TUFOIC Newsletter - No 104 - January 2011

Magazine Overview

Title: TUFOIC REPORT
Issue: 104
Volume: 2010/11
Date: January 2011
Publisher: TUFOIC
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of the TUFOIC Report provides a review of UFO activity and investigations in Tasmania during 2010. It details several specific sightings, discusses the challenges and trends in UFO research, and lists available publications from TUFOIC.

Cleveland Sighting (September 1st, 2010)

The issue begins with a detailed account of a sighting near Cleveland, Tasmania, on September 1st, 2010, at 00:20. The witness, an investigator named Phil, was traveling late at night when he noticed a red light, which he initially mistook for car taillights. As he approached, he realized it was a blue and red light hovering above the ground to the right of the highway, only a few meters from a fence. A bright spotlight beam was erratically scanning the ground in a paddock. As the witness slowed his car, the lights merged into one. The object did not appear to move, and its attachment was not visible. The beam continued to shine across the road until it was obscured from view. Phil's subsequent investigation at the location did not uncover any local explanations, such as irrigation sprinklers.

TUFOIC Publications

A section lists various publications available from TUFOIC, including:

• TASMANIAN U.F.O. SIGHTINGS CATALOGUE TASCAT 2008: A register of over 500 Tasmanian UFO cases ($3.00).
• TASMANIAN and THE UFO UFOs of HIGH MERIT: Featuring Tasmania's Top Sightings ($3.00).
• CRESSY DOCUMENT: Detailing significant UFO sightings in the town of Cressy ($3.00).
• MAATSUYKER ISLAND DOCUMENT: Covering UFO reports from the lonely lighthouse island off the southern tip of Tasmania ($3.00).
• NORTH-EAST TASMANIA - 1974 DOCUMENT: Documenting the largest Tasmanian UFO flap in 1974 ($3.00).
• UFO TASMANIA: The TUFOIC Annual Report (various single editions available at $1.00).
• MYSTERIOUS MELODALE: Chronicling strange paranormal events over several years ($3.00).

All prices include surface mail postage within Australia; overseas airmail rates are available on request.

Year in Review 2010

This section reflects on the year 2010 for the Centre, noting a significant decrease in incoming calls, with only 45 for the year. Despite this, the UFO content of these investigations was average relative to previous years. The lack of local UFO news meant limited exposure for the subject and the Centre. Phil Polden in Launceston was mentioned for his efforts on radio and the ABC website. The report notes an increase in the use of digital cameras, leading to more photographs of alleged UFOs being submitted, although photographers often only notice anomalies later. The internet provides a different picture, with UFO sites worldwide reporting almost daily sightings.

The article expresses concern that the UFO subject struggles to gain credibility due to sensationalized or unsubstantiated postings online. An example cited is a UFO expert in England claiming an earth tremor was generated by aliens, and a mass death of birds in the USA being attributed to birds hitting a UFO's protective shield. The author questions why science does not engage more with the subject and whether internet-reported cases are actually investigated.

Internationally, the report highlights that several countries are releasing their UFO files, with New Zealand being the latest. Argentina's Air Force is reportedly establishing a commission to record and investigate UFO sightings, prompting the question of what has been done in the past 50 years.

TUFOIC Statistics 2010

The newsletter provides a statistical breakdown of reports logged by TUFOIC in 2010:

• Unidentified: 4
• Astronomical: 23
• Aircraft: 3
• Satellites: 7
• Balloon/Fireworks: 2
• Others: 6
• TOTAL: 45

Kingsmeadows Sighting (June 18th, 2010)

On June 18th, 2010, at 20:40, a witness and his wife were driving from Launceston to Kingsmeadows along the Southern Outlet on a wet night with drizzle. They noticed a bright light behind clouds, initially thought to be aircraft lights, but unusually low. As they approached an off-ramp, the wife pointed out a "huge craft" up in the clouds, not fully obscured. It had at least five large square windows emitting a very bright light. The witness pulled over at the bottom of the ramp, and the craft disappeared behind clouds. The sighting lasted two minutes, with the object described as larger than a 737 aircraft, shaped like a curved cylinder with windows along its length. Investigations to date have not yielded an explanation.

South Launceston Sighting (June 23rd, 2010)

On June 23rd, 2010, at 17:10, a witness in South Launceston noticed an aircraft approaching from the north without lights. Upon closer inspection from his car, he confirmed the lack of lights and initially thought it was a light aircraft. However, as it passed overhead, its form seemed to be changing, and it receded to the southwest, appearing to get smaller. At this point, faint lights were visible at its left and right extremities. The object was described as black to brown and diamond-shaped. The incident lasted 2 or 3 minutes, with no noise reported. Both Hobart and Launceston Airport Control reported nothing unusual and were unaware of any air traffic in the area. The report remains unexplained.

Coles Bay Sighting (August 22nd, 2010)

On August 22nd, 2010, at 05:00, a witness near Coles Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula reported a UFO sighting. His wife woke him to observe an object in the sky that initially appeared as a small cluster of stars. These lights sequentially illuminated along the length of a disc, with two lights at each end. The disc would then blaze with light, illuminating itself clearly for about three seconds before going dark. This sequence repeated every five seconds. The object moved slowly northward and was estimated to be at least as large as a football field. After twenty minutes, the couple returned to bed, though the object remained visible. Further details revealed the lights on the perimeter were white, while those across the center were yellow. The illuminated object was grey, and no sound was noted. The object had an apparent size of a quarter-moon. Investigations with Hobart and Launceston Airport Control confirmed no air traffic in the area, and helicopter or air ambulance movements were ruled out. Astronomical causes were also deemed unlikely due to the sighting's duration.

Contact Information

The issue concludes with the contact details for TUFOIC:

• Address: P.O. Box 174, South Hobart, Tasmania. 7004.
• Email: [email protected]
• Web site: http://www.tufoic.ne1.net

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings in Tasmania. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation into unexplained aerial phenomena, while also acknowledging the challenges of gaining credibility for the subject. There is a critical perspective on unsubstantiated online claims and a call for more serious scientific engagement. The publication also highlights international developments in UFO research, suggesting a global interest in the topic. The TUFOIC Report aims to document local cases and provide resources for those interested in UFO phenomena through its publications.