Pegasus - Vol 01 No 5 November 1969

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: VOL. I No. 5
Date: November, 1969
Publisher: SURREY INVESTIGATION GROUP ON AERIAL PHENOMENA
Type: Monthly Journal

Editorial: Flying-Saucers Do Not Exist?

The editorial, written by Ron Toft, directly addresses and refutes the claims made by David Simpson, chairman of the Society for the Investigation of UFO Phenomena (SIUFOP), that flying-saucers do not exist. Simpson's group concluded this after a two-year investigation, attributing sightings to vivid imaginations and science fiction libraries, and claiming all photographs were faked. Toft criticizes Simpson for making such a definitive statement, suggesting that Simpson's group likely examined only a small sample of evidence. He implies that Simpson may have set out to disprove UFOs, referencing a previous exchange where Simpson questioned the desire for conclusions like 'flying-saucers originate from unknown planets.' Toft asserts that SIGAP's own investigations, which have examined 171 sightings since May 1967, have resulted in 47 cases defying logical explanation, promising a full breakdown in the next issue.

UFOs Unsolved: A Scientific Challenge

This section features a transcript of a lecture by Professor James E. McDonald of the University of Arizona's Institute of Atmospheric Physics. McDonald argues that scientists have often taken an irresponsible attitude towards UFOs, preferring to ignore or dismiss novel phenomena rather than investigate them. He cites historical examples of scientific skepticism, such as Rutherford's doubts about nuclear power, Newcomb's dismissal of heavier-than-air flight, and Kelvin's skepticism towards X-rays. McDonald criticizes the Condon Report, which he believes has been used to justify ending UFO investigations, and suggests that its conclusions have been received as definitive proof that the matter should be forgotten. He contends that the UFO problem is one of the most outstanding scientific problems of the century and that significant progress requires a more open-minded and thorough scientific approach, possibly necessitating organized scientific effort guided by national policy.

McDonald also discusses the role of NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena) in pushing for scientific and Congressional attention to UFOs. He notes that NICAP is preparing a rebuttal to the Condon Report and emphasizes that until the report's shortcomings are clearly documented, real progress in understanding the UFO enigma will be difficult. He believes that solving this mystery will require a large-scale, organized scientific effort, which can only happen when policymakers recognize the scope of the problem.

Letters

From Mr. Richard Beet, SIGAP Secretary:
Mr. Beet responds to the SIUFOP conclusions published in the Evening News. He challenges David Simpson's hypothesis that witnesses have large science-fiction libraries and vivid imaginations, stating that SIGAP's investigations have primarily involved people with little interest in such stories. Beet suggests SIUFOP's findings may be based on too few sightings and questions whether their sample included many established UFO fans. He also speculates that SIUFOP might have been sidetracked by psychic phenomena or dubious photographic evidence. Despite his skepticism of SIUFOP's conclusions, Beet acknowledges that he has never seen a flying-saucer himself but sees no reason to disbelieve credible witnesses.

From Mr. Trevor Whitaker:
Mr. Whitaker criticizes the lack of support from scientific UFO groups for a convention mentioned in a previous issue. He blames Mike Parry and the Interplanetary Space Travel Research Group (U.K.) for giving the impression of a 'circus,' leading the Halifax Branch of the British UFO Research Association to decide against supporting the event, deeming it a 'waste of effort.'

New Members

The journal welcomes several new members to SIGAP, listing their names and addresses across the United Kingdom.

Price Increase:
Due to increasing costs, the price of PEGASUS is raised from 1s 6d to 2s.

Surrey Roundup

This section summarizes recent sighting reports received by SIGAP:

1. John Miller and Chris Miller (July 23): Two siblings reported seeing a cigar-shaped UFO with bright flashes from their attic window in Munstead, Godalming, Surrey. They described the flashes as irregular and the object as moving from side to side.
2. Mrs. M. G. Perkins (August 21): A typist in Guildford, Surrey, reported seeing a 'bright white light' moving very fast, which stopped, vanished, and reappeared circling. The object continued its movements before vanishing completely.
3. Six people (August 22): Six individuals observed what appeared to be a 'very bright star' performing erratic, noiseless movements in the sky at Shalford, near Guildford, Surrey.

Fact or Folklore?

By Dan Butcher, this article explores the potential connections between UFO shapes and folklore, particularly the symbolism of bells. Butcher notes that Adamski's flying-saucer is described as bell-shaped, and other UFOs are globular. He links this to various types of bells used historically for protection against evil spirits and harm. The article speculates whether the 'evil-spirits' could refer to malignant UFO entities and 'bodily-harm' to UFO burns, or if bell-wearing practices were a magical measure against abduction. It also mentions legends of bells frightening away mythical creatures and overcoming witches.

The article extends the folklore connection to bells plunging into lakes and speaking with human voices, suggesting that these tales, along with the idea of bells flying through the air, might be rooted in actual sightings of UFOs, possibly even Adamski-type craft heading towards Rome.

Saucer Landing in New Zealand?

