UFOIC Newsletter - No 29 Jan-Feb 1971

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O.I.C. Newsletter, dated January-February 1971, is a bi-monthly publication from Sydney, Australia. The cover prominently features the organization's name and details, along with the issue number and date. The price is listed as 20c.

Editorial: The Nature of UFO Research

The editorial, penned by David A. Scott, critiques the common understanding of "U.F.O. research." Scott argues that much of what is termed research primarily consists of collecting and filing reports, interviewing witnesses, and conducting occasional skywatches, rather than engaging in rigorous scientific investigation. He defines research according to the Oxford Dictionary as "careful searching or inquiry; endeavour to find new facts; course of critical investigation." Scientific research, he elaborates, employs inductive reasoning through observation, hypothesis, and verification. Scott highlights the inherent difficulties in applying scientific methods to UFO phenomena due to the inconsistent and potentially misleading nature of eyewitness accounts. He calls for a global collaboration of dedicated researchers equipped with scientific apparatus, including geiger counters, magnetometers, spectroscopes, and sky cameras, to conduct genuine research. Without such efforts, he concludes, understanding of these mysterious objects will remain limited.

World Scene: UFO Sightings

Russia

Little is known about UFO sightings in Russia, but reports from reputable witnesses do exist. An article in "Soviet Russia Today," written by Felix Zigel, Doctor of Science and Assistant Professor at the Moscow Aviation Institute, details some of these sightings.

Case from Koktal

On August 16, 1960, at 11 p.m. near Koktal, members of a geophysical expedition observed a luminous body moving from north to south. Master of Geology and Mineralogy, Nikolai Sochevanov, described the object as having a visible diameter one and a half times larger than the Moon's. It moved at a constant speed and height, appearing lens-shaped and bright, with slightly less luminous edges.

Latvian Astronomers' Observation

On July 26, 1965, three Latvian astronomers—Robert Vitolniek, Yan Melderis, and Esmerelda Vitolniek—observed an unusually bright "star" from an observation station at Ogra. Through binoculars and a telescope, they identified it as a lens-shaped disc, approximately 325 feet across, with a thickened central part and three smaller spheres rotating around it. The objects were estimated to be at an altitude of about 60 miles.

Brazil

On June 21, 1970, Mr. Aristeo Machado, his wife, and Federal Agent Aguiar witnessed an object the size of a car land on the ocean about one kilometre offshore. Spray was ejected as it settled, and a transparent cupola became visible, revealing two small beings in dark grey overalls and helmets. The object had a rotating light that changed colors and, after 30-40 minutes, took off quickly, ejecting a small yellow ball. This report is from the A.P.R.O. Bulletin, August 1970.

Finland

On August 8, 1969, near Pudasjarvi parish, taxi driver Mr. Atte Sarkela and six passengers observed a ball of light moving sideways. A smaller ball was seen later, and the first ball reappeared. The objects, resembling the moon in size, were seen with smaller balls criss-crossing in a gully, some appearing to touch the ground. Teacher Mr. T. Laine and his wife also witnessed the event. Radiation measurements in the area were normal, but minor magnetic disturbances had been noted previously.

Rhodesia

On March 19, 1970, Mrs. S. Pink and Mr. R. Armstrong of Salisbury sighted "three silver objects circling at a height about a black object, before the 'black object' made off at a great speed towards the sun, followed by the silver objects." Other witnesses also reported seeing the objects.

Australian Reports

Adelaide Sighting

Mr. Keith Basterfield of Adelaide reported an incident on October 1, 1970, at 8:18 a.m. local time. While driving with his father and sister, his sister spotted an elongated strip in the sky. The object then changed shape, becoming circular with a definite size and emitting intense light, described as "reflection from a metallic surface such as an aircraft." It then diminished to a pinpoint of light before disappearing. The object was observed at a bearing of about 100 degrees and an elevation of about 25 degrees. Weather conditions were good, with a 20-degree wind and 6-knot ground speed. Subsequent investigation by Mr. Basterfield, comparing the sighting with a weather balloon launched from West Beach airport, concluded that the object was unidentified, as its bearing, angular diameter (up to 15 minutes), and shape changes did not match the balloon's characteristics.

Pulsars

This section summarizes a lecture by Prof. Mills, designer of the Mills Cross radio telescope, given at a U.F.O.I.C. meeting. The Mills Cross is a radio telescope with two one-mile-long parabolic reflectors set at right angles. It operates at 408 megahertz and has been used to study the Milky Way, the Magellanic Clouds, and pulsars.

Pulsars, discovered three years prior, emit radio pulses at regular intervals. Their characteristic pulsing is due to a massive core (neutron star) rotating and emitting radio waves from its magnetic poles, acting like a "radio lighthouse." The interstellar matter affects radio pulse reception, with higher frequencies passing more easily than lower ones. The time interval between these receptions helps approximate the pulsar's distance, ranging from 100 to 15,000 light years.

Initially, regular pulsar pulses were thought to be signs of extraterrestrial life or part of ancient navigational systems. However, these ideas have been proven wrong and discarded as obsolete. The radio telescope was directed to the Crab Nebula to test the pulsar theory, finding a pulsar emitting radio pulses 30 times a second, along with light and possibly gamma radiation. This pulsar, like others, is gradually slowing down, allowing its age to be calculated based on its appearance 1000 years ago.

U.F.O.I.C. News and Events

Committee

At the December annual meeting, committee members were re-elected, with the exception of Mr. E. Sayers. New members include Mr. M. Drawbridge and Mr. B. French (sight investigations officers), Messrs. J. Blattman, N. Szechwenko, and Mrs. Exley (assistant secretaries), and Mr. F. Wilks (research).

Sightings

Members are encouraged to report UFO sightings to investigation officers Mr. Barry French and Mr. Martin Drawbridge via telephone at 6076608 or 6070615, day or night.

Fees

Membership fees for 1971 are now due and should be forwarded to the secretary, Mr. Moser, at P.O. Box E170, St. James, Sydney 2000.

Social

The next U.F.O.I.C. social will be held on Saturday, March 6, at 3 p.m. at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. J. Blattman, 14 Constitution Rd., Wentworthville. Attendees are asked to bring a plate (ladies) or liquid refreshments (gentlemen).

Library

New postal rates for the library postal service are: 30c. within 30 miles of Sydney, 40c. elsewhere in N.S.W., and 60c. for adjoining states. These rates apply to parcels of one or two books. Stamps should be remitted to the Librarian, Mr. M. Duggan, 22 Ferguson Avenue, Springwood, N.S.W. 2777.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the call for more rigorous, scientific investigation into UFO phenomena, contrasting it with mere report collection. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of empirical research and the application of scientific methods. The inclusion of astronomical topics like pulsars, and the debunking of early UFO theories related to them, suggests an editorial interest in separating established science from speculative UFO claims, while still maintaining an open mind to unexplained aerial phenomena. The newsletter also emphasizes community and member engagement through socials, reporting, and library services.