Pegasus - Vol 05 No 4 1974

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: VOL 5 NO 4
Date: 1974
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP)
Description: PEGASUS is a journal dedicated to the study of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and related aerial phenomena. This issue, Volume 5, Number 4, from 1974, features a range of articles, an editorial, and organizational information.

Editorial: When the Carnival is Over

The editorial, penned by O. Fowler, reflects on the events in Warminster in August 1973, which were hyped by a newspaper prophecy of a flying saucer landing. The author attended the gathering, noting the large number of people and cars present, and took the opportunity to sell old copies of PEGASUS. Fowler recounts interactions with attendees, some of whom were devoted followers and others complete strangers. He humorously describes mistaking satellites for UFOs, noting their steady light and movement across the sky, and concludes by wishing better luck for future events.

Article: Life Detection—Extraterrestrial Style by Carl Sagan

This article by Professor Carl Sagan explores the probability of detecting extraterrestrial civilizations. Sagan discusses the factors involved in calculating the number of communicative civilizations in the Galaxy (N), using Drake's equation and its components such as the rate of star formation, the fraction of stars with planets, and the lifetime of technological civilizations. He differentiates between Type I, II, and III civilizations based on their energy utilization capabilities. Sagan suggests that while Type II and III civilizations might be detectable across vast distances, the most practical approach for current technology might be to search for Type II or younger civilizations within nearer galaxies, rather than Type I civilizations among nearer stars. The article acknowledges support from NASA Grant 33-010-098 and references key works in the field.

UFORUM

This section features a letter from Peter A. Hill, Chairman of the Wessex Association for the Study of Unexplained Phenomena. Hill responds to a correspondent who is abandoning ufology for Christianity. Hill argues that truth is discovered through observation, deduction, and scientific method, contrasting this with religious faith, which he deems subjective. He asserts that the UFO phenomenon is a profound enigma and urgent international research is needed to solve it. Hill suggests there is more evidence for UFOs than for God or Christ and questions the anonymity of the correspondent.

Article: Prospects for Comet Kohoutek by Dr Simon Mitton

Dr. Simon Mitton provides an in-depth look at Comet Kohoutek, expected to be a significant celestial event in late 1974 and early 1975. Astronomers were preparing a large-scale observation program using various instruments, including ground-based telescopes, high-altitude aircraft, and space probes. The article discusses the comet's discovery by Lubos Kohoutek and its potential visibility. It details the structure of comets, comprising a coma and a tail, and explores two main hypotheses for their nature: Fred Whipple's "dirty snowball" model and Raymond Lyttleton's "dust model." Lyttleton's model suggests comets are aggregations of meteoric dust particles. The article highlights predictions made by Lyttleton to differentiate between the models, focusing on tail production and activity around perihelion. It also mentions the coordination of a massive observation program by the International Astronomical Union and the specific interest in monitoring the comet's tail structure and chemical composition. NASA's plans to use the Skylab mission to photograph any giant gas bag around Kohoutek are also noted.

SIGAP Information

The magazine includes details about SIGAP, providing its secretarial address in Mytchett, Camberley, Surrey. It outlines membership options, including an annual subscription of £1.50, with reduced rates for students and for those receiving multiple copies of PEGASUS. A list of consultants with their qualifications is also provided, including J. M. Adams, T. C. Childerhouse, Revd Dr. N. Cockburn, Prof. E. Salisbury, and R. T. Toft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the scientific investigation of UFOs and extraterrestrial intelligence, and the exploration of astronomical phenomena like comets. The editorial stance, particularly evident in the 'UFORUM' section, favors a scientific, evidence-based approach to understanding mysteries, contrasting it with mysticism or religious dogma. The journal actively promotes research and the sharing of information within the UFO community, as evidenced by its membership offerings and the call for international research into the UFO enigma.

Title: New Scientist
Issue Date: February 1971
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of New Scientist delves into two primary areas: the scientific observation of Comet Kohoutek and the exploration of UFO phenomena through the lens of mythology and scientific inquiry.

Comet Kohoutek: A Scientific Endeavor

The magazine details the extensive efforts being made to monitor Comet Kohoutek. NASA scientists are employing various methods, including UV and visible light observation from Skylab, and unique perspectives from spacecraft like Mariner 10, which was launched on November 3rd. The goal is to achieve a stereo view of the comet's structure. The Copernicus satellite will analyze deuterium and hydrogen content, measuring temperature, velocity, and production rates of hydrogen. OSO-7 is tasked with mapping Kohoutek in the extreme ultraviolet and looking for ionized helium.

Radio astronomy experiments are also highlighted. Scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory propose using radar signals to study the comet's nuclear structure. Radio emission from molecules within the comet's gas clouds, if it aligns with Lyttleton's theory of comet formation from galactic clouds, may become detectable. NASA plans to search for water vapor and ammonia using a 36-meter radio telescope. Similar experiments are planned by radio astronomers at Universidade Mackenzie in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with a 14-meter antenna. Lubos Kohoutek and his colleagues will utilize the 100-meter telescope near Bonn to detect emissions of formaldehyde, hydroxyl, and hydrogen. The Kitt Peak "molecule telescope" will scan for evidence of CH, CH, HNCO, HCN, HNC, and an unidentified substance labeled "X-ogen."

Infrared astronomers are also engaged, partly motivated by Comet Bennett's brightness in infrared wavelengths. Ground-based infrared measurements will help infer the temperature structure of the comet's dusty components and identify molecular species. Experimental packages on balloons, rockets, and aircraft will observe the comet in the far infrared.

