OVNI - 2001 07 - July-August

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: July/August 2001
Publisher: Journal of the Phenomenon Research Association (PRA)
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £1 plus postage

This issue of OVNI magazine delves into various UFO-related topics, including a major disclosure conference, specific sighting reports from the UK, and theoretical discussions about extraterrestrial life and ancient mythology.

The Great Disclosure Conference Lives Up to Its Name

This article reports on the 'Disclosure' press conference held on May 9th at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. Dr. Steven M. Greer introduced military and scientific witnesses willing to share their knowledge of UFO incidents. The conference attracted significant media attention. Witnesses described seeing photographs of a domed Alien base on the Moon and an Earth satellite photograph with a UFO. An ex-intelligence officer recounted an incident in 1976 where F4 fighters of the Iranian Air Force attempted to intercept a UFO, resulting in their electrical systems shutting down. He also mentioned UFOs being tracked near the runway at Maguire Air Force Base, with one craft reportedly crash-landing near Fort Dix, and a surviving Alien being shot. A 'conceptional artist' spoke about the 'Hystep' programme and an experimental aircraft called the 'flux flyer'. Larry Warren, involved in the Bentwaters/Woodbridge incidents, recounted an encounter between American Air Force personnel and Aliens in Rendlesham Forest. The speakers expressed willingness to testify before Congress if granted freedom of speech. Members of the PRA in Derby viewed a video of this conference.

The Bonsall UFO

This article by Omar Fowler aims to clarify the controversy surrounding the Mrs Sharon Rowlands 'Bonsall' UFO video. Following a report in the 'Matlock Mercury', Fowler visited Mr. and Mrs. Rowlands on October 20th, 2000, to examine their video footage taken on October 5th, 2000. The couple described seeing a bright circular light hovering over trees near their cottage. The light approached their home, grew in size, and then returned to its previous position. After a few minutes, it moved slowly to the northwest, increasing its speed and revealing two smaller light sources before disappearing. The incident lasted six and a half minutes. The Rowlands, who had no prior interest in UFOs, felt the object was under intelligent control. Fowler viewed the video but could not study individual frames. Mrs. Rowlands initially promised a VHS copy but later declined, wishing to keep it for herself. Mr. and Mrs. Rowlands had also refused to show the video to the BBC News or engage with the media. Fowler estimates the object's size at about 50 feet in diameter, questioning claims of it being three miles across, which he suggests might relate to a NASA filmed object from the STS-75 mission. He also notes that the pattern in the light might be due to the camcorder's lens design. While finding it difficult to believe the £20,000 paid for the footage, he considers the sequence no more spectacular than other worldwide extracts shown in documentaries.

'UFO Made Me Miss Big Brother!'

This news report from the Matlock Mercury details a sighting by Alison Brewster (29) of Tansley, Derbyshire. While watching the TV show 'Big Brother' on July 2nd, 2001, she observed a disk-shaped object with four green flashing lights hovering outside her lounge window for about 30 seconds at 10:35 pm. She described it as huge, about 1,000 feet high, and unlike any aircraft or star. She stepped outside to call her boyfriend, but the object disappeared. This is reported as the 27th UFO sighting in the Derbyshire Dales in nine months, making the region a known UFO hotspot. The article mentions that Fox TV in America and Nottingham's Four Sheets Films are making documentaries about the Bonsall sighting, and NASA is interested in viewing the Bonsall videotape. The news editor, Andy Darlington, appeals for readers to report any unexplained sights.

MORE MATLOCK MYSTERIES

This article expands on Alison Jackson's (29) sighting from July 2nd, 2001, which was reported in the Matlock Mercury. Jackson described a disk-shaped object with green flashing lights that did not flash quickly or simultaneously. She noted the middle seemed hollow or dark. The object was huge, estimated at a thousand feet high, and stationary for about 30 seconds. She described it as 'big chunks of light' and was confused why no one else saw it. Her report indicated a clear sky, no wind, and warm conditions. The object appeared at an angle of approximately 60 degrees. A sketch by Alison is included. The article also mentions that the PRA has a video library of UFO footage, with German producer Michael Hesemann specializing in securing camcorder UFO footage globally.

