Shadow of a Doubt - 1999 02

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: February, 1999
Publisher: The Monthly Calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of 'Shadow of a Doubt' provides a skeptical look at the UFO phenomenon and related topics, featuring upcoming events, lectures, and television programming. The cover boldly states 'UFOs are real...Flying Saucers are not!', indicating a focus on critical examination rather than acceptance of extraterrestrial visitation.

Featured Talk: UFOs and American Culture

Professor Dave Theison from the Department of Astronomy at the University of Maryland delivered a talk on Saturday, February 20, 1999, at the Montgomery County Library in Bethesda. The talk, titled 'UFOs are real...Flying Saucers are not!', aimed to examine the UFO phenomenon and its impact on American culture. Professor Theison's presentation, illustrated with slides, intended to explore explanations for UFO sightings that do not involve extraterrestrial spacecraft, questioning whether evidence supports the 'flying saucer' hypothesis.

NCAS and the Condon Report

The National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) announced the availability of the 'Condon Report' on their website (http://www.ncas.org/condon). This extensive study, conducted at the University of Colorado between 1966 and 1968 under the direction of physics Professor Edward U. Condon, is described as the largest single scientific project ever undertaken concerning the UFO problem. NCAS is making this report accessible with permission from the University of Colorado.

Television Programming Highlights

The issue lists several television programs related to UFOs and unexplained phenomena:

• February 17: NBC will air 'Confirmation: The Hard Evidence of Aliens Among Us'.
• History Channel:
• February 17, 8pm: 'Lourdes: Shrine of Miracles' explores the history of pilgrims visiting the shrine and questions the miraculous healing claims.
• February 21, 10pm: 'History Undercover: Roswell: An Alien Obsession' revisits the 1947 Roswell incident, examining the national fascination with extraterrestrials and the debate over a potential UFO crash.
• February 22, 8pm: 'Alien Hunters' investigates how modern astronomy and technology are being used to search for evidence of alien civilizations.
• February 24, 8pm: 'Ancient Aliens' explores the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors in ancient times by examining ruins, artifacts, and texts.
• February 26, 8pm: 'Riddle of the Zodiac' delves into the history and scientific debate surrounding astrology and its ancient origins.
• A&E:
• February 28, 9pm: 'More Haunted Houses: Tortured Souls & Restless Spirits' explores the darker side of American folk tales.

Capital Science Lecture

On February 23, Alan Linde from the Carnegie Institution of Washington's Department of Terrestrial Magnetism was scheduled to give a talk titled 'Volcanic Eruptions: Watching the Magma Rise From Depth.' The lecture was to cover the study of volcanic eruptions and the use of strain meters and other sensitive instruments to measure crustal deformations and gain insights into eruption physics. The lecture was part of the free 'Capital Science Lectures' series held at the Carnegie Institution in Washington, D.C.

January Meeting Rescheduled

The January meeting, which was to feature a talk titled 'Plane facts not so' by Jim Giglio, was rescheduled to March 13th due to weather conditions that made the 'weather psychic' unavailable.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical and skeptical examination of paranormal claims, particularly concerning UFOs. The publication actively promotes scientific inquiry and evidence-based explanations, as seen in the promotion of Professor Theison's talk, the availability of the Condon Report, and the highlighting of television programs that often present a balanced or skeptical viewpoint on such topics. The NCAS, as the publisher, clearly positions itself as an organization dedicated to promoting scientific understanding and debunking unsubstantiated claims.