 |
|
Copyright 1995 by Lan Fleming
[Lan Fleming is a programmer-analyst who does computer based modeling and simulation software for a NASA subcontractor. He wrote this article exclusively for the ISCNI*Flash.]
For a brief time in the early 1970's as the Apollo program drew to a close, rumors circulated that the astronauts had photographed UFOs near the moon and artificial structures on the lunar surface. Most of these rumors proved to be based on misinterpretations of photographs and in some cases, outright hoaxes.
In June of 1994 Richard Hoagland gave a presentation at the Columbus campus of Ohio State University on lunar anomalies that has rekindled interest in the subject. Hoagland has been known as an advocate of the hypothesis that the "Face on Mars" could be an artificial construct. Hoagland's central tenet was not that the moon now serves as a base for UFOs, but that at some time in the distant past it was the site of extensive construction carried out by some extraterrestrial civilization and that their lunar edifices now lie in ruins, their original purpose unknown.
All of the photographs he presented were taken by Apollo, Lunar Orbiter, and Surveyor spacecraft. All were of areas within or near the region of the moon known to astronomers as Sinus Medii, which is Latin for "central bay". This small region of mare plain is so named because it is in the center of the lunar disk as viewed from Earth.
Among the images Hoagland presented was a slide from a Lunar Orbiter 3 photograph. The Lunar Orbiters were unmanned pre-Apollo spacecraft. This photograph, Frame LO3-84M, showed two features that he called the "Shard" and the "Cube." Both features appeared to be translucent objects of an irregular shape. They were in close proximity to each other and appeared to project from the lunar surface just below the horizon up into the black lunar sky. This strange photograph may be the image that launches a thousand independent investigations, and ultimately, if Hoagland has his wish, a renewed program of lunar exploration.
Lunar SETI is not yet a science, but it has become the active pursuit and passion of more than a few people, who have been examining Hoagland's evidence and collecting additional photographs and other information. The number of independent investigators seems to be increasing with time.
Vito Saccheri, a mechanical engineer from Houston and a MUFON member, has come forward (as reported in ISCNI*Flash 1.8 of July 1) with an account of his visit to NASA's Houston facilities in the 1970's. He reported that he saw lunar photographs there showing lunar bridges spanning vast chasms, towering structures protruding from large craters - and UFOs rising from the surface of the moon.
Save for the heavy security that Saccheri said surrounded the NASA archives of lunar photographs at the time of his visit, there is new evidence that supports much of what he described.
Bridges apparently do span a huge fracture line - what geologists refer to as a scarp - near the crater Lalande, 50 miles west of Sinus Medii (Apollo 16, Frame 849). These "bridges" appear as two narrow filaments crossing the black expanse of the scarp's trough. Areas of the plains on both sides of this scarp are covered with patterns of parallel and very linear ridges, some making sharp 90-degree turns. The general appearance is not dissimilar to a high-altitude aerial photograph of a city connected by bridges across a canyon to the outlying suburbs.
Craters on the monotonous plains of Mare Tranquillitatis near the Apollo 11 landing site contain strange debris, some forming grid-like patterns and some seemingly projecting from the bottom of one crater like the girders of a ruined building (Lunar Orbiter 2 Frame 56H2). Mike Lomax, a computer operator in Kentucky and a space-flight enthusiast of long standing, discovered this photograph as the result of his own investigation, which began with a study of the literature on selenology, or lunar geology. One of his references had remarked that the surface texture on the wall of one crater appeared mildly unusual. Lomax acquired a negative of the photograph from NASA, and on enlargement, he found that the debris appeared to be more than mildly unusual.
There is even evidence of the UFOs that Saccheri described. Ironically, in both cases I am aware of, it was people with backgrounds in geology who first pointed out that there were objects in lunar photographs that clearly were not anchored to the moon's geology.
The first such objects to come to my attention were discovered by Jon Floyd, an avionics specialist in Dallas with an academic background in geology, who has been intensively examining the million-plus images of the moon made by Clementine. Clementine was a Department of Defense spacecraft that visited the moon in 1994. One photograph (Frame LBA040V.140) shows three objects apparently moving past the Clementine Star-Tracker camera's field of view through the lunar sky. The objects do not appear in the preceding or following frames in that same region of sky.
Another such moving object appeared in two consecutive color photographs taken by Apollo 15 during its 1971 mission). These photographs, discovered by another investigator, both show what appears to be a bright whitish-blue object in the darkly shadowed interior of a crater on the moon's far side. The object had the same lenticular shape in both photographs.
A planetary geologist who examined the photographs under a laboratory stereoscope observed that the object had moved a noticeable distance relative to the crater's rim between the time the two photographs were taken and that the object was considerably smaller in the second photograph. He concluded that the object was descending toward the lunar surface and away from the Apollo command module.
The investigative processes that have led to these discoveries are not a matter of exhaustively combing through NASA archives for clear pictures of lunar buildings. Most of the available photographs were taken from high altitudes, between 30 and 1500 miles above the lunar surface by various kinds of spacecraft imaging systems. In a few photographs, the smallest objects that can be seen are 3 feet in width, but more usually the dimensions of the smallest resolvable objects are on the order of 200 to 400 feet.
In most cases, the photographs are taken from viewing angles that preclude seeing structures that stand out clearly against the background of the lunar sky. The photograph of the "Shard" and "Cube" is a rare (but not the only) exception. The direction of sunlight, the lengths of shadows cast by objects, shape-from-shading evaluations, and the possibility of unusual geological processes must be considered. The investigation is complicated by the very real possibility that the moon is not quite the geologically "dead" world that most people think it is. There even seems to be some evidence that water once flowed just below - or even on - the surface of the now-airless moon.
Imaging "artifacts" must also be considered. These are odd patterns produced by the idiosyncracies of the specialized cameras that took the photographs. Many such artifacts can easily be recognized, but some are not so easy. The generally-favored skeptical explanation of the "Shard" and "Cube" is that they are in fact imaging artifacts of the Lunar Orbiter's on-board film development system. This explanation seems to have little support, except for the proximity of these objects to a large streak of photographic developer gel, a common defect in Orbiter photographs. While the orientation and appearance of the "Shard" and "Cube" do not match this defect, it could be that some as yet unknown glitch in the Orbiter's complex on-board film development system was responsible.
Odd-looking defects can also be introduced during the reproduction of the photographs. The prints and negatives available to the public, while generally of good quality, are usually third and fourth generation duplicates of the originals.
Could all of this be merely a collection of misconstrued geology and curious photographic defects, or in the case of the "UFOs," ice particles broken loose from the spacecraft that photographed them? Those are the standard explanations that have been quickly embraced by the more militant skeptics, most of whom it seems have examined little or none of the available evidence.
But a few qualified scientists are becoming increasingly if cautiously interested in the investigations. Their skepticism is of a more constructive variety. "Nothing should be ruled out until all possibilities have been carefully considered," was the opinion expressed by one such scientist. With the active participation of professionals, a definitive answer may come in the not-too-distant future.
Note: A number of the images described in this article are available in the ISCNI Public Library under Planetary SETI.
Jorge Martin, Puerto Rico's best known UFO researcher, says that stories of the mysterious creature locally known as El Chupacabras, "the goat sucker," are being exploited by newly formed UFO groups. These groups, one called "Nova" and another simply "UFO," are spreading rank disinformation, Martin claims. They say that the "goat sucker" is a sign of the end-time, heralding doom, and will soon turn from slaying domestic animals to attacking people. They claim possession of secret government documents that prove the "goat sucker" is an extraterrestrial monster. Martin says that members of these groups all dress in black and are stirring new waves of terror among an already frenzied public. He said the groups arose out of nowhere in the last few months and show no sign of doing any genuine UFO research. Their only activity, he says, seems aimed at fueling the public uproar over the goat sucker.
