OVNI - 2004 05 - May-June

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: May/June
Year: 2004
Publisher: Journal of the Phenomenon Research Association
Country: UK
Price: £1 +pp UK: 2 Euros incl.pp

This issue of OVNI, the journal of the Phenomenon Research Association, presents a collection of UFO sightings and related phenomena from various locations and time periods. The cover features the journal's name and various abstract illustrations of potential UFO shapes.

Articles and Reports

'Flying Cigar' Seen Over Nottingham 25th April 2004

This article details a sighting by researcher Anthony James near his home in Nottingham. While walking his dog around 2:30 PM on April 25, 2004, James observed a thin, tubular-shaped object moving slowly from South to North at a high altitude. He photographed the object using an Olympus C-700 camera with a 10x zoom lens. The object was visible for about 20 minutes before disappearing into a cloud. James spoke with several passers-by who also found the object strange. He reported no noise from the object, which appeared dark grey and was estimated to be 50-60 feet long. The object was photographed on the Hempshill Estate. Further details on page 3 describe the object as having a 'teat' at one end and appearing to bend or distort, possibly due to air turbulence. The editor notes that the object could be an elongated balloon, a deduction considered feasible.

THE FIRST ‘CROP CIRCLE' OF THE YEAR?

This section features a photograph of a crop circle pattern found in a dirt field in Southern England. The image was seen and photographed by crop circle photographer 'Busty' Taylor. Taylor commented on his website, questioning whether many 'Simple Circles' would appear that year. The editor provides a link to Taylor's website for further viewing.

FRENCH VISITOR

On April 15, 2004, the Phenomenon Research Association (PRA) hosted Paul Ponssot, a student from Jussien University in Paris. Ponssot is researching 'Abductions in France' for his paper. He is pictured with Andrew Johnson and later met with Omar Fowler and Garry Stapleton, who specializes in 'Abductee' research.

MYSTERIOUS ‘FT' ENCOUNTER IN DERBYSHIRE 1996

This report, contributed by Gavin Bevis of BBC RADIO DERBY, recounts an encounter by Mr. Daryl Hopkinson in Derbyshire, likely in 1996-97. While driving at night, Hopkinson observed a light that appeared to be a star, then a helicopter, and finally a black, triangle-shaped object with rounded edges, wider than a Stealth Bomber. It had two pulsing red lights on the wingtips and moved slowly alongside his car. He panicked, turned off his car lights, and noted the object made no noise. The object then accelerated rapidly and ascended into the sky towards Derby. Hopkinson later heard a report on a TV phone-in show from a caller in Doncaster who had seen a similar black object flying towards Sheffield, potentially confirming the object's flight path. The witness did not recall seeing windows or the object visibly gaining speed, describing its acceleration as smooth.

CANADIAN UFO ENCOUNTERS

Alan May, a resident of Newbury, Ontario, Canada, shared his experiences with the editor. Starting around 1992, May observed an object near Florence, Ontario, that appeared as a star, then hovered and emitted an orange light. After flashing an SOS with a spotlight, the object approached him, hovering silently about 150 feet overhead. It was triangle-shaped with an eerie orange glow and lights on each corner. A loud 'clunk' sound was heard, and the lights changed to resemble a jetliner. The object then glided away. May refers to this as 'The Messenger' and believes it is related to climate change visions. He reports a 12-year period of harassment and surveillance, including visits from MIBs and helicopter surveillance. His website is reportedly being viewed by Lockheed Martin and Gulfstream Aerospace.

UFO INCIDENT AT TAURANGA-NEW ZEALAND 11.20PM 2nd JAN.2004

This report from Harvey L. Cooke of the Tauranga UFO Investigation Group details an incident witnessed by Don & Liz B, Ken & Sonja W. in near total darkness. Witnesses described the object's size by comparing it to a coin and noted its trajectory through drawings. They reported no audible noise. The object appeared to pulsate at a later stage, and its light was mainly yellowish with occasional red and blue tinges. Animals were acting strangely prior to the sighting. The terrain involved a deep gully. Sketches provided by the witnesses illustrate the object's movement and appearance, including a dark band appearing and disappearing, and bright light moving up and down and zig-zagging. The times are approximate but reasonably close to the sighting.

MASSIVE ‘FLYING TRIANGLE' SEEN OVER HOLLAND

This report, from the Filers Files, describes a sighting by a 47-year-old witness in Almelo, Overijssel, Holland, on January 11, 2004. The witness saw a huge, massive triangle-shaped object with red lights on each corner and five lights in the middle. The wind suddenly blew hard, possibly caused by the craft, and there were no engine sounds. The object moved slowly from east to west with two bright white sphere lights on top. It was estimated to be 250 meters distant and at a height of 250 meters, moving at a constant speed of 30 km/h. The sighting caused psychological side effects, including nervousness and a restless feeling. The witness reported the sighting to the Air Force Base Twente, who stated they could not act on it. However, fighter jets were heard flying over later that evening.

