U.F.O.I.C. NEWS LETTER

Magazine Overview

Title: U.F.O.I.C. NEWS LETTER
Issue: Volume 1, Issue 1
Date: March 1964
Publisher: U.F.O.I.C.
Country: Australia
Language: English

This is the inaugural issue of the U.F.O.I.C. News Letter, established to facilitate the sharing of knowledge regarding UFO events and related topics among its members. The publication aims to provide a comprehensive digest of international and local UFO data, alongside updates on the society's activities and programmes. It intends to serve as an official conduit for information, connecting the external UFO situation with the internal affairs of the U.F.O.I.C.

Introduction to the Newsletter

The editorial explains the motivation behind creating the newsletter: the long-felt need to more efficiently share UFO knowledge. This first issue is set to be followed by others at six-week intervals, except for July and December, which are reserved for the 'Australian Flying Saucer Review'. The content is designed to offer an unbiased perspective on life in the universe and inter-planetary communications by drawing from various sources. It also aims to stimulate member interest and participation in society events.

The 1963 Round

This section details a significant number of UFO reports from 1963. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a noted astrophysicist and UFO consultant to the US Air Force, is quoted stating that 1963 saw more Flying Saucer reports than ever before. Sightings were reported globally, including approximately thirty landings worldwide. Notable incidents include:

• Wiltshire Craters, Britain: A saucer-shaped depression with a deep cylindrical hole and radiating grooves was investigated. While RAF investigators blamed a meteorite, the lack of convincing evidence led to parliamentary inquiry.
• Southern Illinois, USA (August): A 'round ball of bright white light' chased a car, swerved directly over it, and was later witnessed hovering over a farmhouse by the driver's family. The object was described as approximately 12 feet in diameter.
• South Australia and Argentina: Similar reports of dazzling UFOs 'haunting cars' were noted.
• Project Magnet (Canada): This initiative continued its search for UFO magnetic phenomena using specially fitted airplanes.
• Rubidoux, California, USA (June): A red glowing object, described as 'like a moon' with a 'silver dome' and protruding antennas, hovered for an hour before disappearing.
• Nairobi, Africa: A 'phosphorescent Flying Saucer', three times the size of the moon, was observed for five minutes.
• Buenos Aires Airport, Argentina (May): A Flying Saucer landing was reported, with 'robot' like creatures seen emerging.
• Professor Menzel's Book: Professor Menzel published a book offering a negative explanation for UFO cases, but Professor Manney countered with a book supporting the authenticity of Flying Saucers.

Target Earth

This section presents specific case studies:

• Camba Punta, Argentina (31.7.'63): Airport Director Mr. Luis H. Sylva and Judge Dr. Gustavo Devidatti witnessed a strange object emitting bright flashes travelling slowly towards the runway. The object hovered about 200 meters above the runway and then departed with extraordinary speed.
• Olden Moore Classic, Ohio, USA (1957): While driving, Mr. Olden Moore observed a bright object that split in two. It changed colors from white to green to bluish green, hovering about 200 feet in the air above a field at approximately 500 feet distance. The object was disc-shaped, about 50 feet in diameter and 15 feet thick, with a cone making its overall height 20 to 30 feet. It was surrounded by a pulsating bluish green haze. The following day, Lake County Civil Defence Director Mr. Kenneth Locke found 1½" deep prints in the field, and a geiger counter recorded 150 roentgens in the center, tapering to 30 roentgens at the perimeter. Mr. Moore was interviewed by military authorities for three days.

New Neighbour

This section shifts to astronomical news:

• Barnard's Star System: Dr. Peter van de Kamp of Sproul Observatory reported the discovery of a new solar system orbiting Barnard's Star, six light years away. Perturbations of the star suggest an unseen planet, calculated to be 1½ times larger than Jupiter, orbiting at about 500 million miles. This planet is presumed to be a turbulent sphere of gases at extremely low temperatures.

Soviet Linguistic Key

It is reported that a Leningrad scientist, Nikolaj Andrejev, has devised a linguistic key for deciphering unknown texts, suggesting that Martian speech could be understood in Leningrad.

UFOIC News and Coming Events

• Public Lecture (4th Feb. 1964): Held at Esperanto Hall, featuring talks by Dr. Lindtner on 1963 UFO sightings and events, and Mr. A. Tomas on scientists' changing attitudes towards intelligent life in the universe. Attendance was forty.
• Social Night (6th March): A report on the Wiltshire Craters by Mr. Homan will be presented at the home of Mrs. Bousefield in Mosman.
• Next Public Meeting (7th April): To be held at Esperanto Hall, Lawson Street, Redfern.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter's primary theme is the dissemination of UFO information and the promotion of serious investigation into the phenomenon. It highlights a global increase in reported sightings and emphasizes the need for members to be kept informed. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards UFO phenomena, contrasting with purely negative or dismissive scientific viewpoints, as evidenced by the discussion of Professor Menzel's and Professor Manney's contrasting books. The inclusion of astronomical news also suggests a broader interest in the possibility of extraterrestrial life and phenomena.