Magazine Summary
TASMANIAN UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE.
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Summary
The September 1978 newsletter from the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre reports a low point in UFO activity, with only 5.8% of reports remaining unidentified in the preceding twelve months. Despite the release of the film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind,' public response was minimal. However, August 1978 saw a ripple of activity, including sightings of green flares and a green triangle object. The newsletter details several specific sightings from 1975 and 1978, including circular lights, flashing objects, a cigar-shaped craft, and unexplained glows, primarily in the Lake Country region of Tasmania.
Magazine Overview
Title: TASMANIAN UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE.
Issue: Newsletter No25
Date: September 1978
This newsletter from the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre reports on the state of UFO activity in Tasmania during September 1978. It notes a significant drop in reported sightings, with only 5.8% of cases from the previous twelve months remaining unidentified, a low not seen since 1967/68. The release of the film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' had no discernible impact on the number of reports or public interest in Tasmania.
Public Response and Recent Activity
The Centre notes that public response to UFO sightings has been low, with newspaper items on local sightings, rather than the film, generating some interest. A call on August 23rd reported two sightings of a green triangle object near Ouse. On the same night, the Search and Rescue was alerted on the North Coast due to reports of green flares, which are speculated to be related to the same phenomenon as the southern reports. An item in the "Mercury" newspaper generated a good response, with over 30 calls received, allowing the piecing together of a scenario involving green burn-ups over the state at various times.
UFO Sightings Database
The newsletter details several specific sightings, many of which are from the Lake Country region and some dating back to the "Lake Sorell Flap of 1975." The impact of these older cases is noted as diminished due to the delay in reporting.
Early 1975, Kingston: Witnesses observed a white circular light below Bonnett Hill, which moved towards Hobart and disappeared in the Ridgewat area. The witnesses reported this to the RAAF but did not receive sighting forms.
March 1975, Lake Sorell: A witness at Silver Plains saw a large flashing light (red and green) approach rapidly but stop at tree-top height, then move slowly back into the sky.
April 1975, Interlaken: Visitors to Lake Sorell heard a noise resembling a missing plane engine. This was followed by a loud explosion and white flashes after the noise passed overhead.
Winter 1975, Poatina Highway: A witness experienced car steering difficulties and saw a hovering orange and blue object described as similar to a helicopter without rotors.
March 1978, Lake Crescent: Two large, steady orange lights were observed approaching from the northern sky, passing by and moving south, with one veering off.
July 6, 1978, Blackmans Bay: Several white lights tinged with yellow were seen over water off Bruny Island, varying in number and exhibiting erratic movement.
August 5, 1978, Lake Crescent: An object described as a thin cigar, approximately 30 meters long and half a meter thick, moved rapidly and smoothly over the choppy lake surface. It was black to brown and featureless.
August 5, 1978, Interlaken: A glow appeared north-east of Lake Sorell, reflecting off the overcast sky. A white light was then seen on the opposite shore, moving rapidly back and forth through trees. A large glow with beams also moved southwards.
Information and Events
The Centre offers copies of its Sightings Value system and a complete list of Tasmanian sightings from 1948 to 1978. Interested parties are instructed to write or telephone the Secretary. The Annual Meeting was scheduled for Friday, October 13th, at the usual venue at Scots Church rooms.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The newsletter reflects a period of low UFO reporting, contrasting with earlier years. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation and record-keeping, despite the challenges of delayed reporting and public apathy. The Centre actively collects and disseminates information on UFO sightings within Tasmania, providing a valuable resource for researchers. The uncertainty in predicting UFO events is acknowledged, highlighting the complex and often elusive nature of the phenomenon.
Predicting UFO events though is frought with danger?
Key Incidents
Witnesses noticed a white circular light below the skyline of Bonnett Hill, which moved off at a regular speed past the Golf Club and up the valley where the Southern Outlet from Hobart lies, disappearing in the Ridgewat area.
A witness saw a large flashing light (red and green) approach their shack at Silver Plains at rapid pace but stopped at tree top height some 200mts distant, then moved slowly back up into the sky.
Visitors to Lake Sorell heard a noise similar to a plane engine missing badly. The noise passed overhead and went south over Lake Crescent, followed by a loud explosion and white flashes.
A witness experienced difficulty with car steering and saw a bright orange light hovering 100 mts from the road, described as similar to a helicopter without rotors, orange below with blue above, and blue and yellow on the tail.
Two orange lights were seen approaching from the northern sky, described as large round steady lights about 1km apart, passing by to the east and going away to the south, with one veering off.
Several white lights tinged with yellow were seen out over water off Bruny Island, varying in number and darting back and forth erratically.
An object described as a thin cigar, estimated as 30mts long but only half a metre thick, moved fast and smoothly 1-2 mts above the water, black to brown in colour.
A glow appeared north east of Lake Sorell, growing to reflect off the overcast sky. A white light then appeared on the opposite shore and dashed back and forth through trees over a distance of 2kmts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the UFO activity like in Tasmania in September 1978?
UFO activity had dropped to a virtual standstill, with only 5.8% of reports in the preceding twelve months remaining unidentified, the lowest since the Centre's inception.
Did the film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' affect UFO reporting in Tasmania?
The film appeared to have made no difference to the current situation in Tasmania, and it failed to elicit any significant public response.
What types of UFOs were reported in Tasmania in 1975 and 1978?
Reported objects included white circular lights, flashing red and green lights, a green triangle object, a cigar-shaped craft, and unexplained glows.
Where can I find a list of Tasmanian UFO sightings?
A complete list of Tasmanian sightings from 1948 to 1978 is available by sending a stamped addressed envelope to TUFOIC, GPO Box 1310N, HOBART 7001.
In This Issue
Organisations
- TASMANIAN UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE.
- RAAF
- DCA
Locations
- Ouse, Australia
- North Coast, Australia
- King Island, Australia
- St Helens, Australia
- Campbelltown, Australia
- Dover, Australia
- Lake Country, Australia
- Lake Sorell, Australia
- Poatina Highway, Australia
- Kingston, Australia
- Bonnett Hill, Australia
- Hobart, Australia
- Ridgewat area, Australia
- Silver Plains, Australia
- +6 more