Sirius - Vol 1 No 4 - 1971 Cos-Mos Vol 2 No 3

Magazine Overview

This is a special combined issue of COS-MOS and SIRIUS, dated November 1971, presenting 'UFO news and views'. It is identified as COS-MOS Vol 2 No 3 and SIRIUS Vol 1 No 4. The cover features the titles 'COS-MOS' and 'SIRIUS' in boxes, a large black circle with the text 'Special combined issue' inside, and 'UFO news and views' at the bottom.

Editorial Announcement: The Launch of GEMINI

The lead article, 'An important notice from COS-MOS/SIRIUS', announces a significant change: the disbandment of the COS-MOS and SIRIUS organizations as functioning societies in July 1971. The primary reason cited is the excessive time consumed by administration, which detracts from actual research. The journals of both publications will be retained and combined into a new quarterly magazine titled 'GEMINI', scheduled for launch in early 1972. The Editorial Committee of GEMINI will engage in private research and encourage other UFO research bodies to do the same, emphasizing research as the primary concern. Subscribers are encouraged to conduct their own research and use GEMINI as a medium for publishing their findings. The Editorial Committee comprises the ex-editors and founders: Norman T Oliver, Mark Stenhoff, and C David Oakley-Hill. The issue also provides contact addresses for exchanges and subscriptions, and lists the Director (Norman T H Oliver), President (Dr G G Doel), and Vice-presidents (John Cleary-Baker, Lucius Farish).

COS-MOS Section

The Flintshire UFOs

This article details a series of UFO sightings that occurred in Flintshire, Wales, primarily in October 1970. The events centered around the TV mast at Afonwen, near the hamlet of Berthengan. Witnesses, including Mrs Stella Dickson, Mr & Mrs Hughes, and Mr & Mrs Woodward, reported various phenomena:

• October 10, 1970: A 'Red Object' was sighted by Rhyl witnesses, and two Berthengan witnesses saw UFOs.
• October 11, 1970: 'Tangerine-shaped objects' were sighted near the Afonwen TV mast.
• October 12, 1970: A 'flattened globular object' was sighted.
• October 13, 1970: Considerable TV interference was reported.
• October 15, 1970: Mr Hughes saw an object 'like a huge saucer on its side' emerge from the ground and move horizontally. Several other objects were seen 'going all over the place' and 'up and down', resembling 'huge balls of fire' or Roman Candles.
• October 18, 1970: Witnesses, including Mrs Dickson and Mrs Woodward, observed objects that looked like they were 'hanging on strings', with smaller 'little ones' emerging from them. These objects were described as 'big' and appeared to 'float'. Some objects reportedly 'burst' with a blue-green flash.

During these sightings, TV interference was noted, and on one occasion, a mysterious man was observed near the mast with a box and aerial, broadcasting in an unknown language. Police intervention occurred, with the man identified as a radio ham, though his description differed from the one previously seen. The article questions the nature of these UFOs, noting the time-lag between sightings and the van's arrival, the peculiar 'appendages', and the brilliance of the lights.

Destination Unknown - 2

This section explores mysterious disappearances across six geographical areas, suggesting a possible link to UFO phenomena. These areas include:

1. Eastern Australia, Tasman and Coral Seas: Mentioning the enigma of the 'Joyita'.
2. S.E. Africa and Madagascar: Highlighting the disappearance of the Blue Anchor Line ship 'Waratah' in 1908.
3. Mediterranean Area: Referencing RAF officers Day and Stewart vanishing in Iraq in 1924, and the British 1/4 Norfolk Regiment disappearing near Suva Bay in 1915.
4. Northern Argentina, Southern Brazil, and seas off Montevideo: Described as a region with legendary numbers of disappearances, sightings, and abductions.
5. Diamantina district, Brazil: R.A.Mafra witnessed his father disappear into a yellowish dust cloud in 1962, a phenomenon associated with disappearances.
6. Buenos Aires Province, Argentina: Two cases are detailed:
* In 1959, an Argentine businessman experienced a cloudy mass enveloping his car, leading to a loss of consciousness and finding himself miles away, while his car remained at the original location with the engine running.
* In May 1968, Dr G Videl and his wife were enveloped in a dense fog and lost 48 hours, reappearing in Mexico. Their watches had stopped, and their car was sent for scientific evaluation.

The author concludes by quoting Hamlet: 'There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio...' indicating the profound mysteries of UFO phenomena.

Mail Bag

This section contains letters from readers, offering feedback and comments on previous issues:

• Rosina Bishop praised articles on 'Green Land Beyond The Pole', John Keel's 'Trojan Horse', and the Bermuda Triangle.
• Terry Irwin clarified a previous letter regarding ouija board experiments conducted by COS-MOS members, stating that negative results only occurred on one occasion when Bernard Morton used a different crew.
• Ted Harris commented that the writer (presumably Norman Oliver) is the most talked-about person in UFO circles.
• David Rowe provided extensive feedback, praising 'Themes of Contact' but criticizing the division of the magazine into two halves. He questioned the reporting of mental messages without context and found 'Destination Unknown' and 'Green Land Beyond' to be repetitive.
• David Seaman criticized the inclusion of three pages publicizing SIUFOP, suggesting COS-MOS should focus on its own content.
• Clare Branch discussed predictions of 'Devastation Day' and the possibility of a ten-month or fifteen-month year, or calendar changes due to binary sun systems.
• J Theakstone apologized if his criticism of some articles as 'childish' was unfair, but appreciated the effort in compiling the magazine.

Green land beyond the pole

This article by R W Tibbitts details Rear Admiral R E Byrd's expedition to Antarctica in January-February 1947. The expedition, comprising 13 vessels and 4,000 men, conducted extensive aerial investigations. Key discoveries included:

• Radical alterations to maps of Antarctica.
• Great mountain peaks up to 15,000 feet high.
• New islands and peninsulas.
• An island oasis on Knox Coast, approximately 500 feet above sea level, with 'pea-green, muddy' lakes and dark brown mounds rising about 500 feet. The water in the lakes was noted to be warmer than the surrounding ice.

The article suggests that these discoveries might relate to unusual phenomena, possibly linked to UFOs.

SIRIUS Section

This section contains several shorter articles and reports:

• Strange lights over Mitcham
• Mystery of the Tungusian Tundra
• NU - The origin and power of the UFO
• Operation Trojan Horse - Review
• SIRIUS skywatch report
• Avenues of UFO investigation
• Who's Who in ufology No 3 (appears on cover iii)

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings and investigations, mysterious disappearances, and the administrative challenges faced by UFO research organizations. The editorial stance, as expressed in the announcement of GEMINI, is a strong emphasis on practical research, the dissemination of findings, and the encouragement of independent investigation by readers. There is a clear move away from the organizational structure of COS-MOS and SIRIUS towards a more research-focused publication.

Title: SIRIUS
Issue: UFO Chronicle
Date: August 1966 (with content spanning from the 1950s to the early 1970s)
Publisher: Society for Investigation and Research Into Unidentified flying object Sightings
Country: England

Review: 'Dead, but they won't lie down!' by Norman Oliver

Norman Oliver reviews an article by Arthur C. Clarke in the Daily Mail of 6 July 1970, which declared 'Flying Saucers are dead'. Clarke's article recounted his own 'seventh UFO' sighting, which turned out to be a weather balloon with a candle, sent by Colombo University. Oliver criticizes Clarke, stating that while he is a respected science fiction writer, he is not a 'top name' in Saucer Research, as he took too long to identify the balloon. Oliver argues that Clarke's assertion that the 'hysterical credulity of the late '40s has been replaced' is premature, and that there remains a residue of inexplicable sightings and landing reports.

Oliver counters Clarke's points by noting that:

1. While many reports are misidentifications (satellites, meteors, etc.), only one confirmed 'Flying Saucer' observation would be needed to prove the case.
2. The Condon Report did not explain all cases.
3. Astronauts have reported strange sights, and there have been UFO sightings not reported by Clarke.
4. Norad and early warning radar systems are designed to detect specific types of objects and would likely classify any unknown object as 'classified'.
5. An intelligence capable of interplanetary travel would likely have effective anti-radar devices.
6. The meteorite of 25.4.69 apparently avoided radar detection.

