Pegasus - Vol 01 No 1 July 1969

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: Vol. I, No. 1
Date: July, 1969
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group On Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP)
Type: Monthly Journal

Editorial

The inaugural issue of 'Pegasus' marks the transition from the 'S.I.G.A.P. Bulletin' to a fully printed magazine format, though it is still a duplicated quarto for the foreseeable future. Ron Toft, the editor, expresses his ambition to create a magazine that appeals to ufologists in general and can help boost SIGAP's depleted funds by selling copies to non-members. The cover design was created by Dan Butcher. The magazine is named after the winged horse of Greek mythology. Features and news items are urgently needed, and contributions of any length, even short snippets, are welcome. The editor also appeals for members and non-members to consider writing about their theories on the nature and origin of UFOs.

Content Overview

The History of Flying Saucers - Part 1. In the Beginning...

This article by Ron Toft details the Kenneth Arnold sighting on June 24, 1947, which is credited with sparking world-wide interest in flying saucers. Arnold, flying near Mount Rainier, observed nine silvery objects moving at an estimated speed of 1,200 m.p.h. He described their shape as unlike anything he had seen before, and the term 'flying-saucer' originated from his description. The article notes that while many sightings can be attributed to natural phenomena or aircraft, an increasing number describe exotic craft. It poses the question of whether witnesses should be believed or dismissed as cranks.

The Search for Alien Life

This section introduces Project Ceti, an international research program aimed at finding and communicating with intelligent extraterrestrial beings. The project is code-named after the star Tau Ceti, believed to have potentially life-bearing planets. A conference was planned in Prague to discuss the subject. The initiative originated from a 1967 meeting of the International Academy of Astronautics in Belgrade. Professor Rudolf Pesek highlights the importance of finding even primitive life on Mars to understand Earth's place in the universe. The article outlines key questions for the project, including where to search for life (Mars is considered most likely, with Venus ruled out due to its extreme conditions), how to decipher signals, where to direct radio telescopes, the potential appearance of alien life, and the psychological and religious consequences of discovering extraterrestrial intelligence. Professor Carl Sagan is expected to play a significant role. Britain, Russia, and America are expected to participate, with Britain focusing on listening for signals and the US and Russia on sending probes. The article mentions the upcoming Mariner 6 and 7 missions to Mars and future plans for orbiting and landing probes. It also touches upon Russia's ten-year search for extraterrestrial signals and the work of Dr. Nikolai Kardashev. A brief mention is made of Professor Fritz Zwicky's claim that deaths could be caused by microscopic meteors or cosmic rays.

Letters

Peter Hill's Letter: An excerpt from a letter by Peter Hill, an S.I.G.A.P. Area Investigator, discusses the Condon Committee's conclusion that inter-stellar travel is virtually impossible. Hill contrasts this with the views of Soviet physicist Professor K. P. Stanywkovitch, whose work on nuclear science for space travel suggests the possibility of inter-stellar and inter-galactic flights, questioning the validity of the Condon report.

Satellite News by Tim Childerhouse: This report details the agreement between the Satellite Section and Meteor Section of the British Astronomical Association (B.A.A.) to cooperate in collecting information on observed events, including the decay of artificial satellites and natural fireballs. Coventry is designated as the initial collecting centre. The report notes the similarity between phenomena associated with satellite re-entry and natural fireballs, citing confusion from past events like the decay of the Russian Cosmos 253 rocket. It requests reports on fireballs brighter than magnitude minus five and any spectacular decays.

U.F.O.s - The Local Scene

This section presents several local UFO sighting reports:

• Blackwater Typist Sees U.F.O.: Miss Susan Dorman reported seeing two whitish lights with a red one in the middle over Blackwater, Hampshire, which appeared to be descending and possibly landing.
• Moon-Like U.F.O. Seen at Fetcham: Mrs. C. E. Attwell reported seeing a brilliant, moon-like object radiating a glow in Fetcham, Surrey.
• Schoolboy Sees Two Strange Objects: Anthony Bramley reported seeing two globe-like UFOs in Redhill, Surrey, which appeared to merge and separate.
• Globular Object Seen Over Sutton: Richard Harrison reported seeing a strange circular, silvery-white object in Sutton, Surrey, which appeared to float like a balloon and then disappeared.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this inaugural issue are the history and current state of UFO research, the scientific search for extraterrestrial life, and the reporting of local UFO sightings. The editorial stance, as expressed by Ron Toft, is one of openness to contributions and a desire to establish 'Pegasus' as a credible journal that appeals to a broad audience interested in ufology. There is a clear emphasis on the need for evidence-based investigation and a willingness to challenge established scientific views, as seen in the discussion of the Condon Committee report and the potential for extraterrestrial contact.

