OVNI - 2005 11 - November-December

Magazine Overview

Title: OVNI
Issue: Nov/December 2005
Publisher: Journal of the Phenomenon Research Association
Tagline: "At The Cutting Edge"

This issue of OVNI, the journal for discerning researchers, delves into various unexplained phenomena, UFO sightings, and related topics. It features a mix of detailed case studies, reports, and opinion pieces, aiming to provide a platform for in-depth investigation.

Winter Blues?

The editorial, titled "Winter Blues?", welcomes readers to the issue, noting the addition of color pages. It highlights a contribution by graphic artist David Sankey, depicting his interpretation of the 1964 Socorro landing. The piece touches upon the forces of nature, man's vulnerability, and the perceived obliviousness of the population to material gain and environmental consequences. It questions the emphasis on 'Global Warming,' suggesting that Earth's changes are cyclical and possibly driven by the Sun, citing massive CME activity as a potential clue. A simple equation by Mitch Battros (ECTV) is presented: Sunspots => Solar Flares => Magnetic Field Shift => Shifting Ocean and Jet Stream Currents => Extreme Weather and Human Disruption. The editorial also references Carlos Barrios and Mayan prophecies, interpreting recent events like the Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Katrina/Rita as fulfilling prophecies of 'water' and 'air,' with 'earth' (Pakistan quake) and 'fire' (volcanoes) to follow imminently, suggesting these events are happening 'now' and will escalate over the next 18 months. The piece anticipates increased volcanic and earthquake activity, tropical storms, wind shears, and rapid temperature shifts. It concludes by pondering if these events are nature's way of 'cleansing' the planet and notes a recent scientific finding that Europeans populated Central America 12,000 years ago. A quote from Sun Ra about the transient nature of human presence on Earth is included.

The Landing at Socorro, New Mexico, USA. 24th April 1964

This article recounts the famous UFO case involving Officer Lonnie Zamora of the Socorro, New Mexico, Police Department. While pursuing a speeding car, Zamora heard a roar and saw a flame to the southwest. He described the flame as bluish and orange, descending slowly. The noise changed from high to low frequency and then stopped. Upon reaching the location, he observed a shiny, oval object, whitish and not chrome, resembling an overturned car. He also noted two figures in white coveralls near the object, one of whom seemed to notice his car. Zamora approached the object, radioed the Sheriff's office, and exited his car. As he turned, he heard a loud roar, and the object began to ascend slowly, emitting a light blue flame with an orange base. The object was smooth, oval, with no windows or doors. It ascended rapidly, disappearing over the mountains without flame, smoke, or noise. The article notes that a full investigation was detailed by W.T. Powers in 'The Humanoids'. A photograph shows Zamora with Sgt. Chavez at the landing site.

Extraordinary Lights Seen Over Preston 2nd September 05

This is a report from David Broderick, a web designer and photographer from Preston, UK. On September 2, 2005, at approximately 00:30 hrs, Broderick observed unusual lights in the sky. Initially, he saw a blue flash, followed by a series of oval blue lights. Later, the objects changed to a V-shaped craft with an accompanying oval, moving at great speed. The main craft had two 'tail' fins, with one side shorter than the other. The objects moved from right to left, stopped momentarily, and made several passes, disappearing and reappearing in an arc. Broderick heard no noise and observed the lights below cloud level. The color was a light blue, distinct from stars. The wing shape was large compared to a plane, and the oval at the tail was perfectly shaped. The lights continued for half an hour before disappearing. Broderick, amazed, could not explain the phenomenon, ruling out lasers due to the lack of a beam.

The Patterns of Martian Fossils

This article, attributed to Sir Charles W. Shults III of Xenotech Research, with thanks to Andrew Johnson, challenges NASA's explanation of certain patterns found on Martian rocks as random erosion. The author argues that the patterns exhibit regular five and ten-sided symmetry, which is inconsistent with natural erosion. He suggests these patterns are either carved or the result of a biological process. The article highlights bilaterally symmetrical patterns, precise lines, and even leaf-like shapes. It emphasizes the improbability of finding multiple such patterns, especially five arranged in a pentagram on the same rock. The author contends that crystals do not form these shapes, and erosion cannot produce such fine, symmetrical features. He proposes that these features are markings on fossils, suggesting that NASA's dismissal of this magnitude of discovery could be linked to funding for future Mars exploration. A link to further details is provided: http://www.xenotechresearch.com/random01.htm.

