U.F.O.I.C. NEWSLETTER

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O.I.C. NEWSLETTER, number 33, is a bi-monthly publication from Sydney, Australia, dated January/February, 1972. The cover features the headline "APPLIED EXOBIOLOGY" by John M. Prytz. The newsletter covers a range of topics including scientific speculation on planetary engineering, reported UFO sightings, and organizational news.

Applied ExoBiology: Making Venus Habitable

The main article by John M. Prytz explores the concept of Applied ExoBiology, which extends beyond the search for extraterrestrial life to include the study of alien organisms and their environments, as well as the interaction of terrestrial life with alien environments. Prytz discusses Dr. Carl Sagan's suggestion of making Venus habitable. Data from Russian and U.S. space probes indicate that Venus's current conditions are unsuitable for life due to its atmosphere (over 90% carbon dioxide, no oxygen) and extreme surface temperatures (600-1000°F) and pressure (90-100 times Earth's).

Prytz proposes a method for terraforming Venus by seeding a specific atmospheric region (approximately 35 miles up) with genetically produced algae. These algae would perform photosynthesis, converting carbon dioxide and water vapor into organic material and oxygen. This process would gradually decrease the CO2 concentration, lessen the greenhouse effect, and lower temperatures. As conditions improve, water would condense, allowing for ground plants and eventually creating an environment suitable for human colonization. The article emphasizes that this process would create a uni-directional carbon cycle, unlike Earth's, and would require permanent removal of fixed carbon to prevent it from reforming into CO2.

The article also touches upon other potential applications of Applied ExoBiology, such as discovering Martian plants that could cure cancer or harnessing Jupiter's jellyfish for food.

Dates to Remember and Committee Notes

The newsletter includes a section for upcoming events, such as public meetings at Adyar Hall on February 1st and April 4th, and a members' meeting on March 4th at Castlereagh St., Sydney. A note to committee members announces a change in date for their meeting on January 25th, to be held at the Vienna Coffee Shop in Sydney.

New Members and Editorial

New members are encouraged to join the Unidentified Flying Objects Investigation Centre (UFOIC) by contacting the General Secretary or attending meetings. The editorial, written by V. Exley, thanks contributors and encourages continued interest in UFO research. The editor expresses disappointment with the lack of follow-through on some initiatives from the previous year's committee and urges the new committee to dedicate themselves to the work involved in keeping the UFOIC active.

World Scene: UFO Sightings

This section reports on UFO sightings from various locations:

• United States and Canada: A general statement notes a steady flow of 'strange light' reports since late the previous year.
• New Zealand: On September 6, 1971, a mysterious nine-inch diameter, fifteen-foot deep hole with smooth sides was found on a dairy farm in Otarahanga. Police were unable to explain its origin.
• England: Five policemen in Aldridge, Staffs., reported observing a UFO for two hours. One officer took twelve photos, but a security ban on the images was later lifted.
• Atlantic Ocean: The abandoned yacht of John Crowhurst was found with diaries detailing strange sightings. There are also reports of Swedish fishing trawlers colliding with unknown underwater objects.
• Springfield, Illinois, USA: On October 6, 1971, a trooper and citizens reported seeing four small and two large UFOs. One object was described as red and white, and by telescope as yellow, red, and blue-green.

Project UFO Shadow

John West, a private UFO researcher, is undertaking a journey across Australia called the UFO Shadow Project. He is equipped with cameras, telescopes, and a magnetic field detector to investigate UFO sightings, particularly in mountainous regions and ancient Aboriginal caves. West believes that UFOs are real, citing claims from American and Russian cosmonauts. He aims to piece together the 'jigsaw' of UFO phenomena, having found what he considers a vital piece of information in North Queensland.

Letter from Student Member Neville Fraser

Neville Fraser writes to compliment the newsletter's format and addresses a letter from Barry Taylor concerning light-powered spaceships. Fraser explains that ejecting light rearward does not propel a vehicle at the speed of light, using a gun and shell analogy. He calculates that a hypothetical 1000 Kg vehicle expelling one billion photons per second would only achieve a velocity of approximately 4 feet per thousand years, making light-powered propulsion impractical for interstellar travel. He suggests neutrons might be a more effective, though dangerous, propulsion method. Fraser also commends Taylor's views on the cultural aspects of UFOs and offers to contribute articles on the physics of light.

Panorama Magazine Closes

The newsletter announces the closure of 'Panorama,' a magazine published in South Australia that recorded UFO sightings. The editor and publisher, Fred Stone, is wished a speedy recovery from illness.

Symposium on UFO's in Adelaide

A report on a symposium held on October 30, 1971, in Adelaide, organized by the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science. Speakers included Dr. R.J. Best, Dr. B. Horton, Mr. C. Norris, Dr. M.J. Dugin, Mr. L.R. Mitchell, Dr. P. Delin, Dr. D.G. McCoy, and Dr. Herbison-Evans. Topics covered included sightings, psychological aspects, extraterrestrial hypotheses, and solving the UFO problem. The emphasis was placed on the cost of information.

Notes and Publications

Copies of the Canadian UFO book "Science, the Public and the UFO" by Arthur Bray are available for $3.50 plus postage. "We are not the First" by Andrew Tomas is also available for $6.05. The UFOIC library is now located at 2 Iredale Street, Newtown, N.S.W. UFO badges, kits, and spectrum glasses are also available.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the scientific exploration of extraterrestrial life and environments (Applied ExoBiology), the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, and the organization of UFO research groups. The editorial stance is one of encouragement for continued research and participation, emphasizing the importance of dedicated effort within committees and the value of shared information. There is a clear interest in both the theoretical possibilities of alien life and the practical reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena.