Spacelink 1966 vol 3 no 1

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE link
Issue: No.1
Volume: 3
Date: Spring 1966
Publisher: Isle of Wight U.F.O. Investigation Society
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of SPACE link, the journal of the Isle of Wight U.F.O. Investigation Society, presents a diverse collection of articles on UFO phenomena, space exploration, and scientific topics. The cover features abstract graphic representations related to UFOs and the journal's title and affiliation. The issue is dated Spring 1966 and is Volume 3, No.1.

Editorial

The editorial, written by F.W. Smith, addresses recent newspaper articles about 'flying saucers' and the explanations offered by U.F.O. adviser Dr. Allen Hynek. Smith questions whether UFOs are merely psychological phenomena, arguing that the testimony of reliable witnesses who have observed unusual events suggests otherwise. He notes the U.S. Air Force's apparent reluctance to reveal all it knows and criticizes Hynek's approach, which seems to focus on the witnesses' minds rather than the observed phenomena. The editorial also touches upon the Russian Lunar 9 space station, drawing a parallel to the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors having already achieved space travel. It concludes by pondering whether extraterrestrials might be observing Earth's technological advancements.

An apology and explanation is given for the non-appearance of the fourth issue in 1965, attributed to lack of time and production difficulties, assuring subscribers that their issues will still be provided. The new cover design is highlighted as functional and decorative, incorporating ten basic UFO shapes from NICAP's 'UFO EVIDENCE'.

Articles and Features

Warminster and the 'Thing'

This section details the ongoing reports of strange phenomena in Warminster, referred to as 'the Thing'. Staff reporter Peter Chislett reviews sightings and sounds that have perplexed residents for over a year. Reports range from dazzling cigars to explosions and crescents of light, with corroborative evidence of a giant smokeball. The article explores the impact on the townspeople, who are no longer dismissive but hesitant to share their thoughts. It also discusses 'rational' explanations, dismissing local trader involvement or Army experiments due to the scale of resources required and potential dangers. The 'mystery man' incident, where a disoriented man was found in Norwich Wood, is recounted, along with a bizarre tale of a driver who believed he ran over a man who then vanished. Another account involves a woman in Stockton who reported seeing two figures on a bridge, accompanied by a 'noise' and a bright light, possibly 'spacemen' in glistening material.

UFO's in Brazil

An exchange bulletin with 'Spacelink' from Rio de Janeiro highlights a research trip in Brazil by UFO enthusiasts led by W. Buhler. The expedition investigated cave paintings near Montes Claros, some depicting astronomical subjects and a 'classic Flying Saucer' shape. Dr. Ernani is conducting research on the paintings, hoping to date them. Montes Claros is noted as a frequent location for F/S sightings. The article mentions the 'silence group' alleged to suppress UFO reports and summarizes two remarkable reports from the SBEDV bulletin.

Report No.1: Montes Claros, Brazil

Filomeno Bida de Oliveira, a bank-clerk, reported a craft hovering over him during a fishing trip at an estimated height of 50 meters. He described a whining sound, like a failing refrigerator motor, and observed the craft accelerate suddenly. The craft was described as almost round, flat-bottomed, divided into four sections, with a dark oval in the center and indicated windows. SBEDV speculates that an influence, possibly electrical, magnetic, or ultrasonic, may have been responsible for Filomeno's physical state, along with fear. The incident occurred on August 1st, 1965.

Report No. 2: Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

On July 26th, 1965, 14-year-old Adilon Azevedo and two friends witnessed an intense light, described as a cone focused on a spot, descending from the sky. The light was much stronger than headlights and appeared almost solid. A humming beehive noise was heard. The object, described as dark and egg-shaped, hovered about 1 meter off the ground, approximately 3 meters long and 1.5 meters wide. A second, slightly smaller craft appeared, and two human-type beings, about 1.5 meters high with luminous helmets, emerged. They communicated in husky voices in an unknown language. Three more beings emerged from the second craft, and after a brief interaction, the first two entered their craft and departed vertically at high speed. The second group also departed later. Adilon experienced a severe headache for five days following the encounter.

