Pegasus - Vol 02 No 5 Jan-Feb 1971

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: VOLUME 2 NO 5
Date: JAN/FEB 1971
Publisher: SURREY INVESTIGATION GROUP ON AERIAL PHENOMENA

This issue of Pegasus, the journal of the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena, presents a critical perspective on scientific skepticism towards unexplained phenomena, alongside various witness accounts, mythological comparisons, and scientific analyses.

Editorial: The Scientific Stance on the Unexplained

The editorial strongly criticizes the majority of scientists for their refusal to accept evidence for phenomena such as flying saucers, hairy humanoids, and other 'unexplaineds' that fall under the umbrella of fortean phenomena. It describes scientists as 'pompous intellectuals' who, when confronted with evidence that challenges their established knowledge, adopt a dismissive attitude, ridiculing researchers and filing away evidence. The editorial argues that scientists often accept only what fits their existing theories and reject anything that doesn't, questioning the reasons behind this behavior. It posits that many amateurs are more scientific in their approach to UFOs and occult phenomena than established scientists, who are accused of lacking objectivity and exhibiting 'downright stubbornness.' The term 'Menzelism' is used to describe the tendency of some scientists to deny phenomena despite evidence. The editorial draws a parallel to the 18th-century controversy over meteorites, suggesting that resistance to new ideas has historically been a significant obstacle to scientific advancement. It notes the lack of a major UFO 'flap' in the first year of the 1970s and the doldrums in UFO research, partly attributed to the Condon Report. The editorial advocates for continuing efforts to educate the public and suggests that UFO evidence should be recorded for future interest. It expresses hope for a more open-minded generation of scientists in the future.

Witness Accounts and Sightings

Lights in the Sky Over Camberley

A family in Camberley, Surrey, reported seeing five UFOs on several occasions since early July. The most recent sighting, on Wednesday, September 30, was by 13-year-old Elizabeth Watson. She described a bright, star-like object moving across the sky for about half an hour, appearing level with the tops of trees. The object did not move in a straight path but hovered and moved up and down before continuing its journey. Elizabeth ruled out the possibility of it being an aircraft due to the lack of navigation lights and any sound. Her brother, twelve-year-old Hugh, also reported a sighting in early July, describing a bright, star-like object performing exotic maneuvers. The family noted the basic similarity of all five sightings: bright, star-like objects, seen between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., making no noise, and performing maneuvers impossible for conventional aircraft. Mrs. Watson stated that they were not satellites, flares, or weather balloons, and that aircraft are noisy and have navigation lights.

Cigar-Shaped UFO Hovers in Sky

Mr. Alun Jones, in his early 60s, recounted an experience from one autumn evening five years prior (around October 1965). While walking to the post-office, he saw a long, cigar-shaped object hovering silently above him. He described it as having no recognizable wings but a number of portholes emitting an intense greenish-yellow glow. The object was pearl-grey with a flat underside and resembled the fuselage of a Britannia aircraft at about 500 feet, appearing 'gigantic.' He estimated its speed as phenomenal and suggested it might be a spacecraft operating on a magnetic beam due to its silence. Mr. Jones, familiar with aircraft from living near Gatwick Airport, was certain it was not a conventional aircraft. He was certain it was a solid, physical object and not a figment of his imagination.

Scientific Analysis and Discussion

The Tunguska Explosion

The issue touches upon the ongoing mystery of the colossal explosion in the Tunguska Basin on June 30, 1908. An expedition, the twelfth to investigate the site, was undertaken to find minute particles of meteoritic substances. The explosion, equivalent to a ten megaton nuclear bomb, flattened over 60,000 trees, was heard 650 miles away, and caused geophysical disturbances worldwide. Explanations have included meteorites, comets, cosmic dust, anti-matter, and alien spaceships. The findings of the latest expedition, led by Professor Nikolai Vasilyev and comprising 80 specialists, have not yet been announced.

Doppler Shift and Colour Change

John Adams, SIGAP's optical physics consultant, addresses a question raised by Peter Hill regarding the Doppler Effect and its potential to cause a noticeable color change in a UFO. Adams explains that movement towards or away from an observer alters the apparent wavelength of light. To achieve a color change from yellow to orange (0.59 to 0.61 microns), the Doppler Effect would need to account for a change of 0.01 microns. The calculation shows this would require a speed of 5,000 km/sec, which is extremely fast and would mean the object would only be visible for 1/200th of a second. Adams facetiously suggests an alternative explanation: that the UFO might be painted different colors or have different colored lights.

Folklore and Mythology

Fact or Folklore?

