TUFOIC Newsletter - No 035 - 1982

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO Tasmania" from 1982, identified as Edition No. 35, is published by the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC). The cover prominently features the title "UFO 1982 Tasmania" and an illustration of a UFO, alongside a price of 80c and the organization's name. The publication provides an annual report detailing UFO investigations and statistics from Tasmania and Australia.

TUFOIC Executive and Contact Information

The issue lists the executive members of TUFOIC for 1982: Ron Jolly (President), Keith Roberts (Sec/Treasurer), Paul Jackson (Liason Officer), Jeanine Hunt (Library), G. Marshall, and Jan. Heron (Executive Members). Correspondence should be directed to P.O. Box 99, North Hobart, Tasmania 7002. Sightings can be reported via phone at 23 6009 or 44 4041.

TUFOIC's Report is published annually and is available to the public, members, and for exchange with other UFO organizations. The Centre also prints two newsletters per year to keep members informed. An application form to join the Centre is mentioned as being on the back page.

Year's Sightings Statistics

The year 1981 saw an increase in investigations, but the total number of reports was lower than in the 1970s, with the UFO percentage reaching an all-time low. With only 5 unexplained cases, patterns were difficult to discern. The table "INVESTIGATIONS ... COMPARITIVE FIGURES" shows a year-by-year breakdown of reports and unidentified UFO percentages from Pre-65 to 1981. The "ANALYSIS OF 1981 INVESTIGATIONS" breaks down the 76 total investigations into categories such as Unidentified (5, 6.5%), Investigation/Insufficient Info (10), Astronomical (27), Aircraft (11), Satellites (6), Meteorological (7), Ballons (4), and Other Explanations (6).

Unidentified 1981 Cases

The past few years have seen an easing of reports, both explained and unexplained, with a small increase in calls to the Centre in the last year. The unidentified cases are listed with their Australian Centre for UFO Studies catalogue numbers.

• TA 81006..9.2.81.. North-East of Flinders Island: Two witnesses on a yacht reported two flashing lights and a puzzling glow on March 5th. The yacht's battery went flat, and a clock stopped at 18:18, which is noted as unusual given the battery was recently charged and the motor was later used to recharge it.
• TA 81025..20.2.81.. Campbelltown: Investigated two months after the event, two witnesses travelling south reported a huge white ball with a silver-blue edge that exploded into an intense bright light, painful to the eyes, before contracting back to a sphere-type shape.
• TA 81008..21.2.81.. Mt. Nelson: Two witnesses saw two large white lights approaching from the east, which later reappeared as four white lights moving steadily south-east. The Department of Science and Technology suggested it might be debris re-entry, noting that some 15 objects were due to re-enter in February.
• TA.. 81021..11.4.81.. Partridge Island: Five witnesses on a boat saw a plane-like light pulsing red, which stopped, dropped into the hills, and disappeared. No known aircraft were in the area.
• TA 81053..28.9.81.. Lindisfarne: A lone witness saw Venus and another amber light, stationary for 5 minutes, then moving left, zig-zagging upwards and disappearing very fast, with rays below.

Unidentified Radar Targets

On October 17th, 1981, an Air Cargo L188 aircraft crew reported two targets on their radar west of their track. Sydney ATC confirmed the targets but stated there was no known traffic in the area. The targets vanished from radar after 15 minutes.

Year in Australia (1980-1981 Cases)

This section compiles interesting cases from ACUFOS Bulletins:

• December 3rd, 1980, Murray Upper, Queensland: An object approached a car for 30 minutes, causing lights to flicker and the radio and motor to die.
• December 4th, 1980, Perth, Western Australia: Department of Transport Officers observed 4 objects glinting in the sun for 15 minutes, with radar matching the observation. The objects were never stationary.
• March 4th, 1981, Butcher Hill via Cairns, Queensland: A series of nocturnal lights were observed, but photographs taken by witnesses showed nothing.
• April 14th, 1981, Tinamba, Victoria: A flashing red light was observed flying around at fence-top height and sped off north. Three burnt rings were found on the property, near the site of a previous landing and trace event.