ANOTHER UFO FILMED NEAR MATLOCK?

This extract from the Matlock Mercury reports on a sighting by Joanna Tomlinson (17) on July 14th, 2001. While travelling home, she and two men outside a pub saw a UFO fly over Riber castle. She described it as diamond-shaped with an orange and white light at each corner. Her mother also saw the object. Later that night, a woman in Lea captured a UFO on video, appearing as a bizarre white circular light with markings. The footage lasted about 30 minutes. The woman had previously seen a similar object over Cromford. Derbyshire Dales residents have reported over 25 UFO sightings in nine months. The 'Lea' video has been obtained by a documentary agency, and the PRA has been offered the opportunity to view it. The article notes that Michael Hesemann's 'UFO Footage Archives' are available to PRA members. The continued UFO activity in the Matlock area is speculated to be linked to a nearby nuclear waste dump.

The Extended Habitation Zone

This article discusses the search for life beyond Earth, starting with Mars. The Viking lander results were inconclusive, and the meteorite ALH 84001 findings remain controversial. The article explores other possibilities within the solar system, including the moons of Jupiter, particularly Europa, which is believed to have a liquid water ocean. It questions the habitable zone around stars and considers the possibility of undiscovered planets beyond Neptune and Pluto. The concept of a 'Perturber,' a massive body possibly a brown dwarf, is introduced, which may influence comets in the Oort Cloud. The article connects this to ancient mythology, specifically the 'Dark Star Theory' and the Sumerian concept of 'Nibiru,' a 'red star' described as bisecting the heavens. It suggests that if such a planet exists and passes through the solar system, it could offer conditions conducive to life, potentially more so than Mars. The author, Andy Lloyd, provides his contact information.

Mystery of the strange debris from sky

This section compiles newspaper cuttings. One article from The Sunday Express (January 23, 1983) reports on a farmer, Irwel Evans, finding hundreds of pieces of honeycomb metal foil and twisted alloy plates scattered across his farm in Llaniar, Wales. The debris was found after an object fell from the sky. Police and RAF personnel investigated, but no explanation was found. No aircraft were heard or detected on radar. The debris was light but had severed branches off trees. Another article from New Scientist discusses the future of cellphone technology, with governments mandating location-tracking by 2005, raising privacy concerns. A report from the Derby Evening News (June 13, 2001) details an appeal by Kevin O'Mahony regarding a strange, loud noise heard in Spondon, Derby, described as like a large engine flying over. Police and the local airport had no explanation.

'LITS' FILMED OVER DERBY

This edited extract from the Derby Evening News features John Wright, a signmaker and self-confessed alien abduction theorist, who claims to have filmed UFO activity over Derbyshire. He describes seeing a bright white light hovering over trees, which appears on average once a fortnight. Wright has accumulated video evidence of lights that appear around 12:45 am or 1 am and again around 3:30 am or 4:30 am. He believes his footage captures the classic alien abduction scenario where a light drops out, picks up a subject, and then returns with the subject. The article notes that Derbyshire has become a hotbed of UFO sightings, and includes images of a light filmed by Wright.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OVNI are UFO sightings, government disclosure of UFO information, and the scientific and mythological aspects of potential extraterrestrial life. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, presenting witness accounts, investigative reports, and theoretical discussions without overt skepticism. The PRA actively collects and shares UFO-related evidence, such as videos, and encourages member participation in viewing and evaluating this material. The magazine also highlights the growing number of UFO sightings in specific regions like Derbyshire, suggesting these areas are becoming significant hotspots for such activity.

This issue of OVNI, dated July 2001, focuses on UFO reports from around the world, alongside astronomical observations and other unexplained phenomena. The magazine covers sightings from Scotland, Derbyshire, and Uttoxeter in the UK, as well as a report from Alpine, USA. It also includes a theoretical piece on a 'Shard' on the Moon, information on crop circles, and details about Comet Linear A2.

