Phenomenon Times - 2008 04

Magazine Overview

Title: The Phenomenon Times
Issue: April 2008 Issue
Publisher: UFO & Paranormal Research Society of Australia
Date: April 2008

This issue of The Phenomenon Times, the bimonthly journal of the UFO & Paranormal Research Society of Australia, features a "President's Report" detailing recent activities and upcoming events, alongside several articles exploring paranormal phenomena, scientific investigations, and witness accounts.

President's Report

Attila Kaldy, President of UFO-PRSA, opens the report by noting the busy first quarter of 2008. The society has completed filming for a new 10-part television series titled "Paranormal Investigators – The Challenge," which will air on Television Sydney (TVS – Channel 31). The launch date is expected to be confirmed soon, and details can be found on the society's website. The "Next Dimension 2008" conference was also a success, despite lower attendance than usual, featuring speakers on various subjects and engaging workshops. The society may host another conference later in the year.

A significant announcement is the formation of the "UFO-PRSA Support Group," which will commence meetings in May 2008. This group is designed as a safe haven for individuals who have had supernatural experiences, such as abductees and contactees. Meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm at the society's meeting rooms, led by counsellor and Vice President, Larraine Cilia. A small entry fee will apply to cover costs. Further information is available on the website, www.ufosociety.com.au.

The report also includes contact details for the society, including its PO Box, editor's email, website, president's mobile number, and committee members. It also lists affiliated groups and individuals involved in investigations and specific research areas.

Vice President's Report

Larraine Cilia, Vice President, shares her experiences during a busy period, including filming for the documentary episodes and the "Next Dimension" conference. She highlights the cross-disciplinary approach taken at the conference, covering spiritual, inter-dimensional, and extraterrestrial topics. Cilia also details the arrangements for the Contactee Support Group, confirming its meeting schedule and purpose as an open public forum for discussing paranormal experiences in a non-ridicule environment. The cost for members and non-members is specified, with instructions to visit the website for membership information.

Cilia mentions ongoing discussions regarding the release of the society's paranormal investigations series on free-to-air television, emphasizing the importance of this step for the society's public profile and the potential for future topical content. She also touches upon media coverage, noting a rumour about singer Robbie Williams pursuing paranormal and UFO investigations. Cilia reflects on how individuals in the public eye often conceal their beliefs due to fear of disbelief, with the truth emerging later. She concludes by stating that the society has learned to tread carefully with media involvement and that they now have more control over their content.

Orb Facts

By Attila Kaldy

This article addresses the phenomenon of 'orbs' that have become prevalent with the rise of digital photography. Kaldy explains that orbs can vary in colour, size, and characteristics, and are often seen in video and still imagery. While some suggest they are pre-manifestations of spirits, Kaldy advocates for an objective approach, ruling out conventional explanations first.

He states that approximately 95% of orb documentations can be explained conventionally. Common causes include airborne particles like dust or fabric, which appear out of focus. Infrared sensitivity in cameras, especially on night mode, can also pick up reflections. Lens flare and internal camera reflections can also create orb-like effects, sometimes enhanced by minute contamination on the lens. Pixel drop-out in some digital cameras can lead to compensatory artefacts that appear as orbs. Insects, particularly at night, are also frequently mistaken for orbs due to camera infrared function.

Kaldy also discusses pareidolia, a psychological phenomenon where the human brain interprets ambiguous stimuli as recognisable forms, such as faces or figures, which can occur in orb photography. He stresses the importance of a rationalist approach, ruling out all natural explanations before considering extraordinary ones.

Our Very Own Roswell? Did We Really Know About It!

This article investigates an incident that occurred on June 16th, 2004, near the Avon and Cataract Dam area in Australia, which was initially reported as a meteor impact but is presented as a potential UFO event.

A truck driver reported seeing a large fireball-like object descend and impact in a water catchment area. The event was reportedly broadcast on radio stations and by Channel Seven, with calls indicating a large military operation in the vicinity. The area was cordoned off.

Another truck driver reported seeing a similar object on June 17th, which was accompanied by military police activity and the marking of an exclusion zone. He also claimed to have witnessed approximately 100 soldiers combing the area.

Local authorities, including fire departments and the National Parks and Wildlife service, claimed no knowledge of the incident. Air Traffic Control (ATC) initially confirmed tracking an object entering Australian airspace but later denied providing any information.