The goat sucker itself, Martin says, is all too real. In a long phone interview with this reporter on December 3, Martin gave many details of the strange creature and its year-long rampage of animal kills all over the island. Since last December, when the first reports came in, Martin says the goat sucker is thought responsible for over 1,000 killings of goats, sheep, cattle, chickens and other animals. Though there is no known case of an attack on a human, there are many reports of close encounters and many eyewitness accounts, which describe a creature unlike any known to science.
Though descriptions vary, most witnesses say the creature is 4 to 5 feet tall and walks upright. It is not humanoid. Its face somewhat resembles a baboon, although it has extremely large, almond shaped eyes. Its body is somewhat like a kangaroo -- especially the powerful legs. It has three long claws on each hand and foot. It is hairy but also seems able to change color, from dark brown or black at night to green or brownish green during the day. It has four very long fangs that protrude from the mouth, two upward and two downward, not in front but somewhat spread apart. But the two oddest features of this animal are a set of fleshy triangular appendages running from its head down the spine; and folds of skin between the arms and torso which apparently allow it to glide like a flying squirrel. It has been seen to make huge leaps with its powerful legs, and is seen perched in trees as well as on the ground.
Martin is sure there are at least several specimens loose on the island. In some instances, he says, two or three have been sighted together. Martin also believes that two specimens were captured or killed by authorities, then immediately taken off the island. There is no direct evidence of this, however.
Nor is it clear whether the creatures are related in any way to UFOs. Puerto Rico has long been a hot-bed of UFO activity, but only a few of the many goat sucker reports include mention of a UFO. Martin says he knows of two instances where the creatures were seen going into a UFO. But the creatures bear no resemblance to any "alien" ever reported; nor do they appear intelligent in the human sense; nor do their attacks seem related to the better known surgical mutilations of cattle, also seen occasionally on Puerto Rico (as well as all over the United States) and often linked to UFO activity. In short, there is no compelling reason, as yet, to link the goat sucker to UFOs.
While the Puerto Rican press has been reporting new encounters with the goat sucker almost daily, the government of Puerto Rico seems intent on ignoring the situation. Martin said the top police official on the island issued an order to all police personnel to ignore complaints about the goat sucker unless a person is attacked. Nonetheless, Martin said he knows of at least one instance where a policeman fired his 357 magnum revolver at a creature from less than ten feet away, but to no effect. Meanwhile, the public uproar is so great that many night workers are refusing to report to work, fearing to be caught by the goat sucker after dark.
Jorge Martin says the situation was further compromised by the arrival of a film crew from the U.S. television program "Inside Edition." The crew interviewed Martin and several witnesses on Friday, December 1, and left no doubt that they planned to ridicule the reports. The "Inside Edition" story -- probably the first television coverage in the U.S. on this bizarre subject -- aired on Friday, December 8 and was derisive and dismissive, as Martin had feared.
CNI News will continue to update this story as new information is received.
[ISCNI*Flash thanks Brian Zeiler and Rebecca Schatte for sending in this story, which first appeared in the (London) Sunday Times on October 15, 1995.]
By Tim Kelsey and David Leppard
Copyright 1995 Times Newspapers Limited
Dozens of incidents involving unidentified flying objects have been revealed by Ministry of Defence files kept secret for decades. They show the government took such reports seriously and wanted to allay public fears about claims of visiting alien aircraft.
One document reports that two RAF planes were sent to intercept UFOs over the Strait of Dover in April 1957. Two objects were seen, but the Javelin jets were unable to track them on their radar. Fighter Command told ministers it believed the objects were other RAF jets on exercise.
In another case the previous year, an RAF Venom jet was sent to intercept a UFO moving at very high speed picked up by radar. The pilot saw nothing, but two other aircraft scrambled in pursuit made "a momentary contact."
In 1963, an object that looked like a flying saucer was seen hovering by a hangar at RAF Cosford, near Wolverhampton, by two airmen. An MoD file records that "as they watched they saw a trap door in the upper part slowly open." An internal inquiry dismissed the incident as "a piece of youthful high spirits."
