OVNI - 2002 03 - March-April

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: March/April 2002
Publisher: Journal of the Phenomenon Research Association

This issue of OVNI, the journal of the Phenomenon Research Association, presents a collection of UFO sightings and related phenomena, primarily from the UK, with some international reports. The magazine highlights witness testimonies, often accompanied by sketches of the observed objects.

A Bumper Edition

The editorial notes that this issue is packed with UFO cases, many resulting from the Editor's 'UFO Phone-In' broadcasts on BBC Radio Derby. It suggests that the number of reported experiences is likely only the 'tip of a very large iceberg', with many people still hesitant to reveal their encounters. The magazine also acknowledges the contribution of Roy Lake of the London UFO Studies Group regarding a 'Flying Triangle' event. While acknowledging the abundance of worldwide UFO reports online, OVNI focuses on local 'backyard' sightings.

Asteroid Near Miss

An article details a close encounter with an asteroid, designated 2002 EM7, which passed Earth on March 8th, 2002. The asteroid was difficult to detect as it was moving outward from its orbit and was too close to the Sun to be visible. Astronomers have called for more funding to catalogue near-Earth objects to prevent future surprises. 2002 EM7, estimated to be 50-100 metres across, is considered too small to be a 'potentially hazardous asteroid' but is among the 10 closest known approaches by minor planets.

A MAJOR ‘FLYING TRIANGLE' SIGHTING IN EAST SUSSEX

Mark Herbert reports a unique 'Flying Triangle' (FT) incident on February 15th, 2002, near Bewl Water Reservoir. He described a large black triangular craft, the size of a Jumbo jet, hovering silently with a pulsating red light in the centre and three white/bluish lights at each corner. The craft moved slowly, then gathered speed and shot off. Three days later, Herbert observed a white high-top van with an open roof and a large satellite dish parked at the same location, which he notes is reminiscent of reports by researcher Tony Dodd about 'men in white overalls' using unmarked vans at UFO event sites.

Mr Mark Herbert's Previous FT Encounter

Herbert also recounts a previous sighting from October 2000 near Titsy, North Downs, Surrey. He saw a very large (200 yards across), dark gold/bronze metallic triangular craft flying from East to West at about 30 mph and 300ft altitude. It had a red light at the back, blue/white lights at the corners, and a wave of light or heat along its leading edge. A white glowing object followed closely behind.

'CLASSIC SAUCER' SEEN NEAR THE N.E.C. BIRMINGHAM

Jill Quin reports a sighting on January 5th, 2002, near Water-Orton. She saw an illuminated round 'Thing' with a dome and spaced lights hovering stationary over a field. The object then began to zig-zag across the field, emitting a high-pitched whining sound, causing horses to flee. It then moved rapidly towards her and disappeared.

MYSTERIOUS LIGHT OVER BELPER, DERBYS. 12/1/02

Mrs Patricia Hopkins describes seeing a mysterious light in the early hours of January 12th, 2002. She initially thought it was an aeroplane descending, but the lights went out, and the object vanished without a sound, leading her to believe it might have crashed, though no evidence was found.

A UFO REPORT FROM MAJORCA 1996

Evelyn Saville reported a sighting on November 11th, 1996, from her hotel room in Palma Nova, Majorca. She saw a large, round, bright white light with sequenced red, green, and white lights around the edge, travelling slowly at about 10 mph over the sea.

MYSTERIOUS CRAFT FLIES OVER DERBY: NOVEMBER 1979

Michael Bradbury recounts an experience from November 1979 in Derby. He saw two very bright lights that he initially mistook for aircraft landing lights. These lights later resolved into four smaller lights attached to a large, silent, circular object that passed overhead at walking pace. The East Midlands Airport reported no radar contact.

AN AMAZING 'SAUCER' SIGHTING NEAR ASHBOURNE IN 1983

Janet Jones reports a sighting on July 30th, 1983, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire. She first saw four fast, silent, bright lights at high altitude. Later, a huge, brightly coloured, saucer-shaped craft with a domed top approached silently. The area was enveloped in silence, a phenomenon known as the 'OZ factor'. The craft was described as being the size of an 'Ocean Liner'.

A 'FLYING TRIANGLE' OVER BELGIUM - 33 YEARS AGO!

This report details an event from the winter of 1968/69 in Belgium, witnessed by a 15-year-old Jean-Marie Van Der Hoop. He saw a triangular craft ('OVNI') approaching his school at about 30-40 km/h. It descended to hover about ten metres from the students, emitting a luminous glow underneath. A dome underneath the craft reportedly contained two occupants. The craft then drifted away, its rear end folding in like a bats wing, before accelerating rapidly and disappearing into a cloud.

Flying Alien Footnote

A brief note mentions a video lecture by Santiago Yturria showing floating figures in Mexico, which was reminiscent of a report in the previous issue of OVNI.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are 'Flying Triangles', classic saucer shapes, and unexplained lights, with a strong emphasis on witness accounts and their detailed descriptions. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, encouraging the reporting of sightings and presenting them for reader consideration. The magazine also touches upon the potential dangers of uncatalogued near-Earth objects, linking it to the broader theme of the unknown in space.

