PEGASUS

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: Volume 5, Number 2
Date: September 1965 (Cover Date)
Publisher: SURREY INVESTIGATION GROUP ON AERIAL PHENOMENA
Country: England
Price: 15p

This issue of PEGASUS, a journal dedicated to the study of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), presents a deep dive into the challenges and controversies surrounding UFO investigation, with a particular emphasis on photographic evidence and scientific integrity. The cover prominently features a "SPECIAL FEATURE: Unidentified Flying Objects" by Charles H. Gibbs-Smith, M.A., and the journal is presented as the publication of the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena.

Editors and Contents

The editorial team includes Richard Curzon Beet, Omar Fowler, Carol Godsell, and Mike Prewett. The table of contents outlines several key articles:

• Editorial by O. F. Fowler, MISK.
• Unidentified Flying Objects by C. H. Gibbs-Smith, M.A.
• A Turning Point in UFO Investigation by C. H. Gibbs-Smith.
• Book Review
• Sighting Report by Carol Godsell
• Fact or Folklore by Dan Butcher
• National Skywatch and AGII.

The issue also details the SIGAP (Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena) secretarial address and membership details, including subscription rates for the journal and related publications. A list of consultants is also provided.

Editorial: The Odds Against Photographing a UFO

In the editorial, O. F. Fowler discusses the immense difficulty of successfully photographing a UFO. He notes that while millions may exist, the chances of capturing one on film are slim. The process requires a rapid decision on exposure settings, balancing high-speed film with poor lighting conditions, and deciding whether to pan with a moving object or increase shutter speed. Even with advanced equipment like a 300mm lens, results are often dim and blurred. Despite these challenges, Fowler acknowledges that some photographs of "flying saucers" have appeared over the years, with a majority being forgotten, but a significant number remaining inexplicable.

Unidentified Flying Objects by Charles H. Gibbs-Smith, M.A.

This article, the first of two on the subject, focuses on the crucial aspect of scientific integrity in UFO investigations. Gibbs-Smith observes the progression of UFO study from the utterly ridiculous to the semi-respectable, suggesting it will soon be a routine subject of scientific investigation. He cites the growing belief in extraterrestrial life based on astronomical probabilities and the increasing efforts to listen for signals from other civilizations. He mentions Dr. Allen Hynek, formerly the US Air Force's scientific consultant on UFOs, who now states the subject is of great importance and must be studied properly. Professor Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto, is also noted for having described UFOs he witnessed.

The Condon Report

A significant portion of Gibbs-Smith's article is dedicated to a critical examination of the Condon Report. He describes it as a "dishonest undertaking" staged in the name of science. The report, funded by the US Air Force and conducted by the University of Colorado under Dr. Edward L. Condon, was intended to be a scientific examination of UFOs. However, a leaked memorandum from Mr. Robert J. Low, the project co-ordinator, revealed a deliberate plan to present the study in a way that would satisfy the scientific community's skepticism, emphasizing the psychology of observers rather than the physical reality of UFOs. Gibbs-Smith argues that this memorandum, discovered in 1967 and revealed in Look magazine in 1968, shattered the integrity of the project from the outset. He criticizes the University of Colorado and the American National Academy of Sciences for their inaction and lack of repudiation of the memorandum, deeming them complicit in the deception.

Gibbs-Smith contrasts the Condon Report's conclusion – that UFO phenomena do not offer a fruitful field for scientific discovery – with the views of Professor James McDonald of the University of Arizona. McDonald strongly advocates for serious scientific attention to the UFO problem, believing that the scientific community has been misinformed and that the possibility of extraterrestrial surveillance must not be overlooked. He argues that recurrent observations by reliable citizens cannot be dismissed as nonsense and require vigorous scientific investigation.

A Turning Point in UFO Investigation by Charles H. Gibbs-Smith, M.A.

This second article by Gibbs-Smith highlights the work of Professor J. Allen Hynek, who is credited with helping to move the study of UFOs out of the realm of neurotics and into a more scientifically acceptable domain. Hynek, a distinguished astronomer and former US Air Force consultant, authored "The UFO Experience: a Scientific Inquiry." Gibbs-Smith notes that scientists, like ordinary people, can suffer from "neurotic tendencies," including pig-headedness, unreasonableness, and prejudice, which can be exacerbated by their intelligence. He quotes Professor Eysenck on the unreasonableness of scientists outside their specialized fields and Alexis Carrel on the duty of science not to discard facts simply because they are extraordinary or inexplicable.

Gibbs-Smith uses historical examples, such as the 18th-century scientific dismissal of meteorites, to illustrate how established scientific paradigms can resist new observations. He criticizes the "neurotic pattern" of scientists fearing ridicule for showing interest in UFOs, suggesting that this fear can lead to "moral cowardice." He describes Project Blue Book as a "thinly disguised fraud" used to support the Air Force's belief that UFOs were nonsense, and criticizes the Condon Report for being "thinly disguised" and for studying the "wrong problem." He concludes by quoting William James, who in 1895 cautioned against the arrogance of assuming that science has discovered all fundamental truths, emphasizing that current scientific knowledge is but a small part of a much larger, unknown universe.