Dan Butcher explores the connection between folklore and UFO sightings. He recounts a Melanesian myth from the island of Efate about Maka Tafaki and Karisi Bum, sons of a sky-maiden, who used a rope to descend from the sky in a large basket laden with fowls, pigs, and foodplants. This myth is compared to modern UFO sightings, particularly the 'oscillation' or 'falling leaf movement' of aerial vehicles. The myth also involves 'two-way trafficking' of animals between the sky-world and Earth, similar to UFO witness accounts of animal abduction and release.

Siberian Tale of the 'Great Bird'

A Siberian tale from the Goldi tribe describes a girl who saw two fires in the sky and a 'great bird' carrying a human-being. The 'bird' alighted on a tree, and after a confrontation where the girl threatened it, the 'bird' transformed into a being with iron feathers. The girl shot an arrow into its breast, causing it to fall and change into a flame of fire. The author suggests the 'fires' could be 'twin-headlights' reported by UFO witnesses, and the 'bird' could be a 'jelly-fish' type UFO. The tale's elements, such as the shamanic costume with leather thongs and iron ornaments, are linked to UFO descriptions. The story also touches on themes of immortality of the 'parasomatic body' and the mortality of the physical frame, and notes that some UFO witnesses have died soon after encounters.

Meetings and Correspondence

Hynek Meeting

Dr. J. Allen Hynek, an American astronomer, met informally with UFO researchers in London, organized by Flying Saucer Review. Dr. Hynek, Director of the Lindheimer Astronomical Research Centre, requested no publicity, likely to avoid controversy in the prevailing hostile UFO climate. He stressed the need for specialization among UFO researchers, suggesting they focus on specific aspects of the phenomenon. The meeting included other UFO figures like Gordon Creighton and Brinsley le Poer Trench. After a lecture and Q&A session, a buffet was provided. The meeting was chaired by FSR Editor Charles Bowen.

Letters to the Editor

Bob Skinner from Pirbright, Woking, suggests a possible connection between UFO shapes and prehistoric cemetery barrows near Stonehenge and Avebury, noting analogies between long barrows and cigar-shaped UFOs, and disc barrows and disc-shaped UFOs.

Peter Rogerson from Urmston, Manchester, disagrees with the editorial's suggestion that Arthur Shuttlewood's claims are either objective truth or deliberate falsehood. Rogerson believes Shuttlewood experienced real subjective events, possibly due to mental conflict or external intelligence. He views Warminster events as typical 'flap-area' occurrences and is skeptical of skywatches, considering them meaningless statistics. He emphasizes that important events happen on the ground and that case-by-case investigation is unlikely to yield significant results.

The editor responds to Rogerson, urging an open mind regarding the 'space-brothers' notion and suggesting that Shuttlewood's experiences might be more complex than Rogerson assumes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the perceived bias and skepticism of the scientific establishment towards UFO phenomena, the detailed recounting of witness sightings, the exploration of potential connections between ancient myths and modern UFO reports, and the scientific analysis of specific UFO characteristics. The editorial stance is clearly critical of mainstream science's dismissive attitude and advocates for open-minded investigation and the recording of evidence. There is a strong emphasis on witness testimony and the need to consider all hypotheses, even those that seem outlandish, until the 'whole UFO picture has been revealed.'

This issue of Pegasus magazine, though undated and without explicit volume or issue numbers, features a collection of articles and letters discussing various facets of ufology, paranormal phenomena, and scientific inquiry into life beyond Earth. The content is primarily in English and appears to be from the late 20th century, based on references to events and technologies.

Letters to the Editor and Commentary on Skywatches

The issue opens with a continuation of a discussion on "Views as to the merits and demerits of skywatches." The EDITOR notes that the idea of witnesses suffering from hallucinations is an easy explanation for those unwilling to accept their accounts.

Mrs. Carol Halford-Watkins, Editor of *Topside*, expresses her support for well-organised skywatches, believing they offer much to gain with little to lose. She agrees that some individuals need to see to believe, but advocates for all ufologists to participate, as valuable lessons can be learned in distinguishing natural phenomena from UFOs. She also highlights the benefits of information exchange, camaraderie, and the spiritual upliftment derived from observing the cosmos. Regarding the belief in intelligently controlled UFOs, she argues that scientific proof is not always necessary, drawing parallels with belief in God. She suspects that governments worldwide hold secret files containing ample scientific proof of UFOs, evidenced by their "Silence Policy" and occasional leaks.

Mr. David Simpson's remarks are also addressed by Derek Toombs, who suggests that an international research program on UFOs, possibly under the UN, would not be a waste of money. He believes such a program, involving universities, industries, police, and observatories, would greatly aid in data coordination. Toombs agrees with Simpson that "verifiable scientific evidence" is crucial but doubts it will be readily available in the current century due to the limited resources of private UFO clubs.

