Amskaya - No 115 - 2018 04

Magazine Overview

AMSKAYA is the newsletter of the STAR Fellowship, a continuation of the organization formed in 1960 by Tony Wedd. This issue, No. 115, dated April 2018, focuses on recent developments and historical cases related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and extraterrestrial contact.

Silpho Moor Incident: Pieces Found in Science Museum Archive

The lead article, "PIECES FROM SILPHO MOOR DISC FOUND IN SCIENCE MUSEUM," reports on the discovery of fragments from a mysterious disc-shaped object allegedly found on Silpho Moor in November 1957. Lionel Beer alerted the editor to this find, which was also reported in Fortean Times and on the BBC website. Dr. David Clarke, a journalism lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, was invited to study these fragments, which were unearthed from the Science Museum archive. The object, dubbed "Britain's answer to Roswell," was initially reported in 1957 as a small "copper-bottomed flying saucer." Despite tests suggesting a terrestrial origin, the find sparked widespread intrigue. The shards were re-examined after archivists noted their "cultural significance." The object was reportedly found by three men on moorland weeks after the launch of Sputnik. Contemporary reports suggested the 18-inch metallic saucer contained thin copper sheets engraved with unintelligible hieroglyphics. Dr. Clarke noted that the object created an urban legend and conspiracy theories. Khalil Thirlaway, an exhibition developer, found the items in a cigarette tin within the collection of aviation historian Charles Harvard Gibbs-Smith. Thirlaway stated there's a good chance the fragments are from Silpho Moor as they correlate with contemporary descriptions. The Science Museum indicated the items were likely from Silpho Moor. Dr. Clarke described opening the tin as an "amazing revelation" and suggested that many such items might still be in attics. He questioned the effort and expense involved, comparing the case to Roswell. Mr. Thirlaway highlighted the "massive cultural history" behind the items and suggested they might go on display. The fragments were accompanied by a note reading "alleged UFO bits."

Tony Wedd had previously seen the disc shortly after it crashed and spoke about it. The object was described as genuine due to its construction from thick, laminated copper, requiring specialized machinery. The message inside was written using phonetic numbers, representing sounds based on radio broadcasts. The finders, Ulo and his girl, explicitly stated that contacting humanity was worthwhile, provided their vehicle's propulsion mechanism was destroyed upon landing.

Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding, who led the Battle of Britain, reportedly examined the Silpho object in 1959 and described it as a "miniature pilot flying saucer," convinced it was a genuine artifact from space with hieroglyphics unlike any known language.

Pentagon Admits Running Secret UFO Investigation

The article "Pentagon admits running secret UFO investigation for five years" reports that the US defense department's "X-Files" operation, known as the Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program (AATIP), ran from 2007 to 2012 with an annual budget of $22 million. The program was closed due to a change in funding priorities, but questions remain about whether it was completely shut down or covered up. The Pentagon stated it continued to take seriously "all threats and potential threats to our people." Nick Pope, former head of the British government's UFO project, commented that the revelation suggests "something out there" exists, contradicting previous government denials. He noted this reflects his own experience with the British government, which also denied undertaking secret UFO studies. The New York Times reported that AATIP received $22 million annually, hidden within the DoD budget, with initial funding largely at the request of former Senate leader Harry Reid. John Podesta, chair of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, had previously advocated for declassifying government UFO documents. Bill Clinton also stated he tried to find out about secret "X-Files" during his presidency. Pentagon spokeswoman Laura Ochoas confirmed AATIP ended in 2012, citing higher priority issues. She added that the DoD takes all threats seriously.

Interstellar Object and Alien Technology

"Astronomers to check interstellar body for signs of alien technology" details how the Green Bank telescope in West Virginia will listen for radio signals from 'Oumuamua, an object from another solar system. This cigar-shaped body, first spotted in October, arrived from interstellar space and reached a peak speed of 196,000 mph. While many astronomers believe it's an interstellar asteroid, its elongated shape is unusual. Early observations show it is about 400m long and one-tenth as wide. Astronomers are checking for signs of alien technology, though it is not expected that an alien transmission will be detected.

Peru Reopens UFO Investigations Office

"Peru Has Reopened Its Office of UFO Investigations" reports that Peru's air force has reopened its Department of Investigation of Anomalous Aerial Phenomena (DIFAA). Marco, a UFO investigator and writer, explains that the office addresses "a real need" concerning unidentified aircraft, which could be dangerous. He notes that these objects could be foreign militaries or illicit narco-traffickers. The office is overseen by a colonel from the national air force. Marco mentions "very interesting cases," though they are classified. One revealed incident involved a luminous sphere rising from the Amazon River during a fishing trip by then-President Fujimori. Frequent sightings at La Joya military base are also cited as reasons for the office's reopening. The article touches on the Nazca Lines, described as ancient geoglyphs, and mentions theories about "alien gods" and the Annunaki. The author also visits Marcahuasi, known for sightings and strange phenomena, including bizarre rock formations and giant figures.

Personal Encounters and Other Reports

Alan G. Tolman, an aerospace engineer, recounts seeing an elliptical flying saucer hovering above the ground and then shooting straight up while visiting George Adamski. Tony Wedd is mentioned in relation to a talk by George Hunt Williamson, where a photograph of a stone on the Marcahuasi plateau with a UFO hovering over it was shown. The stone was allegedly humming. A YouTube video, "Giants of South America or Biblical Giants of the Past," is mentioned as including pictures of a giant being.

Norman Darwen writes a letter about pop star Kim Wilde's album "Here Come the Aliens," inspired by her 2009 UFO encounter. She described a bright light moving silently and rapidly in the sky. Wilde stated she watches lights in the sky ever since and thinks about it daily.

Web Sites and Publications

The newsletter lists several relevant websites and YouTube channels related to extraterrestrial contact, including those by Tony Wedd, Philip Rodgers, and Mollie Carey. It also promotes several publications by Jimmy Goddard and Tony Wedd, including "The Hidden Unity," "Beginnings," and "Earth People, Space People," as well as a CD-ROM titled "The Legacy of Tony Wedd." AMSKAYA itself is described as the newsletter of the STAR Fellowship, with subscriptions available from J. Goddard.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing investigation into UFO phenomena, the historical significance of sightings and artifacts, and the potential for extraterrestrial contact. The STAR Fellowship, through its newsletter AMSKAYA, appears to be dedicated to exploring these subjects, providing information on recent discoveries, historical cases, and related research. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry into UFOs and related phenomena, presenting various accounts and investigations without explicit skepticism, and encouraging readers to explore further through the provided resources.