SUNlite - Vol 03 No 05

Magazine Overview

This issue of SUNlite, dated September-October 2011, is titled 'Shedding some light on UFOlogy and UFOs' and features a cover image of a space shuttle in a museum. The editorial by Ed Stewart emphasizes the need for new data and rigorous scientific methodologies in Ufology, referencing the Sturrock scientific review panel's findings. The issue also marks the passing of several prominent figures in the field, including Hillary Evans, Stuart Millar, Bob Girard, and Budd Hopkins.

Key Articles and Discussions

The Weight of Evidence and Extraordinary Claims

The issue opens with a visual representation of the balance of evidence, suggesting that presently, UFOs are most likely not alien in origin. It poses the question of what it would take to tip this balance, concluding that it would require extraordinary evidence. The article "Farewell to an era" reflects on the end of the Space Shuttle program and the passing of key UFOlogists, highlighting the importance of credibility and truthfulness in the field.

UFOlogy and Credibility

An article titled 'Who's blogging UFOs?' delves into the issue of researcher credibility, citing the case of Phil Imbrogno's exaggerated resume and subsequent departure from UFOlogy. It argues that for Ufology to be considered a science, its researchers must adhere to high standards of honesty. The piece also touches upon the tendency for some UFOlogists to misinterpret mundane events, such as bright fireballs or satellite sightings, as exotic phenomena.

The Roswell Corner

This section critically examines claims made by Frank Kimbler regarding a piece of debris from the Roswell crashed spaceship. The author analyzes Kimbler's findings, including silver buttons and isotopic ratios, and concludes that the evidence presented is not conclusive and may be based on misinterpretations or misrepresentations of data, particularly concerning the magnesium isotopic ratios and their margins of error.

UFO Photography: A Status Report

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a review of historical UFO photographs, titled 'The best photographic evidence for UFOs: A status report'. The article discusses numerous famous cases, including the William Rhodes photos (1947), the Paul Trent photos (1950), the Lubbock Lights (1951), the Trindade Island photos (1958), and the Rex Heflin photos (1965). In each case, the author explores the claims of authenticity and presents arguments for them being hoaxes or misperceptions. The article highlights the ease with which photographic hoaxes can be created, often using models and string, and questions the lack of clear, unambiguous photographic evidence in the modern era despite the proliferation of cameras.

Plenty of IFOs (Identified Flying Objects)

This section focuses on debunking recent UFO reports by identifying them as mundane phenomena. Several cases from Pennsylvania and Maine are analyzed, with the International Space Station (ISS) being identified as a likely source for many sightings due to its visibility and flight paths. Other explanations include meteors, Iridium flares, and even Chinese lanterns, with the author criticizing some UFO reporting sites for sensationalizing these events.

Upcoming IFO Events

The magazine provides a calendar of upcoming astronomical events that might be mistaken for UFOs, such as meteor showers (Orionids, Draconids) and the planet Jupiter's opposition. It also mentions Venus as an evening sky object.

Analysis of Specific Cases

Further articles delve into specific cases and claims. 'The Roswell Corner' scrutinizes the 'Ramey lied' claim, questioning the reliability of the source. 'Mapping image' discusses a Costa Rican photograph, and 'Christmas tree light?' examines a UFO image from Tulsa, Oklahoma, suggesting it was likely a Christmas tree light. The issue also covers the 'Petit-Rechain' photograph, the 'Canary Islands' photographs (identified as missile tests), the 'Waterbury' photograph (suggested to be a disco lighting ring), and the 'Ed Walters' photographs (deemed an elaborate hoax).

Attack of the Drones and What's Left

The 'Attack of the Drones' section discusses the phenomenon of drone photographs presented as UFOs, noting that even MUFON identified them as crude hoaxes. The concluding section, 'What's left?', summarizes the scarcity of compelling photographic evidence for UFOs after decades of investigation, especially in the age of ubiquitous cameras, suggesting that the photographic record is not very compelling.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Throughout the issue, a strong skeptical stance is maintained regarding UFO claims, particularly those based on photographic evidence. The editorial and articles consistently emphasize the need for scientific rigor, critical analysis, and the elimination of mundane explanations before accepting extraordinary claims. The magazine highlights the importance of researcher credibility and the tendency for misperceptions and hoaxes to inflate the UFO phenomenon. The overall editorial stance is one of caution and a demand for higher quality evidence to support UFOlogy's claim to scientific legitimacy.

