UFO Encounters - Vol 01 No 02

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO ENCOUNTERS
Issue: #2
Volume: Vol. 1
Date: October 1992
Publisher: Aztec Publishing
Country: USA
Price: $2.50

This issue of UFO Encounters provides worldwide coverage of the UFO phenomenon, featuring articles on NASA's SETI program, UFO sightings and encounters in various locations, and scientific perspectives on extraterrestrial life.

Articles

NASA's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

This article, written by Michael Norris, details NASA's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) program, which is set to launch its Microwave Observing Project on October 12, 1992, coinciding with the 500th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of America. The project, part of NASA's Exobiology program, aims to understand the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe. Despite NASA's official stance that SETI is not intended to search for UFOs but rather for signals from technological civilizations, the author suggests it might be a way for the government to gradually introduce the idea of extraterrestrial life to the public. The article contrasts the potential public reaction to a discovery of distant intelligent signals with the more alarming scenarios often associated with ufology, such as abductions and genetic experiments. It highlights the vastness of the universe, with billions of stars and galaxies, making the existence of other life statistically probable. The SETI project will employ advanced radio telescopes and signal processing equipment to scan for narrowband signals in the microwave spectrum (1,000 to 100,000 MHZ), a quiet part of the spectrum believed to be suitable for interstellar communication. The search will involve two strategies: a targeted search focusing on about 800 solar-type stars within 100 light years, managed by Ames Research Center in California, and a sky survey covering 99% of the sky, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The sky survey will utilize the Global Deep Space Network (DSN) and will cover a broader frequency range. A significant concern is radio frequency interference from terrestrial sources, such as cellular phones and radar, which could complicate the search. The author emphasizes that the innovative technology used in SETI will allow for more searching in its first few minutes than in the last thirty years of radio astronomy. The article includes a quote from Lucretius, a Roman philosopher, about the existence of other worlds and races.

Scientists' views on extraterrestrial life exclude UFOs

Michael Norris reports on a seminar by Paul Steffes, a professor from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a NASA consultant, regarding the SETI Microwave Observing Project. Steffes discussed the Drake equation and theories on extraterrestrial life. He stated that any discovery would undergo rigorous double-checking. While NASA scientists are intrigued by the possibility of extraterrestrials, they reportedly do not focus on UFO evidence, possibly due to their scientific framework. The author recounts a conversation with Mr. Steffes after the seminar, where Steffes explained the impossibility of interstellar travel due to immense energy requirements. During the discussion, Steffes avoided the term "UFO" and seemed uncomfortable with the topic. The author argues that science should not dismiss phenomena that defy current understanding, using the analogy of an apple's color. He criticizes the arrogance of assuming complete knowledge of the universe and notes that many scientists in the SETI project view the UFO phenomenon as not significant enough to study or dismiss it because modern science cannot yet explain it.

Puerto Rico - A hotbed for UFO activity

This article by Michael Norris details a series of UFO-related events in Puerto Rico from 1987 to 1991. It begins with an explosion in the Cabo Rojo area in 1987, directly under the Cartagena Lagoon, a known site for UFO sightings. Following the explosion, blue smoke emerged from crevices in the lagoon, and American personnel in contamination suits were seen inspecting the area. This event triggered a wave of UFO activity, with hundreds of citizens visiting the lagoon. Local authorities attempted to downplay the sightings, with one official suggesting lights were produced by high-power flashlights, and another proposing they were reflections from a nearby district. However, witnesses reported seeing lights that did not match these explanations. Mayor Heriberto Ramos, who has seen strange lights himself, sent a letter to President Bush requesting an investigation, but received no response. The article also recounts an encounter with extraterrestrial beings described as short, with oval heads and three fingers, who communicated telepathically and stated, "We come in peace, but to conquest, because we want to avoid a catastrophe." The author notes that some believe the lagoon is a site for U.S. government experimentation, while others consider it a base for alien crafts. The article promises a second part next month, including further conversations with investigator Jorge Martin and details of a little-known discovery.

Airliner experiences near-miss with UFO

This article by Michael Norris describes a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) report detailing a close encounter between a Britannia Airways Boeing 737 and a UFO in the summer of 1991 over Southern England. At 14,000 ft., the crew observed a small, black, lozenge-shaped object approximately 500 meters ahead. The object passed very close to the aircraft within 1.5 seconds, at a distance of less than 100 yards and about 30 ft. above the wing. The pilot assessed the risk of collision as high, with the aircraft traveling at about 355 knots. The object's movement was described as similar to a helicopter flying at low level. London air traffic controllers tracked the object on radar behind the plane. A CAA spokesman suggested the object was likely a balloon, but the Meteorological Office in England stated it was at the wrong height and color for a balloon. Jodrell Bank Observatory also agreed it did not fit the description of a balloon, and NASA was reportedly baffled. The CAA eventually admitted it was "at a loss to identify the object." Jenny Randles of BUFORA stated that three such encounters involving aircraft occurred within eight weeks in 1991, with two UFOs tracked on radar at about 120 MPH. The Boeing 737 incident and another were reportedly hidden for about a year until the CAA reports were released.

