UFOIC Newsletter - No 39 July-August 1973

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O.I.C. NEWSLETTER, No. 39, published bi-monthly and dated July/August 1973, is a 20c publication from Sydney, Australia. It focuses on the upcoming visit of Professor J. Allen Hynek for a lecture tour across Australia and New Guinea, alongside reports of various UFO sightings and related phenomena.

Office Bearers

The newsletter lists the office bearers of the UFOIC, including President F.J. Phillips, Senior Vice-President T.W. Dutton, Vice-Presidents T.V. Homan and W.E. Moser, and Treasurer H. O'Brien, among others.

Professor Hynek Visits Australia

The lead article details Professor J. Allen Hynek's lecture tour in Australia and New Guinea, commencing August 16th. He is scheduled to give three lectures in Sydney under the auspices of the Sydney University Donovan Astronomy Fund Trustees. The article provides a biographical sketch of Professor Hynek, highlighting his academic background and his extensive work in astronomy and UFO investigation, including his role in establishing the U.S. programme for satellite tracking. His visit includes engagements in Gosford, the IAU Congress, and potential meetings with the Federal Science Minister. His itinerary also covers visits to New Guinea, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, New Zealand, Samoa, and his return to America.

Meeting Dates

Information is provided for upcoming UFOIC meetings in Sydney, including a lecture by Professor Hynek on "The UFO Experience" on August 17th, and subsequent meetings on September 7th and October 2nd.

"Blob Baffles Boffins. UFO Mystery Probed"

This section features an extract from The Vancouver Province, dated May 30, 1973, reporting on a mysterious, indestructible blob found in a Dallas woman's backyard. It also mentions fragments of unidentifiable metal found at a site where a UFO reportedly crashed 76 years ago, which are being analyzed by scientists. The article touches upon the discovery of similar material on a hedge and the growth of the blobs, which have multiplied significantly.

Vast UFO Wave Hits Pennsylvania

This report details a significant UFO "wave" that affected a three-county area in eastern Pennsylvania during March 1973. Police received hundreds of sightings, beginning on March 1st with dozens of residents at Saylors Lake spotting flashing lights. A particularly spectacular report from March 28th describes a husband and wife who witnessed an object hovering near their home, with a figure visible inside.

Fairy Rings or UFOs?

Written by Michael Guider, this article explores the phenomenon of mystery rings and circles found in Australia. While many are attributed to fungus growth, the author expresses doubts, citing new reports of rings with unusual characteristics, such as magnetic effects and peculiar soil conditions. The article details specific cases in Navarre (Victoria), Clare (South Australia), Bingara (NSW), and Barraba (NSW), questioning whether fungus is the sole explanation.

Addenda

This section provides a chronological list of historical sightings and phenomena reported by astronomers from 1802 to 1961. It includes observations of objects traversing the sun, luminous objects near planets, mysterious machines on the lunar disc, and various disc-shaped and luminous objects observed by astronomers in Germany, England, USA, Australia, Venezuela, Italy, France, and Israel.

Bookcase: The UFO Experience

A review of Professor J. Allen Hynek's book, "The UFO Experience", praises it for being well-planned, documented, and presenting the UFO phenomenon in a credible, scientific light. The reviewer commends Hynek's approach, free from speculation and sensationalism, and calls the book a "Beginners' Classic Reference Book."

New Books Recommended

This section lists several recommended books related to UFOs and related topics, including "Can You Speak Venusian?", "The Dragon and the Disc", "Investigating UFOs", and "Operation Trojan Horse."

UFOIC News

Updates on UFOIC activities include the sale of UFO-KITS and UFO-BADGES. It also mentions the upcoming visit of Professor Dr. Carl Sagan to Sydney and the re-election of William E. Moser as President of the British Astronomical Association, NSW Branch. Information is also provided regarding new magazines for sale and the need for translations of overseas magazines.

UFOIC Joins the "Network"

The UFOIC has joined the UFO Research Network to further UFO research in Australia and New Zealand. All sighting reports should now be directed to the Network.

New Groups

Announcements of new UFO research groups, including the Central West UFO Research Bureau and the Central Coast UFO Research Bureau.

Sightings: The Australian Scene

An appeal is made to residents in the Burragorang Valley and Tyringham areas of NSW for recent UFO sighting reports. It also lists recent reports received by UFOIC, including sightings in Leeton (NSW) and Ballarat (Victoria).

The World Scene: The President and the Lucky UFO

This brief item reports that President Amin of Uganda joined the ranks of UFO sighters after observing a mysterious object descend on Lake Victoria, which he described as "very important and a good sign."

Once in a Blue Moon

A brief account of a couple in Wales who saw a blue, moon-like object following their car, which filled the car with blue light.

Radioactive "Footprints"

A report from Kjolsoya, Norway, describes the discovery of strange triangular and round prints in the ground that were found to be radioactive. This coincided with disturbances on local television casts.

Aviator Assails Condon Report

John Northrop, founder of Northrop Aircraft Co., criticizes the Condon Report as a "deliberate cover-up" and expresses belief in UFOs based on a "hard core sighting" reported by his chief pilot.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes UFO research and investigation, encouraging the sharing of information and sightings. It maintains a stance of seeking credible evidence and scientific inquiry, as exemplified by the focus on Professor Hynek's visit and the review of his book. The inclusion of historical astronomical observations suggests an interest in the long-term nature of unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness and a desire to understand UFOs through rigorous investigation, while also acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge and the potential for misidentification.