Pegasus - 1994 Autumn

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: Autumn 1994
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena
Date: Autumn 1994

This issue of PEGASUS magazine, published by the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena, focuses on extraterrestrial phenomena, particularly concerning Mars and alleged alien encounters.

The Red Planet

The lead article, "THE RED PLANET," explores humanity's long-standing fascination with Mars as a potential site for extraterrestrial contact. It details a history of numerous misfortunes and anomalies encountered by unmanned space exploration missions to Mars, including the Soviet Mars 1, Zond 2, Mars 2, Mars 6, Mars 7, and the US Mariner 7. A NASA report from January 28, 1976, noted that eight Soviet and American probes had been severely damaged approaching Mars, leading some at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to question whether these mishaps were purely accidental. The article also mentions orbital photography that produced pictures of unusual features on Mars, such as pyramids, heat-emitting areas, and a structure resembling a human face, sparking debate about their natural or artificial origins.

The article then discusses the Soviet Phobos 1 and Phobos 2 missions launched in July 1988. Phobos 1 was lost, allegedly due to radio command errors. Phobos 2 entered Martian orbit in January 1989 and was intended to fly alongside the moonlet Phobos, depositing instruments and observing it. However, on March 28, 1989, Tass reported that Phobos 2 had failed to communicate. Soviet authorities later released tapes showing an object approaching the orbiter, suggesting it was destroyed deliberately by action from the Martian surface. Zecharia Sitchin, in his book "Genesis Revisited," posits that this was an "incident" – aliens shooting down a spacecraft intruding on their Martian base.

The article concludes by referencing the 1993 loss of NASA's Mars Observer spacecraft, which fell silent just before entering Martian orbit. It notes that NASA's final report attributed the loss to a probable rupture in the fuel pressurization system, but the magazine's authors question whether this official explanation overlooks other possibilities, perhaps due to reasons unknown to the public.

Mars Observer Investigation Report Released

This section details the findings of an independent investigation board into the failure of the Mars Observer spacecraft. The report, delivered to NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin, identified the most probable cause of the loss of communications on August 21, 1993, as a rupture of the fuel (monomethyl hydrazine - MMH) pressurization side of the propulsion system. This leak likely caused an unsymmetrical spin rate, engaging the spacecraft's "contingency mode" and disabling the transmitter. The board also suggested other potential causes, including failure of the electrical power system, NTO tank over-pressurization, or the accidental ejection of an initiator. The report highlighted deficiencies in systems engineering, flight rules, reliance on heritage from near-Earth missions, and the constraints of a fixed-price contract.

Dr. Timothy Coffey, Chairman of the board, expressed that the investigation was challenging due to the lack of hard evidence but believed their conclusions were justified. Dr. Wesley Huntress, Jr., Associate Administrator for NASA's Office of Space Science, commended the board's work for guiding future corrective actions.

Lazar on the Greys

This section features an excerpt from an interview with George Knapp on KLAS-TV with Bob Lazar, who claims to have worked on anti-matter reactors and gravity propulsion systems for flying disks. Lazar states he read reports containing information about Element 115, disks, and gravity, as well as information about aliens and religion. He specifically mentions seeing photographs and autopsy reports of aliens, describing the typical "Grey" as a creature about three and a half to four feet tall with a large, hairless head, black slanted eyes, long arms, and thin limbs. He describes an autopsy report he saw as detailing a carcass with dark, iron-like blood and a single large organ instead of distinct heart and lungs. The report indicated the alien came from "Reticulum 4" and was identified as "Sol 3" (Earth's designation).

Lazar claims to distance himself from UFO researchers to avoid mixing his experiences with their findings. The interview also touches upon the investigation into Lazar's background, noting that while some institutions claimed no knowledge of him, newspaper articles and an old telephone book provided some credibility to his claims of working at Los Alamos.

Zecharia and the Ancient Astronauts

This article, by Gordon Millington, discusses the work of Zecharia Sitchin, a scholar who interprets ancient texts, particularly Sumerian, to support his "Ancient Astronaut" theory. Sitchin's research, presented in "The Earth Chronicles," suggests that the Nefilim, beings from the tenth planet Nibiru, came to Earth 445,000 years ago to mine gold. He posits that they created "The Adam" (later evolving into Homo sapiens) as a workforce. The article details the rivalry between Nefilim leaders Enki and Enlil, the creation of humans, and the story of the Great Flood, which Sitchin interprets as a corruption of Sumerian accounts where "Elohim" refers to the plural Nefilim.

