Pegasus - Vol 05 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: Volume 5, #1
Date: June/July 1995
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP)
Country: UK
Price: £2

This issue of PEGASUS, a publication of the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena, delves into various aspects of UFO investigations, with a particular emphasis on abduction cases and alleged extraterrestrial activity on the moon. The magazine highlights the ongoing efforts to collect and analyze UFO reports, while also touching upon broader themes of academic freedom and historical accounts of unexplained disappearances.

UFO Investigations and the Importance of CE4 Reports

The editorial section, penned by Chairman Gordon Millington and Vice-Chairman Paul Whitehead, addresses the current state of UFO investigations. They observe that many UFO groups spend an inordinate amount of time on 'fly-by' sightings, which are often misidentifications (IFOs) or lack sufficient detail. The editors argue that for a deeper understanding of the UFO phenomenon, 'CE4' reports – those involving abduction experiences – are crucial. They note that while public fear of ridicule has decreased, making people more willing to discuss sightings, abductees in the UK are particularly reluctant to speak out, often fearing shame or professional repercussions. This is contrasted with the USA, where CE4 reports are more common. The article mentions the case of 'Peter Alexander', who, despite providing insightful comments on his experience, broke off contact, possibly due to concerns about his career as a BBC executive. The fate of Nick Pope, a former MoD UFO investigator, is cited as a cautionary tale. The editors suggest that investigators should work to change public attitudes towards abductions to encourage victims to seek support, referencing the Anamnesis Project founded by Ken Phillips.

The Moon: Structures and NASA's Knowledge

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to claims that NASA possesses photographic evidence of extraterrestrial structures and machinery on the moon. The article, "THEY'VE GOT OUR MOON!", discusses the assertions made by Richard Hoagland and, more recently, by industrial engineer Vito Saccheri. Saccheri claims to have been shown clear NASA photographs by a former NASA scientist, George H. Leonard, who wrote the book "Somebody Else Is On the Moon". Leonard believed that President Kennedy's initiative to reach the moon was driven by secret discoveries made from earth-based telescopes in the 1950s. Saccheri and another engineer, Lester Howes, visited NASA's Houston headquarters and, after considerable obfuscation, were granted access to the photo archive. Saccheri describes seeing thousands of huge photos (32x24 inches) revealing what appeared to be alien structures, including a boulder moved uphill, bolted machinery, 'bridges' crossing a chasm, pipe fittings, pyramids, and a rectangular structure in a crater. He also recounts overhearing mission transcripts that referred to UFO activity and 'special switching stations' used to divert broadcasts, suggesting a deliberate cover-up. The article notes that the only known space mission to the moon in the past 20 years was the classified CLEMENTINE probe, whose photos have not been released.

Academic Freedom Upheld: Dr. John Mack's Research

The article "MACADEMIC FREEDOM UPHELD" reports on Harvard Medical School's decision not to censure Dr. John Mack, a psychiatrist and UFO researcher known for his work on alien abductions. Despite public statements by Mack that aliens have invaded Earth and are affecting millions, a peer committee convened by Dean Daniel Tosteson concluded its review without taking action. The university reaffirmed Mack's academic freedom. The review, which was criticized by some academics as an assault on academic freedom, aimed to determine if Mack was conducting his research according to Harvard's standards or exploiting patients. Dean Tosteson urged Mack to be careful not to violate clinical practice standards. Arnold Relman, chairman of the review committee, stated that the university would not take action against someone with unorthodox views, comparing Mack to Galileo.

