Skywatch - No 07 - 1968 12-19 69 02-03

Magazine Overview

Title: Skywatch
Issue: No. 7
Date: December, 1968. January, February, 1969.
Publisher: CONTACT (S.A)
Country: South Africa
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Editorial: The Second Coming and UFOs

The editorial in this issue of Skywatch, titled "EDITORIAL," begins by reflecting on the approaching festive season and the significance of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, His life, ministry, and the prophecy of His second coming. The author draws a parallel between the signs of the times described in the Bible concerning Christ's Second Coming and the conditions prevailing on Earth, referred to as the "latter days." The central question posed is whether there is a relationship between the Second Coming and the phenomena of UFOs.

The editorial notes that while UFO sightings are not new, they have become a worldwide phenomenon in recent times, contrasting with isolated cases recorded over the last 2,000 years. It ponders the form and nature of Christ's re-appearance, considering possibilities of a physical return versus a manifestation in consciousness or an etheric form. The author suggests that given the evolutionary process of mankind and its transition into another dimension, UFOs might possess an ethereal nature.

To explore this, the magazine presents extracts from a booklet titled "Flying Saucers, Physical and Spiritual Aspects" by Dr. Georg Unger, viewed through the lens of Dr. Rudolf Steiner's "Spiritual Science" or "Anthroposophy." The editorial defines Anthroposophy as a knowledge produced by the Higher Self, a path to guide the spiritual in humanity towards the spiritual in the Universe. It argues that modern humans need more than scientific descriptions or psychological understanding; they require a living certainty of their eternal being and a graspable knowledge of the spiritual.

Spiritual Science is presented as distinct from dreamy mysticism, employing a method based on the inner being of man and developing faculties for spiritual perception as clearly as material conceptions. It is described as an ancient pursuit, now made accessible to all humanity. The editorial contrasts this with the material world's dominance, suggesting a need to rise from material knowledge to a renewed mystery reality, with knowledge of the Spirit being integrated into scientific research.

Are the Saucers Real?

This section delves into the question of whether UFOs are real, distinguishing between phenomena and their interpretation. It discusses how misinterpretations can occur, such as mistaking a meteor for an aircraft or projecting distant lights onto backgrounds. The text explains that psychological reality is often based on mutual confirmation through different senses, but in the case of UFOs, radar sets are used as a substitute for the sense of touch.

The article then examines points raised by Keyhoe, who reported on his fight with Air Force officials to obtain documents revealing simultaneous visual and radar observations of saucers. Keyhoe's interpretation was that these were interplanetary machines. However, the magazine's analysis challenges this reasoning, stating that while simultaneous observations prove the phenomena are 'physical' and well-defined in space, eliminating hypotheses like mirages or mass hysteria, they do not necessarily prove the existence of solid, interplanetary bodies.

The text clarifies that radar returns indicating 'metallic' or 'solid' objects do not automatically equate to spaceships. It criticizes "sloppy thinking" that jumps to conclusions based on phenomena occurring in space and time. The article asserts that many UFOs are real phenomena, but they need not be solid objects, and are distinct from balloons or meteors.

Man's New Faculties and the Second Coming of Christ

This section connects the understanding of new clairvoyant faculties with the events of the Mystery of Golgotha and the Second Coming of Christ, as understood in Spiritual Science. The Mystery of Golgotha is seen as a pivotal event in history, marking the passage of a God through human destiny and giving Earth its meaning. Christ's coming is viewed as planting a seed in humanity, enabling a conscious relation to the supersensible world and fostering brotherhood.

Spiritual Science posits that humanity's evolution is moving towards ego-consciousness, with the human incarnation of a Spiritual Model of an Ego-Christ as a turning point. The Second Coming of Christ is described as an event that will occur in an etheric form, not a physical re-appearance, as that event was unique. The text warns against misunderstandings, particularly those who expect a physical return, and highlights the importance of deeper insight into the Christ Mystery.

It is stated that an increasing number of personal encounters with Christ are occurring, not as hallucinations but as experiences of overwhelming reality, taking place in the etheric realm. These encounters are described as the true nature of Christ's re-appearance "in the clouds." The article references St. Mark's Gospel (Chapter 13, verses 5-26) for its bearing on the present-day situation, which includes signs of impending disaster and persecution.

