Strange Days - number 4

Magazine Overview

Title: Strange Days
Issue: Number 4
Date: January 1995
Publisher: NUFORI (Northern UFO Research & Investigation)
Type: A Journal of UFOlogy

This issue of Strange Days, a magazine focused on UFOlogy and related phenomena, marks the fourth publication and the beginning of 1995. The editorial, penned by Dave Newton, reflects on the past year for both the magazine and the broader UFO community. 1994 is described as a busy year, highlighted by increased media coverage leading to new cases, the publication of Philip Mantle's book "Without Consent," and a notable controversy involving Jenny Randles, BUFORA, and the 'News of the World'. The editor expresses hope that this unpleasantness will be forgotten.

The issue promises a variety of content, including a report on Peter Nelson's UFO sighting and photographs, the unusual experiences of Sarah Jones, an article on interstellar travel, and other regular features. Newton notes a personal conviction that close encounter events are often linked to paranormal phenomena rather than solely extraterrestrial origins, citing recurring patterns of inexplicable events in witness accounts.

Contents and Key Articles

Editorial (Page 3)
Dave Newton welcomes readers to 1995 and reflects on the magazine's journey since its inception in 1993. He summarizes 1994 as a significant year for UFOlogy, marked by increased media attention and important case developments. He mentions the publication of "Without Consent" and a controversy involving Jenny Randles and BUFORA. The editor highlights the inclusion of Peter Nelson's UFO sighting and photographs, Sarah Jones' experience, and an article on interstellar travel. Newton reiterates his belief that many UFO phenomena are linked to paranormal events.

Notices and News (Page 4)
This section provides updates on the UFO community. The NUFORI meeting scheduled for January 28th has been cancelled due to apathy, with interested members asked to contact Gloria Dixon. Two UFO conferences are announced for 1995: the Southampton UFO Group's conference in Portsmouth on April 22nd, and BUFORA's 8th International UFO Congress in Sheffield on August 19th-20th. Details for these events are promised in the back of the magazine. BUFORA's Picture Library is highlighted as a self-funded project for preserving documentary material, with revenue sharing for contributors. A new UFO group, the "North-East Unidentified Flying Object Reporters Magazine," has been formed by Andy Temple and Stephen Ede in Gateshead, with Temple believing 80% of UFOs are alien craft. News items include a UFO model kit from The Testor Corporation based on Area 51, the upcoming Hollywood film "Contact" starring Jodie Foster, a video guide to Area 51 vantage points, and a techno dance album "Implant" with UFO-themed tracks. An investigation into Project Blue Book reveals that initial UFO reports were sent to the Air Intelligence Service Squadron (A.I.S.S.) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

North East Case Reports (Page 5-6)

• Peter Nelson's Sighting (Page 5-6): Reported by Gloria Dixon, this case details an event on August 21st, 1994, in Bellingham, Northumberland. Peter Nelson, alerted by his alarm system at 11:35 pm, observed a bright object in the night sky moving easterly. He described it as a coppery dome shape, moving slowly towards the Tyne Valley, then changing direction to head North. Nelson reported feeling air pulsating and smelling ozone, with the hairs on his arms bristling. He managed to take five photographs of the object, which he described as larger than the full moon and accelerating rapidly. The sighting was also witnessed by five other people. The Hexham Courant and Evening Chronicle reported on the event. Phil Mantle alerted Gloria Dixon, who examined the negatives and camera with David Newton. The photograph shows a coppery dome with a light underneath. Other witnesses described the object as orangey-yellow. Two military officials, claiming to be from RAF Prestwick, visited Nelson, asking questions and requesting the negatives, which were in Dixon's possession. They showed interest in the object's sound, movement, and height. The Otterburn Army Range's proximity and planned expansion are noted. The photograph has been sent to MUFON in the US for analysis.

• Analysis of Peter Nelson's Photographs (Page 6): Dave Newton analyzes the photographs taken by Peter Nelson with a Hanimex 35mm camera. Photograph 35A, the main UFO image, shows the full moon and patches of red/orange light with a yellow-white light emission. Newton notes that while the moon provides a reference for size, its blurriness distorts the UFO image. He suggests that the image might represent the UFO's body or, more likely, the hot gas emitted from a jet or rocket engine, given the dark conditions and short exposure. Photograph 34A shows puzzling deep red lights, possibly lamps carried by the UFO. The analysis concludes that the object remains an Unidentified Flying Object pending further analysis.

