OVNI - 1999 01 - January-February

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: January/February 1999
Publisher: Journal of the Phenomenon Research Association
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £2 plus postage

This issue of OVNI, a journal dedicated to the phenomenon research association, delves into various aspects of UFOlogy and related topics, with a strong focus on sightings and potential extraterrestrial connections. The cover features a collage of intriguing images, including a triangular object, a flying saucer, a celestial body, and a geoglyph, setting a tone of mystery and exploration.

The Man-Made Millennium

The lead article, "THE MAN-MADE MILLENNIUM," questions the significance of the coming year 2000, suggesting it's a phantom festival based on inaccurate calculations of Jesus Christ's birth. It notes that the Christian calendar itself is flawed, with Jesus likely born four years earlier. The article highlights that the Millennium holds significance primarily within the Christian context, as other cultures and calendars (like the Chinese 'Year of the Dog' or the Islamic calendar) mark time differently. A connection to the UFO subject is drawn from statements by Aliens to contactees that 'time is of our own making.' The author expresses skepticism about a 'great revelation' in the coming year, predicting that UFO incidents will continue to be ignored by the press and sidelined by military authorities, citing the example of Lord Hill-Norton's unsuccessful inquiry into the Rendlesham Forest incident. The article also touches upon recent scientific advancements, such as artificial wombs and cybernetic implants for telepathic communication, suggesting these echo concepts previously discussed in UFO literature.

New Mars Lander-Explorer Launched

This section reports on NASA's Mars Polar Lander, which launched on January 3rd, 1999, from Cape Canaveral. The lander's primary mission is to search for frozen water-ice near Mars' South Pole, with scientists believing that where there is water, there could be life. Ed Weiler, head of NASA's space science division, is quoted emphasizing the importance of finding and measuring water. The lander, equipped with a robot arm and scoop, will heat collected dirt to detect water vapor. NASA also plans a soil-return mission for 2005. The mission includes a high-risk experiment called Deep Space 2, involving twin probes designed to penetrate the Martian surface. The Polar Lander is part of NASA's New Millennium programme, with its sister mission, the Mars Climate Orbiter, launched the previous month. The combined cost of these missions is substantial.

Retired Nurse Photographs UFO in Toowong, Queensland, Australia

This report details an incident on November 6th, 1998, where retired nurse Madeleine Patterson, 63, spontaneously took a photograph outside her home in Toowong, Queensland. Upon developing the film, she discovered an image of a silver disc UFO. Mrs. Patterson stated she had a feeling something strange was present. She, a naturopath and nutritionist, collects images of cross formations and 'angels' and has six UFO photographs. She believes these phenomena are visible to everyone and that ETs exist, asserting that otherwise, humanity would be like cave people. The source is attributed to Australia's Sunday Mail.

Letter from Australia

Bernadette Pattison of Toogoolawah, Queensland, Australia, shares her experiences. She recounts observing meteor showers and a strange, slowly moving star that disappeared. She also witnessed two sets of sudden metallic flashes. Bernadette mentions reading Jon King's 'Cosmic Top Secret' and Arthur C. Clarke's shift in interest from UFOs to alien abductions. She conducted a personal survey indicating that about 90% of people she knows have had some sort of UFO experience. She describes a remarkable experience of a couple who saw a huge, deep yellow pulsating ball in the sky while fishing. Bernadette also casually mentions the local wildlife, including poisonous red-backed spiders and Taipan snakes, and shares a humorous anecdote about nearly stepping on a Taipan and a red-back spider. She concludes by referencing a psychic's prediction that answers to all questions will be known in the year 2000.

Huge Flying Triangle Seen Next to the M1 Motorway!

This article presents several reports of 'Flying Triangle' (FT) sightings. The primary report is from 'Paul,' a PRA associate, who, on November 22nd, 1998, at 2005hrs, observed a huge black Flying Triangle hovering low off the M1 Motorway. It had numerous lights and appeared to be made of a girder-like structure. Other motorists also stopped to observe it. Another driver reported hearing a roaring sound in the sky around the same time. Researcher Tim Matthews suggests the craft could be conventional, but questions the open girder structure, which he believes was obsolete by 1914. The article includes sketches of the craft and mentions previous reports of girder structures on FTs, including one from Littleover on October 22nd, 1996.

