Pegasus - Vol 20 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Volume: 20
Issue: 4
Date: May 2002 (5/02)
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group into Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP)
Country: UK

This issue of PEGASUS, published by the Surrey Investigation Group into Aerial Phenomena, features a cover story titled "UFOS: CHALLENGE TO SETI SPECIALISTS" by Stanton T. Friedman. The magazine critiques the scientific community's focus on the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) while allegedly neglecting evidence for extraterrestrial visitations (UFOs).

UFOS: CHALLENGE TO SETI SPECIALISTS by Stanton T. Friedman

Stanton T. Friedman, a nuclear physicist and lecturer, argues that major news media and the scientific community have embraced radiotelescope-based SETI without sufficient evidence, while dismissing UFO phenomena as "tabloid nonsense." He challenges SETI specialists to consider the evidence for alien visits (SETV) and points out perceived deficiencies in SETI claims. Friedman poses eight challenges to SETI specialists:

1. Energy Calculations: He questions the competence of SETI specialists in calculating the energy required for interstellar travel, stating that their assumptions are often inappropriate and lead to "ridiculous conclusions." He contrasts this with the use of cosmic freeloading in space missions and highlights how cleverness, not just raw power, was key to the Apollo missions.
2. Communication Methods: Friedman questions why SETI assumes radio is the ultimate means of long-distance communication, given its relatively recent development. He suggests exploring other communication techniques and points to nearby stars like Zeta Reticuli as potential observation points.
3. Alien Behavior: He argues that physical-science professionals lack the training and experience to predict alien behavior or motivations, suggesting that psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers would be more appropriate sources of insight.
4. Ignoring UFO Data: Friedman criticizes SETI for ignoring large-scale scientific studies on UFOs, such as the Battelle Memorial Institute's "Project Blue Book Special Report #14," which found that 21.5% of investigated cases were UNKNOWNS, with higher reliability reports being more likely to be unidentifiable.
5. National Security Aspects: He highlights the national security implications of UFO technology, the potential impact of announcements, and cites the recovery of crashed saucers in New Mexico in 1947. He also mentions the "Black Budget" and the withholding of UFO documents by agencies like the NSA.
6. Ignoring UFO Data (Continued): Friedman reiterates that SETI ignores UFO data while making assumptions about extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) and their technology. He contrasts this with the search for radio signals, suggesting that learning sign language might be more productive.
7. Detection of Civilizations: He questions the assumption that aliens would only detect a technological civilization via radio or radar signals, suggesting that biological signs could be observed much earlier, and that civilizations in the neighborhood might have known of Earth's existence for millions of years.
8. UFO Acceleration: Friedman challenges the notion that humans cannot withstand the accelerations observed in UFOs, citing data on astronauts and rocket sled experiments that show humans can withstand high G-forces when properly constrained.

Friedman further elaborates on the Fermi Paradox, suggesting that colonization might have begun billions of years ago. He criticizes the lack of self-evaluation within both SETI and UFO debunking communities, advocating for a scientific approach based on data rather than proclamations.

U.S. SCIENTIST SAYS SCORES OF UFOS FLY AROUND THE SUN

This article reports on U.S. meteorologist Scott Stevens's claims regarding UFOs observed in images from the SOHO orbital solar telescope. Stevens alleges that NASA is concealing data showing a fleet of UFOs operating near the Sun, capable of resisting extreme temperatures. He suggests that these craft might be involved in experiments causing solar flares. However, Sergei Yazev, a researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences, dismisses these claims, stating that apparent UFOs in SOHO images are likely artifacts of the photographic equipment interacting with bright spots like comets or planets, and that the "wings" are an artifact of the imaging process.

The article also includes a theory by Habibullo Abdusamatov regarding a 100-year cycle of solar activity leading to global cooling, predicting a decrease in solar radiation by the mid-21st century, with a cooling period lasting about 70 years, similar to the one in the Middle Ages.