This document is page 9 and 10 of a publication, likely a magazine or newsletter focused on UFO reports. The content includes witness accounts of aerial phenomena, news about notable UFO cases, and organizational updates. The primary language is English.

U.F.O. May Have Been a Meteor

This section details a report received by S.I.G.A.P. from Mr. M. G. Wood, a telephone engineer from Chilworth, Guildford, Surrey. On June 7, at 9 p.m., Wood observed a fast-moving object in the sky that he described as meteor-like but in level flight and slower than a typical shooting star. He noted it had a red glowing tail and disappeared at an elevation of about 20 degrees. He also reported hearing several loud bangs from the east before the object appeared. The editor notes that while Wood believes it might have been a meteor, the bangs could have been sonic booms.

Another witness, Mr. George Spickett, also a telephone engineer from Ripley, may have seen the same object. At 9.40 p.m. on June 7, Spickett and two friends were walking from Guildford Station car park when they sighted a very bright white light travelling at high speed, approximately three times faster than an aircraft, from Compton towards Farnham. It was visible for about five seconds and made no noise. Spickett lost sight of it behind Bridge House. His father reported hearing large explosions around the same time, describing them as "like something continually passing through the sound barrier".

Barney Hill Dies

This article reports the death of Barney Hill, an American postman famous for his claim, made under hypnosis, that he and his wife Betty were taken aboard an alien spaceship. The story, revealed only after deep hypnotic trances, became a UFO classic and the subject of the book "The Interrupted Journey" by John G. Fuller. The incident is believed to have occurred on September 19, 1961, when Barney and Betty were captured by aliens during a night drive from the Canadian border through the White Mountains, on their way home to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. They saw a large star-like object following their car, stopped, and then experienced a "daze" during which they "lost" two hours and travelled an additional 35 miles without any memory of it. The details were only revealed when they were "forced" to relive the events under hypnosis. The case is described as fascinating and baffling to scientists. Barney Hill died of a cerebral haemorrhage in Portsmouth Hospital, New Hampshire.

U.F.O. Reports Dwindle

An announcement by the Pentagon states that the number of U.F.O. sightings reported to the U.S.A.F. decreased substantially in 1968. The total for 1968 was 375, a significant drop from 937 in 1967 and 1,112 in 1966. This was the lowest number of sightings since 1951, when 169 were reported. Of the 1968 sightings, the Air Force attributed 37 to astronomical phenomena, 41 to aircraft, 38 to balloons, and 84 to other explainable causes. Three cases were classified as "unidentified", 34 were "under investigation still pending", and 117 cases provided "insufficient data to reach a conclusion". The credit for this report is given to "Saucer Scoop", St. Petersburg, Florida.

Echo II Down

This section reports that the Echo II passive communications satellite, launched by the American space agency on January 25, 1964, re-entered the Earth's atmosphere on June 7. The satellite was described as a very bright object seen by millions worldwide. According to the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), the 135-foot diameter inflatable balloon satellite re-entered the atmosphere between 6.09 p.m. and 6.31 p.m. GMT, just north of the Sea of Okhotsk in Siberia.

Meetings

Information is provided about upcoming S.I.G.A.P. meetings. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, at 8 p.m. in the canteen of the Plastic Coatings Factory in Guildford. This meeting will be an "investigators training evening", open to both Area Investigators and ordinary members. Two other meetings are also announced: on September 9, "Pegasus" Editor Ron Toft will discuss mysterious lights and flashes seen on the Moon's surface; and on October 7, a Film Evening will be held.

S.I.G.A.P. Bulletin

Information is available on back copies of the S.I.G.A.P. Bulletin, with three different issues costing 2/6 including postage. Contact Dick Beet, S.I.G.A.P. Secretary, at 164 Park Mead, Cranleigh, Surrey.

UFOLOG

This is a publication from the Isle of Wight U.F.O. Investigation Society, offering duplicated information sheets with news of recent sightings. It is published monthly and costs 10/6 for 12 issues. Contact Mrs. K. Smith at "Ringlemere", Colwell Road, Colwell Bay, Isle of Wight.

UFOLOGISTS!

Readers interested in a new factual look at U.F.O.s are recommended to get "UFO CHRONICLE", a quarterly publication. It costs 10/- a year and can be obtained from 26 Churchside, Vigo Village, Meopham, Kent.

SPACELINK

This publication offers U.F.O. news, with sample copies costing 3/6 including postage. Local agents include S.I.G.A.P., or readers can write to Miss C. Henning, SK Subscription Dept., 99 Mayday Gardens, London S.E.3.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, particularly those that are difficult to explain, and the reporting of significant historical UFO cases like the Barney Hill abduction. There is also a focus on organizational activities and publications within the UFO research community. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these phenomena and cases, providing information from various sources, and encouraging further investigation, as evidenced by the "investigators training evening" and the promotion of other UFO publications.