Skywatch - No 08 - 1969 03-05

Magazine Overview

Title: Skywatch
Issue: No. 8
Date: March/April/May, 1969
Type: Quarterly publication of "CONTACT" (S.A.)

Editorial

The editorial expresses pleasure in welcoming new members from Pretoria, South Africa, and optimism for the expansion of the organization into South West Africa and Rhodesia. It highlights that "Contact" is a worldwide organization connected with other UFO groups globally, with active correspondence and plans to publish news from these centers. The editorial acknowledges the significant work involved in preparing the magazine and invites contributions from readers. It emphasizes that the organization's growth is fueled by enthusiasm and perseverance, likening faith and perseverance to foundation stones, patience to mortar, and enthusiasm to the driving force, with "CONTACT" as the password.

Floating Lights

This section presents a remarkable story from Lama Anagarika Govinda's book "The Way of the White Clouds" (1966). The phenomena of floating lights are deemed of interest to UFO researchers. The narrative recounts an experience in Gangtok where the author observed bright lights moving at great speed on a distant mountain range. The Maharaja identified these lights as having no human origin, moving with extraordinary ease and speed, and floating in the air. He mentioned that such phenomena were believed by his people to be spirits and that the area was a sanctified place. The author reflects on the nature of consciousness and physical laws, suggesting that nature is vibrant with life, not a dead mechanism. The phenomenon of floating lights is also noted to have been observed on the sacred mountain of Wu T'ai Shan in China.

A vivid description of a similar phenomenon is provided by John Blofeld, who spent time on the sacred mountain. He describes seeing innumerable balls of fire floating majestically past from a tower, with no one able to determine their origin, nature, or destination. These were described as fluffy balls of orange-coloured fire, moving through space in a majestic manner.

Essentials of Astronomy

Authored by Gregory Roberts, this section delves into the vastness of space and the nature of stars. It explains that stars are at enormous distances, with even the most powerful telescopes showing them as pinpoints of light. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun, followed by Proxima Centauri at 4.3 light years. A light year is defined as 5.88 x 10^12 miles. The article notes the immense scale of the universe, comparing our knowledge to a grain of sand on a beach. Stars vary in color and size, with Antares being about 450 times larger than our Sun. Stars are not solid but have a gaseous composition, with some like giant M stars having very low density, while white dwarf stars are extremely dense. Temperatures of stars range widely, from about 80,000 degrees Fahrenheit down to absolute zero for dead stars. The article estimates that the average eye can see about 4000 stars under good conditions, with binoculars and telescopes revealing significantly more, and the total number of stars running into billions. The concept of stellar magnitude is explained, where each magnitude difference corresponds to a 2.52 times difference in brightness. Star color indicates temperature, with greenish-white stars being the hottest (around 44,000°F) and red stars the coolest (around 3,000°F).

Inside a Spaceship

This section features a story originally published in the U.K. Journal "Awareness" in the summer of 1968, noted for its similarity to the Villa Boas story. It recounts the experience of a twenty-year-old man from near Belfast. On October 6th, 1967, at 10:45 PM, he encountered a moving object in the sky that turned from white to dark. The object, appearing about nine inches in diameter from the ground, approached and emitted a pulsating yellow beam of light that made him feel dizzy, sick, and sleepy, leading to a blackout. He awoke in a field, a mile from where he blacked out, near a large oval object on three legs. The object emitted a bleep-bleep sound, took off with a whistling sound, and disappeared quickly.

He later found himself in a strange, oblong, windowless room with a dome-shaped ceiling made of shiny, polished silvery metal. He was lying on a metal table, with metal bands on his wrists and head connected to a square metal device. A screen displayed his thoughts. Four men and a girl, all with a bluish glow, appeared. The tallest man, speaking broken English, removed the bands, stating, "At last someone, You will do." The girl, described with long blonde hair and blue eyes, asked him to come to her for an experiment, which she clarified as a sexual relationship. He refused, and the man stated they did not want to use force. The girl then explained they were from "another galaxy" and had overcome wars and fears, indicating they were more intelligent than humans.