Oliver then presents three specific cases as evidence against Clarke's claim:

• The 'Antarctic Bases' UFO sighting (3.7.65): Personnel at Argentinian, Chilean, and British bases on Deception Island sighted a zigzagging UFO changing colour. It hovered for 20 minutes and then shot off at high speed. 10 photos were taken but not released.
• The 'Trinidade Island' UFO (1958): The official photographer on the Geophysical Year ship Almiral Saldanha documented a UFO seen by many on board. It flew in a 'figure 8' course over the island and out to sea, appearing translucent, pearly-grey, and 'Saturn-shaped'. The occurrence was logged as authentic.
• The 'Father Gill' sighting (16.6.59): 37 people at the Papuan Anglican mission supported the Rev William Gill's report of four 'humans' seen on a disc-like craft, operating a blue light emanating upwards from the deck over several hours.

Report from Göteborg (1968)

This section details a UFO sighting report (No. 398 - 1968) from UFO-Göteborg rep. no.: 62 - 1967. Observers B. Grehn, R. Rydebrandt, B. Ferm, and T. Berglund reported an object on April 25, 1967, at 9:30 PM in Johanneberg, Göteborg. The object was described as changing colour from red, moving slowly while blinking, and was observed through telescopes. It was identified as an 'Adamski type' object and hovered for 10 seconds. A diagram shows the object relative to Castor, Pollux, Venus, and O. Pollux.

Looking Back

This section presents two reports collected by Joel Rehnstrom from UFO enthusiasts in Finland in the early 1960s.

1. Tyrvanto Farmer's Wife (October 1957): While bathing in a sauna, the witness saw a twinkling star-like object on the horizon that grew larger and came closer. It crossed a small island and turned westwards. The witness then saw a 'mighty round "heavenly lamp" with a light lustreless "lampshade" rotating majestically' over the lake, about 50 meters up. A strong bright lightball above it also rotated. The phenomenon lit up the area for about half a kilometer. No sound was heard.
2. Raisio Farmer (September 15, 1958): The witness and his wife saw four objects in the sky. One was large and round, and three were smaller. The large one hovered while the smaller ones made a 'smokescreen' around it. The smaller vehicles disappeared first, followed by the large one, which rose straight up. The event lasted about 2 minutes.

Themes of Contact - Presented by Norman Oliver

This section, 'Themes of Contact', aims to provide a more in-depth study of cases, with reader contributions to be included. It covers contact by Radio, TV, 'Light-Beam', and Tape-Recorders.

The Dick Miller Story

• Background: In January 1948, Dick Miller, serving in the US Air Force, heard the Mantell incident report. He later became interested in UFOs and contacts.
• Early Communications: Miller experimented with short-wave radio and, in the autumn of 1954, received a powerful signal with a hollow-sounding tone. A voice, speaking English, stated, 'Gentlemen, we estann (scrutinise) your presence. We have a knowledge of your group: we have a representative among you: our intentions towards you are friendly. Continue to listen on this wave-length we will have further messages for you.'
• Subsequent Messages: On September 15, 1954, another communication stated that they could read his mind telepathically and that the method was 'tiring'. They advised him to 'continue to observe us, we will speak again.' These messages were later recorded by an amateur radio ham.
• The MASAR Message and Plans: Miller found plans for an electronic apparatus in his mailbox, which engineers confirmed represented a device to build a Light-Beam transmitter and receiver. The plans included the word 'MASAR', possibly meaning MARS. The engineering concepts were alien to current technology.
• Further Radio Communications: On September 28, 1954, Miller received another message signed MASAR, directing him to see Adamski regarding the light ray. Later, on the 16-meter band, a message intended for Hunt Williamson and Desmond Leslie was intercepted, written in Morse code. A final message before the light-beam apparatus was operational mentioned a possible contact with US President Eisenhower and stated that the senders came from Mars, with others from Venus and planets around Alpha Centauri.
• Light-Beam Apparatus and Messages: Miller built the light-beam apparatus and received messages with titles like 'To Men of Earth', 'Monka and Merku Speak', 'Elementary Magnetics', and 'Magnetics and Spacecraft', allegedly from spacemen of Centaurian, Venusian, or Martian origin.
• Scientific Formula: Miller was given a formula 'of great import': Gr. = (2KR/TA)², where R is Magnetic Momentum, A is Angular Momentum, Gr. is the Gravitational Constant, and T is a correction factor of 0.25. He was told that solving it was important for understanding the relationship between various factors.
• Contact Experience: In October 1954, Miller was directed to a spot near Ann Arbor for contact. A silvery-coloured saucer, about 150ft in diameter, descended and hovered. A ramp lowered, and Miller entered a circular hallway. He met a man named 'Sol-tec' who discussed Earth's problems and humanity's activities. Miller was then returned to Earth.