Sitchin's work extends to the story of Noah (Utnapishtia/Ziusudra), suggesting the flood was a consequence of Nibiru's approach. He also discusses the Nefilim's role in rebuilding civilization after the flood and their continued presence, possibly through android creations, operating from a Martian base. The article highlights the USSR's Phobos 2 mission as potentially providing evidence for Sitchin's theories, noting the unexplained loss of the probe and the suggestion that it was shot down by aliens.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of PEGASUS are the exploration of Mars, the possibility of extraterrestrial life and intelligence, and the interpretation of ancient texts and modern events through the lens of ancient astronaut theories. The magazine appears to adopt a stance that questions official explanations for space mission failures and entertains the possibility of deliberate interference or contact with non-human intelligence. The inclusion of articles on Zecharia Sitchin's theories and the Bob Lazar interview suggests an editorial interest in alternative explanations for phenomena and historical events, often linking them to extraterrestrial involvement.

This issue, titled 'PROJECT MOON DUST,' is authored by Barry Greenwood and published by CUFON Computer UFO Network from Seattle, Washington. The cover date is November 1961, though other articles reference dates up to 1994. The magazine explores various facets of the UFO phenomenon, including government projects, alleged alien encounters, and extraterrestrial bases.

Project Moon Dust and Government Secrecy

The lead article, 'PROJECT MOON DUST,' reveals that this was a code name for a US Air Force project, likely involving the recovery and study of UFO materials. Documents released by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and State Department referenced 'Project Moon Dust,' linking it with other quick reaction projects like 'BLUE FLY.' These projects were reportedly involved in the transportation of 'Moon Dust material,' which included items acquired from the recovery and field exploitation of UFOs. The article notes that UFOs were distinguished from Soviet bloc aerospace vehicles. The Foreign Technology Division at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio was involved, and the project is linked to Donald Keyhoe's 1955 book 'THE FLYING SAUCER CONSPIRACY.' The article concludes that while 'Moon Dust' and 'Blue Fly' are no longer active, the procedures for reacting to unknown vehicles likely remain in place.

Skeptical Viewpoint and UFO Definitions

The 'CSICOP - THE SCEPTICAL VIEWPOINT' section addresses common UFO-related questions. It defines UFOs as simply Unidentified Flying Objects, not necessarily alien spacecraft. It states that while most UFO reports (around 95%) can be explained as misidentifications, natural phenomena, or hoaxes, a small percentage remain unexplained, but this doesn't automatically mean they are alien. The section also debunks the MJ-12 documents as fakes and the Roswell Incident reports as bogus, citing Philip Klass's investigations. It questions the scientific validity of theories suggesting UFOs are natural phenomena like 'plasmas' or ball lightning, noting that these theories often change to fit data. The possibility of aliens visiting Earth is considered, but framed within the context of the Fermi Paradox and the vast distances involved in interstellar travel, making frequent visits seem unlikely without observable evidence.

Crop Circles and Mars Anomalies

The magazine explores crop circles, stating there is no convincing evidence they are made by aliens. It discusses theories involving 'ionised plasma vortices' but notes that many are acknowledged hoaxes. The claim of crop circles being radioactive is refuted, and the evidence for cellular changes in plants within crop circles is deemed weak. The 'Face on Mars' is explained as an optical illusion created by shadows on Martian terrain, with the human brain readily identifying familiar patterns. Richard Hoagland's theory of an artificial structure is mentioned, but most analysts consider the resemblance accidental.

Revelations of Cosmic Awareness and Alien Abductions

'REVELATIONS OF COSMIC AWARENESS' presents channeled information via interpreters who read 'energies.' It suggests aliens select abductees based on their brainwave patterns and specific interests, avoiding individuals with strong social or individualistic traits, or those who consume addictive substances. It warns that most alien contact should be viewed with suspicion unless they are identified as Pleiadians or from Sirius, who tend to arrange appointments telepathically. The article describes aliens' ability to move through solid objects using a field that reduces matter's density, enabling them to implant individuals, particularly those working in or around government or alien-operated bases. The city of Dulce, New Mexico, is cited as a location where many locals have been implanted and abducted.

Underground Alien Bases

Further details are provided on an alleged underground alien base at Dulce, New Mexico. This base is described as a joint US government/Alien facility, with humans and aliens collaborating. The U.S. government reportedly agreed in the 1930s to trade animals and humans for high-tech knowledge and to allow aliens to use underground bases in the Western U.S.A. The 'SUBTERRENE,' a nuclear-powered tunnel machine, is mentioned as capable of burrowing through rock, creating molten magma that cools to form smooth tunnels. These tunnels are used by electro-magnetically powered shuttle vehicles, linking underground cities. The Dulce facility is a multi-level complex with numerous security cameras and secret exits. Similar bases are said to exist in Colorado and Arizona, and tunnels may extend to various global locations.

