Pegasus - Vol 20 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: Volume 20, #3
Date: 2002
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group into Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP)
Country: UK

This issue of PEGASUS, published by the Surrey Investigation Group into Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP), focuses on the physical evidence related to UFO phenomena, acknowledging its elusiveness and the challenges in scientific investigation. The magazine highlights several well-documented cases and discusses the role of authorities and the scientific community in addressing the subject.

The Dark Night of the Ufologist

The editorial, signed G.M., addresses the potential for disillusionment among UFO researchers who suspect their efforts are in vain. It emphasizes the importance of revisiting convincing past reports to reaffirm the reality and relevance of UFO phenomena. The editorial posits that the denial and repudiation of UFO evidence by national authorities stem from a fear that the truth, if revealed, could be disruptive. It suggests that the truth of the UFO phenomenon may not be what is expected or desired and questions if there is a reason for its concealment.

UFOs: The Physical Evidence -- Overwhelming But As Elusive As Ever

This article, by Michael Jordan, reviews the challenges in scientifically studying the UFO enigma, noting the inherent ambiguity and contradiction in reports. It references K. Phillips' essay on the 'Psycho-Sociology of Ufology,' which points to the religious, historic, and folkloric dimensions of the phenomenon, suggesting it is both remote and intimately close. The article questions why, despite apparent physical evidence, understanding remains limited. It attributes this to the lack of cross-disciplinary study and the differing perspectives of physical and social scientists. The author notes that official reports are often dismissed and that science requires reproducibility in a laboratory, which is not always possible for UFO events.

The article discusses the difficulty in accepting recorded data, even from official sources, and the skepticism faced by researchers. It highlights that science requires phenomena to be reproducible and predictable in a laboratory, a standard many UFO events cannot meet. The piece also touches upon the political nature of acknowledging UFOs, citing UFO historian Richard M. Dolan, who suggests that official acknowledgment will only occur when the 'official culture' deems it necessary.

Physical Evidence Categories

The article details categories of physical evidence presented to a review panel of nine scientists in New York in 1997. These included photographic evidence, luminosity estimates, radar evidence, interference with vehicles and aircraft, gravitational or inertial effects, ground traces, injuries to vegetation, physiological effects on witnesses, and analysis of debris. Historical classification systems for UFOs also listed electro-magnetic effects, radiation, ground disturbances, sound, vibration, smell, and inhibition of voluntary motion.

Debris Analysis

Wilbert Smith, a Canadian government official, reported that fragments from UFOs had been recovered and analyzed, including a glowing chunk shot from a UFO near Washington D.C. in July 1952. This fragment, weighing about a pound, was described as a matrix of magnesium orthosilicate containing thousands of 15-micron spheres. Smith alluded to analysis by entities beyond the Air Force, possibly the CIA.

NASA is also reported to possess physical evidence. In 1974, a Polish biophysicist analyzed metallic and plastic-like material of unknown origin, finding nanometre-range pyramid structures, alloys made in weightlessness, and unusual synthetics not existing at the time. The metal samples had a melting point above 2,000 degrees centigrade and exhibited a 'memory' effect.

Case Studies of Physical Evidence

The Stefan Michalak Case (Falcon Lake, Manitoba, May 19, 1967):
Stefan Michalak, a mechanic, witnessed two cigar-shaped objects, one of which landed. He observed the object for about half an hour, noting a sulfurous smell. Upon approaching, he experienced a blast of hot air that caused burns. The object ascended, leaving a 15-foot diameter circle on the ground. Michalak suffered dizziness, vomiting, and physical ailments, including atypical lymphoid cells in his marrow. Medical examinations by 27 doctors offered no full explanation. The landing site showed a small contaminated area with significant radium 226 levels. The Royal Canadian Air Force noted a 'very evident circle' and high radiation levels.