THE WOODBOROUGH BRIDGE CROP FORMATION JULY 14th 2003 by Andrew J Buckley

Andrew J. Buckley recounts his experience witnessing the creation of a crop formation near Woodborough Hill, UK, on July 14, 2003. He describes seeing two unmarked, dark helicopters, possibly Apache Longbow gunships, maneuvering at low level. One helicopter deployed an unusual spherical apparatus beneath its fuselage, which produced an "explosive updraft of colourless steam or water vapour" and a loud hissing sound, causing the crop to swirl violently. Buckley experienced a time-loss phenomenon, with his video camera's time-clock inexplicably jumping from 10.41 hrs to 11.24 hrs. He suggests that military involvement in crop circle creation is likely, citing the rapid appearance of the formation and the presence of military helicopters.

CONTEXT AND IMPLICATIONS OF THE DISCOVERY OF EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE: A Whitepaper by Richard C. Hoagland 1989

Richard C. Hoagland's whitepaper discusses NASA's refusal to re-examine anomalous images from the Viking mission to Mars, which he believes suggest the presence of artefacts. He argues that the idea of extraterrestrial life has ancient roots, predating modern science and pop culture, citing historical figures and ancient myths like the "Oannes Myth" from Sumer. Hoagland contends that the widespread belief in extraterrestrials has significantly shaped human thought and the rise of modern science, making NASA's stance on the Mars anomalies inexplicable.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critique of mainstream scientific approaches, particularly SETI, for their perceived biases and neglect of UFO evidence. The magazine advocates for a more open-minded investigation into UFO phenomena, challenging established scientific paradigms. There is a consistent emphasis on the importance of empirical evidence and a skepticism towards pronouncements made without factual basis. The editorial stance appears to favor interpretative ufology and suggests that official scientific bodies, like NASA, may be actively concealing or downplaying evidence of extraterrestrial activity.

Title: Pegasus
Issue: 2006
Publisher: SIGAP
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of Pegasus explores the historical and scientific evolution of the concept of extraterrestrial intelligence and the 'plurality of worlds.' It examines how early scientific thought was influenced by religious doctrines and how later scientific advancements led to a rejection of these ideas, often driven by a fear of intellectual embarrassment, particularly within institutions like NASA.

The Historical Context: From Religious Doctrine to Scientific Inquiry

The issue begins by questioning the apparent paradox between documented interest in a 'plurality of worlds' and scientific development. It highlights that legendary 18th-century figures like Immanuel Kant and Sir William Herschel, despite their revolutionary insights into solar systems and star distribution, were significantly impelled by a belief in extraterrestrial life, stemming from the theological 'principle of plenitude.' This religious inclination assumed that an Infinite God would not fail to create numerous habitable worlds.

The Rise and Rejection of 'the Plurality of Worlds'

As astronomical research advanced with more sophisticated telescopes, the stark inhabitability of planets in our solar system became apparent. This led to a divergence in scientific thinking, marking the beginning of 'rationalist science.' Scientists became increasingly embarrassed by the religiously-based cosmologies that initially supported the 'plurality of worlds' idea, which had even led to speculation about beings on the surface of the sun.

NASA's Intellectual Timidity and the 'Death-Knell' of 'Plurality of Worlds'

The article suggests that NASA exhibits discomfort with reawakening ideas about potentially inhabited planets, operating under a 'fear of intellectual embarrassment.' This fear is linked to the historical context of the 'plurality of worlds' concept, making it seem more appropriate for religious texts than scientific journals.

By the early twentieth century, scientific expectation of verifying extraterrestrial intelligence had largely diminished, with only a lingering 'anomaly' concerning Mars. The prevailing theory of planetary formation described planets as rare 'random by-products of near stellar collisions,' suggesting that in the entire history of the Milky Way Galaxy, there had been only one such event, leading to the conclusion that humanity might be alone in the universe.

The Scientific Resurrection: The Modern Basis for a 'Plurality of Worlds'

Despite the earlier conclusions, the scientific process continued. By the mid-20th century (the 1950s), breakthroughs led to a return to the idea of a galaxy filled with stars orbited by countless worlds. In 1959, the 'SETI Paradigm' – the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence – was proposed by astronomers Morrison and Cocconi. They suggested using microwave-radio equipment to listen for signals, arguing that radio transmissions would be more feasible than spaceship travel for interstellar communication due to the immense distances.