Historical Abductions and the 'Roswell' Film

Another section, "19th CENTURY UFO ABDUCTIONS?", presents two historical cases of unexplained disappearances. The first involves a farmer named Williamson near Haslemere, England, who vanished in a meadow forty years prior to the report (around the 1860s). His wife and neighbors witnessed his sudden disappearance. The second case, from Sussex, England, describes the vanishing of a thirteen-year-old boy, Charles Ashmore, while fetching water. His tracks in the snow ceased abruptly about halfway to the well, with no trace of him ever found. The magazine also includes a report on "THE 'ROSWELL' FILM", which was shown to journalists and ufologists on May 5, 1995. The film, presented in black and white and lasting approximately 25 minutes, reportedly depicted segments of an alien entity. The description details a dwarfish figure with a swollen abdomen, a possible injury to the leg, and unusual physical characteristics, including a possible female genital slit and the removal of organs and an eye membrane by doctors. The audience at the Museum of London was reportedly unimpressed despite the preceding hype.

Peter Alexander's Sighting

"STATEMENT OF UNUSUAL EVENTS" by Peter Alexander details a personal sighting that occurred near Kingston in Surrey on January 21, 1995. Alexander reported experiencing a strange atmosphere, a reddish glow, and a shimmering object in the sky that appeared to be spinning. He also witnessed a bright white circular light moving at high speed. He felt the events were related and that something was observing him. The stationary object was described as a dark, shiny, tapered triangle. Following the sighting, Alexander noted that his hair and clothes were heavily charged with static electricity, a phenomenon that persisted for some time. The commentary by G.M. suggests that the objective facts of the sighting, particularly the static electricity, call for an explanation beyond simple observation, implying that something significant occurred.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of PEGASUS revolve around the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, the nature of evidence in UFO research, and the challenges faced by researchers and witnesses. The editorial stance clearly favors a deeper investigation into more profound UFO experiences, such as abductions, over the mere cataloging of sightings. There is an underlying concern with potential government or institutional cover-ups, as suggested by the discussion of NASA's moon photographs and the 'Roswell' film. The magazine also champions the principle of academic freedom, as demonstrated by its coverage of the Dr. John Mack case. The historical accounts of disappearances suggest that unexplained phenomena have been occurring for a long time. The overall tone is one of serious inquiry into anomalous events, encouraging a more open-minded approach to understanding the UFO phenomenon.

This issue of UFO Magazine, dated July 2, 1995, focuses on a range of UFO-related topics, including a controversial film purportedly showing an alien autopsy, the phenomenon of Men in Black (MIB), crop circle reports, and government involvement in UFO investigations. The cover story highlights Nick Pope, a former UK government alien-watcher, admitting his belief in UFOs.

The Roswell Film Footage and Autopsy

The issue begins with a commentary on the 'Roswell Film Footage,' which is claimed to show a post-mortem examination of an extraterrestrial. The report by Dr. C.M. Milroy, a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Pathology, reviews a film provided by the Merlin Group, allegedly taken on a U.S. military base in 1947. Dr. Milroy notes the body appears human, female, with a disproportionately large head, six digits on hands and feet, and an enlarged abdomen. He describes an extensive, burnt injury to the right thigh and unusual neck structures. While the examination had features of a medical autopsy, he suggests it may not have been conducted by an experienced autopsy pathologist but rather a surgeon. The commentary questions the authenticity, suggesting it could be a mistaken identity or a deliberate hoax, especially given the ongoing consideration of the Roswell incident in the USA. The film's origin and the type of telephone lead shown in the background are inconclusive.

Men in Black (MIB)

An article by O.H. Krill discusses the classic conception of Men in Black (MIB). These figures are described as men of indefinite age, dressed in black, often with black hats and turtlenecks, speaking in a dull, monotone voice. They are characterized by dark complexions, high cheekbones, thin lips, pointed chins, and slanted eyes. Their transportation is usually large, black cars that operate with headlights off, sometimes emitting ghostly glows. The article also links MIB to perceived government conspiracies, citing reports of mail going astray and bizarre phone calls, suggesting phone tapping when UFOs are mentioned. John A. Keel is mentioned as a prominent author on the subject, suggesting UFO phenomena are psychic and psychological rather than purely physical.

