Tellus - 1972 10 vol 3 No 2

Magazine Overview

This issue of *Tellus* magazine, dated October 1966, is the second issue of its third volume. It is published by MIS and edited by S Svensson. The cover prominently features the enduring mystery of the ghost ship 'Mary Celeste', which vanished 100 years prior, with the headline 'Mary Celeste was abandoned, no one knows the cause.' The magazine also touches upon themes of extraterrestrial life, meditation, and UFO reports.

The Mary Celeste Mystery

The lead article, 'Mary Celeste Overgavs Ingen Känner Orsaken' (Mary Celeste Was Abandoned, No One Knows the Cause), commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 'Mary Celeste' incident. On December 5, 1872, Captain David Morehouse of the British brig 'Dei Gratia' sighted the ship 110 nautical miles northeast of the Azores, with two sails set but no one aboard. Despite a century passing, no definitive explanation for the crew's disappearance has been found.

The article details the findings of the investigation conducted after the ship was found. Captain Benjamin Briggs, his wife, their two-year-old daughter, and the seven crew members were missing. The ship's forepeak and the passage to the hold were open, with water a meter high in the hold. The cabins were in disarray, but the cargo of 1701 barrels of alcohol was properly stowed, and there was enough food and water for months. A long knife was found under the captain's bed, and an axe on deck. Initial suspicions of bloodstains on these items were later dismissed as rust. The ship's bow was slightly dented, but there were no other significant damages.

Crucially, the lifeboat, sextant, navigation handbook, chronometer, and ship's papers were missing. First Mate Oliver Deveau's testimony suggested the crew left in panic and as quickly as possible, but the reason remained unknown.

The ship's logbook, found in a drawer under the chart table, indicated the last entry was on November 24th, placing the brig 110 nautical miles from Santa Maria in the Azores. A final, hastily written note from November 25th mentioned the ship being six nautical miles northeast of Santa Maria. The first mate, Richardsson, had written a letter to his wife, Fanny, expressing his love.

Ten days later, the 'Mary Celeste' was found to have sailed 378 nautical miles without a crew, maintaining its course towards Gibraltar. The investigation commission in Gibraltar initially suspected that the crew had broken into the alcohol cargo, become intoxicated, murdered the captain, and then fled the ship, possibly after damaging the bow to simulate a collision. This theory was later revised when the bloodstains were identified as rust.

The article presents several theories about the fate of the 'Mary Celeste':

• The Bet Theory: The captain and first mate bet on who could swim best with their clothes on. The rest of the crew gathered at the bow to watch, the bow broke, and everyone fell into the water, becoming shark food.
• The Giant Squid Theory: A giant squid emerged from the sea and dragged the crew underwater. It apparently had an interest in navigation, taking the sextant, chronometer, handbook, and lifeboat.
• The Grounding Theory: The ship ran aground on an uncharted sandbank. While trying to pull it off, the line broke, and the 'Mary Celeste', with two sails set, sailed away.
• The Water Spout Theory: High water spouts appeared, causing so much water to enter the hull that the ship was believed to be sinking. The crew entered the lifeboat, which later capsized, leading to their drowning.

A more plausible theory, proposed by British maritime expert Oliver Cobh, suggests that during a stormy crossing from New York to Gibraltar, the alcohol cargo in the hold could not be properly ventilated. This led to the formation of an explosive gas mixture, exacerbated by the warm winds near the Azores. The resulting sounds and possible small explosions caused the crew to panic. They opened the forward hatch, discovered the danger, and hastily boarded the lifeboat, which was tied to the 'Mary Celeste' with a thin rope. The lifeboat, with ten people, was then pulled away from the ship, which sailed on towards Gibraltar. The people in the lifeboat likely died of thirst and hunger, or the boat sank in a storm.

Later, the 'Mary Celeste' was reportedly put back into service. In 1884, her captain insured the vessel for a large sum and deliberately ran her aground in the West Indies with a cargo of worthless paper bundles. The captain was subsequently brought to trial for insurance fraud.

A recent development mentioned is a film about the 'Mary Celeste' produced by West German TV 2, which might also be shown in Sweden.

Extraterrestrial Life and Advanced Civilizations

Under the heading 'Visst finns det övermänniskor ute i rymden' (There are certainly superhumans out in space), the magazine features an interview with Sir Bernard Lovell, Director of the Jodrell Bank Observatory. Lovell, a renowned astronomer, states that there are vastly superior races on many planets, some hundreds or thousands of years ahead of humanity in development, and others millions of years behind.

