SUNlite - Vol 05 No 06

Magazine Overview

SUNlite, Volume 5, Number 6, published November-December 2013, is a magazine dedicated to shedding light on UFOlogy and UFOs. The cover features a quote from Jenny Randles stating that 'every UFO is a potential IFO' and that there is no such thing as a 'proven UFO'. The issue includes a variety of articles and discussions on UFO cases, evidence, and the people involved in the field.

Key Articles and Discussions

Illes Fernandez and the 'Seeing What You Want to See' Mentality

The issue opens with a discussion initiated by Illes Fernandez, linking to a video that applies to UFO reports. The article uses the movie scene of Joan of Arc wrestling with her conscience to illustrate how investigators can see what they want to believe, rather than objective explanations. This mentality is exemplified by Herb Taylor's promotion of SUNlite's revelations on UFO cases, where participants on UFO lists allegedly reacted with prejudice and ridicule instead of objective examination.

The Roswell Dream Team Split and 'New Evidence'

A significant portion of the magazine addresses the controversy surrounding 'new evidence' related to Roswell, specifically slides purportedly showing an alien body. Rich Reynolds reported on this, leading to a split within the 'dream team'. While Kevin Randle is skeptical, others are willing to believe. The article highlights the efforts of Kevin Randle and Anthony Bragalia to downplay the existence of these rumors, which is detailed further in 'The Roswell Corner'.

Betty Hill's UFO Headquarters and Other Investigations

An article by the author about identifying one of Betty Hill's UFOs is mentioned, recounting a trip to East Kingston, NH, to observe lights from the same location. The article also points to Peter Merlin's piece on Ben Rich.

Who's Blogging UFOs? Hot Topics and Varied Opinions

This section critiques several figures and events in the UFO community:

• Steve Bassett: Bassett's attempt to send a DVD set of his 'flying saucer fizzle' to all members of Congress is discussed, with the author calling him a 'con man' more interested in attention than truth. The article questions whether Bassett's witnesses are being honest and criticizes his claims about the Boston marathon bombings affecting media attention for a UFO hearing.
• Chinese Rocket Launch (Yaogan 17): A UFO sighting attributed to a Chinese rocket launch over Australia is examined. The videographer initially identified it as a UFO but later rejected the explanation of venting excess fuel, even deleting comments from his YouTube video. The article criticizes UFO proponents for refusing to accept man-made or natural explanations.
• Tremonton Film: The article notes that the Robertson panel and Condon study concluded the Tremonton film likely showed seagulls, a conclusion the author finds disturbing given the author's description of Delbert Newhouse's rank.
• Jack Brewer's UFO Case: An interesting UFO case from Casselberry, Florida, on July 4, 2004, involving a bright flash and loud crashing noise during a thunderstorm, is discussed. Subsequent retellings included NASA involvement and government silencing, leading the author to compare it to the Kecksburg incident.
• Vancouver Space Centre Publicity: Recent UFO videos taken at a Vancouver minor league baseball game are identified as a publicity campaign for the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre's planetarium. The article praises MUFON's Marc Dantonio for suspecting a hoax before the reveal.
• Lisa Suhay's Sighting: Lisa Suhay's sighting of unidentified objects from Norfolk, Virginia, on September 8th, is discussed. While initially suspected to be debris from the LADEE launch, Alejandro Rojas suggested parachutists with flares, later debunked by a report of a smoke drop.

Who's Blogging UFOs? (Cont'd)

• Parachutists vs. Contrails: The article argues that the parachutists suggested by Alejandro Rojas would not be visible from the distance the witness was at, and that the videos likely show aircraft contrails reflecting the setting sun. An analysis of air traffic patterns in the Norfolk area supports this explanation.
• MUFON Case Files: The magazine criticizes MUFON for closing case files as 'unknowns,' arguing that cases should remain open until solved, and that closing them reflects an investigator's inability to resolve sightings rather than evidence of extraordinary phenomena.
• Dr. Stephen Greer: Dr. Greer's actions at a UFO conference, including hiring security and restricting access to his lecture, are questioned, with speculation about his mental state.
• Canary Islands Sighting: A sighting of an object moving southeastward from the Canary Islands is discussed. Initially thought to be a classified launch, it was later confirmed to be a submarine-launched ICBM test, similar to mid-1970s sightings that were also identified as submarine-launched missile tests.
• Paul Kimball's Blog: Paul Kimball's blog about UFOs is mentioned, with a note that his article about Robert Salas suggested Salas was either lying or suffering psychological issues due to claims of abduction. The author agrees with Kimball's assessment that Salas may have fabricated parts of his story.
• LADEE Launch Reports: Reports of UFOs following the LADEE launch from Wallops Island, Virginia, are attributed to the rocket launch itself.
• Peruvian Government Investigation: The announcement that the Peruvian government would resume UFO investigations is met with skepticism, with the prediction that they will discover nothing new and that it represents a waste of financial resources.
• Spaceweather.com: The website's presentation of NASA's all-sky fireball network results is noted as a tool for identifying UFO reports caused by bright meteors.

