Enigma - No 13 - 1997

Magazine Overview

Title: ENIGMA
Issue: 13
Date: April 16th, 1997
Publisher: The Independent Research Centre for Unexplained Phenomena

Editorial

The editorial for this issue, dated April 16th, 1997, welcomes readers to a bumper issue with an increased 'News' section, highlighting current events in space exploration with probes and images from Galileo and Hubble. The editor expresses a conviction that different research areas are converging, forming a 'cosmic jigsaw puzzle', and plans to present a theory for a 'holistic universe' in the next issue, previewing a book titled "From Science to Spirituality" and a potential video introduction. The editor also plans to devote more time to crop circle research, aiming to collaborate with international researchers and use additional scientific equipment, promising exclusive results for Enigma readers. The editorial notes the growing subscriber base, partly due to the Enigma website, and encourages readers to submit articles, letters, or poems. A request is made for lengthy articles to be submitted on computer disc to save typing time. The editor expresses optimism for 1997, referencing a potential significance related to the number 'one hundred' and monkeys, to be detailed in issue 14. The editorial concludes with an invitation to take the opportunity to read the first interesting articles.

El Chupacabra: Chad Deetken Investigates This Puerto-Rican Mystery

This extensive article by Chad Deetken investigates the phenomenon known as the 'Chupacabra', a term literally meaning 'goatsucker'. Over the past 24 months, particularly in Puerto Rico, this creature has been blamed for over 2000 attacks on domestic animals, including chickens, ducks, rabbits, cats, dogs, sheep, goats, and even cows and horses, creating a 'reign of terror'. The attacks are characterized by deep puncture marks around the neck or back of the head, with much of the blood drained and sometimes internal organs missing, often without signs of struggle.

Many sightings and attacks have occurred in 'El Yunque', a vast jungle park in Puerto Rico. The phenomenon has recently spread beyond Puerto Rico to Miami, San Antonio, San Francisco, southern California, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Brazil.

Eyewitnesses describe the creature as 3 to 5 feet tall, covered in coarse dark-brown hair, walking erect with thick, strong legs and a frail upper body, resembling a praying mantis. Its eyes are described as alien-like, wrap-around, fiery red at night and grey in the daytime. It possesses fangs and a proboscis-like tongue for sucking blood, and emits a pungent odor.

Deetken recounts his first-hand investigation in Puerto Rico in March 1996, interviewing witnesses, reporters, scientists, veterinarians, and the Mayor of Canovanos. He details an investigation into a fresh attack where Madeline Tolentino and Jose Miguel Agosto reported seeing the creature. The creature was described as 3-4 feet tall, dark brown/black hair, no clothing, with thin arms ending in three claws, and a 'comb' of feathers down its back. It had bare circular patches of purple skin, a slit mouth, four fangs, and slanted grey eyes. Its movement was described as jerky and fast, appearing to not touch the ground. The creature was also observed to jump a 6-foot fence like a kangaroo. Madeline's husband, Miguel, had also seen the creature earlier that morning, noting that three belts in his car's engine were broken after the creature emerged from under the hood.

Another incident on January 4th, 1996, involved Madeline smelling a pungent, sulphur-like odor and seeing the creature with bright red eyes. Her husband, Miguel, investigated the scene and later, with an uncle, observed what appeared to be the creature levitating about 25-30 feet in the air at approximately 20 miles per hour, with a membrane hanging under its arms.

Deetken also investigated a case where a farmer had three sheep attacked, one missing and two wounded with multiple punctures. A faint, skunk-like odor was detected, but no skunks were present in Puerto Rico. The wounded sheep appeared to be in shock.

During his investigation, Deetken was contacted by a scientist who arranged for him to meet 'Miguel', who claimed to be an FBI agent interested in the phenomenon. Miguel accompanied Deetken to an interview with Madeline and Jose, and later revealed his FBI credentials, stating he worked in drug enforcement. Deetken experienced a noxious, debilitating smell while investigating the sheep farm, causing coughing and throat burning. He also reported a disturbing incident at his hotel where men were heard pounding on a neighboring door, yelling and kicking, possibly targeting him.

Deetken's conclusion is that something bizarre is occurring in Puerto Rico, with numerous eyewitness reports and animal deaths that cannot be easily dismissed. He notes the phenomenon seems limited to Spanish-speaking communities, raising questions about social phenomena. He emphasizes that despite claims of capture, no definitive proof exists, and questions whether the phenomenon is based on reality or amplified by fear and media hysteria. Further research is deemed necessary.

Hale Bopp Update

This section provides updates on Comet Hale Bopp, noting its closest approach to Earth on March 23rd, 1997. The author connects a Nostradamus prediction (Century II, Quatrain 41) about a 'Great Star' boiling for seven days and its cloud making the sun appear to have a double image to Hale Bopp, given its seven-day period between closest approach to Earth and the Sun. The scientific community is reportedly taking greater notice of Hale Bopp, with astronomers and observatories conducting extensive observations. The Bigelow Sky Survey team conducted a 24-hour observing run, and Stephen Larson of the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory used the 61-inch Mount Bigelow telescope. Larson's team is studying the comet's coma structure and gas molecules. Hale Bopp's original orbital period before entering the Solar System was 4200 years, and its future period will be 2380 years, indicating its last pass near Earth was around 2203 BC. The approach to Jupiter in April 1996 influenced its orbital period. The European Space Agency's Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) analyzed Hale Bopp, detecting carbon dioxide and measuring the dust cloud temperature, which ranged from -120°C to -50°C. Comets are described as relics of the Solar System's formation, potentially contributing to the origin of life on Earth.

Cult Suicide?

This section reports on the tragic mass suicide of 39 people in Rancho Santa Fe, California, who announced their intention to join a UFO. The group, calling themselves 'The Higher Source', ran an Internet design company and believed their physical bodies were mere 'containers' for higher selves. The article notes the similarity of their beliefs to some New Age ideals shared by Enigma subscribers. The author speculates about potential government involvement, suggesting the CIA Mind Control project might have programmed the group to commit suicide, citing government dislike for 'religious cults' that pose a threat to the establishment. The article questions the labeling of spiritually aware individuals as a 'religious cult' and suggests that governments might eliminate groups perceived as threats by framing them as cults led by 'nutters'. The author also draws a parallel to the Pope leading millions of Catholics, calling the Vatican a 'cult' with a larger following and a history of violence.

NASA Detects Mysterious "Gamma-Ray Bursts"

In December 1996, NASA announced the detection of four separate gamma-ray bursts in rapid succession on October 27th and 29th, 1996. These bursts were detected by the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) instrument aboard NASA's Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. Unlike the usual one gamma-ray burst per day, these events occurred close together and from the same part of the sky, with the last one lasting 23 minutes. Scientists are debating the sources and causes of these bursts, with theories including massive explosions or merging neutron stars. The discovery was confirmed by other gamma-ray burst detectors and involved scientists from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the University of California at Berkeley, and the Ioffe Institute in Russia.

News Items

UFO Sighting in Bombay: Thousands witnessed a cricket ball-sized UFO flying fast at low altitude, and later a saucer-shaped UFO moving in an arching fashion over the city on November 11th, 1996.

Life on Earth 400 Million Years Older Than Scientists Thought: Research published in 'Nature' suggests life on Earth emerged at least 3.85 billion years ago, based on evidence from a rock formation on Akilia Island in Greenland. This pushes back the emergence of life by 400 million years.

Rare Meteorite Re-entry Surprises Scientists: In October 1996, a meteorite entered Earth's atmosphere, bounced out, orbited, and re-entered. Dr. Mark Boslaugh of Sandia National Laboratories stated this phenomenon is unusual. Scientists offered a reward for samples.

March at Area 51 Planned for 1998: A march is planned for June 6th, 1998, outside the Groom Lake military complex in Nevada, featuring live music and speakers, with an expected audience of 500. Organizers have informed authorities.

Near Mid-Air Collision with UFO: On December 19th, 1996, a Boeing 757-200 operated by China Southern Airlines struck a silver-grey metallic UFO, cracking its cockpit windshield, shortly after takeoff from Beijing.

UFO Sighting in South Africa: Police in Pretoria reported chasing a UFO described as "four times bigger than a star" on August 28th, 1996.

One of Our Satellites is Missing!: On January 25th, 1997, radar operators at NORAD watched a $200 million AT&T satellite (Telstar-401) disappear from screens after an unknown object approached it.

Solar Flare Hits Earth: On April 7th, 1997, a large solar eruption was detected, expected to hit Earth on April 10th. While predicted to be moderate, it could pose a danger to astronauts in orbit. The solar storm was broad enough to affect Earth's space environment.

Possible Black Triangle Crash in the UK: A witness near Sheffield on March 24th, 1997, saw a large Black Triangle UFO followed by six RAF Tornado jets.

UFO Sighting Over Falkirk, Scotland: In September 1996, a pulsating bright object was captured on video for 40 minutes by Mrs. Ross, described as snowball-like and later half-moon shaped with diagonal bars. This footage is considered significant by Scottish Earth Mysteries Research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of ENIGMA revolve around unexplained phenomena, including UFO sightings, mysterious creatures like the Chupacabra, and celestial events such as Comet Hale Bopp. There is a strong undercurrent of skepticism towards official explanations and a questioning of government and media narratives, particularly concerning the Heaven's Gate cult suicide and potential government cover-ups. The magazine appears to champion independent research and encourages readers to question established beliefs and conduct their own investigations. The editorial stance is one of open-minded inquiry into anomalies, with a critical eye towards mainstream interpretations and a belief in the importance of exploring unconventional topics.

This issue of Enigma, dated June 1997, is a diverse collection of articles exploring UFO phenomena, the search for extraterrestrial life, religious interpretations, and esoteric subjects. The magazine features a news report on a UFO sighting, a speculative article linking the Vatican to the Heaven's Gate cult and Rennes-le-Chateau, extensive coverage of Mars exploration and the discovery of potential microbial life on the planet, and a review of a New Age book.

News Report: UFO Sighting Near Sheffield

The issue opens with a news report detailing an event near Sheffield and Dronfield, Yorkshire, at 9:45 pm. Helicopters appeared on the scene, and the investigator drove to find police everywhere. Radar operators reportedly tracked an object for ten minutes, and a sonic boom was heard. Hundreds of calls were made to police stations. The Royal Hospital was on alert for crash victims, and seven mountain rescue teams were on standby. However, the local aviation authority and the RAF denied any aircraft were missing. The official explanation for the sonic boom and possible crash was a 'Bolide Meteor exploding and crashing.' The reporter notes this information was received via the Internet and is being verified.

Possible Vatican/CIA Link with Heaven's Gate Suicide Cult

This article presents research connecting the recent Heaven's Gate suicides in California to Rennes-le-Chateau in Southern France. After attending a lecture by Lyn Pyknett and Clive Prince, the author found parallels between the origins of Christianity, Rennes-le-Chateau, and the cult's beliefs. The article suggests that Rennes-le-Chateau holds clues about Mary Magdalene's true relationship with Jesus Christ and his pagan background, contradicting the official version told by St. Peter and the Church of Rome. It posits that Mary Magdalene fled to Southern France after Christ's death to avoid persecution, leading to a 'Magdalene cult.' The article also mentions the Cathars, who were persecuted for their views on sex and earthly bodies as 'containers,' drawing a link to the Heaven's Gate cult. The author speculates whether Heaven's Gate knew more than has been revealed about Hale Bopp, promising a full article in the next issue.

Hale Bopp Poem

A poem by Brett Anderson Barney titled 'Hale Bopp Poem' is included, reflecting on themes of celestial journeys, divine calls, and the awakening of a shepherd to a bright light.

Mars Quest: The Current Interest in the Red Planet

Written by Paul Vigay, this section explores the renewed interest in Mars. It mentions the 'Mars Mania' phenomenon, with two space probes heading to Mars, the film 'Mars Attacks,' and continued pressure on NASA to re-examine the 'Face on Mars' in the Cydonia region. The article is divided into several sub-sections:

Life on Mars - The Initial Press-Release

This part discusses the 'Life on Mars' discovery made by scientists in August 1996. NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldwin announced that NASA had made a discovery pointing to the possibility of primitive microscopic life on Mars from an ancient meteorite, ALH84001, which landed on Earth 13,000 years ago. Scientists analyzing the rock found minute traces of chemicals known to be formed by bacteria and what they identified as fossilized remains of nanno-bacteria, visible only under powerful electron microscopes.

No Evidence of Higher Life

The features found were minute (250 µm across), leading some scientists to be skeptical. NASA itself attempted to distance itself from 'fringe' research, clarifying that "No evidence of higher life-forms can be put forward," contrary to media headlines.

Dismissing 'Alien' Researchers

TIME magazine is cited for dismissing claims as artificial objects and the 'Face on Mars' as the work of 'alien-life enthusiasts, eccentrics and mystics.' The article notes NASA seemed to step back, although their initial press release was clear about microbial life.

UK Confirmation

Scientists from the UK, led by Dr. Ian Wright, Dr. Colin Pillinger, and Dr. Monica Grady, verified findings using a younger Martian meteorite fragment (79001). This meteorite, crystallized 175 million years ago, suggests life existed on Mars more recently. Dr. Michael Meyer of NASA stated this indicates more than one sample with hints of life and that Mars could have been inhabited for a long period, possibly still having life today.

Technological Advances

The article notes that both meteorite fragments come from only 12 identified meteorites, and observations were made possible by technological advances in electron microscope resolution and laser mass spectrometry.

The Religious View

It explores the theological implications of 'we are not alone.' The Vatican stated that finding life on other planets vindicates that God is not limited by imagination. David Slavsky, a religious Jew, suggested that the message from Mars offers intellectual reassurance, indicating that the laws of physics and chemistry are not limited to Earth. Hindus and Buddhists have no issue with life elsewhere, but Christians and Muslims might find it at odds with the Bible, requiring fundamentalists to re-evaluate their interpretations.

Man's Mission on Earth

Sayyid Syeed of the Islamic Society of North America stated the Koran refers to Allah as the God of 'worlds,' not just one, and that God created the universe for man to explore. The Koran gives man a mission on Earth, which does not preclude God giving other life forms missions on other planets.

Coming to terms with possible future NASA announcements

The article suggests that NASA's announcements have coincided with religious thinkers coming to terms with extraterrestrial life.

Missions to Mars

Mars is described as 'vogue' in space research, with five missions planned or underway.

#### Mars Global Surveyor

Launched in November 1996, this American probe is on its way to Mars, expected in September 1997. It experienced minor computer glitches but had a successful launch.

#### Mars 96

The Russian Mars96 probe tragically failed hours after launch on November 16th, 1996, plunging into the Pacific Ocean. This failure raised concerns about the reliability of Russian spacecraft, crucial for the international space station. The probe carried radioactive plutonium, but officials stated there was no danger of contamination.

#### Mars Pathfinder

The US Mars Pathfinder mission, scheduled for a July 4th, 1997, landing, aims to deploy a rover. It will transmit atmospheric readings and use a parachute and solid rocket motors for landing. The lander, protected by an air bag cocoon, will deploy triangular solar panels and transmit data, including images. It carries a mobile rover named Sojourner.

#### Coincidence or Intention?

The landing site for Pathfinder, at 19.5 degrees North and 32.8 degrees West, is near Chryse Planitia, an outflow channel suggesting a past flood.

#### The Search for Water

A unifying theme of Mars missions is the search for water, essential for life. Both MGS and Pathfinder will look for signs of water.

Cydonia Revisited

Surveyor's potential itinerary included photographing the Cydonia region, home of the 'Face on Mars,' a subject of controversy. NASA announced in October 1996 that near-real-time imagery from Cydonia would be transmitted, potentially resolving the long-standing argument, though the camera resolution might still be a factor.

A Question over Resolution?

Near-real-time transmission is discussed, with uncertainty about which camera aboard Surveyor would be used and whether NASA would release pictures in real-time.

Mapping in Detail

Surveyor is expected to gain a large collection of pictures over its two-year mapping operation, with questions raised about how much data will be made public.

Probes race each other to Mars

Mars Pathfinder is traveling faster than Surveyor, overtaking it on March 15th. Pathfinder is approximately 28 million miles from Earth, traveling at over 60,000 mph, scheduled to land at 6 pm (GMT) on July 4th.

Saving Cash!

Surveyor follows a longer, slower orbit, using less fuel than Pathfinder, saving costs for NASA. Administrator Daniel Goldin highlighted Surveyor's efficiency compared to the Mars Observer.

All Systems Go!

Both probes are making good progress, with no immediate concerns, though the article recalls the loss of Mars Observer in 1993.

More Missions coming up....

Future missions include Mars Orbiter '98 (December 1998) and Mars Polar Lander '98 (January 1999), the first mission to Mars' polar regions. The Japanese 'Planet B' mission is also planned for 1998 to study the upper atmosphere and solar wind.

Surprises in Store?

The article notes Mars' enduring fascination, from H.G. Wells to David Bowie, and suggests more surprises may emerge, potentially confirming Cydonia is not a coincidence.

Crop Circle Poem

A poem by Denzil Fairbairn titled 'Crop Circle Poem' reflects on humanity's disregard for nature and the Earth's subtle communication through messages in fields.

Book Review: Awakening to Zero Point: The Collective Initiation

This review covers Gregg Braden's book, which is described as life-changing. The book details mankind's transition to a new level of consciousness, 'The Fifth Dimension' or 'Zero Point,' explaining the physics and mathematics behind magnetic pole changes and Earth's electro-magnetic shifts. Braden's style is praised for making complex topics understandable. The book discusses the Earth's frequency rising since 1990 and its potential link to crop circles and life-changing events. It emphasizes a disconnection from souls and aims to help readers remember ancient knowledge. The review highlights Braden's unique linking of sacred geometry, Egyptian pyramids, Sanskrit symbols, and the 'Flower of Life.' The book is highly recommended for its ability to help readers understand and connect pieces of a 'cosmic jigsaw,' including crop formations and DNA mysteries.

Stop Press Stop Press

Two late news items are included:

• 9th Apr: Details for the next top-secret Bilderberg meeting on June 12th-15th, 1997, at the Renaissance Pine Isle Resort in Atlanta.
• 20th Apr: Discovery of an elaborate pictogram crop formation near Barbury Castle hillfort in Wiltshire, described as a six crescent, catherine wheel type design.

Subscription Details & I.R.C.U.P. UFO Data Base

Information is provided on subscribing to Enigma magazine (£8.00 UK, £15.00 overseas) and details about the Independent Research Centre for Unexplained Phenomena (I.R.C.U.P.) UFO Data Base, which offers a catalogue of documents on UFOs, crop circles, ancient technology, and government cover-ups. An index is available for £3.00, with individual documents priced at 20p per A4 page plus postage.

Editorial Details

Enigma is edited and published by Paul Vigay at 104 Manners Road, Southsea, Hampshire. Contact details for telephone, fax, bulletin board, and email are provided. The magazine is also available on the Internet at http://rainbow.medberry.com/enigma/index.html.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life, particularly on Mars, and the exploration of unexplained phenomena such as UFOs and crop circles. There is a strong emphasis on connecting scientific findings with spiritual and esoteric interpretations, as seen in the articles on Rennes-le-Chateau, the 'Life on Mars' discovery, and the book review. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various perspectives and encouraging readers to consider unconventional explanations, while also acknowledging scientific endeavors and official statements. The magazine aims to provide readers with information that challenges conventional understanding and prompts deeper thought about humanity's place in the universe and the nature of reality.