Sri Lanka UFO Register - no 08

Magazine Overview

Title: KALPA NAVA
Issue: 8
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of KALPA NAVA, dated by its content to the mid-1980s (referencing articles from 1983 and 1984), focuses on UFO phenomena, extraterrestrial life, and related societal and scientific debates. It features a continuation of a study on The Aetherius Society, an examination of the evidence for life on Mars, and a collection of news and views on UFO sightings and skeptical perspectives.

The King of Terra: A Study of the Aetherius Society - Part II

This section continues an interview with Dr. Richard Lawrence, secretary of the European Sector of The Aetherius Society. The society's teachings are explored, with a particular focus on their prophecy that another Master will come to Earth in an interplanetary spacecraft. Dr. Lawrence asserts that the society was the first organization in the Western world to reveal a devastating nuclear accident in the Soviet Union in 1957, citing a 1976 article in 'The New Scientist' that acknowledged being "scooped by a UFO" regarding this information. The article suggests that if the Aetherius Society has an extraordinary channel of information, their knowledge about UFOs should be taken seriously, especially in light of their prophecy of a major forthcoming UFO event and the arrival of a Master from another planet.

The interview also touches upon the nature of UFOs, with Dr. Lawrence stating that "FLYING SAUCERS ARE HERE TO STAY" and that there is proof of their existence. He draws a parallel between the acceptance of UFOs and the acceptance of other phenomena, suggesting that people are more likely to question the existence of less common things. He emphasizes that UFOs have been reported by responsible citizens for thousands of years and their reports are in government files.

The Myth About Mars

This section critically examines the question of life on Mars, referencing a newscutting from the International Herald Tribune (April 14, 1983) stating that the Viking I probe found "no signs of life on Mars." The article details the Viking 1 mission's silence due to battery issues and antenna problems, with its last commands sent in February 1983. The Viking landers, which settled on Mars in 1976, were intended to look for signs of life, analyze soil, monitor weather, and detect seismic tremors.

However, the magazine contrasts this with a report from the Daily Mirror (UK, February 4, 1980) citing top American scientist Robert Jastrow, director of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Jastrow claimed that soil samples tested by the 1976 Viking mission gave a "clear, unmistakable signal of life." The article questions why Jastrow's comments received little attention and suggests that the scientific community may be passively accepting that space agency chiefs withhold such facts to avoid ridicule. It posits that the public should not ridicule the idea of life on Mars.

Further speculation about life on Mars is presented, referencing an explosion observed by Japanese astronomer Tsuneo Saheki in 1949. The establishment of the Mars Committee in 1954 and the findings of the Mars Project, which were not made public, are mentioned. The controversy surrounding Dr. I.S. Schklovsky's 1959 calculations suggesting Phobos, a moon of Mars, might be an artificial satellite is discussed, along with a 1963 NASA official's statement that Phobos could be a space base. The article concludes that conditions on Mars are not static and that the egocentric idea of life only on Earth is being challenged. It suggests that ufologists must be prepared to travel faster than science, as UFOs, even if originating light years away, represent a vast technological gap, implying that Mars and Venus would likely become bases for interplanetary travel.

News and Views

This section comprises several smaller articles and reports:

• "The Joshua Flats Incident" on "Project U.F.O.": This piece, taken from the files of Project Blue Book, dramatizes an investigation by Major Jake Gatlin and S/Sgt. Harry Fitz into sightings in Joshua Flats. The investigation focuses on a frightened 11-year-old boy, Pauley Ramirez, as a potential source of information.
• Mystery of gas in a pyramid: Reports from Cairo describe strange happenings in the burial chamber of Pharaoh Khephren, where a mysterious gas caused irritation, headaches, and nausea. The gas reportedly dissipated, but the chamber remained closed pending test reports.
• The non-believer: This article discusses Michael Moorcock, a widely read science fiction author, who reportedly did not attend a UK international UFO congress and does not believe in UFOs. The author expresses sadness at this, having read Moorcock's fantasies for years. It also notes Moorcock's aspiration to reconcile narrative form with the psychological effect of the modern world in his writing.
• Editor's Comments: The editor reflects on the nature of truth, stating that science would be meaningless if it were solely based on belief or disbelief. The comments also mention that many science-fiction writers profess similar non-belief in UFOs, referencing Arthur C. Clarke's views.
• Flights of fancy: Adrian Berry offers a skeptical view of publicized UFO sightings. He highlights a faked UFO picture created by a photographer using a button and invisible string. The article discusses Philip J. Klass's conclusion that 98% of UFO sightings are misidentifications, while the remaining 2% are "self-delusions or hoaxes." It questions the intelligence of readers who fall for sensational UFO stories and criticizes a newspaper splash about a "UFO landing in Suffolk" which turned out to be an unexplained light seen by a US Air Force colonel.
• Hoyle's star spores: This article from The Sunday Times (November 20, 1983) discusses Sir Fred Hoyle's theory that life reached Earth from outer space via "star spores." While many remained skeptical, the theory was defended at the Royal Astronomical Society. The article notes that while the meeting did not convert many to the life-from-space theory, the idea that chemical precursors to life might have reached primitive Earth from space was generally acceptable.
• UFO Sightings (Melbourne): Reports from Victoria, Australia, detail weekend UFO sightings of bright colored lights over Bendigo and Ballarat. The TAAF and the Victorian UFO Research Society are investigating, despite suggestions of a rock band being responsible. The UFO Research Society believes the widespread reports on a clear night cannot be ignored.
• 2010... A Space Answer!: This brief item notes the significant budget increase for the sequel to "2001: A Space Odyssey," titled "2010-Odyssey Two," which is set to cost £131 million.
• Police chief's UFO photos are for real: This report from The Daily Mirror (April 4, 1984) states that pictures of a UFO taken by a policeman in North Yorkshire have been confirmed as genuine by scientists, who admitted, "It can't be an aircraft."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of KALPA NAVA include the exploration of UFO phenomena, the possibility of extraterrestrial life, and the critical examination of both belief and skepticism surrounding these topics. The magazine appears to adopt an open-minded approach, presenting various viewpoints from proponents of UFO theories, scientific researchers, and vocal skeptics. There is a clear interest in challenging established scientific paradigms and governmental secrecy, particularly concerning UFOs and potential extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance seems to favor investigating all aspects of Ufology, including skepticism, and encouraging readers to consider evidence and theories that may lie outside mainstream acceptance. The publication also demonstrates a commitment to reporting on significant events and discoveries, even if they are controversial or not widely accepted by the scientific community.

