Awareness - 1973 - Vol 02 No 4 - Winter

Magazine Overview

AWARENESS, Vol. 2, No. 4, published in Winter 1973, is a Contact (UK) publication edited by J.B.Delair. The magazine focuses on UFOs and related phenomena, with a stated editorial address in Wootton, Berkshire, UK.

Editorial

The editorial notes a significant increase in interest in UFOs and extraterrestrial intelligence from both the scientific and popular press, citing articles in 'New Scientist' and the 'Daily Mail'. The editor expresses optimism that this growing awareness will intensify.

Contents

The issue features a variety of articles and sections:

• Editorial: (Page 1)
• Another Message from Your Chairman: by F.W.Passey (Page 2) - Discusses subscription renewals and the organization's efforts.
• Between You and Me: by Brinsley Le Poer Trench (Pages 2-4) - Explores evidence of 'earthly' substances dropped by UFOs and suggests potential Earth-based origins for UFOs.
• Book News and Book Reviews: by J.B.Delair (Pages 4-6) - Reviews several books related to ancient astronauts and UFOs.
• SEMIRAMIS - SPACE QUEEN OF ANCIENT BABYLON: by W.R.Drake (Pages 7-9) - Examines the legend of Semiramis through the lens of ancient astronaut theories.
• ON THE SUBJECT OF UFO "EVIDENCE": by J.B.Delair (Pages 10-12) - Discusses evidence related to UFOs.
• Re-Entered Satellites (Dates and Data): (Pages 13-15) - Provides data on re-entered satellites.
• COMET KOHOUTEK (1973f): (Page 16) - A brief mention of Comet Kohoutek.
• SOME RECENT BRITISH UFO REPORTS: Selected by D.N.Mansell (Page 16) - A compilation of recent UFO sightings.

The issue states that opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor or staff, and all material is copyrighted by Contact (UK), 1973.

Chairman's Message

F.W.Passey, the Chairman, addresses members regarding subscription renewals due on April 1st, 1974. He announces a 20% discount for renewals submitted by March 31st, 1974, and outlines the new rates. He appeals for prompt renewals to ensure the organization's continuity and to save administrative costs. Members not renewing by June 30th, 1974, will have their membership deemed lapsed.

Between You and Me by Brinsley Le Poer Trench

This article continues the discussion on UFOs dropping 'earthly' substances. Trench recounts two incidents in Spain: a landing near Aluche on February 6th, 1966, where a circular object displayed a symbol, and another sighting on June 1st, 1967, of a saucer-shaped object over the same area. The latter incident involved the discovery of rectangular marks and small metal tubes at a landing site. One tube contained a liquid that evaporated quickly and two green plastic strips with a symbol similar to the one seen on the UFO. Analysis of a tube revealed it was made of high-purity nickel, and the plastic was polyvinyl fluoride, a material not commercially available at the time and used for missile nose-cones by Dupont. Trench suggests that the presence of such materials implies that Earth governments are not responsible for all UFOs, though he doesn't rule out the possibility of secret experimental craft. He posits that UFOs might be based on Earth or use Earth bases, with representatives living among us. He highlights unexplored areas of the planet as potential base locations and notes that UFO activity is often reported from regions with human communities.

Book News and Book Reviews by J.B.Delair

J.B.Delair reviews three books:

1. "Gold of the Gods" by Eric von Daniken: The reviewer acknowledges von Daniken's popularity but critically examines the book. While praising the presentation and the account of subterranean caves in Ecuador discovered by Juan Moricz, the reviewer notes that much of von Daniken's account is a 'highly personalized distortion' and that photographs were published without authorization. The reviewer also points out factual inaccuracies, such as the assertion about the C-14 dating method and misspellings. Despite these criticisms, the reviewer concedes that the book might be acclaimed by less discerning readers and acknowledges the archaeological importance of the discoveries presented.
2. "Gravity Does Not Exist" by James Carter: This is a review of a revised booklet by Carter, who views UFOs as 'macrobes' or space life. The reviewer finds Carter's unorthodox treatment of gravity and UFOs interesting, though the 'macrobe' theory is only applicable to a few incidents.
3. "The Legends of the Sons of God" by T.C.Lethbridge: This book explores the identity of the 'sons of god' mentioned in Genesis, drawing parallels with ancient astronaut theories. The reviewer praises Lethbridge's background in parapsychology and archaeology, finding the book thought-provoking and free from dogmatism. It discusses the possibility of ancient stone circles acting as bio-electric energy accumulators for ancient visitors.

Semiramis - Space Queen of Ancient Babylon by W.R.Drake

This article posits that Semiramis, the legendary Queen of Babylon, might have had extraterrestrial origins. Drake suggests that 'Space People' may influence human history by fathering heroes or leaving babies to be adopted. He links Semiramis to the idea of celestial beings and sun worship, noting her emblem, the Winged Disc of Assyria, and her association with Venus. The article details Semiramis's rise to power, her military campaigns, and her eventual disappearance, which some interpreted as a translation to the skies, akin to a spaceship journey. The author concludes that Semiramis is a strong candidate for an earthly queen who originated from space.

On the Subject of UFO "Evidence" by J.B.Delair

This article, along with the preceding one, discusses evidence of 'earthly' substances dropped by UFOs. The author suggests that the nature of these dropped materials might indicate the origin of the UFOs. The article references specific incidents and analyses, including the Spanish landing site with metal tubes and the use of rare materials like polyvinyl fluoride. The author concludes that while secret experimental craft might exist, Earth governments are not responsible for all UFO sightings since 1897, indicating something 'very strange is happening'.

Re-Entered Satellites (Dates and Data)

This section provides data on re-entered satellites, though the specific details are not fully legible in the provided scan.

