Ancient Skies - Vol 23 No 5 - 1996

Magazine Overview

Title: Official Logbook of the Ancient Astronaut Society
Issue: Volume 23, Number 5
Date: November-December, 1996
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Country: USA
Cover Headline: THE 5TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BIOASTRONOMY

This issue of the Official Logbook of the Ancient Astronaut Society delves into the 5th International Conference on Bioastronomy, held on the island of Capri, Italy, from July 1-5, 1996. The magazine also features articles exploring ancient artifacts and theoretical concepts of space travel.

The 5th International Conference on Bioastronomy

Ulrich Dopatka reports on the 5th International Conference on Bioastronomy, which brought together approximately 250 international experts from various university faculties and state research institutions. The conference's theme was focused on the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). Despite the official stance of reserve regarding 'hot potatoes' like 'ancient astronauts,' 'UFOs,' or 'Paleo-SETI,' these subjects were subtly present in discussions, particularly during informal coffee breaks and evening talks. The official reserve is attributed to the sensationalism surrounding these topics and the sponsors' reluctance to tarnish their reputations or jeopardize financial support by endorsing unproven theories.

Key figures present included astrophysicist Frank Drake, who made the statement, "If anything can happen in the cosmos it does happen!", Philip Morrison, Jean Heidmann, Marvin Minsky, Nobel Prize winners Manfred Eigen, Charles Townes, and Christian DeDuve. The conference explored various avenues of research, including radioastronomy's attempts to detect artificial signals, laboratory experiments to prove the cosmic origin of life, and the search for molecular tracks of primitive life in our solar system and beyond.

Highlights from the Conference:

• Europa: Jupiter's moon Europa emerged as a prime candidate for extraterrestrial life due to the possibility of an ocean beneath its ice shell, with volcanism potentially serving as an energy source.
• Titan: Saturn's moon, Titan, was noted for its potential to develop life despite extremely low temperatures, suggesting that its unique chemistry and pressure conditions could foster slower but more constant life evolution.
• Manfred Eigen's Research: Eigen reported on his 'evolution apparatus,' which demonstrated the flexibility of RNA-molecular chains in reacting to different artificial environments. This research led to the supposition that life on Earth may have begun up to 25% earlier than previously thought, possibly emerging immediately after a planet's formation.
• Chirality Detection: A new tool, the size of a cigar, was developed for space probes to detect 'chirality' (the spiral, dextrorotatory nature of molecular chains like DNA) on alien planets.

Radioastronomy and SETI Projects:

The conference also covered new discoveries from various radioastronomy projects. The challenges in SETI include not knowing the wavelength or star system from which signals might originate, and the possibility that signals may have already passed unheard or will arrive when no one is listening. Projects like PHOENIX, SERENDIB, and BETA are employing automated analysis to listen on millions of channels for artificial sequences. To date, 37 'oddly artificial' looking temporary sequences have been noticed. A project to construct a radiotelescope on the far side of the Moon is planned to avoid terrestrial interferences.

Funding and Future Missions:

Following the cancellation of funding for NASA and similar state institutions, private sponsors have significantly supported scientific research. Plans are underway for the Mars Rover mission and probes to outer planets. Detailed plans for lunar exploration have been developed, and a visionary project aims to discover and visualize the surfaces of Earth-sized planets using 'gravitational lenses' and the Sun as a lens (Project Quasat).

Search for Extraterrestrial Tracks:

The search for extraterrestrial tracks of life extends to the Lagrange points within the Earth-Moon system. The Spaceguard Foundation was established to track 'Near Earth Objects' (NEOs) and protect Earth. Despite cooperation with military organizations, the surveillance systems do not appear to track near-Earth atmospheric objects, leaving the question of UFO existence unanswered.

Scientific Consensus on Extraterrestrial Life:

Participants generally agreed on the likelihood of extraterrestrial civilizations existing. The discussion touched upon the advancement of technology in civilizations and the possibility of interstellar travel, though direct travel within short periods is considered unthinkable due to vast distances. The concept of generation space ships, potentially used by former civilizations to seed the galaxy, was also mentioned. The revival of the SETA (Search for Extraterrestrial Artifacts) project was suggested, contingent on financial sponsors.

Gregory Matloff proposed tracking 'migrating civilizations' that leave their home planets due to dying suns, suggesting that stellar fleets of generation space ships might be localized. This indirect approach to ancient astronaut-related ideas indicates a growing openness in the scientific community. Frank Drake concluded the conference by appealing for flexibility, richness of ideas, and an open mind for new hypotheses.

Mayan Wheels

Patrik Paulis recounts his surprise during a trip to Mexico and Central America upon seeing a 'Toy jaguar on wheels' from the Region of Veracruz (circa 300 BC-400 AD) displayed at the Carlos Pellicer Cámara Regional Museum of Anthropology. This artifact challenges the prevailing anthropological view that the Maya never discovered the wheel.

Model of Ancient Colombian Artifact Really Flies!

Dr. Algund Eenboom discusses mysterious golden 'amulets' found among burial objects of native Indians in Colombia. While archaeologists interpret these as religious decorations, a group of nonconformists, including air and spaceflight engineering experts, believe they represent the engineering of an unknown ancient civilization. Successful wind tunnel tests of a 1:16 scale radio-controlled model, reconstructed from an artifact at the Smithsonian Institution, have supported this thesis. The model, made of lightweight styrofoam with a high-performance electric motor, demonstrated remarkable maneuverability and stability.

Passageways of the Gods

Kerry P. Ganza explores theoretical modes of space travel that ancient civilizations might have used to reach Earth, bypassing the cosmic speed limit. The article discusses the concepts of black holes and wormholes as potential 'passageways' or 'stargates.' Sagan suggested black holes could be apertures to elsewhere. Nicolson proposed that massive spinning black holes might lead to white holes. Bennette theorizes that wormholes, created by folding the universe's four-dimensional sheet, could connect distant points, allowing for passage across a gap. The challenge lies in keeping wormholes open and stable for travel.

Books and Resources

The issue includes a list of books related to ancient astronauts and extraterrestrial themes, including works by Alan F. Alford, Nicholas James Koushiafes, Erich von Daniken, Ulrich Dopatka, Johannes Fiebag, Torsten Sasse, Hartwig Hausdorf, Peter Krassa, and Walter Jörg Langbein. It also provides contact information for the Orlando Conference Bookstore and the Society's World Wide Web addresses in German and English. Information on Erich von Daniken's television special and how to obtain a video copy is also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently explores the intersection of science, ancient history, and the possibility of extraterrestrial influence. While the scientific community, as represented by the SETI conference, maintains a cautious and evidence-based approach, the magazine itself, through its articles and featured authors, actively promotes the investigation of ancient astronaut theories. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging the exploration of unconventional hypotheses alongside established scientific methods. There is a clear emphasis on challenging conventional wisdom and seeking evidence that supports the idea of ancient advanced civilizations and extraterrestrial contact.