Table Of ContentServing the Members of the Michigan Mutual UFO Network
MICHIGAN MUFON
Newsletter
Volume I Issue 1 June 15, 1995
STATE NEWS
To The Members Section Directors, and the as well as representing Michigan
expressions of support we have at the July Symposium in Seattle.
gotten from national MUFON Toward the end of the year we
of Michigan
officers like Walt Andrus, Central intend to turn over responsibilities
MUFON Regional Director Jack Kasher, to a new State Director and Board
Chief Investigator T. David of Officers, and work with them
Spencer, and Staff photoanalyst until our departure for Oklahoma
t has been a hectic and busy
· Jeff Sainio. early next year. For details on
but mostly positive month for
many of these plans and what has
I us since we were asked by
Our immediate concerns were to been done to date, please see the
International Director Walt
communicate with our accompanying articles. We ask
Andrus to take over the Co
membership and State Section for your patience and indulgence
Directorship of Michigan MUFON.
Directors. The postcards and as we work on these issues. We
Shirley Tafoya, who for years had
phone contacts regarding the May strongly believe that what you
served MUFON with her first
21st meeting cancellation, this and we are interested in is of the
husband George Coyne, was
Newsletter, two State Section greatest importance. That
relinquishing her State duties to
Director Newsletters, and the realization, and the help and
concentrate upon her national
June 4th State Section Director's offers of help we are receiving
responsibilities with MUFON and
meeting are results of that from you, make the job easier.
to start a new life with her
activity. Making plans for the Thank you.
husband Joe. We wish the
September and November State
Tafoyas the best in the coming
Membership meetings, along with Bill and Linda Murphy
years, and almost immediately
preparing proposals for State
experienced how challenging
officer reorganization, took further
directing a state the size of
time. In the middle distance are
Michigan can be. We greatly
issues pertaining to Field
appreciate the phone calls and
Investigator Training and new Upcoming
other contacts from Members and
State Section Director allocations,
InsidTehi s Meetings
Issue
1 StateN ews
5 StateS ightinilgsl B rier
Please plan now to attend our last
7 NationaUFl O AwarenesWse ek meetings of 1995, to be held in the
8 Can'tGe t ThereF rom Here?
Lansing area on September 1Oth
10 Who WeAre
and November 12th, from 12:30-
10 Algebra andAl iens
5:00 p.m. A look at the State map
13 BookR eviews
2 MICIDGAN MUFON NEWSLETTER
shows that 90% of Michigan's Stoneleigh Drive, Lansing, members not only of the
MUFON membership is located Michigan 48910 (FORM ON MUFON parent organization,
within about an hour and a half of P. 17). We will indicate in the but also dues-paying
Lansing, while 70% is within the next Michigan Newsletter Michigan MUFON members
same radius of Flint. We intend to whether our records show ($1 0.00 per mailing address).
announce speakers and exact that you have already paid for Note that, like the present
meeting sites, with appropriate 1995 or not. Those who arrangement, two individuals
directions, in the next Newsletter have paid or who pay at that can request to be selected as
(late July-early August). These will time will receive uninterrupted State Co-Directors (or Co
be especially important meetings. newsletters (at least three more State Directors, whichever
In September we plan to conduct after the next newsletter). makes better sense to them;
voting on nominees for the State This has seemed to us the I'm still trying to figure that
Directorship, and will make important
fairest way to deal with the out). They must submit a
announcements regarding
situation. We recognize that written resume or biography
nominating for a limited number of
consistent communication is to Bill Murphy by August 31,
State officers. At the November
your right as members of 1995, stating their
meeting the new State Director (or
Michigan MUFON, and background qualifications,
co-Directors) will take over the
pledge our best to justify your interest in ufology, and why
leadership, and the officer team will
continued trust. they would like to serve as
be presented. At both meetings, we
State Director. Murphy will
will share current infonnation about
acknowledge each
the status and plans for Michigan
CALL FOR submission and print them up
MUFON. ReseNation
that members may read
so
arrangements for the meeting and NOMINEES FOR
them when they come to the
brunch will be announced in the
STATE DIRECTOR September meeting. At the
July/A ugust Newsletter.