This issue of SUNlite, specifically issue 2-3 of Volume 2, published in August 1979, features a cover story titled "Akhenaten: The heretic pharaoh as history's first UFO fanatic" by Martin S. Kottmeyer. The magazine, priced at 35 Cents, appears to be from the USA and is in English.

Akhenaten: The Heretic Pharaoh as History's First UFO Fanatic

Martin S. Kottmeyer critically examines the claim that Pharaoh Akhenaten's religious revolution and the construction of his new capital, Akhetaten, were influenced by an extraterrestrial encounter. The article begins by referencing Chris Aubeck and Jacques Vallee's "Wonders in the Sky," which includes the Thutmosis III incident (circa 1460 BC) where a 'star' fell, illuminating Nubians and causing panic. Kottmeyer questions the literal interpretation of this event, suggesting it could be a meteor or a simple panic reaction to a bright light.

He then moves to Akhenaten's alleged UFO experience in summer 1347 BC, where the 'Solar Disc' (Aten) supposedly instructed him to build Akhetaten. Kottmeyer notes that Akhenaten's reign was largely erased from history by the Amun priesthood, only to be rediscovered later. He challenges the idea that Akhenaten was the first monotheist, suggesting his religion was more a throwback to ancestor worship and sun worship.

The author argues that the Akhenaten UFO event violates Richard Haines' principle that UFO manifestations decrease as the number of potential observers increases. He suggests the case is either an IFO (Identified Flying Object) or that the core UFO phenomenon is inconsistent. Kottmeyer also questions the ethical implications of an advanced intelligence intervening in human affairs to benefit an imperial conqueror.

He details Akhenaten's radical religious reforms, including the smashing of Amun statues and persecution of priests, labeling him a "fanatic." The article touches upon Akhenaten's personal life, including his numerous children and potential incestuous relationships, and his elevation of himself to godhood.

Kottmeyer dismisses the visual representations of the Aten as compelling matches to flying saucers, noting they typically feature falcon wings or simple circles with rays. He concludes that the Aten religion was short-lived and its impact on Egyptian history was mostly negative and temporary.

UFOs on the Tube - Secret Access: UFOs on the Record

This section reviews Leslie Kean's book, "UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government officials go on the record," and its subsequent documentary presentation on the History Channel. The author criticizes the program for presenting only one side of the UFO debate, omitting skeptical viewpoints. Nick Pope's involvement is also questioned regarding the integrity of his investigation claims.

Rendlesham

The Rendlesham affair is discussed, with claims of radiation readings being ten times background radiation being called a false assertion by Pope, repeated by Kean. Colonel Conrad's revelations are mentioned, suggesting Halt's conclusions about the number of objects seen were exaggerated, evolving the myth.

Arizona UFOs

The Arizona UFO segment is briefly covered, with witnesses describing a massive triangle. The theory that the 10 PM flare drop was staged to divert attention from an earlier event is presented, with the author noting that A-10s were scheduled for the exercise regardless.

The Trent Pictures

This section showcases artwork inspired by UFO debates, including movie posters created by "Stray Cat" and "Akhenaten." One poster commemorates Joel Carpenter's theory that a UFO might have been a suspended model made from an old truck mirror. Another poster, "Gay Rodeo," is a humorous take on the Goodyear blimp theory for the Rogue River sighting.

The Gay Rodeo?

The Rogue River sighting is discussed, with the Goodyear blimp being a potential explanation. The author notes that the witnesses' drawings resembled a blimp and that the UFO had a tail fin. A movie poster titled "Rogue River Rodeo" was created based on this debate.

It was a lighthouse!

This section briefly mentions the Rendlesham Forest episode and Stray Cat's artwork related to it.

