SBI Report - No 34 - Vol 4 No 04

Magazine Overview

This issue of The SBI Report, dated August-September 1982, is the official publication of the Scientific Bureau of Investigation, Inc. (SBI), a non-profit scientific and educational corporation. The magazine is published six times a year with a single copy price of $2.00. The cover features a striking black and white illustration of a landscape with a silhouetted flying object, accompanied by the main headline.

Editorial

In the editorial, Pete Mazzola, the editor, reflects on the 35-year history of UFO phenomena and the ongoing struggle for respectability in the scientific community. He highlights the importance of reliable UFO literature and urges readers to subscribe to the 'UFO SUPPLEMENT' from News World. Mazzola emphasizes the need for ufology to adopt a new approach, advocating for unity among UFO organizations and the public to achieve common goals. He expresses hope that the proposed 'federation of UFO organizations' initiated at the 1982 Toronto MUFON Symposium will bring a new outlook and focus on acquiring answers. The editorial also announces that The SBI REPORT is now professionally reproduced using camera-offset techniques and welcomes reader support, comments, letters, and articles of about 2000 words. It encourages readers to report their UFO experiences, emphasizing that many incidents go unreported due to fear of ridicule or harassment, and reminds them that the government has previously attempted to suppress vital data.

Key Articles and Features

Forensic Ufology

Charles Wilhelm, in an article presented at the UFO Summit, argues that Forensic Ufology is an area of UFO research that needs to be utilized more extensively. He notes that while some may see it as new, organizations like the Ohio Investigators League have been using forensic sciences for years. Wilhelm likens UFO investigators to 'Sherlock Holmes' for their ability to gather evidence. He stresses the imperative of using forensic sciences in UFO investigations, particularly at the site of a possible landing case, to properly secure evidence. The article details the importance of preplanning and recognizing the need for specialized expert assistance. It outlines the proper techniques for preserving impressions and/or prints found at a scene, emphasizing that the laboratory expert relies on the condition of the impression/print, the investigator's ability to reproduce it, and the condition of the evidence when examined.

UFO update

This section includes several brief reports:

• 111 UFO sightings reported in Spain: Reported by UPI, over 100 unidentified flying objects were spotted in Spanish airspace in 1981, a slight decrease from the previous year. A journalist reported radar signals from an 'enormous metal object as big as an oil tanker.'
• Houston Chronicle Report of UFO sightings: Four people in Woodstock, Australia, reported seeing a brilliant red object, described as a 'big round bright light,' hovering at tree-top level before darting away.
• UFOs sighted in county?: Two men in Pomeroy, USA, reported observing strange lights in the sky, appearing to be 10 to 15-foot across, which hovered, split, and disappeared.
• UFO spotlight: Terry Hunter of Tooperang, Australia, recounts an experience where a bright light beamed down on him from the sky, causing him to feel unwell afterward.
• Sky glow calls jam station: A Ballarat, Australia, radio station received about 30 calls describing a yellow glow in the sky, which later turned blue and then red.

Fiery lights over E. Coast remain mystery

This article by Pete Mazzola details the mysterious fiery lights observed over the densely populated East Coast of the USA on August 24th at 8:30 p.m. The event generated thousands of calls to various agencies, including the SBI. After 4½ hours of investigation, involving calls to NORAD, the U.S. Air Force, FAA, and local police, no definitive explanation was found. NORAD confirmed tracking the object but stated it was not a decaying satellite. The FAA reported pilots observing the object at 10,000 feet traveling at about 70 miles per second, but it did not appear on their radar. Police officers described the object streaking across the sky, changing colors, and breaking into parts. Theories proposed by astronomers included a meteor shower, a decaying satellite, or debris from comets like Swift-Tuttle or Halley's Comet. Some suggested it was a hot-air balloon launched by pranksters. The article concludes that experts remained confused.

Seen Any UFOs Lately?

