Skywatch - No 04 - 1968 03-05

Magazine Overview

Title: Skywatch
Issue: No. 4
Date: March, April, May 1968
Publisher: Contact S.A.
Country: South Africa
Language: English

This issue of Skywatch, a quarterly publication of 'Contact' (S.A.), focuses on UFO phenomena, spirituality, and astronomy. The cover features an editorial section, and the magazine includes articles exploring the nature of UFO occupants, astronomical observations, and personal accounts related to UFO sightings.

Editorial

The editorial congratulates the East London members of Contact S.A. on launching their branch and expresses hope that other branches in Cape Town and Johannesburg will follow suit. It announces the formation of a National Committee, distinct from the Durban Local Committee, and congratulates Mr. Philip Human on his appointment as Chairman of the Durban Committee. The editorial mentions ongoing skywatching activities and an upcoming trip to the mountains arranged by young enthusiasts. It also references a successful public meeting with Mrs. Stella North as the guest speaker, whose emphasis was on spiritual beings on other planets, contrasting with the threat of total war and atomic explosions.

Take Higher Ground: Are Our Visitors Friendly or Hostile?

By Brinsley Le Poer Trench, International Chairman of Contact.

This article addresses the tendency in some prominent flying saucer magazines to label 'Sky People' as hostile. Trench argues that the solution to mankind's problems is spiritual and that visitors from outer space confirm this. He challenges the 'Twentieth Century Illusion' label given to UFO stories by skeptics. Trench posits that while flying objects have been observed throughout history, the significant increase in sightings since World War II does not necessarily indicate an imminent invasion. He questions why a highly advanced civilization would need twenty years for reconnaissance and points out that they could have easily destroyed humanity if they wished, but have not. He suggests that human ignorance and fear contribute to negative perceptions. The article also touches upon the danger of radiation sickness and burns from close proximity to UFOs, emphasizing this is not hostility but a consequence of ignorance. It mentions cases of landed saucers where occupants temporarily immobilized humans to avoid surprise, stating no harm came to those immobilized. Trench concludes by suggesting that humans themselves have a long record of hostility, which may have led to the 'Sky People' taking precautions. He advocates for a positive outlook, stating, "If we walk in the light we will not see the dark!"

The Mantell Case and UFO Hostility

The article delves into evidence presented to suggest saucers are hostile, highlighting the tragic death of Captain Thomas F. Mantell as the oldest example. On January 7th, 1948, Mantell, while on a training flight, pursued a huge glowing object over Kentucky. His squadron members dropped out due to lack of oxygen, but Mantell continued, reporting the object was metallic, tremendous in size, and moving at about half his speed. His plane was later found wreckage. The official U.S. Air Force view was that Mantell was chasing a Skyhook balloon, and their report cleared the object of blame, stating it was not directly responsible for the accident but that the pilot's excitement likely caused him to fly at high altitude without oxygen. The article also briefly mentions people suffering burns from UFO rays, attributing it to ignorance rather than hostility.

Astronomical Observations: The Sun and Moon

This section features an article titled "ESSENTIALS OF ASTRONOMY" by Gregory Roberts.

The Sun

The Sun is described as the center of our Solar System and the nearest star to Earth, a dwarf star halfway through its life cycle. Its diameter is 865,370 miles, and it is approximately 95 million miles away. The surface temperature is about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, with the center being three times hotter. It is characterized as a gigantic atomic reactor. Observing the Sun through a telescope is dangerous due to concentrated heat, and the writer recommends using protective measures like welders' glass or projecting the image onto a card. Sunspots are described as storms in the Sun's outer layers that affect radio communication. Observing sunspots over several days can reveal the Sun's rotation period of 27 days. The Sun's brightness fades towards its edge, and areas called faculae may be visible.

Photography of the Sun

Photography of the Sun is considered easy due to excess light, with suggestions for slow film and high shutter speeds. Specialized instruments can show flames leaping off the Sun's edge, normally visible only during a total eclipse. Such instruments are expensive and not known to be in amateur hands in South Africa.

