TUFOIC Newsletter - No 102 - January 2009

Magazine Overview

Title: TUFOIC REPORT
Issue: 2009 Edition 102
Volume: 2008
Date: January 2009
Publisher: TUFOIC
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of the TUFOIC REPORT provides a comprehensive review of UFO activity in Tasmania during 2008, alongside an overview of the global UFO scene and a look back at significant past cases.

Year in Review 2008

The "Year in Review 2008" section highlights a stark contrast between global financial woes and a quiet year for UFO sightings in Tasmania. The report describes 2008 as a year with a "bottom fall out of the world's share market" and a corresponding "local UFO drought." Only one "Nocturnal Light" report was noted, and the text points to protracted periods with zero UFO activity, citing specific examples like October 2000 to April 2001, May 2002 to March 2003, and a single sighting from June 2005 to January 2006. This scarcity in Tasmania is contrasted with reports flowing from South America, Mexico, Texas, and Britain, where numerous reports of orange lights were attributed to Chinese lanterns used at celebrations. The article also criticizes the proliferation of "digital camera shots" on the internet, often showing "dark spots or shapes," which are presented as UFOs but are more likely birds in flight or other mundane explanations. The author posits that the UFO phenomenon may no longer exist in a tangible sense but rather perpetuates itself online.

2008 Continued

Despite the overall quiet year, the Centre uncovered a number of old sightings from 2008 that fit into previous flap patterns, dating from 1987 to 2005. The 30th anniversary of Frederick Valentich's disappearance in October 1978 garnered some local media attention, leading to a feature article in "The Ufologist" about UFOs in Tasmania. Membership for TUFOIC remained stable, with hopes for more local UFO news in the coming year.

The 2008 Sighting!

A specific sighting from George Town on March 7th at 9:33 pm is detailed. A bright rectangular light was observed moving from the eastern sky towards the north, appearing to slow down, change into a pinpoint of light, and then disappear. Checks on aircraft and satellites failed to provide an explanation.

Objectives of TUFOIC

• The core objectives of TUFOIC are outlined:
• To investigate Tasmanian UFO reports.
• To publish details of UFO reports and maintain a UFO database.
• To distribute authentic information to members and fellow UFO organisations.

Membership is open to all who support these aims.

TUFOIC Statistics 2008

• A statistical breakdown of UFO reports for 2008 is provided:
• Unidentified: 1
• Astronomical: 13
• Aircraft: 5
• Satellites: 13
• Balloon/Fireworks: 4
• Others: 11
• Total: 47

TUFOIC 2008/09 Contact Information

• Contact details for TUFOIC are listed:
• Address: P.O. Box 174, South Hobart, Tasmania. 7004.
• Email: [email protected]
• Web site: http://www.tufoic.ne1.net
• Telephone: 03 62236009

• Executive:
• President: Janis Burns
• Secretary: Keith Roberts
• Librarian Executive: Ray Thomas

Items from the newsletter may be quoted provided TUFOIC is credited.

Sightings Reported 2008

This section details specific sightings reported, primarily from earlier years but documented in 2008:

1987 February. 02.00. Macquarie Plains. NL.

A Police Officer and his companion witnessed three lights in the eastern sky, which were initially mistaken for a plane in trouble. Three more lights joined the group. The lights travelled vertically and horizontally for 30 minutes, then formed a box formation and departed at high speed.

1987 October. 22.00. Heybridge. CE2?

A witness and a friend saw a round, full moon-sized light near Heybridge. The light moved very fast towards their car, causing the radio to go off and the motor to stop. The car was briefly surrounded by a very bright light before the object moved away.

1996. Spring. 22.00. Northdown. CE1

A witness reported encountering a large white ball of light on two occasions in 1996. The first time, the light approached along the road and veered north. The second time, a similar light approached rapidly from the south at fence-top height, crossed the road, and then climbed and disappeared.

1998 Summer. 23.30. Ellendale. NL

A witness heard a loud "woo woo" sound and saw a grey to silver round light approaching from the north. The light took on a beam appearance, illuminating the valley, before disappearing over the Mt Field hills.

2000 March 17th. 03.00. Bracknell Road. CE1.

Two witnesses returning to Launceston saw eight orbs of light over the roadside, approximately 15 meters away and 3 meters off the ground. They initially thought the lights were reflections.

TUFOIC Publications

• A list of TUFOIC publications is provided with prices:
• Tasmanian U.F.O. Sightings Catalogue TASCAT 2005: $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 (The TUFOIC Annual Report): Various single editions at $1.00
• Mysterious Melodale: $3.00

All prices include return postage (surface mail only). Overseas Air Mail rates are available on request. Payment can be made via Money Order or Bank Cheque.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the analysis of UFO activity trends, particularly the perceived decline in sightings in Tasmania during 2008, and the critical examination of evidence presented online. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation, seeking rational explanations for sightings, and a skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, especially those found on the internet. There's a notable concern that the UFO phenomenon might be increasingly confined to online self-perpetuation rather than observable events.