Skywatch - No 16 - 1971 03-05

Magazine Overview

Title: Skywatch
Issue: No. 16
Date: March/April/May 1971
Publisher: CONTACT (South Africa)
Type: Quarterly magazine focused on UFOs and related phenomena.

Editorial

The editorial for this issue, dated March/April/May 1971, begins by referencing the ongoing Apollo 14 moon mission. It notes circulating stories about UFO sightings on the moon, allegedly observed by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, with their conversation being deleted from the television broadcast. The editorial mentions an article on this topic in 'Fate' magazine and other publications like 'The National Bulletin' and 'Starcraft'.

It introduces an organization called "Data Network," a worldwide "Ham Radio" organization for those interested in UFOs. The magazine promises an upcoming account of their activities and notes that one of their CONTACT members has joined, believed to be the first in South Africa.

The editorial also announces plans for an "International Skywatch Weekend," expressing hope that readers will make it a memorable event. It recalls a telepathic message from the previous year suggesting that group contact with "Visitors from Outer Space" would be granted if enough people desired it. The magazine highlights that South Africa was one of the few countries to have a sighting the previous year and encourages readers to aim for "Contact" this year.

International Sky Watch Weekend

This section details the "International Sky Watch Weekend" for 1971, scheduled for Saturday, June 19th, 7.0 a.m. to Sunday, June 20th, 7.0 a.m. This date is noted as being the weekend before the anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's famous sighting on June 24th, 1947.

Readers are encouraged to participate, whether alone or with friends, from home or in open countryside. The timing for a telepathic link-up is not yet known, but readers are urged to send telepathic thoughts of welcome to "friends from other spheres who come in the name of Christ" at the hours of 3, 6, 9, and 12 throughout the 24-hour period. The aim of Contact group members worldwide is to prepare spiritually for the advent of more highly evolved visitors and to facilitate telepathic contact if these visitors deem the time right, as spoken language might not be understood.

Mrs. Natalie Banks in Durban (phone number 347921) is designated as the contact person for the 24-hour duration of the event. Readers are asked to phone in any sightings or contacts made as soon as possible, with long-distance calls being refunded if necessary. The section concludes with well wishes for a happy and successful weekend and a reminder to bring cameras, binoculars, telescopes, and UFO detectors.

"The Origin of Pluto"

This article summarizes a talk given by Fred Brown, who is associated with the Natal Training College in Pietermaritzburg and "Contact" in Durban. The talk, which was presented to prominent British Astronomers, explores the hypothesis that the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, comprising over 2,000 asteroids, represents the remnants of a disintegrated planet.

Brown posits that for a planet to exist in this region, it would need a specific mass to maintain the solar system's balance. This mass would need to balance its distance from the sun and its orbital velocity, as well as gravitational attractions with neighboring planets. The mass of this hypothetical planet is estimated to be about one and two-thirds times the mass of Earth.

The article suggests that this planet could have exploded without significantly disrupting the solar system's balance, as the planets orbit at different speeds. The absence of the planet's gravitational force after the explosion might explain why planetary orbits are elliptical rather than perfect circles.

If the masses of all asteroids are totaled, they represent only about one-tenth the mass of Earth. However, if the masses of all moons, asteroids, and Pluto are combined, they total about one and one-third times the mass of Earth. This leads to the question of whether Pluto was part of this disintegrated planet, as were the moons of other planets.

Pluto's characteristics are presented as unusual, not fitting the typical definition of a planet according to Bode's Law. Its orbit is inclined at an angle of over 17 degrees to the ecliptic, significantly more than the average inclination of other planets. Pluto's density is similar to iron, suggesting it might be a metallic ball about half the size of Earth.

The irregularities are explained if Pluto was the core of the exploded planet. Fragments from this explosion might have formed the meteors and comets seen today, potentially accounting for a missing one-third mass of Earth. The moons, if they were once part of the planet, would have formed into spheres due to rotation during the solar system's early, semi-molten state.

The article speculates that the planets had thin crusts when they were young, and the disintegrated crust of the mysterious planet formed the asteroids. Pluto, as the liquid core of metals, would have been flung out and solidified into its spherical shape due to rotation.

It is suggested that the substance between the core and crust was plastic, forming spheres that were captured as moons by planets. Some moons have retrograde orbits, possibly due to their trajectory during capture. The scarred surfaces of the moon and other moons are attributed to collisions with meteors on their plastic surfaces, forming shallow craters. The lack of atmosphere on moons means these craters persist.

The reason for the planet's disintegration is linked to gases trapped within the molten planets. As they cooled and contracted, pressure built up. For the mysterious planet, the crust was too solid for the gas to escape, leading to a massive pressure buildup that caused it to burst apart. Inner planets like Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars cooled more slowly, allowing their crusts to form and gas to escape more gradually. Planets beyond Mars cooled more quickly, but their interiors remained hotter. The mysterious planet was at a critical distance from the sun, where it was too close for gas to escape easily but not so far that the gas lacked the pressure to cause destruction.

Contact Lending Library

This section lists the books available through the "Contact Lending Library." A subscription costs 50 cents, plus postage and package charges for country members. The library also offers back numbers of "Flying Saucer Review" and magazines from other "Contact" member countries like Canada ("Topside"), the United Kingdom ("Awareness"), and the U.S.A. ("Contact U.S.A.").