The Roswell Corner: Rumor Has It

This section focuses on the controversy surrounding Anthony Bragalia and his reaction to comments made by Rich Reynolds regarding Roswell rumors. Bragalia is accused of hypocrisy for being offended by the author's discussion of rumors while his own writings are based on second-hand testimony. The author poses four questions to Bragalia to verify the existence of photographs showing alien bodies or military recovery operations from 1947, and whether these were shopped around to media outlets.

Fire Storm Leads to a Blog War of Words

The article details how the 'new evidence' regarding Roswell, specifically slides of an alleged alien body, became public. The story originated from the widow of Bernard Ray, who worked with Silas Newton. The slides were passed to Tom Carey, and there were attempts to involve CNN. The author raises concerns about the chain of custody and the possibility that the bodies in the images are from a crash. The 'dream team' is criticized for engaging in damage control instead of providing clear information. Paul Kimball publicly called for the 'dream team' to reveal the truth, leading to a blog war of words. Kevin Randle's initial denial of investigating slides is contrasted with a private email showing he was aware of them, making him guilty of withholding information.

The Proposed September 21, 1961 Explanation Still Stands

This section addresses Don Ledger's critique of the author's explanation for the September 21, 1961 sighting. The author defends his explanation, which identified the object as a booster rocket venting fuel, and criticizes Ledger's argument as being based on beliefs rather than objective facts. The author states that the only item that could falsify his explanation is proof that the ICBM launch time was significantly different from the event time, and that inquiries to find the exact launch time have been unsuccessful.

March 4, 1960 Explanation Questioned as Well

Don Ledger also contested the author's explanation for the March 4, 1960 Dubuque, Iowa sighting, which was classified as likely B-52s in the Blue Book file. Ledger argued that B-52s cannot fly in the formation reported. The author counters by showing images of geese in a V formation appearing as a line from the side, and images of B-52s in 'trail formation,' suggesting Ledger's argument lacks substance. The article also notes that witnesses should have seen the shape and exhaust of the aircraft, but that information in the Blue Book files explains why this might not have happened. The article lists three points supporting the B-52 explanation, including records from the Strategic Air Command and reports from civilian UFO organizations.

The Trajectory and A Comparison

This section analyzes the trajectory of the missile involved in the September 21, 1961 sighting, estimating it traveled approximately 7600 miles. The article discusses the altitude of the missile and critiques Ledger's calculation of the distance the object could be seen. A comparison is made with the satellite Cosmos 1515's rocket body, which has a similar altitude and appearance to an observer on the ground.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical yet open-minded approach to UFO phenomena. It prioritizes objective analysis, evidence-based reasoning, and the debunking of claims that lack substantiation. There is a strong critique of UFO promoters who prioritize sensationalism and personal beliefs over factual investigation. The editorial stance appears to favor conventional explanations, such as aircraft, missiles, or natural phenomena, when evidence supports them, while acknowledging that some cases remain unexplained. The magazine also highlights the internal disputes and controversies within the UFO community itself, particularly concerning the handling of evidence and the credibility of certain figures.

This issue of UFO Magazine, dated May-June 2013, features articles that delve into the explanations behind two prominent UFO-related narratives: the alleged UFO sightings of Betty Hill and the famous "E.T. home" statement by aerospace engineer Ben R. Rich.

Betty Hill's UFO Headquarters The article "Betty Hill's UFO headquarters" investigates the location in East Kingston, New Hampshire, where Betty Hill reported seeing UFOs land and receive orders. The author, accompanied by Kitty and Mark Mervine, and his wife Pollyann, visited the Sanborn Road observing site. Through examination of historical aerial imagery and on-site investigation, the author concludes that the lights Betty observed were not extraterrestrial in origin but rather mundane sources. These included streetlights, security lights, and parking lot illumination from the East Kingston Town Hall and fire department. The article notes that the foliage on the trees could obscure the buildings, and wind could make the lights appear to 'twinkle,' contributing to the misperception of a landed spaceship. The author also mentions that additional lights seen by Kitty and Mark Mervine in 2012 were likely car headlights and taillights. Betty Hill's notebooks, housed at the University of New Hampshire, contain descriptions of these sightings and her naming of a particular UFO as 'baby.'

