U.F.O.I.C. NEWSLETTER

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O.I.C. NEWSLETTER, No. 37, published in September/October 1972, is a bi-monthly publication from P.O. BOX E170, ST. JAMES, SYDNEY. 2000, Australia. The price is 20c. The editorial section features a farewell from the outgoing Editor, V. Exley, who thanks supporters and appeals for a new Editor and Committee members. The issue also lists the Office Bearers of the UFOIC, including President F.J. Phillips and Vice-President & Hon. Gen. Secretary W. E. Moser.

ASTRONOMERS AND U.F.O.'s

This main article, written by William Moser, President of the British Astronomical Association and General Secretary of UFOIC, delves into historical accounts of astronomers who have reported sightings of unusual phenomena. Moser states that he has compiled a chronological list of such sightings dating back over 250 years, acknowledging it is not exhaustive and soliciting further reports.

The article details numerous historical sightings:

• March 6th, 1716: Edmond Halley observed an illuminating object for over two hours. Halley had prior sightings in May 1677 and July 31st, 1708. Similar reports came from Gottfried Kirch and Montanori.
• August 9th, 1762: Two Swiss Astronomers, De Rostan and Croste, observed an object in front of the Sun.
• June 17th, 1777: Charles Messier observed a large number of dark, disc-shaped spots in the sky.
• August 18th, 1783: Cavallo observed a strange luminous object. At Greenwich Observatory, eight objects emerged from a larger one, described as satellites.
• March 19th, 1718; December 5th, 1737; December 16th, 1742: Scientist Wilkins reported sightings on these dates.
• September 7th, 1820: Francis Arago described objects moving with military precision.
• 1822, 1834, 1836, 1837: Pastorff reported sightings.
• 1823, 1826, 1828: Webb and others reported sightings.
• September 6th to November 1st, 1831: Dr. Wartmann and staff at Geneva Observatory observed a luminous body nightly.
• 1835, 1837, 1844: Reports from Cocciatore, De Vico, De Cuppis, and Glaisher.
• May 11th, 1845: Capocci observed shining discs, some star-shaped, at Naples.
• 1847, 1849: Schmidt, Brown, and Sidebotham reported sightings.
• 1849: Inglis reported sightings in Switzerland.
• June 11th, 1855: Astronomers Ritter and Schmidt saw a darkish body.
• September 1st, 1859: Richard Carrington observed two luminous bodies.
• April 27th, 1863: Waldner observed objects similar to Capocci and Waldner.
• May 30th, 1867: Bird observed objects similar to Capocci and Waldner.
• April 27th, 1863: Waldner observed small luminous bodies travelling at great speed.
• June 8th, 1868: British Astronomers at Radcliffe Observatory saw a luminous object that moved quickly, stopped, and changed course.
• August 7th, 1869: Professor Zentmayer and Prof. Coffin observed objects moving parallel during a solar eclipse.
• October 17th & 18th, 1869: Lieutenant Herschel observed dark shadows and luminous streaks crossing the Sun.
• August 1st, 1871: French Astronomer Coggia observed a red object moving slowly.
• August 29th, 1871: French Astronomer Trouvelot observed opaque bodies crossing the Sun.
• June 17th, 1873: Calle and Dr. Sage observed a large object that travelled at incredible speed and seemingly exploded.
• April 24th, 1874: Prof. Schaffarik observed a bright white object crossing the Moon.
• April 13th, 1879: Harrison observed a large luminous body.
• November 30th, 1880: Ricco observed objects crossing the Sun.
• August 21st, 1880: M. A. Trecul reported a bright yellowish-white object.
• November 17th, 1882: E. W. Maunder observed a greenish, torpedo-shaped object.
• August 12th, 1883: Bonilla observed 283 bodies crossing the Sun.
• August 22nd, 1885: Amateur Astronomers observed a red object moving from South to South-East.
• November 1st, 1885: A Turkish Amateur Astronomer reported an elongated, luminous object, and another blueish-greenish object.
• April 4th, 1892: A Dutch Astronomer saw a large black disc crossing the Moon.
• April 25th, 1898: Prof. J. Michailovitch observed an object hovering over Belgrade.
• February 23rd, 1883: Camille Flammarion observed a stationary object, naming similar ones 'Bradytes'.