Some "Transmitted" Opinions

• THE SAUCERS SPEAK (Neville Spearman): Reviewed as claiming communication with spacecraft mostly by radiotelegraphy, but the author George Hunt Williamson's account relies on Ouija Board and Automatic Writing. The communication uses abbreviations and codes with no clear meaning.
• Mr & Mrs Williamson and Mr & Mrs Bailey: These witnesses to Adamski's encounter received messages before the contact. They were told to contact 'Mr R', who then received Morse messages including names and codes from the Williamsons/Baileys. Contact ceased when 'Mr R' capitulated to a 'Mr Clarke' (believed to be a MIB).
• John Otto's Experiments: On April 30, 1957, John Otto attempted 'landing contact' by light beam communication. Two boats on Lake Michigan lit flares, and observed a distant flare drop and meteor-like flashes. A message was sent requesting complete radio silence for a reply.

Strange lights over Mitcham

Investigated by Norman Oliver and C David Oakley-Hill. Miss Margaret Argent, a 17-year-old dental nurse, reported seeing two big bright lights on March 13th. She described them as miles too big for an aeroplane, with no navigation lights, and hovering for about two minutes. The lights were like car headlights but bigger. The object moved sideways and vanished completely after about half a minute. It passed over trees and moved surprisingly fast. There was no sound. The object was described as 'clear lights' and appeared to be about old halfpenny size at arm's length. The description seems to rule out aircraft.

Mystery of the Tungusian Tundra (Part 3)

This final part discusses Professor Krinow's theory of a comet explaining the 1908 Siberian explosion. It contrasts this with articles attacking UFOs by Professor Artzymowicz. Mr Ziegel's article elaborates on research by Dr Zolotov, focusing on the ratio of ballistic wave frequency to blast wave. The analysis suggests the damage was caused by a blast wave from an explosion, possibly a chemical or nuclear reaction, indicated by scorched tree stumps emitting luminous rays.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings, alleged extraterrestrial contact, and scientific investigations into these phenomena. There is a clear stance against dismissing UFO reports outright, as evidenced by the critique of Arthur C. Clarke's article. The publication encourages reader participation and presents a wide range of cases, from detailed contact experiences to unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, seeking to study and discuss these topics, even if the veracity of some claims is questioned ('I DO consider them worthy of study and discussion'). The magazine also features historical accounts and reviews of relevant literature.

GEMINI, 'The twin UFO journal', is a publication resulting from the amalgamation of COS-MOS and SIRIUS. This issue, dated November 1970, is presented as 'BIGGER * BETTER * KEEP INFORMED' and promises 'ALL FEATURES OF THIS ISSUE AND MORE'. The cover features the stylized GEMINI logo and subscription details for four issues in 1972 for £1.

The Tunguska Event: A Nuclear Mystery?

The issue prominently features an in-depth analysis of the 1908 Tunguska explosion. Antoni W Szachnowski argues that the event was not a natural phenomenon but likely caused by a manufactured, nuclear-propelled, intelligently controlled unidentified flying object. He cites evidence such as the immense heat generated (millions of degrees), the elongated and irregular damage pattern in the Tundra, and the absence of a crater or meteor debris. The explosion is described as having two phases, suggesting a nuclear reaction within a non-explosive container, leading to a thermo-nuclear explosion. Dr Ziegel's official line, 'exploding head of a comet,' is presented as a conformist explanation.

The article details the event's timeline: noon on June 30, 1908, in remote Siberia. Eyewitnesses reported a distant rumble, a ball of fire brighter than the sun, and a mushroom cloud. The airwave circled the globe, felt in London and recorded in Washington. For days, the sky was illuminated by sunlight on high-altitude dust, allowing people to read newspapers at midnight in Paris and take midnight pictures in Moscow.