Channel 4's 'UFO's The Hidden Evidence' (13th Oct. 05.)

This is a TV programme review by Omar Fowler. The two-hour program presented by defence journalist Nick Cook covered German secret weapon development during WW2, 'Foo Fighters,' and various aircraft photos. Fowler criticizes the program for not presenting new information, suggesting that attending monthly meetings of the Phenomenon Research Association (PRA) would have yielded similar content. The review mentions the Kenneth Arnold sighting and the Roswell incident, with emphasis on the 'Skyhook' balloon theory and atmospheric abnormalities, while noting the program's failure to interview surviving witnesses. It discusses the transfer of German scientists to the USA post-WW2 and their work on V2 rockets. UFO incidents in the USSR during the Cold War are also mentioned. Fowler specifically critiques the program's portrayal of the Socorro incident, stating it was incorrect, particularly regarding Lonnie Zamora's account and the description of the object and figures. The review acknowledges redeeming features, including investigations into secret aircraft development like the Canadian 'Avrocar' and US Stealth technology. It highlights a revelation about the mysterious 'Aurora' craft, potentially capable of flying at 8,000 mph, evidenced by a satellite photo showing a 'pop-pop' trail across the USA.

The Great British UFO Show

This article, from the Yorkshire Post Today, reports on the Great British UFO Show held on Saturday, October 1st, 2005. It addresses claims that UFO-spotting is in crisis, citing a decline in reported sightings by the Cumbrian branch of the British UFO Hunters. However, Russel Callaghan, the event organizer and operator of the UFO website www.ufodata.co.uk, disagrees, stating that the UFO subject is alive and well, with numerous websites and internet forums facilitating information sharing. The article discusses the credibility challenges faced by UFO enthusiasts, comparing the acceptance of fictional portrayals to the skepticism encountered by UFO spotters. Callaghan acknowledges the presence of 'oddballs' but emphasizes that serious-minded ufologists, including professionals from various fields, are involved. He estimates that 95% of sightings can be explained, but a small portion remains unexplained, suggesting something significant is happening. Callaghan's own fascination stems from a 1980 sighting over Bradford. The article notes that several PRA members attended the conference, which was seen as a small but promising beginning. Speakers included Philip Mantle, John Hanson, Malcom Robinson, Christopher Martin, and Ann and Jason Andrews. John Hanson's presentation was criticized for its first half being dedicated to old tape recordings, with video footage of strange lights over Rendlesham Forest shown only briefly. Jason, claiming to be an abductee or part alien, presented claims that were difficult to accept.

Norwegian 'Flying Triangle' Cases 2003

This section details two 'Flying Triangle' (FT) incidents reported in Norway. The first occurred on September 22, 2003, near Flekkeford, where a woman reported a triangular object with numerous red and green lights, much larger than any aircraft, hanging silently in the sky. She estimated the size of one side of the triangle to be between 40 to 50 meters. The object moved silently in a south-westerly direction and glided over a hill. The witness was not scared and felt the object wished to show itself. The UFO NORGE note suggests the incident is too old to investigate with military or civil aviation. The second incident occurred on July 6, 2003, over Kjerringoy, where two observers saw a triangular object that rotated, moved with a falling leaf motion, became stationary for about five minutes, and then continued south towards Bodo. The FT was observed for 20-30 minutes, during which unusual unrest was noted among grazing animals. Stavanger operation headquarters could offer no explanation for the event.

