RESEARCH DIGEST

Magazine Overview

Title: RESEARCH DIGEST
Issue: 13
Date: August 1990
Publisher: UFO RESEARCH AUSTRALIA
Country: AUSTRALIA

This issue of the Research Digest, compiled by Keith Basterfield and published by UFO Research Australia, focuses on a collection of UFO case reports from various dates and locations across Australia, primarily Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania. It also includes research notes on crop circles and abduction, as well as reviews of new books.

Cases

The "CASES" section presents a series of detailed reports, each assigned a UFORA identification number. These cases span several decades, from the 1960s to 1990.

• UFORA90066 (Various dates, SA & TAS): This entry details unusual episodes recalled by a male reporter between 1973 and 1987. These include a poltergeist-like event and two instances of bedroom paralysis, one of which involved a sensation of something being pushed into an arm, resulting in blood emerging from a hole upon waking.
• UFORA90067 (1990-01-08, Lochart River, QLD): A police constable and a clerk of Council observed a bright, silvery light for over two hours. Described as a 'wine decanter' through binoculars, it was identified as Venus.
• UFORA90019 (1990-01-01, Malanda, QLD): A couple witnessed a red oval light approaching their home, accompanied by a smaller white light. The objects stopped at an estimated 200m distance and 450m height before moving away. Two other independent groups also viewed the object. Investigation could not identify it.
• UFORA90068 (1972, Boogan, QLD): A man reported seeing a small silver object that transformed into a bright white light, with a larger light appearing higher in the sky. The smaller light moved around the larger one, and the larger light exhibited rapid departure and return before leaving.
• UFORA90069 (1979, Silwood, QLD): A "People" magazine report of an "enormous craft, shaped like a saucer...sucking the water up from the creek" was investigated. Findings revealed that a big bright white slow-moving light was seen, but nothing further occurred.
• UFORA90070 (1964-07, Near Yorkeys Knob, QLD): A couple travelling by van noticed a shiny silver object, estimated at 1.5km away and 18m in diameter, resting on legs. They observed it for 25 minutes.
• UFORA90071 (Various dates, Glen Allyn, QLD): A man, his wife, and son reported sightings of orange lights that moved and blinked over several years.
• UFORA90072 (1987-1988, Far North QLD): A male reporter recounted experiences including a UFO sighting 2km away on Thursday Island, visions, and 'contacts' with entities. He also reported two entities appearing in his flat in Cairns and a recent rash attributed to aliens.
• UFORA90073 (1987-07, Between Camawheel and Mt Isa, QLD): Two motorcyclists observed a round, yellow light, approximately 1.5m in diameter with flickering edges, move quickly across the road. Its brightness was comparable to the full Moon.
• UFORA90074 (1990-02-14, Kallangur, QLD): A female nurse experienced a sudden displacement of 5km along the road and a missing time of 25-35 minutes, accompanied by nausea and head pain. She later experienced gynaecological problems.
• UFORA90075 (1990-04-25, Coondoo, QLD): Following animal disturbances, a witness saw a large object hovering behind trees for about 10 minutes. The witness felt nauseous and light-headed later.
• UFORA90076 (1985?, Sunnybank, QLD): A woman noticed a very bright light behind townhouses. She found that an hour had passed after watching it for 10 minutes. She later suffered a mild stroke and underwent a hysterectomy.
• UFORA90077 (Date?, Bet. Yelarbon and Brisbane, QLD): A truck driver was followed by a bright light that changed positions. Another truck driver travelling behind also reported seeing the object.

Research Notes

1. Crop Circles: The author mentions a recent overseas trip where he viewed and photographed crop circles in England. Further details are promised for the next issue.
2. Abduction Research: An article by the author, Vlad, and Pony is referenced, providing an update on Australian abduction cases since their 1989 article in the International UFO Reporter.
3. Mundrabilla: Information is provided on obtaining the UFORA report on the Mundrabilla case from Arcturus Book Service in Stone Mountain, GA, USA, for US$14.

New Books

Two books on crop circles are reviewed:

1. "Circles research 1" edited by G.T. Meaden & D.M. Elsom (1990). This softcover volume presents papers from the First International Conference on the Circles Effect held in Oxford, England. It covers findings, possible production mechanisms, and the relationship between crop circles and the UFO phenomenon. It is available from the Circles Effect Research Unit in England for 10 pounds plus postage.
2. "Crop circles: a mystery solved" by J. Randles & P. Fuller (1990). This hardcover book reviews the crop circle enigma, Dr. Meaden's vortex hypothesis, and its link to the UFO phenomenon. The authors extend Meaden's work, presenting extraordinary findings that challenge the notion that UFOs equal alien intelligence, suggesting this requires further research and debate.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and related phenomena, with a focus on Australian cases. There is also a significant emphasis on crop circles and abduction research, indicating an interest in these specific areas of ufology. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation and reporting of cases, while also engaging with broader research topics and new publications in the field. The inclusion of book reviews and research notes suggests an aim to inform readers about current developments and scholarly work within ufology.