Sixty years later, scientists are investigating the site. They found 6000 miles of trees uprooted, lying radially from a central point. However, at the very center, trees remain standing, dead and without bark, resembling scorched telegraph poles. The absence of a crater and meteor fragments rules out a typical meteorite impact. The survival of these central trees suggests the explosion occurred in the air above them. Botanists examining saplings found unusually wide growth rings for ten years following 1908, indicating radioactivity, a phenomenon not found in nature and suggesting artificial production.

UFO Theories and Physics

Alan Watts, a meteorologist and ufologist, delivered a talk on UFOs, discussing sightings since 1947 and potential advancements in UFO design. He suggested the use of 35000 BC rocket techniques, solar power by ancient cults, and nuclear power in ancient India. Watts also touched upon car-stopping incidents, heat emanations, and ground marks associated with UFOs.

He explained fundamental particles, including the production of electrons and positrons from gamma radiation and the concept of 'NU-ETHER,' a theory proposing that the vacuum is filled with particles and antiparticles. UFO propulsion is theorized to involve a matter/anti-matter generator within a 'saucer' craft, separating particles to create a propulsive force. This could explain electro-magnetic effects and the 'fuzziness' in photographs due to ionized air. The shape of Adamski-type saucers and their ability to hover are also addressed, with forces directed downwards to counteract gravity and smaller forces for maneuverability.

The 'radiation image' effect, where objects appear truncated due to changes in the refractive index of space caused by high magnetic fields, is discussed. The glow of UFOs might be explained by the cyclotron principle, where fast-rotating electrons emit visible electromagnetic radiation. Holographic techniques for projecting 3D images are also considered as a possible UFO capability.

Book Review: 'Operation Trojan Horse'

Mark Stenhoff reviews John Keel's 'Operation Trojan Horse,' noting that the book, edited down from 2000 pages, leaves some of Keel's theories without sufficient support. Keel's central thesis is that UFOs are not extraterrestrial but a form of intelligent energy that materializes temporarily, leaving decoys to distract investigators. Other objects are described as 'soft,' changing shape, and operating at the highest frequency spectrum. Keel suggests this intelligence has communicated with humans throughout history via religious visions, spiritualism, and now through contactees.

Stenhoff questions Keel's interpretation of meteor showers as evidence of intelligent control and his specific claims about the 'Scoriton' entity and the location of found pieces. Despite criticisms, Stenhoff finds the book potentially closer to the truth than many others on the topic and recommends it for further research, advising readers to have a good background knowledge of UFOs.

SIRIUS Skywatch Report and Investigation Avenues

The issue includes a report on the SIRIUS skywatch on National Skywatch Day, June 26, 1971. Four participants observed the sky from Bard Hill, noting only four satellites and a strange orange light, later identified as a distress flare. Another watch in Halstead on June 30 was unsuccessful due to overcast skies.

Fred Gardner contributes an article on 'Avenues of UFO Investigation,' emphasizing the need for factual, non-conjectural study. He encourages readers to conduct their own observations and decide what evidence is convincing. Gardner suggests various investigation methods, including organized skywatches, collecting UFO bibliographies, studying ancient mythology and religious texts, scrutinizing newspapers, considering psychological factors, researching archeology and geology, and examining terrain patterns ('orthoteny'). He stresses the importance of an open mind and independent judgment.

Other Features

The magazine also touches upon the 'Moons of Venus' mystery, where satellites were reportedly observed in the past despite Venus theoretically having none. It lists available magazines from SIRIUS and other UFO publications, and provides information on upcoming meetings organized by COS-MOS, SIRIUS, and BUFORA, covering topics like the UFO enigma, the physical nature of UFOs, and Project Warminster.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the enigmatic nature of UFO phenomena, with a strong emphasis on investigating the 1908 Tunguska event as a potential example of advanced, possibly extraterrestrial, technology. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous investigation and open-mindedness, encouraging readers to move beyond conventional explanations and explore unconventional hypotheses, particularly those involving advanced physics and intelligent control. There is a clear skepticism towards purely natural explanations for phenomena like the Tunguska event and a willingness to entertain theories of artificial or extraterrestrial origins.