Apollo 11 and Moon Sightings

An article titled 'WHO'S THAT ON OUR MOON?' reports that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin allegedly saw UFOs shortly after the Apollo 11 moon landing. It claims that one astronaut referred to enormous spacecraft lined up on the far side of a crater, watching them. This information is attributed to former NASA employee Otto Binder and purportedly originated from secret documents posted on a computer bulletin board.

Alien Acknowledgement Campaign (AAC)

The 'ALIEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT CAMPAIGN (AAC)' meeting at Oxford Town Hall is mentioned, where groups were required to express an unequivocal belief in alien visitation. SIGAP, a delegation present, did not support the AAC due to its stance, as SIGAP aims to remain open to all hypotheses.

European Parliament and UFOs

An article from 'THE TIMES' dated December 2, 1993, discusses a report presented to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) suggesting that aliens might have established a base in the asteroid belt. The report, prepared by Tullio Regge, an Italian socialist MEP and physicist, recommends the establishment of a European UFO Observation Centre. Regge is critical of fraudsters using sophisticated electronics to simulate UFO sightings but acknowledges that a significant percentage of cases investigated by the French state-funded Service for Assessment of Atmospheric Reentry Phenomena remain unexplained.

Dr. Story Musgrave and Alien Visitors

Another article from 'THE TIMES' (December 8, 1993) features astronaut Dr. Story Musgrave, who believes in aliens and attempts to contact them during his space missions. He expresses a desire to take a space ride with unknown beings if they were to visit Earth.

Deviant Ufonauts

Gordon Millington's article, 'THE DEVIANT UFONAUTS,' explores less common reports of alien encounters, moving beyond the typical 'tall, fair' or 'small, bug-eyed' descriptions. It details the bizarre Kelly-Hopkinsville sighting of 1955, involving small creatures with large eyes. It also recounts the Pascagoula abduction case of 1973, where fishermen described three-foot-tall beings with no necks and crab-like hands. Other encounters include winged creatures in the Midlands and a Belgian blacksmith who was forcibly fed by ufonauts. The article suggests that these varied and seemingly random appearances might be accidental intrusions into our space-time continuum rather than purposeful visits.

Videos and Books

The issue includes a section on 'VIDEOS,' recommending 'HOAGLAND'S MARS: Vol. II - The U.N. Briefing - The Terrestrial Connection (Extended Version),' which presents a case for Earth and the solar system being visited by intelligent life-forms, linking Martian structures to Earth's ancient sites. It also mentions NASA UFO footage. Under 'BOOKS,' 'WHEN TIME BEGAN - The First New Age' by Zecharia Sitchin is recommended, which explores ancient texts and depictions to support a thesis about 'gods from the heavens' and celestial time.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include government secrecy surrounding UFO phenomena, the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation and bases, and the investigation of various types of alien encounters. The magazine presents a range of perspectives, from detailed accounts of alleged government projects and alien interactions to skeptical analyses of UFO claims and phenomena like crop circles. While some articles lean towards accepting the reality of UFOs and alien intelligence, others, like the CSICOP section, adopt a more critical and evidence-based approach. The overall stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, acknowledging both unexplained cases and the need for rigorous investigation and skepticism.

This issue, identified by page number '21' and '22' and '23' and '24', focuses on the history of UFO sightings during World War II and related topics. It is presented by the CUFON UFO Information Service.

World War II UFO Investigations

The accumulation of mysterious celestial object sightings during World War II began to worry military authorities on both sides. High-ranking officials in intelligence services established investigation committees in various countries with a dual purpose: to determine the nature of these flying objects and to assess any threat to national security. Initially, both the Allies and the Germans suspected espionage by their enemy.

British Investigations

In 1943, the British were the first to form a special group to investigate these objects, establishing a small organization to collect evidence. This group was led by Lieutenant General Massey and was influenced by reports from a double agent who had confirmed that the 'Foo fighters' were not German devices, and that the Germans believed they were Allied weapons. The British, however, knew this was not the case. In 1966, it was revealed that Project Massey had been officially classified in 1944. The double agent was denounced and executed at the beginning of that year.

