OVNI - 2000 01 - January-February

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: January/February 2000
Publisher: CONTACT INTERNATIONAL
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of OVNI, a journal of the Phenomenon Research Association, explores the anticipation of alien contact in the new millennium and presents a collection of UFO sighting reports.

The Expectation of Alien Contact in the New Millennium

This article by Omar Fowler discusses the public's evolving acceptance of the UFO phenomenon, tracing its roots from early 20th-century science fiction like H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds" to the sensationalism of "Astounding Magazine" and cinema serials like "Flash Gordon" and "Buck Rogers." Fowler recounts an interview with a retired Major who witnessed a glowing UFO plasma ball in 1938. The article highlights how World War II brought more serious encounters, with British and American pilots reporting silver globes and balls of light following their aircraft. A notable anecdote involves an ex-Lancaster bomber pilot who experienced lights following his plane over Germany.

Historical UFO Phenomenon and Cold War Concerns

The post-WWII era saw the UFO phenomenon gain momentum, particularly after the famous 1947 sighting by Kenneth Arnold, who described objects behaving like 'flying saucers.' During the Cold War, both NATO and Russian forces became concerned by radar tracking of high-speed, disc-shaped craft near the 'Iron Curtain,' with one incident nearly triggering World War III. The article credits American ex-serviceman Bob Dean with revealing details of these events. Dean, a Master Sergeant at SHAPE headquarters, discovered a secret study initiated in 1963 by British Air Marshall Sir Thomas Pike. This three-year study, involving top scientists, concluded that Earth had been subjected to extensive surveys by advanced extraterrestrial civilizations.

The Bentwaters Incident

Another American ex-serviceman, Larry Warren, disclosed events at the Bentwaters Air Force base in Suffolk in December 1980. Warren, an armed Air Force police officer, was part of a patrol investigating lights in Rendlesham Forest. They encountered a large, illuminated object, approximately thirty feet across and twenty-five feet high, surrounded by security police. A light emerged from the object, revealing three individual beings. Warren described seeing eyes, facial features, and a translucent lower body. A meeting occurred between one being and the senior base commander, described as a 'face-off.' Further details are available in Larry Warren's book, "Left At East Gate."

Flying Triangles

The magazine then focuses on the emergence of 'Flying Triangle' (FT) craft, first reported in Missouri and Kansas in 1980, where witnesses observed huge craft with triangular light patterns for hours, tracked by radar. The 'Belgian Flap' followed in 1989/90, with numerous reports of triangular craft, leading to intercepts by Belgian F16s that were unable to match the FTs' speed. In September 1993, residents of Bakewell, Derbyshire, saw a large, silent craft with white lights at its corners, flying at 30mph. British Airways reported being 'buzzed' by a similar craft near Manchester Airport. The Derby area experienced a surge of FT incidents between December 1994 and May 1995, with craft hovering and shining beams of light. Sightings were reported near Rolls-Royce and at the A5111 roundabout in Allenton.

Other Notable Sightings

A Spanish Night Visitor: On July 6th, 1999, Mrs D. Walker and Mrs E. Wilkes observed a star-like light in a Spanish village. The object, initially bright silvery white, changed to cream and became oblong. It developed a red haze and then dimmed and disappeared. The event was accompanied by unusual silence and the absence of other stars.

A Significant Report from Peter Gregory: On January 13th, 2000, Earl and Ayesha Wheatley reported seeing a small triangular craft with red and white static lights near Ulceby Cross, Lincolnshire. The craft flew low across the road and was estimated to be smaller than a jet plane. Shortly after, a military jet flew past at a similar height and direction, leading the observers to believe it might have been pursuing the triangle. The flight path of both craft was towards Skegness and out over the North Sea, near a reported underground base at Skendleby.

A Saucer Sighting in 1986: Mr 'DR' reported seeing a large, saucer-shaped object with brilliant, indescribable lights in his garden in Derby on September 7th, 1986. The object, described as egg-shaped underneath, had dark portholes and moved away slowly before rising vertically. He experienced 'hyper-ventilation' and a desire to communicate. Airport authorities confirmed no aircraft in the vicinity, but military vapour trails were observed shortly after.

A 'Flying Triangle' Report from the Files of Timothy Good: Mrs Barbara Forrest described a sighting on November 19th, 1987, at Brierley Hill, West Midlands. The massive craft had visible mesh, black serrated edges, and stripes underneath. Its lights were fluorescent white and bright. The craft appeared to light up and then moved away silently, appearing as a bright star.

Star Student Discovers Nine New Planets

This section features a brief article about Kevin Apps, a 26-year-old astrophysics student who discovered nine previously unknown planets using the Keck telescope in Hawaii. Five of these planets could potentially host extraterrestrial life.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, the possibility of alien contact, and the historical evolution of these phenomena. The magazine presents a range of reports, from historical accounts and military encounters to contemporary sightings of advanced craft. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, presenting witness testimonies and research findings without overt skepticism, and encouraging further investigation into the 'UFO phenomenon.' The inclusion of a report on exoplanet discovery suggests an interest in the broader context of extraterrestrial life.

This issue of OVNI, dated December 12, 1999, features a striking cover story titled "Udder confusion! What's sending the cattle wild out west?" detailing a mass cattle stampede in Australia. The magazine also includes reports on various UFO sightings from the UK, USA, and China, as well as astronomical observations for January 2000 and a philosophical reflection on the universe's future.

Cover Story: Udder Confusion!