He believes that life is not exclusive to Earth and that evidence for this will emerge soon. He explains that laboratory experiments can recreate planetary systems from cosmic dust, and estimates that the Milky Way alone contains a billion planetary systems. Even with a pessimistic outlook, he suggests over 100,000 million planets in the Milky Way could harbor life, and the universe contains trillions of such systems.

Lovell points out that meteorites have been found containing spores and cells of non-terrestrial origin. He speculates on the evolution of life on other worlds, noting that Earth is about 4.5 billion years old, with life emerging around 2 billion years ago. He emphasizes that many stars are much older than our sun, and life on these ancient planets has likely continued to evolve.

He asserts that humanity's rapid scientific progress in the last 50 years gives a glimpse of what might be possible on much older planets. He also mentions that some alien races may have destroyed themselves through warfare, while others have achieved a high level of civilization and scientific understanding that is difficult for humans to comprehend.

Lovell is confident that life exists beyond Earth and that humanity is on the verge of discovering it, possibly through biological probes sent to neighboring planets by American and Russian space programs.

He also mentions a recent official announcement of a message received from an intelligent extraterrestrial race by the Soviet Union, suggesting that other civilizations might be attempting to communicate with us. The vast distances involved mean that messages would take a long time to travel.

Regarding UFOs, Lovell states he has no personal opinion, having not seen any himself, nor has he studied classified materials from places like Warminster. However, he acknowledges that UFOs could be messengers from space, and reiterates his certainty about the existence of superhumans and extraterrestrial civilizations.

Meditation: A Rewarding Hobby

An article titled 'Att Meditera - En givande hobby' (To Meditate - A Rewarding Hobby) by W.E. Sangster discusses the practice of meditation. The author, who leads a busy life, was inspired by a friend who lived in India to explore meditation. Initially skeptical, viewing it as mere relaxation, he came to understand it as a form of directed thinking and mental training.

He describes meditation as concentrating thoughts on a specific idea outside of everyday concerns, a form of spiritual gymnastics that fosters mental clarity and self-awareness. He notes that many historical figures, considered saints, were masters of meditation, drawing inner peace and clear judgment from it.

The author warns against confusing meditation with daydreaming, where thoughts are allowed to wander aimlessly. He emphasizes the importance of having a specific subject for meditation, using 'humility' as his first practice. He defines humility as freedom from self-importance and false pride, leading to a greater willingness to listen and admire rather than criticize.

He also practiced 'self-discipline,' which helped him overcome impatience during waiting periods. He explains that true discipline involves controlling impulses and weaknesses without excessive effort. He finds that using 'spill time,' such as waiting in traffic, for meditation is more refreshing and restorative than sleep.

Meditation, he concludes, fills empty moments with meaningful life, providing refreshment and stimulating the discovery of inner reserves.

Life: An Impossibility

Another short piece, 'Livet- En orimlighet' (Life - An Impossibility), discusses the improbable nature of life from a molecular perspective. It highlights the complexity of molecules that make up living organisms and the vast number of possible structural combinations for polypeptides, suggesting that life's existence is statistically highly unlikely.

Relaxed to the Breaking Point

'Avslappad till bristningsgränsen' (Relaxed to the Breaking Point) by Corey Ford humorously describes the author's attempt to learn relaxation techniques. He finds that the more he tries to relax, the more tense he becomes. He recounts experiences of trying to follow relaxation instructions, such as breathing exercises, which paradoxically lead to increased anxiety and physical mishaps, like hitting his head.

UFO Reports

The magazine includes a section titled 'UFO rapporter' (UFO Reports).

One report details a phenomenon observed on August 10, 1971, at Jägersro Travbana in Malmö, Sweden. Herr and Fru Wiberg observed a gray, elliptical object, about 20 cm in diameter, moving slowly in a straight line.

Another report, submitted on January 9, 1972, describes a UFO sighting in Blekinge, Sweden. An object was seen hovering in the sky for two minutes before moving away with a whistling sound and disappearing after seven minutes.

Historical UFO accounts are also included:

• April 1897: A 'Luftskepp' (airship) over Kansas City, USA, with a powerful spotlight shining downwards.
• April 11, 1897: Sighted over Chicago, USA.
• April 16, 1897: In Benton, Texas, USA, a cigar-shaped object with green and red lights was reported, with other Texas reports describing it as cigar-shaped with large protrusions and powerful spotlights.