Mr. Toombs also notes that skywatches provide a good, practical aspect to ufology, offering a break from literature and club administration, and fostering an open forum for discussion.

Conversely, John Keel offers a more skeptical view, stating that skywatches are an amusing hobby but ultimately disappointing, serving only to confirm existing beliefs. He argues that endless skywatches over 20 years have not advanced general knowledge and suggests examining psychological reasons for indulging in them, comparing it to attending seances or studying NASA photos to prove the world is flat.

Rev. Dr. Norman J. Cockburn, SIGAP's Theology Consultant, emphasizes that ufology requires active investigation beyond reading reports. He stresses the importance of adequate training and instruction for amateurs to achieve real progress.

The Contactee as an Astral Projector

Dan Butcher contributes a multi-part article, with Part 1 focusing on "What is astral projection?" He draws parallels between "astral projection" and UFO contact reports, suggesting that contactees might be describing experiences of their own psychic projections. He quotes C. G. Jung: "When an inner situation is not made conscious, it happens outside as fate."

Butcher describes cases where individuals under anesthesia or during crises have experienced out-of-body sensations, observing their physical bodies and surroundings. These "exteriorisations" can occur during sleep, accidents, illness, or even deliberately through experimentation. He notes that Dr. Hornell Hart's studies at Duke University in 1952 found that at least 20% of college students believed they had experienced some form of astral projection (OBE).

He explains the mechanics of projection, suggesting it's driven by impulses from the unconscious mind or conscious will. The projected phantom, or center of consciousness, can move independently, sometimes to distant places. The return to the body can be swift or slow, with rapid re-entry potentially causing physical stigmata.

Butcher then lists common sensory perceptions in ecsomatic experiences that parallel UFO report phenomena, including paralysis, levitation, vibrating, sensations of being controlled, coldness, bilocation, seeing strange lights and forms, amnesia, and sounds. He mentions that "Men in Black" have even appeared in one astral projection case. Water symbolism and the concept of guides are also common to both experiences, as are beams and globes of light, and "television screens" similar to those reported by Orfeo Angelucci.

Scientific Discoveries and UFOs

An article titled "CLUES TO LIFE IN SPACE" reports on the first positive identification of extraterrestrial amino acids by scientists at the Ames Research Centre. These building blocks of life were found in a meteorite that fell in Murchison, Australia, in 1969. Dr. Cyril Ponnamperuma states this is strong evidence for chemical evolution and suggests the possibility of life elsewhere in the Universe. The findings may also provide a new time-sequence for the origin of life.

Dr. Barry E. Turner believes that complex processes forming stars and planets also produce the organic chemistry necessary for life. He discovered cyanoacetylene molecules in an interstellar cloud, indicating complex chemistry and the potential production of amino acids.

Ron Toft comments that these discoveries add weight to the view that life is common in the Universe.

Other Reports and News Items

• TALK ON UFOs: SIGAP Chairman Omar Fowler gave a talk on UFOs to the Senior Wives' Fellowship in Esher.
• MYSTERIOUS TEMPERATURE RISE IN ATMOSPHERE: A Russian observatory in the Antarctic recorded a significant, unexplained rise in stratospheric temperature, prompting further investigation.
• UFO PETITION TO BE PRESENTED TO UNITED NATIONS: An international UFO petition, organised by the Anglo-Polish UFO Research Group, has collected over 10,000 signatures from 35 countries. It calls for the UN to officially recognize the UFO phenomenon, establish a worldwide observation network, and set up a research center. The petition requires 30,000 to 500,000 signatures to be sponsored by a statesman at the UN.
• UFO LANDING?: A report from Farnham, Surrey, describes a spherical object with pulsating red and pink lights seen in Alice Holt Forest by Mr. William Hills and his sister. Despite finding no physical evidence, Mr. Hills is convinced they witnessed a visit from extraterrestrials.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of UFO phenomena, the nature of consciousness and perception, and the scientific search for extraterrestrial life. There's a clear division in perspectives, with some contributors advocating for rigorous scientific investigation and open-mindedness towards UFOs, while others express skepticism or view certain phenomena through the lens of psychic experiences. The magazine appears to support the idea that UFOs warrant serious study, evidenced by its coverage of the UN petition and scientific findings related to the origins of life. The editorial stance seems to be one of encouraging open discussion and exploration of these complex topics, while acknowledging the diverse opinions within the ufology community.

