RESEARCH DIGEST

Magazine Overview

Title: RESEARCH DIGEST
Issue: 25
Date: November 1991
Publisher: UFO RESEARCH AUSTRALIA (UFORA)
Country: Australia

This issue of the Research Digest, compiled by Keith Basterfield, focuses on the publication of UFORA's first book, recent UFO cases from Australia and New Zealand, crop circle research, and government documents related to UFO phenomena.

UFORA's First Book Published

The lead story announces the release of "UFO Research in Australia and New Zealand," a comprehensive digital book on a 5 1/4 inch disk. It contains over 90,000 words, spans more than 800 pages, and covers over 300 topics, representing the work of Australian ufologists. Authors include Keith Basterfield, Russell Boundy, Holly Goriss, Bill Chalker, Bryan Dickeson, Vladimir Godic, Paul Jackson, Joan Johnston, John Knapman, Mark Moravec, Moira McGhee, David Reneke, and Keith Roberts. The project was collated and edited by Vladimir and Pony Godic. The disk is compatible with IBM personal computers and offers full search and print capabilities. Copies can be obtained from Dynamo House in Victoria, Australia.

Cases from the Network

This section details several recent UFO sighting reports:

• UFORA91090 (July 12, 1991): A man in Lansborough, QLD, reported a dome-shaped, golden object resembling a catherine wheel with a white halo and red colors. Venus was visible nearby.
• UFORA91091 (June 27, 1991): A woman in Maroochydore, QLD, observed three silver, cylindrical objects moving noiselessly in Indian file from east to west.
• UFORA91092 (circa 1973): A man near Yass, NSW, experienced "missing time" while travelling on a highway under construction. He has no memory of a period of driving.
• UFORA91093 (1960): Near Renmark, SA, a man and his son witnessed a white square object several meters off the road, emitting white and amber lights and a shower of burning metal.
• UFORA91094 (November 13, 1991): A man travelling near Mt Magnet, WA, reported a bright, yellowish light that approached his utility, maintained a distance of 200m, and followed him when he turned back. The object was brilliant white at its closest approach and had no discernible noise.
• UFORA91099 (August 25, 1991): Two witnesses in Waddamana, TAS, observed a bright, round, white light that elongated and broke into flecks. Their video camera and radio experienced malfunctions.
• UFORA91100 (September 17, 1991): A witness in Bellerive, TAS, saw flashing green/orange/red lights and a larger spinning red light, with a white beam illuminating a park area. The lights then disappeared, except for the red one, which ascended rapidly.
• The Mundrabilla-Nullarbor Incident (January 20, 1988): A West Australian family reported a UFO that lifted their car off the ground before dropping it back. UFORA's investigation team interviewed witnesses and examined physical evidence.

From the Literature

This section reviews recent articles and books relevant to ufology:

• MUFON Journal (July 1991): Features on Tennessee UFO incidents, an Illinois crop circle, and an interview with Jesse Marcel Jr. regarding the Roswell crash.
• International UFO Reporter (July/August 1991): Articles on the "Belgian Wave," UFO abductions, and why urban legends cannot explain abduction phenomena.
• Fortean Times: Includes an article titled "Abused by Aliens" detailing an Adelaide woman's abduction account, and an overview of the 1991 UK crop circle scene.

Research Notes

• John Jensen in Canberra is seeking information on WW2 German research into saucer-shaped objects, specifically a picture from 1945 near Wiesbaden, Germany.

Abduction Research

• Whitley Strieber has withdrawn from the UFO research field, citing media attacks and calling UFOlogists "cruellest, nastiest and craziest." He believes abduction reports are artifacts of hypnosis and cultural conditioning.
• David Jacobs' new book, "Secret Life-the Structure and Meaning of UFO Abduction," is scheduled for early 1992 publication.
• A list of articles by Australian researchers on the abduction phenomenon is provided, with copies available upon request from Keith Basterfield.

Government Documents

UFORA aims to make government information on UFOs accessible. Summaries are provided for several RAAF documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, including sighting reports from 1984-1989 and policy files from 1953-1960. Copies are available for purchase.

Crop Circle Research

• The UK Centre for Crop Circles Research has stated that many crop circle events are genuine, citing microscopic evidence of energy surges. They plan to present findings to the UK science and government bodies.
• Michael Chorost in the USA has also conducted research on crop circles, and copies of his article "The Summer 1991 Crop Circles:The Data Emerges" are available.
• The digest notes the lack of reported crop circles in Australia, a major grain-producing country, contrasting with the UK and USA.

Australian Catalogues

UFORA has updated several of its catalogues of Australian UFO sightings, including reports from aircraft crew members, entity reports, close encounters, vehicle interference cases, and abduction cases. A specific catalogue on the Mundrabilla-Nullarbor Incident is also available.

New Books

Reviews of recent books are included:

• "UFO Crash at Roswell" by Randle & Schmitt, described as an essential read for those investigating the Roswell incident.
• "Behold a Pale Horse" by M.W. Cooper, covering topics like the Kennedy assassination, Illuminati, and crashed saucers.
• "MUFON 1991 International UFO Symposium Proceedings."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Research Digest consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, particularly within Australia and New Zealand. It aims to compile and disseminate information on sightings, research, and related topics. The publication highlights the work of organizations like UFORA and MUFON, reviews relevant literature, and provides access to government documents. There is a clear interest in documented cases, scientific investigation (as seen in crop circle research), and the controversial topic of alien abductions. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and information sharing, while also acknowledging skepticism and differing viewpoints, as evidenced by Whitley Strieber's critical comments on the field.