UFO Criticism by JN from Japan - 2009 02 - vol 9 no 1

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Criticism by J.N. from Japan
Issue: The 15th Issue, Vol.9 No.1
Date: February 2009
Publisher: Junji Numakawa
Country: Japan
Language: English
Price: Not for sale

How Were the "Lubbock Lights" Photos (1951) Taken ?

This article critically examines the famous "Lubbock Lights" photographs taken by Carl Hart, Jr. on August 31, 1951. The author, J.N., discusses the skepticism raised by Osamu Sato, president of the Sky People Association, who noticed that two of the photos showed the same apparent V-formation, which should have moved and changed shape if it were real. J.N. acknowledges that such photos could be faked using cardboard and a light source, but argues that Hart's photos are "too 'perfect' to be fakes" due to several peculiarities: Hart described the formation as "U" not "V," the photos show various degrees of blurring, objects form rows or a single row, objects have varying brightness, and there are isolated objects. The article references a Project Blue Book document that details the characteristics of the negatives, noting blurring, consistent angular size, and consistent orientation of the "V" formation across frames.

J.N. analyzes the specific photos, suggesting that photo "A" (presumed No. 4 frame) shows blurring likely caused by pressing the shutter release button, not object movement. Photo "B" (presumed No. 5 frame) shows objects at a low position, and the author conjectures that Hart used a "Kodak 35 RF" camera with a 50 mm lens and "Plus X film." The article notes that the formation appeared at about 30° from the horizontal and moved rapidly, taking 4 seconds to pass 120° in the sky. The author explains that the apparent size of the objects remained consistent, which was also testified by Texas Technical College professors, and that the formation did not gradually appear or disappear like an aircraft.

Further analysis suggests that the objects moved for 3° while the film was exposed for 1/10 sec, explaining why objects in photo "A" appear as thick lines. The objects were described as brighter than the brightest star and compared to Venus. A report to Project Grudge mentioned a similar sighting in Washington State, which the author links to Native American art.

UFOs Took off Their Hats

This section reports on a UFO sighting by Osamu Sato on August 26, 2008, in Oita, Japan. Sato observed a slender cloud, followed by three saucer-like objects appearing, and then three more on each side, forming a line of nine saucers. One object was Saturn-shaped, similar to a famous 1958 sighting. The author notes that Sato interpreted the saucers as "praying silently" with him, with their brims inclined as if bowing their heads. The objects showed themselves for about 20 minutes before disappearing.

The Flying Sound: A Hidden Story

This section discusses a mysterious flying sound heard by Ms. Harumi Kamata at the 3rd Sky People Report Meeting. Mr. Yasuto Inoue reported that his video camera captured a sound described as "buru buru buru." The article mentions a 1962 sighting by a CBA member who heard a similar sound, "buru buru," described as if made by rubber power. The sound was also described as "buruburuuu buruburuuu." The author speculates it might be a model plane with a rubber-powered propeller, a common item from that generation. The young man who invited Ms. Kamata to CBA was killed in an accident 40 years prior.

Ancient Depictions and Modern Sightings

The article presents images from the Izumizaki 4th Cave in Fukushima Prefecture, dating back to the 7th century. These wall paintings depict figures in circles of dots, which the CBA group found similar to UFOs. The author interprets this as ancient Japanese people depicting UFOs. Another wall shows an eddy with horses and men, which the author suggests could represent a space travel scenario or a return from outer space, an interpretation supported by Osamu Sato.

The 4th "Sky People Report Meeting"

The author's son, Naoki, took a photo during a school trip to Hokkaido on September 18, 2008, which captured a large oval object. The author questions whether it is out of focus, dust on a lens, an insect, or a UFO, noting its prominent position in the picture.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO phenomena with a critical yet open-minded approach. It delves into historical cases like the Lubbock Lights, scrutinizing photographic evidence and potential explanations. The publication also connects contemporary sightings with ancient art and cultural interpretations, suggesting a long-standing human fascination with unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of thorough investigation, presenting evidence, expert opinions, and alternative theories to foster a deeper understanding of UFOs.