Squid Fishing Monthly

The New Zealand UFOs of 1978 case is presented as the most extensively discussed UFO case. The author notes that the skeptic forum found the videos of lights jumping and moving less than compelling. A magazine cover for "Squid Fishing Monthly" is shown, inspired by the debate.

Birds or satellites?

Rramjet's UFO sighting of four nocturnal lights is discussed. The author suggests the lights might have been birds or satellites, noting that while Rramjet challenged skeptics to explain his sighting, it was not recorded in a verifiable manner.

The Rashomon Effect, UFO tales, and transmutation of memory

This extensive section by Peter W. Merlin delves into the unreliability of memory and its role in UFO accounts. It begins by discussing Annie Jacobsen's book "Area 51: An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base," specifically her claim about a Soviet-orchestrated UFO crash hoax involving genetically engineered children. Merlin traces this story to Al O'Donnell, an anonymous source, and finds parallels with James Blish's science fiction story "Tomb Tapper."

Merlin also examines the X-15 pilot disappearance story, linking it to Graham Doar's fictional story "Outer Limit" published in the Saturday Evening Post. He highlights how fiction can morph into perceived fact through memory.

The article explores cognitive mechanisms of memory, including the "Rashomon effect," where multiple witnesses provide contradictory accounts. It provides examples of misremembered details in autobiographies and shared false memories within groups.

Merlin discusses the "billions and billions" catchphrase attributed to Carl Sagan, which he never actually said. He also references a study by James Ost on the unreliability of memory regarding the 2005 London bombings.

The author concludes that memory is often unreliable, with people recalling things that never happened, conflating details, or adopting fictional tales as memories. This is particularly pronounced in the elderly, like Al O'Donnell, who was recounting memories from nearly 60 years prior.

There be dragons!

Kottmeyer poses a hypothetical question: if a witness reported seeing a dragon or a witch in a UFO report, would they be as readily accepted as a UFO? He argues that UFO reports, especially single-witness accounts with extraordinary details, are often accepted without sufficient skepticism, similar to claims of invisible dragons.

He uses the Kenneth Arnold case as an example of a single-person report with little corroborating evidence. Kottmeyer suggests that if Arnold had claimed to see dragons, the report would likely have been dismissed. He advocates for a higher degree of skepticism towards UFO reports, especially those lacking independent verification or involving exotic claims.

Other items of interest

This section briefly mentions other gems surfaced from Dr. Greer's disclosure project claims, including a poster art from Psycho-clown/Stray Cat titled "The Battle For Planet Earth Has Begun... ALIEN BIKERS VERSUS THE DALEKS."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO claims, particularly those from ancient history and involving extraordinary personal testimonies. There is a strong emphasis on skepticism, the unreliability of human memory, and the tendency for anecdotal evidence to be presented as fact within the UFO community. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, questioning the validity of widely accepted UFO narratives and highlighting the importance of rigorous evidence and critical thinking. The magazine also showcases creative interpretations of UFO debates through artwork and movie poster parodies, adding a layer of humor to the serious subject matter.

This issue of 'Reality Uncovered' (Issue 20) presents a critical examination of UFO phenomena, focusing on debunking widely reported cases and questioning the methodologies of UFO researchers. The magazine adopts a skeptical stance, emphasizing the need for rigorous evidence and factual analysis over anecdotal accounts and conspiracy theories. The cover features a prominent image of a man's face, with the title 'Reality Uncovered' and issue number '20'.

Analysis of UFO Cases

Arizona UFOs The article challenges claims of thousands seeing a massive UFO in Arizona, citing data from the NUFORC database that indicates the claims are inaccurate. A video by Terry Proctor is presented as evidence, showing only lights shifting in formation, which the author suggests debunks the idea of a massive craft.

The O'Hare UFO This case is described as having a lack of substantial evidence, relying on anonymous reports. The claim that someone took a photograph is questioned, as the photograph has never surfaced, and if it did, it likely did not show anything extraordinary. The article also addresses Leslie Kean's theory that the FAA discourages pilots from reporting UFOs, questioning why those who reported are still employed if this were true.

The Golden Age of UFO Study The author humorously notes Leslie Kean's reference to Project Bluebook as the "golden age of UFO study," implying a critique of the USAF's past investigations compared to private UFO organizations.