••
meeting members will vote on
a ballot their first, second, and
With the concurrence of third preferences for State
MUFON International Director Director from the list. Only
STATE DUES
Walt Andrus, Michigan is National MUFON members
STRUCTURE going to use a new method (who are on the National
for selecting a State Director. membership list, and not just
ANNOUNCED··
This was proposed by a long those who paid their $10.00
time member, and has the State dues) are eligible to
Many of you have asked us
advantage of allowing state vote for this position. Votes
by letter or telephone how to
members to express their will be tallied by the following
pay your 1995 Michigan State
preferences, while retaining system: a first choice gets 3
Dues. Dues for 1995 are
the right of the International points, a second gets 2
$10.00 per mailing address
Office to make the final points, and a third choice
and not per person, as one
decision. receives 1 point. The names
Newsletter will be sent to
and resumes of the top three
each location. Please make
Candidates for the position of vote-getters will be sent to Mr.
checks payable to Michigan
State Director (see job Andrus in Seguin, Texas, for
MUFON and send them to Bill
description below) must be his review and selection.
and Linda Murphy, 3639
2
MICHIGAN MUFON NEWSLETTER 3
The State-Director-elect will supervision by State Section We will provide a "how to" to
be contacted by Mr. Murphy Directors. the new State Director, giving
by October 15th and will play up-to-date lists of media and
an important role in selecting 3.2.1 Objectives police contacts, member and
the state officer team To accomplish that objective State Section Director phone
he/she/they will be working and for related purposes, the numbers, and information on
with. The new State State Director is expected to: planning for the meetings.
Director(s) will then assume 1. Recruit new persons as We'll also work with the new
leadership of Michigan potential Field Investigators. Director until our departure
MUFON at the November 2. Conduct or oversee from the state. We intend
meeting. investigative training. that preparations for the 1997
3. Recommend or approve MUFON International
Work is still being done after appointments to investigative Symposium will be mainly in
State Section Director input at and supervisory positions and the hands of a Symposium
the June 4th meeting on coordinate their activities. Team, so that responsibility
determining the exact number 3. Hold general membership shall not claim as much of the
and duties of the other State meetings and otherwise State Director's resources as
officers. We anticipate at communicate regularly with one might think. Being State
minimum that Assistant State members in the state. Director affords one an almost
Director, Chief Investigator/ 4. Solidify relationships with unique opportunity to work
Head of Investigations, and police, airports, and the news with a variety of interesting
Newsletter Editor/Media Chief media for referral of UFO people at the forefront of a
functions will be allocated. reports by the citizenry. fascinating subject, and to
·
Thus, the State Director will 6. Assign cases, monitor their help make a difference in
have many of the burdens progress, and assess the ufology, which may be one of
taken over by other capable resulting case reports prior to the most important fields of
·
people, while still retaining the submittal. endeavor imaginable.
responsibilities of the State 7. Develop public awareness
Director as described in the of the U F 0 subject.'
Field Investigators' Training 8. Submit an annual report of STATE SECTION
Manual, 4th edition, Section activities.
Ill, by Walter H. Andrus, Jr., 9. Attend MUFON's annual DIRECTORS'
Dan Wright, and Jerold "Ron" International UFO Symposium
MEETING SETS
Johnson: (or appoint a designee) and
participate in symposium
NEW COURSE
3.2 State/Provincial Director activities designed for state
This person assumes overall directors.
responsibility for MUFON Sunday, June 41h, saw Section
leadership in the state. The See the remainder of Section Directors from all over Michigan
primary objective of his/her Ill of the new manual for other converge upon Lansing for a
reorganization meeting. There was
duties must be to establish useful information about
excellent participation and
and maintain an investigative MUFON offices and
discussion, and a great deal was
network in all geographic responsibilities. accomplished. As one Section
areas of the state, with local Director put tt afterwards, •If was a
good beginning." Section Directors
3·
4 MICIDGAN MUFON NEWSLETTER
unable to atet nd the afternono counties not currently covered by a
session have been fully apprised of Tom Berlanger,8 10-737-2738: named State Section Director,
the details by a Section Directors' Oakland. enquiries and reports should be sent
Newsletter. A summary of the to Bill and Linda Murphy,3 639
ogenda,announcemen�,and Bruce Domanowski, 51 7-46 7- Stonelelgh Drive, Lansing,4 8910,
decisions follows. 6218: Hillsdale, lenawe,e Monroe. phone: 517-394-2320.
