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"The radio astronomers from the Sternberg Institute of Astronomy in
Moscow were quoted by the Soviet news agency Tass as saying
mysterious signals from outer space
came from intelligent beings."
| A group of Soviet astronomers beat a hasty retreat today from suggestions attributed to them Monday about another civilization in outer space. |
By Syracuse Herald
4-13-1965 |
The radio astronomers from the Sternberg Institute of Astronomy in Moscow were quoted by the Soviet news agency Tass as saying mysterious signals from outer space came from intelligent beings.
Prof. Joseph S. Shklovsky, head of the radio astronomy department, said:
"The facts are very interesting. But to speak now about the artificial origin of the signals would be premature. We have to approach this question very thoroughly and very carefully."
Shklovsky made his remark at a hastily summoned news conference as astronomers throughout the world expressed doubt and amazement at the Soviet speculation about life in outer space.
Shklovsky, obviously distressed by what he called "the distorted version" of his work published by Tass, deplored the sensation caused by the report.
"We must avoid unhealthy sensationalism. Any sensational atmosphere can only do harm to science and culture in general," he said.
"We are confident in these observations, but there is no such thing as 100 precent certainly."
Also present at the conference were his assistants, Nikolai Kardashev, 33, and Genaddy Sholomitsky, 27.
Tass had quoted Kardashev as saying, on the basis of observation of the peculiar signals: "A supercivilization has been discovered."
* Special thanks to Bob Barrow