Even Stranger Nights (Page 7-8)

• Sarah Jones' Childhood Experience (Page 7-8): Gloria Dixon recounts an incident involving Sarah Jones from Peterlee, experienced around Christmas 1979 when Sarah was four and her brother Simon was seven. While going downstairs for a drink, they encountered a creature described as a "werewolf" at the bottom of the stairs. It was man-sized, covered in dark fur, with large, slanted green eyes that seemed to glow (Simon recalled red glowing eyes and possibly ears or horns). They fled back to their room in fear. Sarah also describes unusual childhood experiences of being terrified of stairs but sometimes feeling relaxed and floating down them, as if sitting in an invisible chair, or leaping without gravity. She stresses she was not sleepwalking. The article includes a drawing by Sarah's brother of the creature and a floor plan of the upstairs area.

• Acquaintance's Experience (Page 9): An unnamed acquaintance of Sarah Jones shared a brief account of an event from her childhood, around age six or seven. While walking home with a friend, they stopped to observe a small, pallid, nimble figure hovering mid-air about six feet away. The figure was about two feet tall, child-like in size but appearing older. The witness recalls it hovering and compares it to the fictional character "Peter Pan."

Identified Flying Objects (Page 9-10)

• Gateshead Sighting (Page 9): J.M. reported an incident on January 31st, 1994, in Gateshead. While in her lounge, her mother called her attention to strange objects in the sky. J.M. observed eight to ten round, flat objects, silver on top and dark/black on the base, flying in a disordered manner. They flew towards the bottom of the garden, showing their tops and then their bases. The event lasted about forty seconds and the objects were flying at an altitude comparable to the moon. J.M. states there was no sound and the objects were not as bright as the moon. She and her mother are convinced they saw something unidentified. Dave Newton and the author suggest this was likely a group of birds. Dave's evaluation posits that the short duration, disordered pattern, and individual motions are consistent with a flock of large birds (like geese) flying at moderate height and speed. The sun catching their upper halves could create bright reflections, masking their structure and leading to the perceived "zig zag" motion between wing beats.

• Editor's Note: Dave Newton adds a note regarding the Gateshead sighting, acknowledging that some readers may disagree with the explanation. He states that if an alternative interpretation is provided, they would be interested to hear it, but he considers this a "low-strangeness report" explainable as a mundane misinterpretation.

Rare UFO Book Found (Page 10)
Craig Carl Jackson writes about discovering a rare 1956 edition of Edward J. Ruppelt's book, "The Report on Unidentified (Flying) Objects." Ruppelt, former head of Project Bluebook, initially claimed in this edition that the Air Force covered up UFO facts, playing up explainable sightings while ridiculing unexplainable ones. However, a 1959 reprint of the book presented a changed view, aligning with the USAF's stance. Jackson speculates that pressure from the Air Force, CIA, or FBI may have influenced Ruppelt's change of mind, as no definite reason was given before his death. Jackson found a copy of the 1956 edition in the Newcastle central library and recommends the book for those interested in the "real story" from someone involved in Project Bluebook.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Strange Days are UFO sightings, the analysis of photographic and eyewitness evidence, and the exploration of unexplained phenomena. There is a strong emphasis on cases originating from the North East of England, reflecting the magazine's regional focus. The editorial stance, particularly from Dave Newton, leans towards rational explanations for sightings, as seen in the analysis of the Gateshead case, while still acknowledging the possibility of genuine unexplained phenomena and paranormal connections. The magazine also serves as a platform for community engagement, announcing meetings, conferences, and new UFO groups, and encouraging reader contributions. The inclusion of personal accounts, like Sarah Jones' childhood experiences, broadens the scope beyond traditional UFO sightings to include broader unexplained and potentially paranormal events.

This issue of FASTER THAN LIGHT: Interstellar Travel in the New Physics., published by Quest Publications and dated October/November 1994, delves into the theoretical possibilities of advanced physics and their connection to UFO phenomena. The magazine explores concepts such as faster-than-light travel, wormholes, black holes, and warp drive, while also reviewing various UFO-related publications and media.

Interstellar Travel and Theoretical Physics

The main article, by D.A. Newton, begins by introducing two foundational theories of modern physics: Relativity and Quantum Theory. It highlights Einstein's Special and General Relativity, noting that while E=mc², the Twins Paradox, and Time Dilation are widely known, General Relativity and Quantum Theory are less understood by the public. The article discusses the growing respectability of time travel in scientific circles, referencing articles from Scientific American and Astronomy, as well as a book by Jenny Randles.

The concept of wormholes is introduced as a key mechanism for time and space travel. These are described as tunnels connecting different regions of spacetime, with black holes potentially serving as natural wormholes or being manipulated to create macroscopic ones. The article clarifies that while Special Relativity forbids faster-than-light travel in flat spacetime, General Relativity allows for possibilities in curved spacetime, such as near black holes.

Spacetime Travel Through Black Holes

The discussion then focuses on black holes, defining them as regions of space with such strong gravitational fields that not even light can escape. The formation of black holes is explained, from tiny ones in the Big Bang to larger ones formed from collapsing stars. The event horizon is identified as the point of no return. The article distinguishes between Schwarzschild black holes (non-rotating, uncharged) and Kerr black holes (rotating), noting that Kerr black holes, due to their rotation, flatten into discs and are theorized to allow for spacetime travel.

