Magazine Summary
AMSKAYA
Summary
This issue of AMSKAYA delves into various UFO phenomena, including alleged sightings near Saturn captured by the Cassini spacecraft and on YouTube. It reports on a Vatican official's declaration that extraterrestrial contact is real and discusses the implications for the Catholic Church. The release of British Ministry of Defence UFO files, dubbed the 'X-Files', is examined, revealing a mix of explainable sightings and a small percentage that remain unexplained. Astronauts' accounts of unusual aerial objects are also featured, alongside reports of UFO sightings in the UK and Japan's official stance on UFO existence.
Magazine Overview
AMSKAYA, Newsletter of the STAR Fellowship, Issue No. 74, dated April 2008, is a publication focused on UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial contact, and related mysteries. The issue features a cover collage depicting a cigar-shaped object near Saturn, a classic flying saucer, and a road, under the title 'AMSKAYA' and a star icon.
Activity Around Saturn
The lead article, 'ACTIVITY AROUND SATURN', details observations of unusual objects in the vicinity of Saturn. It references two pictures from the Cassini spacecraft's video clip, illustrating a moonlet within Saturn's rings, which appeared to show a cigar-shaped object traversing them. Further indications of activity are cited, including a YouTube video mentioned by Bob Brown that suggested similarly-shaped objects crossing the rings. The article also points to another observation from a website, referencing image N00023784 taken on October 29th, 2004, which showed a mysterious object near Saturn's rings, approximately 491,458 miles away. This image, taken with CLI and CL.2 filters, was noted as unvalidated but expected to be archived in the NASA Planetary Data System in 2005. The article questions the origin of this object, suggesting it might have been ejected from Saturn's ring. It also mentions that NASA's website provides images that have not been altered, implying their authenticity.
Another section discusses radio emissions from Saturn, detected by Cassini spacecraft's radio and plasma wave detectors as it passed over Saturn's rings in July 2004. Don Gurnett of the University of Iowa's team reported that these emissions, when frequencies were reduced, sounded like musical notes. Gurnett described the tones as short, distinct, and unlike other cosmic processes, suggesting they might be produced by meteoroid impacts on the icy rings. When raised in pitch, the signal sounded like speech, with NASA quoted as calling the file 'A most intriguing file, we do not know what to make of it'. A link to a YouTube video of these signals is provided.
Extraterrestrial Contact and Vatican Declarations
The issue features an article titled 'Famed NASA Astronaut confirms Extraterrestrials are here' by Clark C. McClelland, a former U.S. Space Shuttle Fleet SCO. It recounts an event during the STS-80 mission where a large disc-shaped object, approximately 50 to 150 feet in diameter, was observed by astronauts below the shuttle, appearing from nowhere and rotating counter-clockwise. Astronaut Dr. Story Musgrave, interviewed after the flight, stated he did not know what the object was but noted its characteristic of appearing from nowhere. The article also mentions Dr. Musgrave's earlier statements about attempting to communicate with ET life forms and his surprising comment, 'These guys are real... I guarantee it!' The author suggests that world leaders are hesitant to disclose information about 'Other Intelligences' visiting Earth.
Another significant piece, 'Vatican Official Declares Extraterrestrial Contact Is Real' by Richard Boylan, Ph.D., reports on Monsignor Corrado Balducci, a theologian and insider close to the Pope, who has proclaimed on Italian television that extraterrestrial contact is a real phenomenon. Balducci analyzed these encounters as not demonic or psychological, but deserving of careful study. The Vatican is reportedly following this phenomenon closely, receiving information from its Nunciatures and other sources. The article suggests that the Vatican anticipates a major doctrinal update when governments officially announce extraterrestrial contact.
UK UFO Files and Sightings
'Dear MoD: where is ET?' by Dr David Clarke of Sheffield Hallam University discusses the release of the UK Ministry of Defence's UFO files, referred to as Britain's 'X-Files'. The first eight of 160 files have been opened at the National Archives, containing details of thousands of sightings from 1981 to the present. The article notes that while most sightings are explainable (e.g., aircraft, stars, satellites), a hard-core of 5-10% continue to defy explanation. The MoD's focus was primarily on determining if sightings posed a defense threat, with little time spent on investigation. Public fascination with UFOs is highlighted, with surveys showing a significant percentage of the UK population believing in extraterrestrial life and alien visits. The article also touches on conspiracy theories about government cover-ups.
Further UFO reports include a sighting of two grey discs flying in line near Terrington St Clement, described by DAVID DURRANT. Lionel Beer reports on 'UFOs seen by pilots', noting that three pilots were among over 100 people who reported UFOs in the UK in the previous year, with the MoD recording 135 events. Specific sightings mentioned include a flying saucer in Staffordshire, a triangular object in Wakefield, and a balloon-like object. One report details a man claiming spaceships abducted his dog, car, and tent. The MoD's plan to release its archives on UFO research is mentioned, with incidents recorded but not investigated unless a security threat is suspected.
International UFO Reports and Related Topics
Chris Hogg reports from BBC News, Tokyo, that Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura announced that UFOs 'definitely' exist, though the government could not confirm specific cases. A fighter jet would be scrambled to confirm sightings, but most alerts were explained as birds or other objects. Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda stated he had 'not yet confirmed' the existence of alien spaceships.
