SUNlite - Vol 02 No 02

Magazine Overview

SUNlite, Volume 2, Number 2, dated March-April 2010, is a magazine dedicated to shedding light on UFOlogy and UFOs. The cover features a dramatic photograph of a Minuteman III missile launch and a quote attributed to Arthur C. Clarke, which sets a critical tone for the issue: "Seldom has a subject been so invested with fraud, hysteria, credulity, religious mania, incompetence, and most of the other unflattering human characteristics."

Articles and Features

Bad Aliens run amok

The editorial discusses the cover's hint at the issue's content, including an article on the Malmstrom AFB missile shutdown. The author mentions James Carlson, son of the flight commander, wrote an extensive piece, which is summarized here. The author argues that theories of alien intervention are based on belief, not facts. Personal news includes attending a meeting of the Granite State Skeptics and hearing Barbara "Kitty" Mervine speak about her work with abductees, emphasizing the need for medical assistance for those who report such experiences.

The Socorro story is revisited, with Dave Thomas's efforts to find evidence for a student hoax yielding no results. The author expresses skepticism about the rumor's truth. A personal note reveals the author was the original source for a rumor about Lonnie Zamora, which James Moseley published, admitting an error in revealing the information.

The article also critiques MUFON, suggesting they need to improve their handling of hoaxes, particularly noting a STAR team case that was initially unexplained but later revealed to be a hoax. The author hopes STAR teams will approach cases with skepticism.

James Moseley's comments on Stan Romanek are discussed, with Moseley calling Romanek an "unimportant" and "easy pickings" "professional abductee." The author agrees that individuals like Romanek and Peckman should be scorned by UFOlogists to maintain the field's credibility.

Who's blogging UFOs?

This section covers various online discussions and opinions within the UFO community. Kevin Randle's comments on Betty Hill's star map are discussed, with Brett Holman's analysis using more recent Hipparcos satellite data suggesting the map is likely a chance alignment. The author highlights the "News of the paranormal and beyond" newsletter from the Alliance studying paranormal experiences (ASPE), noting its "open minds" approach.

Mark Easter's participation in a "Mystery Quest" episode about Area 51 is mentioned, with the author agreeing that such shows prioritize sensationalism over truth. Robert Hastings' interest in Moscow flying pyramid videos and Jim Diletosso's analysis are questioned due to Diletosso's past flawed work.

James Carrion's resignation as MUFON international director is noted, along with an e-mail from Timothy WhiteEagle alleging a "racist" decision by Carrion. The author expresses uncertainty about the situation but suggests internal conflicts within organizations.

The UFO examiner's report on Texas UFO landings being likely hoaxes is mentioned, with a critique that MUFON should have identified them as such earlier. Another MUFON STAR team case is discussed, where a reporter's past similar reports led to it being identified as a hoax, raising questions about why it wasn't flagged initially.

The section also touches on hoaxes being reported to MUFON and online attacks on UFO reporting sites. A case involving pictures of the moon, Jupiter, and a UFO is analyzed, with Marsh suggesting it was an internal lens reflection, a possibility not raised by MUFON.

Linc Alexander's article on UFO digest calling Roswell a "crashed spaceship myth" is noted with surprise. Amelia Crater's piece on Robert Bigelow for the Mysterious Universe blog is also mentioned.

The Roswell Corner

This section discusses Mr. Bragalia's JARS (Journal of Anomalous Research) blog posts, particularly those concerning the widow of General Harry Cordes and claims of an alien spaceship crash. The author points out inaccuracies in the stories, such as Rogene Cordes' claim that her husband was a radar operator at RAAF, when he was actually a radar observer on B-29s. The capabilities of B-29 radar are explained, and the lack of operational air search radar at Roswell in July 1947 is noted, casting doubt on radar tracking claims.

A particularly amusing revelation is the claim that the RAAF scooped up all the ice in Roswell in July 1947, which the author finds unlikely due to the lack of community complaints and the RAAF's own resources.

The Battelle-Titanium story is revisited, with Billy Cox receiving the first progress report. The author reiterates the opinion that the "missing first progress report" was likely just the first sixty pages of the second report and that there was no mention of studying Roswellian metal. The author hopes this story is finally closed.

Astronomers locate unidentified space object

An announcement in mid-January 2010 about an object (initially classified as a 10-meter asteroid, 2010 AL30) making a close pass to Earth is discussed. Michael Kahn of the European Space Agency suggested it might be an upper stage from the rocket that launched the Venus Express mission. The author uses this to question why "motherships" are not detected by astronomers, given that UFOs are often described as small. The article posits that UFOs might be too fast, too small, or "cloaked" to be detected by current telescopes, concluding that the lack of confirmation suggests UFOs are unlikely to originate from outside Earth's environment.