The Trans-en-Provence Case (January 8, 1981):
GEPAN, France's equivalent of NASA, reported on a UFO landing in a farmer's yard. Physical traces were collected within 24 hours and analyzed by government laboratories. Farmer Renato Nicolai saw a whistling object descend and land, leaving a 6-foot diameter circular imprint with abrasion areas. The object was metallic-grey, about 8 feet in diameter and 6 feet high. Analysis confirmed strong mechanical pressure, erosion, striation, and heating of the soil, with weakened chlorophyll in leaf samples. Attempts to duplicate these changes were unsuccessful.

The Valensole Case (July 1, 1965):
Maurice Masse, a lavender farmer, encountered a landed UFO in his field. He saw two small beings, less than 4 feet tall, wearing grey-blue-green suits. One pointed a tube at him, paralyzing him. Masse described the beings as having large hairless heads, slanted eyes, and pointed chins. The object left a deep crater and an area of moisture. Masse experienced behavioral changes and sleep pattern alterations. Investigators concluded he was telling the truth. The landing site was soaked with moisture, with geometrically-spaced indentations, and plants showed decay proportional to their distance from the craft. Soil analysis revealed higher calcium content.

Jacques Vallée interviewed Masse and noted his reluctance to share all details, including the belief in silent communication. Vallée described Masse as intelligent, emotional, and rational.

The 1997 Workshop and Panel Findings

A panel of nine scientists reviewed purported physical evidence over three days, funded by Laurance S. Rockefeller. Professor Peter Sturrock noted the time limitation made it unreasonable to expect solutions to a fifty-year-old problem. The panel found photographic evidence desirable but difficult to obtain with strong witness testimony. They noted that radar record analysis requires radar experts and cooperation from military authorities, which is often not offered. The panel found cases of vehicle interference intriguing but required more concrete information beyond narrative accounts.

Recommendations and Scientific Curiosity

The panel's Summary Report made several recommendations: the UFO problem is complex and requires more attention with an emphasis on physical evidence; regular contact between UFO investigators and the scientific community is helpful; institutional support is needed; and the possibility of health risks associated with UFO events should not be ignored. The panel was impressed by GEPAN's work and suggested similar projects in other countries. They urged scientists to become curious about UFO reports, noting that modern UFO reports began in 1947 and have shown clear patterns, yet scientific curiosity has been lacking.

The article concludes by suggesting that more scientists might engage with the subject if their work received similar recognition and support as conventional research, and that students would benefit from lectures or seminars on UFOs. It acknowledges the complexity of the UFO problem and the potential for new discoveries.

UK MOD BS

This section discusses a study by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) titled 'Project Condign,' which concluded that UFO reports over the past 60 years were all natural phenomena. The article suggests this was an attempt to counter momentum for disclosure, likening it to the Condon Report. The report was allegedly buried but came to light through Freedom of Information requests. The author finds the name 'Condign' (meaning adequate or deserved) ironic and suggests the public report might be a cover for a classified one.

The article contrasts the media coverage of the UK MOD report with the French COMETA report, which raised points about UFO validity and challenged the US. The US press largely ignored the COMETA report, while the UK MOD report received extensive media coverage. The author laments the perceived decline in the American press's role in challenging government policy.

Pentagon Hacker Says He Was Hunting UFOs

This article details the case of Gary McKinnon, a British computer hacker who broke into US government computers, including those of the Pentagon and NASA, seeking information on UFOs and suppressed technology. McKinnon claims his intention was not to cause damage but to find out what the government wouldn't reveal. He exploited security flaws in US systems. US officials estimate the damage caused at $US 700,000. McKinnon faces extradition to the US and severe penalties. He believes he is being made a scapegoat and has more information he cannot yet disclose.

Stephen Bassett of the Paradigm Research Group (PRG) has offered pro bono assistance to McKinnon's defense, highlighting the political, economic, scientific, and technological implications of the extraterrestrial presence and a potential US government truth embargo.