An article discusses a sighting near Stonehenge in 1996, resembling an Adamski saucer, and another cigar-shaped object filmed near Stonehenge on November 11th, 1999. Stonehenge is noted as a ley centre, with former author Brinsley LePoer Trench suggesting nearby barrows looked like cigar and disc UFOs. The STAR Fellowship also offers a video titled 'THE ADAMSKI SCOUTSHIP', which includes independent sightings and George Adamski's account of his first contact.
Publications and STAR Fellowship
The latter part of the magazine details various publications available from the STAR Fellowship, including:
- 'THE HIDDEN UNITY and BEGINNINGS': Explores subconscious siting of ley points, environmental and philosophical implications, and includes chapters on earth energy detection, natural antigravity, and cognitive dissonance. Illustrated with photographs, maps, and drawings.
- 'EARTH PEOPLE, SPACE PEOPLE': A booklet prepared by Tony Wedd, detailing claims of extraterrestrial contact, the history of the STAR Fellowship, evidence for life in the Solar System, and extraterrestrial language.
- 'THE LEGACY OF TONY WEDD': A CD-ROM of Tony Wedd's travelling exhibition, covering flying saucers, landscape energies, and lost technology.
AMSKAYA itself is described as the newsletter of the STAR Fellowship, a continuation of the organization formed in 1960 by Tony Wedd, who believed contact was key to flying saucer investigation. Subscriptions are available for four quarterly issues.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The recurring themes in this issue of AMSKAYA are the prevalence of unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs), the potential for extraterrestrial contact, and the role of governments and institutions in acknowledging or concealing this information. The publication appears to adopt a stance that UFOs are real and warrant serious investigation, often highlighting official statements or reports that support this view, while also critically examining government disclosures and conspiracy theories. There is a strong emphasis on evidence, whether photographic, video, or testimonial, and a belief that 'we are not alone'. The STAR Fellowship's mission to investigate flying saucer phenomena is central to the publication's purpose.
Monsignor Balducci emphasizes that extraterrestrial encounters 'are NOT demonic, they are NOT due to psychological impairment, they are NOT a case of entity attachment, but these encounters deserve to be studied carefully.'
Key Incidents
A mysterious object, N00023784, was photographed near Saturn's rings, possibly ejected from them.
Cassini spacecraft detected speech-like radio signals from Saturn's rings, interpreted as musical notes.
A YouTube video showed similarly-shaped objects crossing Saturn's rings.
A flying saucer was reported in Staffordshire, a fast moving triangular object in Wakefield, and bright orange objects seen by pilots.
A cigar-shaped object was filmed after passing Stonehenge.
An image resembling an Adamski saucer shape was taken near Stonehenge.
A large disc-shaped object was observed by astronauts below the Space Shuttle Columbia at approximately 190 nautical miles high.
A sighting involving bright green lights over the M6 motorway.
A motorist saw two bright objects change from white to blue and follow his car above the M6 motorway.
Two grey discs were seen flying in line with no sound, with a black coil in the center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What evidence is presented for UFO activity around Saturn?
The magazine discusses images from the Cassini spacecraft showing cigar-shaped objects near Saturn's rings and a YouTube video indicating similarly-shaped objects crossing the rings. Radio emissions detected by Cassini were also noted.
What is the Vatican's stance on extraterrestrial contact?
Monsignor Corrado Balducci, a theologian close to the Pope, has stated on Italian television that extraterrestrial contact is a real phenomenon and that these encounters should be studied carefully, not dismissed as demonic or psychological issues.
What has been revealed from the UK Ministry of Defence's UFO files?
The release of the MoD's UFO files, part of Britain's 'X-Files', contains details of thousands of sightings from 1981 to the present. While most sightings are explainable, a hard-core of 5-10% continue to defy explanation.
Have any astronauts reported UFO sightings?
Yes, astronaut Dr. Story Musgrave reported a large disc-shaped object appearing from nowhere below the Space Shuttle Columbia during the STS-80 mission.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- Tony Weddfounder of the STAR Fellowship
- Dr. Story MusgravePayload Specialist, STS-80 Mission
- Clark C. McClellandformer ScO, U.S. Space Shuttle Fleet
- Monsignor Corrado Balduccitheologian, Vatican Curia
- Dr. Michael WolfNational Security Council scientist
- Father Malachi Martinauthor and Vatican expert
- Dr David ClarkeUFO expert
- Don GurnettUniversity of Iowa
- Chris HoggBBC News, Tokyo
- Nobutaka MachimuraChief Cabinet Secretary
- Yasuo FukudaPrime Minister
- DAVID DURRANTTerrington St Clement
- +5 more
Organisations
- STAR Fellowship
- NASA
- JPL
- MUFON
- NICAP
- Ministry of Defence (MoD)
- National Archives
- BBC News
- Virgin Media
- Vatican
Locations
- Saturn
- Moon
- Phobos
- Sun
- Earth
- Solar System
- M6 motorway, United Kingdom
- Lancashire, United Kingdom
- West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
- Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
- Bolton, United Kingdom
- Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom
- Gatwick, United Kingdom
- Iron Curtain
- +6 more