TUFOIC Newsletter - No 067 - October 1992

Magazine Overview

Title: TUFOIC NEWSLETTER
Issue: 67
Date: October 1992 Edition
Publisher: Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre
Country: Australia

This issue of the TUFOIC Newsletter, number 67 from October 1992, addresses the high level of public interest in UFO phenomena, despite a reported lull in sightings in Tasmania. It covers recent cases, discusses the nature of UFO research and 'experts,' and touches upon crop circle hoaxes and alien abduction claims.

Interest at a High

The lead article notes that interest in UFO phenomena is high, fueled by television programs, newspaper articles, and general inquiries. The recent opening of 'UFO Connection' in Hobart, a business aimed at collecting public sightings, has further increased exposure. However, Tasmania has experienced a 'drought' of UFO reports over the past twelve months, with only two Nocturnal Lights sightings recorded. Despite increased publicity, skeptics expected a wave of reports, which has not materialized.

The article details two recent cases: one in April at Strahan (covered in the mid-year newsletter) and a second on August 9th at 6:30 pm in Glenorchy. The Glenorchy sighting involved three witnesses who described a yellow, upright, pencil-shaped light in the North Western sky. Sparks or lights appeared to fall from beneath the object before disappearing. The object moved at a high elevation towards the South East, lasting about one and a half minutes. Immediate checks found no aircraft in the area. The newsletter also mentions older cases, including an auto stop report at Glen Huon in 1968, a daylight disc sighting near Anthill Ponds in 1969, and erratic lights over Mt Wellington in May 1980, promising more details in future publications.

Guest Editorial: JUST CAUS NEWSLETTER (Citizens Against UFO Secrecy- USA)

This editorial addresses the confusion and dissatisfaction some individuals feel regarding UFO research, describing it as 'very confusing' and 'incredibly bizarre' due to conflicting ideas and controversy. It acknowledges that new people entering the field may struggle to comprehend both the phenomenon and the people involved. The editorial notes that reliable sources of information are often not easily available and can be costly, making UFO research a financial burden for some.

The author suggests that pursuing UFO research can motivate self-education in fields like astronomy, meteorology, and psychology. Contrary to some opinions, an interest in UFOs does not necessarily lead people down 'wrong pathways' but can channel them into serious, knowledge-based fields. The piece encourages individuals to carve their own niche and to perceive UFO interest as a valid pursuit, not necessarily indicative of instability.

It also cautions against self-proclaimed 'UFO EXPERTS,' stating that true expertise in such an unknown field is questionable. Readers are advised to judge information based on its logic and sensibility, rather than the credentials or affiliations of the source. The editorial emphasizes that everyone starts with a lack of knowledge and encourages patience and self-belief in pursuing UFOs. It urges readers to disregard untruth, greed, and pomposity, and to express such views constructively to contribute positively to the field.

Crop Circle Chaos

Anne Fellowes writes about the apparent decline in crop circle reports for the current year. She notes that the season began with intricate pictograms, but suggests that the phenomenon has become a national pastime of 'testing believers,' with many individuals creating circles. The article highlights a commercial 'Crop Circle Hoaxing Competition' in England, which Fellowes finds indicative of the intelligence behind the 'real' circles shaking its head.

Stop Press....Dark Shapes and Rumours

This section reports on several recent sightings and rumors. On Sunday, September 13th, numerous calls were received from George Town to Hobart about something blazing across the sky around 9:10 pm. Witnesses described a bright light that broke up into multiple lights with tails and sparks moving across the eastern sky, lasting between 10 and 30 seconds. Initial checks suggested it might be space junk or a meteor burning up.

On Tuesday, two rumors reached the Centre: one via 'UFO Connection' and another from 'The Mercury' newspaper. The story involved a cigar-shaped object seen from Australian Airlines Flight 405 in Hobart at 1 pm on Monday, September 14th. However, telephone contacts with Civil Aviation and Australian Airlines proved fruitless, and a press release yielded no witnesses.

