TUFOIC Newsletter - No 082 - Oct-Nov 1997

Magazine Overview

Title: TUFOIC Newsletter
Issue: Edition 82
Date: October/November 1997
Publisher: TUFOIC (Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre)
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of the TUFOIC Newsletter, dated October/November 1997, covers a range of unexplained phenomena, primarily focusing on UFO sightings and related events. It includes reports from Tasmania, other parts of Australia, and international incidents, alongside astronomical observations and updates on ongoing investigations.

The UFO Scene

The "UFO Scene" section notes a general lack of Close Encounter reports locally in Australia, with only a couple of sightings added to the year's total. Reports investigated by early October numbered 91, with a low percentage (8.7%) of probable unexplained cases, a significant decrease from the previous year's 29%. Many reports were attributed to space debris burn-up or meteors.

A notable incident on September 11th involved two witnesses in Hobart and the Derwent Valley who observed an area lit by flashes of light, followed by a bright light moving west. One witness heard a rumbling noise after the light disappeared, which was likely due to a fireball breaking up. Surprisingly, only one other witness contacted the center about this phenomenon, possibly due to thick cloud cover.

The infamous "UFO Slime" material reappeared in Brighton, where a witness found a jelly-like substance in their backyard. The origin of this material remains undetermined.

Recent Reports

This section details specific sightings:

Fishermen Sight Lights off West Coast (June 23rd, 7:30 PM)

At Point Hibbs, Tasmania, fishermen J and his father observed a group of three lights to the west, exhibiting erratic movements, including sideways motion, anti-clockwise circles, and sudden shifts in position. The lights moved north, lost elevation, and eventually disappeared behind an island.

Something in the Huon Sky (September 10th, 10:30 PM)

In Port Huon, Tasmania, two individuals sleeping in a lounge room witnessed a large, multi-colored boomerang-shaped light with trailing sparks. The light made sudden, complex movements before disappearing. P's mother confirmed the girls were excited and wide-eyed but saw no sign of the lights upon arrival.

Yachtsman Sights UFO off Flinders Island (December 1987)

Mr W reported an erratic light off East Kangaroo Island, west of Flinders Island. Initially appearing as a star, the light moved in a straight path, then performed zigzag movements, and accelerated rapidly towards the southern horizon, becoming a streak of light before disappearing within 30 seconds.

Landing at Ringarooma in 1969

Mrs G reported a landing witnessed by her family in North East Tasmania. A white light with green and red lights landed in a paddock, illuminating the area brightly. Puffs of steam or smoke were seen hanging from nearby trees. The oval-shaped object had portholes, and smaller lights descended to the ground. After 20 minutes, the object rose, moved across the paddock, and shot into the sky at high speed.

Other News

Ufo Halts Bus In Chile (July 24, 1997)

A bus carrying 42 passengers on the Panamerican Highway in northern Chile lost all electrical power near Cerro Moreno Mountain. Passengers reported seeing four lights—three round and one cigar-shaped—changing colors. After the lights disappeared, the bus engine restarted, and the journey to Santiago resumed. Local authorities suggested the lights were weather balloons.

Crop Circles Appear In Saskatchewan (August 1997)

Three crop circles were reported in a wheat field on the Kawacatoose Indian Reserve in Panashi, Saskatchewan, Canada. The formation included a large circle and two smaller satellite circles, described as resembling half of a Celtic cross. This was the first Canadian crop circle incident of 1997. Another crop circle was reported later in August in the same area. Both cases were under investigation by the RCMP.

Skywatch

Edited by Joseph Trainor, this section provides astronomical observations for November:

• Mercury: Visible low in the western evening sky, reaching greatest elongation on the 28th.
• Venus: Dominates the western evening sky, reaching greatest elongation on November 6th.
• Mars: Visible low in the western evening sky, identifiable by its reddish color.
• Jupiter: A prominent object visible high in the evening sky.
• Saturn: Reached opposition on October 10th and is visible all night, at its best for observation. The Cassini spacecraft's journey to Saturn is ongoing.

The information was adapted from the Astronomical Society of Tasmania Bulletin.

Stop Press

This section highlights ongoing investigations into three recent cases:

• Bronte Lagoon (September 22nd): Lights seen in a V formation that changed to a line.
• Reedy Marsh (September 25th): A bright light hovering over a home and moving south.
• Westbury (October 8th): A farmer reported a burnt ring (70/80cm wide, 4-5m diameter) in a paddock.

Contact Information

Readers are encouraged to report sightings to Keith at TUFOIC via telephone or mail. The newsletter emphasizes reliance on member contributions for information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The TUFOIC Newsletter consistently focuses on unexplained aerial phenomena, UFO sightings, and related mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and reporting of such events, encouraging public participation and providing a platform for sharing experiences. The publication aims to document and analyze these occurrences, distinguishing between mundane explanations and genuinely puzzling incidents. There is a clear emphasis on UFOs as a subject of serious inquiry, as evidenced by the detailed reports and the involvement of organizations like the National UFO Reporting Centre.