Pegasus - 1979 May

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: MAY/JUNE 1979
Publisher: SURREY INVESTIGATION GROUP ON AERIAL PHENOMENA (SIGAP)
Country: UK
Price: 20 p

This issue of PEGASUS, the journal of the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP), marks the beginning of its thirteenth year of existence. The editorial expresses skepticism about the immediate resolution of the 'UFO mystery' due to the inconsistency of reports. It notes that UFOs appear to be intelligently controlled and may be observing society, rather than wishing to communicate directly. SIGAP has shared its reports with the USA and USSR and awaits comments.

Contents This Month

The issue features a table of contents detailing the articles and reports:

• Page 2: The Petworth Incident (See cover)
• Page 3: "Clouding Your Judgement"
• Page 4: Basingstoke & London Sighting Reports.
• Page 5: Mystery Blue Light Beam.
• Page 6: Basingstoke Police Baffled.
• Page 7: Coloured Rays & NEXT MEETING INFO'.
• Page 8: News From Australia.
• Page 9: BUFORA UFO Congress 79.
• Page 10: New Magazine Produced & Meeting Map.
• Page 11: Rear Cover: SIGAP General Information.

Article Summaries

The "Petworth" Incident : Case S.914

On the night of March 31st, 1979, near Petworth, Sussex, witnesses Angela Morris and her boyfriend observed a large, yellowy round light that changed shape to elongated and cigar-like. Subsequently, three more lights appeared in triangular formation, hovering for about ten minutes. There was a perceived activity around one of the lights, and then all three faded rapidly. The incident was described as incredible, with the witnesses noting that local animals became extremely agitated, with pheasants, partridges, and blackbirds shrieking alarm calls. The investigator is O.F.

"Clouding Your Judgement" (Ref: the Lenticular problem) Case S.915

This report details a sighting on January 26th, 1979, in Tenerife, involving a woman named Mrs Sarah Arkieson. She observed a circular, whitish object with rings, stationary in the sky despite strong winds. Several hours later, the shape had changed slightly, and the bottom rings were no longer visible. Upon examination of photographs, the object was identified as a lenticular cloud, a rare but known phenomenon caused by wind vortexes around hills or mountains, with an example cited from Dr. Edward U. Condon's book.

Basingstoke Again? (Case S916)

Investigator Ron Turner reports on a sighting during the first week of January 1979, where Mr W.E. Bane (aged 75) saw a circular object hovering above a nearby school. The object was orangey-yellow and sharply defined before disappearing into mist. The report notes that a UFO was also reported over Salisbury Plain that same morning.

London Dockland Sighting. (Case S917)

This incident occurred in daylight sometime in 1975. Three witnesses, including a local vicar, saw three luminous, spherical, silver objects in formation hovering over the Surrey Docks area in London. The objects then rose skyward, flipped over, and disappeared. The term "flipping over" is noted as being used by other witnesses.

Mystery Blue Light Beam. (Case S912)

On March 7th, 1979, at approximately 02:30, Mr Wright of Aldershot awoke to see a flashing blue light at his window, emanating from an object above his roof. The beam lit up the ground, and the flashes were irregular. The object was close to the house and made no sound before passing back over the house and out of sight. Mr Wright expressed a belief in other life forms but questioned how they could travel without radar detection.

Basingstoke Police Call For Help. (Case S908)

On the night of February 22nd, 1979, two strange objects with tripod legs and an orange glow were reported hovering over Basingstoke. The witness, Mrs Harvey, observed them for about half an hour before they disappeared into cloud. The Basingstoke Police were called but the objects were gone by the time a patrol car arrived. The objects were described as "rocket shaped". The sighting is compared to a similar event in July 1978.

Coloured Rays From Farnham Object. (Case S913)

On the night of March 7th, 1979, Mr & Mrs Few saw an object flashing lights of various colours (blue, orange, red) with a green haze, approximately 45 degrees to the S.W. of Farnham, Surrey. The object hovered stationary for half an hour before moving out of sight. Mr Few was certain it was not an aircraft or satellite. This case is under investigation and is similar to a light reported in Ash in March 1979.

News From Australia

A report from the Daily Mirror (Monday, May 7, 1979) details an incident in Eucla, Western Australia, where a local agricultural officer fired shots at a "mystery red-and-silver flying object" described as "rocket-like", "cigar-shaped", and "silver, red, cigar-shaped". The object zoomed off at high speed. Other sightings had occurred over the preceding three nights. The report also mentions a theory that the objects might be helium-filled balloons or weather balloons. Two Brisbane men also claimed to have seen a silent object with five flashing orange lights.