Australian Encounters

This article details an encounter experienced by Chris Matthews and his sons on their farm near Stanhope, Australia. After hearing a thumping sound for 10-15 minutes, Chris noticed a bright light and saw a conical-shaped object sitting on the ground across the highway. The object was described as "10 meters wide and the same in height," with a triangle on top and an egg shape on the bottom, featuring orange lights around the top and side, and a "bubble of light" around the top. Mark Matthews, Chris's brother, also saw the bright object and followed it as it hovered over a paddock. He, along with another brother Shane, attempted to film the craft but were unsuccessful. Other cars on the road also reported seeing an object. A half-hour prior, James Merrick, a fourteen-year-old, saw "three reddish lights" that "cruised across the sky" and stopped, hovering before flashing. Police searched an old quarry after receiving reports the object was there but found nothing unusual.

1992 MUFON International UFO Symposium

This article by Michael Norris provides an overview of the 1992 MUFON International UFO Symposium held in July. It highlights researcher Linda Moulton Howe, who presented on topics including crop circles, abductions, hybrid breeding, animal mutilations, and underground alien/government bases. Howe described "gray" aliens as short beings with large black eyes and whitish-gray skin, often seen during abduction events. The article mentions that the "Linda Cortile" abduction case, presented by Budd Hopkins, was also featured at the symposium. The event drew a sizable crowd, with nearly all seats full by the time the program started.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the UFO phenomenon from various angles, including scientific investigation (SETI), eyewitness accounts of sightings and encounters, and the perspectives of researchers and scientists. There is a clear interest in presenting cases of alleged UFO activity, such as the incidents in Puerto Rico, England, and Australia. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to consider the evidence and possibilities surrounding UFOs, even when mainstream science or government agencies are dismissive or skeptical. The inclusion of quotes from scientists and researchers, alongside personal accounts, suggests an attempt to bridge the gap between conventional scientific understanding and the unexplained phenomena reported by the public. The magazine also seems to advocate for a re-examination of scientific views when confronted with persistent, unexplained observations.

Notable Quote

"I'm sorry, but if an apple looks red and is red, but a law in one of our physics books says its purple, then we need to rethink that law of physics. Similarly, if people all over the world keep reporting strange aerial craft that seem to defy our known laws of physics, we shouldn't pretend those objects don't exist simply because we can't rationalize them on paper. We should re-examine our views of science!"

Speaker: Jill Tarter

FAQ

Q: What is the NASA SETI program?
A: The NASA SETI program is a $100 million initiative designed to search the heavens for signals from extraterrestrial intelligence, as part of NASA's Exobiology program to understand life in the universe.

Q: What was the incident involving a Boeing 737 over England?
A: In the summer of 1991, the crew of a Britannia Airways Boeing 737 reported a close encounter with a small, black, lozenge-shaped object that passed very close to the aircraft at approximately 14,000 ft. The object was also tracked on radar.

Q: What is the significance of the Cartagena Lagoon in Puerto Rico regarding UFO activity?
A: The Cartagena Lagoon area in Puerto Rico is considered a hotbed for UFO activity, with reports of strange explosions, lights, and UFOs seen entering and exiting the lagoon, leading to increased public interest and official investigations.

Q: What are the main themes discussed at the 1992 MUFON International UFO Symposium?
A: The 1992 MUFON International UFO Symposium featured discussions on controversial aspects of ufology, including crop circles, abductions by different entities, hybrid breeding between humans and aliens, the animal mutilation/UFO link, and underground alien/government bases.

Title: UFO Encounters
Issue Date: July 10-11-12 (implied 1992 based on symposium date)
Publisher: Aztec Publishing
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of UFO Encounters delves into various facets of the UFO phenomenon, featuring personal accounts, expert analysis, and discussions on the nature of UFO research.

Cover Story: UFO Abduction near Hobby Airport, Texas

The main feature details the experience of a woman named Julie, who recounts a bizarre encounter near Hobby Airport, Texas, resulting in a six-hour time loss. Julie describes driving home from a friend's house on a Friday night around 10:30 p.m. and arriving home at 4:30 a.m. the next morning. She recalls driving through dense fog, making an unintentional turn, and seeing a bright light that she initially mistook for an airplane. Her memory becomes cloudy, but she remembers seeing red and blue lights and later found herself back in her car. Julie claims that what she remembers most about the entities involved were their hands and eyes, with some having large black eyes and others having 'cat eyes.' She also recalls a strange experience with a small piece of paper where she wrote 'UFO' on it.