A Kruskal diagram is presented to illustrate how travel through a Kerr black hole might work. The diagram shows time and space axes, with 'time-like' and 'space-like' paths. It is explained that a traveler could pass through both the inner and outer event horizons of a Kerr black hole, avoiding the central singularity, and reappear elsewhere in the universe. This is contrasted with Schwarzschild black holes, where crossing the event horizon means being lost forever.

The 'Warp Drive' Concept

An alternative approach to faster-than-light travel is presented, based on the work of Miguel Alcubierre. This concept stems from the 'inflationary phase' of the early universe, where spacetime expanded rapidly. The idea is to create an engine that warps spacetime, contracting it ahead of a spacecraft and expanding it behind, allowing the ship to 'surf' this distortion. The article notes that this requires exotic forms of matter and technology that do not currently exist but may be possible through quantum field theory.

The mathematical framework of General Relativity is introduced, with equations describing the spacetime metric and the parameters for a 'warp drive' engine. The article acknowledges the complexity of the mathematics and advises readers to consult introductory texts on General Relativity.

Consequences for Ufology

The article concludes by discussing the implications of theoretical faster-than-light travel for the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH). If such travel is possible, the vast distances between stars are no longer an insurmountable obstacle for interstellar voyages, potentially making the ETH more likely. The author leaves the reader to decide on this point.

Reviews and News

The latter part of the magazine issue features reviews of various UFO and Fortean publications and media:

• Video Review: "Masters Of The Stars": A tape featuring unusual aerial craft seen over Mexico City, described as a superb and engrossing video with some of the best UFO footage ever seen.
• UFO Magazine (Quest Publications, 1994): A glossy magazine leaning towards the extraterrestrial hypothesis, praised for its well-researched explanation of the Kecksburg UFO incident and features on the Aurora project and stealth aircraft.
• Fortean Times No77 (October/November 1994): Contains articles on various strange phenomena, including 'Holy spirit fever' and an interview with Sophia Richmond, but not much directly related to UFOs.
• Fortean Times No78 (Dec/Jan 95): Features an updated piece on the Roswell UFO Crash.
• Strange Times Vol1 No1: A large magazine covering a wide range of subjects including UFOs, presidents, Uri Geller, alien abductions, and past lives.
• Strange Magazine No 13: Aims to be an American version of Fortean Times, covering strange events, UFOs, cryptozoology, Martian mysteries, and Bigfoot.
• International UFO Library Magazine June/July 1994: A magazine for supporters of the extraterrestrial hypothesis, with articles on ancient astronauts, UFO encounters on the Moon, and resisting alien abductions. It also includes an article on "The X-Files" and an interview with Patrick Stewart.
• Northern UFO News No166 (Summer 1994): Jenny Randles' magazine featuring case notes, book reviews, and news on UFOlogy.
• OVNI October 1994: A newsletter from the Phenomenon Research Association, covering UFO conferences, news, and a guide to the night sky.
• Southampton UFO Group Newsletter (Monthly): Provides a breakdown of UFO and related articles from the media, along with news and sightings.
• Promises and Disappointments Issue 1: A magazine containing articles on conspiracy theories and book reviews, including a critical review of Philip Mantle's "Without Consent" on alien abductions.
• Weird Night on BBC2: A program featuring Forteana, including a review of the year, documentaries on urban myths, "X-Files", and discussions on the paranormal.
• Video: Richard Hoagland - The Moon-Mars Connection: A lecture presenting evidence for an ancient civilization on the Moon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the theoretical possibilities of advanced physics for interstellar travel and the ongoing exploration of UFO phenomena and the extraterrestrial hypothesis. The magazine appears to maintain an open-minded stance, presenting scientific theories alongside reports and reviews of UFO sightings and related cultural phenomena. The editorial stance seems to encourage critical thinking and discussion, particularly in the reviews section where different viewpoints and interpretations are presented and debated.

This issue of "Strange Days" magazine, dated December 9, 1994, is primarily focused on UFO phenomena, alien abductions, and related research. The magazine presents a critical perspective on some UFO claims while also promoting research and upcoming events in the field. The issue is 32 pages long and published quarterly at a cost of £8.00 for a one-year subscription.

Lunar Structures and the Clementine Probe

The issue begins with a discussion of Richard Hoagland's claims regarding artificial structures on the Moon, based on NASA photographs of the Sinus Medii region. The author expresses skepticism, suggesting Hoagland may be reading too much into the images and pushing image enhancement too far. The author notes that the Clementine space probe has recently mapped the Moon's surface, releasing 1.8 million images, which are expected to provide more definitive evidence and potentially discredit Hoagland's theories. The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory has made these images accessible via the Internet.