Twenty-first century UFOlogy Part III

This article by Matt Graeber continues a series on UFO experiences, differentiating between Dual Process of Perception (DPP) events and Dynamic Display (DD) events. DPP events are described as subconscious productions, while DDs are triggered by visually perceived external stimuli. The author suggests that women are often more in touch with their emotions and intuition, which can influence their perception of such events.

The case studies discussed were previously published in the UK's Magonia Journal. The author expresses gratitude to Mr. Printy for the opportunity to publish through SUNlite and shares his editorial philosophy: to provide information and encourage objective evaluation of evidence, rather than swaying believers.

#### The Raefield affair

This case involves a 29-year-old man, Mr. Raefield, who reported seeing four discoid UFOs on August 26, 1976, near Chester, Pennsylvania. The UFOs allegedly knocked out his CB radio and affected his car's performance. Raefield described the objects as pale yellowish-white, about the size of a Piper cub, and emitting a pale green color as they left. The sighting lasted about 45 seconds.

Investigative findings suggest the objects might have been birds (gulls or terns), with misidentification due to atmospheric conditions and subjective factors. However, the malfunction of the CB radio and car performance remain unexplained by this hypothesis. The author notes that Raefield's psychological state, including recent marital difficulties, might have influenced his perception.

#### A Misidentification?

This section further analyzes the Raefield case, suggesting that inaccurate size estimates can result from atmospheric conditions, distance, and subjective emotional states. The author proposes that the UFOs might have been birds, and the perceived formation and behavior were a result of mistaken assumptions. The problem of verifying sightings is highlighted, as one cannot replay a UFO experience for critical evaluation. The witness's sincerity is not in doubt, but the psychological impact of the event is considered significant.

The author suggests that Raefield's perception of the UFOs might have been influenced by his unconscious psychological state, particularly his marital problems. The dynamic display of the event mirrored his inner world's tensions.

#### The Raefield interview

An interview with Mr. Raefield revealed him to be an interesting and intelligent person. His apartment contained artistic prints, and he had a hobby of photography. The interview also touched upon his recent "marital difficulties," which the author believes shed light on the case particulars.

Tentative findings suggest that the observer's experience might have been a "subjective" psychological occurrence, possibly influenced by his readiness to see UFOs due to his personal issues. The author acknowledges that while the event might have been a misidentification, the witness insists on his account of the UFOs' size, configuration, and coloration.

The Bailey family case

This report, passed on by an officer from Willow Grove Naval Air Station, details a sighting on November 17, 1977, near Chester, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Bailey and her daughters reported seeing several strange lights, followed by a gray, disc-shaped UFO with a dome and lights. The object made a humming sound and flew low overhead, estimated to be about seven to eight feet thick and twenty feet in diameter. The total observation time was about one and a half minutes.

The initial investigation by Mr. Gordon Myers of UFORIC found the witnesses to be sincere. Myers showed them a book of UFO configurations, and the mother and daughter picked out similar object shapes. Myers attempted to confuse them about the object's size and distance but could not change their stories.

#### Investigative findings

The investigators' conclusion was that the sighting was likely a misidentification of a small fixed-wing aircraft. The description of the lights and flight characteristics were deemed plausible for an aircraft. However, the puzzling factor was the "fin-topped disc" shape and the humming sound. The report notes that many small aircraft fly over the area due to its proximity to a civil airport.

#### The impact of the sighting

Despite the investigators' conclusions, Mrs. Bailey and her daughters remained convinced they had seen an alien spacecraft. The experience profoundly affected Mrs. Bailey, rekindling her desire to write poetry. A poem titled "An experience" is included, reflecting on the sighting.

#### The Psychological probe

Mrs. Bailey agreed to a psychological probe of her experience. The investigation revealed a symbolic connection between the sighting and her personal life, particularly her recent separation from her husband and concerns about her children. She was living with three of her five daughters.

#### Mrs. Bailey's dynamic display

Mrs. Bailey's initial perception was of a yellow point of light, which she described as ominous. Then, seven lights appeared, followed by one UFO. The object was described as a disc-shaped contraption with a dome and a fin-like protrusion. The author notes that the UFO's appearance, including its lights and shape, might have been influenced by her "ominous likeness" to her intrinsic tensions and fears.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SUNlite are skepticism towards sensational UFO claims, the importance of critical analysis of witness testimony, and the identification of potential hoaxes and misidentifications. The magazine consistently questions extraordinary claims, favoring prosaic explanations supported by evidence. The editorial stance is clearly one of critical inquiry, aiming to separate fact from fiction within the field of UFOlogy. The publication seems to advocate for a more scientific and grounded approach to the study of unexplained aerial phenomena.

