UFO Research Australia newsletter vol 3 no 1

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Research Australia newsletter
Issue: Volume 3, No. 1
Date: January-February, 1982
Publisher: UFO Research Australia
Country: Australia
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the UFO Research Australia newsletter presents a collection of articles and reports related to UFO phenomena, investigations, and related topics. It is published bi-monthly and aims to present the work of UFO researchers and the broader picture of unexplained UFO events.

Editorial: UFOs – The New Scientific Adventure

The editorial discusses the development of attitudes towards unidentified flying objects (UFOs), emphasizing that regardless of belief in extraterrestrial visitations, the phenomenon itself exists. It highlights the lack of solid evidence to prove or disprove the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) and the need to verify unexplained events before attempting contact. The editorial posits that the discovery of alien life would represent a revolution in humanity's view of itself and its place in the universe, with potential political and spiritual dimensions. It acknowledges that while misperceptions account for most UFO reports, unexplained cases with physical traces and psychological effects do occur, leading to debate. The article suggests that governments monitor UFO research as a form of insurance. It advocates for an open-minded, objective approach to investigation, cautioning against premature conclusions. The editorial concludes by stating that ufology is not ending but beginning, with growing knowledge increasing the potential for new discoveries and the eventual separation of fact from fiction.

Unknown Object Paces Car

This article, by Keith Basterfield, details an incident reported by Christine Glassenbury, a 21-year-old dental nurse from Clare, South Australia. On October 25, 1981, while driving home at night, she encountered a bright white light that followed her car. The object, described as huge, very bright, and oblong, appeared to be about twenty to thirty feet long. It paced her car, at times coming very close, and caused her radio to become static and cut out. The object illuminated the surroundings with a bright beam of light. The investigation by Ray Brooke, Liaison Officer for UFO Research (SA), considered Venus as a possible explanation but concluded that the object's size, color, shape, and behavior ruled out conventional explanations, classifying it as a local 'unknown' for 1981. The article also includes four brief 'Other Reports' of similar sightings in South Australia during November and December 1981, including cigar-shaped lights and orange lights.

New Zealand UFOs

Authored by John Knapman, this article surveys UFO activity and reports from New Zealand. It mentions that New Zealand has been a major UFO sighting area, with reports ranging from Northland to the Bluff. The article discusses the 'Ngatea circles,' circular patches of denuded vegetation, some with three-prong marks, which have been investigated by DSIR scientists and a Victoria University team, with the latter attributing them to natural causes like wild pigs. However, some investigators believe they are UFO-related. The article recounts the experience of farmer Charles Blackmore, who witnessed strange lights causing circular patterns in a pond. It details several sightings of bright lights of varying hues traveling at different speeds, often dismissed as optical illusions. However, the article highlights cases where sightings were corroborated by radar and pilots, such as a Wellington radar tracking an object emitting a blue pulsating light, also seen by a SAFE plane pilot. Other reports include sightings of disc or cone-shaped objects in the Hunua Ranges and Wellsford areas, and a description of a 'flying saucer' by Mrs. Eileen Moreland in 1957, which she claimed had two beings inside. The article also touches upon the skepticism faced by witnesses and contrasts it with the silence from authorities when trained personnel report similar phenomena, citing an instance where both New Zealand and Australian Air Forces tracked UFOs over the Tasman Sea. It notes that descriptions of UFOs can be similar across different cultures and locations, suggesting a common underlying phenomenon.

Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS)

This section details the activities and goals of Citizens Against UFO Secrecy (CAUS), a public-interest group operating for 3.5 years. CAUS aims to raise public awareness of U.S. Federal Government policies regarding UFO data collection and processing, advocate for reform to prevent secrecy in UFO research, and utilize the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to access suppressed UFO sighting reports and intelligence analyses. The article highlights CAUS's renewal of its anti-secrecy efforts during National Freedom of UFO Information Week in October 1981. It mentions a press conference in Washington D.C. where CAUS legal advisor Peter A. Gersten announced initiatives, including the establishment of the awareness week and a hearing on the plaintiff's appeal in the CAUS Vs. U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) FOIA lawsuit. Despite acknowledging media interest, the court sided with the NSA without inspecting the documents. CAUS argues this was an error, given the public issue's nature. The article also mentions the drafting of a 'Presidential Proclamation to Affirm Freedom of UFO Information and Expression' and provides contact information for those interested in joining CAUS.

