TUFOIC Newsletter - No 090 - August 2001

Magazine Overview

Title: TUFOIC
Issue: August 2001 - Edition 90
Publisher: Tasmanian Unidentified Flying Object Investigation Centre (TUFOIC)
Country: Australia
Date: August 2001

This issue of the TUFOIC newsletter provides an overview of the year's unidentified flying object (UFO) activity in Tasmania, with a particular focus on cases supported by video evidence. The publication also details specific sightings, statistical data, and information on astronomical events.

The Year to Date

The year 2001 has been busier than usual for the Centre, with incoming calls remaining consistent with the previous year. However, the appearance of three cases supported by video evidence has generated significant interest. The newsletter details these cases:

• Port Sorell Sighting (June 21st): Reported in the Burnie Advocate, two sisters saw a bright light low to the east near dawn. They captured the light on video as it moved higher and faded. Investigation by Martin George of the Launceston Planetarium and the Centre suggested Venus as the most likely cause.
• Launceston Sighting (July 9th): A witness emailed details of flashing red, green, and blue lights seen moving away towards the northwest horizon. Investigation to date has ruled out satellites and planets.
• Burnie Sighting (March 14th): A witness was filming the replica vessel Endeavour sailing into Burnie when a dark blob appeared in the viewfinder. The object travelled from east to west over Bass Strait, appearing to move behind the Endeavour before disappearing. Simple analysis suggests it could be a bird at close range, given the vessel was 2 km distant. The report questions if others saw the blob, noting it was only visible for a few seconds.

The Launceston Examiner published a comprehensive two-page spread on the Centre in early July, including past sightings and a full run-down of report statistics since 1965, which TUFOIC believes to be the longest unbroken run in Australia.

Tasmanian Unidentified Reports

The media coverage prompted the response of older cases, which are detailed in this section:

• 1999 Sighting: One witness reported monitoring lights at ground level and then observing them gain elevation into the dawn sky.
• 1974 Sighting (near Ledgerwood): This sighting occurred during a significant UFO flap. A witness and friend encountered an object about 50 meters from the roadside. It was described as a disc-shaped object with a dome and porthole lights, approximately 10-15 meters in diameter, hovering just above the ground with a bright beam of light extending about 5 meters across at its base. The witnesses left the scene quickly.
• August 1974 Sighting (Scamander): The witness's sketch of the object is very similar to the Ledgerwood report.
• Recent Sightings: Venus has been responsible for several sightings, as have stars with scintillating colors. A 'hoax balloon' report from Lauderdale in May described a bright red light rising and drifting.

Tasmanian Stats to July 2001

• The compiled statistics show:
• Unidentified: 8
• Astronomical: 20
• Aircraft: 3
• Satellites: 13
• Meteorological: 0
• Balloons: 2
• Other: 3
• Insufficient Info: 0
• Total Reports: 49

Specific Case Files

The newsletter details several specific cases:

• 1983, Night, Seven Mile Beach: A silver/white ball of light with an aura appeared alongside a car, travelling with it for about 2 minutes before ascending and disappearing.
• 1997, Sept/Oct, 7.30pm, Lillico: Following publicity, a witness reported seeing lights of a low-flying object approach from the sea. Later, a large triangle-shaped object with three colored lights was observed, which then transformed into a red ball of light before disappearing.
• 1999, March 29th, Dusk to dawn, Tippogoree Hill: A witness observed a bright floodlight, which binoculars revealed to be a very bright yellow cross coming from a shell-type structure. The landing area was a clear patch in rough scrub.
• 2001, April 5th, 5.15am, Beaconsfield: A bright white light was seen moving northwards, accelerating ahead of a car, and reappearing in different directions. Venus was noted as not rising until after 6 am, raising questions about the earlier sighting.
• 2001, May 18th, 7.22am, Newstead: Witnesses observed a silver metallic shape, initially oval then teardrop with an orange/red shield and rotating balls. A faint droning sound was reported.
• 2001, May 31st, 6.30pm, East Devonport: Two very bright, round, metallic-colored objects travelled in unison in a zigzag pattern across the road and over Bass Strait, appearing about two moons apart.
• 2001, July 9th, 11.14pm, Norwood: A witness recorded a video of a flashing light in the sky, cycling through red, green, and blue colors. The object appeared larger than Mars and moved significantly across the sky in about 3 minutes.

Welcome to our new Northern Representative

Daniel Lowe is introduced as the new Northern Representative, with contact details provided.

Advocate Video

An item in the Burnie newspaper about a 'mystery light' video was investigated by the Centre and the Launceston Planetarium, which identified the light as planet Venus.

TUFOIC Publications

A list of available TUFOIC publications is provided, including:

• Tasmanian U.F.O. Sightings Catalogue TASCAT 2000 ($3.00)
• Tasmanian UFO Landings Catalogue - Third Edition ($3.00)
• Cressy Document ($3.00)
• Maatsuyker Island Document ($3.00)
• North-East Tasmania - 1974 Document ($3.00)
• UFO Tasmania Magazines (Annual Report Magazine, single editions $1.00)
• Mysterious Melodale ($3.00)

All prices include return postage (surface mail only). Payment options include money order or bank cheque for Australia and international money order or bank cheque for overseas.

A graph shows Tasmanian UFO Sightings during 5-year periods from 1948-1999.

Leonid Meteor Shower - November 2001

This section provides information about the Leonid meteor shower expected in November 2001. While Tasmania is not ideally placed for a meteor storm, a good display is still anticipated. The best time to view is November 19th, from 3:30 AM until dawn, looking towards the northeast sky about 20 degrees above the horizon. The article explains that meteors are small particles of dust colliding with the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to glow. Tips for observing meteors include seeking dark skies, reclining for comfort, and viewing a wide expanse of the sky.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed reporting and investigation of UFO sightings in Tasmania, the use of video evidence, and the statistical tracking of these phenomena over decades. TUFOIC maintains a stance of rigorous investigation, attempting to identify conventional explanations (like Venus or aircraft) where possible, but also documenting unexplained cases. The newsletter serves as a record of UFO activity and a resource for observers, providing information on past events and astronomical phenomena. The emphasis on long-term statistical data highlights a commitment to systematic study within the field of UFOlogy.