Pegasus - Vol 09 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: Volume 9, #1
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena
Date: Undetermined, likely early 1997 based on content.

This issue of PEGASUS, the publication of the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena, presents a collection of articles and an interview focusing on UFO evidence and classic encounters. The cover features a drawing of Pegasus and a flying saucer, with the price listed as £2.

Editorial Stance and Introduction

The editorial, signed by G.M. (likely Gordon Millington, the Chairman), critiques "debunking scientists" who dismiss UFO evidence without examination. It argues that witness testimony, crucial in legal systems, should not be dismissed in UFO cases. The editorial draws parallels between historical skepticism towards figures like Galileo and modern dismissal of UFO evidence, suggesting that the uncertainty principle in physics opens possibilities for phenomena like parallel universes and UFOs. It calls for a reminder of the evidential strength of well-documented UFO cases.

Article: UFO EVIDENCE

This section, likely an editorial or introductory piece, discusses the common practice of "debunking scientists" who claim no UFO evidence exists because they haven't examined it. The author argues that this stance ignores the primary source of evidence: witness accounts. The piece criticizes the arbitrary dismissal of testimony from credible witnesses like pilots and police officers, attributing it to a preconceived belief that UFOs cannot exist. It contrasts this with historical instances of scientific hubris, such as the rejection of Galileo's heliocentric model, and suggests that modern physics, with its uncertainty principle, should make scientists more open to unexplained phenomena, including the possibility of parallel universes as an explanation for UFOs.

Article: SAUCER AT AREA 51

Authored by Frank Batts, this article details a personal UFO sighting near Area 51 in Nevada on April 30, 1997. Batts and a friend drove to the vicinity of the "Mailbox" landmark near Rachel, Nevada. They observed red and yellow lights on the ground, followed by a blue "ball" that hovered and performed maneuvers. Later, they witnessed a large, silver, saucer-shaped object, estimated to be 200 feet across, hovering for over an hour. Batts's video camera malfunctioned during the sighting. He describes the object as having curved saucers on top and bottom with a bank of lights in the middle. The experience left him profoundly affected, questioning his beliefs and feeling vulnerable but certain of what he saw.

Interview: VALLEE IN THE MIST

This section features an interview with Jacques Vallee, a prominent UFO researcher. Vallee expresses hesitation to discuss UFOs due to the often dogmatic and territorial nature of "ufology." He believes the UFO phenomenon is physical, has been present throughout history, and represents an unknown level of consciousness capable of manipulating dimensions beyond our current understanding of time and space. He rejects the simple "nuts and bolts" extraterrestrial hypothesis, suggesting UFOs might be "windows" to other dimensions, manipulated by intelligent, possibly mischievous beings. Vallee pioneered the use of computers in UFO research and, with his wife Janine, compiled the first computer database of UFO sightings. He discusses why Americans are literal in their approach to UFOs, wanting to "kick the tires" and understand propulsion systems. Vallee also shares his view that UFOs might not be extraterrestrial, a perspective he discussed with Stephen Spielberg. He notes that the phenomenon is characterized by energy in a small space, possibly involving pulsed microwaves affecting the brain, leading to induced hallucinations in witnesses. He acknowledges the possibility of it being a natural phenomenon or an artificial construct from another consciousness. Vallee has also antagonized believers by not jumping to the extraterrestrial conclusion and by criticizing the handling of abduction cases, suggesting hypnosis is sometimes used unethically to create abductees. He respects John Mack's work but disagrees with his methods. Vallee highlights that the best UFO data often remains unpublished because it comes from technical companies and individuals in sensitive positions who fear being labeled crazy. He expresses skepticism about "crashed saucer" stories, preferring to focus on unexplained close encounters.

Classic Cases

This section presents several well-documented UFO encounters:

A Helicopter Crew Is Accosted by a UFO Over Ohio

On October 18, 1973, four U.S. Army reservists in a helicopter reported a red light approaching at high speed. The helicopter took evasive action, losing radio contact. The object, described as cigar-shaped, metallic gray, about 60 feet long with a dome, hovered above the helicopter, matching its speed. The helicopter ascended against controls. A green light then bathed the cabin. Witnesses on the ground also saw the object. The crew's stories matched during separate debriefings. Captain Lawrence J. Coyne testified before the UN, stating the object demonstrated abilities to change altitude, heading, and speed control, and that the incident required thorough investigation.

