OVNI - 2013 11 - November-December

Magazine Overview

OVNI, The Journal for the discerning researcher, November/December 2013 issue, published by the JOURNAL OF THE PHENOMENON RESEARCH ASSOCIATION. The cover features stylized drawings of a human figure, various UFOs, and the magazine title. The issue includes a variety of articles on UFO sightings, astronomical events, and cryptozoology.

Articles

COMET 'ISON' IS ON THE WAY!

This article discusses the growing speculation that Earth may be affected by asteroids disturbed by Comet ISON between December 1st and 16th. Prominent astronomers postulate that this could lead to a widespread display in the night sky and potentially cause seismic activity. It is also noted that some space debris may have already arrived from the Asteroid Belt. The article also mentions a mystery surrounding photographs of a light seen and videoed hovering over Derby, appearing on an American UFO internet page, and welcomes information from readers. Separately, a luminous cloud photographed from the ISS has been identified as the result of a Russian Missile test.

UK/England Dome Shape Bright Light

This section compiles several witness accounts of unusual aerial phenomena in the UK:

• STOCKTON-ON-TEES (September 27, 2013): A pea green flash evolving into dirty white, burnt orange, and brass colors was observed. The object pulsed, moved slowly, shot a beam of light, moved quickly, stopped, dropped, and then cloaked and disappeared, suggesting intelligent control.
• OTLEY (October 1, 2013): A thick white cloud was seen with a dome-shaped bright light that flashed, accompanied by ascending lights and surrounding flashes. The object stopped before the witness could capture it on camera.
• SCUNTHORPE, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE (October 5, 2013): Two objects were observed separating and moving away at high speed, then moving back together, repeating this pattern three times around 11:10 PM, exhibiting speeds and direction changes beyond known aircraft capabilities.
• KIRKBY IN ASHFIELD, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE (October 26, 2013): A silver thin rectangular shape was seen in the blue sky at cloud base level, described as slender with no visible wings.

The PRA Has Donated Further ‘FT’ Files to AFU (Sweden)

This section announces that The Phenomenon Research Association (PRA) has donated further 'FT' (Filers Files) to the Archives for the unexplained (AFU) in Sweden. AFU preserves a vast collection of materials related to unexplained phenomena. Clas Svahn and a colleague visited the PRA in Derby and discussed their progress in Sweden, where AFU employs 10 staff and has a facility with a shelf capacity of 2 kilometers. The library is expected to contain over 20,000 titles/editions about anomalistic phenomena. The PRA has made a second donation of files and documents.

Is Comet ISON Debris Hitting Earth Now?

This article expands on the Comet ISON phenomenon, citing a video compilation and testimony from the Hagmann and Hagmann Report. It suggests that Earth is already being pelted with debris from Comet ISON, even though the comet is still beyond Mars. The article details an asteroid, approximately 3 miles in diameter, traveling towards the Sun at high speed, with a large trail of debris resembling wings. It is suggested that this debris might hit Earth between now and January 2014. The article also mentions a large fireball seen across six Midwestern states on October 1, 2013, which lit up the skies and was visible in 14 states. Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office noted its brightness, suggesting a meter-class object. The American Meteor Society received over 450 reports for this event, with many more expected. Angela McClain described it as a bright green light streaking across the sky. On September 26, the AMS received over 730 reports of separate fireball sightings in the Midwest.

Location: Billings, Montana, USA : 12 July 2013 22:00

This is a detailed witness account from Billings, Montana, describing an event involving flashing white lights with an orange glow and loud sounds, lasting for approximately three hours. The witness and her husband initially heard disturbing noises, described as 'world war 3' or 'dinosaurs stomping'. They observed bright flashes of light in a clear sky. Local news provided no explanation. The event recurred around 11:00 PM with bright white lights and an orange-red glow. The witness notes that retired police officers and judges were among the confused onlookers. The lights moved in a full circle around Billings, and a sister in Lockwood also heard and saw the phenomenon, with car alarms being triggered. The event occurred intermittently from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM. The witness also noted seeing and hearing helicopters and several airplanes during the event, which she described as smaller than typical jets, possibly military. She clarifies that while they saw these conventional aircraft, they did not witness any 'strange aircraft' or UFOs, but emphasizes the unusual nature of the lights and sounds. The report notes that Billings is near the Yellowstone Park Nature Reserve.

Connecticut Alien Encounter

This is a report from Falls Village, Connecticut, dated February 11, 2013. The witness, driving home, got stuck in a snow bank after a deer ran in front of her car. While waiting for a tow truck, she observed large, bright lights approaching. Several more lights appeared above and below the initial ones. The vehicle stopped about 50 yards away, and then a brightly lit 'being', resembling aliens from the movie 'Cocoon', floated through the woods and onto the road. The being, described as having a head and a fish-tail-like appendage but no eyes or mouth, hovered about ten feet away, emitting warmth. It then moved towards the lights, which faded and disappeared. The tow truck operator and a neighbor did not notice the lights. The next day, the witness found the area where the lights had been was completely barren of snow, with a dry roadway.