Mysterious Red Cells Might Be Aliens

By Jebediah Reed, this article discusses the research of Godfrey Louis, a solid-state physicist in India, who hypothesized that unusual red particles found in rainwater samples from Kerala in 2001 might be extraterrestrial microbes. Louis isolated strange, thick-walled, red-tinted cell-like structures that appear to lack DNA yet reproduce even in superheated water. He suggests these microbes may have hitched a ride on a comet or meteorite. Astronomer Chandra Wickramasinghe is attempting to replicate these findings. Other theories for the 'blood rains' include algae, fungal spores, red dust, or blood cells from bat collisions, but Louis dismisses these, noting that blood cells lack DNA and do not replicate. Wickramasinghe, a proponent of panspermia, finds Louis's theory appealing, suggesting it could be evidence of life being introduced to Earth from space. Preliminary DNA tests on the samples have been positive.

Three New Planets Found Around Sun-Like Star

This brief article reports on the discovery of three Neptune-mass planets orbiting the star HD69830, located 41 light years away. This discovery is significant as it is the first multi-planet system found without a giant Jupiter-sized planet. The system includes an asteroid belt, and the outermost planet is within the star's habitable zone. The planets were detected using the Doppler technique and have not been photographed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of PEGASUS revolve around the persistent nature of UFO phenomena despite official skepticism and scientific hurdles. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of physical evidence and detailed case studies, such as the Michalak and Valensole incidents, to counter the prevailing dismissal of UFO reports. The magazine highlights the perceived obstruction and secrecy from government and military authorities, as exemplified by the UK MOD's 'Project Condign' and the Gary McKinnon case. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for greater scientific curiosity and open investigation into UFOs, challenging the status quo and encouraging a deeper understanding of the phenomenon. The inclusion of the 'red rain' and new planet discovery articles broadens the scope to include potential extraterrestrial life and astronomical discoveries, aligning with a general interest in the unexplained and the cosmos.

Title: Pegasus
Issue: 28
Date: March 2006
Publisher: SIGAP
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Pegasus magazine delves into various aspects of UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial life, and related mysteries. It features a detailed account of a train collision with an unidentified object, reviews of several UFO-related DVDs, and discussions on astronomical searches for life.

Kentucky Coal Train Collision With UFO Disc

Peter Davenport, Director of the National UFO Reporting Center, recounts an incident that occurred at 02:47 a.m. on January 14, 2002, near Paintsville, Kentucky. While operating a coal train, the author and his conductor witnessed lights and subsequently collided with a hovering object. The object was described as metallic silver, 18-20 feet long and 10 feet high, with colored lights. It hovered about 10-12 feet above the track and was hit by the train at approximately 30 mph. The collision caused severe damage to the lead locomotive and the first two coal cars, and the train's electrical systems went haywire. Other similar objects reportedly vanished. Following the incident, the train crew was taken to a yard office, questioned extensively, and subjected to medical testing. Their cellphones were confiscated, and they were told their silence was required due to national security. The damaged locomotives and cars were later removed, and no sign of the incident remained at the site.

DVD Reviews – Secrets of UFOs

The magazine reviews a new set of four DVDs titled "Secrets of UFOs" released by Grizzly Adams Family Entertainment. Each DVD lasts approximately 50 minutes and is compatible with UK DVD players, priced at around £7 each.

DVD One – FIELDS OF MYSTERY: Are Crop Circles the Language of Aliens?

This DVD explores crop circles, presenting evidence that suggests they are more than hoaxes, though its connection to UFOs is controversial. It covers the history of crop circles, starting in the late 1970s, and features interviews with researchers like Colin Andrews, Michael Glickman, and Lucy Pringle. The DVD discusses sightings of UFOs and balls of light (BOLs) near crop circles and raises the question of whether these formations are extraterrestrial communications. It also addresses the 1991 claim by two pensioners who asserted they created the formations. The DVD highlights scientific analysis, such as that by Nancy Talbot of BLT Laboratories, showing evidence of heat damage and soot-covered holes in wheat stalks, suggesting non-hoax origins. Mathematician Nick Kollestrom is mentioned for discovering theorems within crop formations, and the DVD references a 2001 formation in Chilbolton, Wiltshire, which appeared in binary code and was interpreted as a response to the 1974 Arecibo message.