The Old Pilot's Adventure

This is a historical anecdote about Major F. Turner-Bridger (Retd), interviewed by Omar Fowler in 1978. It recounts an event from the autumn of 1916, when the Major was piloting a BE2c reconnaissance plane over German lines. The aircraft was suffering heavy losses due to its unsuitability for combat against German Fokker Triplanes. The Major's task was to spot for artillery. During a mission, he spotted a Fokker Tri-plane approaching. His machine gunner was terrified and useless. The Major decided to jettison the gunner and his weapon. He then attempted to land the biplane on a bumpy strip near the trenches. With the help of British soldiers, he turned the plane around and, with a final bounce, managed to get airborne again. The article hints that this was the caliber of man who would encounter an even stranger aerial machine 'twenty one years later' in October 1937.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OVNI include UFO sightings and encounters, the nature of unexplained aerial phenomena, and the potential for non-human intelligence. There is a consistent questioning of official explanations, particularly from organizations like NASA. The magazine also explores broader topics such as climate change, ancient prophecies, and historical accounts of unusual aerial events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, encouraging readers to consider alternative explanations and to critically examine information presented by mainstream sources. There is a clear interest in connecting seemingly disparate phenomena, such as geological events, weather patterns, and astronomical activity, to a larger, possibly cyclical, cosmic influence.

This issue of OVNI magazine, dated Thursday, October 27, 2005, features a prominent article on a UFO encounter from 1937 and includes various other reports and news items related to unexplained phenomena.

Major F. Turner-Bridger's UFO Encounter in 1937

The lead article details an experience of Major F. Turner-Bridger, related to Omar Fowler in 1986. In September or October 1937, around 4 pm, Major Turner-Bridger and his wife were driving back to Haslemere, Surrey. While on a bye-way lane near Blackdown Hill, they stopped to observe a mysterious object. The object, described as having a hump in the center and surrounded by an orange flaming surround, was seen hovering on the summit of Blackdown Hill. Another car also stopped to observe it. Suddenly, the object flew over the ridge and disappeared, only to re-appear some distance along the ridge later. Major Turner-Bridger presumed the 'occupants' were surprised by the car and moved off. He watched it disappear at 'terrific speed.'

He speculated that the object might have been a scientific experiment from Farnborough (Royal Aircraft Establishment), which was nearby. As an ex-flying pilot from the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in 1916 and having served in the trenches in 1915 with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers, he felt the object was evidence of a secret experiment. He also mentions his pre-war conviction about an impending war (WW2), stating that if people had listened to him, there wouldn't have been a war. He was pleased to be asked to share his experience on ITV Television.

Sketches based on Major's sketch are included, showing a star-like object with a central hump and a side view of an oval object with a jagged edge.

Internet Flying Triangle Report from Brooklyn N.Y.

This section reports a sighting from the summer of 1989 by John Ferrante. While driving on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn, New York, he saw a 'blue metallic (triangle) object' hovering over a building near the Bay 8th Exit. He describes a telepathic message telling him to look, and he observed the object for five minutes, despite driving at 45 mph, noting that 'time stood still.'

Driver in John Mack Accident Sentenced

This news item from October 7, 2005, reports on the sentencing of Raymond Czechowski, who struck and killed Harvard professor of psychiatry John E. Mack, M.D., on September 27, 2004. Czechowski pleaded guilty to 'careless driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.' Dr. Mack's family requested leniency, stating that his behavior was not malicious and that Dr. Mack would not want Czechowski to go to jail. Judge Linda Stern acknowledged the family's letter but emphasized the need to send a message about drunk driving. Czechowski's blood/alcohol level was 97mg per 100ml of blood, exceeding the UK legal limit of 80mg. He was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, disqualified from driving for 3 years, and ordered to take an extended driving test. He is expected to serve 6 months of his sentence due to good behavior.

Dr. John E. Mack is described as a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Founding Director of the Center for Psychology and Social Change. He had investigated over eighty cases of alien abduction and was convinced of the reality of these experiences. His book 'Abduction' (Human Encounters With Aliens) was a bestseller, and he also won a Pulitzer Prize for 'Aban Prince of Our Disorder.' He was a friend of the PRA and exchanged correspondence with them.