A humorous warning is issued to 'Tefatspiloter' (Flying saucer pilots): 'Do not land on Earth, the natives are dangerous...'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of *Tellus* leans heavily into speculative and mysterious topics, with a strong focus on the unexplained. The 'Mary Celeste' mystery serves as a historical anchor for discussions on the unknown. The prominent inclusion of Sir Bernard Lovell's views on extraterrestrial life signals an editorial stance that is open to, and actively promotes, the idea of advanced civilizations beyond Earth. The articles on meditation and relaxation suggest an interest in self-improvement and inner exploration, possibly as a way to cope with the complexities of modern life or to better understand oneself in the context of a vast universe. The UFO reports further reinforce the magazine's engagement with phenomena that challenge conventional understanding. The overall tone is one of curiosity, wonder, and a willingness to explore possibilities beyond the ordinary, blending historical mysteries with scientific speculation and personal development.

Title: VAR GATULIKA VÄRLD
Issue: 11
Volume: 12
Date: 1953
Publisher: New York Herald Tribune (mentioned as source of information)
Language: Swedish

This issue of VAR GATULIKA VÄRLD, titled 'Mysterier på månen' (Mysteries on the Moon), delves into the intriguing possibility of phenomena on the lunar surface that challenge the established scientific view of the Moon as a lifeless celestial body. The article suggests that the era of spaceflight is imminent, with the Moon being the logical first destination for manned missions.

The Changing View of the Moon

The prevailing scientific understanding until recently was that the Moon was a dead planet, devoid of atmosphere, and either scorched by the sun or frozen by extreme cold. However, recent years have seen observations that cast doubt on this theory. The article notes that American government scientists have strongly advised against attempting to 'shoot the Moon' with atomic bombs until the absence of life is fully proven, raising the question of why such a seemingly "unreasonable warning" is being issued.

Key Observations and Witnesses

The article presents several compelling accounts:

• John O'Neil's Discovery (July 29, 1953): John O'Neil, the scientific editor for the New York Herald Tribune, was observing the Moon through his telescope (90x magnification) and reported seeing the shadow of a "bridge-like construction" across the Mare Crisium crater. He increased the magnification to 250x and saw the structure clearly, describing it as an "unbelievable technical marvel" that had not been present just five weeks prior.
• Corroborating Observations: O'Neil's report was initially met with skepticism, but Dr. H. P. Wilkins, described as the world's foremost lunar expert, stated that he had clearly seen the same bridge-like structure a month after O'Neil's sighting. Subsequently, the prominent Englishman Patrick Moore also confirmed seeing the structure clearly for an entire hour.

Historical Lunar Anomalies

The article also references earlier unexplained phenomena on the Moon:

• Geometric Light Patterns (1869): In 1869, a series of clearly visible points arranged in geometric patterns were observed in the Mare Crisium crater. The British Royal Astronomical Society initiated a long-term observation, during which astronomers detected over a hundred such light patterns, including rectangles, straight lines, and triangles, over a two-year period. These signals ceased entirely by the end of 1871, and their meaning was never understood.
• Large Black Object (1912): American F. B. Harris reported a "gigantic black object" approximately 80 kilometers in diameter moving across the Moon, close enough to cast its shadow on the lunar surface.
• Glowing Spot (1950): In March 1950, astronomer P. Wilkins observed a strangely glowing spot near the Aristarchus crater, describing it as oval-shaped and seemingly hovering over the crater floor. Three months later, astronomer Dr. James Bartlett Jr observed a similar object in the same location.

Implications and Conclusion

The increasing list of lunar phenomena leads the article to suggest that life may indeed exist on the Moon, or that these objects are artificial. If they are not artificial, then they represent natural phenomena without any known parallels. The article concludes by stating that these objects sometimes disappear from one location only to reappear elsewhere, further deepening the mystery.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to be dedicated to exploring unexplained phenomena and mysteries, particularly those related to space and potential extraterrestrial activity. The editorial stance leans towards presenting evidence that challenges conventional scientific explanations and encourages readers to consider the possibility of advanced or unknown phenomena on celestial bodies like the Moon. The focus on eyewitness accounts from credible sources like newspaper editors and astronomers suggests an effort to lend weight to these extraordinary claims.