Viewing Instructions for the Public

For the general public, viewing instructions are provided. The comet is expected to be visible in the sky from latitude 54°N (Cambridge) during the first three weeks of January, after sunset. The coma's visual magnitude is estimated to be between -2 and +1, comparable to the brightest stars. The tail's length is unpredictable but could reach 10-20 degrees (40 million km in extent). January 15th is suggested as the optimum date for viewing in Europe and North America. The comet may be visible to the naked eye until the end of February and through binoculars until Easter. However, it is considered improbable that it will blaze forth in daylight as comets did in the last century. Despite this, professional watchers anticipate that Kohoutek could lead to significant advances in cometary physics, comparable to the era of Newton and Halley.

Fact or Folklore: UFOs and Mythology

This section explores the connections between mythological themes and present-day UFO reports. A widespread mythological theme concerns figures in the moon, some of which bear resemblance to UFO reports.

The Maori tale of Rona is presented as an example. Rona, fetching water at night, curses the Moon for not shining. The Moon, offended, comes down, seizes Rona, and carries her off to the sky. Rona catches onto a tree, but it is uprooted. Several elements of this legend are noted as recurring in UFO reports:

• Fetching water: Rona's task of fetching water is compared to the common prelude in UFO encounters where the percipient is fetching water.
• Uprooting of trees: The uprooting of the tree by the Moon is paralleled with UFO reports that mention the uprooting of trees and bushes.

This theme is further linked to the Scandinavian tale of Hjuki and Bil, who were also snatched up by the Moon while drawing water. Modern cases are cited, such as Oliver Thomas, who disappeared en route to get water, his footprints ceasing suddenly in the snow. Other examples of UFO encounters initiated by fetching water include the 1933 Belo Horizonte incident, the Kelly-Hopkinsville affair, and the case of "Dr X" in France.

Abduction Narratives in Mythology

Accounts of abduction by entities from the sky are presented as common in world mythology. Examples include:

• Woden and the spectral skypack: People were in danger of being carried off.
• The Vorys-mort or 'Forest Man' of the Finno-Ugric Siryan people: A gigantic being moving as a whirlwind, abducting men and cattle.
• A Maori tale of Whaitari: A sky-cannibal who captured people in a net.
• A legend from Rotuma: Sky-people descending to earth to fish for men.
• The Swan Maiden theme from Halmahera, Indonesia: A sky-maiden taking a young man to the heavens in her flying palace.

Fairies, dwarfs, and elves are described as notorious abductors of humans, often inhabiting atmospheric regions and snatching people from above. The "Forest Man" is seen as an aerial whirlwind, a favorite vehicle for abducting spirits, known as the "Fairy Wind." The sensation of this whirling wind is linked to the experience of "soul loss" in primitive beliefs, where a spirit or sorcerer abducts the "soul," causing illness. Similar symptoms like nausea, sore eyes, and headaches are noted after drastic UFO encounters or out-of-body experiences.

The Aymara Indians of South America believe children's "souls" can be captured by spirits of roads, hills, rivers, fields, and churches. These topographical features are also frequently mentioned in UFO and out-of-body reports, suggesting they are considered sacred places where unusual events occur.

Interview with Dr Joachim P. Kuettner

This section features an interview with Dr. Joachim P. Kuettner, Chairman of the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) UFO sub-committee since December 1968. The sub-committee published "UFO: An Appraisal of the Problem" in 1971, which criticized the "Condon Report."

Dr. Kuettner met with Omar Fowler and Graham Raine of SIGAP (a UFO investigation group) in Bracknell, UK. He revealed that his committee concluded that UFOs do present a "scientific problem" to answer, a conclusion that contradicted the Condon Report. While the Condon Committee explained 95% of UFO reports, they assumed the remaining 5% were also explainable with more information. Dr. Kuettner noted that the Condon Committee comprised open-minded individuals but lacked experience in UFO studies.

The findings of the Condon Report created difficulties, as Dr. Condon was a respected scientist. Neutralizing his report would require investigations by scientists of even greater repute. Dr. Condon's stance against McCarthyism had earned him respect, but this made it hard to secure grants for UFO research and gain scientific support in the USA, as many scientists feared jeopardizing their reputations.

Dr. Kuettner discussed the challenges of UFO investigation, particularly the lack of physical evidence. He suggested that while theoretical analysis and hypothesis formation are possible, the most effective approach is detailed statistical research.

SIGAP's Plans and UFO Watches

SIGAP's plan to re-interview UFO witnesses after a two-year period was discussed. Dr. Kuettner believed this could reveal interesting facts about witness behavior and noted the difficulty of accepting evidence from a single witness. He shared his own experience of seeing a strange light while flying at night, which caused a sudden shock and disorientation.

Regarding UFO watches, Dr. Kuettner commented on the limited utility of instruments like magnetometers and cameras during direct skywatching, concluding that statistical analysis is more crucial. The discussion also touched upon the apparent lack of government interest in UFO studies in Britain and the efforts of groups like SIGAP, which are run on a voluntary basis. Questions were raised about the fate of UFO reports and the potential for a major UFO investigation center with field teams and computer backup, as envisioned by Allen Hynek.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently highlights the intersection of scientific inquiry and unexplained phenomena. The coverage of Comet Kohoutek showcases the advanced technological and collaborative efforts in astronomy. Simultaneously, the exploration of UFOs through mythological parallels and scientific interviews suggests an editorial stance that is open to investigating anomalous phenomena, while also emphasizing the need for rigorous scientific methodology, particularly statistical analysis, to understand them. The article on folklore and UFOs implies a belief that ancient myths may contain echoes of unexplained aerial phenomena, and the interview with Dr. Kuettner underscores the ongoing debate and challenges within the scientific community regarding UFO research.