TUFOIC Newsletter - No 083 - 1998

Magazine Overview

Title: Tasmanian UFO Report
Issue: 1998
Publisher: Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC)
Country: Australia
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Editorial and Executive

The TUFOIC Executive for 1998 included Keith Roberts and Paul Jackson as Chairpersons, with Keith Roberts also serving as Investigations Coordinator/Secretary. Matt. Whayman was the Liaison Officer and part of the Editorial Committee. Ray Thomas managed the Library, and the Editorial Committee also included Paul Jackson. State Area Representatives were Jacob Willard (North/Launceston), Andrew Mott (North-West/Burnie), and Jenny Lyne (East Coast).

TUFOIC Aims and Membership

The principal aims of TUFOIC are to conduct investigations into Tasmanian UFO reports, collect and examine information on the UFO phenomena, and distribute this information to members, fellow UFO organizations in Australia and overseas, and the general public through publications and media. Membership is open to all who support the Centre's aims and have a serious interest in the UFO phenomena. Information and sample newsletters can be obtained by writing to the Membership secretary or by attending meetings.

Tasmanian Statistics

The report includes statistics on UFO reports in Tasmania from 1965 to 1996, showing a fluctuating number of reports and UFOs sighted each year. For 1997, a total of 108 reports were categorized, with the largest numbers being 'Astronomical' (39), 'Ground lights/Flares' (15), and 'Unidentified' (9).

1997 In Review

The year 1997 saw a significant increase in media, internet, and printed coverage of the UFO phenomena. The retirement of Keith Basterfield, a prominent Australian investigator, was noted as a loss. Incoming calls to the Centre were spread throughout the year, with a flurry in January-February and June-July. Unexplained cases were often distant lights. Membership remained stable despite a fall in reports and lack of meetings, partly due to the loss of the Glenorchy Library as a meeting location, with meetings moving to the Moonah Community Centre.

Scientific Panel: UFO Evidence Bears Investigation

A panel of nine scientists convened by the Society for Scientific Exploration met in October 1997 to examine UFO evidence. The panel's goal was not to solve the UFO problem but to inform themselves about claimed evidence and decide if further scientific study was likely to advance its resolution. The panel reviewed evidence including photographs, video records, spectroscopic data, radar records, and reports of malfunctions and injuries. Jean-Jacques Velasco of CNES presented evidence of soil and vegetation damage associated with a landing in France. The panel included scientists from France, Germany, and the United States.

Tasmanian Sightings (1997)

The report details numerous specific sightings from Tasmania in 1997:

• January 14, 1997 (Launceston): Six reports of an object with three flashing lights and a loud noise.
• February 7, 1997 (Westbury): A white cigar-shaped object moved slowly, then vertically descended.
• April 28, 1997 (Lyell Highway): A motorist reported unexplained red and green pulsating lights.
• June 24, 1997 (Lachlan): A bright white light circle was observed at ground level.
• June 23, 1997 (Point Hibbs): A fisherman observed three lights (red and green) that moved erratically.
• September 10, 1997 (Port Huon): Two friends saw a multi-coloured boomerang-shaped light.
• September 22, 1997 (Bronte Lagoon): A fisherman and friend saw lights in an arrow head formation.
• November 15, 1997 (Glen Huon): Witnesses saw a large circle of light and a line of white lights.
• December 10, 1997 (Perth): A woman observed lights with a zigzag movement.

International UFO Scene

• Chile (January 1998):
• January 4: A family in Angol reported an oval-shaped UFO with a bright light and dark structure.
• January 17: A bright white/gold light was seen over Santiago, stopping and then shooting back.
• January 24: Two balls of light and a third slower one were seen near El Cajon del Maipo. Later, a cigar/egg-shaped UFO was observed on the Rio Maipo, emitting a high-pitched tone and a strange mist.
• Later: A hovering UFO, described as moon-like but smaller and white-colored, was observed near San Jose de Maipo and faded away.

• Texas, USA (January 24, 1998):
• A cylinder-shaped UFO was observed in Leander, moving in a northerly direction. Photos were taken, and a dark helicopter was later observed.

Australian UFO Reports in 1997

Pages 8 and 9 provide a detailed chronological list of UFO reports from various Australian states in 1997, including date, time, type, location, and notes on the sighting. Sources for these reports include TUFOIC, VUFORS, UFORQ, UFORSA, UFO Hotline, and others.