Television Program Reviews

Two television programs are reviewed:

Horizon: Alien Abductions (BBC2, November 28, 1994)

This program investigated alien abductions and featured interviews with researchers like Dr. Sue Blackmore, Budd Hopkins, David Jacobs, and John Mack. The author notes that Dr. Blackmore sat in Michael Persinger's "scary chair" and experienced virtual monsters. While acknowledging the program's balanced approach, the author questions whether Persinger's complex brain stimuli can naturally generate abduction reports, especially since Persinger requires a computer for his experiments. The author believes the physical traces and scars associated with abductions cannot be dismissed as easily as Dr. Blackmore did.

Strange But True (ITV, December 9, 1994)

Presented by Michael Aspel, this half-hour program covered the events in Rendlesham Forest. The author describes it as an intelligent and well-balanced TV program dealing with UFOs, though it missed the alleged meeting between aliens and USAF officials. The author questions why a UFO would choose to land at an American air base in the UK.

The New UFOlogist No2

The second issue of "The New UFOlogist" is reviewed. It is described as having a textured anaglypta cover and features articles by Jenny Randles, Paul Fuller, and Albert Budden, who attempts to link a UFO event near Stonehenge to his "allergies" theory. Neil Nixon contributes an article on UFO "cover-ups" and market forces affecting the media. The reviewer notes the recurring "Jenny Randles did it first" snippet, highlighting previous instances where her work predated others in the field of alien abduction research. The reviewer praises the quality of the articles but laments the magazine's short length (32 pages), expressing hope that it will become a leading UFO journal.

Letters to the Editor

Letter from Craig C. Jackson

Craig C. Jackson thanks the magazine for the latest issue of "Strange Days." He corrects a spelling mistake regarding "Project Galileo" and discusses the MJ-12 piece, suggesting that Special Executive Order 092447 might refer to a publication date. He also mentions a cattle mutilation case investigated by Tony Dodd at the Halt Lecture, which involved surveillance due to ongoing cattle mutilations and resulted in the farmer missing time, further mutilations, and a strange image on video tape.

Editor's Response to Craig C. Jackson

The editor acknowledges the correction and expresses interest in seeing the tape and learning more about the cattle mutilation case.

A New Theory of Alien Abductions?

Dr. Maurice Traveller's Theory

Dr. Maurice Traveller proposes a new theory for UFOs and abductions. He argues that many UFOs are advanced craft and that alien abductions are not psychological but rather part of a "syllabus" for alien students studying "Exobiology 101." He suggests that aliens select humans for basic genetic experiments and medical examinations, similar to how human students dissect animals. Cattle mutilations are seen as evidence of their interest in other species. The theory posits that the aliens don't want to alert humans, but the sheer number of abductees makes perfect memory blocking impossible. Dr. Traveller speculates that Earth might be used for "driving tests" for new alien pilots, explaining unusual maneuvers and accidents.

Editor's Feedback on Dr. Traveller's Theory

The editor dismisses Dr. Traveller's theory as "unprovable, unscientific nonsense," sarcastically questioning the basis of his doctorate.

In Memory of Stuart P. Smith

A poem is included in memory of Stuart P. Smith (Stu), a year after his passing. The poem, a verse from "The Rose," is sung by Bette Midler.

New Year's Greetings

Dave Newton sends New Year's wishes to the readers.

1995 One Day UFO Conference

An announcement for a UFO conference to be held on April 22, 1995, at Warblington Secondary School in Portsmouth. Guest speakers include Busty Taylor, Gordon Millington (SIGAP), Roy Lake (London UFO Studies), and Malcolm Terry (Andover Group). Contact details for Steve Gerrard are provided for more information.

8th International UFO Congress

This section announces the 8th International UFO Congress, organized by the British UFO Research Association, taking place at the University of Hallam in Sheffield from August 19-20, 1995. The congress will honor Walter Andrus, International Director of the Mutual UFO Network. A provisional list of international speakers is provided, including Dr. Leo Sprinkle, Vicente-Juan Ballester-Olmos, Jiles Hamilton, Per Andersen, Malcolm Robinson, Cynthia Hind, Peter Robbins, Maurizio Verga, Dr. Helmut Lammer, John Carpenter, and John Spencer. A special announcement highlights the hope of having the first Russian scientist, Dr. Sergey Chernouss, lecture on UFOs in the UK, pending financial resolution.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alien abductions, and the critical analysis of research and media coverage. The magazine appears to encourage serious UFOlogy while maintaining a skeptical stance towards unsubstantiated claims, as evidenced by the editor's dismissal of Dr. Traveller's theory. There's a clear interest in promoting UFO research organizations and events within the UK and internationally.