The lead article by Lou Robson describes an incident on Gilly Webb's farm near Mundubbera, Australia, where his cattle, and those of other farmers in the region, became inexplicably spooked at 5:30 am on Tuesday, November 23, 1999. The normally docile animals were found in strange formations, wide-eyed, stamping, and lowing. They then thundered away from their usual grazing areas, some even tearing through fences. Mr. Webb stated, "Whatever spooked them can't be seen by the human eye." Over 50 farmers on the Darling Downs reported similar activity over the next two days. Various theories were proposed, including UFOs, the legendary Yengarie lion, Army weapons testing, and even the spirits of dead Aborigines. Seismologists found no unusual activity, and the Army denied any testing. The incident remains a mystery, with the cattle exhibiting extreme fear.

UFO Reports from Around the World

Triangular UFO Over BT Installation (UK)

Anthony James reports on a sighting by Mark Hulcombe on a Sunday evening in mid-November. While driving through a British Telecom (BT) installation near Towcester, Northampton, Hulcombe observed a strange formation of lights about 30 feet above the tallest mast. The lights, described as a bright white light in each corner and a smaller red one in the center, with three smaller white lights between them, suggested a triangular craft. The sighting lasted 3-4 minutes, and Hulcombe noted an articulated lorry had also pulled over, suggesting the driver had seen the same phenomenon.

Cylindrical UFO Hovers Over Shanghai (China)

A large, light grey cylindrical UFO was reported over Shanghai on Thursday, December 2, 1999. Seen by hundreds of people and reported in the Shanghai Daily and Wenhui Daily, the object hovered for over an hour. An eyewitness reporter from Wenhui Daily observed the illuminated object stationary for ten minutes before it disappeared. Two TV stations broadcast video footage described as 'an object darting through the sky with an orange flaming tail'. Professor Jiang Xiaoyuan, a former researcher at the Shanghai Observatory, was a witness but could not offer an explanation. Radar operators at Hongqiao International Airport detected nothing unusual.

Police Officers See UFO (USA)

On November 18, 1999, a police officer in Columbus, Ohio, USA, reported a sighting while attempting to observe the Leonid Meteor Shower. A dark object, triangular in shape, was observed moving from east to west. As it approached, it appeared similar in shape to an F-117A Stealth Fighter. The officer and his 'ride-along' passenger witnessed the object make a slow right banking turn, revealing a distorted underside, possibly indicating camouflage. It appeared to be an equilateral triangle with no sound or flashing lights. The craft traveled north, gliding slowly, and was described as much larger than a police helicopter. Attempts to get radar confirmation from Port Columbus Airport were unsuccessful.

Other Sightings (UK)

• FTs in Essex: On November 4, 1999, a silent FT appeared as a circular green flashing light, later becoming a triangular craft over St. Osyth. On December 1, 1999, a similar FT was sighted over Clacton with a red pulsating center light and yellowish lights at the corners.
• Yellow Sphere near Stockport: On January 2, 2000, Kathryn Wales reported seeing a huge, yellow, spherical object floating past her lounge window, which she found very unsettling.
• Gigantic UFO in South Pacific: On November 4, 1999, a gigantic UFO with bright lights was seen hovering low over the sea by thousands of people near New Britain and New Ireland.

Area 51 Debunked?

Jack A. Schulman, CEO of the American Computer Company, claims that Area 51 is simply an empty plot of desert. He states that the 'occupied' side is Johnson Airbase, part of the Nevada Experimental Test Facility (JANET). He suggests that telephoto photographs labeled 'Area 51' by the press actually show the above-ground portion of the JANET facility, and that rumors perpetuated by Bob Lazar and Glen Campbell are a 'SMOKE SCREEN' for the testing of advanced aircraft.

The Evening Sky: January 2000

Walter Berg provides an astronomical forecast for January 2000. The month begins with Earth being closest to the Sun on January 2nd. The highlight is the world's first total lunar eclipse since 1997, visible in the UK on the evening of January 20th (morning of the 21st), with maximum eclipse at 4:45 am. Jupiter and Saturn will be visible in the southeastern sky, and Mars in the southwest. Venus will be visible in the pre-twilight morning sky. The Winter star constellations, including Orion, are noted for their brilliance due to dark, frosty nights.

Reflection on the Cosmos

The article reflects on humanity's understanding of the cosmos over the past century. It notes how astronomical views have evolved from believing Earth was the center to understanding our place in the Milky Way and the existence of other galaxies. The expansion of the universe was discovered by 1929, with cosmic microwave background radiation providing proof in 1965. The author presents a bleak outlook for the universe's future, predicting the Earth's irradiation in 1.2 billion years, the Sun's death within 10 billion years, and the eventual evaporation of all matter over inconceivable timescales.

Tale Enders

This section provides brief snippets of other reported phenomena:

• Old Soldier's Tale: A Mr. Rogers recalled seeing a 'fuzzy ball of light' in Germany after WW2, which was followed by a crash and the discovery of a 16ft diameter crop circle in a wheat field.
• Earth Changes: Mitch Battros reports on 'M-Class' solar flares occurring with a high sunspot count, predicting severe weather due to a 'Mega Cycle' that occurs every hundreds of thousands of years.

Next Meeting

The OVNI journal announces its next meeting will be held at the Royal British Legion in Allenton, Derby, on Tuesday, January 25th, at 8 pm. The meeting will feature a video show of the latest World-Wide UFO footage. Non-members are welcome with a £1 entry fee, and smoking is not permitted.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OVNI include unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs), unusual animal behavior linked to potential unknown causes, and astronomical observations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, presenting witness accounts and scientific data, while also acknowledging the vastness and potential bleakness of the universe. The publication encourages reader submissions and aims to inform its audience about the latest developments in ufology and related fields.