TUFOIC Newsletter - No 096 - October 2004

Magazine Overview

This issue of the TUFOIC Newsletter, dated October 2004 (Edition 96), focuses on the year-to-date UFO activity, particularly in Tasmania, while also referencing international incidents and historical cases. The publication is from TUFOIC, an organization based in South Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

Year to Date 2004

The lead article, "YEAR TO DATE 2004," highlights a significant decline in UFO reports in Tasmania. TUFOIC suggests that based on current data, they could almost present a case for the non-existence of UFO phenomena in Tasmania, as calls to their center are down and only one unexplained sighting has been recorded as of October 2004. Looking back over the preceding twelve months (September 2003 to September 2004), only three UFO sightings were recorded, marking a twelve-month low. Despite this local trend, the newsletter notes that the UFO mystery persists globally, with South America continuing to be a source of reports and Canada experiencing a marked upswing in cases during 2004. The issue also recalls earlier in the year the Mexican Air Force's encounters with objects recorded on infra-red instruments, which the military could not explain.

The article draws a parallel between the Mexican incident and the Belgian Air Force encounter from the early nineties, where radar and visual sightings of mystery lights also remained unexplained. TUFOIC expresses hope that the Mexican sightings will not meet the same fate of being ignored, emphasizing the steady accumulation of high-quality data over the past 50 years.

Locally, the newsletter addresses the frustration of dealing with numerous 'orange light' reports, often attributed to 'garbage bag balloons.' These reports, common in Franklin and Campbell Town during winter, share features like flickering or flame-like lights that move towards the ground, disappear, or fade. The article suggests that given these common explanations, it might be time to exclude such reports from the list of unexplained phenomena.

TUFOIC acknowledges its dual role: collecting UFO reports and providing explanations to the public. While most callers seek explanations, a minority initially report a UFO.

Vale Jeanette Bigwood

A section is dedicated to the passing of Jeanette Bigwood. Jeanette was instrumental in the foundation of TUFOIC in 1965, alongside her brother Robert. She served in various roles, including Secretary, Investigator, and President, until her retirement from UFO work in 1977. Many early meetings were held at her residence, including a notable occasion when a UFO landing report at Franklin led to a mistaken identification of burning logs on a hill.

Tasmanian Sightings

The newsletter details several specific sightings, primarily from Tasmania:

• 1990, about 5pm, Black Hills: Two witnesses observed two circles of blue-to-white light with tube-like structures, which were stationary and silent. A light beam suddenly descended, causing unease. The lights later disappeared.
• 2004, January 23, 2.30am, Near Forth: A witness saw a large, bright, eye-shaped object moving slowly westwards at an estimated 100m altitude and 300m distance. It had a shimmering white outline and moved silently.
• 2004, January 3rd, 2pm, Lyell Highway between Franklin/Alma Rivers: A photograph taken by a couple traveling in Tasmania revealed a UFO-like image. While UFOR (NSW) initially considered it genuine, analysis by Barry Taylor suggested a commercial aircraft as a possible source, estimating the object at 5-6 km distance and 8-12,000 ft altitude. TUFOIC has made inquiries about air traffic but found no definitive follow-up possible, noting that light aircraft and occasional high-altitude overflights occur in the area.
• Classic Sighting: Lake Sorell 1975: On February 26th, 1975, two witnesses, including an ex-WWII tail gunner and a commercial artist, observed three lights approaching the lake. One object, estimated at 60-70m across, had an orange dome with a ring of lights and emitted a bright beam. The object caused intense static on their car radio and later departed rapidly. The following day, fishermen reported their tent being lit up as if by day.
• Classic Continued (Lake Sorell): Another report from Lake Sorell involved witnesses seeing a bright light up the lake. They made sketches and later reported the details. Despite press articles, no further witnesses were found. A separate report from March 14th at 9.30pm described a football-shaped object, about 12m across, rising rapidly from behind trees, appearing bright yellow beneath and lighter yellow on top, before diminishing to a star-sized light.

Statistics 2004 (to Sept)

The newsletter includes a table of UFO report classifications for 2004 up to September:

• Unidentified: 1
• Investigating: 1
• Astronomical: 11
• Aircraft: 4
• Satellites: 6
• Balloons: 12
• Others: 3
• Photo Only: 2
• Total Reports: 40

Cattle Farmer Diversifies

A brief news item, "Cattle farmer diversifies and finds her profits are out of this world," by Charles Laurence, reports on Judy Messoline from San Luis Valley, Colorado. Facing bankruptcy, she converted her barn into a UFO watchtower, attracting an average of 75 visitors daily. While she charges no admission, she profits from selling UFO merchandise.

TUFOIC Publications

The final pages list various publications available from TUFOIC, including:

• Tasmanian U.F.O. Sightings Catalogue TASCAT 2003 ($3.00)
• Tasmanian UFO Landings Catalogue - Fourth Edition (2000) ($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 at $1.00)
• Mysterious Melodale ($3.00)

Prices include return postage (surface mail only), with overseas air mail rates available on request. Payment methods include money order, bank cheque, or bank draft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing effort to collect and analyze UFO data, the contrast between declining local sightings and continued global interest, the challenge of explaining common phenomena like orange lights, and the importance of documenting historical cases. TUFOIC's stance appears to be one of diligent investigation, data collection, and a desire to provide rational explanations where possible, while acknowledging the persistent mystery of unexplained sightings. There's an emphasis on the scientific world's potential neglect of accumulated UFO data.