This section features several short reports:

• Aileen and Dan Edwards: The couple from Seattle have formed the UFO Contact Center to counsel 'contactees' who claim encounters with beings from outer space, using hypnosis and group therapy. They recall specific experiences of abduction and programming.
• Bernard Wechsler: A New Jersey resident observed the August 24th event through a telescope, seeing fourteen small objects in close formation, appearing as one to the naked eye.
• 'UFO' seen at Williamtown: The RAAF Base at Williamtown, Australia, received calls about a sighting that was later identified as a survey balloon.
• UFO identified! (London): Teenager Jeffrey Corps was knocked to the ground by a large metal object that fell from the sky, later identified by police as a meteorological balloon.

Other Sections

• Letters: The 'DEAR SBI' and 'DEAR PETE' sections feature correspondence from readers, including requests for information, subscriptions, and sharing of UFO experiences and research.
• Membership: Subscription rates for the SBI REPORT are provided, along with information on becoming an 'Active' member.
• Advertisements: Several books on UFO topics are advertised, including 'The UFO Evidence,' 'The Andreasson Affair: Phase Two,' 'The Most Famous Hoax in UFology,' and 'The Roswell Incident.' Information is also provided on ordering literature from CUFOS and MUFON.
• News World Supplements: Advertisements for 'UFOS AND OTHER COSMIC PHENOMENA,' 'TV Weekly,' and 'Color Comics' from The News World are included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, investigations, and the broader implications of the phenomenon. There is a strong emphasis on the need for a scientific and methodical approach to UFO research, advocating for the use of forensic sciences and open-mindedness. The magazine promotes the idea of unity within the UFO community and encourages active participation from readers in reporting sightings and contributing to research. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, while acknowledging the lack of definitive answers and the potential for government secrecy or public ridicule. The publication aims to provide a platform for sharing information and fostering a more recognized scientific status for ufology.

This issue of Sputnik Digest of the Soviet Press, dated June 1981, is titled "The Question of UFOs!" and is presented as a compilation of articles and reports related to the UFO phenomenon. It features contributions from various individuals and organizations, including Peter Robbins, who produced a TV series on the topic, and the Scientific Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

The Phenomenon of UFOs

The lead article, "The Phenomenon" by Peter Robbins, discusses the historical reports of strange aerial phenomena, noting their increased prominence since 1947. It highlights that while many sightings are misinterpretations of natural or man-made objects, a significant percentage (about 10%) remain truly puzzling and are considered "TRUE UFO REPORTS." These cases often share similarities in shape, maneuverability, appearance, sound, and color. The article notes that a growing number of scientists are cautiously involving themselves in UFO research, with some scientific journals beginning to publish serious papers on the subject.

"The Question of UFOs" TV Programs

Peter Robbins is credited with creating and producing a six-part TV series titled "The Question of UFOs," broadcast weekly on Manhattan Cable-TV. The series covers topics such as public attitudes towards UFOs, the reliability of news sources, various theories about UFOs, and specific case studies. The programs are scheduled for Wednesday evenings and Sunday rebroadcasts. The article lists the themes for each of the six weeks, including "Staring at a Blind Spot," "Formerly Secret" (declassified documents), and reviews of specific incidents like the Capt. C. Mantell UFO incident.

Peter Robbins' Background

A short biography of Peter Robbins is provided, detailing his work as an artist and his involvement in UFO research since a 1961 sighting. His artistic background includes representation in numerous shows and publications. He graduated from the School of Visual Arts, where he now teaches, and has traveled extensively.

Sputnik's Perspective on UFOs

An article from the Soviet press, accompanied by a drawing by Pavel Denisov, discusses UFO sightings reported in various countries, including Australia, Canada, the United States, and within the Soviet Union itself (Moscow, Petrozavodsk, Omsk, Kiev, Odessa). It describes UFOs as flying by day and night, appearing as luminous balls, discs, cucumbers, cigars, sickles, and triangles, hovering at various altitudes. Reports include observations of objects emitting bright rays and leaving white plumes. The article notes that the phenomenon has been going on for years.