This issue of SUNlite, identified as issue 11, focuses on critical examinations of prominent UFO cases, particularly the Malmstrom AFB missile shutdown and the Socorro UFO landing. The magazine presents a skeptical perspective, questioning UFOlogist interpretations and exploring alternative explanations rooted in equipment malfunction, psychological factors, and potential government cover-ups.

Article 1: The Malmstrom AFB Missile shutdown: An examination of James Carlson's critique

This section delves into the Malmstrom AFB missile shutdown incident of March 16, 1967. The article highlights the critique by James Carlson, son of Captain Eric D. Carlson who commanded Echo Flight at the time. Carlson vehemently denies any UFO involvement, asserting that the missile malfunctions were purely due to equipment failure. He points to the lack of any UFO reports on the actual date of the incident as evidence against UFO involvement. The article scrutinizes the testimony of Robert Salas, a key witness, detailing inconsistencies and shifts in his story regarding the flight involved, the timing of the event, and communication details. Carlson's analysis suggests Salas's shifting narrative demonstrates a desire to embellish the story, possibly to fit a conspiracy narrative. The article also touches upon the role of unit histories, noting that an E-2 Airman was tasked with writing the history, indicating it was not a high-priority task. The author supports Carlson's argument that the missile shutdown was likely caused by an electronic noise pulse, similar to an EMP, but originating internally within the missile complex, rather than from an external UFO source. The article concludes that a logical explanation for the missile shutdown exists without invoking UFOs.

Article 2: Twenty-First Century UFOlogy IV: SOCORRO REVISITED

This article revisits the legendary Socorro UFO landing case of April 24, 1964, involving policeman Lonnie Zamora. The author, Matt Graeber, acknowledges the case's significance in UFO lore but expresses skepticism about the claims. He notes that despite extensive searching, no similar objects, landing gear impressions, or insignia have been found in other UFORIC reports. The article discusses claims that Zamora falsified his report, with various speculative theories ranging from hot-air balloons to student hoaxes. Graeber questions Zamora's ability to accurately perceive the object given the circumstances, including the distance, his pursuit of a speeder, and the desert sun. The article also examines the Project Blue Book report, which found Zamora's character and testimony sincere but concluded the matter was difficult to resolve, possibly related to testing at White Sands Missile Range. The author highlights the lack of continuous sight of the object by Zamora and the ambiguity surrounding the landing gear impressions and the object's insignia. The article delves into symbolic interpretations of the insignia and landing gear marks, drawing on Dr. C.G. Jung's concepts of Quaternity and Quincunx, suggesting these might reflect subconscious patterns or a 'numinous event'. However, the author ultimately leans towards a skeptical viewpoint, questioning the reliability of hearsay and the possibility of a hoax or misidentification, such as a Surveyor test.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical analysis of UFO phenomena, emphasizing skepticism and the search for rational explanations. The editorial stance clearly favors a scientific and evidence-based approach, challenging the prevailing narratives within the UFO community. The magazine actively debunks claims of UFO involvement in significant events like the Malmstrom missile shutdown and questions the veracity of witness testimonies in cases like Socorro. There is a strong emphasis on psychological interpretations, symbolic analysis, and the potential for misidentification or hoaxes. The issue advocates for a more rigorous and less speculative approach to UFO research, urging investigators to consider all possibilities, including mundane explanations, before concluding that extraterrestrial craft are involved. The underlying message is that many UFO reports, when subjected to scrutiny, can be explained by conventional means or are products of psychological phenomena and misinterpretations.

Title: Twenty-First Century UFOlogy
Issue: 20
Date: April 2011

This issue delves into various aspects of UFOlogy, with a strong focus on critical analysis of evidence, technology, and media representation. It features an in-depth examination of the 1964 Lonnie Zamora incident, a critique of night vision technology for UFO observation, and a review of how television channels present UFO phenomena.

Footnotes and Analysis of the Zamora Incident

The issue begins by addressing the Lonnie Zamora incident, highlighting the tradition of pranks at the NMT college in Socorro, New Mexico, and noting that some versions of the event are unauthenticated. It questions the use of borrowed college equipment and the alleged alteration of soil sample evidence. The article also touches upon the Hindenburg disaster to illustrate how eyewitness accounts can be influenced by visual phenomena.

Dr. J. Allen Hynek's investigation into the Zamora incident is discussed, with his doubts about the reported size and weight of the landed UFO, questioning how it could have been thrust aloft. Alternative explanations involving a helicopter and the lander's soil gathering mechanism are presented, along with Phil Klass's observation that Surveyor-like pads are practical for such functions.