The Explanation This section further elaborates on the findings regarding the East Kingston sightings. By using Google Earth and historical aerial data, the author identified the East Kingston Town Hall and fire department as the likely source of the observed lights. The article confirms that these buildings existed in the 1970s, the period of Betty Hill's observations. The explanation posits that the perceived 'twinkling' was due to the wind affecting the foliage and the structure of the buildings, and that lights from inside the buildings could also have contributed. The article dismisses the idea of a UFO headquarters, attributing Betty's belief to the lighting and her imagination.

Taking E.T. Home: Birth of a Modern Myth This article by Peter W. Merlin explores the origin of the statement "We now have the technology to take E.T. home," attributed to Ben R. Rich, former president of Lockheed's Advanced Development Projects (ADP) division, also known as the Skunk Works. The statement was reportedly made during a March 1993 lecture at UCLA, attended by Jan Harzan and Tom Keller. Rich, a distinguished aerospace engineer known for his work on advanced aircraft like the U-2, Blackbird, and F-117 stealth fighter, was discussing classified projects. Harzan and Keller interpreted Rich's "flying saucer" slide and his statement as an admission of technology for interstellar travel. However, the article clarifies that this was a recurring joke Rich had developed over a decade, stemming from the popularity of Steven Spielberg's 1982 film "E.T. the Extraterrestrial." Rich used this punchline to humorously conclude his presentations on classified Skunk Works projects, often following a statement about the secrecy surrounding their work. The article quotes Rich from various presentations, consistently showing the "E.T. home" line as a lighthearted way to end discussions about projects he could not disclose. It also notes Rich's genuine belief in the possibility of extraterrestrial life but cautioned against 'kooks and charlatans.'

A Myth is Born This section continues the discussion on Ben R. Rich's "E.T. home" statement, detailing how Harzan and Keller's interpretation, and subsequent misquotations, contributed to the belief that Rich had admitted to secret interstellar propulsion technology. The article explains that Rich's response to questions about the technology, such as "That's how it works," was likely a way to end a conversation he felt had gone too far, rather than a confirmation of extraterrestrial capabilities. It highlights how UFO communities have often taken such statements out of context, leading to the myth of secret government technology for interstellar travel. The article also touches upon Rich's views on the need for secrecy in advanced technology development and his belief in the possibility of other intelligent life, while emphasizing caution.

March 4, 1960 explanation still valid This brief section reiterates that the explanation for the March 4, 1960 event, involving a B-52 cell flight, remains valid despite arguments presented by Don Ledger. The article dismisses Ledger's objections as inadequate and suggests he needs to familiarize himself with the facts before making claims.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The issue's recurring themes include the critical examination of UFO sightings and claims, the importance of distinguishing between misperception and genuine anomalous phenomena, and the exploration of advanced aerospace technology. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated UFO claims, favoring logical explanations grounded in known science and technology, while acknowledging the ongoing mystery and potential for genuine discoveries in both the UFO field and aerospace engineering. The magazine encourages a critical approach to information, urging readers to examine evidence and consider alternative explanations before accepting extraordinary claims.

This issue of "The 701 Club" focuses on two distinct UFO cases: Case 6507 from September 13, 1959, at Bunker Hill AFB, Indiana, and a sighting on September 15, 1960, in Venezuela. The magazine critically examines the investigations and conclusions drawn by organizations like Blue Book, emphasizing the importance of thorough research and the potential for misidentification or lack of follow-up.

Case 6507: Bunker Hill AFB, Indiana (September 13, 1959)

The issue details the sighting of a pear-shaped object, described as white, cream, and metallic, observed by multiple witnesses, including control tower operators and a private pilot, for over nine hours. An attempted intercept by a USAF T-33 jet trainer failed to reach the object's altitude. The Blue Book record card summarized the object as dime-sized, orange, with varied colors and a trailing element, moving from north to southwest. Despite observations from off-base personnel and the inability of an airborne AT-33 to reach its altitude, the investigation by Blue Book is deemed inadequate. Captain Van Dyke, the investigating officer, suggested it was a "balloon type unknown." The article notes that while clues pointed to a high altitude balloon, Blue Book did not classify it as solved, leaving it as "unidentified" or possibly a research balloon from organizations like Raven, Goodyear, or other research groups.