This report details a potential flying-saucer landing on a farm in Ngatea, North Island, New Zealand. Farmer Bert O'Neil discovered a circular patch of dead scrub, 42 feet in diameter, with three deep impressions forming a triangle nine feet apart. The surrounding scrub was healthy, with no tracks leading to or from the site. O'Neil, experienced in reading signs, found the markings unusual and stated that flying-saucers might indeed exist. The impressions suggested a heavy object resting on a tripod, with evidence of hydraulic rams and gouges in the ground, possibly from the object taking off.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing debate regarding the existence of UFOs, the role of scientific skepticism, and the importance of rigorous investigation. The editorial stance, clearly articulated by SIGAP, is one of open-minded inquiry, challenging the dismissive conclusions of reports like the Condon Report and advocating for continued study of unexplained aerial phenomena. The magazine highlights contrasting viewpoints, from those who believe UFOs are products of imagination to those who see them as a significant scientific mystery. The inclusion of folklore and historical accounts suggests an attempt to contextualize modern UFO sightings within broader human experiences and beliefs.

Title: Pegasus
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group On Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP)
Issue Type: Monthly Journal
Content Focus: UFOs, aerial phenomena, and related investigations.

Reports on Sightings and Phenomena

This issue of Pegasus features several accounts of unexplained aerial events and phenomena. One report details a sighting on a farm where the witness compared the location to a previous event, recalling a bright, oval-shaped object with intense white light that followed his car at high speed. Earlier in the year, near the same farm, two hunters were frightened by a large, shining object that hovered near their truck, causing their vehicle's lights to fail and the engine to stall. The object disappeared after several minutes, and the truck's systems returned to normal.

A report from Camberley member Mrs. B. S. Blundell, originally published in the "New Zealand Post", discusses mysterious circles of bleached scrub that appeared near Hamilton, New Zealand. These circles, which burned the grass with radioactivity, initially led to rumors of flying saucers. Sightseers visited the area, and university students planned a watch. However, government nuclear scientists concluded that the 42 ft. circles were caused by root rot and blight. The editor questions this explanation, asking if root rot and blight could create such impressions in the ground.

Another report from Auckland indicates that no positive identification has been made regarding the cause of similar circles, and the Auckland University Unidentified Flying Objects Research Group has inspected a spot, deeming it not a hoax and dating the marks to about a week prior.

False Alarm: Apollo 12 Mission Event

A section titled "FALSE ALARM" clarifies an upcoming astronomical event. On the evening of Friday, November 14, a brilliant star will appear, which will later develop into a mushroom-shaped cloud. This is not a UFO but the waste fuel being jettisoned from the spent third stage of a Saturn 5 rocket after it has blasted the Apollo 12 astronauts moonward. This event, part of America's second lunar-landing mission, involves the third stage boosting the command and service modules into a lunar trajectory. Approximately 25,000 miles from Earth, the stage separates, and the fuel (liquid hydrogen and oxygen) is ejected, creating the visible phenomenon. The event is expected to be visible at 9.40 p.m., at an altitude of 30 degrees, WSW, weather permitting.

SIGAP Organization and Membership

The journal also provides details about the Surrey Investigation Group On Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP). It lists the Editor as Ron Toft, and key committee members including Chairman Omar Fowler, Secretary Dick Beet, and Treasurer Mrs. Jean Fowler. The publication welcomes articles and states that views expressed in "Pegasus" are not necessarily those of the SIGAP Executive Committee. Advertising rates are provided for classified and display ads. Membership fees are 15s. per year for ordinary members and 12s. for junior members (14-16 years). A Board of Consultants is listed, comprising individuals with expertise in Optical Physics, Space & Satellite Research, Theology, Psychology, Meteorology, and Exobiology.

Advertisements

The issue includes advertisements for various related publications and services:

• UFOLOG: Contains information on UFO sightings in the UK and abroad, obtainable from Mrs. K. Smith.
• MINEAR and BRUCE: Motorcycle and scooter specialists in Guildford.
• FLYING SAUCERS ARE FACT: A quarterly UFO magazine published by the Flying Saucers Are Fact Investigation Society, with subscription details provided.
• SPACE LINK: A magazine for UFO news and views, described as a must, with details on single copies and subscriptions from Miss C. Henning.
• CRANLEIGH REPROGRAPHIC SERVICES: Offers lithographic printing and duplication services.
• FLYING SAUCER REVIEW: Described as the world's leading UFO journal, with subscription details from London.
• JOIN SIGAP: An invitation to join SIGAP and receive Pegasus by post, with details on meetings and literature.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and the investigative process. There is a clear emphasis on reporting witness accounts and scrutinizing official explanations, as highlighted by the editor's questioning of the root rot and blight theory for the New Zealand circles. The publication also serves to promote SIGAP and its activities, encouraging membership and engagement with UFO research. The inclusion of an astronomical event as a "false alarm" demonstrates a commitment to informing the public and distinguishing between genuine UFO reports and other phenomena.