The magazine cautions against looking for physical messengers or pseudo-religions focused on physical inhabitants of outer space. Instead, it emphasizes understanding the ethereal nature of prophecies about the Second Coming. The text suggests that men will learn to perceive Christ through etheric vision, growing upward towards Him, who will appear in an etheric body. Rudolf Steiner's insights into the transformation of human soul faculties, leading to etheric vision, are highlighted as the most significant event of our time.

These new soul faculties are expected to appear soon among isolated souls. The article warns that if materialism triumphs, humanity might fail to understand these initial signs of new capacities, leading to a catastrophe. It suggests that the preoccupation with saucer phenomena might be a symptom of the materialism that Dr. Steiner warns against, distorting true imaginative pictures of the etheric realm into images of flying saucers and "little men."

The issue concludes by urging readers to consider these points in the context of the approaching New Age, the re-appearance of Christ, and the transition into another dimension. It offers Christmas and New Year wishes, with the exhortation: "Awake, thou that sleepest!"

How Mars Diverted Halley's Comet in 1910

This article, authored by Philipp Human, discusses the recent visit of comet "Icarus" and the mounting interest in the scheduled appearance of "Halley's" Comet on February 5, 1986. It references a piece from the Natal Mercury by G.R. Lane, stating that the origin and age of Halley's Comet are unknown.

The text details the average interval between the comet's visits, which is approximately 76,903 years, but has varied between 74.5 and 79.3 years, depending on planetary disturbances. It notes that while Edmund Halley, England's second Astronomer Royal, became convinced that the comet seen in 1682 was identical to previous appearances, his prediction of its return in 1758 was initially derided. However, a farmer in Dresden, Germany, spotted it on Christmas Day of 1758, vindicating Halley's prediction and leading to the comet being named after him.

Halley's Comet is described as a massive object, at least 30 times larger than Earth, traveling at 100 miles per second. The article mentions plans for a fleet of probes, powered by American Saturn rockets, to rendezvous with the comet. It then presents a speculative account of the 1910 encounter, where "Martians" detected the comet on a collision course with Earth. According to this account, the Martians, part of a "Confederation of Eleven Planets," sent their Sixth Division of interplanetary spacecraft to observe and potentially destroy the comet if it endangered Earth. The article concludes by stating that the comet miraculously changed its course, a fact detected and reported by the Martian craft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Skywatch revolve around the intersection of unexplained phenomena (UFOs) with spiritual and esoteric beliefs. The editorial strongly advocates for a spiritual interpretation of UFOs, linking them to the concept of Christ's Second Coming and the evolution of human consciousness as described by Rudolf Steiner. The magazine appears to promote Anthroposophy and Spiritual Science as frameworks for understanding both UFOs and spiritual events. There is a clear stance against purely materialistic explanations for these phenomena, urging readers to look beyond physical interpretations towards a more spiritual or etheric understanding. The inclusion of the Halley's Comet article, with its speculative extraterrestrial intervention narrative, further supports the magazine's focus on extraordinary events and potential non-human intelligence.

This issue of Skywatch, dated December 1967, focuses on two main areas: the fundamentals of astronomy and various reported UFO sightings. The magazine aims to educate both young skywatchers and amateur astronomers.

Essentials of Astronomy

This section, written by Gregory Roberts, delves into the practical aspects of amateur astronomy. It emphasizes the critical role of eyepieces in telescope performance, noting that even a high-quality main mirror can be rendered ineffective by poor eyepieces. The article discusses various types of eyepieces, including microscope eyepieces (limited use in telescopes), binocular eyepieces, Huygen, Kellner, Ramsden, and orthoscopic eyepieces, highlighting their suitability for different telescope types and magnifications. The orthoscopic is noted as the best all-around eyepiece but is expensive.

The importance of a stable telescope mount is also stressed, with the writer stating that a poor mount can be more frustrating than the telescope itself. Two primary mount types are described: the altazimuth, which is simple but requires two motions to track celestial objects, and the equatorial mount, which is more complex but allows for single-axis tracking, especially when fitted with a drive. The German, English, and fork equatorial mounts are mentioned, with considerations for their construction and portability.

