Cosmology News - No 49

Magazine Overview

Title: COSMOLOGY NEWS
Issue Date: Summer 1994
Issue Number: 49
Publisher: Cosmology News (formerly Cosmology Newslink)
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of Cosmology News, established in June 1972, presents a diverse collection of articles spanning space exploration, scientific updates, and paranormal phenomena. The editorial by Edward Harris highlights the magazine's varied content and expresses hope for future human endeavors on Mars.

Introduction and Editorial Stance

The introduction explains that COSMOLOGY NEWS (formerly COSMOLOGY NEWS(link)) was formulated to address interconnected subjects concerning the Earth and the Universe. The title was suggested by Patrick Dineen. The magazine aims to provide information from reliable sources, though the editor's views do not necessarily reflect those of contributors. Letters addressed to the magazine are considered for publication unless otherwise requested.

Edward Harris, the editor, welcomes readers to this issue, noting its diverse content. He expresses a strong desire for humanity to reach Mars within the next decade, suggesting that private or public funding could drive such a venture, likening it to the historical 'wild west' land claims. He hopes this will lead to the discovery of past life on the red planet.

Key Articles and Features

Looking Beyond The Moon

This article commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing on July 16, 1969. It recalls the historic event, the astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin Jr., and Michael Collins, and the technological advancements that made it possible. The piece contrasts the excitement of 1969 with the current perceived 'mundane' state of space travel, noting the absence of a 'space race.' It mentions historical plans for a space station called FREEDOM and the Soviet Union's early space probes. The article reflects on the vastness of space and the need for long-term commitments to explore other worlds, particularly Mars, due to the significant travel time. It also touches upon the Hubble Space Telescope and the potential benefits of space research, such as discovering new minerals.

Mars Update

This section provides an update on Mars, reprinting an item from FORESIGHT magazine. It discusses photographs showing 'straight sides' and indentations on Mars, suggesting they could be artificial constructions rather than natural erosion. The article references the famous 'face' on Mars and 'pyramids' near it, noting their similarity to Egyptian pyramids. It proposes that Mars may have been a thriving space base, possibly reactivated, with a potential link to activity on Earth's moon, hinting at an Earth/Alien alliance. The editor also reminds readers of a mysterious Mars probe incident, questioning what the public might be kept in the dark about.

A Historical Look at Mars (Circa 1939-40)

This historical piece examines Mars as a potential location for extraterrestrial life. It discusses the presence of water and an atmosphere on Mars, though noting the atmosphere is much thinner than Earth's. The article delves into the debate surrounding the 'canals' of Mars, first observed by Schiaparelli and later studied by astronomers like Percival Lowell. While some interpret these as signs of intelligent life and irrigation systems, others, like Barnard and Antoniadi, question their existence or artificial nature. The piece also discusses temperature variations on Mars and the potential for carbon dioxide to form polar caps, contrasting these findings with visual evidence of vegetation and seasonal changes.

Other Features

• Religion: An article by Ann Wasley is listed.
• Big Cat Sightings: Sightings of large felines are mentioned.
• Life After Death Investigation: This topic is explored in an article.
• The Mysterious Gentleman: A feature on this subject is included.
• Dinosaurs - Natural History: An article on dinosaurs is presented.
• Final Word from De Cruz: A concluding piece by De Cruz is noted.

Eerie Tales (True)

This section compiles several accounts of unexplained phenomena:

• The Vanishing Man: Three friends witness a man walking across a field fade away into nothingness, with his voice later heard calling for help.
• More Disappearances: An account from Victorian times describes a gentleman who stepped out of a carriage and disappeared without a trace.
• Oliver Lurch: A story about a young boy who went to fetch water and was heard screaming before disappearing, leaving only footprints.
• Ghosts in My Passage: A young mother in Great Dunmow reports seeing shadows resembling small children flitting past her on the walls of her passageway, a phenomenon later confirmed by a friend.
• Other News: The article debunks the famous 1934 Loch Ness Monster photograph as a hoax involving a small submarine and an attached monster head.

Letters to the Editor

This section includes correspondence from readers. R. Ison thanks the editor for a previous issue and requests a copy of a new psychic magazine. Another letter details a $1,000 prize contest sponsored by the Centre for Frontier Sciences on the topic of crop circles, with submissions to be sent to W.P La Parl.

Brenda Butler, co-author of 'SKYCRASH!', offers to sell her collection of UFO and psychic information and books, and also provides postal tarot readings and healing services. She also offers her book, 'SKY CRASH,' for £15.00.

An editor's announcement clarifies that free mentions are only for exchange advertisements and that the magazine is non-profit. Donations are encouraged to help with publication costs.

Odds and Ends

• Scientists watch Mars for signs of life today: A brief report from the Daily Mail (July 3, 1954) discusses scientists at observatories, including Dr. E. C. Slipher at Lowell Observatory, searching for signs of life on Mars, noting observations of canals and polar caps.
• Advertisement: An advertisement for 'WORLD UFO JOURNAL' Issue Number 5 is featured, listing articles on UFOs, aliens, and sightings, with subscription details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Recurring themes in this issue include the exploration of space, particularly the Moon and Mars, and the ongoing scientific and speculative inquiry into extraterrestrial life. The magazine also heavily features paranormal phenomena, such as unexplained disappearances, ghostly encounters, and UFO reports. The editor, Edward Harris, consistently promotes a forward-looking, speculative approach to science and the cosmos, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional understanding. There is a clear interest in promoting UFO-related literature and journals, as evidenced by the advertisements and mentions of other publications. The magazine positions itself as a platform for diverse viewpoints, from scientific exploration to the more esoteric and unexplained aspects of existence.

This issue of Cosmology News, dated November 1993, features a prominent personal testimony and explores two significant themes: the persistent mystery of big cat sightings in Britain and the profound nature of near-death experiences (NDEs).

Ann's Testimony: My Testimony

The issue opens with a personal testimony by Ann Wasley of the Bishop's Stortford Christian Fellowship. Wasley recounts her lifelong belief in God and her experience of becoming 'born again' six and a half years prior. She describes a period of deep depression and fear stemming from her past, including experiences with an alcoholic and violent father. Through Christian counselling, she found freedom from anger and depression. Wasley expresses her belief that God is still ministering to her, transforming her into the person He intends her to be, and emphasizes that God has no 'hang-ups.' She shares her joy in being born again, her filling with the Holy Ghost, and her belief that Christians should speak in tongues and praise God. Wasley also mentions trusting God's promise of a husband and future family through prophecy. Her personal ambitions include a safari holiday and deep-sea fishing. She contrasts the 'alive' nature of her current Christian fellowship with what she perceives as less fulfilling 'normal' churches, advocating for worship through clapping and dancing, and a move away from overly religious traditions.

Ann's Story Continued

Wasley continues her story, stating she is now at Tony Hickman's Christian Fellowship, believing it is where God wants her. She anticipates the church's growth. She met Tony Hickman and his wife Margaret through previous fellowship meetings and desires to do God's will. She expresses a desire to be involved in counselling, helping those who are unsaved, hurting, or depressed. She also wishes to pursue worship singing and drama, believing she has a good voice. Her other desires include visiting Africa, specifically Kenya, and her friend Eric in Uganda. This section is dated Ann Wasley 1994.

The Christian Fellowship

An article by the Editor, dated Sunday, 28th November 1993, describes a visit to Tony Hickman's Christian Fellowship in Bishop's Stortford. The fellowship meets in Hickman's living room, where services and healings are conducted. The Editor notes that while no healings were observed during the visit, Tony Hickman assured him that they do occur and are miraculous. Hickman himself claims to have been delivered from a life-threatening illness by God's intervention, appearing fit and active. The article mentions that Tony Hickman has devoted his life to ministry and established the church in his home, with plans to move to larger premises. A video tape was shown about the origins of 'born again' Christians. Tony Hickman promised a future article detailing this. The service was described as lively, with Susan Hickman playing the piano and singing accompanied by guitars. The Editor contrasts this with conventional churches, where he felt more depressed. Tony Hickman spoke about the wickedness in the world and read from a large Bible. He expressed willingness to write in 'off-beat magazines' to spread God's word. The article notes the presence of about 30 worshippers, including youngsters. Several publications are distributed by Tony's group, including 'VICTORY' and the New Testament with Psalms & Proverbs.

Big Cat Sightings: Mystery Deepens

This section focuses on reports of strange wild cat-like animals seen in various parts of Britain. Marcus Mathews of Warminster, Wiltshire, a reader who wrote to CN in October 1993, expresses his interest in cryptozoology and big cats. He has written a book titled "Big Cats Loose In Britain" and appeals for any relevant information. He assures confidentiality and offers to refund postage. Mathews mentions creatures like 'Exmoor Beasts' and 'Surrey Pumas,' and notes connections to historic 'Black Dog' or 'Ghost Hound' accounts. He has been researching this phenomenon since August 1986, amassing evidence and files. He states that these cats are shy, elusive, and nocturnal. He has done field work, including tracking cats and visiting sighting areas, and has spoken with local officials. He offers to share information and looks forward to hearing from readers.

In a second letter, Mathews notes his interest in Cosmology News, particularly its section on cats, and considers CN to be a unique magazine covering phenomena from a cosmological viewpoint.

An article from the Yorkshire Evening Press (27 October 1993) details a mystery surrounding a potential wild puma in the South West. A woman reported being attacked by a large, dark-coloured, cat-like creature with a four-feet-long tail and arched back, near Bodmin Moor, Cornwall. The incident occurred shortly after a sheep was savaged on the same night, and police linked it to another attack on a sheep five nights earlier.

The magazine also mentions a group in London called TEMS (Travel, Earth Mysteries Society), chaired by Lionel Beer, which discussed strange cats. A local expert, Detective Constable Steve Ashcroft, gave a talk on Big Cats Sightings in Surrey.

Another report mentions a 'big black animal' brushing against a lady walking her dog. The Editor wonders if these could be exotic pets that have escaped or been deliberately released, possibly pending legislation.

Big Cat's Attack Starts the Fur Flying

This article, by John Young, discusses a photograph taken near St John's Chapel, County Durham, of a large furry animal with a rabbit in its mouth. The photographer, Philip Nixon, described the animal as cat-like, reddish-brown, larger than any cat he had seen, and about as big as a border collie bitch. The carcass of a sheep savaged in County Durham showed puncture wounds and had been stripped of flesh, with experts suggesting the killer was not a dog and that the method was typical of big cats. The article lists several reported sightings of pumas in England and Wales since 1984, including incidents in the Isle of Wight, Salisbury Plain, and West Malling. However, an expert at London Zoo, shown the photograph, dismissed it as likely just a large cat, not a 'Big Cat.'

Psychic: Life After Death

This section investigates the phenomenon of near-death experiences (NDEs). The Editor, Edward Harris, introduces the topic by referencing his father's saying, "you can only die ONCE!" He discusses the concept of a spirit world and NDEs reported by hospital patients who have seen their bodies from above and travelled through tunnels of light. The article references an investigation by the Daily Mail Newspaper, based on work by Graham Turner.

Lord Charteris's Experience

The article details the NDE of Lord Charteris, former private secretary to the Queen. While riding his horse, he was thrown and became conscious of floating above his body. He described seeing himself lying on the ground and experiencing a sense of detachment. He felt no discomfort and saw a light, encountering a voice that identified itself as a 'helpful guide.' He describes descending 'great rock steps' and feeling a sense of awe in the presence of God.

Lord Pearson of Rannoch's Experience

Lord Pearson of Rannoch, Lord Charteris's son-in-law, also had a remarkable episode during an operation in 1977. He felt pain as an anaesthetic began to fail and entered a different spiritual dimension, conversing with a 'messenger.' He describes descending 'great rock steps' and feeling a sense of total awe in God's presence.

Gillian Mackenzie's Experience

Gillian Mackenzie recounts her NDE during the birth of her first baby. She experienced being in pitch-black darkness, moving towards a pinpoint of light, and feeling extremely angry about not being warned. She felt a voice say, "Gill, you know who I am," and later encountered her deceased grandfather. She chose to return to help others and found herself back in her body.

Maureen Hardy's Experience

Maureen Hardy, an agnostic before her experience, describes an altered state of consciousness after the birth of her first baby. She became aware of another being, which she communicated with, experiencing joy and laughter. She felt a profound sense of faith based on this experience.

Nancy Evans Bush's Experience

Nancy Evans Bush describes a terrifying NDE during childbirth. She felt herself travelling at high speed into the sky and encountering geometric figures conveying a message that life was not real, but a 'cosmic joke.' She felt total despair, believing her existence, and everyone else's, was unreal. She was eventually brought round but remained devastated.

Alan Sullivan's Experience

Alan Sullivan, a truck driver, describes his NDE during heart surgery. He found himself near the ceiling, observing the doctors. He encountered a skeletal entity, identified as the Grim Reaper, and then a golden light. He felt peaceful and saw his deceased brother-in-law and mother, who indicated it was time to return. He was instructed to tell sick people that it was 'pity time.'

Lynda Allan's Experience

Lynda Allan recounts her NDE after falling off her bike. She felt detached from her body and was whisked up into the sky. She encountered five or six people floating in the sky and received advice about her marriage, stepchildren, and art studies. She felt completely content in a sea of warmth.

Scientific and Skeptical Perspectives

Dr Susan Blackmore, from the West of England University, suggests that NDEs can be explained by brain cells firing randomly due to lack of oxygen, extreme stress, or endorphin release, leading to lights, tunnels, and hallucinations. She believes the brain constructs models of the world, including bird's-eye views. However, Dr Peter Fenwick, a neuro-psychiatrist, finds these explanations inadequate, arguing that the clarity and detail of NDEs are not explained by lack of oxygen or stress. He suggests NDEs are part of a continuum with mystical experiences.

The article concludes by stating that new studies are being made of NDEs, with the hope that they will provide scientific evidence for life after death, potentially challenging skeptical viewpoints. The Editor expresses hope that future issues will bring more evidence of this 'other world(s),' possibly related to quantum mechanics and thought power.

Hugh De Cruz's Story

This section presents a story by Hugh De Cruz from Spain, reproduced as sent to the magazine. De Cruz recounts two encounters. In 1963, while meditating near Glastonbury, he met a man who took his photograph and gave a fake address. In 1983, while seeking a sign to deter thieves, a man and a small boy appeared with a large Pepsi-Cola steel sign, which was later found perfectly fitted to his gate. De Cruz notes similarities between the man from 1963 and the man from 1983. He questions if the man was Sai Baba, noting he receives 'Vibuthi' from Sai Baba's picture and a diamond. He concludes by pondering the nature of time, space, and events existing in the 'NOW.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores themes of faith, personal transformation, and the unexplained. Ann Wasley's testimony highlights the power of Christian belief and spiritual renewal. The big cat sightings articles reflect a fascination with the unknown and a desire for evidence of phenomena outside conventional understanding. The extensive coverage of near-death experiences indicates the magazine's interest in exploring consciousness, spirituality, and the possibility of an afterlife, often presenting these experiences as profound and potentially evidence-based, challenging purely materialistic worldviews. The editorial stance appears open to paranormal and spiritual phenomena, encouraging reader participation and investigation.

This issue of Natural History magazine, dated April 1982, features 'Dinosaur' as its main cover story. The magazine explores various aspects of dinosaurs, from their evolutionary history and survival mechanisms to their eventual extinction. It also includes articles on related scientific discoveries and touches upon other intriguing topics such as UFOs and paranormal events.

Dinosaurs: A Dominant Species

The lead article, 'Dinosaur', details the rise and fall of these creatures. Dinosaurs emerged around 230 million years ago and dominated the Earth for over 160 million years. Their success is attributed to the development of sophisticated hip-joints, which allowed them to walk and run more efficiently on their hind legs, leaving their forelimbs free. Unlike crocodiles, which remained largely aquatic, dinosaurs were land animals that did not swim or fly; flying reptiles like Pterodactyls were their cousins.

The article discusses the vast size range of dinosaurs, from smaller than chickens to as large as four double-decker buses. It notes that some ate plants while others preyed on other creatures. The prevailing theory for their extinction 65 million years ago points to a catastrophic combination of events: a massive meteor impact triggering earthquakes, volcanoes, and tidal waves, followed by volcanic activity in India and continental plate shifts. These events caused a mini ice-age and disrupted migration patterns, leading to widespread devastation.

There is speculation that not all dinosaurs perished, with a small sub-species potentially evolving into modern birds. The article mentions that man has been fascinated by dinosaurs since the 1820s, with early identifications based on fossilized teeth and bones. Sir Richard Owen coined the term 'Dinosauria' in 1841. Recent research, particularly in the last five years, has advanced our understanding, suggesting both warm- and cold-blooded varieties, social hunting behaviors, and complex family groups.

Scientific Discoveries and Impact Sites

A section titled 'BLACK CATS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15' appears to be a continuation from a previous page, discussing a reported sighting of an eerie black creature in Lydford, UK, by farmer Maurice Knowles. The creature was described as 4-5 feet long, with a greyhound-like build, colt-like face, and eyes that reflected no light. The article notes that the BBC was not filming 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' at the time, and the creature was too small to be the Dartmoor puma, but acknowledges many stories of giant black dogs in Devon.

Another article, by Barry Wigmore, discusses the ongoing fascination with dinosaurs and the challenges of unraveling their history. It poses questions about their dominance and origins. The article highlights that new discoveries continue to shed light on these successful animals. It also makes a speculative connection between a sparrow and dinosaurs, suggesting that modern birds could be descendants.

A report from LONDON (Reuter) details U.S. scientists' findings pinpointing the Chicxulub crater on the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico as the impact site of a gigantic object from outer space that crashed to Earth 65 million years ago. This event is believed to have ended the Cretaceous period. The study by David Kring and William Boynton of the University of Arizona supports the theory of an extraterrestrial impact, possibly a comet, that ended the age of dinosaurs. Their research involved analyzing a layer of once-molten rock and glassy fragments found in Haiti, which are associated with an impact at the end of the Cretaceous period.

Letters and Publications

The 'FINAL WORD FROM HUGH DE CRUZ, SPAIN' section contains a letter to 'CN' (presumably Cosmology News) expressing gratitude for the publication and mentioning plans to distribute newsletters widely. Hugh de Cruz discusses the 'crumbling' of the Church of England and the impact of 'New Thought-Form Build Up'. He also references an article by Julie Fuller about the 'Mystery of the Grey Lady' in old castle ruins.

An advertisement for 'ALMANAC OF UFO ORGANISATIONS & PUBLICATIONS Third Edition' compiled by David Blevins is included, offering copies for $19.95.

The magazine also includes information about 'COSMOLOGY NEWS' being a non-profit magazine for worldwide information exchange, located in Great Dunmow, Essex, England. It welcomes articles, suggestions, and news clippings, and states that letters will be deemed for publication unless requested otherwise.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to cover a range of topics beyond natural history, including paranormal phenomena (black cats, grey ladies, UFOs) and speculative science (dinosaur-to-bird evolution). The editorial stance seems open to exploring mysteries and unexplained events, as evidenced by the inclusion of UFO-related content and the 'Cosmology News' section. The publication aims to foster international information exchange on these subjects.