AMSKAYA

Magazine Overview

AMSKAYA, Issue No. 39, dated January 1997, is the newsletter of the STAR Fellowship. The cover features the title "AMSKAYA" with a stylized asterisk symbol above a drawing depicting a desert landscape with a road, a cloud, and a flying saucer, along with the subtitle "Newsletter of the STAR Fellowship."

Book Reviews

UFOs and the Complete Evidence from Space - The Truth about Venus, Mars, and the Moon

This section reviews a book by Daniel Ross, published in 1987, which is described as presenting compelling evidence for George Adamski's cosmology of the Solar System and the Universe. The book reportedly details evidence that Mars, the Moon, and Venus are living environments, with spectacular photographs of Olympus Mons on Mars showing extensive cloud cover and green areas. The review notes that the first Viking photograph of Mars showed a blue sky, which was later replaced by "lurid pink pictures." The Moon's gravity is claimed to be greater than accepted science suggests, and the review posits that stars are visible from the Moon due to Earth's atmosphere acting as a lens, a point also made by Adamski. Soil from the Moon is said to have grown plants, though this was suppressed. Venus is described as Earth-like, contrary to "extreme sulphurous conditions" reported by Russian probes; the review suggests Pioneer's findings were due to monitoring a volcanic eruption. The book also claims that the asteroid belt acts as a cathode to boost solar radiation for outer planets, a concept confirmed by Voyager I. The review concludes that the book presents a picture of the Solar System very different from the accepted one, suggesting that "space friends" Adamski met were real and that Earth factions have deliberately presented a false picture of the Universe for selfish purposes.

UFO The Government Files by Peter Brookesmith

This book review is critical, calling Brookesmith's work a "disappointing pot-boiler" and a "throw-back" to previous publications. The reviewer notes the lack of color, the dark and heavy nature of some photos, and a caption error regarding the film "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." A significant criticism is the absence of information on UK UFO government files, despite the book being published in the UK, leading the reviewer to believe it was written for the US market. The review acknowledges that the book covers official US involvement from the 1940s, mentioning Roswell and Fred Valentich. It also discusses a "demolition job" on the Roswell crashed saucer theory, concluding that certainty about what landed in 1947 is impossible. Ray Palmer is mentioned as the inventor of flying saucers, and the reviewer contrasts Keyhoe's "breathless accounts" with the value of Paris Flammonde's "UFO EXIST!" The review mentions Brookesmith's treatment of USAF 'Projects,' the Robertson Panel, and the Condon Report.

Articles and News

The Hidden Unity and Beginnings

This section describes two booklets. "The Hidden Unity" examines the phenomenon of subconscious siting of ley points and the prevalence of places of worship on leys, discussing environmental and philosophical implications. It investigates two ley centers, the Shah Jehan Mosque in Woking and the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Scunthorpe, with an appendix on the significance of Pagan religion.

"Beginnings" is about potentially useful discoveries made by Jimmy Goddard over twenty years, including earth energy detection, natural antigravity, subconscious siting, ley width, and the solar transition effect. It also includes a chapter on cognitive dissonance and the discovery of leys by Alfred Watkins.

Earth People, Space People

This booklet, prepared to compensate for the loss of Tony Wedd's 1961 manuscript "Earth Men, Space Men," details claims of extraterrestrial contact. It includes prominent contact claims, articles on the history of the STAR Fellowship, its personalities, evidence for life in the Solar System, and investigation into extraterrestrial language.

AMSKAYA Newsletter Subscription

AMSKAYA is available as a continuation of the STAR Fellowship, formed in 1960 by Tony Wedd. Four quarterly issues cost £2 plus 30p postage and packing, from J. Goddard.

UFOs and the Complete Evidence from Space - Detailed Discussion

The review of Daniel Ross's book provides extensive details, suggesting that the "picture of the Solar System which has become 'carved in stone' would seem to be very different from the true situation." It highlights Adamski's claims about the space friends being "real people from our neighbouring worlds" and expresses concern about a "faction on Earth" that has allegedly created a false picture of the Universe for selfish purposes.

Dark Skies

This section briefly introduces a new extraterrestrial series called "Dark Skies," described as similar to "The X-Files" but woven around real events in American history, starting with the death of Kennedy. It is noted as being slanted towards an "evil-alien view."

Book Review: UFO The Government Files - Further Details

The review of Peter Brookesmith's book continues with a critique of its content, noting that it appears to be an apology for official cover-ups and inadequate investigation. The reviewer questions Nick Pope's harsh treatment in a previous review and suggests that some ufologists suffer from paranoia derived from "modern myths."

