OVNI - 2011 01 - January-February

Magazine Overview

This issue of OVNI, the Journal for the discerning researcher, dated Jan/February 2011, is published by the Phenomenon Research Association (PRA). The cover features stylized illustrations of human figures, geometric patterns, and various unidentified flying objects, including saucers and triangular craft. The main title 'OVNI' is prominently displayed, along with the issue date and contact information for the Group Leader, Omar Fowler, and Secretary, Karen Richardson.

Worldwide Bird and Fish Deaths Escalate

The issue leads with reports on unexplained mass deaths of birds and fish globally. In New Zealand, hundreds of dead snapper washed ashore on the Coromandel Peninsula, perplexing locals and authorities. Witnesses described the scene as surreal, with fish stretching as far as the eye could see. The Department of Conservation and the Fisheries Ministry were investigating, with initial theories pointing to weather conditions, though some found this explanation insufficient given the fish's appearance.

Simultaneously, thousands of birds fell from the skies over Esperance, Australia. Wildlife officers were baffled, and autopsies in Perth yielded no conclusive results. The event was declared a natural disaster zone. The article also touches upon a mysterious bird death event in the southern United States.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

Several UFO sightings are detailed across the United Kingdom. Two workers in Sutton Coldfield, UK, reported a large, silent, black triangle UFO, estimated to be four to five times the size of a commercial airliner, flying over the town on Bonfire Night 2010. This sighting was corroborated by another witness who saw a similar craft.

Another report highlights the 'Dudley Dorito,' a triangular UFO previously seen in 2007-2008, which reappeared over the Black Country and Birmingham in November 2010. Witnesses described it as a fast-moving, silent craft with three main lights.

In Derby, a PRA Skycamera captured a glowing 'FT' (flying triangle) on New Year's Day 2011, noted for its speed and shape, distinguishing it from Chinese Lanterns. Another Derby sighting involved an orange glowing light observed for several minutes on January 4, 2011, travelling silently towards Castle Donnington.

The issue also includes reports of other UFO phenomena, such as a sighting of a flying saucer-shaped object at West Midland Safari Park and bright orange UFOs resembling Cornish pasties over Sedgley. A photograph of an erratic line of lights over Great Eccleston near Preston is presented as a potential UFO, with the photographer stating it left an unidentifiable trail.

Cryptid and Paranormal Reports

A segment titled 'Don't Go Down in the Woods Tonight!' discusses a strange image captured by a deer hunter's camera in Berwick, Louisiana. The photograph, which the media widely reported, shows a figure with long slender appendages and glowing eyes. The article speculates on its nature, suggesting it could be an ape, a swamp monster, or a human in costume. It connects this to reports of the Honey Island Swamp monster, a hairy humanoid cryptid known locally as Letiche.

Another article, 'Ghostly figures' caught on film near York Minster, details an encounter by Paul Simpson, who photographed what appeared to be ghostly figures near York Minster. His dog's agitated behavior during the photography session is noted as potentially indicating an unusual presence. The PRA's interest in such 'energy' lights, often captured photographically but invisible at the time, is also mentioned.

PRA Archives and 'Intelligent' Lights

The issue concludes with a selection of 'intelligent' lights from the PRA archives. These include photographs taken during skywatches where lights appeared on the developed image but were not seen by the observers at the time. Examples include two lights near Swarkestone, a mysterious figure captured by 'Pamela' in Milton Keynes, a glowing shaft of light photographed in April 2003, and two family photographs from the Derby area showing 'intelligent' light trails.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OVNI are unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs), mysterious natural events (mass animal deaths), and paranormal occurrences (cryptids, ghosts, and unexplained lights). The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, presenting various reports and witness accounts for the reader's consideration, often highlighting the lack of definitive explanations and the ongoing nature of the mysteries.

This issue of OVNI magazine, identified by its page number and 'OVNI' designation, presents a collection of articles and reports related to unexplained aerial phenomena and related topics. The main cover story, "A COLD WAR ENCOUNTER IN EAST GERMANY 1952," details a significant sighting from the past, while other articles explore more recent events and speculative theories.

A COLD WAR ENCOUNTER IN EAST GERMANY 1952

This extensive report, taken from 'Clear Intent' by Lawrence Fawcett & Barry J. Greenwood, recounts the sworn testimony of Oscar Linke, a 48-year-old German and former mayor of Gleimershausen. In July 1952, while returning home with his 11-year-old daughter Gabriella near Hasselbach in the Soviet Zone of Germany, they encountered an unusual object. Initially mistaken for a deer, the object was later identified as resembling a "huge frying pan" with a diameter of 13 to 15 meters. It had two rows of holes on its periphery and a black conical tower about 3 meters high on top. Linke observed two men in shiny metallic clothing stooped over the object. As his daughter called out, the men immediately jumped onto the conical tower and disappeared inside. One man had a lamp on his body that lit up at intervals. The object's side began to glitter, changing from green to red, accompanied by a humming sound. The conical tower slid down into the object, which then began to rise slowly, rotating like a top. It appeared to be supported by a cylindrical plant that descended and then re-appeared on top. Surrounded by flames, the object rose higher, and the cylinder disappeared. The object then moved horizontally, turned towards Stockheim, and disappeared over the heights and forests, emitting a whistling sound. Linke found a freshly dug circular opening in the ground, matching the shape of the conical tower, confirming the reality of the event. Linke and his family had recently escaped from the Soviet Zone.

