BUFORA BULLETIN No. 5, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 1998

This document is the September-October 1998 issue (No. 5) of the BUFORA Bulletin, the bi-monthly journal of the British UFO Research Association. The editorial, written by Robert Moore, outlines a new direction for the publication, emphasizing objective reporting and the verification of media stories to combat the 'mystery-busting' disillusionment prevalent in the UFO community at the time. The issue features an obituary for Ralph Noyes, a prominent English UFO researcher and former MoD official who passed away in May 1998. A significant portion of the bulletin is dedicated to the 'Howden Moors Incident' of March 1997, a case involving reports of a crashed aircraft that triggered a massive search operation by police and mountain rescue teams, ultimately yielding no evidence of a crash. David Clarke, the author of the investigation, suggests the event was likely a combination of military activity and misidentified phenomena. Other articles cover the '25,000 mph UFO' radar tracking story, which is debunked as a 'tissue of untruths' by BUFORA and the RAF Press Office. The bulletin also explores the intersection of UFOs and religion, specifically examining biblical accounts like the Book of Exodus and the visions of Ezekiel through the lens of 'ancient astronaut' theory. The 'Investigations Diary' section, managed by Gloria Dixon, provides updates on recent sightings across the UK, including fireball phenomena in June 1998, and discusses the challenges of investigating abduction claims, emphasizing the need for caution and objectivity. The bulletin includes a letter from Steuart Campbell regarding astronomical mirages and a response from Gloria Dixon, as well as an events calendar for upcoming UFO-related conferences and lectures.