After introductions,the Section Other major business at the State
Directors were polled as to the Wayne Erickson, 313-534-2293: Section Directors' metie ng included
challenges Michigan MUFON Wayne. the presentation of an Innovative
currently faces. While more details procedure for selecting the new
on this will be available In the next Sheldon Gunnerson,5 1 7-386-3071 : State Director (see ·can For
Newsletter,pa rticlpan� indicated Clare,G ladwin,Isa bella, Midland. Nominees for State Director" article
1hat Improved communications on page 2). This was followed by a
within the organization, Field financial report. There was $812.66
Investigator training,a nd Public Undo Keel<. 616-968-2519: In the Treasury as of our receMng tt
Relations were major lnterem. Colhoun,B ranch. on May 20th. $25.00 In member
checks were depostted to bring the
leonard Keeney,3 13-76 9-76 45: total to 837.66. $41.36 was spent
Washtenaw. by the co-Directors on postage
An allocation of counties to State during May,but not yet reimbursed.
Section Directors was conducted. Harold Marquardt,8 10 -463-5553: A Michigan MUFON dues structure
At the o�t of this actMty,C o-State Macomb. was considered,a s were several
Director Bill Murphy announced 1hat ways of making money appropriate
he had been contacted that Brenda and Richard McVannel, for a non-proftt organization.
momlng by Elmer Bean,wh o is 616-582-7097: Charlevoix. Emmet, Meeting plans for the rest of the
resigning his post as State Section Antrim,G rand Traverse. year and beyond were discussed,
Director for Van Buren, Kalamazoo, and a lansing site will be
Be_rrien and Coss counties. Mr. announced for the September 1Oth
Bean is retiring from ufology after Undo and Bill Murphy, 517-394- and November 12th Membership
years of service to this organization, 2320: Ingham,E aton,C linton, metie ngs. State Section Director
and he will be missed. Virginia Tilly, Jackson. meteings will occur one hour before
Section Director for Kent and Barry the State metie ngs (see ·upcoming
Counties,a lso Is relinquishing her David Reinhart,8 1 0-230-0536: Meetings• article, page 1) .
State posttion to devote more time Saginaw, Shiawasse,e Ge nese,e
to a variety of projec�,I ncluding her lapeer.
duties as Director of Public Educe-
Bob Snow,J r.,5 17-635-7158:
Huron,T uscola.
Addttionally,S tate Section Directors
tion. The Co-State Directors have have bene named for Mason and A working session was held on the
moved to fill these vacancies. Oceana; Newaygo and Kent; and matter of State Officer posttions.
Following is the current roster of Barry and Ionia counties. Formal Valuable Input was given at this
State Section Directors,the ir phone confirma-tion of these selections metie ng,a nd the Co-State Directors
numbers,a nd their respective must come from Wetter Andrus, are proceeding carefully on this
counties: International Director,be fore they matter. See '"Call For Nominees"
can be announced. Addttional article for more details. The Co
appolntmen� will be announced In State Directors will confer further wtth
Don Ashley,6 16-846-2132: upcoming newsletters. State the State Section Directors before
Muskegon,Ot awt a,Al legan.· Section Directors received announcing the full slate of State
telephone and address lim of all Officer positions 1hat will be open to
Randy Baker,--: St. Clair,Sa nilac. Michigan MUFON members. For nomination In the Fall.
4
MICIDGAN MUFON NEWSLETTER 5
anniversary of the Kenneth Arnold
Finally, the Co-State Directors and sighting and the beginning of the August 18, Detroit(?): (reported
State Section Directors considered so-called 'Tnodem era* of ufology, December 22): a hospital
the course for Michigan MUFON for an event for which all of Michigan employee and others see a
the remainder of the year. This MUFON will be proud. triangular ship over the hospital.
newsletter will be followed by one In
1he late Julyea/ rty August time lastly, issues pertaining to August 28,So uthem Michigan:
frame. Those sending In their cooperation, communication, and approximately 40 to 50 strange
$10 .00ma/ lling adrdess State responsibilities among the State lights were reported In clear sky. A
Membership dues will continue to officers were discussed. Informal landing was reported.
receive newsletters the remainder of discussions and a pofluck dinner
1he year. Mr. Murphy announced followed. We are personally August 31 (reported October 5),
plans to develop a curriculum for thonlcful to all of those who In some Jackson: thirty public employees at
Field Investigator Training, and to Instances drove many hours and a picnic witness sighted a bright
hold Intensive sessions at three miles to atet nd and contribute to object the 'SIZe of the moon. Three
locations (Southwest, Southeast, and this highly successful meeting. Their photographs are taken.