Strange lights 'could have been a UFO'

This article from the 'Bognor Regis Observer' (October 27, 2005) features Craig Latimer, a 41-year-old man from Bognor who believes he saw an unidentified flying object (UFO) on Sunday night. He is appealing for anyone who had a similar experience to contact him. Latimer heard a low-pitch noise, described as a 'sonic boom,' followed by three white lights and a red one in a triangle shape. He described the object as 'definitely flying in the sky' and 'very weird.' He also experienced physical symptoms, including pain in his toe, side, and neck stiffness, which came on about five to six minutes after the sighting. Upon arriving home, his arm went numb, and he started shaking. He wonders if power failures on Monday afternoon could have been related. Investigations with the Southern Coastguard, Ministry of Defence, Goodwood airfield, and Gatwick airports revealed no unusual activity. Anyone with information can contact Mr. Latimer at 0774 788 0512.

Mystery lights 'could be UFO'

This is a continuation of the article about Craig Latimer's sighting. He reiterates that the sighting was not an ordinary plane and that the weather conditions were good. He describes the physical symptoms he experienced and expresses a desire to be proven wrong. He questions what these flying objects are, where they come from, and what they are doing.

Science @ NASA: 'Halloween Fireballs'

This section discusses the 'Halloween fireballs' phenomenon observed around November 3, 2005. Josh Bowers in Pennsylvania described a fireball 'brighter than a full moon.' Similar reports came in from across the country. Astronomers attribute these events to the Taurid meteor shower, which occurs annually in late October and early November as Earth passes through dust associated with Comet Encke. Meteor expert David Asher explains that these fireballs are produced by particles 'about the size of pebbles or small stones' hitting the atmosphere at high speed. He mentions a model developed in the early 1990s by Victor Clube and himself to explain enhanced numbers of bright Taurid meteors in certain years, predicting an encounter in 2005. The Taurid shower peaks between November 5th and 12th, and Asher describes it as a 'slow drizzle' rather than a storm.

Tale Enders

This section contains several brief news items:

• Solar Flares: On October 7, 2005, solar flares from a giant sunspot caused X-rays to ionize Earth's upper atmosphere. Surprisingly, radiation levels dropped on the International Space Station (ISS), with the crew absorbing fewer cosmic rays.
• BBC to Screen 'Dr Who': The BBC commissioned a spin-off of Doctor Who called 'Torchwood,' written by Russell T Davies, to investigate alien activities and crime. It was scheduled to air the following summer.
• Graham Sheppard Has Died: Graham Sheppard, an airline pilot and telecommunications engineer who spoke publicly about unidentified flying objects and near-misses, died on August 24, 2005, at age 62. He was known for his contention that pilots were sighting unidentified craft regularly and that this posed a danger to civil aviation.
• Asteroid Project: The UK has begun a three-year feasibility study into missions for deflecting asteroids, funded by the EPSRC.
• A 1936 'Flying Triangle': A recent TV program mentioned a case of miners in Alaska witnessing a 'Flat Iron' flying object passing over their camp at less than 1,000 ft.
• M25 UFO's: On the evening of October 20th, Gene Harley saw and filmed a 'gigantic fleet of UFOs' flying close to the M25 motorway. He noted that his digital camera malfunctioned, a phenomenon sometimes related to UFO encounters, but managed to film with his mobile phone.

Next PRA Meeting

An announcement for the next meeting of the PRA on Tuesday, November 29, 2005, in Derby. Andrew Johnson will present 'A Mystery In The Fields,' an audio/visual presentation on the theory of Crop Circles. Non-members are welcome with a £1 entry fee and a free UFO book raffle.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO sightings, encounters, and related phenomena, including historical accounts and contemporary reports. There is a focus on witness testimony and the investigation of such events. The 'Science @ NASA' section provides a scientific perspective on celestial events like meteor showers, while 'Tale Enders' offers a mix of news related to space, science fiction, and aviation safety concerning unidentified objects. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, presenting various accounts and perspectives without overt skepticism, as indicated by the inclusion of diverse reports and the disclaimer that opinions printed do not necessarily reflect the views of the PRA.