Later media reports suggested the object was a meteor that exploded mid-air, with access to the water catchment area prohibited. The article questions this explanation, citing the involvement of the military and other government departments.

Further inquiries revealed that mining pits at the colliery lost power for half an hour around the time of the impact and were running on generators. An individual claiming to be from the Bureau of Meteorology dismissed the event as trivial. Military aircraft were observed buzzing the area repeatedly.

An investigation by a retired SAS member suggested the impact was caused by a "Black-Project experiment gone wrong," but no concrete information was provided. A retired military officer hinted that the object was not of terrestrial origin. Despite variations in testimonies, no physical evidence or definitive explanation has emerged.

Dom's Corner: Life forms

By Dominic McNamara

This section explores the concept of life's formation, existence, and struggle to survive in extreme environments. McNamara references the submersible "Alvin" expedition in the late 1970s to the Pacific Ocean, where life was found thriving near hydrothermal vents at the sea floor.

Hydrothermal vents, characterized by superheated water rich in dissolved minerals, create "black smokers" that erupt from chimneys. These vents support unique ecosystems, including tube worms, giant clams, and barnacles, all based on bacteria that metabolize sulphur. McNamara suggests that life on Earth may have originated in such extreme environments and speculates about the possibility of life on other celestial bodies like Jupiter's moon Europa.

Europa: A Potential Haven for Life

The article discusses Europa, Jupiter's moon, as a candidate for extraterrestrial life. Its surface is covered by a global ice crust, estimated to be 1-5 km thick, beneath which lies a global ocean potentially 100 miles or 60 km deep. This ocean is believed to hold twice the water of all Earth's oceans.

Tidal stresses from Jupiter are thought to provide the heat necessary to keep the ocean liquid. The name "Rhadamanthic" is proposed for this hidden global ocean, referencing ancient mythology. The article notes that while water and vacuum do not mix, a thick icy crust can contain an ocean, similar to Earth's atmosphere.

Steven Squyres, a robotics mission engineer, is quoted remarking on the cracks on Europa's surface resembling sea ice, cautioning against using spurious analogies but acknowledging the evidence. The article details Europa's physical characteristics, including its mass, surface gravity, orbital period, and composition, which is primarily water ice with evaporated sea salts.

It is suggested that Europa's surface, with its mottled terrains and large smooth plains criss-crossed with cracks, is remarkably similar to the Arctic Ocean on Earth. The moon's young surface, estimated to be no more than 30 million years old, indicates a lack of large craters. The possibility of an iron-sulphur inner core is also mentioned.

The article concludes by expressing anticipation for future missions to Europa, particularly those that might explore its underwater ocean, despite potential conflicts with science fiction narratives.

RACE Reports

This section announces that with the completion of their TV series and conference, the RACE (Research of Australian Close Encounters) team can now dedicate 100% of their efforts to research. They are currently conducting studies, including identifying a new location for their next expedition.

High Altitude Sightings

This section presents several witness accounts of unusual aerial phenomena:

• January 1st, 2008 (Telopea, Australia): Mr. W. and his wife observed three satellite-like objects travelling in perfect harmony at a very high altitude, which they found baffling.
• February 5th, 2008 (Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia): J and another person saw a strange, flickering star that looked unusual.
• January 30th, 2008 (Waitara, Australia): A witness observed a cylindrical, dark grey object in the sky that did not move like a plane and then suddenly disappeared.
• March 17th, 2008 (Lake Wallace, Lithgow, Australia): C, a school teacher, witnessed what she initially thought was a shooting star suddenly stop and make a right-hand turn.
• September 24th, 2007 (Mittagong, Australia): C observed a bright orangey-yellow object, initially the size of a tennis ball, which hovered, then moved backwards and disappeared. Her husband also witnessed part of the event.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, the scientific and rational analysis of such events, and the exploration of life beyond Earth. The UFO-PRSA demonstrates a commitment to both rigorous research and public engagement, as evidenced by their TV series, conferences, and support group. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging the examination of evidence while prioritizing logical explanations and scientific methodology. There is a clear emphasis on debunking common misconceptions, particularly regarding 'orbs,' while still acknowledging the possibility of genuine unexplained phenomena, as seen in the detailed investigation of the Avon Dam incident and the speculative exploration of Europa.