Observing techniques are presented as experience-based, but fundamental advice is given. The article debunks the myth that higher magnification always means seeing more, stating that atmospheric conditions often limit useful magnification. Different celestial objects require different observing approaches: the Moon is forgiving, planets have specific preferences for magnification (Venus likes low, Mars/Jupiter/Saturn prefer high), and double stars, star clusters, nebulae, comets, and star fields benefit from high and low powers, respectively. The writer notes that clear skies, often occurring after rainfall or during low temperatures, are ideal for observing difficult details like Martian canals or Jovian moon markings. The sky of South Africa is suggested to be better for observing in the morning hours.

A personal anecdote is shared about an amateur who built his own telescope and stayed up all night observing, highlighting the common introduction to astronomy through a friend's telescope. The writer recalls observing a bright comet in 1948.

Young Skywatchers

This section aims to educate younger readers about identifying various aerial phenomena. It begins by explaining the origin of the term "Flying Saucer." Six categories of moving lights in the night sky are detailed:

1. Satellite: A man-made space ship that moves steadily in a straight line, usually of one color.
2. Shooting Star or Meteor: A piece of rock entering Earth's atmosphere, appearing as a quick flash of light.
3. Comet: Moves slowly across the sky, often with a tail, appearing as a ball of burning gas.
4. Aeroplane: Moves slowly, flashes red and green lights, can alter course, and makes noise. Helicopters may appear to hover but are noisy.
5. Weather Balloon: Pushed by wind, can stand still, is silent, and can appear in different colors depending on internal gases.
6. Flying Saucer: Exhibits a wide range of behaviors including changing direction, speed, color, shape, giving off sparks, splitting, having a tail or halo, flashing lights, and sometimes causing radio interference. They are often silent.

The article concludes by expressing anticipation for future encounters with beings from other planets.

Sightings

This section reports on UFO activity, with a particular focus on South America. Professor Richard Frondizi, head of "Contact" in Argentina, provides information.

Torres Beach Sighting (January 1968)

Professor Axel Alberg Cobo, a 28-year-old from Argentina, reported an encounter on Torres Beach. He described a luminous object emerging from the sea, emitting a blinding white light. He then encountered two tall, crystal-like beings who moved stiffly. One introduced himself with names sounding like "Rubinako," "Krebs," "Navia," "Karansikujo," "Karsikujo," and "Krero." The beings communicated a message: "We belong to the Krebs Galaxy. We have come to save the Earth and to impose clam in the Cosmos. We bring peace, abundance, full joyful life to people of other worlds." Professor Cobo, a Professor of Human Relations and Journalism, later stated, "I do not believe it," causing a protest among the assembled scientists and experts at a meeting in Mar del Plata.

It is noted that Fred White, whose story appeared in a previous issue (Skywatch No. 3, December 1967), also reported a similar farewell gesture from a space visitor (touching shoulders, folding arms). The "crystal" appearance is speculated to be a form of protective suit. Fred White had previously seen a Flying Saucer and its occupant near Richards Bay in 1962.

Another report mentions Mr. Solari Parraviccini finding himself in a Flying Saucer during a trip over Canada and the Andes Mountain range.

Few sightings were reported in South Africa in the preceding month or two.

Notices

This section provides information on upcoming meetings for the "Contact" organization in various South African cities:

• Durban: Meetings are scheduled for January 30th, February 22nd, and March 27th at "The Centre," 3rd Floor, Prince of Wales Building, Smith Street, at 7:30 p.m. December has no meeting.
• Johannesburg: Meetings are scheduled for February 3rd and March 3rd. December 4th is a Wednesday meeting, and January has no meeting. The meeting place is 17 Westmeath Road, Parkview, at 8 p.m. Mrs. Neslie Schmutz is the contact person.
• East London: A notice requests that Branches of Contact inform them of any address changes, as Skywatch and letters are sent to the original address unless updated.

The correspondence address for the Secretary is P.O. Box 2320, Durban.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes an interest in UFO phenomena and astronomy. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to report sightings and share their experiences. There is a clear effort to educate the public about both scientific astronomy and the more speculative aspects of UFO encounters. The tone is generally informative and enthusiastic, particularly in the "Young Skywatchers" section, which simplifies complex topics for a younger audience. The "Sightings" section presents anecdotal evidence from various individuals, including scientific and academic figures, suggesting a serious consideration of these reports within the UFO community.