Peru's UFO investigations office to be reopened

This article reports that Peru's air force is reopening its Department of Investigation of Anomalous Aerial Phenomena (DIFAA), which had been dormant for five years, due to an increase in sightings of 'anomalous aerial phenomena'. Colonel Julio Vucetich, head of the air force's aerospace interests division, stated that the unit will comprise sociologists, archaeologists, astronomers, meteorologists, and air force personnel. He noted that people are now more open to reporting sightings due to new technology. Vucetich mentioned that sightings are not uncommon in Peru, citing examples in Marabamba and Chilca. He also stated that he personally had seen 'anomalous aerial phenomena' and believes 'we are not alone'. The revived office will facilitate comparisons with similar agencies in other South American countries. Chilean UFO investigator Antonio Huneeus commented that the move reflects greater regional interest and public open-mindedness towards UFO phenomena.

1996-The Klondike Highway UFO Encounter

This article details a well-researched series of UFO sightings that occurred along a 134-mile stretch of the Klondike Highway in the Yukon Territory, Canada, on December 11, 1996. The event involved at least 22 witnesses at three major locations: Fox Lake, The Village of Carmacks, and The Village of Perry Crossing.

• Traveling the Klondike Highway: Two cousins in separate vehicles saw a UFO over Fox Lake. One cousin stopped to observe it more closely as it moved towards him. His cousin watched as it crossed the highway and disappeared.
• Two More Witnesses: Two other witnesses near the southern tip of Fox Lake observed rows of lights moving across the lake, initially considering it might be a truck or a plane about to crash before concluding it was a UFO.
• Four Witnesses Discuss UFO: The second set of witnesses encountered the first two cousins and discussed the sighting. They later went to the Braeburn Lodge, where the owner, Steve Watson, mentioned another witness who had seen the UFO.
• Witness at Braeburn Lodge: A witness driving along the lake saw a light, which illuminated a long, smooth surface. The light disappeared, but the witness saw rectangular lights moving behind a hill. A drawing was made of the sighting.
• Object of Immense Size: The cousins described the object's proximity affecting car performance. At Pelly Crossing, a sixth witness saw a large array of lights. Another witness saw a row of lights over the hills, estimating the object to be about 300 yards ahead.
• Object Moved Slowly, Silently: Further witnesses saw a large row of lights moving slowly and silently. Four women attending a college course also observed a huge object that made no sound.
• Village of Carmacks: Nine additional witnesses reported sightings near Carmacks, including four men who saw a UFO in a pick-up truck and a family who spotted a row of lights through their window. The object moved towards the northeast, then south, and disappeared near a microwave tower.
• Conclusions: The article concludes that the Klondike Highway encounter has high credibility due to almost twenty known adult witnesses, despite the unfortunate lack of photographs. It asserts that something extraordinary occurred on December 11, 1996, in the Yukon Territory.

Discovery of America: 'Coast to Coast' : 15th October 2013

This section features Gavin Menzies, author and former submarine Captain, discussing his discoveries about who discovered North America and how Chinese journeys predated Columbus. Menzies presented a 1434 map from China that accurately showed the Americas, arguing that Columbus was an administrator, not an explorer on a discovery mission. He cited evidence of constant voyages to the Americas dating back 40,000 years from Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, including human remains in Florida with DNA from Eastern Mediterranean people. Menzies mentioned approximately 6,000 voyages between the Americas and Asia, and the introduction of indigenous plants and foods. He highlighted Admiral Zheng He's continuous voyages to the Americas between 1405 and 1424, before Chinese resources were overextended, curtailing further sea voyages. Menzies stated that the 'Liu Gang 1418/1763 map' proves the Chinese had a sophisticated understanding of Earth's geography and had explored the Americas before Columbus.

Falcon Project in Pursuit of Bigfoot

This article introduces the Falcon Project, a global forum for the unmanned aircraft systems community, focused on a 'supernatural missing persons mission' involving high Bigfoot potential locations. The project aims to obtain irrefutable video evidence and make contact, with principal investigator Jeff Meldrum suggesting methods like placing a transmitter in a banana. The project has the support of Idaho State University, which has set up an account for tax-deductible donations. Jeff Meldrum, a tenured professor at ISU, is described as a reputable figure in Bigfoot belief, publishing papers on primate anatomy and gaits. His work in cryptozoology includes applying his knowledge to footprints identified by amateur Sasquatch-ologists. The article notes that his research is published in specialized journals like 'Relict Hominoid Inquiry'. It highlights the need for quiet, sturdy drones capable of carrying NASA-grade cameras and covering vast areas to find Bigfoot.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OVNI magazine revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs), astronomical events with potential terrestrial impacts (Comet ISON, fireballs), and cryptozoology (Bigfoot). The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and reporting on a wide range of anomalous events, encouraging reader participation and providing detailed accounts from various sources, including witness testimonies and investigative reports. The magazine aims to document and analyze these phenomena, fostering a community of researchers interested in the unexplained.