North-Central) In late Summer or ideas, experience, and enthusiasm
earty Fall. Several State Section will contribute greatty to the future
Directors Indicated their willingness success of the Mutual UFO Network September 1, Ann Arbor: a strange,
to lend their expertise towards In Michigan. ftlangular (?) blue object was
Si
developing such a program. ghted. The pollee recorded three
lntenstve sessions already occurring, calls.
qnd videotaped segments from
that training, will play a role In September 5, Saginaw: a caller
creating the standardized State reports hearing voices. Aliens
training. Field Investigators-In Invaded his esophagus [? 1 ].
Training need to take such Intensive
training and to have read the Fourth STATE September 20, Ccro: four members
Edition of MUFON's Field of a family witness four orange lights
Investigator's Manual (a for a period of two to four seconds.
SIGHTINGS IN
considerable Improvement over the
Third Edition) before taking the Field
Investigator's examination. In BRIEF September 21, Charlotte: a retired
addition, prospective Field police officer reports a bizarre,
Courtesy of David Reinhart, State
Investigator candidates should moving sound at 4 a.m.
Section Director for Saginaw,
participate In at least one
Shlawasee, Genesee, and
Investigation before being granted
Lapeer Counties.
full Field Investigator status. We will September 24, Greenwood: an
do all we can to facilitate the aircraft mechanic and two other
development of competent Field adults witness a strange craft.
The following reports are taken
Investigators In Michigan. Plans for
from Peter B. Davenport's
the 1995 Symposium In Washington
National UFO Reporting Center in
state and Michigan's 1997 October 1, Riverside: a husband
Seattle, Washington:
Symposium were mentioned. More and wife witness a strange object in
on these will follow In upcoming the night sky.
1994:
newsletters and meetings. Hosting
1he 1997 MUFON International October 1 0, Batfle Creek: a woman
April 9, (reported January 13, 1995),
Symposium is a signal honor reports a very bright light southeast
Grosse Pointe: A woman reports
bestowed upon Michigan and tts of Battle Creek.
seeing a brtllianfly brtght, ·Kelly I )....
current and previous State '
Green· light in the night sky near her -
leadership. We Intend to help set October 16th, Southem Michigan:
home. The ·orb· disappeared In
machinery In gear to make this six adutts watch 50 objects In the
the west.
Symposium, which marks the 50th
5
6 MICHIGAN MUFON NEWSLETTER
night sl<y for two hours ! ! January 7, Horton: a man and a
(exclamation points Davenports]. December 21, T raverse City: a State friend witness a strange red light.
Trooper and witnesses see an object The light disappears,b ut apparently
October 26th,No rthville: a mother in the daylight sl<y. Video is taken is sene later.
that
and daughter witness an Immense [Note: this Is the sighting made
bright green flash in the sl<y. "Sightings· in April,a nd is still under January 8, Horton, 11 p.m.:
investigation by members of a young boy and his friend see a
Michigan MUFON.] red light In the sl<y near his home.
November 4,F airgrove: three young While the boy went to get his
women see two lighted objects over parents, the light was extinguished.
�
a fteld. ng time is reported. December 23,P etoskey: a red,
green,a nd whtte object was
sighted in the southeastem sl<y --a January 28,M uskegon: a Michigan
November 8, Haslett: a man sees a possible star. Trooper reports a red/blue/green
very bright object below the clouds. light In the southeastem sl<y --a
. The object remains motionless. December 29 (reported January 3, possible star? [see the December
1995),L akeview: several adutts were 23rd sighting report from Petoskey].
sene gawldng at strange lights
November 10 ,5 p.m., reported moving In the night sl<y. People
January 1,1 995,P otaskl (Petoskey?): stopped in the middle of the
a prior caller recalled finding a highway to watch for five minutes. January 31,M ason: an airport
cows leg In his yard one week manager reports receMng multiple
before a dramatic UFO sighting on reports of UFO's sighted at about
Novemberl6,1 994. B�arrel 8:07 p.m. One report,f rom a
[comments Davenport]. 1995: woman In a nearby town,I s
·bizarre·. Duration of the sightings
January 4, Rodney: approximately seme s to be about three minutes.
