Skywatch - No 05 - 1968 06-08

Magazine Overview

Title: Skywatch
Issue: No. 5
Date: June-July-August 1968
Publisher: N/A (Published by 'Contact' (S.A.))
Country: South Africa
Language: English

This issue of Skywatch, a quarterly publication of 'Contact' (S.A.), focuses on themes of spiritual evolution, contact with extraterrestrial beings, and astronomical phenomena. The cover features the magazine's title prominently, along with the issue number and date, and a small illustration of a flying saucer.

Editorial: The Coming Age of Peace

The editorial, titled 'EDITORIAL.', sets a tone of urgency regarding the current state of the world, contrasting those who advocate war and poverty with the emerging signs of a 'New Age'. It mentions visions of the Madonna and the Master, aligning these with Biblical prophecy and predictions from 'Visitors' from space. The editorial calls for members of 'Contact' and progressive thinkers to align with 'forces of Light' to build a lasting peace and facilitate humanity's spiritual evolution. It suggests that Earth is a 'School of Learning' and expresses hope that humanity has learned from past mistakes. The ultimate vision is one of lasting peace where humanity can receive 'Visitors' from across the Universe to fulfill a divine plan.

News of Other Centres

This section reports on the activities of 'Contact' groups in various locations. A new 'Contact' group has commenced in Johannesburg, South Africa. The article notes that the question of U.F.O.'s is considered the most important problem facing modern man, second only to the war in Vietnam, according to U Thant, Secretary General of the United Nations. The group, founded in February 1967, is in touch with approximately twenty other groups globally. It highlights that discussing 'flying saucers' is no longer unfashionable, with scientists forming exclusive clubs to study the evidence. The 'Contact Library' is available for members to borrow publications for a nominal fee. Miss Elsbeth Murray is listed as the 'Contact Librarian' in Durban, South Africa. The section also provides a list of international U.F.O. groups with which they are in touch, including locations in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne), Canada (Ontario, Montreal), Denmark (Copenhagen), England (London, Newcastle-on-Tyne), West Germany (Munstermm Annstrabi), India (Ceylon), New Zealand (Henderson, Timaru), Norway (Oslo, Bon), Rhodesia (Salisbury), South America (Buenos Aires, Santiago), Sweden (Stockholm), Switzerland (Geneva), and the U.S.A. (Defiance, Ohio, Mount Rainier, Washington).

Sky Watching Day and Anniversaries

Monday, June 24th, is highlighted as International Sky Watching Day, with an encouragement for people to form small parties to observe the skies for U.F.O. sightings. The article recalls a spectacular display of six UFOs over Ascension Airport the previous year that disrupted communications. It also marks the 21st anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's sighting of U.F.O.'s over Mount Rainier, suggesting that these craft have been visiting Earth for centuries and that this date signifies the beginning of public recognition for these 'visitors'.

Invitation by Telepathy

An experiment called "Invitation by Telepathy" was scheduled for Friday evening, June 21st, 1968. Members worldwide were invited to sit quietly for fifteen to twenty minutes, focusing their minds to send out a thought of contact with the 'Visitors' and concentrating on a spaceship. A suggested message was: "an offer to help in the Great Work; direct the thought to the Cosmic Centre in Central Asia: desire to contact, offer of assistance in raising humanity (that's their main work) and offer to take the responsibility of such a contact." Following this, participants were to sit for another 15-20 minutes, attuned to the Christ, to receive a response. Leaders of various Contact groups were to link up, and the following evening (June 22nd) was designated for 'energetic skywatchers' to keep vigil for the 'Visitors'. Readers were asked to share the results of their experiences.

