Pegasus - Vol 12 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: Volume 12, #3
Date: January 19, 2001 (based on one article date)
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP)
Country: UK

This issue of PEGASUS, the journal of the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena, covers a range of topics related to UFOs, unexplained phenomena, and ancient mysteries. The magazine features reports on recent sightings, analysis of astronomical anomalies, and discussions on historical cases.

Conspiracy Theory

The editorial, signed G.M., addresses the concept of 'conspiracy theory' itself. It argues that if a conspiracy to suppress UFO information exists, then conspiracy theory is a valid response. The author notes the effectiveness of such denials but points to the increasing number of dubious official statements as reinforcing the probability of a conspiracy. The magazine pledges to continue publishing information that governments might prefer to keep hidden, citing parliamentary questions by Admiral Lord Hill-Norton and disinformation activities by the USA Aviary as examples of concern.

Breaking: Face on Mars Re-Imaged - Cydonia 2001

This article reports on NASA's release of seven new images of the Cydonia region on Mars, including a detailed close-up of the 'Face'. The images were acquired by the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) and its Mars Orbital Camera (MOC). The article notes that the 'artificiality hypothesis' suggests that higher resolution images might reveal more face-like features. The new images do show features that could be interpreted as an eyeball and pupil. Another anomaly, 'the Cliff', a straight, wall-like landform, was also imaged. Researchers are seeking high-resolution images to resolve these Martian enigmas.

UFO Sighting Reports

The magazine includes several reports of UFO sightings from around the world:

• An FT Over Matlock, UK (January 19, 2001): A 69-year-old woman in Matlock reported seeing a massive triangle-shaped craft with pulsating coloured lights and a dark centre. The craft then broke away and flew at tremendous speed towards a hillside, reappearing as a random shape of pulsating lights.
• Liverpool Flying Triangle Sighting (February 8, 2001): Bill Bimson reports a sighting in Liverpool where a witness observed a large, straight vapour trail followed by multiple white lights and one red light gathered together, forming a huge triangular craft. The craft made no noise and moved rapidly.
• UFO Shuts Down Russian Airport (January 27, 2001): An airport in southern Siberia was shut down for over an hour when an unidentified flying object was detected hovering above the runway. The crew of a cargo aircraft refused to take off, and another plane diverted.
• Lanterns or UFOs? A Malaysian Mystery (February 5, 2001): Flashes of bright orange light were sighted over Bandar Sunway, Malaysia. Witnesses described eight flaming balls moving in a straight row, which baffled observers.
• Flight of Orange UFOs Passes Over Thailand (February 9, 2001): In Chang Mai, Thailand, a couple spotted approximately seven to ten glowing orange and pink balls in the sky, moving at high speed towards the north.
• Yellow UFO Hovers Over Eccles, Sussex, UK (February 2, 2001): A witness in Eccles saw a bright yellow light, circular in shape, surrounded by smaller red lights, stationary in the sky for about five minutes before disappearing.

SIGAP Meeting February 7th, 2001

The SIGAP meeting in Guildford featured a video presentation on the 'What Happened On The Moon' documentary, which investigated anomalies in Apollo mission photographs and footage, and discussed radiation dangers. Attendees were recommended to read 'Dark Moon - Apollo Whistle Blowers' by David S. Percy & Mary Bennett.

UK House of Lords Lord Hill-Norton's Questions

This section details questions raised in the House of Lords by Admiral Lord Hill-Norton concerning the Rendlesham Forest Incident and related matters. The questions and responses from Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean (Ministry of Defence) cover:

• Evacuation of prisons (HL319): Questions about instructions for evacuation at Blundeston Prison and Hollesley Bay Youth Correction Centre in December 1980. The Ministry of Defence found no record of such instructions.
• Special Branch involvement in Rendlesham Forest (HL303): Questions about Special Branch personnel involvement. The Ministry stated they would only be interested if there was evidence of a national security threat.
• Porton Down visits to Rendlesham Forest/RAF Walton (HL301): Questions about visits by Porton Down staff for hazard assessment. DERA archives found no record of such visits.
• Uncorrelated radar targets in Nov/Dec 1980 (HL302): Questions about radar tracking. The Ministry stated that records from 1980 no longer exist, with paper records retained for three years and radar recordings for thirty days.
• Highest classification of MOD documents on UFOs (HL304): A limited search identified documents graded 'Secret', but the classification was not dictated by specific UFO sightings.
• Underground facilities at RAF Bentwaters (HL320): Questions about underground facilities. The Ministry of Defence stated there are no underground facilities at the former RAF Bentwaters installation.
• Involvement in Rendlesham Forest by Ministry of Defence Policy or Suffolk Constabulary (HL321): The Ministry of Defence Police were not aware of involvement, and knowledge of Suffolk Police involvement was limited to a letter.
• US Air Force investigation of Rendlesham Forest (HL322): The Ministry's knowledge was limited to a memorandum from the Deputy Base Commander at RAF Woodbridge.
• Investigation into Rendlesham Forest based on Georgina Bruni's book (HL352): The Ministry stated no additional information had come to light to question the original judgment that nothing of defence significance occurred.
• Approach from US agencies regarding Georgina Bruni's book (HL353): The Ministry informed Headquarters 3rd Air Force at RAF Mildenhall about the book as a courtesy, but US authorities had not approached them.
• Analysis of Rendlesham Forest/RAF Bentwaters incident (HL354): The Ministry's position remained that nothing of defence significance occurred on the nights in question.

Georgina Bruni's comments throughout this section express dissatisfaction with the Ministry's responses, suggesting a cover-up and a lack of transparency.

More Pre-1947 Cases

Chris Aubeck compiles a list of 15 pre-1947 close encounter reports that require further research. These include:

• A Spanish soldier's abduction in 1593.
• A Belgian Jesuit missionary's sighting of a 'Chinese double hat' UFO in 1861.
• A metallic disc-shaped object sighting in Dorset in 1733.
• An alleged UFO photograph in 1762.
• An abduction case in China in 1880.
• A luminous sphere sighting in Venezuela in 1880.
• An object landing in Michigan in 1897 with a tall, naked being.
• A disappearance in a luminous sphere in Poland in 1903.
• A strange event near the Flannan Isles Light Beacon in 1900.
• A cigar-shaped object landing in Hamburg in 1914 with occupants.
• A spherical object landing in Georgia Bay, Canada in 1914.
• A small being scooping water in Iowa in 1919.
• An incident involving an Irish Republic Army man and a glowing metal disc-shaped craft in 1922.
• A dark object with a yellow light and dwarfish beings in Canada in 1929.
• An abduction in Wisconsin, USA in 1930.

Dogon

This extensive article explores the Dogon tribe of Mali and their alleged secret knowledge of astronomy, particularly concerning the Sirius star system. Anthropologist Marcel Griaule studied the Dogon in the 1940s and was told of their cosmology, which included knowledge of the moon being dry and barren, Saturn's rings, and Jupiter's four large moons (Galilean moons). The Dogon believe Sirius is a triple star system, with Sirius B being a tiny, heavy star orbiting Sirius A. Robert Temple's book, 'The Sirius Mystery', further popularized these claims, suggesting the Dogon's knowledge came from extraterrestrial visitors (Nommo).

The article also presents skeptical viewpoints, citing Carl Sagan's arguments that the Dogon's knowledge could have been acquired from European visitors between 1925-1935. Anthropologists like Walter van Beek are critical of Griaule's methodology, suggesting his data might have been influenced by his own knowledge and the informant's desire for consensus. Criticisms are also leveled at Robert Temple's interpretation, with the article noting that Griaule did not explicitly state the Nommo were extraterrestrials or that the Dogon obtained their knowledge from them.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of PEGASUS are the persistent nature of UFO phenomena across different regions and time periods, the ongoing debate surrounding government secrecy and cover-ups related to UFOs, and the exploration of ancient knowledge that seems to predate modern scientific discovery. The editorial stance, as expressed by G.M., is one of skepticism towards official denials and a commitment to bringing suppressed information to light. The magazine actively encourages reader participation through reporting sightings and contributing to research on historical cases. The inclusion of parliamentary questions and detailed analysis of the Rendlesham Forest incident highlights a focus on official investigations and the challenges of obtaining clear answers from authorities.