Following the abduction, Julie experienced 'poltergeist activity' at home and began to feel paranoid. She sought help from the UFO Contact Center International (UFOCCI), which led her to a hypnotist named Betty. During hypnosis, Julie began to recall fragmented memories of an abduction, including the entities injecting a device into the back of her head. She described this device as a 'Contact cold capsule' that would melt and dissolve. She also noted a significant change in her dietary habits, developing a strong dislike for meat, particularly salmon skin, which she found disturbing. Julie mentions that during UFOCCI meetings, a survey revealed that a high percentage of attendees also disliked meat or had reduced their intake.

UFO Photograph Analysis by Jeffrey W. Sainio

Jeffrey W. Sainio, a UFO photograph analyst, discusses the challenges of analyzing UFO photographs, noting that most are taken at night under difficult conditions. He explains how computer enhancement can reveal valuable data, allowing for the determination of whether a photograph depicts a real object, a fake, or a film defect. Sainio uses techniques such as examining lens flares to determine object color, analyzing shadows for size and position, and comparing the focus of the object to its surroundings to assess authenticity. He uses a photograph from Swiss photographer Billy Meier as an example, noting that the craft in Meier's photo was in sharper focus than the distant hill, suggesting it was closer than 50 feet and therefore smaller than it appeared.

Sainio emphasizes that while sophisticated computer analysis is becoming more accessible, a good eye and common sense remain essential tools. He also mentions an upcoming article in UFO Encounters on new photos and videotapes showing similarities to the Gulf Breeze UFO and an analysis of the Gulf Breeze flare theory.

Insights from Jacques Vallee, Ph.D.

Dr. Jacques Vallee, an astrophysicist and computer scientist, shares his perspective on UFO research, calling it a 'forbidden science.' He criticizes the polarized nature of the debate, making it difficult to conduct objective research. Vallee suggests that skeptics avoid the topic to maintain their rational worldview, while some advocates are resistant to open inquiry. He believes that mainstream science is hesitant to engage with UFO phenomena due to the assumption that UFOs must be extraterrestrial spacecraft, leading to the exclusion of researchers who question this premise. Vallee also criticizes some abduction researchers for their 'rash and amateurish treatments' of witnesses, which he believes can exacerbate victims' distress. He posits that while people are experiencing abductions and trauma, the real work to understand and alleviate their suffering has yet to begin.

Australian Encounters

This section reports on several sightings in Australia. Rob White of Merrigum described seeing a large, glowing orange ball of light rise from the ground and hover. Neighbors Mary and Ken Trimby witnessed seven separate orange lights that appeared to form a triangle. Lynette and Bevan Miller also captured photographs of three orange objects that formed a triangle. Notably, before the Miller sighting, their house was shaken by a 'banging sound,' and they saw a flash of pink lightning. Officials at Puckapunyal Army Base attributed the sightings to flares and helicopters from a firepower demonstration, but witnesses dismissed this explanation, noting the absence of sound from the objects and the fact that flares do not form triangles.

Boeing 737 Encounter

This section details a case from April 10, 1991, involving a passenger jet (Alitalia MD80) with 57 people on board. Captain Achille Zaghetti reported seeing an object about 10 ft. long, shaped like a bullet or cigar, traveling at 22,000 ft. in the opposite direction of the aircraft. The object passed the aircraft at a distance of one thousand ft. ahead and above. Radar at London Heathrow picked up the UFO approximately 10 miles behind the jet shortly after the crew reported it. This incident, along with another radar case within eight weeks, remains a mystery, with the Ministry of Defence stating it was 'yet another UFO.'

Editor's Response to Letters and Bulletin Board

The editor addresses letters expressing disagreements between UFO groups, emphasizing UFO Encounters' neutral stance and commitment to reporting accurate information. The magazine aims to cover all aspects of the phenomenon and encourages collaboration within the UFO community. A bulletin board is being considered to facilitate information exchange and communication among UFO enthusiasts.

Upcoming Features and Books

Future issues will cover a case from Costa Rica and discuss UFO Detectors. The magazine also highlights a book titled "Human Reactions to UFOs Worldwide" by George Fawcett, a study of 31 human reactions to UFOs from 25 nations.

Upcoming UFO Conferences

Several UFO conferences are listed, including the SHOW ME UFO CONFERENCE in Missouri, the NATIONAL UFO CONFERENCE in Florida, the MUTUAL UFO NETWORK OF NORTH CAROLINA meeting, and the INTERNATIONAL UFO CONGRESS & UFO FILM FESTIVAL in Las Vegas.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on providing detailed accounts of UFO sightings, abductions, and related phenomena. It emphasizes the importance of rigorous analysis, as demonstrated by Jeffrey Sainio's work, and encourages open inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, as advocated by Jacques Vallee. The editorial stance appears to be one of seeking truth and presenting information without sensationalism, as noted by a reader in the 'Dear Editor' section. The magazine also highlights the ongoing debate and controversy surrounding UFOs, particularly concerning abductions, and aims to foster a collaborative approach within the UFO research community.