Skywatch - No 28 - 1974 03-05

Magazine Overview

Title: Skywatch
Issue: No. 28
Date: March/April/May 1974
Type: Quarterly publication of "CONTACT" (S A)

Editorial: Breaking Through the Eggshell

The editorial for this issue of Skywatch urges readers to move beyond a limited perspective, likening it to a chicken confined within an eggshell. It posits that UFO sightings and investigations are not distant events but directly concern humanity as an integral part of the planet. The editorial encourages an educated approach, recognizing that life may extend beyond Earth and that other planets could harbor more advanced life forms. It suggests that humanity's perpetual wars and self-centeredness might be a reason for fear of alien spacecraft, but proposes that these visitors might be interested in preventing disaster on Earth to maintain the balance of the solar system. The call is to think and act constructively, welcoming spacecraft as potential aid from higher intellects, and to break through ignorance, greed, and selfishness to discover greater worlds.

Article: BETWEEN YOU AND ME by Brinsley Le Poer Trench

Brinsley Le Poer Trench's article delves into the origins of UFOs, stating that understanding their source is crucial to comprehending why Earth is being visited. He suggests possibilities ranging from other worlds, solar systems, galaxies, to invisible universes. Trench revisits his earlier postulations from books like 'Forgotten Heritage' and 'Men Among Mankind,' which proposed that humanity was created by 'the Elohim (gods)' and that ancient contact with 'Sky People' occurred before the sinking of Atlantis, with only occasional contact since.

He distinguishes these ancient contacts from the numerous UFO sightings and landing reports since 1947, which most ufologists believe originate from an area related to our planet and are not necessarily friendly. Trench cites an incident reported by Ian Norrie from Mexico: a truck carrying asbestos sheets was allegedly held up by 'little men' and the load was incinerated by a vivid blue ray. A similar incident a week later saw non-inflammable asbestos burnt while inflammable material remained unscathed, which Trench interprets as "Not exactly friendly actions!"

Norrie also provided a drawing by Fernando Calderón, depicting a humanoid intruding on a TV screen during an Apollo 15 mission on the Moon. Calderón and other witnesses reportedly saw this. Trench then discusses the possibility of censorship in astronaut communications, referencing a story about Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin seeing something spectacular on the Moon, with their conversation allegedly deleted from the broadcast and picked up by radio 'Hams'. He also mentions Trevor James's book 'They Live in the Sky,' which suggested hostile ufonauts on the Moon.

Morris K. Jessup, who allegedly committed suicide, also postulated that UFOs originated from an Earth-Moon binary system. John A. Keel is mentioned for his emphasis on UFOs dropping "earthly" artifacts like aluminum, calcium, and silicon.

Trench then focuses on the Maury Island incident of 1947, where Harold A. Dahl and companions reported six doughnut-shaped objects. The central object discharged light, whitish-colored metal pieces, followed by blacker, lava-rock-like fragments. These fragments injured Dahl's son and killed his dog. After the objects left, a man in black visited Dahl, warning him not to discuss the experience.

Kenneth Arnold's classic sighting of nine objects occurred three days later. Ray Palmer, then editor of 'Flying Saucers,' sent Arnold to investigate the Maury Island case. Arnold and Captain E. J. Smith, a United Airlines pilot, investigated but later, with military intelligence officers Captain William Davidson and Lt. Frank Brown, the original witnesses reportedly made the matter out as a hoax. Tragically, Davidson and Brown died when their B.25 bomber crashed after leaving California. Major Sanders later examined the dropped material and pronounced it slag.

Edward J. Ruppelt, former chief of Project Blue Book, dismissed the Maury Island affair as a hoax, as did Harold T. Wilkins. However, Trench, like Wilkins, believes the incident was real and that the military officers were the ones "hoaxed." He argues that in 1947, ufologists were not aware that UFOs dropped earthly substances. He points out that the doughnut shape was unusual and unlikely for a hoax, and the dropping of slag makes little sense in a fabricated story.

Trench speculates that Dahl may have declared it a hoax due to the escalation of the military investigation and the warning from the man in black.

A nagging question is posed: if UFOs come from invisible areas pertaining to our planet, why do they drop slag, silicon, aluminum, and calcium? Trench suggests considering a more "Earthly" origin, perhaps bases on Earth in unexplored areas like Brazil, noting that Brazil has the most recorded UFO activity in the world.

AT LAST A S.A. PEACE RETREAT CENTRE

This section details the establishment of a spiritual peace retreat center called 'Aquarian Estates' in the Thornville area, South Africa. A group of people purchased a farm comprising nearly 230 acres, featuring dams, a spring, and trees. The plans include extensive vegetable gardens and orchards of subtropical fruit and nut trees. The center aims to accommodate 100 people, with a vegetarian kitchen using food grown organically on the farm. The 'Aquarian Trust' is being formed to accept donations to support the center's spiritual aims, with seminars and skywatching weekends planned.

SIGHTINGS OVER SOUTH AFRICA

This brief section notes a lack of UFO reports from South Africa over the past couple of months, attributing it to holiday preparations. However, one letter to a local newspaper by Mrs. M. Hanley reports a bright shining ball observed over an airport for half an hour on February 16th. Her husband suggested it was a weather balloon, prompting her sarcastic comment about senders writing "this is not a UFO" on such objects.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature and origin of UFOs, the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence, and humanity's place in the cosmos. The editorial strongly advocates for an open-minded, expansive view of life beyond Earth, suggesting a benevolent interest from advanced beings in Earth's affairs. The article by Brinsley Le Poer Trench critically examines historical UFO incidents, particularly the Maury Island case, and questions conventional theories about UFO origins. The establishment of 'Aquarian Estates' introduces a spiritual and communal aspect, aligning with the broader theme of seeking higher understanding and connection. The overall editorial stance is one of encouraging critical thinking, open-mindedness, and a spiritual or philosophical approach to the UFO phenomenon and humanity's cosmic context.