DVD Two - KECKSBURG UFO CRASH: What Really Happened at Kecksburg?

This film focuses on the 1965 Kecksburg UFO crash incident in Pennsylvania. It features eyewitness testimony, notably from William Bulebush and Jim Romansky, and commentary from experts like Dr. William Cassidy and Dr. Richard Hames, who discusses an alleged cover-up. The review notes that some dramatizations are unnecessary and that Sgt. Clifford Stone's theory linking the event to Soviet activities and the USSR's Venus probe is treated with some seriousness. A minor error in the DVD is the misspelling of Pennsylvania on a map.

DVD Three - ROSWELL UFO CRASH: What Really Happened at Roswell

This DVD is criticized for being a clumsy compilation of misleading clips, lacking completeness and accuracy regarding the Roswell incident. It fails to account for the revised description of debris as an anti-Russian device and makes much of an alleged autopsy on fabricated mannikins, which is stated to be faked.

DVD Four - AREA 51 Base

This segment discusses Area 51, questioning its existence despite government denials and the presence of buildings and hangars in the Nevada desert. It features Bob Lazar describing his work on spaceships there. The review mentions witness accounts of numerous saucers, high-level security, and restricted airspace. It also touches upon Stalin's interest in UFOs and Russia's space photography, including a 1988 photo of spaceships. David Adair is cited as having seen and touched a unique spaceship. The segment suggests a collaboration between the US government and aliens on secret projects, possibly for weapons or spaceships for use in a nuclear war scenario.

Letters

Members are invited to submit opinions, ideas, or comments to Pegasus. The editors reserve the right to edit submissions.

News in Brief/ Sightings Roundup

UFO 'crashes' into KZN (Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa) Sea 20/05/2006

Numerous eyewitnesses reported an unidentified flying object crashing into the sea off Port Shepstone, South Africa. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) conducted a search of a 12-square-nautical-mile area but found nothing. Authorities are monitoring the situation, which remains a mystery, with initial speculation suggesting weather activity might have created the impression of a falling object.

SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) scientist Margaret Turnbull

Margaret Turnbull has compiled a shortlist of five nearby stars that are considered the most likely candidates for harboring extraterrestrial life. These stars were selected based on criteria such as longevity, appropriate heat and light output, and the presence of planets in a habitable zone. Beta CVn, HD10307, 51 Pegasus, 18 Sco, and HD211415 are highlighted. SETI telescopes are now focusing on these stars for detailed radio searches.

BROTHER, IT'S HOT OUT THERE!

This section discusses the Anunnaki and their alleged need to prevent the loss of Nibiru's atmosphere by using a shield of gold particles, necessitating their arrival on Earth to obtain gold. It then connects this to the recent news of water geysers on Saturn's moon Enceladus, suggesting that pockets of liquid water beneath the surface hint at the possibility of life, even in areas far from the Sun, due to internal heat sources or magnetic reactions.

"Grays" Novel Coming From Whitley Strieber in Autumn

Whitley Strieber is set to publish a fictional work in August about 'grays,' aiming to humanize them and explore communication methods. Strieber hopes the novel will help people in contact with such beings to develop richer relationships and suggests that aliens communicate through various media, from books to close encounters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Pegasus include UFO sightings and crashes, the potential for extraterrestrial life, government secrecy surrounding UFO phenomena, and the scientific and speculative exploration of these topics. The magazine presents a range of perspectives, from eyewitness accounts and DVD reviews to scientific research and theoretical discussions, indicating an open-minded approach to unexplained phenomena while also critically evaluating some of the presented evidence, particularly in the DVD reviews.