Title: KALPA-NAVA
Issue: 8
Date: 27 September 1983
Publisher: Sri Lanka UFO Register

This issue of Kalpa-Nava, a journal focused on Ufology and mysteries, delves into various aspects of psychic phenomena and UFO sightings, with a particular emphasis on reports from Sri Lanka and international incidents.

Psychic Powers and Research

The lead article, "So could the odd couple blow YOUR mind?" by Adella Lithman, introduces Russell Targ, a physicist, and his psychologist sidekick Keith Harary. Targ, who spent 10 years at the Stamford Research Institute, claims that psychic abilities are real and normal. He asserts that governments are investing billions in psychic research, yet public belief remains low. Targ shares his personal experience of using psychic powers to make half a million dollars in the New York commodities market. The article also touches upon more disturbing aspects of psychic powers, citing reports of individuals being able to spy effectively through telepathy and an experiment in Moscow where a man nearly died after concentrating on "strangling" his subject.

For those interested in further exploration, the magazine lists several books on telepathy and ESP, including works by Dr. Russell Targ, Dr. H. Puthoff, Dr. Andrija Puharich, David Hammond, Dr. Edgar Mitchell, and Dr. George King.

UFO Sightings

Brazilian Soccer Match Incident

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a UFO sighting that occurred during a soccer match in Campo Grande, Brazil, on March 7th. The article, sourced from The National Enquirer, USA, describes how a squadron of UFOs, described as "disk-shaped objects emitting very bright, pulsating, pumpkin-colored light," dazzled over 30,000 spectators. Army Reserve Maj. Jose Maravieski reported seeing four objects, two large and two smaller, moving from west to east. Joao Viegas, the stadium maintenance boss, noted they appeared on one horizon and disappeared over the other. Roberto Cunha, a civil engineer, described the objects merging into two and appearing to crisscross, with the entire event lasting about a minute and a half.

Military Police Sighting

Following the soccer match incident, the following day, in Presidente Prudente, Brazil, the entire military police squad was put on alert after Cpl. Donizetti Torres spotted another UFO. Torres described a "huge object about 3,000 feet up" that was changing colors from red to green to blue to orange. He observed it standing still, then wobbling across the sky and descending about 1,500 feet before accelerating away at an incredible speed. Torres concluded that the object was not a human-made aircraft and not from this planet.

Ancient UFOs in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's First UFO?

An article by Ananda L. Sirisena explores the possibility of UFOs in Sri Lanka dating back thousands of years. While the Sri Lanka UFO Register has reports from 1954, it also holds records predating 1947. The earliest documented UFO in Sri Lanka is suggested to be the aerial craft used by Ravana to abduct the Indian princess Sita, as described in the ancient Indo-Aryan epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha.

The Ramayana is quoted describing the "Puspaka Car" as resembling the sun, belonging to Ravana, and being an "aerial and excellent car, going everywhere at will," resembling a "bright cloud in the sky." The text further recounts Sita's plea for help as she is carried away by Ravana.

Mahabharatha and Ancient Technology

Authors have suggested that the powerful weapons described in the Mahabharatha, such as "Kapilla's Eye, The Brahma Weapon and Indra's Dart," might be evidence of an ancient civilization on Earth that destroyed itself. An interesting detail mentioned is Ravana's "mighty vimana," which was "flaming like fire" and could be navigated at will, further supporting the idea of advanced ancient technology.

Editorial: Fallen Down a Black Hole

The editorial addresses the issue of skepticism towards UFO reports and books, criticizing what it terms "self-styled 'rationalists'." It argues against the notion that alien visitors would only seek information from the most intelligent humans, suggesting that a diverse range of individuals, including those considered dull, might be studied. The editorial posits that UFO contactees may possess a "cosmic awareness" lacking in others. It also challenges the assumption that advanced alien intelligences would necessarily use vehicles with conventional aerodynamic qualities, suggesting that their propulsion methods might dictate the shape of their craft. The piece concludes that if an intelligent scientist were to make contact, they might lack the courage to publicize the event.

Sri Lanka UFO Register

The magazine includes a special announcement regarding the demise of Mr. Sumana Walgama, the Secretary of the Sri Lanka UFO Register, and pays tribute to his work. Correspondence is directed to the Associate Editor, Dr. Sarath de Silva. The issue also lists available back copies of the Sri Lanka UFO Register, detailing the contents of several issues, which cover a wide range of UFO sightings from Sri Lanka and internationally, as well as discussions on the origin of the term "flying saucer," extraterrestrial life, and Buddhist perspectives on Ufology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are psychic phenomena, extraterrestrial encounters (UFOs), and the interpretation of ancient texts as potential evidence of advanced ancient civilizations. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of exploring and validating Ufology and psychic research, challenging conventional skepticism and encouraging an open mind towards unexplained phenomena. The publication, through its articles and the Sri Lanka UFO Register's content, aims to document and disseminate information on Ufology without prejudice, promoting a non-political and non-religious study of the subject.