November 16th,M eceola: the one zen triangular ships were
police department calls to report sene bymutti e adu 2:54
muttiple slghtings. a.m. Columns of li ht were --------Eaton Rapids,8 :10p.m.: a
med to the round. A mother mother, her children, neighbors,
---,Rodney: a nurse,he r husband, and daughter called 911 . and an aunt see a huge "X-shaped
and their son witness a trianale and objecr fty from East to West
cluster of lights. A second witness ove ead. A ·dramatic sighting"
that
reports the object was larger January 5,B ig Rapids: local police which lasts for six minutes.
than a Boeing 7 4 7. This sighting station reports multiple UFO calls to
occurred in daylight. Its dispatch line.
February 2,E astport,8 p.m.: a
--Petoskey: a man, his wife,a nd ------,Lake Myers,nea r Evart, 5:30 retired NASA enginere sees a large,
their son witness a gigantic p.m.: a mother and her son In a car whtte,b right object descending
two
triangular ship for 30 minutes. see lights. They stop their car. very fast to the south-southwest.
The lights split Into '"headlights• and The object is described as emttting
approach the car. A silver fuselage -vapors·. The engineer called
November 1 7,De trott: a man sees is sene . This sighting lasts for about Langley Air Force Base.
muttiple objects near Detrott (?). ten minutes.
that
The Reporting Center notes the
was
report unclear. -----Traverse Ctty,8 :10p.m.: four
January 6,G rosse Pointe: the editor children report seeing a disc above
of the local newspaper calls about them,wh ich bathed them In whtte
November 19th,So uth Haven: a muttiple local slghtings. light. ·M�· was reported in
man reports numerous sightings, this slghnng,a nd there were other
that
·including three tria les "'flip. • observers,a s well. Duration of the
sighting is listed at two minutes (?)
6
MICHIGAN MUFON NEWSLETTER 7
and the sighting Is described as The object seemed to hover below members. It may not be too late
·dramatic·. the overcast. to Investigate some of the more
recent ·high strangeness" reports,
February 3, 9:30 p.m., Romulus: two March 8th, 10 :00 p.m., Byron and we do l<now that some of our
young males reported seeing a Center: a couple wttness a yellowish top Investigators have been worl<ing
-vv'or1d War Jr style bomber fly light descend Into the wosod near on several cases. We hope to
overhead at treetop level; however, their home. Recurring sightings have more details In several of
the National UFO Reporting Center since 1979. these slghtings for you In the next
notes 1hat the facts were newsletter. We also will report to
muddlecr. March 17, 7:40p.m., Flint: Ftve FAA you about some recent Michigan
controllers see four pulsing ·clouds· slghtings 1hat did not mal<e The
of red light. The objects dart, zig National UFO Reporting Center's list,
February 13, Cheboygan, 10:15 zag, and retum a light signal [CE and gtve you some highlights of the
p.m.: a 'bizarre alrcratr wtth 8-12 V?ll] fascinating reports that have come
flashing lights flies sllentty over a 911 calls also reported this 1 5 In from elsewhere In the United
man's vehicle, turns, then flies North. minute sighting. States recentty. Stay tuned!
Many other sightings are reported.
March 23, 10:25 p.m.: muttiple FAA
controllers experience a third
February 16, 11: 10 p.m., sighting (the first was February 19th,
Kalamazoo: a former artillery officer and apparentty had not been
wttnesses 4-5 ships streaking East to reported to Davenport until other
_
West south of the cl1y. This sighting slghtings happened; the second
lasted for five minutes; a flash with sighting was the March 1 7th one
NATIONAL UFO
an afmospheric boom was noted Immediately above.) The object
five hours earlier. again retumed a light signal, but did AWARENESS WEEK
not gtve a radar retum.
-------11 :15 p.m., Paw Paw: a
man and his wife were awakened
by an immensely loud roaring August12 -20, 1995, has been
sound. They see five bizarre craft March 30, Warren, 7:30p.m.: a
designated UFO AWARENESS
hovering nearby In formation. woman saw a bright light at an
WEEK (formerly UFO
estimated 1-2 miles distance, which
Information Week) by Michigan's
dimmed, then split Into six objects.
own Ginny Tilly, MUFON
-------11 :45 p.m., Kalamazoo: a The duration of this sighting was
International's Director of Public
man reports seeing muttlple objects estimated at ten minutes.
moving East, and watches them for Education. That's a week which
five minutes. [a possible includes two weekends to give
connection between these three April 3, Haslett, 10:30 a.m.: a young everyone plenty of opportunities
slghtings was noted by Mr. boy saw 1w discs 50-60 feet from to plan more activities!
