Messages From the Stars Communication and Contact With Extraterrestrial Lif E

by Ian Ridpath

Paperback

First published December 31, 1978

About the author

Ian William Ridpath is an English amateur astronomer, who has been an active observer, writer, editor, and broadcaster, on the subject since 1972. He is also known for his UFO skepticism, an interest in astro-philately, marathon running (having participated in the London Marathon dressed as Halley’s Comet) and, most recently, horse racing.

Ridpath has an equally varied and productive professional life. He has written or edited over forty books in the field of astronomy, he is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (Council member 2004–07), a member of the Society of Authors, a member of the Association of British Science Writers, he has worked at the University of London Observatory, and manages a self-publishing business. He also regularly gives talks and lectures on astronomy.

He is most well known in astronomical circles as the editor of the Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy, and for his updates and work on the acclaimed classic Norton's Star Atlas.

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 1978 SUMMARY OF THE SEARCH FOR OTHER LIFE, AND A CRITIQUE OF VON DÄNIKEN, ETC.

Science journalist Ian Ridpath wrote in the Preface to this 1978 book, “Does life exist elsewhere in space? This is the single most important scientific question which we are currently capable of answering, and certainly the most exciting. [This book] is an attempt to tell the story of the search for life in space… [It] begins by looking at the scientific basis for the belief elsewhere in space, and at the attempts by scientists to find such life… It ends with a critical examination of the claims by those such as Erich von Däniken and writers on UFOs that we already have been, or are being, visited by extraterrestrials and I attempt to place these fantastic claims in perspective against the results of the scientific search for extraterrestrial life.” (Pg. 9)

He notes, “One interesting case concerns a US TV station KLEE… the test card of which was allegedly received on TV sets in England in 1953, years before the advent of communications satellites or even the first Sputnik… This fascinating case has been thoroughly investigated by radio astronomer Frank Drake, and the explanation is quite clear: it was a hoax which backfired. The hoaxers were two English businessmen who were demonstrating TV sets which they claimed could pick up overseas TV. Strangely, all that ever showed up were call signs---no programs or moving pictures at all. The hoaxers encouraged gullible witnesses to photograph the signs… and send the photographs to the TV stations for confirmation… The photographs reveal the call signs to be poor forgeries; presumably the call signs were projected inside the actual sets by the hoaxers. When the hoaxers made the mistake of projecting an out-of-date call sign their deception should have been immediately exposed…” (Pg. 153)

Turning to von Däniken, he notes, “fossil evidence reveals that the earliest known members of Homo lived at least 3 million years ago. Yet, according to von Däniken, Earthlings of only a few thousand years ago were still so dim that they needed alien help to build the Pyramids and the Inca cities.” (Pg. 177)

He suggests, “von Däniken’s success is due… to his highly effective style of writing… by which, without saying anything wrong or making a definite statement, he nevertheless draws you, the jury, to the conclusion he wants---usually, by means of the rhetorical question… “ (Pg. 178)

He continues, “There are many examples of religious drawings and stylized wall paintings or sculptures shown by von Däniken that seem to depict astronauts in spacecraft and space suits… But in the ancient astronaut books the expert witness is not called to give evidence that puts the drawing into context, and it becomes a mysterious portrayal that can only be of a man with a space helmet.” (Pg. 179)

He goes on, “Altogether more impressive is the famous [16th century] Piri Re’is map… Von Däniken claims that the coasts of North and South America and even the contours of the Antarctic are ‘precisely delineated’ on this map… [which] was [purportedly] drawn from aerial photographs taken by a spaceship hovering above Cairo. The truth is a little more mundane. According to expert cartographer Charles Hapgood, large sections of the South American coastline on the Piri Re’is map are missing...” (Pg. 179)

He adds, “The ancient ‘batteries’ found near Baghdad that von Däniken marvels over may be examples of very primitive electric cells, possibly used for electroplating at about the time of Christ. A replica was tested in 1960 and produced half a bolt of electricity for 18 days---impressive for 2000 years ago, but hardly of use to advanced space voyagers.” (Pg. 180)

He reports, “In the 1950s came the famous hoax by George Adamski, who claimed he had met extraterrestrial beings from Venus, Mars and Saturn who had given him rides in their spacecraft to see people living on the far side of the moon. Adamski’s photographs of the reputed flying saucer that picked him up are among the most blatantly fraudulent ever produced, even in a field that has become notorious for trickery; one can even see the multiple reflections from the artificial lights used to illuminate the saucer model. These excesses gave UFOologists at least one clear lesson: never trust a flying saucer photograph.” (Pg. 206)

Though there are certainly far better UFO skeptics out there now (e.g., Philip Klass, Kal Korff, Robert Shaeffer, etc.), this book may still interest some.

[Dan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know how this book came to me, but it emerged from a pile on the floor. I thought it might be a good one to carry on my weekly train ride but today's commute proved me wrong. Forgettable and not worth the skim it got.