Lightning Strikes as the Cause of Some UFO Ground Traces

Authored by Michael Hough, this article explores the theory that lightning strikes can be responsible for phenomena often attributed to UFO landing traces. The summary explains that lightning can cause ground depressions and tree damage, and on loose soil, produce fulgurites (fused silica glass tubes). On compact soil, it creates glassy lumps or crusts. Trees may disintegrate or die later, and grass can be burnt in branching patterns. The article stresses that investigators should consider physical evidence and the psychological impact on witnesses, who may misinterpret natural phenomena. It lists types of UFO ground traces reported in Australia, such as concentric rings, oval nests of flattened grass, oval depressions, imprints, and damage to flora. Several natural explanations are proposed, including botanical (fungi), zoological (wildlife nests, burrows), manmade (tracks, fence posts, hoaxes), geomorphological (claypans), and importantly, lightning strikes. The article cites the Boggabri case in November 1970 as an Australian UFO report that fits the lightning strike category.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of UFO phenomena, the challenges of gathering credible evidence, and the role of skepticism versus open-mindedness. There is a consistent emphasis on the need for rigorous research and the separation of fact from fiction. The editorial stance, as expressed in the leading article, is one of advocating for a scientific approach to ufology, acknowledging the potential for significant discoveries while remaining grounded in evidence. The newsletter also highlights the importance of transparency in government dealings with UFO information, as evidenced by the coverage of CAUS's efforts. The publication itself aims to be an independent platform for UFO researchers, presenting a broad perspective on the subject.

This issue of the magazine, identified by its page number '9' and dated October 1981, focuses on the potential for lightning strikes to create ground traces that are often misinterpreted as evidence of UFO activity. The main cover headline is "LIGHTNING STRIKES AS THE CAUSE OF SOME UFO GROUND TRACES".

Lightning Strikes on Soil

The article begins by describing an incident at the Erratt property near Boggabri, NSW, where a barren oval patch with a central glassy hole appeared after electrical storms. A Soil Conservation Service officer attributed it to lightning strikes. The article emphasizes that lightning strikes are common, with millions occurring daily, and each bolt possesses immense power capable of causing substantial effects on soil and vegetation.

When lightning strikes soil, it heats it to 1800 deg.C., fusing it into glass, forming fulgurites. The color and quantity of glass depend on soil composition and compaction. Lightning tends to strike elevated locations or areas with high conductivity. Fallen power lines can also cause similar effects. Experimental production of fulgurites by passing high voltage discharges through sand is mentioned, as is the potential for ball lightning to produce similar effects.

In loose sandy soil, lightning can create long, narrow fulgurite tubes extending up to 20 meters deep. These tubes, often with hollow cores and irregular edges, can be mistaken for fossilized tree roots. Intricate branching is common as the lightning seeks the water table. A single bolt can create multiple holes. These tube fulgurites are so distinctive they have been recognized in ancient rocks.

In clay soils, lightning creates deep holes with fused parts, and dirt is thrown back from the impact point. On compact soil or rocks, lightning produces irregular glassy lumps or short fulgurite tubes. On rocks, it can create a glassy crust, split the rock, and intensely magnetize it, affecting compass readings. Lightning striking concrete pavement can leave black streaks, blistered surfaces, and glassy slag.

Lightning-Like Effects in Soil

The article clarifies that tree roots encased in silica or oxides can superficially resemble fulgurite tubes. It also lists other sources of glass found on the ground, including volcanic obsidian, tektites (from meteorite impacts), glass from meteorite crater sites, atom-bomb test sites, and bottle fragments. Only meteorite-impact glass is chemically identical to the surrounding soil in terms of non-volatile elements.

Hay-silica glass, formed from the fusion of opal phytoliths in haystacks that burnt down, is also discussed. While auto-combustion or arson was suspected, the possibility of lightning striking the haystacks, with the wire bales acting as conductors, is raised. The unique chemical composition of hay-silica glass allows for its identification even after being ploughed back into the soil.

