TUFOIC Newsletter - No 061 - October 1990

Magazine Overview

Title: T.U.F.O.I.C. TASMANIAN UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE
Issue: Edition 61
Date: October 1990
Publisher: TASMANIAN UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE
Country: Australia

This issue of the TUFOIC Newsletter provides a comprehensive update on UFO activity worldwide, with a strong emphasis on international cases and ongoing investigations. It highlights the challenges in verifying sightings, distinguishing between genuine phenomena and hoaxes, and the involvement of official bodies.

World Wide Round Up

The newsletter begins by noting that the extensive UFO sightings in Belgium over the Easter break were only the tip of the iceberg. Local media coverage and TV reports mentioned numerous sightings, prompting the deployment of aircraft to track them. While brief glimpses of lights were seen, the true nature of these events remained unclear. UFO Research Queensland provided detailed information on the Belgian affair, which commenced in October 1989 and continued for seven months. These sightings were typically nocturnal, silent, and often dramatic, drawing in the Minister for Defence, the Belgian Air Force, Defence Radar, scientists, and Gendarmes. Specific incidents included a UFO spotted near Verviers, and two Gendarmes witnessing a UFO larger than an aircraft. Another sighting involved a twenty-meter diameter ball emitting light observed by ten to twelve witnesses at a height of 300 meters. Many Gendarmes reported observations from their barracks. Typical characteristics included low altitudes, slow speeds, and long durations. Other witnesses near Eupen reported a large black object with accompanying lights, and another described an object with moving blue lights, a black spot, and a red light.

Belgian newspapers featured numerous headlines, leading the Minister for Defence to order an inquiry in December. In May, the Air Force and Defence Radar at Glons were tasked to cooperate with researchers. Civilian teams conducted night watches with cameras. Over ninety days of UFO activity, more than 600 reports and 3000 witnesses were accumulated. A common shape reported was an isosceles triangle with a light at each point, often flat with 'portholes'. One machine seen landing on a road resembled two plates joined together and emitted a hissing sound like a turbine.

On December 16th, two F16s were scrambled in response to reports from the South-East, but no sighting was made by the jets. Another incident involved two F16s on March 30th, where fifteen Gendarmes had observed an aerial object for 1.5 hours. Defence Radar at Glons reported a precise return, and after the jets' third pass, pilots sighted large circles at the center of a great triangle. Three lights vanished, and the object climbed, emitting a red burst before disappearing.

The Belgian Air Force readied a Hawker Siddley aircraft with instruments for the search. Professor Brening of the Free University of Brussels had personally observed a triangle over Liège on March 18th. Colonel de Brauwere initiated a four-day observation program at the civil airport of Bierset, organized by the Air Force with scientists, private investigators, and the press. The newsletter questions whether the outcome of these investigations will be revealed, noting that explanations such as meteors, bolides, secret aircraft, and lasers had been dismissed.

International Cases and Controversies

Another notable international case discussed is the Russian Martian spacecraft, Phobos 1, which went off air in March 1989 while en route to Phobos. In April, while taking infra-red pictures, the spacecraft lost communication after an object was seen approaching it, an object the Russians claim should not have been there, and the last picture has not been released.

The newsletter revisits the controversy surrounding Gulf Breeze, Florida, and Ed Walters' UFO photographs. A model found in Walters' former home in March has led to questions about the authenticity of his photos, with some suggesting he used the model to fake them. The article suggests focusing on the Belgian flap as more reliable proof of UFO existence.

The evergreen 'Crop Circles' phenomenon in England is also covered, with more complex patterns emerging. A 10-day, 24-hour monitoring of a field known for crop circles was set up with infra-red cameras. Despite a hoax occurring under scrutiny, it was noted that human hoaxers could not duplicate the 'genuine' circles.

Recent overseas cuttings indicate increased UFO activity in other countries. Canada experienced a flap of sightings in 1989, and South East England reported hundreds of UFO cases running into 1990. Hungary also had UFO flaps with standard events. Reports suggest Russian UFOs are still active, with one encounter similar to the Belgian case involving a Russian Air Force plane visually contacting a UFO. The question is posed whether sightings will spread to the Southern Hemisphere, including Australia.