UFO Reports from Around the World

Scotland, UK

The issue details a breaking case involving an alleged abduction in Scotland. The story revolves around a still image, possibly from a video or photograph, taken during the event. The witness claims he was gone for only two hours, but reports suggest he was missing for two or three days. The photograph, taken at night, shows a triangular craft at treetop level with distinct lights: large white lights in each corner and a brighter one in the center, with smaller groups of green, yellow, and white lights towards the rear. The craft's body is described as indented equally on both sides. Upon his return, the witness found his wife distressed and police officers present.

Derbyshire, UK

The Derbyshire Dales area has recorded its 26th UFO sighting in nine months. A 62-year-old man from Cromford reported seeing a craft on Friday, June 1st, which he had seen twice before in the past month. The sighting occurred at the top of Slack Hill in Kelstedge around 1:30 am. The witness described the object as being about 3,000 feet high, with an orange hue similar to a streetlight. He noted that the object changes shape, with light cascading from it, and that it seemed to be watching him, approaching to within 1,000 feet. The witness expressed curiosity rather than fear but wanted to maintain distance.

A Report from Uttoxeter (1981)

Listener Ian Sadler contacted BBC Radio Derby following a broadcast about UFOs, sharing his experience from November 5th, 1981. Around 7 pm, while in his garden at Stubwood, near Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, he observed what appeared to be a UFO. He described it as a bright orange object, similar in size to a full moon, rising slowly from behind trees on the opposite side of the valley. It stopped when fully visible and then shot off at high speed in a North-East direction. The object was sharply defined and had no sound. Ian noted the unusual behavior of stopping after rising and the incredible speed of its departure. He also mentioned having had past psychic experiences.

Californian Flying Triangle

On April 27th, 2001, at approximately 11 pm in Alpine, a witness observed a "strangest thing" in the night sky. They described a 3-sided object, dark against the night sky, with barely visible sides, resembling a "three sided guitar pick." The object moved eastward at tremendous speed, flying directly overhead and disappearing over the mountains in 5 seconds. The witness noted there was no sound.

Other Features

The Evening Sky - July 2001

This section provides astronomical information for July 2001. Mars is the only planet visible in the evening sky. By July 19th, Mars changes its retrograde motion. The night of July 18th is highlighted for stargazing, with Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and a crescent Moon appearing. The Milky Way is described as a densely star-packed disk of our galaxy. The Delta Aquarid meteor shower is expected mid-July. Notably, Earth is farthest from the Sun (aphelion) on July 4th, at over 95.5 million miles, a distance contrasted with Supernova 1997ff, located over 10 billion light-years away.

Tale Enders

Shard on the Moon Theory: Jeff Whitear proposes a theory that a 1.5-mile 'Shard' photographed on the Moon's surface, which appears to capture light, could be an alien construction designed to capture solar energy for an underground installation, potentially indicating an alien base.

Crop Circles: The article notes that 22 crop circles had been discovered so far that year, with a website provided for viewing them.

NASA STS-75 UFO: A photograph from the STS-75 space mission shows a UFO with a remarkable similarity to the 'Bonsall UFO', estimated to be three miles in diameter. Speculation suggests the shape might be due to the camera lens.

UK 'Disclosure Project': Plans for a 'Disclosure Project' event in a London hotel were reportedly being organized, seeking ex-service personnel willing to share information.

Dying Comet Strays into View on Earth: Comet Linear A2, discovered in January, made its closest approach to Earth between July 1st and 5th. It was visible as a small blob of light and suddenly brightened, leading astronomers to call for plans to protect Earth from comet impacts, referencing the potential role of comets in the extinction of dinosaurs.

Radio Broadcast and Meeting

Details are provided for an upcoming 'UFO phone-in' on BBC Radio Derby on August 7th, featuring Omar Fowler and John Holmes. A meeting for the PRA is scheduled for Tuesday, August 28th, at the Royal British Legion in Allenton.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alleged abductions, and unexplained aerial phenomena, presented with a focus on witness accounts and photographic evidence. The magazine also shows an interest in astronomy and other fringe topics like crop circles and extraterrestrial theories. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting reports and theories while acknowledging the need for further details and verification, as indicated by statements like "before it can be accepted, we must be informed of the full details surrounding this incident."