Davenport.] his ho pped a Polaroid
photo of one of these, wtth a smol<e Here in Michigan our third
trail. The photograph was said to
annual observance begins with a
February 18, 9:00 p.m., Kalamazoo: be ·goocr, and the sighting lasted
Kick-Off Rally at Noono n
a man called (February 22) to report two minutes.
SaturdaAyu,g us1t2 in Grand
1hat his mother had seen a strange
Rapidosn the front steps (the
light In the sky, but the details were
'"sketchy-. These 4 7 or more sightings since sheltered northside!) of the
late August mal<e for fascinating GeralRd. F ordF ederal
reading, and well exemplify the Buildin11g0, M ichigaSnt .,
- February 19th, 7:00p.m., Fenton: a need for establishing tight N.W.- that's just south of the
man retx>rts a moving object wtth communications throughout the downtown Ottawa Street exit off
strange lights moving East to West. State for Michigan MUFON
1-196. During the following
.._...___ --..
8 MICHIGAN MUFON NEWSLETTER
three + hours we'll listen to a This sounds like the claim that
wide variety of speakers; talk humans would achieve infinite
with MUFON Field Investigators; mass and zero length when c, the
speed of light, was attained.
as well as enjoy music, poetry,
Philosophers who study how
and a skit with UFO themes. In
science and technology proceed
Can't Get There
addition, there will be
would note that major progress is
appropriate petitions to be
made by those who are able to
signed, and other ways to from Here? - free their minds from the
express support for continued constraints imposed by the
UFO research. There will also Wait a Hundred generally-accepted notions of
be refreshments, crafts, and what is possible. These
some surprises during the Years! ""paradigm-pioneers" who dare to
come up with new ways of
afternoon.
looking at or doing things usually
are laughed at -- at least at first.
For the first time this year we're
0
ne of the most often noted For example, the man who
adding at least one speaker
arguments against the invented the Xerox copy process
during the week and, hopefully,
possibility of met with initial rejection; that he
a screening of several UFO
extraterrestrial visitation to the persevered is proven in part by
videos. Also, during the earth is the ""fact"" that aliens the fact that you're reading this
weekend we're hosting a couldn't have crossed the duplicated page. Some people
picnic/program along the Grand Mmillions and millions" of miles of fail to change with the times and
River. space that separate us from our hold on to past ways of doing
nearest stellar neighbors. things for too long, with tragic
According to the Carl Sagans and results. Swiss watchmakers
Our informational UFO displays
other popular scientific writers, failed to adapt to the challenge
in several local libraries have
Einstein's equations forbid travel posed by the quartz movement,
been well received in the past
above the sacred speed-of-light with the result that their industry
and you may want to do the
barrier. Science-fictional and suffered decimation. An ancient
same in your own community.
other ""visionary" suggestions of example you're sure to want to
Consider also the possibility of ""folding space"", using cosmic remember was the failure of the
scheduling interviews with local ""wormholes"" as portals, and 8th century BC Attic (Athenian)
news media, especially radio call travel through other dimensions, potters to move from their highly
in shows. We've found these to including the mind, are just successful Geometric form of pot
be extremely successful! fantasy. Many historians, painting with its emphasis on
philosophers of science, and geometric figures like
engineers know better than to checkerboard and Greek key
With dozens of press releases
make such a negative patterns and only occasional stick
being sent out before UFO
pronouncement, however. line human or animal silhouette
AWARENESS WEEK, we have
Historians might point to formerly pictures. The new ""Orientalizing"
always had a very positive
""impenetrable"" barriers as the form of pottery decoration
response from the media which speed of sound and the Atlantic featured attractive bands of
is eager for valid UFO Ocean as examples that the decoration replete with more
information. Show your support human species has in the past numerous, larger, and more
by bringing some friends to found ways to achieve the rounded, colorful people and
enjoy and to learn more about seemingly impossible. In the late animals, many mythical. This
forties, few things artificially more creative and imaginative
this fascinating subject! If you'd
made except electromagnetic style of ceramic decoration made
like to give a 1 0-20 minute talk
waves and rumors traveled faster the pottery of Corinth and other
or have questions call Ginny at
than sound; a man accelerating in Greek centers more interesting to
(616) 458-7288.