The Solar System No.4. Earth

This article by J. Feakins discusses Earth as the third planet from the sun, with a mean distance of 92,957,209 miles, defining the Astronomical Unit (A.U.). It explains the biosphere as the region around the sun suitable for life. The Earth's atmosphere extends about 400 miles, with Aurorae observed at around 300 miles, caused by electrified particles from the sun. Meteors, or 'shooting stars', are described as particles burning up due to friction at speeds of 40 miles per second. The article also touches upon solar eclipses and the Earth's rotation causing the rising and setting of stars, as well as its axial tilt and precession, which account for seasons and the gradual shift of the pole star over 26,000 years. The Earth's size and shape are also mentioned, with its equatorial diameter being slightly larger than its polar diameter due to centrifugal force.

United States Manned Spaceflight Programme 1966

This section outlines the ambitious US manned spaceflight program for 1966, focusing on Gemini missions. Gemini 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are detailed, including planned activities such as linking with Agena target vehicles, space walks with and without tethers, and simulating lunar landing maneuvers. A key objective is to master the linkage of two spacecraft in space, enabling future missions to the Moon. The article highlights the courage and stoicism required for space exploration, referencing astronauts like Edward White, Walter Schirra, Thomas Stafford, Frank Borman, and James Lovell. A declared task for Gemini astronauts is to search for evidence of craft hostile to Earth.

A Lunar Landing on the Earth

A brief mention of a strange craft being flown in the United States designed to give pilots the sensation of landing on the moon.

The Spaceman's Guide to the Moon

This article describes how American astronauts will likely carry a 12,000-page library on microfilm, weighing about 3 lb., for their lunar missions. This compact library will be housed in a viewer for easy reading on the spacecraft and can also be carried by astronauts onto the Moon.

Radar Map of the Moon's Surface

Radar pulses from the Arecibe radio-telescope have produced a detailed map of the moon's surface. Weak return signals suggest a porous surface, while strong returns indicate hard rock. The visible half of the moon's surface has been studied, revealing numerous craters and porous areas.

Relativity - Some Popular Misconceptions. Part 1

Written by M. Lloyd, this article begins a series aimed at clarifying aspects of Einstein's Relativity Theory, which are often misunderstood or misapplied in discussions about time travel and flying saucers. The author intends to address erroneous notions of space and time, starting with Albert Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity published in 1905.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include UFO sightings and encounters, with a particular focus on the Warminster 'Thing' and Brazilian cases. Space exploration, particularly the US Gemini program and lunar missions, is a prominent theme. Astronomy, with discussions on Earth's characteristics and the Moon, also features. The editorial stance, as expressed by F.W. Smith, is one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, questioning conventional explanations and suggesting the possibility of extraterrestrial involvement. There is a clear skepticism towards official explanations and a belief in the importance of investigating all evidence, regardless of its source. The journal also aims to educate readers on scientific topics like Relativity, addressing misconceptions.

This issue of UFOLOG, dated October 1965, delves into a variety of topics related to physics, unexplained phenomena, and ancient history. The magazine explores the scientific principles of Special Relativity, the nature of light, and the concept of mass-energy equivalence. It also presents numerous accounts of UFO sightings, their potential effects on animals, and connections to ancient geographical alignments known as ley lines and orthotenies. Furthermore, the issue touches upon evidence for ancient civilizations and the analysis of meteorites.

Physics of Light and Special Relativity

The articles on pages 18-20 discuss the 'metrical uniqueness' of light as described by Special Relativity. It is stated that light's velocity (3x10^10 cm/sec) is a maximum, and achieving it requires infinite energy, as represented by the equation E=mc². The concept of 'a priore' principle versus empirical fact is explored, emphasizing that measurements on electrons show kinetic energy increasing with velocity, becoming infinite at the speed of light. The second aspect of light's uniqueness is its constant velocity, independent of the source's speed, a concept that is later modified in General Relativity.

The text addresses apparent paradoxes, such as the intersection of moving rulers creating a point of infinite velocity. This is dismissed as not representing a real sequence or signal transmission. The issue also introduces a modified rule for the combination of velocities, accounting for relativistic effects, particularly at speeds approaching that of light, using the formula w = (u + v) / (1 + uv/c²). Examples are given to show that for speeds much lower than light, the difference between the old and new rules is negligible.