Lightning Effects on Vegetation

Studies on lightning's effects on vegetation are often qualitative. Trees are more frequently struck than ground cover. Lightning can cause structural damage to trees, ranging from complete shattering to furrowing and micro-grooving of the trunk, sometimes creating vertical or spiral patterns. Some trees sustain no physical damage, while others die within weeks or months due to physiological damage like wilting foliage or browning stems, potentially affecting the roots. Tree-group mortality can occur, with a single strike killing many trees in clumps and spreading laterally to kill nearby trees' roots. Several flashes have killed thousands of trees in groves.

Lightning striking open fields or golf courses can burn grass brown, creating branching star-like patterns radiating from the impact point. This occurs when the ground is waterlogged and the bolt hits a high point, with the current propagating across the surface. The article warns that humans and animals in wet fields during storms are at risk of electrocution from ground charge and advises crouching at a distance from trees.

Wilting of foliage can also be caused by disease, fire, or chemical spraying, and lightning-struck trees are more susceptible to these later damages, masking the initial lightning effect.

Acknowledgements and References

The article acknowledges Frank Gillespie, Colin Phillips, Bill Chalker, and Mark Moravec for providing information. The original draft was presented at UFOCON 6, Adelaide, in October 1981. A comprehensive list of references is provided, citing various scientific papers and publications related to UFOs, geology, and lightning phenomena.

Wanted - $50,000

A section highlights a digital image processor developed by CSIRO Division of Building Research, originally for wood structure analysis but adaptable for medical research and potentially UFO photograph analysis. The equipment's versatility is noted, but its estimated cost of $50,000 makes it inaccessible for UFO research funds.

A UFO Vision ? The mystery of 'a machine to go through the air' 1873, Parramatta, NSW, Australia

This section, authored by Bill Chalker, delves into a historical Australian UFO case from 1873 concerning a "machine to go through the air". It begins with quotes from William Blake.

Prologue

The article poses questions about a potential UFO landing in Parramatta Park, NSW, in 1868, an encounter between a surveyor and the object's operator, and whether the surveyor boarded the object.

Introduction

In 1975, a 15-page document titled "Copy from the Memorandum Book of Fred. Wm. Birmingham, the Engineer to the Council of Parramatta. A machine to go through the air. A.D. 1873'' came to light. This document was ostensibly prepared by a group of five people, coordinated by T.V. Homan, and was produced in the 1950s. Despite initial skepticism about its authenticity, the author decided to document sections of the "Memorandum Book" for clarification and comment, including it in a catalogue of Australian UFO accounts.

The 1868 report, circulated among UFO researchers, drew little comment. The author noted in a 1977 paper that the Birmingham-Parramatta case is a rare Australian 'contact' case, but its historical nature makes critical inquiry difficult. It was described as a 'contactee' tale, with aspects of Birmingham's 'vision' warranting serious consideration. Birmingham is suggested as potentially Australia's first 'contact' percipient, with his experience steeped in symbolic imagery and poltergeist-like phenomena.

Despite some press coverage in 1980-1981, the account received little attention. The author's desire to confirm the historical validity of the Birmingham account was spurred in January 1980 by "An Account of a Meeting with Denizens of Another World - 1871" by William Robert Loosley. Although found uncompelling, it prompted a detailed inquiry into the "Memorandum Book of Fred. Wm. Birmingham". The author aimed to determine if the account was a factual description of real events or had psychological explanations, relevant to understanding modern UFO 'contact' and 'abduction' accounts.

The Account

The "Memorandum Book, A.D. 1873" is attributed to Fred. Wm. Birmingham, C.E. & Lic. Surveyor, Parramatta. It describes an "aerial machine" or "machine to go through the air". On the night of July 25th-26th, 1868, Birmingham reported a "wonderful dream – a vision". While standing on his verandah, he saw a bizarre apparitional procession in the sky, including "the Lord Bishop of Sydney's head" and "the Premier's head", which appeared intently and impeachingly before dimming.

He then saw an "Ark" moving along the same track, describing it as a "beautiful vessel". A voice, identified as a "spirit", told him, "That's a machine to go through the air". Birmingham replied it looked more like a vessel for water, but was the "loveliest thing I ever saw". He felt he and the spirit were spiritually on the highest part of Parramatta Park.