This issue of OVNI magazine, dated March 2002, spans pages 10-14 and features a prominent profile on Terry Walters, a subject of UFO and allied phenomena studies since the early sixties. The magazine also includes articles on labyrinths and their connection to UFOs and crop circles, an astronomical column titled 'The Evening Sky', and various news items related to UFO sightings and events.

In Profile: Terry Walters

The main feature is an in-depth profile of Terry Walters by Omar Fowler, who has been studying UFOs and allied phenomena since the early sixties. Fowler recounts his first contact with Walters in November 1992, leading to a visit to Walters' home near Wokingham. Walters shared accounts of strange events in his life, including access to healing powers and psychic abilities gained through contact with Aliens. He also described 'out of the body' (OBE) experiences and 'travel' in Alien craft. Walters' wife, Dianne, corroborated parts of his story. Fowler has maintained contact with Walters since 1992 and has been able to establish several of his claimed events. Walters' revelations have led to the publication of his book, ‘Who On Earth Am I?' (Amora Paperback, ISBN 1 901532 00 3 - £7.99).

The article includes a letter from Dr. Jean-Noel Aubrun, an American scientist, detailing how Terry Walters' intervention, possibly with the help of his 'friends', led to the recovery of Dr. Aubrun's wife, Mary, from severe Crohn's disease. Dr. Aubrun expressed gratitude, noting that while Mary felt a change in energy after Walters' work, her situation improved significantly later. Walters continues to work with his 'friends' to assist with his healing powers.

The Labyrinth Connection

Authored by PRA member Jeff Whitear, this article explores the potential connection between labyrinth patterns and designs seen on UFOs and in crop circles. Whitear points to similarities in patterns, such as the internal loops of a 'Flying Triangle' (Fig. 1) matching 'lights' on the UFO, and zig-zag lines seen in crop circles (Fig. 2). He suggests that labyrinths are non-conductive coils that could involve microwave energy, possibly a combination of ultra-sound waves and a strong flow of electrons. The article notes that a labyrinth at Saffron Walden, Essex, exhibited a similar pattern, and passing energy through it could produce sine waves found in crop circles. Whitear poses the question of why these patterns have been drawn across the countryside for over 2,500 years.

The Evening Sky

This column, written by Walter Berg, provides an astronomical overview for March 2002. It emphasizes the wonder of the universe and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, noting the discovery of over 80 extra-solar planets in the past decade and the increasing power of telescopes to analyze atmospheres of Earth-like planets. For March 2002, the column highlights Jupiter's visibility, Mars and Saturn in the evening sky, Venus as the 'Evening Star', a Full Moon on March 28th, and the vernal equinox on March 20th. Berg encourages readers to join him in watching the spring sunrise on the morning of the 20th.

Tale Enders (News and Brief Reports)

This section contains various short news items:

• British UFO Studies Centre: Announces the second National UFO Conference in Runcorn on Saturday, April 20th, featuring speakers Eric Morris, Tim Matthews, and Philip Mantle. Tickets are £5.
• Another Derby UFO Sighting (9/11/2001): Christopher Lukasiewicz reported seeing two sets of lights in a pattern resembling a five on a playing card, which moved erratically and then disappeared.
• A UFO Light Over Heage (1988): A witness, DW, saw a glowing yellow ball of light, estimated to be 3ft in diameter and travelling at 300mph, just above tree-top level, accompanied by a 'whooshing sound'.
• UFO Museum Opens in Istanbul, Turkey: The 'First International UFO Museum of Eastern Europe, Balkans and Middle-East' opened on January 18th, 2002.
• UFO Headlines (7/3/02): Reports of hundreds of UFO sightings in Yugoslavia, with people in Montenegrin seeing giant, illuminated objects that changed shape.
• Oldest Known UFO Photo Sold: On March 4th, 2002, Independent-International Pictures Corp. won an auction for a winter 1870 stereo photograph showing a cigar-like object over Mount Washington, New Hampshire.
• Next UFO Phone-In Broadcast: A BBC Radio Derby broadcast is scheduled for Tuesday, April 9th, featuring Omar Fowler and John Holmes, inviting listeners to share their experiences.
• UFO NEWS U.K.: An 'on-line' magazine produced by Anthony James (EMUFORA) is highlighted as a source of information.
• Next PRA Meeting: Scheduled for Tuesday, March 26th, at the Royal British Legion in Derby, featuring a video of Bob Dean and a review of UFO sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and phenomena, psychic abilities, healing, and the potential connection between ancient patterns (labyrinths) and extraterrestrial activity. The magazine appears to present a platform for individuals with extraordinary claims, such as Terry Walters, and for reporting on various UFO-related events and research. The editorial stance, as indicated by the inclusion of these diverse topics and the disclaimer that "Articles and opinions printed in the OVNI do not necessarily reflect the views of the PRA," suggests an open-minded approach to investigating and reporting on the unexplained, while also providing a space for astronomical observations and news from the UFO community.