Comet Kohoutek (1973f)

A brief mention of Comet Kohoutek, likely a news item or brief note.

Some Recent British UFO Reports

Selected by D.N.Mansell, this section compiles recent UFO sightings in Britain.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena, ancient history, and mythology, often through the lens of ancient astronaut theories. There is a clear editorial stance that UFOs and extraterrestrial intelligence are subjects worthy of serious investigation, moving beyond mere sensationalism. The publication aims to present evidence and encourage critical thought on these topics, reflecting a growing public and scientific interest.

This issue of "Awareness" (Issue 10) focuses on the complex subject of UFO "evidence" with a lead article by J.B.Delair titled "ON THE SUBJECT OF UFO "EVIDENCE".. The magazine also includes a list of re-entered satellites and a section on recent British UFO reports.

The Nature of UFO Evidence

J.B.Delair's article, "The Nature of the Material: Part One," begins a multi-issue examination of UFO "evidence." The author highlights the need to positively assess, distinguish, and classify the growing accumulation of data on UFO manifestations. He questions what constitutes "evidence" and how much of it can be conclusively accepted, contrasting scientific principles (requiring similar facts or controlled duplication) with legal standards (sworn testimony, corroboratory physical evidence, or strong circumstantial evidence).

Delair argues that neither science nor ufology currently possesses adequate "tools" to precisely determine which UFO "material" has a factual basis and which is spurious. He notes the difficulties in distinguishing between factual UFO events (with a material basis) and non-factual ones (hallucinatory or telepathically induced). Before examining the raw material, he emphasizes the necessity of defining these factors, suggesting a careful review will yield surprising results.

The raw material of UFO "evidence" is divided into two fundamental categories:

• (a) Eyewitness accounts: These are composed solely of allegedly direct visual observations of supposed UFO manifestations and associated effects (e.g., sonic, radar, electromagnetic). These are intangible and exist only as reports, making them difficult to reproduce or study scientifically due to the impossibility of simulating all relevant factors. Delair states this material falls outside accepted scientific methods of evidence verification due to its unrepeatability and constant variation, though it can and should be studied collectively.
• (b) Reports of abnormal features or effects: These are phenomena (often at ground level) of sudden or "overnight" occurrence, thereafter visible and accessible for study for a limited duration (e.g., "saucer nests"). While tangible and available for inspection, this material is considered circumstantial, as it is often associated with presumed UFO activity. While much of this can be duplicated by controlled scientific methods (e.g., circular flattening of grass areas), the duplication is often achieved by instruments that could not have been present at the original site, questioning the value of such duplication.

Delair concludes that the raw material of ufology is virtually the exact opposite of that which finds acceptance through conventional scientific and legal methods. This characteristic is so consistent that it becomes diagnostic. He points out that when similar effects repeat identically under varied conditions, at irregular intervals, to numerous unrelated eyewitnesses incapable of collusion, and with simultaneous reports from different regions containing near-identical elements, scientific attention is warranted, even if the material appears incapable of proper scientific assessment.

He notes that with hundreds of thousands of UFO reports exhibiting these characteristics, one might be tempted to assert the reality of UFOs, but cautions that this is premature. The problem is far more complex, involving eyewitness reliability and the difficulty of explaining how multiple witnesses can describe different shapes for the same object. These aspects will be discussed in the next article.

Re-entered Satellites

The issue includes a detailed list of satellites that re-entered Earth's atmosphere, primarily from June and July 1973. The list provides catalogue numbers, satellite names, source countries (USSR, USA, FRG), names of the satellites or their payloads (e.g., Cosmos, Skylab, Intelsat, Titan, Molniya, Explorer, Soyuz), and the date and time of decay. A note indicates that information on some late December re-entry dates was not yet available and would be published in the next issue. This data is released through the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

Comet Kohoutek (1973f)

A brief note from "The Editor" mentions Comet Kohoutek (1973f), describing it as an exceptionally bright comet expected in the coming months. Readers are advised to consult the magazine "Nature" for details on its trajectory and orbit. The editor humorously states that while they don't expect reports of the comet as a UFO, the rarity of the event might lead some to observe UFOs as well.

Some Recent British UFO Reports

Authored by D.N.Mansell, this section details several recent UFO sightings in the UK:

• Derby, Derbyshire (June 17th-21st, 1973, 1:30 am): Mr and Mrs Mirrison observed five star-like objects moving silently from East to West in a straight line formation.
• Kettering, Northamptonshire (June 22nd, 1973, 3:00 am): Mr.B.Edwards witnessed a bright round light moving West to East, followed by a second similar light approaching from the South. Both lights then "disappeared together."
• Heywood, Lancashire (July 9th, 1973, 1:10 am): Mrs P.Buckley and several ambulance men saw an object as bright as Venus, but much higher in the sky. It had a radiant red tail that flickered and remained stationary for 30 minutes.
• Broxburn, West Lothian, Scotland (August 12th, 1973, 12:30 am): Mr M.Carr and several witnesses experienced slight car trouble when a fast-moving, starlike object crossed the sky in approximately fifteen seconds, deemed too fast for a satellite.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the critical examination of UFO "evidence" from a scientific perspective. The magazine adopts a stance of cautious inquiry, seeking to apply rigorous standards to the often anecdotal and unrepeatable nature of UFO reports. It acknowledges the growing body of data but emphasizes the need for careful classification and distinction between factual and spurious elements. The inclusion of satellite re-entry data and recent sighting reports suggests an effort to correlate or differentiate potential UFO phenomena with known aerial objects and to document contemporary observations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded skepticism, advocating for dispassionate attention to the UFO problem while maintaining a commitment to scientific methodology.