The "machine" moved in a zig-zag fashion, stopped, and descended gently about 20 yards away. Birmingham described the "ark" as brown, rubber-like, with peculiar shapings, appearing tremulous with shades of steel blue, and resembling magnified scales on a large fish, but not having the shape of any living thing. The "spirit" was described as a neutral tint shade, like a man in a frock dress.

The spirit invited Birmingham to enter the "pilot house". He descended three steep steps into a room about three and a half feet lower than the deck. The room contained a table, about five feet by three and a half feet, covered with oilskin or rubber cloth. The room's sides were noted as being extremely thick, about six inches.

Birmingham felt "miserably queer" but was then presented with several printed papers by the spirit, containing figures and formulae. When asked if he would need them, the spirit emphasized their necessity for study. Among the figures and formulae, Birmingham saw an equation: V = 550 + (500 + H).

He then found himself alone in the ark and fell into his usual sleeping state, waking the next morning deeply impressed. He termed this a "vision of the night".

Precognition ?

Birmingham described 1868 as "a most miserable year". In early 1869, while researching engineering literature for a report on Parramatta's waterworks, he encountered Molesworth's Engineering Tables for 1868. To his surprise, page 137 contained the figures and formulae he had seen in his "vision", specifically related to "July A.D. 1868" and centrifugal pumps.

Birmingham pondered this "vision" and rationalized the first part as a reminder to serve God. The article then presents a diagram and calculations related to blowing engines and centrifugal fans and pumps from Molesworth's Pocket-Book, likely related to the formulae seen in the vision.

The Opening Gate

On March 27, 1871, Birmingham experienced an event where a gate latch repeatedly opened and closed on its own, which he interpreted as a sign. He became convinced that the "machine to go through the air" was "a thing (through God's mercy) to be accomplished."

A thing to be accomplished

Birmingham sat down to calculate pressures and forces, inspired by the vision. He heard a sound and the words, "Are not the sides greater than a third". He excitedly realized that "the sides and bottom working together can overcome the top", seeing this as the first practical clue for forming the interior of the machine he had envisioned on July 25th-26th, 1868.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the explanation of anomalous ground traces and aerial phenomena through natural causes, specifically lightning. The magazine presents scientific explanations for phenomena often attributed to UFOs, suggesting that geological and atmospheric events can mimic alleged UFO evidence. The article on lightning strikes is a prime example of this approach. The historical case of Fred. Wm. Birmingham's "vision" is presented with an open mind, exploring both potential psychological explanations and the possibility of genuine anomalous events, while also linking it to scientific principles discovered later. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking rational explanations for unexplained phenomena while acknowledging the existence of intriguing historical accounts.

This issue of "The Mystery of 'A Machine to Go Through The Air'" (1980) delves into a historical UFO sighting and manuscript from Parramatta, Australia, dating back to the 1870s. The publication examines the details of the sighting, the provenance and authenticity of the associated document, and draws parallels with modern UFO experiences and psychological interpretations.

The Birmingham Sighting and Manuscript

The central focus is the account of Fred. Wm. Birmingham, a Parramatta surveyor, who in 1873, witnessed an extraordinary cloud formation that produced a 'turtle-shaped' object with screw-like appendages. This event, described in his memorandum book, is presented as a significant UFO sighting. The article meticulously traces the history of this manuscript, noting that the version examined was a copy made by T.V. Homan in the late 1950s from an original obtained by Mrs N. de Launte from a Mr Wallace Haywood. Despite the indirect lineage, research has confirmed the historical existence of Fred. Wm. Birmingham and his residency in Parramatta during the relevant period (1868-1873), lending credence to the manuscript's claims. The text is found to be consistent with the technology and language of the late 19th century, making a literary hoax perpetrated in the 1940s or earlier seem improbable.

Historical Context and Validity

The issue dedicates significant space to establishing the historical validity of Birmingham's account. It confirms his professional roles as an engineer and surveyor for the Council of Parramatta and details his residency in Duck's Lane. The article also notes the existence of maps prepared by Birmingham, further substantiating his presence and activities in the area. The consistency of the manuscript's details with the historical period, including references to rubber, steel, centrifugal pumps, and electricity, is highlighted as evidence against anachronism.