Title: Pegasus
Issue: Vol. 1, Issue 1
Date: October 1970
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group On Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP)
Country: UK
Language: English

Main Articles and Reports

Bordon Common UFO Sighting and Investigation

The issue leads with a detailed report of a UFO sighting near Bordon Common. Witnesses described a fast-moving light that they ruled out as conventional aircraft or balloons due to its unusual speed and behavior. One witness, who works in a London bookshop, stated, "I now definitely think it was something from outer-space. I did not believe in such things once, but I work in a London booksellers and a lot of books we handle are about such things."

SIGAP, in conjunction with BUFORA, launched an investigation. Group Chairman Omar Fowler visited the witnesses and recorded their recollections. A search was conducted in the Alice Holt Forest area, where potential landing marks were discovered approximately half-a-mile from the witnesses' original position. The search area was gradually extended over several square miles. An unrelated report of a "Son Lumiere" at a church in Alton was investigated but discounted due to timing discrepancies.

Epsilon Aurigae: A Planetary System in the Making?

This section features an article by Ron Toft discussing the views of Professor Zdenek Kopal, Head of the Astronomy Department at Manchester University. Professor Kopal suggests that the star system Epsilon Aurigae, located 4,400 light-years away, may not be a star at all, but a planetary system in its formative stages. The system consists of two gigantic gaseous globes. The primary star, Component A, is a young, luminous object. However, the invisible Component B is of particular interest. It eclipses Component A every 27 years and is described as a very feeble energy radiator with a temperature of 227°C, but with an immense size of 3,700 million miles in diameter.

Recent observations indicate that Component B might be a flat, semi-transparent disc of coarse, solid particles. Professor Kopal hypothesizes that this disc-like companion approximates the prerequisites for the formation of a planetary system, suggesting that an evolutionary process is underway that could result in the formation of a massive planetary system in the future.

New Journal and Publications

Flying Saucer Review's Companion Journal: The issue announces the launch of "Flying Saucer Case Histories," a bi-monthly journal published by Flying Saucer Review, alternating with the parent journal. Copies are priced at 4s each, with an annual subscription of £1 4s, available from 49a Kings Grove, Peckham, London S.E.15.

Psychic Directory: Information is provided about a forthcoming directory titled "A Who's Who In The Psychic World," which will list people and organizations interested in UFOs and the occult. Interested individuals can write to The Psychic Register International, P.O. Box 11288B, Phoenix, Arizona 85017, for a free brochure. The registration deadline is January 31.

UFO Booklet: A booklet titled "The Great Wave of 67" by researcher Ted Hill is mentioned. This 31-page duplicated report attempts to list all reported UFO sightings and satellite statistics from 1967. The price is noted as 7s 6d.

Car-Stickers

A Swiss UFO enthusiast has produced 5,000 vinyl car-stickers, measuring 4" x 5", available in multi-colours. Special discounts are offered to UFO group members. Interested parties are asked to contact Secretary Dick Beet.

Editorial and Publication Information

Editor: Ron Toft
Address: 14 Buckhurst Road, Frimley Green, CAMBERLEY, Surrey.

Articles for publication are welcomed and should be sent to the Editor. Views expressed in Pegasus do not necessarily reflect the views of the SIGAP Committee. Extracts may be used with full credits. Individual copies cost 2s each (6d extra by post).

Advertising Rates: Classified ads are 2d per word for members and 4d for non-members. Display ad rates range from 15s for a quarter-page to 55s for a full-page.

• SIGAP Committee and Contacts:
• Chairman: Omar Fowler (Mytchett, CAMBERLEY, Surrey. Tel. Farnborough 41012)
• Secretary: Dick Beet (CRANLEIGH, Surrey. Tel. Cranleigh 4420)
• Treasurer: Miss Marjorie Dalley (Buckland, BETCHWORTH, Surrey)
• Committee Members: Omar Fowler, Dick Beet, Marjorie Dalley, Peter Hill (Vice-Chairman), Ron Toft (Editor), Dick Colborne (Librarian), Dan Butcher, Robert Skinner.

Membership: Ordinary membership is 15s per year; Junior membership (14-16 years) is 7s 6d.

SIGAP Board of Consultants: The journal lists its board of consultants, including experts in Optical Physics, Space & Satellite Research, Theology, Psychology, Meteorology, and Exobiology. Notable members include John Adams, Tim Childerhouse, Rev. Norman Cockburn, Stuart Miller, Ronald Pilkington, and Professor Frank B. Salisbury.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this inaugural issue is the investigation of UFO phenomena, exemplified by the detailed report on the Bordon Common sighting. The magazine also explores astronomical topics with potential implications for extraterrestrial life or origins, as seen in the Epsilon Aurigae discussion. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and detailed reporting, encouraging contributions from the public and providing a platform for UFO research groups like SIGAP and BUFORA. The inclusion of a 'Psychic Directory' and a UFO booklet suggests a broad interest in related subjects within the UFO community.