Scientific Explanations

Scientists' initial explanations for UFOs often refer to anomalous atmospheric phenomena. J. Bode, a German astronomer, linked luminous meteors and falling rocks to dense, heavy evaporations in the air. German scientist V. Meyer described round masses appearing in the sky emitting beautiful greenish or bluish light. Donald Menzel concluded that many "flying saucers" are natural explanations like mirages or mock suns. Y. Ridpass analyzed 30 years of eyewitness accounts, finding that 90% of "flying saucer" reports were due to meteorites, planes, sputniks, balloons, or atmospheric pollutions. However, the article acknowledges that a proportion of phenomena remain unaccounted for.

Chemiluminescent Formations (CLFs)

M. Dmitriyev, D. Sc. (Chemistry), suggests that "saucers" might be conditioned by purely terrestrial phenomena like chemiluminescent formations (CLFs). CLFs are described as a form of airglow resulting from chemical reactions, capable of emitting bright luminescence or reflecting solar radiation, moving quickly, and sometimes exploding. Thousands of observations and photographic pictures of CLFs have been collected in Soviet laboratories. These formations can leave depressions, craters, or melted soil but leave no material vestiges as they evaporate. They have been observed by pilots, travelers, and seafarers.

Soviet Scientists' Model

Another explanation comes from Soviet scientists G. Barenblatt and A. Monin, who proposed a theoretical model of a phenomenon whose properties coincide with those of described UFOs. The magazine "Tekhnika i Nauka" commented that these "saucers" spring from certain physical processes observable in the atmosphere.

UFO Squadron Dazzles Police in Kentucky

This section details an incident on December 28th where police in Kentucky observed a squadron of multicolored UFOs flying in precise formation. The objects were described as diamond-like, exhibiting unworldly aerial acrobatics. Local authorities and the Air Force Base had no reports of conventional aircraft activity in the area at the time, suggesting a non-conventional explanation.

The Scientific Bureau of Investigation (SBI)

The SBI is presented as a non-profit organization dedicated to solving the UFO mystery. It offers memberships, publications, and services such as a "Step-by-Step UFO Field Investigating Manual." The SBI aims to make open contact with UFOs and their crews and to solve the UFO phenomenon within its members' lifetime. It claims to be the first UFO organization to offer incentives like cash awards for dedicated personnel and payment for abduction cases.

SBI Membership and Offers

The SBI offers various membership levels and benefits, including subscriptions to "The SBI Report," which is published every two months and contains sighting reports, investigation results, and editorials. Special offers include a discounted subscription for spouses and gift certificates for enrolling new members. The organization also provides a money-back guarantee for its services.

Psychic Phenomena and Patricia Mischell

Patricia Mischell is featured as a psychic healer and minister. She offers psychic answers to personal questions via mail-order service for $20.00 per question. She also founded "The World of ESP" and "The House of Hope," which serves as a center for developing psychic awareness. A monthly newsletter, "Subscribe to Hope," is available for $12.00 per year. Meditation tapes and books by Patricia Mischell are also offered.

The Sixth Quark Journal

An advertisement for "The Sixth Quark Journal" invites researchers, writers, and students of ufology to join in unifying and extending the understanding of the worldwide UFO phenomenon, calling it "the next step in earth's cosmic evolution."

Forensic UFology

A section on "Forensic UFology" emphasizes the importance of investigative procedures and forensic sciences in UFO investigations. It suggests that learning these methods through classes at museums or colleges, or police training centers, is crucial for successful identification and reconstruction of UFO events. The article calls for dissolving cliques and stopping the protection of those deliberately falsifying information to achieve major goals in ufology.

Lawson Award

The Executive Committee of the Fund for UFO Research has decided not to award the $1,000 Alvin H. Lawson UFO Research Award for 1981 publications. The potential award for 1982 publications will be $2,000. Entries must be published in recognized journals, and foreign language publications require an English translation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent mystery of UFOs, the scientific and pseudoscientific attempts to explain them, and the efforts of organizations like the SBI to investigate and resolve the phenomenon. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging serious investigation, open-mindedness towards various theories, and a desire to uncover the truth about UFOs within the current generation. There's a strong emphasis on the need for rigorous investigation and a critical approach to information, while also acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena and the potential role of psychic abilities.