RESEARCH DIGEST

Magazine Overview

Title: RESEARCH DIGEST
Issue: 34
Date: May/June 1993
Publisher: UFO RESEARCH AUSTRALIA
Compiler: Keith Basterfield

This issue of the Research Digest, compiled by Keith Basterfield for UFO RESEARCH AUSTRALIA, focuses on reports from the network, particularly highlighting contributions from Helen Chapman and the UFO Investigation Network, Inc of Brisbane. It also includes research notes on crop circles and a section on 'In the Literature'. The publication aims to present detailed accounts of UFO sightings and related phenomena.

Reports from the Network

The 'Reports from the Network' section features a series of witness accounts from Australia and other locations:

• UFORA93040 (August 1979, Mt Tibrogargan, QLD, Australia): Mr and Mrs H reported a tremendous noise engulfing their car, causing the lights and motor to cut out. An orange glow was observed inside the car. The noise faded, and the car's systems resumed functioning.
• UFORA93041 (July 17, 1989, Wolffdene, QLD, Australia): A 45-year-old man observed a bright, flashing light in the southern sky. Using binoculars, he described a teardrop-shaped black object with pulsing white, green, and blue lights, and a long white projection underneath. The object moved eastward and faded.
• UFORA93042 (1983, Forcett, TAS, Australia): A witness reported seeing a bright light that resolved into a grey, squarish shape with windows and flashing lights. Black human-like figures were visible inside. The object lost height and was obscured.
• UFORA93043 (June 21, 1985, Flinders Island, Australia): A boat crew member observed six or more bright green lights, approximately 3/4m across, shining under the water. They appeared suddenly and faded after about 10 minutes.
• UFORA93044 (December 30, 1992, Bellenve, TAS, Australia): A man observed two steady red/orange lights approaching at speed. The lights then changed course, moved away, and one increased speed, pulsing as it departed.
• UFORA93045 (January 11, 1993, Mt Nelson, TAS, Australia): A woman saw a very bright, yellow light just above the treeline, which appeared to be rocking backwards and forwards.
• UFORA93046 (January 12, 1993, Evandale, TAS, Australia): A married couple observed a cylindrical shape with three spinning lights that appeared close, then gradually moved away to the northeast, becoming blurred and disappearing.
• UFORA93047 (February 21, 1989, Launceston, TAS, Australia): The pilot of a Piper Lancer aircraft and a passenger were alerted by air traffic control to a coloured light in the northern sky. The light alternated between red and green, and the object appeared to be at their level, requiring evasive action to avoid a potential collision.
• UFORA3048 (April 9, 1993, Over NSW, Australia): Numerous people reported an object that initially appeared as a white glow, then became a coloured ball with a tail, split into two, and disintegrated, followed by a sonic boom.

Physical Traces

This section delves into two significant physical trace cases, presented as classic examples with direct links to UFOs:

Valensole, France (July 1, 1965)

Maurice Masse, a farmer, witnessed a whistling sound and then an unusual object shaped like a rugby football, about the size of a car, with six legs and a central pivot. He initially mistook two nearby figures for children but realized they were unusual beings. These beings, described as about 120cm tall with pumpkin-like heads and grey-green clothing, pointed a pencil-like object at Masse, causing temporary paralysis. After the beings re-entered their object, it lifted off silently and vanished. Investigations at the landing site revealed a flat imprint, a cylindrical hole, radiating grooves, and soil with near-liquid consistency. The area showed signs of plant damage and high calcium content. Masse reported experiencing drowsiness for weeks after the event.

Trans-en-Provence, France (January 8, 1981)

Renato Nicolai observed a whistling sound and an object descending towards the ground. The object, described as like two saucers stacked, grey in colour, about 2m high and 2.4m wide, with landing gear or feet, landed briefly. It emitted a whistling sound and rapidly departed northeast, kicking up dust. Police investigations found two concentric circular markings on the ground. GEPAN analysis indicated compacted earth with a tough, calcium-rich crust, subjected to strong mechanical pressure. The chlorophyll pigment in leaf samples from inside the ring was weakened.

In the Literature

This section lists publications from the Journal of UFO Studies, including:

• "Further Studies on the Ubatuba Magnesium Samples" by W. W. Walker & R. W. Johnson.
• "How Children Portray UFOs" by L. Kerth & R.F. Haines.
• "Astronomers, the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis and the United States Air Force at the beginning of the Modern UFO phenomenon" by M.D. Swords.
• "The Prevalence of Abductions: A Critical Look" by R.L. Hall, M. Rodeghier & D. A. Johnson.
• "Suggested Techniques for Hypnosis and Therapy of Abductees" by D. M. Jacobs & B. Hopkins.

Research Notes: Crop Formations in the UK-1992/1993

The 1992 UK crop circle season received little attention in Australia, but news indicated a "Manmade Circle Making competition" and claims of an international government plot against crop circle research. The difficulty in distinguishing man-made from genuine formations was noted, along with the limitations of the Meaden vortex theory.

The 1993 UK season began on May 5. Reports included formations near St Neots and West Overton North Farm, featuring tailed shafts, sunburst centres, and ripple wave flow effects. Research groups, including the CCCS and CNACCS, were monitoring environmental changes. The US/UK/Canadian project Argus was not active in the UK, but Dr W C Levengood would continue plant sampling. Dr Steven Greer was expected to continue experiments to contact entities behind the crop formations.

The film "Fire in the Sky," based on the 1975 Travis Walton abduction case, opened in Australia on May 13, 1993, and its potential effect on abduction reports was to be monitored.

Research Article

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Classification of Level of Investigation and Strangeness/Probability

The issue includes a classification system for UFO reports:

• Level of Investigation: A (on-site investigation by experienced investigators), B (interview with witness, no follow-through), C (standard UFO report form only), D (written communication only), E (information received via newspaper).
• Strangeness/Probability: S7 (IFO), S2 (Probably explainable), S3 (Possibly explainable with strangeness), S4 (Strange, not conforming to scientific principles), S5 (Highly strange). Probability ratings P7 (Not credible) to P5 (Highly credible) are also provided.

The GEPAN conclusion for the Trans-en-Provence case stated they could not give a precise interpretation but confirmed a significant event. References are provided for both the Valensole and Trans-en-Provence cases.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO/UAP sightings, physical traces left by alleged UFOs, and crop circle phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent reporting and investigation, presenting witness accounts and scientific analysis without overt sensationalism. The inclusion of detailed case studies like Valensole and Trans-en-Provence, along with the classification systems, suggests a methodical approach to the subject matter. The magazine also engages with contemporary UFO research and literature, indicating a commitment to staying current within the field.