UFORA Research Digest - No 10 - Apr 1990

Magazine Overview

Title: RESEARCH DIGEST
Issue: 10
Date: April 1990
Publisher: UFO RESEARCH AUSTRALIA
Country: AUSTRALIA
Compiler: Keith Basterfield

This issue of Research Digest presents a compilation of UFO/UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) reports and book reviews, primarily focusing on cases from Australia during late 1989 and early 1990. The publication aims to document and investigate these phenomena, with a critical eye towards identifying conventional explanations where possible.

Cases

The "CASES" section details numerous sightings reported to UFO RESEARCH AUSTRALIA (UFORA) and affiliated organizations like UFOR(SA) and TUFOIC.

• UFORA90021 (17 Feb 1990, Canberra ACT): Initially reported as a UFO, further investigation concluded the observation and video film were almost certainly of the planet Venus. Ray Brooke of UFOR(SA) demonstrated this by taping Venus with a defocussed telephoto lens, producing identical images.

• UFORA90025 (14 Feb 1990, Magra TAS): A witness reported a white, round shape in the sky that appeared disc-like, wobbling and zig-zagging before stopping, gaining elevation, and disappearing. No commercial aircraft were in the area, and weather conditions were calm.

• UFORA90026 (9 Sep 1989, Zanthus WA): The crew of a passenger train reported an unusual observation involving a pencil-shaped light that grew into a series of six white lights with a white "smoke" trail. The object passed silently north of the train. While the visual phenomenon lasted about a minute, the "smoke" lingered for approximately 20 minutes. The report clarifies that the "smoke" did not cause coughing or cover windows, contrary to an earlier report on ParaNet. Sightings were also reported from locations 80km north of Kalgoorlie and at Merredin, 550km west.

• UFORA90027 (Dec 1989, Mt Newman WA): Two people observed a star-shaped light, colored bright white and orange, which disappeared behind trees. Upon investigation, they encountered a bright light with two separate orange lights. The vehicle experienced temporary power issues. Later, a third person reported seeing what appeared to be a floodlight.

• UFORA90028 (1987?, Mt Newman WA): Two individuals saw a blood-red object with a semi-crescent shape that appeared to split. The part that split approached them, estimated to be 20m up and 20m away, and followed them as they sped off at 160km/h. It eventually crossed the road in front of them and sped away.

• South Australia Cases (Low Level C): A series of brief reports from various locations in South Australia are listed:
• UFORA90029 (26 Jan 1990, Ingle Farm SA): White light in the sky.
• UFORA90030 (10 Feb 1990, Paralowie SA): A light travelled over a shed, seen briefly.
• UFORA90031 (13 Feb 1990, Adelaide SA): A light seen travelling NW to E, possibly the Russian space station.
• UFORA90032 (14 Feb 1990, North Spalding SA): A light seen travelling NW to E, possibly the Russian space station.
• UFORA90033 (15 Feb 1990, Para Vista SA): Very bright light in the eastern sky, identified as Venus.
• UFORA90034 (17 Feb 1990, Fulham Gardens SA): A dull fluorescent blue light seen about 15m above the house after an unusual noise.
• UFORA90035 (18 Feb 1990, Houghton SA): A brilliant white light with an orange trail, seen for half a second, likely a meteor.
• UFORA90036 (21 Feb 1990, Tarlee SA): Big bright white light in the eastern sky, identified as Venus.
• UFORA90037 (24 Feb 1990, Adelaide SA): Bright light in the eastern sky, identified as Venus.
• UFORA90038 (2 Mar 1990, Adelaide SA): Six moving lights in the western sky, seen in two groups of three.
• UFORA90039 (3 Mar 1990, Adelaide SA): Bright white light moving SW to north, probably a satellite.
• UFORA90040 (4/5 Mar 1990, Adelaide SA): Reports of laser lights used during the Adelaide Festival.

• UFORA90041 (Feb 1990, Wentworth NSW): An unusual flashing light seen on the ground during a shooting trip.

• UFORA90042 (6 Mar 1990, Salisbury Park SA): A whirring noise accompanied a very bright light travelling quickly from north to south, seen for 2-3 seconds. Dogs were disturbed.

• UFORA90043 (9 Mar 1990, Fairview Park SA): A very bright orange light seen in the western sky, resembling an aircraft on fire.

Books

The issue includes reviews of three books related to ufology:

1. The UFO Report 1990 (ed. Timothy Good): A compilation of chapters by various ufologists, covering cases like Gulf Breeze, Mundrabilla, and Rendlesham Forest, and UK crop circles. It is noted as not being aimed at experienced researchers and lacks in-depth ETH debate.
2. Report on Communion (E. Conroy): An investigative journalist's examination of Whitley Strieber's background, claims, and beliefs, offering new perspectives on "Communion" and "Transformation," recommended for those interested in abduction cases.
3. Perspectives (John Spencer): A critical work that analyzes elements of ufologists' research, including abduction research and hypnotic regression, providing valuable insights.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the documentation of UFO/UAP sightings across Australia, the ongoing effort to identify conventional explanations for these phenomena (such as planets and meteors), and the critical review of contemporary literature in the field of ufology. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation and reporting, balanced with a rational approach to analysis, as evidenced by the identification of Venus in several cases. The inclusion of book reviews suggests an interest in the broader discourse surrounding UFO research and related topics like abduction phenomena.