Three People Are Injured by a UFO in Texas

On December 29, 1980, Betty Cash, Vickie Landrum, and Colby Landrum witnessed a diamond-shaped object near Dayton, Texas. The object emitted intense heat and light, causing them to suffer severe illness, diagnosed as acute radiation poisoning. The incident was accompanied by a fleet of Army helicopters. Betty Cash was hospitalized for six weeks, and all three suffered long-term health problems, including cancer for Betty. Their lawsuit against the government was dismissed. Investigator John Schuessler believes the exposure was to high-intensity electromagnetic radiation, not nuclear, and suggests human technology did not produce such a craft. The presence of numerous helicopters suggests a coordinated mission involving alien technology.

A Farmer is Detained by Aliens in France

On July 1, 1965, farmer Maurice Masse in Valensole, France, encountered an egg-shaped object with six legs and two humanoid beings. The beings gathered lavender, and one immobilized Masse with a "tube." The object then departed. Symmetrical marks were found at the site, and lavender failed to grow there for ten years. Masse experienced profound drowsiness afterward but felt positive about the encounter. Local authorities confirmed the marks, and Masse was considered credible.

A Police Officer Goes Aboard a UFO in Nebraska

On December 3, 1967, Police Officer Herbert Schirmer of Ashland, Nebraska, encountered a lighted object that landed near his car. Humanoid beings, described as four to five feet tall with grayish-white skin and slanted eyes, approached him. Under hypnosis, Schirmer recalled being taken aboard the craft, where he was told about a "breeding analysis program" and that the beings had been watching humanity for a long time. They explained they contacted people randomly to avoid revealing patterns and to gradually accustom humans to their presence. Schirmer was returned to his car, with a red welt on his neck as evidence of contact. The encounter led him to resign from the police force.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of PEGASUS revolve around the nature of UFO evidence, the credibility of witness testimony, and the potential for phenomena beyond conventional scientific understanding. The publication appears to advocate for a serious investigation into UFO reports, challenging the dismissive attitudes of "debunkers" and highlighting the limitations of the extraterrestrial hypothesis. The articles present a range of cases, from sightings near military installations like Area 51 to encounters involving alleged alien abduction and interaction. The interview with Jacques Vallee provides a more nuanced perspective, suggesting that UFOs may represent a phenomenon rooted in consciousness and interdimensional interaction rather than simply alien spacecraft. The overall stance is one of open-minded inquiry into anomalous aerial phenomena, emphasizing the need to consider all forms of evidence, particularly credible witness accounts, and to challenge established scientific paradigms when confronted with unexplained events.

This issue of "STRANGE EXPERIENCES" (Volume 2, Issue 11, 1990) focuses on a collection of unusual phenomena, personal accounts, and reported incidents related to UFOs and potential extraterrestrial encounters. The content spans personal narratives, investigative reports, and analyses of photographic evidence.

Personal Accounts of Strange Experiences

The issue opens with a first-person narrative detailing the author's suspicions of alien abduction, which began in late 1989. The author recounts a recurring, horrifying childhood dream that aligns with classic abduction scenarios, involving small beings and a sense of paralysis. This dream is linked to a childhood fear of the dark and a persistent feeling of unease. The author also recalls a possible visual sighting of a stationary object in the sky, initially dismissed as a weather balloon. A significant event described is a "missing time" incident during high school, where the author experienced a blackout and woke up hours later with no memory of the intervening period, attributing it to medication taken at the time. The author's immersion in the subject led to extensive reading and a phase of "information gathering," common among abductees.

Further personal accounts include vivid dreams that feel distinct from normal dreaming, characterized by a sense of grogginess and lack of full consciousness. One dream, dated March 26, 1990, describes being led by a small, grey-haired man in black clothes out of the bedroom and into a craft, where the author sat in a chair and observed equipment. Another dream involves sitting at a white table with two presences, one male with striking blue eyes, and another female presence. A third dream describes a Petrie dish with green liquid that transforms into mashed potatoes, with a third angular-faced entity present. The author questions whether these experiences are real, related to UFO phenomena, or products of their subconscious mind.