The Moon

The Moon is presented as the next most conspicuous object in the sky and a paradise for amateur astronomers. Although it always shows the same face to Earth, its appearance changes due to illumination. The full moon is considered the worst time to observe due to the lack of shadows, which hinders the perception of relief. First quarter or half moon phases reveal shadows, making mountain ranges and craters visible. The Moon's surface is covered by thousands of craters, some as large as 180 miles in diameter, with central peaks and occasional breaks due to erosion. Mountain ranges and jagged shadows are also noted.

Moon Phenomena and Exploration

The Moon, with a diameter of 2160 miles, is a quarter million miles from Earth. The article anticipates man landing and exploring the Moon in the coming years. Reports of moving lights and other phenomena sighted on or projected against the Moon are mentioned, suggesting they could be UFOs or natural/artificial lights. Recent observations include erupting volcanoes and areas changing color and moving across the surface, all visible with an amateur telescope.

Response to Trends in the New Year

This section reports on activities in Durban. Gregory Roberts will lead the Astronomy group, meeting monthly. Those interested in the "starry heavens" can contact him. The space communication and electronics group has decided to wait for direction before building a radio to receive signals from space, with the note "nothing ventured nothing won!" The metaphysical side is still being organized, with updates to follow. The information needed for tuning radio sets to "space ships" is a specific megacycle frequency.

The Dick Miller Story

This is an extract from the Journal July-August, 1959, Issue No. 10, of AFSCA (Amalgamated Flying Saucer Clubs of America), written by Mark Smith.

Smith recounts an event from January 1948, while he was serving in the U.S. Air Force at Scott Field, Illinois. He describes intense excitement in the operations room as they listened to a radio transmission from Captain Thomas F. Mantell, who was on a routine training flight from Godman Air Force Base, Kentucky. Mantell was describing his chase of an unidentified flying object he had spotted on his way back to base. Smith vividly recalls the amazement on the faces of those present and his own pounding heart due to the excitement of the phenomena occurring miles away and thousands of feet in the air, at approximately 3:05 PM.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of UFO occupants, advocating for a spiritual understanding of the universe and challenging the prevalent notion of hostility from 'Sky People'. The magazine promotes a positive and hopeful outlook, emphasizing the power of thought and spiritual evolution. It also includes a strong interest in astronomical phenomena, presenting factual information about the Sun and Moon alongside speculative discussions about potential extraterrestrial visitors. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging members to engage with these topics from a spiritual and less fearful perspective, while also acknowledging the dangers and the need for caution. The magazine seems to position itself as a source of information and community for those interested in UFOs and related spiritual and scientific subjects.

This document, comprising pages -11- through -14- of what appears to be the journal 'Contact', published by the University of Natal Rocket Society and Research Group, details several UFO sightings and related events. The issue date is identified as 1961, with Volume 2, No. 1 of 'Blast-Off' being referenced for one of the accounts.

Capt. Mantell Incident

The issue begins with an account of Capt. Mantell's encounter with a UFO. On an afternoon in the early 1950s, Mantell reported sighting a metallic object of tremendous size. He described it as climbing higher and making approximately half his speed. He attempted to close in, but the object remained above him, making its speed or better. Mantell stated he would abandon the chase if he couldn't get closer, aiming for twenty thousand feet. His last recorded statement, which had not been previously released to the public, was spoken rapidly into his microphone: "My God......... I see people in this thing". Following this, there was silence. Capt. Mantell's death was not announced until later that day by the authorities at Godman Air Force base. The article notes that Capt. Mantell's death has never been satisfactorily explained, with many theories advanced. The author considers himself fortunate to have been one of the few to listen to Mantell's pursuit. The article also mentions that the rest of this story was printed in the journal of AFSCA in two parts.