The extensive list includes titles by authors such as George Adamski, Desmond Leslie, Cedric Allingham, Orpheo Angelucci, Eileen Buckle, Donald E. Keyhoe, George King, Erich Von Daniken, and Immanuel Velikovsky, covering a wide range of UFO and related topics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial contact, and speculative astronomical theories. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry and active participation in the pursuit of contact with extraterrestrial intelligence, as evidenced by the promotion of the International Skywatch Weekend and the emphasis on telepathic communication. There is a clear interest in bridging the gap between amateur UFO research and more established scientific fields, as seen in the discussion of Fred Brown's astronomical theories and the mention of publications like 'Fate' magazine.

This issue of CONTACT magazine, identified by the number 11, focuses on UFO phenomena with a prominent feature on an "EXCITING U.F.O. CAR STICKER". The magazine appears to be published in South Africa, as indicated by the contact addresses and the locations of the reported sightings and meetings.

UFO Car Sticker

The lead article introduces a novel idea from Switzerland: an attractive, colored car sticker designed to arouse public interest in UFOs and potentially lead to official government recognition. The sticker is based on an authentic photograph taken over Cassino, Italy, on May 18, 1968. It measures 4" x 5" and features a navy blue saucer hovering against a sky blue background, with fluorescent orange balls for landing gear. The text "U.F.O's: YES!" is printed underneath in bold gold lettering. The organization "CONTACT" has secured a discount, offering each sticker for 50c, including airmail. Orders are to be placed with the Treasurer at "CONTACT" DURBAN, P.O. Box 743, Durban.

Sightings in South Africa 1.3.1967 - 1.2.1971

This section, compiled by Cecil Alder, National Records Officer for "Contact", South Africa, presents a statistical breakdown of UFO sightings. The data covers the period from March 1, 1967, to February 1, 1971. A table shows the number of sightings per month for the years 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, and 1971. The total number of sightings recorded for this period is 89. The data reveals that the majority of sightings, with the exception of 1969, occurred during May, June, and July. The year 1971 had started with at least four sightings in the first half of January. The article suggests that for every reported sighting, there are likely five to seven that go unreported.

UFO Sightings in Southern Africa

This section provides detailed accounts of specific UFO sightings:

• October 16, 1970, Durban: Mr. and Mrs. Pryce observed a large, glowing, reddish star over the North coast that moved over Durban bay. It hovered for about twenty minutes, changing position slightly, before climbing higher and moving away from the city.
• October 21, 1970, Pretoria: Mrs. R. Kotze and Mrs. C. Groenewald reported seeing a large, metallic, disc-shaped object speed past. A noise similar to that of a thousand birds was heard. Waterkloof Air Force Station stated it was unlikely to be one of their aircraft.
• January 16, 1971, Durban: Mrs. Barbara Becker and her daughter Jill saw a large green light travelling northwards, which suddenly switched off. Being familiar with aircraft navigation lights, they were emphatic that this light was not from an orthodox craft due to its size and the absence of other lights. The outline of the light appeared fuzzy, and its height could not be estimated.
• Late September & October, 1970, Okavango Swamps, N. Botswana: Mr. Raymond Andrews and his fiance observed a small green glow in the northwest that moved slowly in a curve towards the swamps. The object appeared to land, and a human form was briefly visible outside the craft. The object was silent, and the observers felt a sense of something impending.
• A week later (between Maun and Francistown, Botswana): Following a severe sandstorm after sunset, the same green-colored light approached slowly. As it drew closer, it was identified as a large, cigar-shaped object, shining and translucent, surmounted by a powerful green light and dotted with three or four pinpoints of reddish-white light. The craft descended swiftly and landed about a mile to the south. It was described as absolutely silent with no odour. The landed craft was not seen due to low bush. The observers again felt a sense of tranquility, peace, and something impending.
• January 22, 1971, Pietermaritzburg: Patty Mitchell reported waking up to see a white light travelling, flashing, and moving erratically. Another light appeared higher up, also flashing and moving away. The first light then continued its erratic movement before she went back to sleep.

Meetings for the Next Few Months

The magazine provides information on upcoming meetings for "CONTACT" members in several South African cities:

• Durban: Meetings are scheduled for March 19 (Friday, 8 p.m.), April 16 (Friday, 8 p.m.), and May 21 (Friday, 8 p.m.). An "International Sky Watch Day" is planned for June 19-20. The meeting place is The Centre, 3rd Floor, Progress House, Hermitage Street, Durban.
• Johannesburg: Meetings are on March 1 (Monday, 8 p.m.), April 5 (Monday, 8 p.m.), and May 3 (Monday, 8 p.m.). An "International Sky Watch Day" is also scheduled for June 19-20. The meeting place is 17, Westmeath Road, Parkview, Johannesburg. New members are encouraged to contact Mrs. Neslie Schmultz.
• Pretoria: For notices of meetings, contact Mr. Johan Jacobs at P.O. Box 215, Pretoria.
• East London: For information on all meetings, contact Mrs. Una Ryder-Clark at 7, Mirbalt Court, Belgrave Road, East London.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and the promotion of UFO interest through merchandise like the car sticker. The magazine's stance appears to be one of active investigation and dissemination of UFO-related information, encouraging public participation and awareness. The detailed reporting of sightings, statistical analysis, and provision of contact information for local groups suggest a dedicated effort to document and understand UFO phenomena. The tone is informative and enthusiastic, particularly regarding the potential impact of the car sticker in spreading awareness.