Further Australian Sightings (1981)

• May 16th, Cocklediddy, Nullarbor Plain: Two witnesses saw a glowing, stationary, soundless dome-like structure that disappeared. They experienced an uncomfortable heating of their bodies.
• August 2nd, Darkey Forest, N.S.W.: A coalminer saw a "coffin" shaped object with angular sides, estimated to be the size of a house, with yellow and white lights and a large blue light in the center. A faint yellow beam swept from side to side.
• August 25th, Bunbury, Western Australia: Three men reported up to fifteen bright silvery symmetrical objects travelling in formation, hovering over the ocean, then moving rapidly north and shooting vertically upwards.
• August 26th, Albury, Western Australia: Mr. E. Beckerleg and Mr. G. Gray saw an object fly across the road and into paddocks. It hovered silently, had three red lights and two flashing white ones, and moved in an undulating pattern, noiselessly.
• September, Cambewarra Mtn. Rd., N.S.W.: Mr. F. Burke experienced a strong beam of light that enveloped his car, reportedly melting a tape recorder.

UFO Gives Fishermen Shock of Their Lives

This article, by Barry Roberts, recounts an incident on a Wednesday night where fishermen Erroll Tyrell and Vic Denton saw a massive dark red-orange object, described as a long cigar-shaped object, coming over the horizon. It appeared about 1000 feet above their boat, moved slowly for 30 seconds, then accelerated out of sight. They were three miles from shore. Mr. Tyrell described it as "so massive I could not believe it" and unlike any aircraft. He believes in UFOs, recalling a smaller sighting previously. The object had no blue or green lights, was completely aglow, and must have been hundreds of feet long.

Huon Mystery Lights

In the period 1973-75, TUFOIC investigated four reports from the Huon Valley area involving lights, some in thundery conditions. Two cases involved percipients suffering eye troubles and loss of weight, with associated traces in three cases. The explanation of possible ball lightning is considered.

Ball Lightning

S. Singer's work on "Ball Lightning" (1977) is cited, describing glowing spheres usually associated with severe thunderstorms. These globes remain visible for an appreciable time, are approximately spherical, and can have a blue halo, sparks, or rays. They average 25cm in diameter but can range from 10cm to several metres. Colors are comparable to flame or electrical discharge, with orange and red being most frequent. Dr. N. Charman (New Scientist 1972) notes they move horizontally or vertically, can be stationary or wander, may display affinity for metal objects, and can pass through buildings. Disappearance is usually rapid and can be silent or explosive, with hissing or crackling noises sometimes heard. Fireballs usually exist for 15 seconds but some can last minutes.

Dover 1973 Case

A report from Dover on March 28th, 1973, describes Mrs. A. Marks and two others seeing a dense object giving off a reddish light, with two smaller lights appearing later. The noise increased, the main light expanded, then diminished. The lights and noise stopped abruptly. An investigation by Ken Bennetto revealed another incident that night: a local store's fire and burglar alarm was activated, and a neighbour noticed an orange glow coming from behind trees. The duration of the sighting was noted as long, with witnesses possibly overestimating times.

Lymington 1973 Case

A report from Lymington on December 30th, 1973, describes a fast-moving cold front and thunderstorms. The witness reported no thunderstorms at Lymington itself, but distant lightning to the south-east. The report details a strange mass of light seen from an upstairs window, described as a moon with a handle shape. The light in the paddock gradually became a brilliant yellow with areas of round light. The mass of light was visible for about 20 minutes. Upon opening the back door, witnesses felt a wave of heat. The mass of light vanished, and the boyfriend was reportedly levitated. Later, more lights were seen gliding down the rise, with Mr. A and a second daughter also witnessing the display. The dull yellow lights were described as football to torch size, moving erratically.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings, investigations, and potential explanations, including astronomical phenomena, aircraft, and ball lightning. There is a focus on documented cases with witness testimonies and, where possible, corroborating evidence or official statements. The publication aims to keep members informed and encourages participation in UFO research. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, presenting various cases and analyses without definitive conclusions, but acknowledging the possibility of unidentified objects and phenomena.

