Amskaya - No 023 - 1991 07

Magazine Overview

Title: AMSKAYA
Issue: 23
Date: July 1991
Publisher: STAR Fellowship
Document Type: Newsletter

This issue of AMSKAYA, the newsletter of the STAR Fellowship, extensively explores the question of extraterrestrial life and the possibility of life beyond Earth. It features articles discussing recent scientific and public interest in the topic, including a new SETI project, and delves into the concept of convergent evolution as it might apply to alien species.

Is Anyone Out There?

The lead article, "Is Anyone Out There?", addresses the growing public and scientific interest in extraterrestrial life. It references a New Scientist article about a new SETI project commencing in 1992, coordinated by John Billingham at the Ames Research Centre, California. The article notes a shift towards more relaxed views on the possibility of life on planets other than Earth, moving away from the strict criteria of needing a large moon and a specific orbital distance from the sun. The author suggests that a wider 'life-band' might exist, where planets like Mars could be habitable if in Venus's orbit, or Earth could be habitable in Mars's orbit due to greenhouse effects. This implies life could be more widespread than previously thought.

A key point raised is the idea that life arising under Earth-like conditions might not be a rare accident but a natural occurrence given the right conditions. This is presented as a more optimistic view than previous theories.

Convergent Evolution

The most significant concept discussed is "convergent evolution" applied to extraterrestrial species. The article posits that while alien species will differ from humans, they may share general characteristics. At a molecular level, this could mean the need for complex genetic information storage, possibly through long-chain molecules similar to DNA. On a gross level, animals would need to process information about their surroundings, leading to the evolution of sensory organs like eyes, which have evolved independently in at least 40 different animal groups on Earth. The article draws parallels with placental and marsupial mammals in South America and Australia, which have evolved similar forms to fill ecological niches.

Applying this to extraterrestrial life, the author suggests that on Earth-like planets orbiting Sun-like stars, organs of vision would likely use similar wavelengths of light. Therefore, characteristics such as bilateral symmetry, photosynthesis, sexual reproduction, brains, and intelligence might be commonplace on such planets.

Optimistic Projections

The article presents a highly optimistic outlook: if intelligent life is associated with just one in 100,000 stars of the Sun's type, there could still be 400,000 technological civilizations in our galaxy alone. While life might be rare in terms of the percentage of stars involved, it could still be abundant. The prospect of finding one source of extraterrestrial intelligence suggests there would likely be many, and that contact could lead to learning about numerous other civilizations. A cosmic network of communicating intelligences could share information about their own biology and that of other species.

Other Articles and Mentions

The newsletter also references other publications discussing similar themes:

• Woman's Realm (June 17th): An article titled "Is there anybody there?" featured a crop circle and a UFO sighting in New Mexico, linking crop circles with UFOs and describing various sightings.
• The Independent (July 8th): An article titled "Is anybody out there? We keep on listening" reviewed the history of SETI, mentioning Marconi and Tesla's potential reception of transmissions, and highlighting improvements in the new SETI project.
• Time-Life Books: An advertisement for a series on unknown mysteries suggests growing interest in the idea of life elsewhere.

Part 4: Outside Help by Tony Wedd

This section details the work of an inventor named Philip, who developed machines called the "S One" (flying saucer) and the "Roswinga." Philip claimed to have received specifications for the "S One" and experienced a whirlwind flare-up during testing. The "Roswinga" was designed to help his mother with poor circulation, and she reported significant improvement, enabling her to kneel and walk longer distances. Philip himself used the device, finding its heating effect equivalent to a 1000-watt bar fire. The article notes that the "yonskaler" (another device) was personalized and worked better for its owner, suggesting a vibrational connection. Philip also patented "Wenceslas Boots," with some ambiguity regarding the patent's scope.

Interview at Old Sarum

The author recounts an interview with a reporter from City Limits on July 27th, discussing the implications of earth mysteries and extraterrestrials. The author expressed a view on Erich von Daniken's work, believing there's a core of genuine extraterrestrial artifacts but also considerable embellishment. Examples cited include the Piri Reis map and a gold bracelet found in coal. The author also discussed the possibility of extraterrestrial help in constructing ancient systems like the ley system, suggesting it might have been in the form of hints, possibly related to a past event like the fall of Atlantis, and that extraterrestrials may have been working to guide humanity towards a better state of life.

More Marks on Photographs

The author describes seeing round white spots in photographs taken from a hot air balloon and a Concorde flight at high altitudes. These spots appeared in pictures taken near the edge of space, where the sky is darker. While acknowledging it could be wishful thinking, the author finds the possibility of these spots being spacecraft or unmanned scanners very interesting.

Cover Image and Subscription Information

The cover features an illustration of two UFOs. The newsletter is the continuation of an organization formed in 1960 by Tony Wedd, who believed contact was key to flying saucer investigation. The subscription cost is £2 for four quarterly issues, payable to J. Goddard at the provided address. The original cover design was by David Taylor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the strong possibility of extraterrestrial life, the scientific and public interest in SETI, and the concept of convergent evolution as a mechanism for similar life forms to develop across different planets. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness and optimism regarding these possibilities, presenting scientific theories and anecdotal evidence to support the idea that humanity is not alone in the universe. There is also an underlying interest in ancient mysteries and potential extraterrestrial influence on human history and development.