A key part of the analysis involves optical experiments with a red insignia replica on a white panel. These tests, conducted at 100 and 50 yards, aimed to replicate the conditions of the Zamora encounter, where the sun was behind the witness. The experiment demonstrated that a white object, even a polished aluminum one, would not be easily discernible at 100 yards with the sun behind it, suggesting that the witness's perception might have been affected by optical factors like glints of sunlight or after-images. The absence of a shadow being reported is also noted as a point of doubt.

The article also references a WSMR (White Sands Missile Range) daily range schedule from April 2, 1964, which lists various tests and exercises, including 'Surveyor' and 'Helicopter Flight,' suggesting that the area was active with military operations around the time of the incident.

Critiquing Night Vision Technology for UFO Observation

The issue features a section titled "Donning UFO goggles," which critically examines the use of night vision scopes for spotting UFOs, particularly referencing blog entries by Joe Capp. The author expresses disappointment that such endeavors appear to be more about selling DVDs than conducting serious scientific research.

The article explains that night vision scopes are image intensifiers that multiply existing light, making faint objects brighter. It argues that the claim that UFOs are best viewed two hours after sunset due to heat signatures is flawed, suggesting this is more indicative of viewing satellites reflecting sunlight.

Ed Grimsley is presented as a primary source for the idea that these objects emit heat signatures. However, upon reviewing Grimsley's website and videos, the author finds the evidence uncompelling. Grimsley's videos are described as shaky, out of focus, and suffering from coma distortion, making it difficult to discern details. The author notes that Grimsley's claims about seeing 'space battles' with his unaided eye before obtaining night vision goggles are particularly astonishing and lack corroboration from astronomical observations.

The author also points out that Grimsley sells DVDs titled "UFO Wars: Objects in earth space shooting it out," and that despite claims of seeing numerous 'kills' in space battles, none of his videos show such events. The article questions Grimsley's conspiracy theory about a government cover-up.

"Sky watching Grimsley style" and "More videos"

This section reviews Grimsley's raw video footage, which is described as difficult to follow due to camera jumping and out-of-focus objects. The commentary during the video suggests a lack of knowledge about viewing the night sky.

Grimsley's statements about UFOs covering "a thousand miles in space in...what...four seconds" are analyzed, with the author explaining that this speed is inconsistent with known orbital mechanics and the visual evidence presented. The author suggests that Grimsley may be misidentifying satellites, which can fly in formation and appear as pairs or groups of lights.

The article criticizes Grimsley's analysis of a specific video, where he claimed a UFO was too fast to be a satellite. The author argues that the observed angular speed was consistent with that of a satellite. Furthermore, the article debunks the claim that a particular video showing lights over Phoenix was not flares dropped by the Maryland Air National Guard, citing multiple analyses that concluded the lights were indeed flares.

The author expresses disappointment with television channels like the History Channel and National Geographic for producing sensationalized content that prioritizes ratings over scientific accuracy, calling it a departure from their previous standards.

"The real night sky"

This section reiterates that Ed Grimsley's evidence is not compelling and that many sightings can be explained with more information. Night vision systems can amplify faint objects, and lens systems can distort images, making point sources appear oblong or change direction. The author shares personal experience using night vision scopes in the late 1980s, recording various airborne objects like birds, airplanes, satellites, meteors, and even bugs.

The author contrasts Grimsley's approach with that of amateur and professional astronomers who have been monitoring the skies for years with superior equipment. The article provides links to scientific articles and notes that Grimsley's current approach is more about creating spectacular videos for sale than rigorous scientific investigation.

It is suggested that a proper investigation would involve a three-station network of cameras to record objects with date, time, location, elevation, and azimuth data for analysis. The author concludes that it is easier to claim alien spaceships are conducting battles over Earth, as it sells DVDs and gains attention.

Book Reviews

The issue includes reviews of three books:

• "UFOs: A scientific debate" by Carl Sagan and Thornton Page (Recommended: "Buy it!") - This book is described as comprehensive, featuring commentary from prominent individuals on both sides of the UFO debate and covering various UFO cases and radar limitations.
• "UFOs: An insiders view of the official quest for evidence" by Roy Craig (Recommended: "Borrow it.") - This book details the Condon project and offers humorous anecdotes and insights into the investigation of UFO cases. The author notes its availability online due to the internet.
• "Above Top Secret" by Timothy Good (Recommended: "Bin it!") - This book is criticized for its endorsement by Whitley Streiber and for being a collection of stories from other sources without offering anything new or substantial. It is deemed not worth the paper it is printed on.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO phenomena. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards sensationalized claims and media portrayals of UFOs. There is a strong emphasis on the need for rigorous scientific methodology, proper equipment usage, and objective analysis of evidence. The issue advocates for distinguishing between genuine unexplained phenomena and misidentifications of conventional objects or deliberate exaggerations for entertainment or profit. The author encourages a scientific approach, contrasting it with the commercialization of UFO topics seen in some media and online content.