Pegasus - Vol 05 No 3 1973

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: Volume 5, Number 3
Date: 1973
Publisher: SURREY INVESTIGATION GROUP ON AERIAL PHENOMENA
Country: England
Price: 15p

This issue of PEGASUS, a journal devoted to the study of Unidentified Flying Objects, features special reports by Dr. Allen Hynek and explores various aspects of UFO research, including scientific investigation, potential explanations, and personal accounts.

Editorial

The editorial discusses Dr. J. Allen Hynek's final lecture in a series given at the Bloomsbury Centre Hotel. Hynek outlined his future plans for UFO investigation, including the establishment of an International Institute of Study and the support of numerous scientists. He highlighted new statistical analyses of UFO reports, noting that 50,000 cases are on computer in the United States and that a new generation of young scientists is showing great interest. Hynek contrasted this with the 'old school' of scientists who were resistant to new ideas. He described UFOs as having highly localized trajectories and hovering, defying gravity and not producing sonic booms despite their speed. The concept of dematerialisation was mentioned as something physicists would find impossible. Hynek expressed a preference for investigating cases with multiple witnesses and estimated the ratio of UFO sightings to reports as 10 to 1.

Dr. J. Allen Hynek - Special Reports

The Man Who Spoke Out on UFOs

This article profiles Dr. J. Allen Hynek, an American astronomer who has become a prominent figure in UFO research. It details his background, including his marriages, his early career ambitions, and his involvement in astronomy, particularly his work on stellar spectra and the development of the Baker-Nunn cameras for satellite tracking. Hynek's involvement with UFOs began in 1948 when the US Air Force asked him to advise on possible natural explanations for sightings. He became critical of the haphazard investigation of UFOs in the United States, particularly the Condon Report, which he felt was 'singularly slanted.' Hynek calls for proper scientific investigation and has written his own book, 'The UFO Experience.' He is described as a rational and humane individual, respected for his contributions to quantum mechanics and radar, and he is pleased by the growing number of scientists taking UFO reports seriously. He views his role as making the study of UFOs scientifically respectable.

Investigating UFOs and Scientific Skepticism

Dr. Hynek continued his lecture by addressing the 'healing effects' of UFO lights and the challenges of investigating such reports when many scientists claim 'none' of the data has been studied. He emphasized the need for data analysis and suggested that current knowledge might be insufficient to understand UFOs, drawing a parallel to how past generations could not comprehend modern travel.

He presented statistics from a study of 1,000 UFO cases, detailing percentages for various characteristics: Radar (4%), EM (5%), Multiple Objects (18%), Vertical (11%), Hovering (23%), Erratic Behaviour (41%), White lights (10%), Luminous Objects (17%), Other lights (41%), Fast Speed (61%), Slow (24%), and Speed Change (24%).

A significant case investigated by Hynek occurred in Missouri, involving a 41-year-old man, his 15-year-old daughter, and a younger child. They witnessed a large ball of light for 35 minutes, which moved slowly among trees. The event was accompanied by a loud 'crack' and a large branch splitting from a tree, with the inside of the branch appearing green and the outside brittle and wilting.

Hynek concluded by mentioning a new form of analysis by a French scientist comparing data on a country-wide and world-wide scale, yielding almost identical results. He noted scales showing witness age, occupation, weather conditions, and duration of sighting.

Studying Stellar Spectra and Space Exploration

This section details Hynek's early career in astronomy. After graduating in physics and astronomy from the University of Chicago, he pursued his PhD at Yerkes Observatory. His work involved studying stellar spectra, leading to the identification of 'spectrum binaries.' He later moved to Ohio State University, where he used the 69-inch reflector to study stellar spectra. During World War II, he worked on the radio proximity fuse. Post-war, he returned to Ohio State and later joined the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and Harvard College Observatory. He played a key role in the 'Moonwatch' project for tracking the US satellite during the International Geophysical Year and was involved in developing the Baker-Nunn tracking cameras. Hynek describes the launch of Sputnik 1 as a traumatic experience, realizing the US had been beaten into space.

His greatest contribution, according to the article, is 'image-orthicon astronomy,' developed from experiments with a television camera attached to a telescope. He also contributed to the search for supernovae using automated systems. Hynek established the Lindheimer Astronomical Research Center at Northwestern University.