Alaskan Adventure (JAL 1628 Event) This section discusses the JAL 1628 event, where John Callahan presented data including graphs and radar tapes. However, the article questions why this data is not publicly available for evaluation. It also refutes Callahan's claim that the CIA shut down the investigation, citing Dr. Bruce Maccabee and Ron Pandolfi, who confirmed no such shutdown occurred and that Maccabee was able to publish information without interference.

The Belgium Wave Patrick Ferryn, head of the civilian UFO group SOBEPS, is presented as a source for the Belgium wave. The article notes that while the wave has been discussed before, it highlights the mention of an F-16 chase. However, it points out that the pilot only chased a radar return and never saw the UFO visually. The analysis by Salmon and Gilmard, suggesting one pilot locked onto another F-16, and Auguste Meessen's conclusion that radar returns were explainable, are omitted from the discussion by Kean, who refers to the wave as "historic" based on one photograph.

The Petit-Rechain Photograph This photograph, claimed by some UFO scientists to show magnetic field effects, is questioned because the show was filmed before the photographer publicly announced he had hoaxed the image. The author criticizes Kean's statement that it is "one of the most convincing pieces of evidence of a sighting to date," arguing it was based on blind acceptance rather than independent investigation.

Nick Pope and the Cosford Incident Nick Pope's mention of a similar incident in the UK is identified as the Cosford incident, which was caused by a Russian booster rocket re-entry, not a UFO.

Skeptical Perspectives and Methodologies

Enter Doug Trumball Doug Trumball is praised for his approach to UFO research, emphasizing skepticism towards UFO photographs and stating he could duplicate any such photo. The article suggests Kean should have consulted him before making her claims about the Petit-Rechain photograph.

Closing Statements of Credulity Leslie Kean and Nick Pope's closing remarks are analyzed. Pope suggests UFOs have incredible things to teach us, while the author questions his approach to collecting data, suggesting he is more interested in selling books. Kean expresses excitement about UFO research, but the author questions her proposal for government takeover of investigations, especially if taxpayers did not fund SETI.

Kean's statement that "the accumulation of overwhelming evidence from pilots, generals, government officials, that prove, in my opinion, that we have an actual physical phenomenon that has not been explained" is countered by the author's assertion that important information was ignored or not mentioned in presented cases, making the evidence less credible.

The article quotes Brian Dunning stating, "you can stack cowpies as high as you want, they won't turn into a bar of gold. Good evidence is composed of good evidence, not lots of bad evidence.”

The Sales Pitch The article criticizes the producers and Kean for not presenting opposing viewpoints, likening the show to late-night commercials designed to sell a product by withholding information that demonstrates its flaws. The show is described as satisfying UFO proponents but failing to present all evidence, making it no better than a UFO hunters episode.

Book Reviews

UFO Sightings: The Evidence by Robert Sheaffer This book is recommended as a good skeptical UFO resource, updating his previous work and offering commentary on eyewitness reliability, perception, and analyzed UFO events, with a particular note on his informative section on UFO photographs.

Project Moon Dust by Kevin Randle This book is described as a mixed bag. The evaluation of the Cash-Landrum incident is a highlight, but the author notes problems with verifying the story. The appendix, where Randle tries to convince readers that government documents denying crashed spaceship debris do not necessarily mean a spaceship was not recovered at Roswell, is seen as a weak point.

Conspiracy of Silence by Kevin Randle This book is deemed not worth reading. It focuses heavily on the Roswell story and Frank Kaufmann. The author notes that his own past skepticism, marked in his copy of the book, proved accurate based on current knowledge.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is a strong emphasis on skepticism and critical evaluation of UFO evidence. The editorial stance is clearly against unsubstantiated claims and conspiracy theories, advocating for scientific rigor and the presentation of all available evidence, even if it contradicts popular narratives. The magazine aims to debunk sensationalized UFO accounts and promote a more grounded approach to investigating unexplained aerial phenomena. The use of terms like "fabricated," "inaccurate," "flawed," and "hoax" throughout the text underscores this critical and skeptical perspective.