BUFORA UFO Congress 79

This section announces "UFO-LINCON'79", the First London International UFO Research Congress, organized by BUFORA (British UFO Research Association). It is scheduled for Sunday and Monday, August 26-27, 1979, at the Mount Royal Hotel, Marble Arch, London. Guest speakers include Dr. J. Allen Hynek. The congress aims to establish common policies on UFO research terminology, classification, data processing, and standards. A special package deal for travel, hotel, and admission is available. BUFORA has previously sponsored national conferences and is moving into the international arena.

Next Meeting Information

The next SIGAP meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 13th, 1979, at 8 pm at the Prospect Club, Ash Vale. The guest speaker is Tim Childerhouse from the Space Department, R.A.E. Farnborough, who will present NASA space slides and discuss developments in space and the "Skylab" problems.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, aerial phenomena, and the investigation of these events by groups like SIGAP and BUFORA. The editorial stance is one of cautious inquiry, acknowledging the mystery of UFOs while emphasizing the need for evidence and careful analysis. The magazine aims to document sightings, share information, and foster a deeper understanding of unexplained aerial phenomena. There is a clear distinction made between serious research and the "cultist fringe," which is explicitly stated as not welcome at the BUFORA congress.

This document comprises two pages, appearing to be extracts related to UFO and paranormal investigation activities in the UK. The first page is a publicity letter announcing a new magazine, "Strange Phenomena," and a related event, the BUFORA UFO Congress in 1979. The second page details the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP) and its publication, "PEGASUS" magazine.

"Strange Phenomena" Magazine and BUFORA UFO Congress

The first page begins with a notice about the BUFORA UFO Congress in 1979, advising interested individuals to contact the Secretary, Mike Prewett. Following this is a publicity letter from Andrew Smith, Managing Director of Strange Phenomena Publications, introducing their new monthly magazine, "Strange Phenomena." The magazine is described as a forty-page, A4 size, glossy, wire-stitched publication covering a broad spectrum of research, including E.S.P., Folklore, Ghosts, Historical Myths and Legends, the Occult, Poltergeist Phenomena, Witchcraft, and UFOs.

The letter highlights the impressive caliber of its consultants, contributors, and staff. Notable individuals mentioned include Linda Bradden (ESP), Tinah Powell (Telekinesis), David Bernstein (Occult), Andrew Green (Ghost Phenomena), Sally Ferguson (National Spiritualist Alliance Secretary, Medium, and researcher), Jenny Randles (leading authority on UFOs), Barry King (UFO and Physical Researcher), and Andy Collins (a controversial figure in paranormal investigation). The magazine is presented as a new venture with strong financial and enthusiastic backing, predicted to succeed.

The first issue was scheduled for release in May, retailing at 75p per copy. Contact information for Andrew Smith, Managing Director, and Graham S. Phillips, Director, is provided, along with an address in Wolverhampton and a telephone number. A hand-drawn map is also included, showing locations such as Ash Station, Prospect Club, Vale Road, and Farnborough North Camp Station, likely indicating areas of interest or meeting points.

Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP)

The second page focuses on the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP), a non-profit voluntary organization founded in 1967. SIGAP's primary objective is to investigate the UFO phenomenon locally in Surrey and surrounding counties, having contributed to studies throughout Southern England. The group operates a 'Hot-line' (Farnborough 41012) to receive reports of sightings, which triggers a preliminary enquiry procedure designed to eliminate obvious explanations. The text notes that a significant percentage of reports (over 80%) can be explained by natural or man-made phenomena.

If a sighting cannot be immediately explained, SIGAP investigators interview witnesses and visit the site of the observation. The group then consults its own experts and liaises with similar organizations nationwide, often identifying patterns of activity consistent with those found elsewhere. SIGAP sends its most significant reports to the Center for UFO Studies in Evanston, Illinois, USA, which is run by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a Professor of Astronomy at Northwestern University and a former consultant to the US Air Force on UFOs.

The Secretary of SIGAP is identified as Michael G. Prewett, Esq., F.B.I.S., with an address in Mytchett, Camberley, Surrey. The page also mentions that SIGAP publishes the "PEGASUS" Magazine, which is released bi-monthly.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The document highlights a strong focus on UFO phenomena and broader paranormal subjects. The tone is informative and promotional, aiming to engage the public with both a new magazine and an established investigative group. There's an emphasis on rigorous investigation, distinguishing between explained and unexplained phenomena, and collaborating with recognized authorities in the field. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena and related subjects, while acknowledging the need to filter out mundane explanations.