Title: OVNI
Issue: Box 11027
Volume: A.F.U.
Date: October 18, 2013

This issue of OVNI delves into a variety of unexplained phenomena and technological advancements, featuring articles on the Falcon Project's ambitious hunt for Bigfoot, sightings of Underwater UFOs (USOs), the 'Dream Chaser' spacecraft's test flight, and India's Mars exploration efforts.

The Falcon Project: Hunting Bigfoot with Technology

The Falcon Project proposes a unique approach to finding Bigfoot, utilizing a 50-foot-wide double-blimp airship, described as a catamaran-style airship, capable of silent flight at 45 knots and hovering. The airship is equipped with a proprietary engine and a "high definition thermal imaging" camera created by Infrared Cameras Incorporated. The project's estimated cost for the first year of operation is upwards of $400,000, covering the blimp, camera, ground team, and an infrasound system. The project founder, William Barnes, initially claimed to have private philanthropists, but the Kickstarter campaign for the project closed with only $11,865, far short of its goal. A subsequent fundraiser also struggled. Meldrum, a participant, suggests the "Bigfoot community" may be hesitant due to doubts about the technology or a philosophical disagreement, viewing the project as intrusive. Despite financial struggles, the Falcon Project is exploring revenue streams like charging for a livestream of the blimp-cam or selling footprint T-shirts.

Catalina Island USO and Underwater UFOs

This section explores the mystery of Underwater UFOs (USOs), with Dr. Ivan T. Sanderson suggesting that aliens might build bases beneath the oceans, noting that over 50% of UFO sightings involve water. The article recounts a U.S. Navy tracking of a USO near Puerto Rico in 1963 that maneuvered at over 150 knots to a depth of 27,000 feet, a feat impossible for 1963 submarines. Several witness accounts of cigar-shaped objects emerging from the sea are detailed, including sightings off Brazil in 1965 and 1967. The Palos Verdes Peninsula in Southern California is highlighted as a hotspot for UFOs emerging from the water. Strange blue-green lights observed in the water near Abalone Cove since 1989 are also discussed, with one light estimated at 100 feet in diameter. A 1992 incident off the Palos Verdes Peninsula describes a sea kayaker witnessing a waterspout transform into a rotating column of ice, which then collapsed, creating a whirlpool and leaving ice fragments with embedded fish.

'Dream Chaser' Crash Lands in California

Sierra Nevada Corporation's 'Dream Chaser' spacecraft, a potential replacement for the space shuttle, experienced a crash landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California during its first free flight. The unmanned lifting body spacecraft was released from a helicopter at 12,000 feet. The incident occurred due to a failure in the left side landing gear. Mark Sirangelo of Sierra Nevada Corporation described the event as a "small glitch" that did not detract from the overall achievement. The Dream Chaser is one of three designs competing for a NASA contract to transport astronauts to the International Space Station.

India's Mars Orbiter Mission

India is preparing to launch its first Mars probe, the Mars Orbiter Mission, in late October 2013. This mission aims to lay the technological foundation for future Indian deep space endeavors, demonstrating deep space navigation, communications, and spacecraft autonomy. India hopes to become the fourth space agency to successfully dispatch a robot to Mars. The orbiter is equipped with a camera for imagery, a thermal infrared spectrometer, and instruments to analyze the Martian atmosphere, including a methane detector. The mission has a launch window from October 28th to November 19th, with an expected arrival at Mars on September 21st, 2014.

Tale Enders and Obituaries

This section includes various brief news items. It notes the discontinuation of the BBC's "sky at night" program due to low viewership. The launch of Sputnik I by the USSR in 1957 is commemorated. The passing of biophysicist W.C. Levengood, who studied plant and soil anomalies in crop formations, is reported. The death of Doctor and Colonel Jesse Marcel Jr., son of the Roswell incident intelligence officer, is also noted, with a tribute highlighting his defense of his father's account. A sighting of lights by Jim Smith's daughter near Colstrip, Montana, is described. The upcoming PRA meeting in Derby, UK, featuring a presentation on "Comets and Catastrophes," is announced.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OVNI are the exploration of the unknown, whether in the depths of the oceans (USOs), the pursuit of elusive creatures (Bigfoot), or the vastness of space (Mars missions and spacecraft development). The magazine maintains a stance of reporting on these phenomena and technological advancements, often citing witness accounts, research findings, and project details. There is a clear interest in UFOs, cryptozoology, and cutting-edge aerospace technology, presented through a mix of investigative reporting and news updates.