Australian UFO Activity

An overview of Australian UFO activity for 1989 is presented, compiled by Mark Moravec of the Australian Centre for UFO Studies. A two-page questionnaire was sent to groups and investigators, resulting in data from PUFORG, TUFOIC, UFO Research (FNQ), UFO Research (NSW), UFORA (NSW), UFO Research (QLD), and UFO Research (SA). The total reports compiled were 198, with 95 identified, 10 possibly identified, 2 insufficient information, 7 still under investigation, and 40 unidentified.

Junk Mail?

A report by David Mussared discusses a mysterious fireball that damaged an elderly Sydney man's letterbox. CSIRO scientist Dr. Ray Binns believes it might have been falling space junk from a defunct Soviet satellite. The letterbox lid was buckled, and two copper globules had melted through the steel.

Tasmania

The Tasmanian scene is described as having a 'complete lack of action' with few explainable calls to the Centre, except for one case on June 26th. A witness reported seeing a flattened cup-like shape with a square top near ground level, which appeared to be following a fence line. The object was later seen over a hilltop with a red/orange flame effect before disappearing. The sighting lasted about five minutes. Representatives from the Hobart Mercury and TUFOIC's East Coast Rep investigated, and information on a neighbour's previous sighting is being sought.

Increase in UFO Claims in Hungary

Judith Vas, who has collected reports of unidentified flying objects in Hungary since January, believes they exist, even if science denies it. She suggests possible travel between dimensions. The UFO Data Collection Centre was established at the Urania Observatory in Eger due to a surge in reports beginning in autumn. Vas, a freelance lecturer, is tasked with collating and studying these reports, emphasizing her skeptical approach and the need for proof. She has received 60-70 letters describing phenomena like mysterious balls of light and cars going out of control. The surge in Hungary began in November, following reports of giant three-eyed aliens in Voronezh. Hungarian air force pilots reported being followed by an orange sphere on November 13th, which did not show up on radar. Soldiers at Kecskemet military airport reported seeing a fluorescent green figure that beamed itself into space. Bus driver Imre Herczeg reported a 'close encounter' near Gyor on July 24th, describing a figure with a pear-shaped head, slanted eyes, and a steel-blue body with four fingers. Since the incident, Herczeg has suffered headaches and bloodshot eyes.

Hole in Field Prompts French UFO Inquiry

Police and scientists in western France are investigating a strange dish-like hole in a cornfield, possibly caused by an UFO. Farmers reported hearing a loud thud. Separately, in Brussels, Belgium's air force reported that radar stations picked up a UFO on March 30th that accelerated from 280kmh to over 1800kmh and altered height by more than three kilometers in 15 seconds. Colonel Wilfried De Brouwer stated the movements were beyond the capability of any existing airplane. Two F-16 fighter jets were sent to investigate after police reported seeing a huge dark triangle covered in lights. The planes chased the object for 45 minutes, making radar contacts before losing it. Colonel De Brouwer ruled out conventional explanations like planes, balloons, laser beams, or thermic inversions.

Bush Pilot Chases UFO

A SUNBIRD Airlines pilot followed a globe-shaped UFO for 30 minutes through the skies of far north Queensland. The pilot abandoned the chase when the object accelerated rapidly. The mirror-surfaced sphere was visible from the ground, and dozens of residents of Kowanyama observed it for two hours. A second pilot also observed the UFO through binoculars. The object seemed to defy physics, remaining stationary despite airflow. The Bureau of Meteorology and the Civil Aviation Authority confirmed no weather balloons were in the area and that an aircraft had investigated. The sphere's reflection of sunlight caused confusion and discomfort.

Hoaxers Fool the Circle Scientists

Researchers monitoring crop circles in southern England were fooled by an elaborate hoax. Heat-seeking and low-light cameras recorded 'strange triangular orange lights', but dawn revealed crudely trodden circles with an Ouija board and cross. Researcher Colin Andrews expressed disappointment, stating the hoax set back their research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently covers a wide range of UFO phenomena, from detailed case reports in Belgium and Hungary to broader summaries of international activity. There is a clear focus on investigative efforts by both official bodies and civilian organizations. The recurring theme of distinguishing genuine sightings from hoaxes is prominent, with specific examples of hoaxes being exposed. The TUFOIC organization itself is presented as actively collecting and disseminating information, as evidenced by the Australian UFO activity report and the call for correspondence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, acknowledging the possibility of extraterrestrial phenomena while maintaining a degree of skepticism and demanding evidence, as exemplified by Judith Vas's quote. The newsletter also includes practical information for members, such as details about the TUFOIC library, membership subscriptions, and an end-of-year dinner event.