SUFOG Newsletter No 149-150

Magazine Overview

This issue of the SUFOG Newsletter (Southampton UFO Group) is Number 149/150, dated March/April 2003. It covers 12 years of investigation and provides contact information via email and website. The newsletter features articles on UFO sightings, investigations, and related phenomena.

SUFOG Open Day and Seminar

The Southampton UFO Group is organizing an Open Day on October 18th, 2003, which will be an international affair with speakers from America, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. Ticket prices are £7.00 for the 10 am - 3.30 pm session and £20 inclusive of a 2-hour seminar with Daryl Sims. Tickets are limited to 30 people, and early booking is recommended.

Newsletter Content and Local Reports

The editorial highlights a recent feature in UFO Magazine that suggested the SUFOG Newsletter should focus more on local Hampshire reports. While agreeing with this sentiment, the editorial points out a problem: if people do not report their sightings to the group, they cannot investigate them or include them in the newsletter. The group, established for 13 years in Hampshire, emphasizes that their details are available in local libraries and online. The editorial questions the credibility of UFO magazines that publish reports without thorough investigation, suggesting that local groups are better positioned to conduct such investigations.

Rendlesham Forest Incident

A significant portion of the newsletter is dedicated to the Rendlesham Forest incident, also known as 'Britain's Closest Encounter'. A BBC documentary by Mentorn is discussed, which aims to reinvestigate the events of December 27-28, 1980, near RAF Woodbridge. The documentary will feature witnesses, UFO experts, skeptics, and newly analyzed audiotapes. Executive producer Steve Carsey notes the recent release of official papers and MOD documents, justifying the revisit to the story. The program is expected to be screened on BBC3 and BBC2. The article also mentions the release of the 'Rendlesham File' under the Freedom of Information Act, making it available on the Internet. This file details the sighting of a 'strange glowing triangle-shaped object' by USAF officers, including Lt Col Charles I Halt. The object was described as metallic and triangular, emitting blue blinking lights. Three circular depressions and radiation were found the next morning. Skeptics suggest the sighting could have been a lighthouse beam.

Betty and Barney Hill Abduction Case

The newsletter recounts the famous abduction case of Betty and Barney Hill, which occurred on September 19, 1961, while they were returning from vacation in Canada. They reported seeing a moving light that developed into a craft with figures behind windows. They experienced a loud noise and a period of drowsiness, waking up miles away. They reported the incident to Pease Air Force Base and were interviewed by the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena. Betty began experiencing nightmares, and through hypnotherapy with Dr. Benjamin Simon, details of the encounter emerged that matched both their accounts and Betty's nightmares. Betty drew a 'star map' of the aliens' origin, which was later controversially matched to a cluster of stars near Zeta Reticuli. John Schuessler of MUFON credits Betty Hill with popularizing the abduction phenomenon. The case was scrutinized, including a lie detector test by F. Lee Bailey.

Comet Bradfield and NEOs

An article by Brian P James debunks the hysteria surrounding a supposed comet that was predicted to strike Antarctica in March 2003. The author clarifies that Comet Bradfield 1976-D1 existed but passed Earth in 1976, not 2003, and has an orbital period of around 1000 years. The speculation arose from a NASA and Space.com alert about a meteor shower from the comet's debris trail. The author criticizes the internet community for generating 'drivel' and speculation based on a lack of facts.

Another section addresses the threat from Near Earth Objects (NEOs), acknowledging their real threat, citing the Tunguska explosion and the potential impact on humankind. It directs readers to www.spaceguarduk.com for more information.

True Ghost Stories

The newsletter includes two personal accounts of paranormal experiences. The first is from Karl Spencer-Smith, detailing a ghostly encounter in his grandparents' house in Bootle in 1971, involving the presence of an old lady and a vanishing figure. The second account is from the same author, describing an incident in August 1981 involving a mysterious figure by a stream and a dog's terrified reaction, which he relates to a similar feeling of fear experienced in 1971.

Newspaper Reviews

Ernie Sears provides a review of recent newspaper articles related to UFOs and conspiracies. He notes articles in The Times and The Daily Mail discussing SETI signals, alien culture, and conspiracy theories such as the 9/11 attacks being orchestrated by the US government, the faking of the Apollo Moon landings, and David Icke's 'lizard' theory about the Queen. He also mentions an article on Patrick Moore's biography and a psychic team feature in The Mirror. The Sunday Times reported on a space academy being built in Swansea. The Southampton Advertiser covered a sighting of an orange object by an 85-year-old man.

SUFOG Diary and Contact Information

The newsletter includes a diary of upcoming SUFOG meetings and events for 2003, including video evenings and open discussions, with a meeting charge of £3 to cover room hire. It also provides contact details for the Phenomenon Research Association and UPRI (Ireland). Subscription details for the SUFOG Newsletter are also listed (£7.50 per year).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the investigation of UFO sightings, particularly local ones in Hampshire, and the importance of credible reporting and research. The editorial stance is critical of sensationalism and speculation, emphasizing the need for factual investigation and questioning the motives of some UFO publications. There is a strong emphasis on the group's role in providing a local resource for UFO information and investigation. The newsletter also touches upon paranormal experiences, government transparency regarding UFO files, and the broader implications of potential extraterrestrial contact.