UFOs on Mars

A section titled "PHOTO SHOWS UFO ON MARS" details an event from July 26, 1997. Ufologist Richard C. Hoagland drew attention to a Pathfinder color photo (Number 81977) from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory website, suggesting artificial structures on the Martian horizon. Desiree Holloway, after hearing an interview on the Art Bell Show, downloaded the photo and noticed a small, round, shadowed object hovering above a mound, which she did not believe was a photographic anomaly. She noted that the original high-resolution photo was later replaced with a grainy, low-quality image, making the object and mound less visible. A man claimed to have downloaded the original image before it vanished, with several people downloading the clear image between the Art Bell broadcast and Holloway's download.

Giant Saucer Shot Down in Argentina

This report from page 5 details rumors of a recent saucer crash in northwestern Argentina. Guillermo Aldunati of Operation Right to Know claims a gigantic saucer, described as a metallic gray disk approximately 200 meters in diameter, appeared over Metan on August 17 or 18, 1995. Onlookers reportedly saw the UFO maneuvering and being struck by air-to-air missiles launched by an unknown aircraft, causing it to crash into a hill. A private plane attempting to fly over the site was reportedly forced away by electromagnetic disturbances. The town of Metan is located in Argentina's Salta province. Armed helicopters reportedly fired machinegun bursts at "graverobbers" stripping the occupants. The Fundacion Argentina de Ovnilogia reported that an armored convoy reached Metan, and the Argentine Army sealed off the town. The craft that shot down the saucer was described as a "dark triangular object." Northbound traffic on Ruta 9 was halted, with soldiers claiming landslides. An Indian family reported seeing "dozens" of nylon body bags stacked in the back of an Army truck. Aldunati claims the "strange creatures resembling the Grays, but taller" were recovered, with over 200 casualties, and the craft taken to Mendoza and then the USA. Another report mentioned bodies sent to Victoria. The editor's comment notes that three weeks before this alleged crash, an Aerolineas Argentinas jetliner encountered a UFO over Bariloche.

The Rendlesham TV Programme

This extensive section details the 1980 Rendlesham Forest incident, based on an ITV program hosted by Michael Aspel. The incident involved witnesses at Bentwaters and Woodbridge military bases in East Anglia, UK. Former radar operator Mal Scurrah reported a strange object appearing on radar, moving at high speed to 90,000 feet before disappearing. Airman John Burroughs and Sergeant Jim Penniston investigated strange lights in the forest, describing them as Christmas lights. They encountered a triangular object with a high intensity white light and red and blue alternating lights. The object measured about the size of a tank and had an inscription of symbols. It moved away and disappeared rapidly.

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Halt was involved in attempting to debunk the claims. Portable floodlights malfunctioned, as did radios, but a night vision scope and geiger counter worked. The geiger counter measured levels twenty-five times normal background radiation. The object reportedly exploded into three to five white objects. Airman Burroughs also reported seeing a blue light streak past him while near broken-down lightalls.

Physical evidence found included branches and indentations in the ground, which police attributed to animals, though the ground was frozen. The indentations formed a triangle, matching the object's shape. The incident attracted attention, leading to a memo to the British Ministry of Defence, which reportedly received no response. Other airmen reported unscheduled flights and a "blackout of any information leaving the base." Clifford Stone, a former U.S. Military Intelligence officer, claimed a finalized report concluded that real objects were seen, representing highly evolved, advanced technology, and an intelligence not originating on Earth. The Ministry of Defence admits to having over eight thousand UFO cases on file. Lieutenant Colonel Halt was later promoted, despite his report.

Alien Encounters Book Review

The issue concludes with information about a book titled "ALIEN ENCOUNTERS" by Gordon Millington. The book is described as an "interpretative approach to the UFO Phenomenon and the Crop Circle Mysteries." Millington is presented as a former army officer and college lecturer, an accredited investigator for the British UFO Research Association, and a consultant to Flying Saucer Review. The book's contents are listed, including sections on "High Strangeness in Brazil," "The Abduction Experience," "The Crop Circles," and "Conclusions." A limited first edition is available for £9.95 plus postage and packing from The Leonine Press.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are personal experiences with the unexplained, particularly UFO sightings and alleged alien abductions, alongside reports of significant UFO incidents like the Rendlesham Forest event and the purported saucer crash in Argentina. There is a strong undercurrent of potential government cover-ups and the difficulty in obtaining official confirmation or information. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting witness testimonies and investigative reports without necessarily endorsing them as absolute truth, but encouraging the reader to consider the possibilities and form their own conclusions. The inclusion of the "Alien Encounters" book review further reinforces the magazine's focus on exploring UFO phenomena and related mysteries.