestrial involvement in Mayan culture. It describes stelae found in museums depicting two men with ear phones, microphones, and cords, questioning if this represents telephone communication. Another section details stelae from the Maya's Classical Period featuring human figures in what appear to be helmets, diving suits, and holding firearms, including laser ray guns, raising questions about how pre-Columbian Mayas could have known of such advanced weaponry. Figurines from Tikal are noted for wearing helmets with lamps, holding projectors or cameras, and wearing tight-fitting clothes and boots, prompting speculation about their origins. The article also points to Mayan Codes in Guatemala City, where glyphs representing numbers are described as oval and window-like, bearing similarities to Egyptian writing and reminding the author of spaceships and flying saucers, leading to the question of possible connections between these civilizations or with extraterrestrials.

Further exploration into Mayan sites across Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Belize suggests remains indicating extraterrestrial visits. Chichén Itzá is mentioned for its Mayan observatory, and a 'Chacmol' figure is described as resembling a space craft pilot with a helmet, ear phones, and gears. A stelle from Uxmal dated December 24, 2,011, is cited as the date the Mayas will return, communicating with their Gods via a black rock with glass, possibly a television. Winged beings carved in Tulun Cancún and Copan are also noted. In Palenque, a plaque depicts a stylized Maya with a microphone, ear phones, and controls, akin to an astronaut. The 'Crystal Skull' from Lubaantun, Belize, a 1,000-year-old quartz artifact, is highlighted for its craftsmanship, deemed beyond Mayan technology.

During the Post-Classic era, books like the Quiche's Popol Vuh are said to relate stories of creators from Heaven, giants, and smoking fire mountains, suggesting interplanetary ships, with these beings eventually returning to the stars. The Chilam Balam text is mentioned for its chronology and religious character. The distinction between Quetzalcoatl-Kukulcan as a cosmonaut God versus a warrior is made. Passages from these texts also speak of a future time when skies burn and the earth faces a different power born in Heaven, with parallels drawn to the Book of Apocalypse and the existence of space ships and extraterrestrial intelligent life.

Chronology of UFO Sightings

The issue provides a chronological list of reported UFO incidents and related publications:

• Colonial Period:
• Christopher Columbus reportedly saw UFOs on October 11, 1492 (from 'History of the Indies').
• A 'Bunch of Fire' fell from the sky on September 15, 1532 (from 'History of the Conquest of New Spain').
• 'Balls of Fire and Lights' were reported over Guatemala in 1575.
• 'Mysterious Lights' were observed on Del Carmen Hill between 1620 and 1691.
• 'Visions from the Far-off Regions of Chajul' were photographed on November 10, 1943.

• Chronology of Publications (Last Fifty Years from 1947): A file of newspaper clippings from major newspapers is maintained, including Diario El Imparcial, El Impacto, La Nacion, La Tarde, Revista La Semana, Enigma, La Prensa Libre, El Grafico, La Hora, La Extra y Al Día.

Tale Enders: Recent Sightings and Reports

This section details more recent UFO phenomena:

• Near Ashbourne (December 6, 1997): A 'massive', strange light phenomenon with numerous white, red, green, and blue lights was observed, accompanied by a low humming sound.
• Crop Circles: It is mentioned that many crop circles have been hoaxed, with a dowser claiming some 122 formations were listed, 49 genuine and the rest man-made. Ice circles in the USA are also noted.
• Cornwall UFO Research Group (April 15, 1997): A 'rounded triangle' object with red, yellow, and white lights passed overhead at about 10mph, travelling slowly and silently.
• Mobile Phones as Trackers: A report from 'THE TIMES' (December 29, 1997) highlights that mobile phones can pinpoint users via their call signals, with companies having arrangements with law enforcement agencies.
• Anomalous Tracks on Mars (October 6, 1997): A picture from the Mars Global Surveyor showed a line of uniform tracks running for over 2 miles on the floor of Vallis Nigral valley, suggesting a recent immense vehicle.
• Western Oklahoma (October 4, 1997): Jim Hickman and police officers observed a large bright triangular object with a hole in the center, later joined by another UFO.
• UFO Aerial Dogfight (September 18, 1997): Two boys witnessed moving star-like lights approach a triangular UFO, which shot 'sparks' and took evasive action. The UFO was later approached by two smaller UFOs.
• Pennsylvania (December 16, 1997): A large triangular UFO, dark gray like granite, with six large lights on its rim and red lights at the leading point, was seen heading northwest at an estimated 4,000/6,000ft. Another FT was seen in West Georgia near Franklin on December 5, 1997, heading southeast at 2,000ft.
• Sheffield (January 1 & 2, 1998): Three white lights on a Flying Triangle were seen near Hathersage, described as 'enormous'. Three blue lights (one flashing) were seen on an FT near Grt. Longston.

Meetings and Events

The issue concludes with details for an upcoming meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 1998, at the Royal British Legion in Allenton, featuring a video presentation on Whitley Streiber. The following meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24th.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the potential for extraterrestrial influence on ancient civilizations, particularly the Maya, and the reporting of contemporary UFO sightings. The magazine adopts a stance of open inquiry, presenting evidence and posing questions about these phenomena without definitive conclusions, encouraging readers to consider the possibility of connections between ancient cultures and extraterrestrial intelligence, as well as the reality of modern-day UFO encounters. The editorial tone is investigative and speculative, aiming to document and explore unexplained events and artifacts.