Lionel Beer and UFO Book Sales

Lionel Beer is mentioned as providing extensive lists of UFO books for sale through Spacelink Books. He is also identified as a founding member of BUFORA in 1962 and a Vice President, who coordinates TEMS, founded in 1992.

Notes and News

Skywatches and Chanctonbury Ring

Two upcoming events are listed: a field trip to Sussex on Saturday, May 10th, visiting Chanctonbury Ring (where an Adamski-type saucer was photographed in the 1950s) and other historical sites; and an all-night skywatch on Pewley Down on Saturday, June 21st, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's sighting. BUFORA is organizing watches across the country.

BUFORA Sky-Watch Report (June 1967)

This report details a skywatch organized by Edgar Hatvany, with about 30 watching points in the UK. The Benelux UFO Co-operation also participated. A sighting at Pewley Downs at 8:06 p.m. BST described a "balloon-shaped red object with a hanging appendage" descending rapidly. Another report from the Chiltern hills mentioned a McCarthy detector buzzing. At 11:55 p.m. at Guildford, a red light was seen near the horizon. Other groups reported white lights and flashing lights. A group at Chanctonbury Ring claimed to experience a "strange presence" and physical sensations, though a later SIGAP visit found nothing "psychic."

A more detailed account from SIGAP describes a "large bright orange light" seen approximately 5 degrees above the horizon, which appeared for a few seconds before moving and disappearing. The contributor also saw the same orange object from the Hog's Back.

Historical Encounters

Two early contacts

This section recounts two early alleged encounters. In 1909, a "cylindrical construction" landed in South Wales, with two men inside who spoke a foreign language. In 1947, José Higgins in Brazil saw a circular object land, and two seven-foot-tall individuals emerged, communicating by signs. Higgins drew circles to represent planetary orbits, which the reviewer suggests could have referred to Uranus.

UFOs over Ambridge!

This item notes a tongue-in-cheek article in "Radio Times" that depicted the fictional village of Ambridge with Adamski-type saucers flying over it, suggesting a humorous alien abduction scenario.

George Adamski's Claims and Beliefs

Some Adamski jottings culled from the World-Wide Web

This section discusses the ongoing controversy surrounding George Adamski after his death in 1965. It mentions Ernest Bryant's claim of meeting three spacemen, one of whom was named Yamski, believed to be the reincarnated spirit of Adamski. Adamski's followers considered him a saintly man devoted to universal laws.

Audience with Pope John

Desmond Leslie recounts that George Adamski had an audience with Pope John shortly before the Pope's death. Adamski presented the Pope with a gold medal bearing the Pope's effigy, which Leslie later verified as a yet-unreleased medal. Adamski claimed Pope John had given it to him the day before, and that he had been taken to the Pope's bedside. Adamski stated he delivered a sealed package from the "Space Brothers" to the Pope, who expressed great satisfaction. The Pope then presented Adamski with a special medal. Leslie consulted Lou Zinsstag, who confirmed approaching the Vatican and being met by a monsignor or bishop who led Adamski to the Pope. Zinsstag described Adamski as being in a state of excitement and rapture afterward. An abbot confirmed that such a medal would only be given in exceptional circumstances. Adamski did not know the contents of the package but believed it contained advice for the second ecumenical council, possibly chiding the Pope's successors about lax measures.

Review of Adamski's Books

The reviewer discusses George Adamski's first book, "Flying Saucers Have Landed," which describes his initial sightings and a meeting with an occupant named Orthon from Venus. The second book, "Inside the Space Ships," is described as more bizarre, detailing contacts with a Venusian, a Martian, and a Saturnian, and claiming all planets in the Solar System are inhabited. Adamski is taken to a "Mother Ship" and a laboratory. The book describes "large Space Craft hangers inside the larger craters of the Moon" and claims the "dark" side of the moon has "clouds, mountains, rivers, lakes forest and cities." The reviewer finds the book difficult to swallow but a fascinating read, though it becomes "a bit 'religious'" towards the end. The pictures are described as depicting "the most beautiful craft I have seen."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of AMSKAYA include the promotion of alternative cosmologies, particularly those associated with George Adamski, challenging mainstream scientific and governmental narratives. There is a strong focus on UFO sightings, historical encounters, and the activities of UFO research organizations like BUFORA and TEMS. The newsletter also touches upon the suppression of information by powerful factions and the potential for free energy. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, critical of official explanations, and supportive of contactee accounts and alternative theories about the Solar System and extraterrestrial life. The STAR Fellowship's mission to advance flying saucer investigation is consistently highlighted.