Book Review: UFO's - a scientific debate

This section reviews a book edited by Carl Sagan and Thornton Page, which compiles contributions from various experts, including a journalist, sociologist, psychologists, psychiatrists, physicists, and astronomers. The review notes that while some UFO books are holistic (like Hynek's), others, like the Condon Report, are less comprehensive. The reviewed book is praised for its balanced approach, listing selected UFO cases, some of which are considered inadequately refuted. Original contributions include papers on radar echoes, UFO motion pictures, and the social/psychological aspects of UFOs. While Donald Menzel lists phenomena that can account for most UFOs, Allen Hynek addresses cases that defy conventional explanations. Atmospheric scientist James McDonald is noted for his outspoken belief in the UFO problem, while astronomer William Hartmann suggests that further investigation will reveal rational explanations. Carl Sagan and Philip Morrison's chapters are mentioned for presenting observational evidence but deflating the extraterrestrial hypothesis. The review concludes by commending the AAAS for holding such a well-balanced symposium and calls it "sobering reading for both enthusiasts and skeptics."

Sighting Report and Other Features

Carol Godsell provides a "Sighting Report." Dan Butcher contributes an article titled "Fact or Folklore." There is also a mention of "National Skywatch and AGII."

Punch Cartoon: President Amin and the UFO

A humorous cartoon from PUNCH (March 14, 1973) depicts President Amin reporting a sighting of a mysterious flying object over Lake Victoria. The dialogue, in a distinct dialect, humorously portrays an alien encounter where extraterrestrials from Pluto propose a merger, offering to unload surplus "Greens" in exchange for Ugandan space. Amin, playing along, suggests sending them Ugandan ministers and organizers instead. The cartoon concludes with Amin humorously stating that if people vanish from Uganda, they are likely doing well on Pluto.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of PEGASUS revolve around the critical examination of UFO phenomena, the challenges of obtaining reliable evidence (particularly photographic), and the often-biased or inadequate approach of the scientific establishment and official investigations. There is a strong undercurrent of skepticism towards official reports like the Condon Report, which are portrayed as potentially fraudulent or designed to dismiss the subject. The journal champions the need for rigorous, open-minded scientific inquiry, highlighting the contributions of researchers like J. Allen Hynek and James McDonald who advocate for taking UFOs seriously. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for a more scientific and less prejudiced approach to UFO study, while acknowledging the difficulties and the prevalence of misidentifications and hoaxes.

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: Vol. 3, No. 3
Date: February 1973
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP)
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of PEGASUS, the bi-monthly journal of the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP), features a report on a UFO sighting, an exploration of mythological parallels to UFO phenomena, and organizational news.

Sighting at Chobham

The issue leads with a detailed account of a UFO sighting that occurred at approximately 6 p.m. on February 11, 1973. Mrs C. Rouffignac was driving home along the Sunningdale/Chobham Road near Chobham when she noticed an object low in the sky, just above the trees. Surprised by its low altitude, she stopped her car to get a better look. She described the object as having no definite shape but estimated it to be about the size of a small aircraft. It appeared oblong and transparent, emitting coloured lights across the spectrum. Mrs. Rouffignac, familiar with the small aircraft flying from the nearby Fairoaks Airport, was convinced this was not one of them due to its dangerously low flight path and the clear night conditions which would have made an aeroplane easily recognizable.

The object was visible for about 15 seconds before disappearing behind the trees. Mrs. Rouffignac could not ascertain its direction of travel. She stated she had never seen anything like it before and, despite not knowing much about UFOs, felt it was one. After discussing it with her husband, she made several unsuccessful attempts to report it to a UFO group, eventually succeeding through a public library. The report notes that Woking Police Station was unaware of the organization. It is also mentioned that several other sightings occurred in the Chobham/Egham area around the same time in February, though no other witnesses have come forward for this particular sighting.

The report is attributed to Carol Godsell.

Fact or Folklore: The Aerial Basket

Authored by Dan Butcher, this section delves into the recurring theme in world mythology of a basket being lowered from the sky, drawing parallels with modern UFO sightings. The article posits that these mythological 'baskets' were likely interpreted as aerial vehicles, akin to Flying Saucers or UFOs.

• Several mythological examples are cited:
• The story of Algon, a young Indian hunter who encountered an aerial vehicle near a strange ring-mark on the prairie.
• The sky-brothers Maka Tafaki and Karisi Bum, who lowered a basket to the New Hebridean island of Efate.
• A tale from Mangaia about a sky-cannibal capturing a man with a basket and hauling him into the sky, paralleling UFO abduction accounts.
• A story from the Thompson River Indians about Coyote's son descending in a basket from which he distributed food animals.

