TUFOIC Newsletter - No 065 - 1992

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Tasmanian UFO Report, dated 1992 and identified as publication number 65, is produced by the Tasmanian Unidentified Flying Object Investigation Centre (TUFOIC). The magazine provides an overview of the organization's executive and area representatives for 1992, including contact details and meeting information. It also presents Tasmanian UFO statistics from 1965 to 1991, detailing the number of reports, UFOs, and identified cases each year, along with a breakdown of investigations conducted in 1991.

1991 in Review

The review of 1991 indicates a low level of UFO reports in Tasmania, with only four unexplained cases, matching the previous low of 1967. The number of calls to the Centre also dropped to 40, the lowest since 1968. Overseas UFO content, particularly 'crop circles,' was mentioned in the media, though the article notes the potential for hoaxes. The report highlights that UFO Research Australia and ACUFOS are at the forefront of Australian UFOlogy, but groups are adopting different approaches to the UFO problem. The main event in Australia was a UFO Seminar held in Sydney in September. The article also references the 'Gulf Breeze' events in the United States and the Belgian wave from 1989/1990. TUFOIC notes that it is the only Australian organization with a complete record of reports from 1965 to the present.

Sightings in 1991

This section details specific UFO sightings reported in Tasmania during 1991:

• King Island (January 13th): Several witnesses reported an erratic white light moving east then west, disappearing in the southwest over approximately 10 minutes.
• Lefroy (March 19th): Two witnesses travelling at 11 pm saw a round orange to yellow light ahead of their car. It disappeared and reappeared some kilometers further on, eventually vanishing behind a nearby hill.
• Bruny Island (May 21st): Two witnesses observed a series of orange lights moving back and forth in the northern sky over a couple of hours. The lights appeared in pairs and moved in a level path before disappearing.
• Hobart (September 17th): A witness observed flashing green, red, and orange lights near a sporting oval, with a larger bright red light above. A beam of light also emanated from the area, illuminating the surroundings. The lights eventually disappeared, with the red light spinning and moving vertically before angling out over the Derwent River.

A Look at the Extra-Terrestrial Hypothesis

Authored by Gordon Keyworth, this article explores the Extra-Terrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) as a potential explanation for UFO phenomena. It posits that the universe is vast and likely contains numerous civilizations. The article discusses alien encounter cases, noting that they constitute a small percentage of UFO reports and often lack substantial physical evidence, sometimes overlapping with paranormal explanations. It describes various humanoid alien types reported, from doll-sized to hairy dwarfs and grey humanoids with large eyes. The author questions whether the diversity of reported alien types justifies the ETH but suggests that we may only be seeing a fraction of the possibilities, including robots, cyborgs, or beings using advanced spacesuits. The article also touches on the practicalities of space travel and the potential for aliens to be carbon and water-based life forms.

ETH Continued

The article further questions why aliens would visit Earth, suggesting possibilities like tourism, scientific study, or Earth being a supply base or crossroads. It addresses the challenge of interstellar distances, proposing that advanced technology like hyperspace or interdimensional travel might overcome this. The author also ponders why aliens might not communicate, suggesting it could be a deliberate choice due to humanity's unfriendliness or a lack of readiness to understand. Regarding alien behavior, it is generally described as escape, avoidance, or defensive, with harm being accidental. The article expresses skepticism about aliens being concerned with nuclear weapons, suggesting they might be more concerned about the potential threat humans pose as space travelers. Abduction scenarios are discussed as a fuzzy area, with hypnosis being an unreliable tool for obtaining objective truth. The author suggests that some abductions might be psychic kidnappings rather than genuine alien encounters.

Medical Techniques and Abductions

The article critiques the medical techniques used in abduction research, arguing that simple skin samples are sufficient for genetic material recreation, negating the need for stealing samples. It suggests that artificial incubators would be safer and more controllable. The author believes simple hypnosis is insufficient to reveal abductions. However, the article acknowledges reasons to believe in the objective validity of abduction experiences, drawing parallels to animal tagging and recapture studies. Paralysis and fear under capture are considered expected reactions. The nature of UFOs is seen as complex, with some viewing it as 'nuts and bolts' (ETH) and others focusing on the paranormal. The author concludes that the phenomenon is perplexing and confusing, possibly electric in nature and covering multiple, not necessarily related, occurrences.

Mysterious corn circles conceded to be hoax

This news item from the Examiner (10/9/91) reports that Patrick Delgado, a leading authority on mysterious corn circles, admitted that the patterns were likely created by hoaxers. He identified Doug Bower and David Chorley, two men in their 60s, as the creators of the circles, stating he had been "taken for a ride."