This document, titled 'CYGNET 1975', appears to be an issue from the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC). It details two significant UFO sighting cases investigated by the organization, one in Lymington and two related events in Cygnet, Tasmania, both occurring in 1975. The publication focuses on witness testimonies, investigative efforts, and potential explanations for the phenomena observed.

Lymington Light Mass

The Lymington case, reported by Mr. and Mrs. A, describes a sighting around 2 a.m. of a pulsing, white ball-shaped light with vaporous fingers rising from a paddock. The light gradually diminished and disappeared over 5 to 10 minutes. Mr. A noted that local birds, usually active on the recently baled hay paddock, were unusually still on the fences. A broken branch from a nearby chestnut tree, found the next morning, was noted as unusual, with no one recalling it being broken the previous day. One unknown visitor reportedly mentioned seeing marks and swirled grass, though this was not corroborated by the primary witnesses.

An investigation was conducted by Ken Bennetto and Mercury reporter D. Moult, who interviewed Mrs. A, her daughter, and boyfriend. They inspected the paddock, marking out an area approximately 30m long by 9m high. The report questions whether this could be ball lightning, given the size, and notes that a University of Tasmania representative who was supposed to collect samples failed to appear, citing overnight rain as a reason, which the author finds suspicious.

Further details emerge regarding the aftermath. A report in The Mercury suggested the UFO was an electrical phenomenon. Keith Roberts, TUFOIC's Investigations Co-ordinator, obtained a full tape of the witness's account. The A's neighbour reported seeing distant lightning and a car stopping briefly to shine its lights into the paddock. Mrs. A expressed dissatisfaction with the investigator's lack of interest in the broken branch. Additional incidents included damage to the boyfriend's van (front grill pushed in, spotlight broken) and deterioration of paint on the house's paddock side. Mrs. A reported becoming very nervy, experiencing headaches and eye pains, and losing over 12 kg. Her daughter also lost 6 kg.

Cygnet Cases

The document then details two cases from Cygnet on August 3rd, 1975. The first, occurring at 1:30 a.m., was reported by Mrs. B. She was awakened by a loud, constant roar, described as sounding like a car with its accelerator flat to the floor. She observed a thick circle, about 30 cm in diameter, on her curtain, filled with bright blue, sparkling lights. As she stepped out of bed to investigate, the phenomenon vanished instantly, though the roar continued for about 10 seconds before fading. She lay awake for two hours trying to understand what she had seen.

The second Cygnet event occurred that evening at 9 p.m. Mr. B pointed out a dim, oval-shaped glow in a gum tree in their backyard, about 20m away and 3m across. There was no apparent source for the light. After 5 minutes, it went out, then slowly reappeared and remained visible for 15 minutes before fading. It did not move at any stage. Mrs. B, recalling the morning's event, did not think they should go outside to investigate.

These cases were investigated by Roberts and P. Tattersall. Neighbors also heard a similar engine-like noise for 5 to 10 minutes. A motorist reported seeing a light briefly shine into his car but dismissed it. The gum tree in the B's backyard appeared to be dying soon after the incident, showing signs of burning at the base and a black powder substance on its leaves, possibly a fungus. Mrs. B also reported losing weight (about 10 kg) and feeling very nervy, with sore eyes for four days, eventually requiring glasses.

Analysis and Conclusion

The document compares the Cygnet cases to ball lightning but notes puzzling aspects regarding weather conditions and duration, as well as the witnesses' reactions, which are similar to the Lymington case. The presence of noise in both Cygnet events and the Lymington case is highlighted. The author concludes that while there may be rational explanations, science has not yet provided definitive answers. The publication also includes information on TUFOIC's annual reports and a membership application.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and the challenges of investigating such events. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into these phenomena, presenting witness accounts and investigative findings without immediate dismissal, while also acknowledging the need for scientific explanation. The publication highlights the psychological and physical effects reported by witnesses, suggesting these are significant aspects of the cases. There is an underlying tone that while rational explanations are sought, the evidence presented warrants further consideration.