Parallels with Modern UFO Phenomena

A substantial portion of the analysis draws connections between Birmingham's 1873 experience and contemporary UFO reports, particularly 'contactee' and 'abduction' narratives. Elements such as invitations by strange entities, tours of 'machines,' 'tutelage,' and unusual sensory experiences are identified as common themes. The article references the work of Dr. Ronald K. Siegel on hallucinations, suggesting that psychological processes might play a significant role in interpreting such events. The 'bizarre nature' of Birmingham's vision, including dream-like qualities, is presented not as a reason to dismiss it, but as a point of comparison with modern accounts that often blend objective and subjective elements.

Discussion on Hallucinations and Interpretation

The issue explores the idea that Birmingham's vision might be a vivid hallucination, possibly influenced by his personal circumstances (a 'miserable year' with a 'low fever'). Siegel's research on hallucinatory experiences, including their cross-cultural constancies and potential links to archetypal forms, is discussed. The article posits that while objective phenomena may be involved in the UFO mystery, researchers must be cautious in distinguishing between physical events and the realms of imagination and fantasy. The 'impossible and the totally absurd' are presented as increasingly common in UFO accounts, blurring the lines between reality and perception.

Epilogue and Further Research

The epilogue reflects on the nature of these extraordinary experiences, questioning whether they are manifestations of advanced technology or psychological phenomena. It calls for an open-minded yet critical approach, emphasizing the need for testable physical evidence. The article concludes by stating that while the evidence currently leans towards psychological explanations, the quest to understand contact and abduction accounts is ongoing and fascinating. It also includes a brief historical note on William E. Hart, Australia's first aerial pilot, and his connection to Parramatta Park.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of historical UFO cases, the critical assessment of documentary evidence, and the exploration of psychological and cultural interpretations of anomalous experiences. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, acknowledging the potential for genuine phenomena while emphasizing the importance of rigorous research and the consideration of psychological explanations. The article encourages speculation but grounds it in the available evidence and scientific research on perception and consciousness.

This issue of the UFO Research (NSW) Newsletter, dated February 1982, focuses on prominent figures and resources within the UFO research community, particularly in Australia. The cover story profiles William C. Chalker, a key figure in Australian ufology.

Profile: William C. Chalker

The newsletter dedicates significant space to William (Bill) Clifford Chalker, a Quality Assurance Manager in the food industry with a long-standing association with UFO research. Chalker is the Director of UFO Research (NSW), a scientific consultant for the Australian Centre for UFO Studies, and a representative for American UFO groups APRO and MUFON. Born in 1952, his interest in the unusual was sparked by UFO sightings in 1965-1966. He began his active investigation in 1969, leading to affiliations with the UFO Investigation Centre (UFOIC) and APRO. Chalker pursued a degree in science at the University of New England, where he led a team investigating UFO reports in the New England and North Coast regions of NSW from 1971 to 1974. Highlights of this period included investigations into "flaps" at Kempsey and Tyringham Dundurrabin, complex UFO and psychic activity at Mount Butler, and his own sighting of a daylight disc over the university campus in 1972. He completed his studies in 1974, majoring in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry and Pure Mathematics.

In 1975, Chalker became more involved with the reformed UFOIC, which led to the establishment of UFO Research (NSW) in March 1977. Under his direction, UFOR (NSW) has investigated numerous significant UFO events, including the Bents Basin "robot" case (1972), a physical trace event at Penrith (1976), a UFO landing at Orange (1977), and a close encounter at Bakers Creek Falls (1978). He met his future wife, Anne, a clinical psychologist, in late 1976, and they married in early 1978. Their son, Kieran William, was born in November 1980.

In 1979, Chalker formed the Australian Physical Evidence Study Group (APESG) as a specialized research arm of the Australian Centre for UFO Studies, focusing on UFO landing and physical trace cases. He is working towards publishing a major document on Australian physical trace cases. Chalker has contributed to various UFO publications, including the British Flying Saucer Review (FSR), the MUFON Journal, and the APRO Bulletin. He has also co-authored Australia's first catalogue of CE3 events (1976) and contributed to the "Encyclopedia of UFOs" (1980).