an airplane would disintegrate prospective customers and helped
when that threshold was reached. create an economic ""boom" in the
-contributed by Virginia Tilly
8
MICHIGAN MUFON NEWSLETTER 9
7th century BC which the more sent back to Earth. The Earth peak velocity. How about the
conservative Athenians did not has almost no He-3 due to its powerplant? Brazelton believes
share. In fact, Athens sank into magnetic field, but Brazelton •the power required would be
an economic depression for about figures there's a thousand-year about 60,000 pounds of thrust, or
a century. End of Ancient supply on our nearest neighbor. about the same as a single jet
History 10 1: the point is, whole ·one space shuttle load of 25 engine of today' s large
cultures can suffer from an metric tons will electrically power commercial aircraft• (p. 7), and
inability to react to a challenge to the US for one year•, Brazelton the round-trip journey would take
their customary view of what is claims (p.4). This could make only about 37 years, including five
possible. The applications to the the Earth energy self-sufficient by years for exploring various
field of ufology and the probable this •safe, low-radiation, nuclear planets. Brazelton thinks that
impact of an alien civilization upon alternative·. The author sees this •other scenarios could shorten
late 20th century AD human resource and the infrastructure this mission to about 20 years
n
society are instructive. created in space to acquire it as (p. 7).
having •the same economic
And engineers know that c is no effects that the railroad to the
lasting barrier to space West and modern highways have Now, some who read this article
exploration, any more than the had on our current culture; may be uncomfortable with
Atlantic Ocean proved to be to wherever they touched, prosperity Brazelton's rosy portrayal of
15th century (and probably followed• (p.5). Helium-3 nuclear fusion. I for
earlier) European adventurers. In one am unsettled by his vision of
•epoch II is a manned tour and
a 1994 lecture published in the lunar •strip-mining• which exports
exploration of the solar system •
March 1995 IEEE Aerospace and our tendency to abuse the
by vehicles •propelled by [a]
Electronic Systems Magazine environment to new worlds. But
Helium-3 nuclear-fusion-powered
(pp.3-8) W.M. Brazelton, Jr., of the point is, that even allowing for
electrical drive system• which
the Harris Corporation, the moment that the speed of
•will probably have its origin in
Government Aerospace Systems light may be a practical constraint
ion, particle beam, laser or
Division, proposes a •10 0 Year to our current technological
matter/antimatter annihilation
Vision• that will take us to the •reach,., it is run a barrier to
technologies of today• (p. 6).
stars. Brazelton's article is called human interstellar exploration.
This deep solar system exploration
•space Power for an Expanded Utilizing technologies known or
would occur within the
Vision•. conceivable wjthjn taday's
approximate 2020-2040 time
scjentific naradjgms, engineers are
frame, and would include
Brazelton proposes a three seriously proposing, in mainstream
observations of nearby star
•epoch· program which is organizational publications 1, that
systems with optical telescopes
founded upon an He-3 based travel between the stars is
and Radio Frequency sensors
nuclear reaction power system feasible. If we can in fact •get
more powerful than our current
that is far cleaner-burning and, there from here•, it is
best. In Epoch Ill a large
Brazelton says, more ecologically incontestable that non-terrestrial
interstellar vehicle will leave our
friendly than any power races could do the reverse, and
solar system to explore a planet in
technology today likely to supply could have been doing it for
a likely neighboring star system.
future world needs. Brazelton centuries. And again, this
Brazelton envisions •a fractional
says •the public would support an
light speed spacecraft of perhaps
expanded space program if they
understood the specific short term a million pounds that is powered 1 IEEE Aerospace and Electronic
by a Helium-3 nuclear-fusion Systems Ma�azine is published by the
purpose that provides benefits
powered matter/antimatter Institute of Electrical and Electronic
coupled to a longer term vision •
annihilation propulsion system• (p. Engineers, Inc., a worldwide
(page 3). •epoch I • in this view,
7). Accelerating (and for the professional organization.
a •minimum near term space
second half of the journey Interestingly, Phil Klass is on its list of
program•, would build the Space
decelerating) at only two feet per "Distinguished Lecturers" for this year,
Station and now-planned vehicles
second per second, Brazelton providing a lecture titled "Bringing
to get us back to the moon,
computes that the spacecraft's UFO's Down to Earth" to IEEE
where Helium-3 will be mined and
mass would increase only 19% at member groups.