Among the reports was one about a dull cylinder object seen on Sunday night from near Bronte. Two witnesses observed it for over 5 minutes as it moved east, with nearby small lights merging with the main cylinder before it disappeared. Another dark rocket shape was seen heading south at Bridgewater on Monday afternoon. Both cases are under investigation.

Additionally, a VUFORS report from June 1992 details a sighting at Friendly Beach, Freycinet Peninsula, Tasmania. Three witnesses observed a bright object moving quickly from north to south, consisting of approximately six separate bright lights. It disappeared behind cloud cover. Soon after, a round disc with approximately nine separate bright lights was seen, with the lights dimming and brightening at intervals.

Aliens are on the take...

This section features a report by Barbara Novovitch from New York, discussing David Jacobs' book 'Secret Life: Firsthand Accounts of UFO Abductions.' Jacobs, a Temple University professor, presents evidence from 60 abductees who describe similar experiences of being snatched from Earth for breeding experiments. Despite the bizarre nature of the claims, Jacobs finds the consistency of the details across over 300 incidents remarkable and sees no reason to disbelieve them. Dr. John Mack of Harvard University Medical School suggests that hundreds of thousands, possibly over a million, people in the United States may have been abducted. Abductees describe their experiences as 'horrendous' and 'heart-rending,' involving physical examinations, often focusing on genitals, after being lifted by a beam of light to an unidentified flying object. The article references the 1966 Look Magazine feature on Betty and Barney Hill, who claimed abduction in 1961, and the subsequent book and television film 'The UFO Incident.'

UFO experts check Wivenhoe

This brief report states that unidentified flying object experts are investigating a possible sighting near the Wivenhoe Dam in the Brisbane Valley. Seven campers reportedly saw three yellow lights in the sky around 3 am on Sunday. The lights remained steady above the horizon before one descended and the others dimmed and disappeared. The campers found nothing unusual when they checked the area later. Martin Gottschall of UFO Research (Qld) noted that while most sightings are of lights moving across the sky, converging or crossing lights suggest a UFO.

Words fly in UFO Inc

This article discusses a dispute within UFO Research Queensland (UFORQ). A new group of 'spacewatchers' has incorporated under the same name, leading to outrage from the established UFORQ, which claims over 200 members and has operated under its name since 1956. The 'rebel' group, reportedly with seven members, demands the original group cease using the name and is seeking legal advice. The established UFORQ has issued a press release warning that the 'rebels' are not competent to handle UFO investigations, suggesting the matter is a 'war of the words' and a struggle for the name.

Our say News: Were we visited?

This editorial reflects on the numerous UFO sightings reported in the area over the previous weekend. It dismisses simple explanations like 'space junk, meteors and flashing lights' as insufficient given the volume of reports. The editorial acknowledges the dichotomy between those who believe wholeheartedly and those who dismiss UFOs entirely, with most people falling somewhere in between. It states that many people 'did see them, or at least believe they did' and that the community wants to know what they witnessed. While acknowledging that a logical explanation is the likely outcome of a thorough investigation, the editorial concludes that a 'niggling doubt' will remain in many minds until such an investigation is completed.

Near miss of earth by space object

This short news item reports that a mystery space object swooped within 460,000 km of Earth on May 6th, 1992. Astronomers at the University of Arizona are using radar observations to determine if the object was an asteroid or space junk.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes a critical yet open-minded approach to UFO research. It emphasizes the importance of logical analysis over blind belief or reliance on supposed 'experts.' The recurring theme of skepticism towards claims of expertise is evident, as is the encouragement for individuals to conduct their own research and form their own conclusions. The issue also highlights the challenges faced by researchers, including the cost of information and the often-confusing nature of the subject. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging diligent investigation while remaining grounded in rational thought, acknowledging the possibility of the phenomenon while cautioning against sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims. The presence of crop circle hoaxes and the detailed accounts of abductions suggest an interest in a wide spectrum of UFO-related phenomena, but with a clear emphasis on discerning fact from fiction.