Crop Circles and UFO Sightings in Sussex

Two reports detail crop circle formations and UFO sightings in Sussex. The first, from July 1995, describes a massive crop circle formation near Lychpole Hill, between Steyning and Sompting, photographed by Mrs. Peggy Weeks. Barry Reynolds of CCCS states the formation, stretching 550 feet, is not man-made and suggests it involves microwave-based energy. Analysis of plant samples indicated high moisture content and temperatures. The second report details a UFO sighting by Mrs. Helen Whitlock of Hoe Lane, Binstead, who saw a 6-foot-long, grey, cigar-shaped object hovering in her garden. The object had a hazy white band and emitted red and green lights before vanishing. A circular patch of flattened reeds was found in her garden pond, with no footprints nearby. Andy Thomas of Lewes inspected the site and collected soil samples.

A separate report details a UFO sighting on April 4, 1994, at 9:30 p.m. in Wonersh, involving a 10-minute sighting of a bright light that appeared to pulsate, shrink, and move sideways before shooting upwards. Another sighting occurred on June 8, 1995, near East Kennet Hill, Marlborough, where a bright light appeared, pulsating and moving sideways before rapidly ascending. A similar report from June 26, 1995, at Cheesefoot Head, describes a stationary white ball that brightened, moved, changed shape to a disk, spun fast, and then shot off at great speed.

NASA and UFO Secrecy

Donna Tietze, a former photo-technician at NASA's Johnson Space Centre, shares her testimony about the alleged erasure of UFOs from official photographs. She claims that during the Apollo missions, she saw a round oval shape in satellite photos that was identified as a potential UFO. She was told that such images had to be airbrushed out before being sold to the public, indicating a procedure to hide information. Tietze also recounts a story from a former astronaut who claimed that every moon trip was followed by craft and that astronauts were told to keep quiet about it under threat of severe repercussions. Another anecdote involves a NASA guard who was injured for looking too long at a photograph of a craft on the ground, described as a burnt saucer with bumps, and cattle tails standing straight up, an indicator of fright.

Nick Pope: The Government Alien-Watcher

The cover story features Nick Pope, who headed the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD) Secretariat (Air Staff) 2a office, responsible for handling public inquiries about UFOs. Initially a sceptic, Pope states he emerged from his three years in the role as a believer. He is publishing a book titled 'Open Skies, Closed Minds: Official Reactions To The UFO Phenomenon,' which examines government archives and new cases. Pope suggests that while files are not fully opened, most eventually filter down to the Public Record Office. He attributes his conversion to specific British sightings, particularly the Rendlesham Forest case in December 1980, which he considers the best-attested UFO crash outside the US. His stance has reportedly caused displeasure within the MoD.

UFO Research Software and Statistics

Edward J. Zeller reviews Larry Hatch's UFO Data base Mapping and Research Tool, a software package available from Larry Hatch Software. Zeller praises its comprehensive data on over 10,000 sightings and 2500 years, its user-friendly interface, and its ability to plot sightings and provide statistical analysis. He notes it includes data from UFOCAT and adds a synopsis field. The software runs in DOS but can be accessed from Windows. G.M. provides a personal confirmation of the database's utility, noting that graphs drawn from it suggest UFO abductions are most likely on Fridays in August, between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. A separate graph illustrates UFO abductions by hour of the day, showing peaks in the evening.

Readers Write

This section includes letters from readers. John L. Clarke discusses Black Holes and the possibility of a perpetual cycle of creation and destruction in the universe, referencing a newly discovered Black Hole. He also speculates about carbon granules as seeds of life that could germinate in different environments. Ewan Ross writes about attending a crop circles lecture by Andy Thomas, expressing enjoyment and requesting information on future events. The editor responds, explaining the policy for Associate Members regarding notifications.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the potential for government cover-ups regarding UFO phenomena, the mysterious nature of UFO sightings and the beings associated with them (MIB), and the ongoing scientific and public interest in the subject. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of open inquiry, presenting various testimonies and analyses while critically examining the evidence, particularly concerning the Roswell film. The editorial stance seems to encourage investigation and skepticism, but also acknowledges the possibility of genuine unexplained phenomena.