After the encounter, he was returned to the table, his restraints reapplied, and told, "It will not be the last you will see of us." He then experienced yellow lights before passing out again. He woke up in the field, wearing his coat, which he had not been wearing when unconscious. He experienced a headache for five days. He expressed a desire to see the girl again, believing they were seeking a new sort of breeding by experimenting with earth men worldwide.

A note clarifies that the smell of sulphur, though potentially repugnant, is natural and found in organic materials and spa waters, and that ozone smell could be confused with it. The article concludes by stating that such accounts, lacking concrete evidence and witnesses, prove little to the world at large, but the magazine accepts them at face value for readers to compare with similar cases.

Young Skywatchers

This short section poses a hypothetical scenario about the excitement of seeing a flying saucer land and being invited inside, describing a "Scout Ship" as a small flying saucer with a two-man crew. It details the interior, mentioning a door that closes silently, a light source that seems to come from nowhere, walls covered with charts instead of dials, and a control panel resembling an organ keyboard with rows of buttons. The dome-shaped roof is transparent, allowing views of the stars. The ship has safety belts and a central pole with magnifying lenses at both ends. Unlike conventional vehicles, the saucer has no engine but derives power from this central pole, enabling tremendous speeds.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine "Skywatch" appears to focus on UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial encounters, and related topics, blending personal testimonies with scientific discussions on astronomy. The editorial stance is open-minded and inclusive, welcoming diverse contributions and encouraging readers to engage with the material critically. There's a strong emphasis on the organization's growth through member participation and shared enthusiasm. The publication seems to present extraordinary claims, such as alien abduction and advanced spacecraft, for readers to consider and compare with other accounts, while acknowledging the need for evidence.

This issue of Skywatch, dated December '68/January, February '69, focuses on the advanced nature of 'space people' and their craft, alongside spiritual interpretations of UFO phenomena and reports of recent sightings in South Africa. The magazine appears to be a newsletter or journal catering to enthusiasts of UFOs and related subjects.

Inside a Mother Ship

The issue begins with an article describing 'mother ships' as large, cigar-shaped craft that house 'space people' during their travels through the universe. These ships are depicted as luxurious, akin to hotels, with lounges, dining rooms, kitchens, and private resting areas. They are also equipped with scout ships and a repair shop for damaged 'saucers'. The article explains that occupants can view the outside universe by pressing a button, which causes openings resembling port-holes to appear in the walls. The author expresses a hopeful sentiment that readers might one day witness these phenomena themselves.

"FORUM" - Extracts from a letter received from Grahamstown by M.V.

This section presents a letter from M.V. commenting on an editorial and referencing Dr. Georg Unger's booklet and Rudolf Steiner's 'spiritual science'. M.V. explores the potential connection between UFOs and the Second Coming, expressing a belief that Christ's return may not be physical but rather spiritual. The letter discusses Steiner's views on faith and mysticism, suggesting that different terminology might obscure shared understanding. M.V. recounts a conversation with a Carmelite nun who, despite her Order's restrictions on media, spoke of the latter days and the Second Coming, indicating a spiritual insight. The writer questions Steiner's concept of a 'Higher Self' versus divine inspiration and agrees with the idea of developing latent human faculties. M.V. also ponders the nature of flying saucers, suggesting they might be 'real', 'solid', or 'ethereal', and that the term 'saucer' may encompass various types of craft from different solar systems. Citing a 'tape' message from 'Kla-la' on 'Inter-planetery space craft', M.V. notes that 'Confederation' craft are used for survey work, specimen gathering, and transportation, and are described as 'solid'. In contrast, a 'tape' from 'Sut-ko' on 'Solar and Galactic Government' mentions observer craft being 'transported into another dimension or realm of existence' and 'schronomonitors' that appear ethereal. M.V. concludes by expressing a personal conviction that the craft they saw was solid.