SUFOG, Issue 11, is a magazine dedicated to exploring UFO phenomena, paranormal events, and related topics. The issue features a variety of articles, reviews, and personal accounts, reflecting a broad interest in unexplained occurrences.

Magazine Reviews by Ernie Sears

Ernie Sears provides a comprehensive review of several publications and media that touch upon UFOs and the paranormal. He begins with a review of 'Loaded' magazine, noting its surprising inclusion of a seven-page article on 'The British Roswell', 'Cover-Ups', 'Yetis', and 'Little brown monks', featuring authors Brenda Butler and Georgina Bruni. Sears then discusses 'Spirit and Destiny', highlighting an article on UFO Investigator Sharon Larkin and mentioning astrophysicist Andrew Pike's views on alien cover-ups. He also reviews 'Hampshire', a country magazine that featured a two-page spread on crop formations by Chrissy Pollard, including the Chilbolton Observatory ones. Sears also mentions 'Independent Centre for Unexplained Phenomena' and 'Rapport Magazine', the latter being the in-house product of Ken Phillips Witness Support Group, which features his own work. 'OVNI' magazine is also reviewed, noted for its extensive coverage of UFO encounters and sightings. Finally, the 'Australian UFO Bulletin' is presented as a pocket-sized magazine with interesting items from 'Down Under'.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

The magazine includes several accounts of UFO sightings. Robert Coones reports a sighting of three lights moving in an elongated triangle formation near Trout Lake, Washington, USA. He also describes seeing a bright light moving low in the sky earlier that evening. The article discusses the possibility of these being NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance System) spy satellites but expresses skepticism about claims that their launch dates and names are known. A previous sighting by Coones of a triangle that performed a 180-degree reversal is also mentioned.

Another section details a sighting filmed over a Scottish loch on Meridian TV, which was not repeated. The article "The Day I died" on BBC2 is discussed, focusing on near-death experiences and the potential for UFOlogy to explore 'other areas more' related to life and death.

Crop Circles

The issue features an article titled "Crop Circles: Signs of Contact" by Colin Andrews and Stephen J. Spignesi. It explores the meaning and responsibility behind crop circles, questioning whether they are made by hoaxers, aliens, or government satellites. Colin Andrews, described as a former engineer and the world's leading authority on crop circles, has studied the phenomenon since 1983. The article delves into various theories of crop circle formation and Andrews' personal experiences. Stephen J. Spignesi is noted as a New York Times best-selling author.

A separate piece discusses a crop circle depicting Richard and Judy that appeared near Edinburgh, which was ultimately revealed to be a publicity stunt. The article uses this to discuss the 'experts' who still argue that not all crop circles are pranks, referencing William of Ockham's razor principle that entities should not be multiplied beyond what is needed, suggesting that if hoaxers can explain crop circles, there's no need to invent spacemen.

UFO-Sweden - A Brief Presentation

This section introduces UFO-Sweden (UFO-Sverige), founded in 1970, an organization dedicated to researching and evaluating reports of unidentified flying objects in Sweden. They receive over 300 reports annually, with 90-95% found to have natural causes. The organization works with specially trained researchers and collaborates with the Swedish Defense Institute and Meteorological Society. UFO-Sweden aims to counter uncritical thinking and unjustified disbelief regarding the UFO phenomenon, maintaining a stance based on research rather than speculation.

Derrel Sims and Alien Contact

Derrel Sims, a UFO researcher with over three decades of experience, is highlighted. His specific interest lies in medical/scientific evidence of human/alien contact. Sims emphasizes the need for people claiming contact to provide evidence, stating that it's incumbent upon researchers to produce evidence for medical/scientific acceptance. He is a Certified Hypnotic Anesthesiologist and Master Hypnotherapist, utilizing a multimodal approach to memory retrieval. His work includes investigating alleged alien implants and ongoing research in fluorescence. Sims is scheduled to speak at the Southampton UFO Group's Open Day.

Psychological Aspects of Abduction

An article by Steve Connor, Science Editor, discusses how sleep paralysis can lead people to believe they have experienced a ghost sighting or alien abduction. Professor Richard McNally of Harvard University explains that susceptible individuals experience semi-consciousness and immobility, sometimes accompanied by vivid hallucinations that feel like supernatural events. This phenomenon, known as 'hypnopompic hallucinations', can create a sense of alien presence. The article notes that people who believe in alien abduction often share characteristics like New-Age beliefs, high absorption traits, and episodes of sleep paralysis. It is suggested that this psychological phenomenon can also explain other supernatural beliefs.

Political and Historical Perspectives on UFOs

An article by Peter Leathley discusses George W. Bush's budget suggesting aliens could exist in space, referencing scientific discoveries indicating habitable worlds. It also recalls Ronald Reagan's 1987 speech to the United Nations, where he suggested that an outside, universal threat, such as an alien threat, could unite humanity. Reagan's personal interest in UFOs and his alleged sighting of a white, zigzagging light in 1974 are mentioned.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SUFOG include UFO sightings, crop circles, alien abductions, and the psychological and scientific investigation of these phenomena. The magazine appears to present a balanced approach, reviewing various publications and research efforts while also exploring skeptical viewpoints and psychological explanations. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the presentation of evidence and rigorous research, while cautioning against uncritical acceptance of unsubstantiated claims. The inclusion of personal accounts alongside scientific and investigative reports suggests an aim to cover the breadth of public interest in the unexplained.