Further discussion on pages 20-21 posits that all motion is relative and nothing is absolutely at rest. Space itself is described not as having objective existence but as a mode of perception, a coordinate system for naming points. Time is similarly viewed as the order of events, with past and present creating an illusory sense of unidirectionality. The concept of space-time is introduced, where point events are four-dimensional, defined by coordinates (x, y, z, -t). It is argued that time is not the fourth dimension of space but shares an identity of structure, and that time travel is a fictional concept due to its logical inconsistency.

UFOs and Animal Reactions

Pages 21-23 highlight the often-overlooked impact of UFOs on animals. Several verified instances are cited, suggesting that animals' reactions of fear to unknown flying objects are a form of evidence. The case of a UFO sighting in Leroy Township, Ohio, on May 20, 1965, is detailed, where a silvery-white disc caused animals to panic. Another incident in Somerset, England, on October 30, 1964, describes a UFO causing a herd of 50 cows to stampede. The article argues that these animal reactions are difficult to dismiss as hallucination or misidentification, contrasting them with human witnesses who might be influenced by denial or misinterpretation. The magazine solicits further reports of similar cases.

Ley Lines and Orthoteny

Pages 23-25 explore the connection between UFO sightings and ancient geographical alignments. The concept of 'leys' (ancient straight tracks) and 'orthoteny' (alignments of strange aerial objects) is discussed. The mystery of orthoteny is presented as similar to that of leys, with Aime Michel's work on UFO alignments in France in 1954 being a key reference. A strict criterion for orthoteny is that all sightings must occur on the same day. While some experts attempt to explain these alignments as random, the article suggests a potential link between leys and orthotenies. Examples are given, including an orthoteny observed on July 25, 1963, in Bloxwich, Staffs., Walsall, Birmingham, and Stratford-on-Avon, which also formed a ley. Another example involves two UFO sightings on August 29, 1964, in Wandsworth and Finchley, which aligned to form a ley passing through churches and a cross road. The author, Jimmy Goddard, believes this avenue warrants further exploration, potentially linking to Alfred Watkins' discovery of leys.

Ancient Civilizations and Meteorites

Pages 24-27 present evidence for ancient civilizations and discuss a meteorite fall. The existence of former civilizations is supported by findings such as steel nails in 70-million-year-old limestone, a gold chain in 30-million-year-old coal, and ancient circular forts in Ireland and Scotland with melted granite ramparts, suggesting the use of atomic heat. Phoenician cities with inscriptions dating back to 887-856 B.C. have been found in South America.

The Barwell meteorite incident of December 24, 1965, is detailed, describing a fireball sighted over the Midlands that exploded and scattered fragments. An expedition led by Professor P.C. Sylvester-Bradley recovered several pieces, which were identified as belonging to the olivine-hypersthene chondrite class, the most numerous type of meteorite. The analysis of the meteorite's composition is presented.

Other Topics and Reviews

Page 25 includes a section on 'PLANET EARTH SHINES WITH VARYING BRIGHTNESS', referencing data from the Mariner II probe, which observed daily variations in Earth's brightness due to land and water reflectivity, as well as a less understood five-to-six-day cycle.

A book review of Arthur C. Clarke's "VOICES FROM THE SKY" is featured on page 27. While acknowledging Clarke's prophetic insights, particularly regarding communications satellites, the reviewer criticizes his dismissal of UFOs as belonging to the 'lunatic fringe'. The reviewer argues that evidence from organizations like NICAP demonstrates the reality of UFO appearances, even on radar screens, and asserts the existence of serious, informed researchers in the field.

Editorial Notes and Correspondence

Subsequent pages contain editorial notes and correspondence. These include reports on the 'Spacelink' editor addressing the Oxford University U.F.O. Group, Anthony Durham's appearance on TV representing Clare College, and a review of spectacular sightings from 1965 by John Feakins. A report from the Daily Mail about scorched grass in Tully, North Queensland, possibly from an egg-shaped flying saucer, is also mentioned. The issue concludes with an invitation for readers to submit correspondence, articles, and sightings, encouraging active participation in ufology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFOLOG are the intersection of physics and unexplained phenomena, the investigation of UFO sightings, and the exploration of ancient mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFOs, presenting evidence from various sources, including scientific observations, witness testimonies, and historical findings. There is a clear effort to counter skepticism by highlighting the impact on animals and the potential connections to established geographical and historical patterns. The magazine actively encourages reader participation, suggesting a community-driven approach to ufological research.