Are Grays From Mars?

This article by Stace Tussel, extracted from 'Filers Files 48# 2010,' speculates on the origins of the 'Grays' alien type. Inspired by the discovery of apparent caves on Mars, Tussel suggests that 'Grays' might have evolved their large black eyes to survive on Mars or a similar planet. The article notes a recent trend in media disclosures about extraterrestrial presence and a focus on life on Mars, referencing a NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter image showing lakebeds. Tussel posits that advanced life forms could have evolved on Mars, requiring resourcefulness and intelligence to survive its harsh conditions. He suggests that Martians might live in enclosed environments or underground, protected from the climate and radiation. Their physical characteristics, such as large, wrap-around eyes, could serve purposes like virtual sunglasses or enhanced visual field absorption. The article also touches upon the perceived limitations of interstellar distances, which are becoming less of a barrier with mounting evidence.

Ufo In-Flight Sighting

This section presents two distinct in-flight sighting reports. The first, received on November 25, 2010, recalls an incident from an early Concorde test flight where an illuminated ball of light flew along the fuselage, paused, and then reversed before disappearing. The second report is from Ruth Penny, who on July 26, 2010, during daylight on a flight from Milan to London, observed a gold/silver, translucent ball of light about half the size of a soccer ball keeping pace with the plane just above the wing. She estimated the object's speed to be around 530 mph, suggesting controlled and deliberate movement.

Wisconsin Triangle Depiction

This report describes a sighting in Bayview on July 27, 2008, where the witness and their friend saw lights forming a triangular shape with no fuselage or tail. The object passed over at 30-50 feet above the school, blocking out stars. It had about 6-7 lights, with the brightest at the front, and a blinking red light on the bottom. The craft was described as triangular with no color, like the absence of light. It emitted a cone of light and was moving at about 10-15 mph. The witness stated it was not a Stealth Bomber, and the controller at Mitchell International Airport suggested it might have been an F-117a Nighthawk, though not confirmed.

Secret US Airforce plane returns to earth after seven months in space

This article reports on the return of the US Air Force's secret X-37B unmanned spaceplane to Earth on December 3, 2010, after more than seven months in orbit. The vehicle landed at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Launched by an Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on April 22, its mission duration was 270 days. Originally a NASA project, it was taken over by the military. The Air Force did not disclose if it carried anything in its cargo bay, stating the primary purpose was to test the craft itself, including its guidance, navigation, control, thermal protection, and autonomous operation. Experts believe the spacecraft was intended to speed up the development of combat-support and weapons systems. The X-37B, built by Boeing, is described as being 9 1/2 feet tall and just over 29 feet long, with a wingspan of less than 15 feet. It is designed for satellite-like launches and can deploy solar panels. It is expected to return to space the following year.

TALE ENDERS

This section contains several brief reports:

• 40,000 'DEVIL CRABS' WASH UP DEAD ON KENT COAST: Thousands of dead Velvet swimming crabs, also called devil crabs, washed up on the Kent coast, attributed to Britain's coldest December in 120 years.
• UFO puzzle in skies over Earl Shilton Nov11 2010: Mysterious red lights were spotted in the sky above Earl Shilton, prompting debate about extraterrestrial life. One light appeared, followed by four others.
• NETHER HEAGE SIGHTING: On November 21, 2010, an orange/gold light, brilliant like a flare, was seen stationary at around 4000 feet over Nether Heage. It later dimmed and moved away. The witness's son had previously seen three lights in a triangular arrangement.
• PRA WEBPAGE: The PRA webpage has been hacked by a Russian group and is being reconstructed.

THE NEXT PRA MEETING

A meeting of the PRA (presumably the Phenomenon Research Association) is scheduled for Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at 8 pm at the Royal British Legion in Allenton, Derby. Amateur astronomer Andrew Emmerson will present on UFO objects he has photographed over the Mansfield area, including his experience as a witness to a 'Flying Triangle' encounter on December 3, 1994. The event will also feature a showing of a Richard D. Hall DVD, "UFO's AND RELIGION," a UFO book raffle, and non-members are welcome for a £2 fee.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OVNI magazine are UFO sightings and encounters, extraterrestrial life, and advanced aerospace technology. The magazine presents a range of reports, from historical accounts like the 1952 East German encounter to contemporary sightings and speculative theories about life on other planets. The inclusion of the X-37B spaceplane report bridges the gap between unexplained phenomena and official aerospace developments. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, presenting witness testimonies and scientific speculation without overt skepticism, while also noting that "Articles and opinions printed in the OVNI do not necessarily reflect the views of the PRA."