The "Balloon activity" section highlights a period of significant balloon activity in the region around the time of the sighting. Newspaper reports from September 1959 mention large balloons seen in Michigan, West Virginia, and Iowa, with helicopters pursuing a research balloon from Sioux City. A sighting in Wisconsin on September 11th and 12th, and another in Ohio on the 14th, are also discussed. The article suggests a potential connection between a balloon seen in Wisconsin on the 11th and 12th and the Indiana sighting on the 13th, proposing it may have descended and been carried by upper troposphere winds to crash in West Virginia or appear in Ohio.

Case: Venezuela (September 15, 1960)

This section revisits a UFO sighting reported by Professor German Alvarez in Carrizales, Miranda State, Venezuela, on September 15, 1960. The object was described as luminous, sweeping across the sky for three minutes, accelerating in a curved course, and splitting into two objects before disappearing behind mountains. This event was part of a widespread sighting across the Caribbean, with a bright fireball reported in Georgia and Florida. The "Flying Saucer Review" (FSR) noted the sighting and found conventional explanations insufficient, concluding it was a true Unidentified Flying Object. A consistent report from the Virgin Islands on the same night also could not be identified by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Project Blue Book received numerous reports from military bases and civilians across Puerto Rico, Georgia, Florida, Venezuela, Aruba, and ships at sea. The USAF initially concluded the event was the breakup of the "1960 epsilon vehicle" (likely referring to the Soviet Union's 1960EPS), which had reentered the atmosphere in pieces in September and October 1960. However, Ted Molczan identified the object as "Discoverer 14," a satellite with an inclination of 79.6 degrees that burned up on September 16th UTC.

The article presents orbital data and a map showing the trajectory of Discoverer 14, demonstrating that it passed over the region at the general time of the reported sightings. The times provided in Blue Book files (1936-2000 Venezuela time) and by witnesses (after 7:30 PM local time) are considered a reasonable match to the satellite re-entry, accounting for potential time errors. The author concludes that NICAP's inclusion of this report as "unidentified" indicates a failure to connect it with other reports or investigate thoroughly. The author's opinion is that this case is solved as a satellite re-entry and not evidence of extraterrestrial life.

UFOs on the Tube: The Unexplained Files

This section reviews two episodes of "The Unexplained Files" that the author found disappointing due to their one-sided presentation and lack of critical examination. The first episode covered the Fredrick Valentich disappearance case, focusing on the UFO aspect and dismissing possibilities like pilot error or equipment malfunction, despite recent file releases mentioning plane issues and found debris. The second episode discussed an Argentinian UFO hotspot, highlighting an event in 1995 involving loud explosions and ground shaking, but failing to explore conventional explanations like strip mining or clearing operations. The author criticizes the programs for omitting important information and presenting biased interpretations, concluding that they did not provide evidence of actual physical alien craft being the primary cause of the events.

Buy it, borrow it, or bin it: The Canadian UFO Report

This review discusses "The Canadian UFO Report" by Chris Rutkowski and Geoff Dittman. While finding the book informative, the reviewer notes that it approached several high-profile cases by simply retelling stories from other sources (e.g., "Dark Object") without independent investigation. The reviewer points out that the 1996 Yukon case, for instance, repeated conclusions without checking for later solutions, such as Ted Molczan's findings in 2012. The reviewer enjoyed reading about some cases but found them too brief and wished for more thorough accounting. The chapter on science and UFOs is described as a tiresome argument, though the authors are commended for considering psychological or social phenomena. The UFO survey section is noted for stating that many cases could not be explained, but lacking a "next step" for analysis. Despite these criticisms, the reviewer still recommends the book for its informative content.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of UFO cases and the importance of rigorous investigation to distinguish between genuine unexplained phenomena and misidentified objects or events. The magazine emphasizes that many cases, such as the Bunker Hill AFB sighting and the Venezuelan event, have plausible explanations rooted in known phenomena like high altitude balloons or satellite re-entries. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards sensationalism and a call for evidence-based conclusions, advocating for reclassification of cases when sufficient evidence emerges, as seen with the Venezuelan sighting being identified as a satellite re-entry. The critique of "The Unexplained Files" and "The Canadian UFO Report" further underscores this stance, highlighting the dangers of biased reporting and the omission of crucial information in UFO research.