UFO Sighting Over Nuclear Reactor

This article, presented as a 'real oldie' from Daniel Wilson of Ohio, USA, recounts a UFO sighting over the Hanford Nuclear Reactor in Washington in July 1945. Based on the book 'Living on the Edge' by Byron D. Varner, the article describes how pilots were tasked with protecting the plant from potential air attacks. During a routine alert, radar detected a fast-moving object directly above the plant. Pilots scrambled to intercept it, and as they gained altitude, they spotted the object and headed towards it.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OVNI are UFO sightings, particularly 'flying triangles' and unusual aerial phenomena, crop circles, and abduction research. The magazine appears to maintain an open-minded but analytical stance, presenting witness accounts and photographic evidence while also offering potential explanations, such as the 'elongated balloon' theory for the Nottingham sighting. The editorial notes express gratitude to contributors and highlight the importance of documenting these phenomena. The inclusion of historical cases like the Hanford sighting suggests an interest in the long-term study of UFOs. The magazine also seems to foster a community of researchers and enthusiasts, as evidenced by the 'French Visitor' section and the mention of various UFO investigation groups and websites.

This document comprises pages 10 through 14 of the magazine 'OVNI', with content dated up to May 2004. The issue covers historical UFO sightings, unexplained phenomena, and astronomical observations.

UFO 1945 Sighting

The article details a significant UFO sighting that occurred in July 1945, approximately six weeks before the Japanese surrender. Navy pilots flying F6F Hellcats encountered an unidentified object described as saucer-like, bright, extremely fast, and very high, exceeding the aircraft's operating ceiling of 37,000 feet. The object was observed to be oval-shaped, very streamlined, and pinkish in color, emitting vapor from its edges, possibly as a disguise. Despite pushing their engines to their limits and reaching altitudes of 42,000 feet, the pilots were unable to get close enough to the craft. The object hovered for about twenty minutes above the Hanford Nuclear Reactor before disappearing straight up. Rolan Powell, one of the pilots, provided details of the sighting in an interview conducted by Walt Andrus. The Hanford site itself is identified as a plutonium-production facility crucial to the Manhattan Project.

The Storm That Wasn't

Ernie Sears recounts an unusual event on Thursday, March 25th, at approximately 4:00 PM in Netley Abbey. He experienced a room vibration, a rumble, and a flash that illuminated the entire sky, accompanied by door chimes and a fire alarm. He found that all fire doors had shut themselves. Other witnesses also reported seeing and hearing the incident, describing it as 'weird' and not a typical thunderstorm. Attempts to contact the police and the Southern Daily Echo newsdesk yielded no reports or explanations. The event was also experienced by others, including a sheltered flats complex manageress and a friend who was aroused by the thunder and flash. Sears notes the unusual secrecy surrounding the event, with no one providing an explanation even after a week.

Later, Sears's TV meter man, who had his own paranormal experiences, mentioned a strange occurrence that happened to him and his wife, which they could not explain. Sears also recalls a discussion about President Bush promising an 'experts' examination of the 'UFO Enigma' and a potential connection to a meeting about Iraq. He also remembers an email from Steve Gerrard about UFO MAGAZINE resuming publication and his own observation that the sky 'looked different' during the 'instant storm'. Sears concludes by stating his belief that the lack of response indicates secrecy and expresses his intention to contact the Chief Constable of Hampshire.

Astronomy - May 2004

Walter Berg provides an overview of celestial events for May 2004. The evening sky will feature bright stars like Arcturus and Spica. Venus will be at its brightest, high in the western sky after sunset, gradually descending throughout the month. Saturn and Mars will also be visible, with Mars positioned between Venus and Saturn around May 10th and passing closer to Saturn by May 24th. Jupiter will shine in the southern sky at dusk. A total lunar eclipse is scheduled for May 4th, occurring when the Moon rises, causing it to turn a dim, orange, coppery color due to sunlight refracted through Earth's atmosphere. Comet Neat is expected to become visible in the western sky after twilight, passing Sirius and entering Ursa Major. The article emphasizes the importance of observing the cosmos and its potential influence.

Tale Enders

This section contains several brief reports and announcements:

• Any Strange Knockings?: UFO researcher Anthony James has shifted his focus from UFOs to ghost hunting.
• Crop Circle Detector?: Jeff Whitear of the PRA suggests using radio distortion detection to identify potential crop circle formation sites.
• Burton-on-Trent UFO (24/1/04): A witness reported a rectangular, cream-colored object with two large exhausts, described as luminous and without lights, that cruised overhead, banked to reveal a circular profile, and then 'faded away'.
• OVNI Worldwide: The journal OVNI is distributed internationally, including in the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand.
• Easter and All That: A brief commentary on the film 'The Passion of the Christ' and a theological reflection on the mystery of the 'shining white' figures seen by Mary Magdalene at the sepulchre.
• Sneaky: The price of a second-class stamp has increased to 21p.
• The Next PRA Meeting: An announcement for a meeting on Tuesday, May 25th, featuring a presentation by Andrew Johnson on 'The Case for Anti-Gravity', with audio extracts from Nick Cook and Bob Lazaar. The entry fee is £1, and non-members are welcome.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include historical UFO sightings, particularly the 1945 Hanford incident, and unexplained aerial phenomena. There is also a focus on the potential for secrecy surrounding such events, as highlighted by the 'storm that wasn't' incident. The publication also engages with astronomical observations and paranormal research, suggesting a broad interest in the unexplained. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFOs and related phenomena, encouraging reader contributions and providing a platform for various perspectives, while also acknowledging the scientific and astronomical aspects of the sky.