German Investigations

Meanwhile, the Germans were also active. In 1944, the Wehrmacht tasked the Oberkommando of the Luftwaffe (aviation) with setting up a center to gather information on sightings of these mysterious celestial objects. This center was known as Sonderburo No.13. Despite its limited operational time before the German defeat, it managed to collect an impressive amount of information, though it could not reach definitive conclusions.

Key Sightings and Incidents

Captain Fischer's Sighting (March 1942)

The first sighting studied by Sonderburo No.13 involved Hauptmann (Captain) Fischer, an engineer in civilian life. On March 14, 1942, at 5:35 pm, Fischer landed at the secret air base at Banak, Norway. At that moment, radar detected a luminous object, and Fischer was ordered to investigate. At approximately 10,000 feet, he spotted the object and described it over the radio as an enormous, streamlined craft about 300 feet long and 50 feet in diameter. He referred to it as an 'aerial whale,' noting that it remained horizontal for a long time before rising vertically and disappearing at high speed. Fischer concluded in his report that it was not a man-made machine. Air Marshall Hermann Goering, upon reading the report, suggested that the isolation of the north might have affected the pilot's perception.

Kummersdorf Rocket Launch (February 1944)

The Committee's archives also contain a report on the launch of an experimental rocket on February 12, 1944, at the Kummersdorf test center. This event was attended by both Goebbels and Himmler, the SS leader. The launch was filmed, and the projection revealed a spherical object following the rocket and circling around it. Initially, Allied espionage was suspected. However, an agent informed Himmler that the British were experiencing similar problems and believed it to be a new type of German aircraft.

Messerschmitt Jet Sighting (September 1944)

The most convincing case documented in the Sonderburo files occurred on September 29, 1944, at 10:45 am. A test pilot flying the new Messerschmitt jet, the ME262 Schwalbe, observed two luminous points to starboard. He pursued them at full speed and encountered a cylindrical object over 300 feet long, featuring openings on its side and long antennae. As the pilot approached within 1500 feet, he was astonished to observe the craft's speed exceeding 1200 miles per hour.

Jackie Gleason and Alleged Alien Bodies

The article 'DID TRICKY DICKY SEE PICKLED UFONAUTS?' suggests that Jackie Gleason's fascination with outer space, possibly inspired by the 'Honeymooners' show, may have influenced his interest in UFOs. According to his ex-wife Beverly McKittrick, Gleason, through his friendship with Richard Nixon, allegedly saw the bodies of four deceased 'space aliens' recovered by the USAF. McKittrick's unpublished biography describes a trip in 1973 to Homestead AFB in Florida where these bodies were supposedly embalmed, displayed on operating tables, and kept top secret. Mike Luckman, director of the UFO research center in New York, commented that these bodies might be the same ones recovered at Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947.

UK Ministry of Defence UFO Reporting

The article 'UFOS? WHITEHALL HAS A FORM FOR EVERYTHING' details the process for reporting UFO sightings in the UK. Carol Davies recounts her experience contacting the Ministry of Defence, where Nick Pope handles UFO reports. He mentions that the Ministry receives an average of 150 reports per year, with a significant spike in 1978. Pope explains that about 95% of sightings can be explained by conventional phenomena like lasers, clouds, or celestial objects. However, a 'hardcore' of sightings remains unexplained, and individuals are then directed to UFO spotting societies. Inspector Peter Jones of Canterbury Police and Assistant Supervisor Craig Marshall at West Drayton confirm that reports are typically referred to RAF Manston. An official form, 'Report of an Unidentified Flying Object,' is used to collect details such as date, time, duration, shape, size, color, brightness, angle of sight, weather conditions, nearby landmarks, and whether other authorities or the press were contacted. These forms are handled by a Ministry of Defence department at Whitehall. The article notes that while most sightings are explained, about 10% remain a mystery.

Visual Elements

The issue includes a cartoon with the caption 'They gave you a MARS bar?', depicting two figures in winter attire encountering a UFO and small alien figures. Below this is an illustration of the solar system, described as recorded on an Akkadian cylinder seal from the third millennium B.C., now in the State Museum in East Berlin. Another image is a photograph labeled 'Mars' with the question 'Did We See Something?'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the historical investigation of UFOs, particularly during World War II, and the official responses from governments. There is an emphasis on the secrecy surrounding these events and the efforts made by both military and intelligence agencies to understand and control information. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting documented cases and official procedures, while also acknowledging the persistent mystery surrounding a portion of these sightings. The inclusion of the Jackie Gleason anecdote and the Mars image suggests an interest in broader UFO lore and potential extraterrestrial connections.