Activities in the Skies

This section reports on UFO activity in various locations. Mass sightings of space ships over England have subsided, leading to thoughtful contemplation among the public, but "our Friends" are reportedly active elsewhere. News indicates that Ireland is experiencing its own share of sightings, with hundreds of people having seen these space ships.

Southern Africa Sightings

In Southern Africa, specifically Durban, on Christmas morning, Beverley Vincent and Brian Hobbs of "Contact S.A." observed an Adamski-shaped craft. This craft, described as having a circular base with a dome, was seen at 3:15 a.m. for thirty minutes. They were returning home on the Bluff and managed to awaken three other people. All five individuals clearly saw the craft, with some observing it through binoculars. No port holes or landing gear were visible, but the craft's color was gold.

At New Year, in Amanzimtoti (South Coast of Natal), Philip Human's native servant reported an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) the size of a full moon. It sailed majestically across the sky, hovered for several minutes, and then departed inland. The color of this craft was red.

A report heard over the National news from Vereeniging indicated that several people saw a UFO early in February, but no further details were obtainable. The magazine appeals to readers who might have information about this sighting.

Unidentified Flying Object Sighted Over Glencoe

This account is taken from "Blast-Off", the official publication of the University of Natal Rocket Society and Research Group, Durban (Volume 2, No. 1, 1961). On Tuesday night, December 13th, 1960, Gregory Roberts and his 14-year-old brother Graeme were observing the Geminie meteor shower.

At 9:20 p.m., they witnessed a very unusual sight. Mr. Roberts, an amateur astronomer with fourteen years of experience, stated he had never seen anything like it before. His brother first noticed the object above the south horizon. By the time Gregory could see it, it was almost directly overhead, slightly to the south west, and moving swiftly northwards. Gregory had his camera ready to photograph the meteor shower and took an exposure as the object moved northward. Suddenly, it veered through about 90 degrees and moved towards the eastern horizon, where it hovered momentarily before disappearing behind distant trees. The entire event occurred within a short space of nine seconds.

The object had an apparent diameter about equal to the moon. In appearance, it was slightly circular with sharply defined edges, resembling the Magellanic Clouds, both in magnitude (about +5) and appearance (appearing translucent). It was faint but did not disappear from sight. The possibility of it being a satellite, aeroplane, shooting star, or weather balloon was ruled out. The object was completely silent, the sky was cloudless and dark, and there was no wind.

Gregory developed the film shortly afterwards. Despite using twice the normal developing time, the negative revealed nothing. The film was Adok KB 21, exposed at f/2.8 for about 2 seconds. He had no idea of its altitude or size. He was later informed that two other observers, identified as Indians, had seen it from a locality some ten miles away.

Gregory Roberts also reported seeing an identical object over Durban in August 1965 at about 3 a.m. while tracking satellites. This object passed from the South West to the eastern horizon, through overhead, in a few seconds. Its appearance and size were identical to the one seen in 1960. He expressed hope for seeing more spectacular events, though he had not seen anything more significant since.

Notices

Page -14- contains notices for meetings in Durban. The meetings are scheduled for March 30th (Saturday), April 25th (Thursday), May 25th (Saturday), and June 27th (Thursday). All meetings are at the usual time and place: 7:30 p.m. at "THE CENTRE", 3rd Floor, Prince of Wales Building, 380 Smith Street. Doors open at 7 p.m. The telephone number listed is 29167. The notice welcomes questions, suggestions, and articles in both English and Afrikaans, with acceptance subject to approval. The correspondence address is Secretary, P.O. Box 2320, Durban.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and encounters, with a focus on detailed eyewitness accounts and investigations into unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and reporting of such events, encouraging reader participation and providing a platform for sharing information, as evidenced by the call for accounts of the Vereeniging sighting and the welcome for articles in multiple languages. The magazine seems dedicated to documenting and disseminating information about UFOs, particularly those observed in South Africa and surrounding regions, as well as historical cases like that of Capt. Mantell.