A Selection of the Latest 'Flying Triangle' Reports

This section compiles more FT sightings:

• October 30th, 1998 (10:25 pm): Melanie Cunningham and Helen Spencer-Smith in Belper, Derbyshire, saw a yellowy star that elongated into a 'silver cigar' and then a 'silver triangle' with a 'snout.' It had lights of various colors underneath and moved silently at an estimated 20-30 mph.
• November 6th, 1998 (5:15 pm): Matthew Gregory reported seeing three large white lights in a triangular shape moving slowly across the sky at Skegness bus station. The object appeared as large as a house and made no sound.
• November 16th, 1998 (7:20 pm): Richard Powell from Ludlow, Shropshire, along with his sister and mother, saw a triangular object with one red light at each corner, stationary in the sky, before it descended slowly and vanished. It was described as distinctly triangular and appeared in the West, disappearing to the East.
• January 13th, 1999 (10:50 pm): Melanie Cunningham and Helen Spencer-Smith again reported seeing a bright star that resolved into a black triangular craft with a huge front light and red lights at the corners. It moved silently at about 35 mph, gliding over their heads.

Sightings of Triangles reported to the Norfolk UFO Society

This section features two more triangle sightings:

• Winter, 1982 (approx. evening): Between Holt and Fakenham, Norfolk, a farmer with a pilot's license saw a bright light that turned out to be a massive triangle, the size of a football field. It had 15 rectangular lights and a large front light. A 'dynamo' noise and a 'down-force' were felt, causing the car to rock and trees to shed leaves. The object moved towards RAF West Raynham.
• July, 1975 (Saturday, 2100hrs): In Clev., Norfolk, two witnesses heard a humming noise and saw a dark metallic silver triangle hovering over marshes. It had a white light in the center and red lights at each corner. It sped off, leaving an 'electric-ozone' smell and a feeling of 'loss' in the witnesses.

Strange But True?

Space Alien Doll Found in Nairobi West?

This news clipping from a 'Weekly World News' report describes the bizarre find by children playing at a UFO landing site near Nairobi. The two-foot-high doll has unusual features: an extra eye in its forehead, a space suit, sphere-like appendages, and is made of an unknown metal. It wets itself every 72 hours with a corrosive blue urine, honks when its face is rubbed, maintains a constant temperature of 125 degrees, and makes a 'nu-lee, nu-lee' sound when turned over. It weighs 300 pounds. Physicist Michael Dillon calls it a 'phenomenal find' and 'absolutely amazing,' believing its origins are extraterrestrial. The article notes that three school children found the doll, and Dr. Dillon, with a team, took it to his laboratory. Police headquarters had no immediate confirmation of the report. The article also mentions several UFO sightings in the area prior to the doll's discovery.

An Extraterrestrial Coin Found in Guatemala

This contribution from Dr. Oscar Rafael Padilla Lara describes a unique coin found in Guatemala around 1976, possibly after the great earthquake. The author, interested in UFO phenomena, learned from his friend Mr. Ernesto Britz Jonas about a coin he acquired at an auction, which he called the "PLANET COIN." This coin was unique and unidentifiable by collectors. It was taken to the Smithsonian Institute, where Carbon 14 dating indicated it was 8,757 years old as of 1973, making it approximately 10,730 years old.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OVNI are UFO sightings, particularly 'Flying Triangles,' the potential for extraterrestrial life and technology, and the intersection of these phenomena with scientific advancements and cultural events like the Millennium. The journal's stance, as indicated by its motto "We believe in the free exchange of UFO information," is to present a wide range of reports and perspectives, encouraging open discussion and investigation into unexplained phenomena. The editorial team, led by Omar Fowler and Claire Upton, facilitates this exchange by publishing contributions from members and researchers worldwide.

This issue of OVNI magazine, dated January 1999, presents a diverse range of topics related to ufology, astronomy, and potential extraterrestrial phenomena. The magazine features articles on a unique 'Extraterrestrial Coin', detailed astronomical events like the total solar eclipse of August 11th, 1999, and a critical look at government transparency regarding UFO files.

The 'Extraterrestrial Coin'

The issue begins with an account of an 'Extraterrestrial Coin' found in Guatemala. The discoveror and owner, a gentleman of Jewish origin, believed it represented life from another positive world and stated that the coin belonged to no single country, being universal and celestial. He deposited the coin at the Banco de Occidente for safekeeping. The author describes the coin as having a map of an unknown place on one side and a human-like being with a tail, resembling a monkey's, on the other. Examination with a magnifying glass revealed no country identification or value.

Dr. Oscar Rafael Padilla Lara

A profile of Dr. Oscar Rafael Padilla Lara is included, identifying him as a Lawyer and Notary Public in Guatemala City. He is a regular contributor to 'OVNI' and 'Flying Saucer Review' and a member of APRO, MUFON (USA), the Spanish Scientific Society of Parapsychology and Ufology, and the 'Ancient Astronaut Society' in Illinois, USA.