This issue of Skywatch, identified as page 11, delves into topics related to parapsychology, astronomy, and ancient mysteries. The main headline highlights the "INSTITUTE OF NOETIC SCIENCES," founded by Captain Edgar D. Mitchell.

Institute of Noetic Sciences

The article details Captain Edgar D. Mitchell's pioneering E.S.P. experiment conducted in outer space during the Apollo 14 mission. This experiment involved transmitting columns of numbers and assigning E.S.P. symbols to four individuals on Earth. Collaborating in the analysis were Dr. J. B. Rhine from the Foundation for Research on the Nature of Man and Dr. K. Osis from the American Society for Psychic Research. Following this, Edgar Mitchell established the Institute of Noetic Sciences in California, officially opening in August 1973. The institute was created in response to the increasing interest in noetics (the study of consciousness) and transpersonal psychology. Mitchell aims to connect psychic phenomena with broader concepts of altered states of consciousness and expanded human potentials. The institute is planning courses, lecture series, films, a nationwide TV show, and a counseling service for individuals with psychic problems. Mitchell has also sought grants from the National Science Foundation for specific projects, indicating an effort to gain scientific recognition for parapsychology.

UFO Contact Efforts

Separately, the issue mentions Dr. M. K. Eriksen, an aerophysicist and space expert, who, along with two assistants, is developing communication systems to establish contact with a UFO. They plan to broadcast radio signals into areas with frequent sightings, record any responses, and are confident of receiving a reply.

Comet Kohoutek and Historical Beliefs

On March 7th, 1973, astronomer Lubos Kohoutek, working at the Hamburg Observatory, discovered a new comet, later named Comet Kohoutek. The discovery was confirmed by astronomers globally, leading to widespread public attention. However, this also triggered fearful interpretations by some religious groups, who claimed the comet heralded the end of the world. The article notes that fear and superstition surrounding comets have been prevalent throughout history. It references Homer's Iliad, where a comet is compared to the helmet of Achilles, bringing diseases, pestilence, and war. Various cultures held different beliefs: Australian Aborigines saw it as a shaman's firestick, Hawaiians as a powerful god, South American tribes as a warning of disaster, and ancient Egyptians associated it with the storm-god Set. The Aztec priests predicted their empire's downfall following a comet's appearance in 1517, which coincided with the arrival of Cortes. Despite initial fanfare, interest in Comet Kohoutek waned as it did not provide a spectacular visual display.

What is a Comet?

The article explains that a comet consists of three parts: the nucleus, the coma, and the tail. The nucleus is a dense, compacted area whose composition remains largely unknown, possibly a solid chunk of matter like an asteroid, though some comets appear to lack a solid core. The particles of the nucleus are thought to be predominantly ice. Surrounding the nucleus is the coma, a fuzzy, luminous cloud of dispersed gas and minute particles, including dust and gaseous molecules. When far from the sun, a comet appears as a faint smudge. As it approaches the sun, ice and other materials melt, releasing gases that form the coma. Solar radiation pressure then pushes these particles away, creating the tail that always points away from the sun.

Book Review: 'The Gold of the Gods' by Eric von Däniken

The issue includes a book review of "The Gold of the Gods" by Eric von Däniken. The review highlights von Däniken's assertion that Earth had extraterrestrial visitors in prehistoric times, based on evidence gathered during a worldwide expedition through various locations including Ceylon, Singapore, Malaysia, Guam, Polynesia, Easter Island, Chile, Taiwan, Brazil, Columbia, San Salvador, and North America. In Ecuador, von Däniken met archaeologist Juan Morioz, who showed him a mysterious system of underground caves and tunnels, described as gigantic and richly decorated. The review questions the purpose, construction, and technological capabilities required for such a complex system, which extends into the seabed and includes a 'metal plate library' and gold objects. The review notes von Däniken's previous works, 'The Chariots of the Gods' and 'Return to the Stars,' and his ability to evaluate evidence. Von Däniken proposes the existence of rival evolutionary races with similar knowledge and technology, suggesting that cosmic wars led to defeated parties retreating to other planets and digging elaborate tunnel systems for concealment. The review also touches upon von Däniken's exploration in Taiwan, where he connected Chinese mythology and symbols to extraterrestrial origins, finding parallels with Assyrian cylinder seals. The review mentions Oswald O. Tobisch's work, which tabulates related rock drawings across continents and questions whether ancient civilizations shared a unified concept of God. The book is presented as a valuable contribution to understanding the past and the role of 'space people.'

Quote

A quote from Charles Fort is featured: "I conceive of nothing, in religion, science or philosophy, that is more than the proper thing to wear for a while."

Meetings for the Next Few Months

The magazine provides a schedule of meetings in Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Pretoria for March, April, and May. Contact details are provided for each location, including specific venues and individuals to reach for more information about the 'Contact' groups.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently explores themes of the unexplained, the paranormal, and alternative interpretations of history and science. There's a strong focus on the potential for scientific inquiry into psychic phenomena, as evidenced by the Institute of Noetic Sciences. The inclusion of Comet Kohoutek and the review of Eric von Däniken's work indicate an interest in astronomical events and theories about ancient extraterrestrial influence. The magazine appears to adopt an open-minded stance towards unconventional ideas, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond mainstream scientific and historical narratives, while also providing practical information for those interested in joining related groups.