Regional Sightings

NEW ZEALAND

• November 18th, 1971: A meteorological radar officer in Christchurch tracked an unusual object at a height of 30,137 feet, with a climb rate of up to 7,000 feet per minute and a ground speed of 80-100 knots. Experts state no New Zealand aircraft can perform such maneuvers.

TASMANIA

• April 25th, 1972: Four people in Delorane observed a disc-shaped object with windows, colored orange, white, and green, with a white object extending from its top.
• May 27th, 1972: Mr. J.S. of New Town saw three red lights circling the Domain and heading towards the airport. Mr. D.L. observed a dome-shaped object about 400 feet from the ground, flying slowly along Bell Street.

SYDNEY

• January 5th (year not specified, but implied to be prior to the article's publication): Mr. I.S. of Wahroonga reported a three-feet diameter blinding light chasing his car from Penrith to Windsor. The light disappeared when he stopped his car.

Extract from "UNDERSTANDING" Sept., 1972 issue

This section features insights from Dr. J.A. Hynek, an authority on UFOs, who believes the phenomenon is gaining respectability. He suggests that private individuals should fund research centers, as government efforts are insufficient. Hynek notes that the best reports come from articulate, intelligent people who may have been initially skeptical. He concedes the possibility of advanced extraterrestrial life and emphasizes the need for proper scientific investigation, predicting that the solution to the UFO problem will be a "mighty and totally unexpected jump" for science.

• August 13th, 1972: A sighting in Kentlyn, N.S.W., described a banana-shaped object, brightly lit, moving slowly and descending before disappearing behind a mountain range.

JOHN WEST on Project UFO-SHADOW round Australia. 1972.

John West details his self-financed project to investigate UFO sightings across Australia using a vehicle equipped with a magnetic field detector, cine camera, and spotlights. He recounts his experiences:

• December 1971: Investigated the "Desert of UFO Base" area near Clare, South Australia, hearing stories of discs and visiting a reportedly haunted farmhouse. He experienced unexplained sounds but saw nothing.
• Wilcannia, N.S.W.: Investigated a publicized 1954 sighting and met a woman who claimed to have her own pet UFO. He observed a brilliant yellowish light moving erratically, which he photographed. His compass malfunctioned after seeing a bright light.
• Cairns: Encountered a photographer with a UFO photograph showing two spheres and a UFO shape, with a photographic anomaly. He also recounts an incident where house lights went out and main fuses blew after he whimsically asked for a sign from spacepeople.

Letter received from a lady in a Sydney suburb (25/9/72)

The author emphasizes that UFOs are intelligent beings controlling complex spacecraft and urges open-mindedness. She references recent sightings at Taree and Melbourne, questioning the explanation of Venus as the cause for lights. She describes a Taree incident where a large object with spotlights examined a VW car before shooting off at high speed. Another account details a car being driven off the road by a bright ball of light that then shot upwards. The author suggests UFOs observe space flights and human reactions, possibly preparing for an eventual planetary move. She criticizes official explanations of UFOs as natural phenomena or unexplainable, stating that the public would feel more secure knowing the truth.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the investigation of UFO phenomena, encouraging member participation in reporting sightings and attending meetings. There's a strong emphasis on historical documentation and scientific inquiry, as evidenced by the detailed accounts of astronomer sightings and the inclusion of Dr. J.A. Hynek's perspective. The publication appears to lean towards the belief that UFOs represent a genuine, unexplained phenomenon, possibly of extraterrestrial origin, and criticizes official downplaying or dismissal of such reports. The editorial stance is one of open-minded investigation and a desire to uncover the truth behind the UFO mystery.