TUFOIC Newsletter - No 030 - May 1980

Magazine Overview

This document is the 30th Newsletter from the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC), dated May 1980. It provides correspondence details and discusses various aspects of UFO investigation and reporting.

French Government Backed Investigation

The newsletter highlights information from the French government-backed UFO investigation group GEPAN, based on a statistical study of 825 Type Reports. Key findings include:

• Witnesses: 70% of observations have at least 2 witnesses, and 50% have at least 3. For Tasmanian reports, 67% had at least 2 witnesses and 34% had at least 3. The great majority of observers (70%) are adults, with Tasmanian unexplained reports also originating from adults. Witnesses come from a wide range of professions and abilities.
• Duration: The majority of observations are of several minutes duration. Very short-lived or very long-lived phenomena are rarely observed. Only 8% of Tasmanian cases lasted less than 2 minutes, and 12% lasted beyond one hour.
• Conditions: Most observations are made in good weather and clear skies globally. Objects are generally seen fitting in with prevailing visibility.
• Proximity: 30% of observations are made at a distance of less than 150 meters. TUFOIC's statistic shows 31% of sightings were Close Encounters or occurred within 200 meters.
• Shape and Color: 70% of observations have a circular or disc shape. TUFOIC's figure is around 50%. Consistency was found in object colors: metallic colors (daylight 30%, nocturnal 3%) and luminous red-orange objects (daylight 12%, nocturnal 46%). Many local cases involve red-orange objects at night.
• Appearance: Objects observed luminous in daytime are less common (86%) compared to nighttime (98%).
• Speed: 40% of objects were described as "stationery, then fast moving." In 20% of cases, "lightning" speed was reported.
• Trajectory: 50% of cases comprise "irregular" trajectories, with successive stops or sharp turns. 20% of these reports describe a landing.
• Sound: The great majority of the objects (70%) observed are silent.
• Landings: Landings are exceptionally described in inhabited areas, with 70% occurring in remote areas and 20% near isolated homes. Statistics for landings are similar to other cases.
• Global Reach: All countries appear to be concerned by UFO reports, irrespective of culture, religion, or lifestyle. The geographical distribution of French observations is not tied to population density or visibility conditions.
• Timing: The most observations occur in October, with fewer in February. 70% of observations are at night. TUFOIC's records show December as the low month (17 unexplaineds since 1948) and July as the most (36). Autumn and winter total about 57% of unexplained cases, Spring 22%, and Summer 21%.
• Magnetic Fields: The newsletter dismisses the idea that UFOs correlate with disturbances of terrestrial magnetic fields.

Publications

The Centre will be forwarding sighting and general information to a new Australia-wide bi-monthly publication, "UFO RESEARCH MAGAZINE," compiled by the Australian Centre for UFO Studies. This will likely lead to the disappearance of TUFOIC's two annual newsletters. The magazine will feature sightings and articles from across Australia. The Annual Report's decision is pending, but it aims to inform the Tasmanian public, attract new members, and generate media interest.

Subscription Information and Rates

A "VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE" clarifies that the new subscription rates mentioned on page two are to be disregarded, and membership fees will remain at current rates. Members wishing to subscribe to the "UFO RESEARCH AUSTRALIA NEWSLETTER" can do so by filling out the provided form. The bi-monthly publication is recommended for its comprehensive content, including library references, book reviews, technical articles, and UFO sightings from around the country.

Subscription rates are: Australia $9.00 per year (6 issues), and Foreign $10.50 (AUST) per year (surface mail).

Mystery of the Tiniest UFO

This section briefly mentions a "MYSTERY OF THE TINIEST UFO" reported in the "Daily Mirror" (August 31, 1979). Two flying instructors reported a close encounter with a UFO approximately 23cms long over Hampshire. The object was described as a flattened blob of mercury, consisting of flattened hexagonal panels, with two clasps and two short aerials. It appeared motionless from fifteen feet away but rose to 900m and seemed to be rotating. A similar object was seen the next day by another instructor, flying off at 250kph.

What About Tasmanian Sightings?

As of May, TUFOIC had received 17 reports for the year, with only 1 remaining unexplained. This contrasts sharply with previous years:

• 1979 (to May): 83 investigations, 9 unexplained.
• 1978: 63 investigations, 5 unexplained.
• 1977: 73 investigations, 20 unexplained.
• 1976: 103 investigations, 21 unexplained.
• 1975: 72 investigations, 28 unexplained.
• 1974: 76 investigations, 18 unexplained.

The early 1970s averaged about 30-40 investigations per year. The current year (1980) is noted as being quieter.

Specific Tasmanian Sightings:

• Launceston: An erratic nocturnal light was reported over Prospect.
• Hillwood: A repeated car pace by a red light.
• Lefroy: A dark object seen over a paddock.
• Rokeby (December 26th, 1978, 01:00): Two witnesses observed a round, white object moving slowly northwest, then stopping to the south. It approached, illuminating the house and garden, then reversed direction back to the south, and finally returned northeast very fast. The object appeared to have a dark and bright side and turned its light away from observers.
• Bagdad (March 10th, 1980, 21:30): Three witnesses saw a large, whitish elliptical object appear from the hills to their south, spinning, and travelling fast north. It disappeared behind a gum tree, then returned extremely fast from the south and vanished. One witness heard a low whirring noise. The airport reported a passenger plane circling Tea Tree, but not at the time or location of the sighting. Witnesses stated the object moved too fast for an aircraft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently emphasizes statistical analysis of UFO reports, drawing comparisons between international data (like GEPAN's findings) and local Tasmanian reports. There is a focus on the reliability of witness accounts, noting the prevalence of multiple witnesses and the varied backgrounds of observers. The publication of a new, more comprehensive magazine ("UFO RESEARCH MAGAZINE") is presented as a positive development for disseminating UFO information. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation and data collection, while also acknowledging the public's interest in phenomena like UFOs, as evidenced by the detailed reporting of specific sightings and the provision of subscription information. The newsletter aims to keep its members informed and engaged with the subject matter.