The alleged sightings are detailed in files spanning more than a decade which have been uncovered at the Public Records Office. They were quietly released by Lord Henley, a defence minister, at the end of last year.
In some cases, officials admit they can find no explanation. In 1962 the RAF police launched an investigation after a motorist driving near Luton in the early hours saw "an object like a hovercraft flying approximately 30ft above the road surface... An unknown force slowed him down to 20mph ... then the object suddenly flew off." Local police said they believed the account was genuine.
The files record another incident from Christmas 1961, when four police officers in Hessle, Humberside, saw "a bright yellow light moving noiselessly across the sky." For 20 minutes they watched as it passed south of Grimsby. The RAF later confirmed it had no activity in the area.
The MoD denied it had tried to suppress evidence. "We don't indulge in a debate on whether there is life on other planets," said a ministry spokesman. "But there is no conspiracy... There is nobody here with pointed ears."
Dr. Karla Turner, noted UFO abduction researcher, ISCNI faculty member and author (INTO THE FRINGE, TAKEN and MASQUERADE OF ANGELS), is undergoing treatment for a very serious form of cancer. However, her medical insurance does not cover most of the cost -- some $1,400 per week -- and her personal finances are nearly exhausted. A non-profit fund has been established to support Karla's cancer treatment. Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated.
Please send your donation (check or money order) to the Karla Turner Fund; c/o Boatmen's Bank, P.O. Box 1681, Little Rock, AR 72203-1681. Your donation can be tax deductible if you request a letter of receipt from the Bank.
Ed Komarek, co-founder of Operation Right to Know (ORTK), an organization advocating government disclosure of UFO information, has announced his candidacy for Congress in the 2nd district of Georgia. The following story ran in the Americus Times Recorder and other newspapers in Georgia on November 16.
CANDIDATE WANTS SHIELDS DOWN ON UFO COVER-UP
By Dean Polling, Thompson News Service
VALDOSTA -- Ed Komarek is stumping for the 2nd District congressional seat on an unusual platform -- ending what he calls a "50 year-old government cover-up on UFOs."
The Grady County resident is a co-founder of Operation Right To Know, a UFO political activist group.
"The two greatest issues facing the human race today are over-population that results in environmental degradation and the impact of the reality of cosmic, spacefaring civilizations on Earth societies," Komarek said.
"The problem is that these two issues are so vast that many people can't see the forest for the trees. All the lesser issues obscure the larger issues that unless resolved will continue to precipitate the collapse of civilization as we know it."
During a recent visit to Valdosta to announce his campaign here, Komarek said his fight to compel the U.S. government to release information on UFOs proves he does not plan to conduct business as usual, if he is elected.
"I consider myself an activist and a statesman, not a politician. In fact my background shows that I am a sandspur, a thorn in the side of politicians that think they, rather than the people, know best," he said.
Both Komarek and ORTK co-founder, Mike Jamieson, decided to run for Congress as a "further assault upon the wall of denial and ridicule surrounding the UFO subject," he said. [Komarek later announced that Jamieson had dropped out of his California race for financial reasons.]
To receive your catalog, send email, call, fax, or write to:
GREENLEAF PUBLICATIONS
P.O. Box 8152, Murfreesboro, TN 37133 U.S.A.
Phone: 615-896-1549 Fax: 615-896-1356
email: leahmarc@ix.netcom.com
Text-only (ASCII) version of Greenleaf catalog sent to your email address upon request -- approximately 50 pages in length (127 K). MasterCard & Visa accepted! Free gift-wrapping service and shipping to third parties!
And thanks for reading the ISCNI*Flash!
Michael Lindemann, Editor
with the message
"Subscribe ISCNI*Flash"
in the body of the message.
CONVERSELY.....
To remove your name from the ISCNI*Flash mailing list, send a message to
ISCNIFlash@aol.com
with the message
"Unsubscribe ISCNI*Flash"
in the body of the message.
D. Oszuscik - - Design: L. Lowe - -Content: M. Lindemann
Return To UFO Information Menu.
ΓΏ