'Space signs' all a student prank

Another news item from the Examiner (28/7/91) reports that four law students in Kiel, Germany, admitted to trampling huge circles in cornfields, shattering the mystery for those who believed they were signs from outer space. They stated their intention was to show that they could do what the English had done.

Invisible Forces

Authored by Keith Roberts, this section details cases where an invisible force appears to affect cars and environments, often without a visible UFO.

• Case 1: July 27, 1974 (Bridgewater to Campania): Two witnesses reported a bright white triangular light that affected their car's steering, causing it to veer towards the object. The witnesses experienced aching shoulders and arms afterward.
• Case 2: September 1974 (Lake Echo): A witness observed a luminous dome-shaped object over the water. Afterward, the water level rose, and logs floated to the surface. The object then accelerated and vanished. The lake returned to its normal level by 6 a.m.
• Case 3: July 1975 (Poatina Highway): A witness reported a helicopter-like object with a yellow tail that caused the car's steering to malfunction.
• Case 4: August 20, 1979 (Murchison Highway): A witness reported a green light that caused her car to lose speed and the engine to fail. The car's clock and the witness's watch stopped during the event. The petrol gauge also showed empty at the end of the trip.
• Case 5: November 1983 (Stanley River Road): A witness reported a brilliant circle of blue-white light that caused the car to lose control, with the engine revving and ignition keys pulled. The car was pulled backwards up a slight incline by an unseen force.
• Case 6 (Early 1975, Steppes): A motorist reported that his car seemed to lose power while accelerating, despite the engine running normally.
• Case 7 (December 23, 1979, East Coast blackout): A woman reported her car rolling uphill without the engine running during a power blackout. The car's lights dimmed when other vehicles approached.
• Case 8 (Late 1983, Huon Valley): A witness reported their car being pulled backwards up a slight incline by an unseen force.
• Case 9: December 14, 1987 (Near Launceston): A witness reported lights following his car, an object landing on the road, and the car being pulled towards the object despite the handbrake being on. The object then took off with a high-pitched whine.

Peeping-tom UFO

This brief news item from Mercury (3/10/91) describes a UFO escorting a truck driver to his home in Hungary, shining a green beam into the room through the curtains.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing investigation of UFO phenomena in Tasmania by TUFOIC, the analysis of UFO sighting statistics, and the exploration of potential explanations for these phenomena, particularly the Extra-Terrestrial Hypothesis. The magazine also highlights cases involving unusual physical effects, such as 'invisible forces' impacting vehicles and the environment. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation and open-minded inquiry, while also acknowledging the possibility of hoaxes and the need for critical analysis, as seen in the crop circle reports. The publication aims to inform its members and the public about UFOlogy, encouraging further research and discussion.

This issue of the CHRONICLE, dated June 29, 1991, features a prominent cover story titled "'Three silent cigar-shaped' objects sweep over Coast." The magazine includes a collection of 'Notes' detailing numerous UFO sightings with vehicle interference effects, a statistical breakdown of RAAF UFO investigations, and a piece on 'Companions' for spacecraft. It also contains information on TUFOIC membership and publications.

Notes on UFO Sightings

The 'Notes' section compiles a variety of UFO encounters, many of which involve direct interaction with vehicles. These incidents span several decades and geographical locations:

• July 1968, River Turvo, Brazil: An orange spinning light caused wind that broke branches off trees.
• January 11, 1967, Aveyron, France: A saucer and its occupants approached a vehicle, causing the car to stop and a roadside sign to vibrate.
• June 28, 1973, Columbia, USA: Trees moved back and forth during the close approach of a silvery white elliptical object.
• November 28, 1980, Todmorden, England: A dome object rotated above the road, shaking leaves on nearby trees.
• January 20, 1984, Midland, West Australia: Light phenomena were observed, with trees nearby blowing as if in a gale.
• June 12, 1958, LeBrusc, France: An orange/red globe moved across the sea, creating a wave.
• March 29, 1974, Togo, West Africa: A UFO hovered over the sea, causing surges of water up the beach.
• March 31, 1966, Peoria, Illinois, USA: A large blue object hovered over a car and took control, rendering the driver's brakes and steering ineffective. The object reportedly directed the car's course for several miles.
• April 15, 1967, Jonestown, Penn., USA: A car was reportedly pulled towards an approaching UFO, with functions returning to normal after the object departed.
• December 12, 1967, Ithaca, New York, USA: A round dome-object extended a beam onto a car and took control, moving the vehicle 15 feet off the highway.
• 1971, Cuers, France: A motorist's car was lifted off the road by an orange ball that appeared ahead of it. The light extinguished, and the vehicle was damaged upon falling back to the road.
• May 14, 1971, Alberta, Canada: A bright light was seen near a car, and the car motor kept running as the driver found the car moving forward just above the ground for a quarter of a mile.
• September 20, 1971, Ojebyn, Sweden: A motorist was surrounded by beams of light, and the car was pushed forward despite the brakes being on.
• October 3, 1971, Anapolis, Brazil: A motorist claimed their car sped up to 160 km/h as a ball of light paced it, with no control over the speed.
• October 15, 1973, Allentown, Penn., USA: A rotating object with bands was seen by a motorist. The car turned right, and the witness was unable to steer as the car came to rest facing the opposite direction.
• May 30, 1974, Zimbabwe (Rhodesia): A UFO paced a car, and the witness was unable to control the car, with no braking or steering. The car traveled 160 kilometers even with no accelerator.
• 1978, Union, USA: A witness's car was shoved 300 meters out of control by a brilliant area of light that came up behind it.
• 1982, Frisolino, Italy: A truck was surrounded by light. The driver could not see, but the truck moved on its own, covering several kilometers in the opposite direction.
• October 15, 1983, Bellwood, Ohio, USA: A silver disc passed over a car, lifting it one meter onto two wheels before moving on, causing the car to drop hard onto the road.
• January 20, 1988, Penong, Australia: A driver of a camper van reported flashing beams of light that buffeted the van as if by wind, bending the radio antenna and removing a gas bottle from the roof.
• January 20, 1988, Mundrabilla, West Australia: Witnesses reported their vehicle was lifted from the road by a UFO, experiencing smell, noise, and dust before the car was dropped violently to the ground.

Breakdown of RAAF UFO Investigations

This section provides a statistical summary of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) UFO investigations from 1960 to 1980. A total of 1258 reports were analyzed, with 102 classified as 'unknowns', representing 8.1% of the total. The table details the year, total reports, number and percentage of 'unknowns', and the source of information for each year. It notes that some 'unknowns' were excluded due to insufficient information or probable explanations.

'Three silent cigar-shaped' objects sweep over Coast

This article reports on a recent surge of UFO sightings on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. A Maroochydore woman described seeing "three silent cigar-shaped" unidentified flying objects (UFOs) sweep across the coast. Other sightings include a silver-white light near Caloundra airport and a comet-like object with a long white tail seen by a Marcus Beach woman. A particularly "very exciting" sighting occurred at Pomona, where a huge white star-like object settled above a house, emitting high and low beams and causing distress to animals and children, which are described as normal UFO reactions. A fisherman at Buddina Beach reported a bright orange-red UFO. Jeffrey Spiro, co-ordinator for UFO Research Queensland, suggests the cigar-shaped craft are "motherships" carrying smaller disc-type UFOs and believes there may be a base for them in the area. Sightings of similar UFOs on the Sunshine Coast were also recorded in 1966, 1983, and the previous year.

Crop Circle Theories

Dr. Terence Meaden, a leading scientist investigating crop circles, is quoted as stating that all but the simple circles are the work of hoaxers. However, he maintains his theory that simple circles are made naturally by a "vortex," a miniature whirlwind of electrically-charged matter.

'Companions' for spacecraft

This short piece discusses historical instances of mysterious objects accompanying spacecraft. It mentions John Glenn's sighting of "flying fireflies" (later identified as ice) during his Friendship 7 flight in 1962. It also references Robert Michael White's observation of a large sheet of paper tumbling alongside his X-15 space plane at high speed and altitude, also attributed to ice. The article notes that astronauts have videotaped similar objects in 1988 and 1989, and that a "space bumper" – a slightly curved strip resembling a car bumper – was sighted by astronauts on Saturday and had been seen on earlier shuttle missions.

TUFOIC Membership Information

The final section provides details about TUFOIC (Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre), describing it as a serious-minded civilian organization dedicated to investigating UFO reports scientifically and objectively. It outlines membership rates for Australia and other countries, including full membership and publications-only subscriptions. Payment methods and a form for wishing to become a member or subscribe are included. A list of TUFOIC publications, such as the "Tasmanian U.F.O. Sightings Catalogue" and "Tasmanian UFO Landings Catalogue," is also provided with their prices.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, particularly those involving vehicle interference, and the systematic investigation of these phenomena. The magazine adopts an objective stance, presenting data and witness accounts without drawing definitive conclusions, instead emphasizing the need for further research. The inclusion of RAAF investigation statistics and TUFOIC's organizational details highlights a commitment to rigorous, data-driven analysis of UFO reports. The crop circle section suggests a scientific approach to understanding natural phenomena that may be mistaken for artificial creations. The overall editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena.