Galax - 1963 04 Vol 3 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: Galax
Issue: Nr. 4
Volume: 3
Date: April 1963
Publisher: Malmö Interplanetariska Sällskap (Malmö Interplanetary Society)
Country: Sweden
Original Language: Swedish

This issue of Galax marks a change in its format and content, aiming to provide a more engaging experience for its readers. The editorial notes that the society is experiencing growth and increased resources, which they are using to revamp the magazine. The changes include a new cover and an expanded interior, featuring a new 'Question Column' where readers can submit inquiries related to the society's interests.

The Tunguska Mystery: A Spacecraft Crash?

The lead article, "RYMDSKEPPET....SOM... STÖRTADE" (The Spaceship... That Crashed...), delves into the persistent mystery of the 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia. Professors A. Kazantsev and B. Lapunov propose a bold theory that a spacecraft crashed in the region. Unlike typical meteorites, the Tunguska event left no crater and no metallic fragments (nickel-iron), but did leave behind radioactivity. The article contrasts this with the 1947 Sikhote-Alin meteor fall, which did leave craters and iron fragments.

Soviet sources describe the Tunguska event as a fiery mass crossing the sky, followed by a powerful explosion near the Podkamennaya Tunguska River. Russian scientist Leonid Kulik was the first to investigate the site in 1927, noting the widespread destruction of trees. The article highlights Kazantsev's theory that the catastrophe was caused by an exploding spacecraft attempting to land. Expeditions to the area found radioactive soil and tree trunks, supporting the idea of an aerial atomic explosion. Despite extensive examination by the USSR Academy of Sciences, no craters were found, and the few nickel-iron grains discovered were deemed insignificant. The article suggests that if the object weighed a million tons, it would have been iron, ruling out a stony meteorite. The hypothesis of a crashed, atom-powered spacecraft is presented as the most plausible explanation for the phenomena observed.

Professor Lapunov's articles are noted as being available in a booklet from UFOIC in Sydney. The article is translated from the Australian Flying Saucer Review.

Concrete Evidence: The Ubatuba Incident

The section "KONKRETA BEVIS" (Concrete Evidence) reports on a metallic fragment found after a flying object reportedly exploded near Ubatuba, Brazil, in 1957. Analysis by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO) in New Mexico indicated the fragment was 100% pure magnesium. APRO urged the Brazilian Air Force to publicly analyze the metal, but the offer was reportedly declined under conditions of secrecy. The analysis, including spectrographic filming and X-ray diffraction, was registered with APRO.

Fishermen near Ubatuba witnessed a disc-shaped UFO ascend rapidly and explode, scattering sparks and fragments. Dr. Olave Fontes, an APRO representative in Brazil, arranged for samples to be analyzed by various Brazilian scientists, including chemists and geologists. The analysis found no impurities other than magnesium hydroxide, formed by contact with water. The article notes that such pure magnesium is difficult to produce on Earth, leading APRO to conclude that the fragments were likely from an extraterrestrial object.

Technical News: Levitating Disc and New Telescopes

"Tekniska nyheter" (Technical News) covers several technological advancements:

• Levitating Disc: A description of an aluminum disc, over 60 cm in diameter and weighing two kg, that levitates about 10 cm above a surface in Paris. The levitation is achieved through an intricate system of electromagnetic coils, with an inner coil repelling the disc and an outer coil providing stability. Experiments with the disc included powering a light bulb via induced current and heating it sufficiently to fry an egg.

• World's Largest Radio Telescope: The construction of a new radio telescope in Green Bank, USA, is reported. It features a parabolic mirror with a diameter of 91.5 meters, making it larger than the previous record holder in Jodrell Bank, England. However, its movement is restricted to North-South directions, limiting observation time to 40 seconds per day per point, due to cost considerations for a fully steerable antenna.

• "Haystack" - A New Satellite Radio Station: The article introduces "Haystack," a new ground radio station being built by the US Air Force. It is intended to be part of a global military communication network using satellites and will also function as a radio telescope for lunar and planetary surface studies. Its 37-meter antenna will offer high sensitivity, with a narrow beam capable of covering only a 40-mile diameter area on the Moon.

• USA-Soviet Space Cooperation: An agreement between the USA and the Soviet Union for joint satellite launches is detailed. The program aims to include 7 satellites for weather observation, space communication, and magnetic field mapping, with 4 launched by the USA and 3 by the Soviet Union. The first satellite, similar to the Echo balloon satellite, is expected to be launched this year and used for communication experiments, with more advanced satellites planned for launch between now and 1965.

Propeller-Driven "Skater"

An article titled "Propellerdriven 'skridskoåkare'" (Propeller-driven 'skater') describes a peculiar invention by a Canadian: a two-stroke, three-horsepower motor mounted on a harness, with a small airplane propeller attached to the output shaft. This device, weighing about 20 kg and carrying 5 liters of fuel, can reportedly pull four light individuals at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The author expresses concern about the noise, risk of injury from the propeller, and prefers traditional sailing for personal transport.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Galax demonstrates a clear interest in unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs and the Tunguska event, presenting them with a degree of scientific inquiry and speculative theorizing. The magazine also highlights technological advancements in astronomy and space exploration, reflecting a broader fascination with the cosmos and humanity's place within it. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards unusual events, while also reporting on concrete scientific and technological developments. The inclusion of reader contributions through the new 'Question Column' suggests an effort to foster community engagement.

This issue of "Frågor från LÄSEKRETSEN" (Questions from the Reader's Circle) is dedicated to answering reader inquiries on topics related to the unusual and unexplained. The magazine aims to publish questions and potentially shorter reader submissions, responding to those of interest that connect to its activities.

Reincarnation and Past Lives

The issue begins by addressing a reader's question about the factual basis of reincarnation. The response highlights the case of Shanti Devi, born in India in 1926. From a young age, she reportedly spoke of numerous facts and events from a previous life, which she could not have known otherwise. This case has been investigated by many researchers, with impartial investigators confirming her accounts. The article also mentions Dr. Ian Stevenson, a psychiatrist at the University of Virginia, who has studied such cases for over 10 years and found significant evidence, citing an example of a woman in Philadelphia who, under hypnosis, spoke an old Swedish dialect despite not knowing Swedish in her waking state.

Extraterrestrial Life and UFOs

Another reader question explores the origin of "flying saucers" given the scientific consensus that higher life forms are unlikely on neighboring planets. The response suggests that while Venus remains a question mark, Mars shows potential for life, with some researchers believing that not only lower plants but also higher vegetation could thrive there. The canals on Mars have been photographed, and the moons Phobos and Deimos are speculated by some to be artificial. If intelligent life does not exist on our neighboring planets, the article suggests looking to the stars, as many planets orbiting other suns are believed to host life. Thus, UFOs could originate from distant star systems, though this raises complex questions about propulsion and time.

A Mysterious Ship Incident

The article "ANDE + MATERIE" (Matter + Spirit) by Yngve Freij recounts an incident involving Robert Bruce, the first mate of a ship bound for New Brunswick. While Bruce was in his cabin calculating the ship's position, he saw a man he believed to be the captain writing on a blackboard. When he approached, the man's face was unknown and bore sharp eyes. Bruce was startled and ran on deck. The captain, finding his cabin empty, initially dismissed it as a dream. However, when the captain examined the blackboard, it bore the mysterious order: "Steer Northwest!" After a search of the ship yielded no results, the captain decided to follow the order. Three hours later, they encountered a shipwreck with survivors. Bruce identified one of the survivors as the man he had seen in the captain's cabin. This man, when asked to write the same order, did so in the exact same handwriting, astonishing him. The survivor recounted a dream where he was on a ship heading for rescue, describing the vessel and its location accurately.

Yogi's Feats

A brief report details the extraordinary abilities of an Indian yogi named "Mirrha Sangor" in Paris. Under the observation of four professors from the Sorbonne, he entered a death-like cataleptic state for two and a half minutes, during which his heart stopped and bodily functions ceased. He then revived. In another demonstration, he lay on the cold ground, clad only in a loincloth, and allowed a 5,000 kg steamroller to pass over him without apparent harm.

Intelligent Life on Mars?

This section discusses scientific speculation about intelligent life on Mars. Scientists believe that the first humans to reach Mars or Venus might find native inhabitants. A group of 100 scientists has urged the US government to prioritize the search for extraterrestrial life. A report to NASA suggests that delays in this search could postpone manned landings on Mars, originally planned for 1966. They proposed including a microphone in the first unmanned Mars rocket to capture sounds of Martian flora or potential inhabitants. Dr. Frank B. Salisbury of Colorado State University suggests that Mars might host intelligent life that has mastered atomic energy and is engaged in large-scale cultivation. He advises caution when sending probes to Mars to avoid provoking its inhabitants. Salisbury points to seasonal color changes on Mars as evidence of lush vegetation, noting that Earth plants would not survive Mars' harsh climate. He also speculates about the moons Phobos and Deimos, suggesting they might be artificial. The article concludes by stating that while the existence of intelligent life on Mars is uncertain, current technology may not be sufficient for detailed observation, and the planet's proximity to Earth is infrequent.

Ancient History and Cataclysms

The final sections delve into ancient history and cosmic events. The article "DÅ VÄRLDEN VAR MYCKET UNG" (When the World Was Very Young) recounts a story based on inscriptions. A guide named Lobsang shows the narrator ancient inscriptions depicting humans, animals, and a star map with unfamiliar constellations. Lobsang explains that he has learned this ancient language and will teach it to the narrator, who will then explore caves containing this history. The inscriptions speak of a time when Earth was a different planet, rotating faster and closer to the sun, with a twin planet nearby. Humans lived for hundreds of years in a warm climate with abundant flora and fauna. Gravity was weaker, and humans were larger but still small compared to another race of "over-intellectuals" who were highly advanced and monitored Earth. These beings taught humans, but eventually, internal conflicts arose among them, leading to devastating wars and a catastrophic explosion that engulfed the planet in smoke. A large planet approached Earth, threatening collision. The "over-intellectuals" escaped in their gleaming ships, leaving humanity to face the cataclysm, which included massive tidal waves, earthquakes, and floods, leading to widespread panic and the belief that the world was ending.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores topics that challenge conventional scientific and historical understanding, including reincarnation, extraterrestrial life, and ancient civilizations. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and investigative, presenting various cases and theories for readers to consider, often drawing from anecdotal evidence, historical accounts, and speculative scientific hypotheses. The publication encourages reader participation through questions and submissions, positioning itself as a platform for exploring the unexplained.

This document is page 20 of a magazine titled 'MIS', with the volume number indicated as '20'. The issue date is not clearly specified but is associated with the volume number. The publisher is identified as 'MALMÖ INTERPLANETARISKA SÄLLSKAP' (Malmö Interplanetary Society) based in Malmö, Sweden.

The Invading Planet

The main narrative on this page describes a catastrophic event involving an invading planet. The text details how the planet grew closer and larger, causing immense fear and chaos. The atmosphere became violent, with storms and electrical phenomena, including lightning and sparks, described as tearing up nerves and driving people to madness.

As the planet approached its closest point, a tremendous crash occurred, and a living electrical spark shot out from the sky. The sky was filled with dark, soot-black clouds, turning day into an unending night of terrible anguish. The sun itself seemed to stand still in the sky for many days, its red disk motionless, emitting vast flames. Eventually, the black clouds dispersed, and the sun appeared smaller and dimmer, moving away from Earth.

Environmental and Social Impact

The event caused drastic climate changes, with winds described as both icy cold and intensely hot. Thousands died due to these temperature shifts. The text mentions a divine food, called 'manna', falling from heaven, which sustained the survivors. Without it, both animals and humans would have starved due to the destruction of the land.

People wandered from place to place, seeking refuge and rest for their bodies, tormented by uncertainty and praying for peace. The Earth shook and trembled, and heavy rains fell. Throughout this period, the sky was filled with constant discharges from space.

The Sun's Changed Path

As time went on, the black clouds dissolved, and the sun became visible, appearing smaller and dimmer. It seemed to be moving away from Earth, causing the people to tremble in fear, believing their 'Sun God' had abandoned them. More strangely, the sun began to move across the sky from east to west, instead of its usual west to east path.

Conclusion and Continuation

The text ends with a note indicating that the story will be continued in the next issue ('Fortsättning i nästa Nr').

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme is cosmic catastrophe and invasion, focusing on the dramatic and terrifying impact of an extraterrestrial celestial body on Earth. The narrative emphasizes themes of survival, environmental upheaval, and the disruption of natural laws. The editorial stance appears to be one that explores dramatic, speculative scenarios, possibly within the realm of science fiction or speculative non-fiction, given the publisher's name.