"Essentials of Astronomy" by Gregory Roberts

This article provides an overview of astronomical bodies. It begins by describing planetoids, asteroids, or minor planets, which occupy the belt between Mars and Jupiter. Their discovery and tracking have been aided by the telescope and camera. The largest known asteroids, Ceres (437 miles in diameter) and Pallas (287 miles), are mentioned, with most others being smaller. Some asteroids are not spherical, with one suspected of being cylindrical. Their orbits vary, with some, like Hidalgo, going beyond Saturn, and others, like Hermes, passing close to Earth. Icarus is noted for making a close pass of 4 million miles in June 1968. The origin of asteroids is speculated to be the remnant of a shattered planet. The article then discusses comets, describing them as spectacular heavenly bodies, often appearing as fuzzy objects with long tails. Their tails are thought to be a result of reaction with sunlight. The size of comets can be immense, with the 1811 comet having a diameter of 1,225,000 miles and its tail being 200,000,000 miles long. American scientists are planning to land spacecraft on comets. The article also covers meteors, shooting stars, fireballs, and solides, explaining that when they impact Earth, they are called meteorites or aerolites. Approximately 10,000 meteors enter Earth's atmosphere daily, though only about 10 are visible per hour to the naked eye. Meteors burn up in the atmosphere due to friction, typically at altitudes of 10 to 60 miles, traveling at 5-6 miles per second. Meteor showers, such as the Perseids and Geminids, occur when Earth intersects streams of meteors. The size of meteors ranges from specks to large objects weighing millions of tons, with the average being pea-sized. The Earth's atmosphere provides protection by burning up most meteors.

Famous Meteor Falls

Two notable meteor falls are mentioned: the Azina meteor crater in the U.S.A. and the Great Siberian meteor of 1908. The latter is noted for its potential catastrophic impact, with it being stated that if it had fallen 4 hours and 47 minutes earlier, it would have obliterated Leningrad.

On the Road from Sydney to Melbourne by Joanna Hugill

This article, taken from the March/April 1968 edition of "Flying Saucer Review", recounts an encounter experienced by a motor-cyclist, referred to as Mr. Hunter, on the highway between Sydney and Melbourne. The article was prepared by Joanna Hugill from a taped interview with the witness, cross-examined by Peter Norris and N. Thornhill of the Victoria Flying Saucer Research Society (V.F.S.R.S.). The witness requested anonymity due to the derisive reactions of his friends. Mr. Hunter was riding at 70 m.p.h. when he was engulfed in a brilliant bluish-white light, forcing him to stop. He observed a metallic object, described as resembling two inverted saucers separated by a metal band, hovering 3 to 4 feet off the ground. The object had a dome and a flat-topped bell, with a black protrusion at the bottom. The upper half was polished chrome-like metal, while the lower half was dark grey. The dome was unpolished silvery metal. Mr. Hunter estimated the object's width at 25-30 feet and its depth at 15 feet. He also noticed a black crescent-shaped mark on the dome. Subsequently, he saw two figures, about 5 feet tall, wearing close-fitting silver overalls and helmets resembling opaque fishbowls, standing beside the craft. The figures moved similarly to humans. Mr. Hunter, initially scared, stood his ground. The figures then moved towards him. Frightened, he jumped on his motorcycle and sped away at 100-120 m.p.h. The craft, emitting a pink glow, followed him at an estimated height of 100-200 feet. He attempted to flag down other vehicles for witnesses, but none stopped. He then stopped again, and the craft tilted, its glow changing to a deep red before shooting straight up into the air at tremendous speed and vanishing. Mr. Hunter, who previously dismissed UFO reports as nonsense, was convinced of the reality of his experience.

Subscription Information and Library Services

Readers interested in subscribing to "Flying Saucer Review" are offered assistance in organizing subscriptions. The magazine is distributed to prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Library of the House of Commons, the Library of Congress, and the Soviet Academy of Sciences. The article concludes with an invitation for readers to order the magazine directly from the Editor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the anticipation of a spiritual transformation and the arrival of 'Visitors' from space, coupled with a desire for global peace. The editorial stance is optimistic about the future, viewing current global issues as part of a learning process towards a higher spiritual state. There is a strong emphasis on 'Contact' groups and their efforts to facilitate this transition. The inclusion of astronomical information suggests a broader interest in the universe and humanity's place within it. The detailed reporting of UFO sightings, particularly the Mr. Hunter case, underscores the magazine's commitment to investigating and documenting such phenomena.

This document is page 11 of issue 11 of the magazine "Flying Saucer Review". It contains information on subscription details, public meetings, and a compilation of UFO sightings in Southern Africa during March and April 1968. The magazine is published in the United Kingdom and is in English.

Subscription and Contact Information

The editorial office for Flying Saucer Review is located at 21 Cecil Court, Charing Cross Road, London W.C. 2. Subscriptions are handled at 49a Kings Grove, London E. C. 15. The cost for six copies via overseas money order is R3.00, equivalent to £1.10.0.