His link with UFOs began accidentally in 1948. He has faced criticism and misunderstanding but maintains a rational approach, using 'internal gyroscopes' for self-stabilization. He feels he has played 'Kepler to the Air Force's Tycho Brahe' in his efforts to get UFO data taken seriously. He hopes to make the study of UFOs scientifically respectable.

UFORUM: Correspondence

This section features a letter from a member who has decided to cease studying UFOs and terminate their involvement with related societies and magazines. The member states that this was a difficult but resolved decision, believing that UFO phenomena are a dangerous subject driven by a malevolent spiritual intelligence aiming for humanity's downfall. They feel that UFOs are a 'bait' that hooks individuals, leading them away from 'real Truth,' which they have found in God and fundamental Christian living. The member expresses concern about the damage they may have already caused and states they will not encourage others to pursue UFO study. They clarify that their decision was personal and not influenced by external agencies like 'Men in Black' (MIB).

Can Anti-Gravity Really Exist?

This article explores the concept of anti-gravity, comparing electromagnetic and gravitational fields. It explains that both fields fall off in intensity with distance, but the gravitational field is much weaker. The article posits that if a massive object could repel another massive object with the same intensity as it attracts, it would create 'anti-gravity' or 'negative gravity.' However, such repulsion has not been detected, possibly because observable objects are made of ordinary particles. The concept of 'anti-particles' is also discussed, suggesting they might have a reversed gravitational field, repelling ordinary particles. The main obstacle to detecting anti-gravitational effects is the weakness of the gravitational field, making it undetectable in individual particles and the lack of collected sizable masses of anti-particles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, spearheaded by Dr. J. Allen Hynek. The magazine appears to advocate for a serious, evidence-based approach to studying UFOs, moving beyond skepticism and embracing the possibility that these phenomena represent an unknown aspect of science. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, encouraging rigorous scientific methods and the collection of data. The inclusion of Dr. Hynek's extensive background and his critical view of previous investigations, such as the Condon Report, underscores the magazine's commitment to credible research. The correspondence section, however, introduces a contrasting perspective, highlighting the spiritual and potentially dangerous interpretations some individuals have of UFOs, which the magazine presents without explicit endorsement or refutation, allowing readers to consider different viewpoints.

This document, issue number 8 of 'UFO Research' (though the title is not explicitly stated on the cover, it is inferred from the content), appears to be a newsletter or magazine focused on UFO phenomena. It contains information on upcoming meetings, reports on UFO sightings, and analytical articles. The content is primarily in English.

Meetings ### 1. SURDEY INVESTIGATION GROUP ON AERIAL PHENOMENA This group has had a summer break and is organizing a new series of meetings, with details to be announced later.

2. BRITISH U. F. O. RESEARCH ASSOCIATION Meetings are scheduled to be held at Kensington Public Library, Campden Hill Rd., London, W8. * Saturday 6 October, 6pm: Annual General Meeting. Agenda includes Presidential Address, Chairman's Report, Treasurers' Report, Minutes of the 1972 AGM, and Election of Officers. This will be followed by a refreshment break and a talk by Mr Trevor Whittaker titled 'TEN YEARS OF UFO RESEARCH IN THE NORTH'. * Saturday 3 November, 7pm: Lecture titled 'ISLANDERS IN SPACE' by Andrew Tomas, described as a well-known international Ufologist and Author. * Saturday 1 December, 7pm: Lecture titled 'TO CONTACT A SPACEMAN ... ?' by Norman Oliver. * Saturday 5 January, 7pm: Lecture titled 'UFO PHENOMENA, ... OR MALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS' by C.A.E. O'Brien CBE BA FRAS. * Saturday 2 February, 7pm: Lecture titled 'GUIDE LINES IN THE SEARCH TO SOLVE THE UFO MYSTERY' by Charles Bowen, Editor of FLYING SAUCER REVIEW.

