TUFOIC Newsletter - No 070 - September 1993

Magazine Overview

Title: TUFOIC NEWSLETTER
Issue Date: September 1993
Publisher: TUFOIC
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of the TUFOIC NEWSLETTER, Edition 70, focuses on UFO investigations, recent sightings, and related astronomical events. The publication aims to document and analyze UFO phenomena, providing a platform for witness accounts and research.

Editorial

The editorial section outlines the primary objective of TUFOIC: to investigate UFO sightings in the state and compile these reports into the TASCAT Computer file. It notes that printouts and statistics are available from the center. The editorial also discusses the stimulus for explained reports, including misidentifications of vessels on the Tamar River, distant lighting, and hilltop buildings. It mentions that while many photographs received have mundane explanations (processing faults, dust on lens, light reflections), one photograph remains unexplained. The past year saw a minor 'flap' in September/October, with numerous reports across Australia, though Tasmania experienced low activity. Internationally, no major 'flaps' were monitored. The abduction scene featuring the Linda Neapolitana case is mentioned as continuing in the United States, while the English Crop Circle scene has seen no recent word. The editorial also touches on the movie 'Fire in the Sky' and its deviation from the original Travis Walton abduction story.

TUFOIC Operations and Network

The newsletter announces that TUFOIC has been forced to withdraw from the ParaNet Computer Email network due to increasing access costs. The estimated annual cost of $270 per year, which has tripled due to longer phone calls, is beyond the organization's current income after servicing its members. The executive will re-evaluate re-admittance when access times are reduced or sufficient funds are available.

LUFOS Team Members Film UFO

This section details an event on August 1st, where LUFOS investigator Stephen Trench was on holiday in Wiltshire, England. His wife, Gillian, video-recorded a UFO at 02:20 am over an isolated area. The recording clearly shows a bright, maneuvering light in the sky that changes brightness, distance, and direction. This rare occurrence was shown to LUFOS members at a committee meeting. Roy Lake had previously contacted SKY Television to view the footage.

Astronomy and Space

Sky Watch

This new column aims to provide details of upcoming astronomical and space-related events. It notes that Venus is currently visible as a very bright white star-like light in the early morning sky, low to the east, and will remain so until December before becoming an evening object. A partial eclipse of the Sun is expected on the morning of November 14th, visible from most of S.E. Australia, including Tasmania. Auroral activity is declining but spectacular displays may still occur, with Paul Jackson reporting one on September 19th. The Mars Observer space probe has been silent since August 25th and is presumed lost.

Tasmanian Sightings

Evandale (January 12th, 1993)

A witness in Evandale observed a rapidly spinning series of lights to the east, appearing round through binoculars. The lights were stationary for a time before receding and fading from view over about 15 minutes. Air Traffic Control had no knowledge of any air traffic in the area.

Launceston (May 29th, 1993)

Witnesses in Launceston saw two bright orange lights moving in unison from the north. They followed the lights to Talbot Road Look Out and then towards Youngtown, where they lost sight of them as they moved into overcast sky.

Bincheno (May 10th, 1993)

A local tourist guide and tourists saw a light over the sea that changed colors from red to yellow to green and blue. The light arced across the sky, spiraled down, and performed figure-eight and circular movements before fading after about 10 minutes.

Missing Items

TUFOIC is seeking the return of two VHS video tapes: one containing various TV programmes on Crop Circles, and another on loan from a member containing UFO and related programmes. Also missing is a Folder containing UFO Investigation manuals, which are the only copies and are needed. Members are asked to contact any executive member or leave items at the ABC CENTRE in Hobart, addressed to Paul Jackson.

Tasmania Sightings

Forcet (1983)

A witness staying with friends near Forcet saw a bright light approaching from the northwest. The light resolved into a silvery/grey rectangle shape with a central square area above, through which dark figures were visible. The object moved south silently, losing elevation and disappearing towards hills and trees.

North East of Flinders Island (June 21st, 1985)

A witness on a ketch sailing across Bass Strait observed six bright green lights under the water, about 100m ahead of the vessel. The lights, approximately 6m across, maintained their positions as the ketch approached.

Tamar Valley (February 21st, 1989)

A light aircraft pilot on night circuits at Launceston Airport reported a light in the northern sky. The local Tower alerted the pilot to a possible illegal entry into airspace. The pilot followed the light, which seemed to stay ahead of the aircraft. Evasive action was required as the light approached, and the pursuit was broken off over Bass Strait.

Scamander (December 29th, 1991)

While on holiday, a witness observed a circular area of reddish light with green and blue flashes, with orange lights circling the edge. The witness took three photographs of the object, which then shot off to the east and disappeared over the sea.

Mt Nelson (January 11th, 1993)

A witness saw a very bright shining yellow light just above the treeline from her bedroom window. Despite overcast skies, the light remained stationary for 10 minutes before disappearing. She returned to bed but looked out again later and it was no longer there.

Guest Speakers

June Meeting

Dr. Jurgen Keil, a Parapsychologist, spoke on Perception, Hallucination, Missing Time, and the value of hypnosis in relation to UFO events.

September Meeting

Martin George, President of the Astronomical Society of Tasmania, presented a talk on general aspects of Astronomy, illustrated with slides, titled "ASTRONOMY IS LOOKING UP."

England Sightings

A Flying Saucer Above the Back Garden!

Mrs. Jane Black (pseudonym) of Maidstone, Kent, reported that on April 8th, 1992, at 05:30 am, she and her husband were awoken by a bright light. Mr. Black described the object as a large cigar-shaped "fluorescent tube-coloured solid light with a smaller pulsating light on top." Her son observed the object move a few yards across the sky after about 10 minutes, juddering slightly before the move. No report of this sighting appeared in the papers.

Lights in the Sky Video-Recorded Over Cornwall

During 1992, a family living near Liskeard, Cornwall, video-recorded flashing orange lights on two occasions. Camcorder operator Geoffrey Hall noted that the lights blinked on and off, reappearing in different positions. The video recordings, each about 12 minutes long, are being analyzed by the Plymouth UFO Research Group, who reported the lights were flashing on and off several times per second, and that the cases were not hoaxes.

Evening Herald Report

A report from the Evening Herald (Plymouth, Devon, December 2nd, 1992) mentions that a film crew descended on Head Office to film both witnesses and Roy Lake regarding the Cornwall sighting. The crew also filmed at Pole Hill and interviewed witnesses at Head Office. They then went to Manchester to film ufologist Harry Harris. The final edited film was promised for the August/September edition of SKY NEWS.

Note on Skywatches

Anyone interested in attending a skywatch should contact the Chairman at Head Office. Skywatches are not publicly announced due to the possibility of undesirable participants. Local police are informed of the organization's activities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, investigations, and the challenges faced by organizations like TUFOIC and LUFOS in documenting and disseminating information. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation and reporting, while also acknowledging the practical limitations such as rising costs and the need for public awareness. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of witness testimony and photographic/video evidence, while also maintaining a critical approach to explanations. The inclusion of astronomical news suggests a broader interest in unexplained phenomena beyond just UFOs. The publication also highlights the collaborative efforts between different UFO research groups, such as TUFOIC and LUFOS.