This issue of UFO Investigator, dated 2001 with a cover date of January 10, 2000, delves into two primary subjects: the significant threat posed by microbial contamination, specifically space fungus, aboard the Mir space station, and a groundbreaking dialogue concerning UFOs, extraterrestrials, and the creation of man between a Vatican official and a Hebrew scholar. The magazine also touches upon alleged disinformation campaigns within the UFO community.

Space Fungus on Mir Space Station

The article "Life Exists In Space - Strange Fungus Overruns Mir Space Station" by Gareth Cook details the discovery of an aggressive space fungus aboard the Mir space station approximately 12 years prior to the article's writing. This fungal growth, identified by microbiologist Natalia Novikova, had begun to overrun the station, feeding on various surfaces including control panels, air conditioners, and communication units. Scientists are concerned that the fungi, thriving in Mir's heavy radiation, could mutate into more dangerous forms, posing a threat to future space travelers and potentially causing havoc on Earth. The phenomenon of "biodegradation," or microbial damage to materials, is highlighted as a greater problem than previously anticipated, with potential implications for the failure of electronics and the degradation of historical landmarks worldwide.

Novikova's laboratory has been examining various forms of fungi found on Mir, including species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladesporium. While the issue had been noted since 1988, it gained less attention until recently. NASA is taking the threat more seriously, implementing aggressive prevention programs for the International Space Station and conducting more frequent inspections. Despite the potential risks, including the possibility of astronauts' immune systems being weakened by long missions and the stresses of space, leading to infections from mutated fungi, the allure of space exploration remains strong for individuals like astronaut Jerry Linenger, who experienced a near-fatal fire on Mir.

Dialogue in Bellaria: Sitchin and Vatican Theologian Discuss UFOs, Extraterrestrials, Angels, Creation of Man

This section reports on a historic dialogue between Monsignor Corrado Balducci, a Vatican official and theologian, and Zecharia Sitchin, a researcher of ancient civilizations. The discussion, held at a conference in Bellaria, Italy, explored the existence of extraterrestrials, their potential advancement, and the possibility that man was fashioned from a pre-existing sentient being. Both participants, despite their different backgrounds, arrived at common conclusions.

Msgr. Balducci, who is appointed by the Vatican to deal with UFO issues, expressed a tolerance for the subject, stating that eyewitness reports of UFOs cannot be dismissed and that life on other planets is not only possible but probable, citing Cardinal Nicolo Cusano. He also suggested that extraterrestrials could be beings with both material and spiritual parts, potentially representing a middle stage between angels and humans, and that their existence could be reconciled with Christian doctrine.

Zecharia Sitchin presented his conclusions based on Sumerian texts, suggesting that extraterrestrials, whom he called Anunnaki or Nefilim, visited Earth 450,000 years ago and genetically engineered hominids to create Homo sapiens. He views them as emissaries of the Universal Creator. Msgr. Balducci, while approaching the topic from a theological-philosophical perspective, agreed that more advanced extraterrestrials could exist and that Christianity is evolving to consider the idea of man being created from something pre-existing, distinguishing between the material body and the soul granted by God.

The Aviary and Disinformation

The article "The Aviary" discusses a group of individuals within the intelligence community who allegedly have access to "secret information" about UFOs. These individuals, often identified by bird code names such as Falcon, Condor, Sparrow, and others, are linked to alleged disinformation campaigns. The article mentions the "UFO Coverup? Live!" television program, where informants Falcon and Condor made claims about the MJ-12 group, extraterrestrials, and secret bases. The role of individuals like Richard C. Doty and William Moore in this network is explored, along with other supposed members of The Aviary, including those involved in remote-viewing and psychotronic warfare projects. The article suggests that while the group's common interest may be UFOs, their involvement in spreading disinformation is uncertain.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of science, ancient history, and the paranormal, with a particular focus on UFO phenomena and extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various theories and evidence, including those from ancient texts and religious perspectives, while also acknowledging potential disinformation and the scientific challenges of space exploration. The issue highlights the growing recognition of biological threats in space and the ongoing debate about humanity's origins and place in the cosmos.