10 MICIDGAN MUFON NEWSLETTER
conclusion does nm need the DirectfroormsM r.A ndrus.A sB ill About every November we
historically-certain development of isc urrentslcyh edulteowd o rko na get inundated by a flood of
future, faster, more efficient ways projeacttt h eG enerMaolt ors' political polls. For most of
of doing things that will come OklahomCai typ lanwte, w ilble the year, however, we endure a
from the next generations of movintgoO klahomfoara tl eastwto variety of polls and surveys,
"paradigm pioneers". The next years.T hougwhe w iltlu mo veoru r dutifully reported in the news
time you hear some "scientistw responsibialsiC toi-eSst ate media, and used by businesses,
mouthing the mantra that "ETs DirectboyrsJ anua1ry , 1 996 or governmental agencies, and
can't have come to Earth because soonerw,e h avea stronign teriens tte levision stations to conduct their
they can't get here from there", ·helpignegtM ichigMaUnF ON affairs. But these samplings of
tell that person to read Brazelton's reorganiaznedbd a cko ntra ck. opinion don't always reflect
article. Theraer em anyg ood,ta lented reality. For instance, polls of
peoplei no urS tatoer ganizationN,i caraguan voters gave no hint of
andt hes ubjeicset xt remely the feeling that would throw out
importantto u sa llW.e lookfo rward the Sandinista government. In
Who WeAre
tow orkinwgi tyho ut hesnee xte ighta ny American election, there are
months. generally a few "surprisesw caused
Lindaan dB ilMlu rphhya veb eeni n
by last-minute developments that
MUFONf oarp proximattherleye
week-old opinion samplings could
yearasn,d h aveb eenC o-Section
not take into account. Whatever
Directofrso Irn ghaEma,t oann, d
opinion-research for the Coca-Cola
ClintCoonu ntifeosar b outth el ast 'Impossibility'
people did that resulted in the
yearB.i lal 'MsU FON Research
"New Coke" formula, must have
SpeciailniH sits toaryn da Senior
been faulty. And no matter what
thinkers
ProjeEcntg ineaetGr e nerMaolt ors,
other evidence is shown me to
workiinngQ ualitHye.h asb eena n
the contrary, I can't believe that
Adjunct Facultya tL Maenmsbienrg" E verytblng that can be Invented,
the television-watching public
CommuniCtoyl lesgien c19e7 6, h_as been Invented."
really would ·rather watch
teachicnogu rsiensE gyptology,
"infomercials" all weekend!
ArchaeolHougmya,n itiaensd, Charles Duellb,e aodf U .S. Patent
QualiCtoyn troHle.' csu rrently Offtce,l899
Treasuorfet rh eC entrMailc higan
This fact that polls and statistical
Socieotfty h eA rchaeological
samplings don't always accurately
InstiotfuA tmee ricaL.i ndaa' s "Who the h-wants to hear actors
reflect reality applies also to the
SenioartM ichigSatna tUen iversitalkty,?" field of ufology. According to
majoriinnEg l ectrEincagli neering
Allan Hendry {The UFO Hand
Barry Warner,p residenotfW arner Bros.
witah s troinngt eriencas ltc ulus
.bQQk), there are two directions
In 1927, atth eU.m e talking pictures were
basePdh ysicOsu.r o wn
just coming onth escre en. that ufologists have followed in
experienhcaevsem adeu sv ery
studying UFOs. One tack is to
consciouosft hep roblewmhsi ch
wait for the really "big" case, that
abducteefasc e.W e attendelda st
will prove UFOs exist once and for
yearM'UsF ONS ymposiiumn
all. This search for the "Case of
"Algebra and Aliens"
AustiTne,x asa,n dt hermee tW alt
the Century" characterizes some
AndruRsi,c hard HaainndJe esff,
of the thought behind Budd
-- How Useful are
SainiWoe. haveh adth e good
Hopkins' and Walt Andrus'
fortunet ow orkw itthhe se
Statistical Studies In comments on the •unda Cortile
gentlemoenna coupleo fL ansing
casew . The other tack is to
arecaas es.( Biallls moe tP hil
Ufology? examine the mass of UFO data,
Klaswsi,t whh omw e haveno t
much of it past information, for
workesdi nc)e W.e hada lready
meaningful patterns. We're
plannteodg ot oth e Seattle
going to look at this second
Symposibuemf owreea cceptetdh e
direction here, the statistical side
PART ONE
responsiobfii lnitteyriC mo -State
of ufology. We're not going to
10