Editorial Commentary and Spiritual Interpretation

A subsequent commentary, possibly an editorial or a continuation of M.V.'s thoughts, emphasizes focusing on the 'message' of apparitions rather than the 'messengers' or the mechanics of the phenomena. It suggests that the knowledge gained from sightings should be applied to personal responsibilities. The writer agrees with Dr. Steiner on the development of clairvoyant qualities but disagrees that conviction solely comes from 'etheric experiences', noting that earnest Christians find conviction through faith alone. The writer muses that faith itself might be an 'etheric thing', leading to agreement through different language. The section is labeled 'A MOST THOUGHT-PROVOKING editorial!'

"THE LIBRARY"

Elspeth Murray introduces 'The Library' section, which is an appeal for books and magazines on UFOs, astronomy, and flying saucers for the 'Contact in Durban' library. The library is currently small, with about 20 books and 60 magazines. A Postal Library service is available for members living far from the Centre. The membership fee is 50 cents for a four-week loan. The section also provides instructions for wrapping returned books and details the fine for overdue items (ten cents per fourteen days). A list of available books is provided, featuring authors such as G. Adamski, O. Binder, E. Buckle, A. Cahill, F. Edwards, G. Gervan, Dr. L. Hansman, J. Hebwynd, D. Keyhoe, G. King, B. Le Poer Trench, Sir J. Jean, Hunt Williamson, P. Thomas, Van Tassel, Venus a Scientist, and The Tibetan. Titles include "Flying Saucers Have Landed", "Inside the Space Ships", "The Flying Saucers Are Real", and "Telepathy".

SIGHTINGS

This section reports on UFO sightings in South Africa, noting that the country remains 'fairly quiet on the sightings front'.

• East London Report: A report from Mr. Buttner for January 9th, 1969.
• Ladysmith Sighting: On December 12, 1968, at 9:15 p.m., six miles outside Ladysmith, a deep red rectangular object with rounded corners was seen travelling south very fast. The light was constant, stars were bright, there was no moon, and a sound like distant thunder was heard.
• Himeville Sighting: On January 19, 1969, a group of eight young skywatchers in Himeville observed what is thought to be a rocket re-entry at 4:17 a.m. It was described as a beautiful sight, approximately ten times the size of Jupiter, travelling from west to east. It appeared like a firework or a comet without a tail, changing color rapidly from bright orange to yellow, white, electric blue, and back to yellow before burning out. It was visible for five to six seconds.

Readers are encouraged to submit any unusual sights to be passed on to astronomical circles.

MEETINGS FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS - 1969

Announcements are made for upcoming meetings in various South African cities:

• Durban: Meetings scheduled for March 27th (A.G.M.), April 26th, and May 29th. An 'International Sky Watch Weekend' is planned for June 21st-22nd. There will be no meeting at the Centre in June. The meeting place is "The Centre", 3rd Floor, Prince of Wales Building, 384 Smith Street, Durban, at 7:30 p.m.
• Johannesburg: Meetings are scheduled for March 3rd, April 7th, May 5th, and June 2nd. The meeting place is 17, Westmeath Road, Parkview, Johannesburg, at 8 p.m. Interested individuals are asked to contact Mrs. Neslie Schmutz.
• East London: No specific meeting details are provided.
• Pretoria: No specific meeting details are provided.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Members' subscriptions are due on March 1st, 1969. Members are asked to deal with this matter within their particular groups. The correspondence address for the Secretary is P.O. Box 2320, Durban.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations and their technology, the intersection of UFO phenomena with spiritual beliefs and prophecies (particularly concerning the Second Coming), and the reporting of empirical sightings. The editorial stance appears to encourage critical thinking, personal application of knowledge gained from these phenomena, and open discussion on the nature and meaning of UFOs, while also promoting engagement with the subject through reading and attending meetings. There is an emphasis on distinguishing between the 'message' and the 'messenger', suggesting a focus on the profound implications of these events over the identity of those reporting them.