UFO RIDDLE MAY BE SOLVED SOON, SAYS AMERICAN 'ENQUIRER' This section reports on an investigation by THE ENQUIRER, which assembled a blue-ribbon panel of experts (Dr RE Creegan, Dr FB Salisbury, Dr J Harder, Dr JA Hynek, Dr RL Sprinkle, and Jim Lorenzen) to study UFO evidence submitted by readers over the past year. The ENQUIRER offered a $50,000 reward to the first person proving a UFO came from outer space and is not a natural phenomenon, with a deadline of January 1, 1973. A panel of five scientists and educators was appointed to judge the evidence. Over 1,000 reports of sightings and UFO data have been received and are being considered. The panel will meet to decide if any claim meets the conditions for the $50,000 award. An additional $5,000 will be awarded for the most scientifically valuable evidence, even if it falls short of the main proof requirement.

• Key statements from experts include:
• Dr Robert F Creegan (Professor of Philosophy, State University of New York): "A breakthrough in reaching a scientific explanation of UFO's may be closer than generally predicted."
• Dr J Allen Hynek (Former advisor on UFOs to the U.S. Air Force, Chairman of the Department of Astronomy, Northwestern University): "There are reports that clearly can not be explained in conventional terms." He also noted that many reports meet the scientific requirement of multiple witnesses.
• Dr James Harder (Professor of civil engineering, University of California at Berkeley): "Some of the reports contain highly intriguing descriptions of intelligently controlled flying objects. But the most scientifically valuable information has come from reports of landing sites, where physical evidence has been found."
• Dr R. Leo Sprinkle (Associate professor of psychology, University of Wyoming): "There are a number of really strong reports on UFO's among those submitted."
• Dr Frank B Salisbury (Professor of plant science, Utah State University): "We have received reports that can be checked by scientific methods."
• Jim Lorenzen (International director of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc.): Praised the evidence as "an extremely valuable body of evidence."

QUARTERLY REPORT FROM THE INVESTIGATIONS CO-ORDINATOR This report, covering the Guildford Area since May, details several sightings: * S 224: Bright orange/golden light moving slowly across hills near Guildford. * S 225: Large bright light over Bockham area, possibly 70/66A Agena Rocket debris, seen by a housewife. The same evening, another person in Fetchan saw a similar object, possibly Samos 2 Satellite. * S 226: Two large round white lights seen by seven people in Yateley, most likely a small aircraft. * S 227: Bright light seen over Shamley Green, darting across the sky. * S 228: Light shooting across the sky near Pewley Down, Guildford, seen by a student. * S 229: Large golden/orange object seen over Guildford by four people and a Police constable, visible for 1/2 hour. * S 230: Brilliant lights with green one in middle seen by two ladies in Dorking, possibly aircraft. * S 231: Bright orange object seen moving in NE direction south of Ripley by a man from Guildford. The report concludes that there appear to be a number of sightings of orange/golden objects over Guildford, for which no explanation has yet been found, and these are still under investigation. The report is signed by C Godsell.

A POINT TO PONDER This article by John E Scarry examines the word "Myth" from the pocket Oxford dictionary. The definition includes "primitive tale imaginatively describing or accounting for natural phenomena especially by personification, tale of gods, or demi-gods, old wives tales, prevalent but false belief, person or thing falsely supposed to exist."

Scarry suggests that a UFO witness might be exaggerating their sighting, paralleling the "primitive tale imaginatively describing" aspect of myth. He connects the "accounting for natural phenomena especially by personification" to historical gods. The article posits that ancient figures like Mercury, if seen with an antigravity pack, might have been personified or depicted with wings because their true nature was incomprehensible. The author draws a parallel between ancient beliefs in gods and modern UFO experiences, suggesting that "prevalent but false belief" could apply to both.

The article concludes by analyzing "Person or thing falsely supposed to exist," stating it sounds like a UFO investigation that has run into a blind alley. The author expresses a wish for dictionary editors to be more careful, citing "Mythical, adj., imaginary, not really existent" as an example.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing investigation into UFO phenomena, the attempt to find scientific explanations, and the comparison of modern sightings with historical accounts and mythology. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, encouraging scientific approaches to understanding UFOs while also exploring historical and cultural interpretations. The inclusion of detailed meeting schedules and sighting reports suggests a commitment to documenting and disseminating information within the UFO research community.