The article notes that Coyote's son was described as being made of quartz crystal. This is compared to modern UFO reports, such as one from Torres Beach, Brazil, in 1968, where two ufonauts appeared to be made of crystal, and another account from Bourasole, France, in 1954, of a UFO entity wearing a 'suit like glass'. The prominence of quartz crystal in UFO reports is linked to its frequent appearance in shamanistic accounts, where shamans claim their bodies were stuffed with crystals during initiation and that these stones enabled them to fly.

The entity responsible for the propulsion of the mythological basket is often associated with the spider. The article references a West Coast American story where ten brothers were hauled into the sky by Spider Woman in a basket that was set alight, causing the brothers to fall to earth and burn to death.

The association with the spider is explained by its ability to spin a fine thread, which in myths is often the sole means of ascent. This thread is interpreted as an 'astral cord' used for out-of-the-body excursions. The article notes that out-of-the-body travellers often describe a cord-like appearance resembling a spider's thread and speak of travelling along it.

Allusions to threads or filaments dangling from UFOs are found in UFO reports, described as 'a rope like a spider's web', a 'threadlike beam', or a 'very fine, luminous white thread'. These are compared to the Biblical metaphor of the silver thread and the golden bowl (Ecclesiastes XII, 6,7) describing the 'ecsomatic apparatus' of the human being. A Cherokee myth is mentioned where a water-spider spun a thread to weave a bowl, enabling it to bring fire to earth.

The 'basket' in these myths is suggested to be a description of the 'ecsomatic substance' extruded from the physical body during out-of-the-body experiences. This substance is often luminous, globular, ovoid, or webbed/net-like, formed on the axis of the threadlike cord. The projector can become enmeshed within it, giving the impression of being carried along. Due to its reputed ideoplastic nature, this substance can instantaneously take on the form of a classic Flying Saucer.

National Skywatch and SIGAP Activities

This section announces SIGAP's participation in the National Skywatch on Saturday, June 23rd, marking the 26th anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's sighting of seven gleaming discs over Mount Rainier. The rendezvous point for participants is Guildford Railway Station (Main Entrance) at 6:30 p.m., after which the party will proceed to a suitable location on or near Chobham Common. The change in location from Pewley Down was decided at the AGM to avoid distractions from the general public.

Enquiries for the National Skywatch should be directed to Richard C. Beet, Special Projects Director.

Sixth Annual General Meeting

The Sixth Annual General Meeting of the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena was held on Tuesday, May 8th, 1973, in the Garden Room of Guildford House, Guildford, with sixteen members in attendance. The following individuals were elected to the Board:

• Research Director: Omar F. Fowler, Esq., M.I.S.M. (Nominated by Miss C Godsell, Seconded by R C Beet)
• Investigations Co-ordinator: Miss Carol F. Godsell (Nominated by R C Beet, Seconded by M E C Mercer)
• Special Projects Director: Richard C Beet, Esq., FRAS AFBIS (Nominated by C F Fowler, Seconded by N Godsell)
• Administration Director: Michael G. Prewett AFBIS (Nominated by P. Sholl, Seconded by N. Godsell)
• Chairman: C. F. Fowler (Nominated by R C Beet, Seconded by M G Prewett)
• Ordinary Members: Michael E. C. Mercer (Nominated by O Fowler, Seconded by R C Beet) and Richard P. Colborne (Nominated by M G Frewett, Seconded by O F Fowler).

The statement of accounts was approved, showing a healthy balance of £28.75. It was agreed that SIGAP would pay off its £14 debt outstanding on the SIGAR duplicator. Reports from the Investigations Co-ordinator and Chairman were also presented.

About SIGAP

A separate section provides information about the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP). It states that SIGAP was formed in May 1967 as a voluntary research organization to investigate UFO reports. The group aims to investigate all sightings in the hope of understanding the mystery. SIGAP is controlled by annually elected officers and assisted by special consultants, including an optical physicist and a satellite expert from the Royal Aircraft Establishment. SIGAP publishes 'PEGASUS' bi-monthly and is affiliated with the British Unidentified Flying Object Research Association.

Members receive the journal free, have access to a library, and can attend meetings. The annual subscription is £1.50, with a reduced rate of 75p for student members aged 14-18 who are still in full-time education.

An application form for membership is included, requesting personal details, age, telephone number, professional qualifications, and information about observing equipment. It also asks if the applicant would like to act as an Area Investigator.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, the exploration of historical and mythological parallels to modern UFO phenomena, and the internal organization and activities of the SIGAP research group. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious, albeit speculative, investigation into UFOs, drawing connections between contemporary reports and ancient myths, while also maintaining a structured approach to research through its organizational meetings and publications.