The Evening Sky: Total Eclipse of the Sun: August 11th 1999

This section provides a detailed astronomical forecast for the total solar eclipse of August 11th, 1999. The path of the Moon's central shadow, the 'umbra', is described as crossing nearly half of the northern hemisphere, starting in the North Atlantic Ocean, moving through central Europe, the Middle East, and ending in the Bay of Bengal. A partial eclipse, seen within the wider 'penumbra' shadow, would be visible across northwestern America, Europe, north Africa, and western Asia. The article specifies timings and locations, noting the eclipse would begin in the North Atlantic about 400 miles northeast of New York, reach the Isles of Scilly at 11:10 am BST, and the Cornwall peninsula at 11:11 am. The duration of totality in Cornwall would be over a minute, with Plymouth experiencing one minute and 39 seconds. London would only see a partial eclipse of 96 percent. The shadow would leave England by 11:16 am, crossing the English Channel and reaching France. The eclipse would end on Earth at 1:36 pm. The article also notes that the last total solar eclipse visible from the UK mainland was on June 29th, 1927, and the next will be on September 23rd, 2090. Observers are encouraged to travel to southwestern Cornwall, south Devon, or Alderney to witness this event.

The Evening Sky: January 1999

This astronomical column for January 1999 highlights celestial events. Flaming Venus would be visible setting in the southwest, with Jupiter and Saturn also prominent. Mars would be visible around midnight, and Mercury would rise low in the southeast during morning twilight. The Moon would be Full on January 2nd and January 31st, and Earth would be closest to the Sun (perihelion) on January 3rd. The article criticizes politicians for allocating funds to projects like the International Space Station (ISS), calling it a '£40 billion flying fiasco' and arguing that manufacturing would be better done on Earth. It also discusses the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud, extending the known boundaries of the Solar System, and touches upon humanity's journey to the stars and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, citing numerous UFO sightings.

Press Release from Nick Redfern (2 December 1998)

This section details a press release from Nick Redfern concerning UFO files held by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). On November 19th, 1998, Lord Hill-Norton inquired about these files. Lord Gilbert responded that the MoD held 76 files related to the UFO issue from 1985 to the present day, originating from the Secretariat of the Air Staff and covering topics like policy, correspondence, alleged sightings, and media issues. Redfern questions the existence of additional files held by other MoD divisions, DI55, Defence Intelligence Staff, RAF Rudloe Manor, and the Provost and Security Services. The MoD's stance that this additional material cannot be identified or provided, citing a lack of funds, is criticized as a potential cover-up and evidence of a covert agenda.

Tale Enders

This section presents a collection of brief UFO-related reports:

• Project FT: An invitation for UFO groups in the UK and Europe to participate in 'Project FT', a research initiative on 'Flying Triangles' with a database of over 7,000 reports since 1942.
• Our Unsung Heroes: A mention of PRA members who investigated a 'man of mystery' in Whitby, Cleveland, who claimed to have 'Alien artifacts', including a gold disc with hieroglyphics. The artifacts turned out to be ordinary stones and a metal badge.
• Flying Triangle Over Baghdad: News reporters observed a triangular formation of lights over Baghdad on December 17th, 1998. Photographs were taken, but anti-aircraft guns did not fire.
• Alien & UFO Exhibition: An exhibition opened in Blackpool, featuring exhibits on UFOs and related topics, including the Roswell crash scene.
• Coffin Shaped UFO: A self-illuminating, coffin-shaped UFO was observed over Curbar, Derbyshire, on December 21st, 1998, for about half an hour.
• Air Battle With UFO's Over Finland: A Finnish F18 pilot reportedly intercepted three discoid UFOs near the Russian border. When the pilot attempted to engage, his computer and weapons systems went offline, and the objects flew off at high speed (Mach 4 or 5).
• The MIR Space Station: The MIR space station will remain in orbit for an additional three years due to a 'benefactor' offering to cover the costs.
• The Sheffield Incident: Speculation continues regarding a Tornado crash in the Sheffield Moors on March 24th, 1997, with suggestions of a military cover-up and a possible TR3 Tornado chasing an FT.

Next Meeting

An announcement for the next meeting of the organization, to be held at the Allenton, Derby. Royal British Legion on Tuesday, January 26th, featuring a slide/audio presentation by Omar Fowler titled 'UFO's Past & Present'. Non-members are welcome.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OVNI are the prevalence of UFO sightings and related phenomena across the globe, the potential for extraterrestrial life, and a critical stance towards government secrecy and perceived obfuscation regarding UFO information. The magazine also includes astronomical information, particularly concerning eclipses and planetary observations, framing these within a broader context of space exploration and humanity's place in the universe. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, a skepticism towards official explanations, and an encouragement for public engagement with these topics.