Iridium Satellites - Identified Flying Objects

This section explains that many UFO sightings may be caused by Iridium satellites, a new breed of telecommunications satellites launched in 1997. These satellites are visible due to their reflective surfaces, particularly their antennae, which can produce very bright flares (up to magnitude -7), far brighter than Venus. The article provides information on how to observe these flares and lists websites for prediction programs. The Iridium system is a satellite-based wireless personal communications network.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings, investigations, and statistics, emphasizing the collection and dissemination of data. There's an underlying theme of seeking scientific validation for UFO phenomena, as seen in the 'Scientific Panel' section. The report also acknowledges the challenges in finding definitive answers and the potential for misidentification, such as with Iridium satellites. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and reporting, encouraging public interest and participation while maintaining a critical and analytical approach to the data.

This document, the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre Annual Report 1998, focuses on the burgeoning field of satellite communication technology and its potential impact on UFO reporting, alongside details about TUFOIC membership and publications.

Satellite Communication Systems

The report details several upcoming satellite communication networks. The Iridium network, initially planned with 840 satellites but scaled back to 288, will consist of 66 interconnected satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 780 kilometers. These satellites will orbit in 6 planes with 11 operational satellites each, plus a spare, and are designed to communicate directly with handheld phones. The network operates by relaying conversations between satellites for uninterrupted transmission, with services planned to commence around September/October 1998.

Beyond Iridium, the report mentions other systems on the horizon. Globalstar is a 48-satellite constellation launching its first satellites into LEO at 1400 km. Teledesic aims to provide internet access via satellite, enabling web browsing, video conferencing, and multimedia access at megabit speeds without wires. A next-generation system named Celestri, developed by Motorola, is planned to replace Iridium in five to eight years, launching 63 satellites starting in 2001 and utilizing a combination of LEO and geostationary satellites.

Another system, SkyBridge, will feature 64 low-earth orbiting satellites, expected to begin operation by the end of 2001. Several countries, including Russia, Singapore, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, are also developing competing satellite communication systems. These systems will involve large constellations of satellites working together, relaying messages like 'pinball' until they reach a satellite over the destination.

The report notes that this era represents an unprecedented commercialization of space, with an estimated 1,200 commercial satellites to be launched in the next 10 years, two-thirds of which will be new, smaller, cheaper, and more powerful low-level models.

Impact on UFO Reporting

A significant concern raised is the potential for these new satellite systems to generate numerous false UFO sightings. Ufologists are already grappling with identifying man-made objects that can be mistaken for UFOs. The report specifically states that Iridium satellites will likely cause unwanted UFO sightings because people unfamiliar with their behavior will report them, not recognizing them as common satellites. The report suggests that becoming aware of these systems will help identify such 'flares' for what they are: Identified Flying Objects.

TUFOIC Membership and Publications

The second part of the document details TUFOIC (Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre) membership and publications. TUFOIC describes itself as a serious-minded civilian organization that investigates UFO reports scientifically and objectively, aiming to make reliable information available. The organization draws no conclusions beyond the existence of unexplained phenomena requiring research. Authentic reports are included in their TASCAT database and made available to researchers and the public.

TUFOIC is based in Hobart, Tasmania, and maintains contact with other organizations and researchers in Australia and overseas. Membership is open to anyone interested in the UFO subject. For those not wishing to become members but wanting to stay informed, a publications-only subscription is available.

The document provides a membership application form and lists subscription rates for within Australia and other countries (via air or surface mail). Payment options include money orders or bank cheques for Australia and international money orders for overseas.

• A list of TUFOIC publications is also provided, including:
• TASCAT 1996 - The Tasmanian UFO Sightings Catalogue (over 500 cases)
• Tasmanian UFO Landings Catalogue - Third Edition
• Cressy Document (significant UFO sighting in Cressy)
• Maatsuyker Island Document (intriguing UFO reports from the island)
• North-East Tasmania 1974 Document (UFO flap in 1974)
• Tasmanian UFO Annual Report Magazines (a full 20-issue set from 1978-1997 is available for $15.00, with single editions at $1.00).

All prices include return postage via surface mail. Overseas air mail rates require an additional 20% to the total order.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme is the intersection of technological advancement in space commercialization and its impact on the field of ufology. The report adopts an informative and cautionary stance, highlighting the need for ufologists and the public to distinguish between genuine anomalous phenomena and the increasing number of man-made objects, particularly satellites, that can be mistaken for UFOs. The editorial stance is one of scientific investigation and data dissemination, as evidenced by TUFOIC's mission and its detailed publications.