TUFOIC Newsletter - No 049 - October 1986

Magazine Overview

This issue of the NEWSLETTER from the TASMANIAN UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE, dated October 1986 and identified as EDITION 49, marks the Centre's twenty-first anniversary. The publication focuses on the Centre's history, its investigative activities, and recent UFO reports from Tasmania and internationally.

Twenty One Years

The lead article reflects on the 21 years since the UFO Centre was founded. It acknowledges a current distinct lack of sightings, similar to trends worldwide. The Centre's primary aims are to investigate and record UFO sightings in Tasmania and to share this information with members and other groups. The article asserts that the Centre has achieved its objective in investigating Tasmanian sightings and distributing information both locally and overseas. A key tool highlighted is the computerised 'Tascat' listing, developed by Paul Jackson, which catalogues all Tasmanian unexplained reports with details such as dates, times, types of events, witnesses, locations, shapes, and features. This database allows for various criteria-based extractions, such as filtering for green lights, CE2 events, or sightings from specific locations like Hobart. The information and reports are available to members and interested individuals.

The structure of the Centre has evolved over the years. Originally requiring annual elections for a committee, it is now run by executive coordinators. This change, along with a lack of continuity in early years, initially impacted contact with the media and public. However, with tasks now approached on a more permanent basis, Tascat, media contacts, and other developments have been established over time. The Centre's efforts in the 1970s focused on presenting itself as a responsible body investigating UFO reports with a common-sense approach, utilizing media interviews and press items to convey factual information. This marked a shift from a social/sightings organisation to a more focused investigating body.

A notable 'minus factor' in recent years has been the decision to stop offering the Annual Report for sale on newsstands. While the first Annual Report in 1969 found a market, and sales increased with the spread of sightings, by the end of the 1970s, a decline in UFO sightings and rising printing costs made it prohibitive to continue public sales. The Centre now produces two Newsletters per year and the Annual Report exclusively for members. All Centre publications have been filed with the State Library of Tasmania. The article concludes by looking forward to the next 21 years, acknowledging the inherent mystery of the UFO phenomena.

Tasmanian Reports

Several recent sightings from Tasmania are detailed:

• Bream Creek Case: Occurring in October, a witness feeding her baby noticed a bright, yellowish-white, round light over Maria Island. The light moved erratically for over 20 minutes, performing loops and moving sideways. No other reports were received, though the East Coast has seen about half a dozen cases in the last 18 months.
• Amateur Astronomer Reports Shapes (Launceston): On April 25th, an amateur astronomer observing Halley's Comet with 30x50 binoculars reported seeing four objects moving from the southeast sky towards his viewpoint. These objects, described as bluish-white and shimmering, turned southwest and then the lead object moved northwest independently before all faded from sight. The observation lasted about 8 seconds, and the speed was estimated at three to four times that of airline jets.
• East Coast Again (Swansea): On May 29th, a Swansea resident reported seeing two stationary lights in the western sky. One light moved upwards and south, receding into the distance, while the other was identified as Saturn. The witness was able to observe the light with binoculars, noting it appeared as a bright white light.
• Huon Valley Case: On August 3rd, witnesses near Crabtree observed a large orange light with smaller lights below, moving west towards the hills. The glow from behind the trees faded. Later, the same witness saw a bright light while driving, which may have been Venus, as checks with the Department of Aviation and RAAF proved negative.
• Sighting Update (Binalong Bay): A report from Binalong Bay mentioned in the June Newsletter, occurring on April 13th, was later determined to be due to a satellite.

Ten Years Ago (1976)

The newsletter recalls significant UFO activity ten years prior, in 1976. This year saw numerous sightings at Maydena, ten 'car pace' sightings, and figures occurring in four reports with seven cases involving UFOs near the ground or apparently landed. The East Coast had about half a dozen sightings that year. Twenty years prior (1966), there were fewer sightings but included car pace events and a landing report, with sightings spread more widely across the state compared to 1976, when they were concentrated in the south or eastern parts.

TUFOIC Publications

A list of available publications is provided, including:

• TASMANIAN U.F.O. COMPUTER CATALOGUE - TASCAT 1986 ($3.00)
• TASMANIAN LANDINGS CATALOGUE - Issue 2 ($2.00)
• MAATSUYKER ISLAND DOCUMENT ($2.00)
• UFO TASMANIA MAGAZINES: 1978 to 1985 (8 Issues) ($5.80), single editions ($1.00)
• TUFOIC COMPUTER PRINTOUTS ($1.00) for custom searches based on sighting type, location, events, colours, shapes, etc.

All prices include return postage (Surface Mail only), with overseas airmail rates available on request.

The World - Fighter pilots chase UFOs over Brazil

This section reports on significant UFO activity in Brazil. On Monday night, tiny balls of light were sighted by a private plane near Sao Jose dos Campos, an industrial city southwest of Rio de Janeiro. These objects were detected by radar and interfered with air traffic. The Brazilian Air Force dispatched three Mirage fighters and two F-5E jets to intercept them. The objects, described as multi-coloured balls of light, were accompanied by 13 of them at one point. The jets confirmed the UFOs on radar and pursued them for three hours until low fuel forced their return. One pilot reportedly described the objects as ping pong ball sized, flying at nearly 1500 kmh. Air Force Minister Gen. Octavio Moreira Lima stated that they were seeking a technical explanation and had none currently. Astronomer Larry Brown of the Hayden Planetarium suggested it could be anything, while also noting the possibility of dust from Halley's Comet interacting with the Earth's atmosphere.

More lights in Brazil sky

Following the fighter jet incident, further UFO sightings were reported in Brazil. Brazilian television showed film of a glowing, round object. On Wednesday afternoon, the air force base in Fortaleza received calls about a dark, cigar-shaped object. The Air Force Ministry summoned pilots involved in the Monday scramble to report on the sightings, which disrupted civil air traffic.

UFO probe ordered - RAAF

In Adelaide, Australia, RAAF officials were to investigate reports of an unidentified flying object crashing into the sea near Victor Harbour. The object was logged by the RAAF at Edinburgh Base as a meteorite. Dozens of people witnessed the event. One witness, Neil Sutherland, described the object as rocket-like with a propeller, fins, and red paint.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the long-term investigation of UFO phenomena, the importance of detailed record-keeping (exemplified by Tascat), and the reporting of both local and international sightings. The Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre presents itself as a serious, evidence-based organisation, evolving from a more casual group to a dedicated investigative body. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, acknowledging the unexplained nature of many events while seeking rational explanations where possible. The inclusion of international reports, particularly the significant Brazilian incidents, suggests a broader scope of interest beyond Tasmania. The publication also highlights the Centre's efforts to maintain its archives and make its research accessible through publications.