|
| James WESTMAN | Comments on Bauer's "Loch Ness Monster," Volume 1, Number 1, 1987 | 101 |
| | Related:
Journal of Scientific Exploration Volume 1 Number 1 /1987 - Society and Scientific Anomalies: Common Knowledge About the Loch Ness Monster [Bauer, Henry H.]
| |
|
| Helmut SCHMIDT | The Strange Properties of Psychokinesis | 103-118 |
| | Abstract: This paper discusses evidence for a psychokinetic effect acting on
chance events. Emphasis is laid on psychokinetic action on pre-recorded
random processes and its interpretation in terms of two general hypotheses,
the weak violation hypothesis, and the equivalence hypothesis. These hypotheses imply that psychokinesis can act on the outcome of indeterministic
quantum events only, and that, basically, all such events are affected to the
same degree. |
|
| Henry H. BAUER | What Do We Mean by "Scientific?" | 119-127 |
| | Abstract: There exists no simple and satisfactory definition of "science."
Such terms as "scientific" are used for rhetorical effect rather than with descriptive accuracy. The virtues associated with science-reliability, for instance-stem from the functioning of the scientific community |
|
| Richard F. HAINES | Analysis of a UFO Photograph | 129-147 |
| | Abstract: This report reviews various investigative activities and analyses
surrounding a photograph of a purported unidentified flying object (UFO)
taken on October 8, 1981 at about 11:OO a.m. local time on Vancouver
Island, British Columbia. The evidence consisted of a single frame of 35 mm
color film which showed a sharply focused disc-like object against a clear
blue sky with wooded mountain peak nearby. Analyses of the original negative
included micro-densitometry, computer enhancements, and other measurements intent upon showing a support thread, atmospheric disturbance, or
other evidences of a hoax. These analyses suggest that the disc was a three
dimensional object located at a distance of at least 30 feet from the camera;
the object's surface albedo was diffuse and of lower luminance than sunlit
cloud. Extensive interviews with the photographer (who never saw the aerial
object), her husband and daughter and site survey tended to support the
entire narrative account. The identity of the disc object remains unidentified |
|
| Bruce MACCABEE | Analysis and Discussion of the Images of a Cluster of Periodically Flashing Lights Filmed Off the Coast of New Zealand | 149-190 |
| | Abstract: The New Zealand UFO sightings of December 3 1, 1978 are unique
among civilian UFO reports because there is a large amount of the documentary evidence which includes the recollections of seven witnesses, two
tape recordings made during the sightings, the detection of some unusual
ground and airplane radar targets and a 16 mm color movie made with a
professional camera. Of the several unidentified light sources that were filmed,
one of the more interesting is the cluster of lights that oscillated periodically
in intensity at a rate of about once per second. An analysis of the 279 frames
of film which show about 30 cycles of the oscillation indicates that there
were three lights which formed an isosceles triangle. The color of the light
source at the apex was pale yellow or very pale orange (the exact shade is
difficult to determine). The base of the triangle was formed by two red lights,
side by side. The light at the apex oscillated over an intensity range which
went from zero (no image) to such a large value that it greatly overexposed
the film. The red lights also oscillated, but they were generally out of phase
with the light at the apex and they did not get bright enough to overexpose
the film.
This paper presents some of the physical characteristics of the film images
and a discussion of the visual and radar sighting, which, it is argued, took
place at essentially the same time (i.e., within a minute or so) as the filming.
A number of explanations have been suggested for the film of the flashing
light. The explanations are analyzed and reasons for rejecting them are presented. As yet no explanation in terms of known phenomena has been proposed that satisfactorily explains the film. |
|
| | Correspondence |
| John BELOFF | Parapsychology: The Continuing Impasse | 191-196 |
| | Related:
Journal of Scientific Exploration Volume 2 Number 2 September/1988 - Comment on Beloff's Parapsychology: The Continuing Impasse
| |
| | Abstract: The question here at issue is whether there are any paranormal
claims that deserve to be taken at face value. The two main grounds for
skepticism are: (a) that they are incompatible with the prevailing scientific
world view and (b) that the evidence is inadequate. Neither of these two
objections, however, is fatal. Hence the impasse. If it is the case that there
are no paranormal phenomena it is unlikely that this impasse will ever be
broken if only because so many people are convinced that they have had
personal experience of such phenomena. If, on the other hand, paranormal
phenomena do exist, the impasse could well be broken provided that certain
conditions were fulfilled. At present we still have no assurance that such
conditions will ever be fulfilled. |