Public Meetings

Page 12 discusses a problem faced by the Committee regarding the monthly meetings in Durban. While attendance has been increasing, some members are unhappy with the amount of U.F.O. subject matter. The Committee acknowledges the vastness of Ufology but struggles to find willing and authoritative speakers. They previously suggested bi-monthly or quarterly meetings due to a lack of suitable speakers, but the consensus was to continue monthly meetings. Despite requests for suggestions on meeting topics, no input was received. The Committee urges members to write in with their thoughts, expressing a desire to publish letters and stimulate discussion.

U.F.O. Sightings in Southern Africa

Pages 13 and 14 detail several UFO sightings from March and April 1968:

• March 9th, 1968 (8:20 p.m., Middelburg, Transvaal): Mrs. Faith ffrench-Coulston reported two separate UFOs seen distinctly by four people. Two people followed one object, and the other two followed the second.
• March 11th, 1968 (6:15 p.m., Mabasu, Swaziland): Carolyn Jerman reported an object three times the size of the sun, accompanied by a smaller object of the same shape. The larger object was dome-shaped with pink "candy floss" clouds underneath, appearing as lights. The object was silent.
• March 12th, 1968 (7:15 p.m., 7:25 p.m., 8:55 p.m., Johannesburg, Transvaal): Mrs. Marlene Claydon reported three UFOs. The first was seen rising steeply in the East, veering, and streaking South. It either appeared twice within ten minutes, or a second UFO was seen. A third object (No. 3) was observed for approximately seven minutes. All observed UFOs pulsated, appeared solid, and had bright star-like edges. The sightings occurred during a bright moonlit night with many stars, over a residential area.
• April 4th, 1968 (7:00 p.m., Transvaal): Tommy Mitchell reported a pinpoint of light flashing through the sky at incredible speed. Later, a glowing ball appeared, grew to half the size of the full moon, turned sharply, and disappeared suddenly. It was seen for two minutes and covered about a third of the sky. No clouds were present.
• April 8th, 1968 (Time not noted, Middelburg, Transvaal): Mrs. Faith ffrench-Coulston reported a large white object passing silently overhead, noted as being too close to be an aeroplane. It was dark with many stars visible.
• April 15th, 1968 (7:58 p.m., Cape Town): Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Roberts observed two elongated objects travelling swiftly and silently towards the South-West. They were identical and separated by about half a degree, flying parallel. The upper object led by about a degree. During five to six seconds of observation, they crossed an arc of about 70 degrees along the horizon. They were not bright (third or fourth magnitude) and had no local concentrations of light. They were described as four to five times as long as wide, had an elevation of 15°, and left behind a hazy trail, similar to a jet.
• April 21st, 1968 (5:55 p.m., Durban): Miss E. F. Murray, Mr. Roland Sieley, and Mr. Brian Chapman reported an object appearing over the sea in the North East direction. It was seen for five minutes, with no sound and only a few stars visible. It hovered for thirty seconds and then receded fast. A plane was observed flying below the object, flicking its lights.

No sightings were reported for May at the time of printing.

Notices

Page 15 lists upcoming events:

• Durban:
• June 23rd: Sunday, all day sky watch picnic. Destination to be decided.
• July 27th: Meeting, Sandy's Supermarket, 9:15 for 9:30 a.m.
• August 29th: Thursday
• September 28th: Saturday
• October 31st: Meeting place, The Centre, Prince of Wales Building, 3rd Floor, Smith Street, Durban at 7:30 p.m.

• Johannesburg:
• June 10th: At 17 Westmeath Road, Parview, Johannesburg, at 8:00 p.m.
• July 1st: At 17 Westmeath Road, Parview, Johannesburg, at 8:00 p.m.
• August 5th: At 17 Westmeath Road, Parview, Johannesburg, at 8:00 p.m.
• September 2nd: At 17 Westmeath Road, Parview, Johannesburg, at 8:00 p.m.

Correspondence Address

Page 6 provides the correspondence address: Secretary, P.O. Box 2320, Durban.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the practicalities of organizing and engaging members in ufology-related activities, specifically public meetings, and the reporting of contemporary UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging member participation and discussion, while also diligently documenting reported phenomena. There's an implicit acknowledgment of the challenges in maintaining member interest and finding suitable content for meetings, balanced with a commitment to presenting UFO evidence.