The Politics of SETI and the Rejection of Artefacts

The SETI Paradigm's focus on radio signals led to the exclusion of other scientific concepts, such as the possibility of extraterrestrial artefacts on nearby planets. This created a situation where if a phenomenon isn't a radio signal, it's not of interest to those searching for ETs. This focus also contributed to NASA's rejection of the 'Intelligence Hypothesis' concerning artefacts.

The 'Ultimate' Reason for NASA's Fear: The Wrong Planet!

The article posits that the ultimate reason for NASA's lack of serious investigation into the 'Intelligence Hypothesis' is that the evidence, particularly concerning Mars, is considered 'scientifically bad news.' Mars has been a subject of ridicule and scientific contention, with past controversies over 'Martians' and 'canals' leading to an 'exodus from planetary to stellar astronomy.' Scientists are reportedly loath to revisit such controversial topics, fearing a repeat of past scientific embarrassments.

Carl Sagan is cited as noting that the controversy led to a shortage of planetary astronomers. The issue suggests that NASA's current treatment of phenomena like the 'Face on Mars' is driven by a fervent fear of history repeating itself, potentially leading to a loss of funding and the destruction of the 'planetary scientist' profession.

The Meaning of Potential Artefacts on Mars

The article concludes that the disposition and implication of potential artefacts on Mars now lie not with scientists or agencies like NASA, but with the public's individual response to the question: 'Do we really want to know?' It suggests that the meaning of these artefacts is closer to ancient quests for answers than to NASA's 'timid and myopic non-response.'

Letters

Jim Goddard reports a sighting on June 25th of a small, black, round object moving at a constant speed, which appeared as a disc shape tumbling over and over when viewed through binoculars. The object was visible for approximately two minutes.

David Sankey is researching a case from May 1957 near Winkleigh airfield, UK, involving a witness named Mr. J. Payne. Payne reported seeing a submarine-shaped object parked on a runway with a large 'fin' on either side. Upon approaching, he felt an invisible force field. The object then shot upwards, and afterwards, a circle of blackened powder was discovered where it had been. Payne also noted his watch was 20 minutes slow.

The editor requests information regarding the May/June 1970 issue of 'Pegasus' concerning the Winkleigh Airfield case, as the archive is incomplete.

News in Brief/Sightings Roundup

Heathrow Airport Sighting (July 2006): Terry and Mary Haley reported seeing a large, dark, spherical object over Heathrow's skies. Terry, a retired British Airways worker, described it as looking like a large, dark rock, about the size of a jumbo jet, illuminated at the front, and moving at a steady pace without sound. The sighting lasted about a minute.

National Air Traffic Services (NATS) reported no unusual aircraft, but Ministry of Defence (MoD) archives revealed past UFO sightings in the Heathrow vicinity. The MoD record for a Heathrow sighting describes 'A ball of light with no colour passed under an aircraft, front to back very fast.' Terry, who is not a conspiracy theorist, remains baffled by the experience.

Moscow Sighting (August 2006): An article from the Russian newspaper 'Izvestiya' reports that residents of Moscow's Khimki suburb observed a UFO consisting of two V-shaped constructions linked by an invisible thread and surrounded by spherical particles falling towards the ground.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the historical and ongoing debate concerning extraterrestrial intelligence and the existence of other worlds. The publication seems to champion the pursuit of answers, even when faced with institutional resistance and scientific timidity, as exemplified by NASA's approach to Mars and UFO phenomena. The editorial stance, as indicated by the 'Letters' section and the reporting of various sightings, appears to be open to investigating unexplained phenomena and encouraging public engagement with these mysteries. The publication also highlights the tension between scientific dogma and genuine curiosity, suggesting that the pursuit of 'truth' may sometimes be at odds with the desire for professional security and funding.