Beyond his UFO interests, Chalker has a broad interest in folklore, Fortean phenomena, shamanism, Jungian psychology, and the paranormal. He possesses a personal library of over 1500 books and maintains a daily dose of "Foot rot Flats" and "Doonesberry". He looks forward to continued progress in ufology with a spirit of co-operation and open-mindedness.

Historical Investigation: Fred. Wm. Birmingham

The issue begins with an article detailing the mystery surrounding "a machine to go through the air" and connects it to the historical figure Fred. Wm. Birmingham. The investigation traces Birmingham's life in Parramatta, Australia, between 1868 and 1873, based on a "memorandum book." A death certificate registered on December 19, 1892, reveals the death of Frederick W. Birmingham on December 16, 1892, at the George St Asylum. He was described as a 70-year-old male with an unknown occupation, no relations, and no specified marital status or children. The cause of death was "Diarrhoea Exhaustion." He had been in Australia for forty years and was born in County Mayo, Ireland. His burial took place on December 19 at the Church of England cemetery at Rookwood, in Grave 894, Section L, a "pauper" section, with an unmarked grave.

The article notes that Birmingham's surprise regarding flight is consistent with the contemporary belief that flight would be achieved with lighter-than-air machines, such as balloons and airships, referencing Jules Verne's "Robur the Conqueror" (1886).

References and Citations

A numbered list of references is provided, citing various books, articles, and publications related to UFOs and related phenomena. These include "The Encyclopedia of UFOs," works by Jacques Vallee, Colin Wilson, and others, as well as specific articles from Scientific American and Omni magazines.

Reference Library: Hangar 18 Film Review

A review of the film "Hangar 18" by Pony Barenson is included. The reviewer describes the film as fictitious, not factual, concerning a crashed UFO and government cover-up. While visually impressive with realistic UFO interiors, the film's political intrigue is noted as well-written and convincing. The reviewer suggests the movie entertains rather than enlightens and recommends it, advising viewers to ignore advertisements that promise factual answers.

Documents and Technical Papers Available from Ground Saucer Watch, Inc.

This section lists various documents available from Ground Saucer Watch, Inc. in the USA, many of which are the result of legal actions and Freedom of Information requests against U.S. government and military agencies. These include Air Force Regulation (AFR) 11-7 concerning "Air Force Relations with Congress," Project Magnet (Geo-Magnetics), National Security Agency (NSA) documents assessing the origins of the UFO phenomenon, and NORAD documents detailing UFO overflights in November 1975. Project Blue Book Special Report #14 excerpts are also available. Orders are to be sent to Ground Saucer Watch, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona.

Reference Library: Arcturus Book Service

A review by Vladimir Godic of the Arcturus Book Service is presented. This service offers a stock of 500 UFO titles and 200 related titles (Ancient Astronauts, Mystery Animals, Psychic Research, Paranormal Phenomena, etc.). They are compiling the "1982 Arcturus UFO Literature Reference Guide and Catalogue." The catalogue is priced at $ US 3.50 (air mail) for non-Americans and $ US 2.50 (first class mail) for Americans. The service also provides free monthly supplements and discounts for purchases.

Australian Books on UFOs

Reviewed by Mark Moravec, this section provides brief reviews of several Australian books on UFOs. "Alien Honeycomb" by John Pinkney and Leonard Ryzman is critically reviewed, with the reviewer suggesting the "honeycomb" material presented as UFO wreckage is terrestrial fibreglass and only recommended for psychologists interested in "the will to believe."

Publications Available from the Australian Centre for UFO Studies

This section lists publications available from ACUFOS, including the "ACUFOS Yearly Summary 1980" and a "Preliminary Catalogue of Australian Vehicle Interference Cases." Contact information for ordering these publications is provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes serious, evidence-based UFO research, emphasizing the importance of historical investigation, physical evidence, and official involvement. It highlights the work of dedicated researchers like William Chalker and provides resources for further study through book reviews and document listings. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging scientific rigor and open-mindedness within the UFO community, advocating for co-operation among researchers and a move towards treating UFO phenomena as a subject for direct experimentation.