1953 07 31 Science - Vol 118 No 3057 - Wiley

Magazine Overview

Title: Science
Issue: Vol. 118, No. 3057
Date: July 31, 1953
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Cover Headline: Those Flying Saucers

This issue of *Science* magazine, dated July 31, 1953, features an article by C. C. Wylie titled "Those Flying Saucers." The publication is from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, with a cover price of $0.25.

Article: Those Flying Saucers by C. C. Wylie

C. C. Wylie, from the Department of Mathematics and Astronomy at the State University of Iowa, addresses the phenomenon of "flying saucers" and argues that a satisfactory explanation was published soon after the initial reports gained prominence. He critiques Donald H. Menzel's book "Flying Saucers" for including explanations like "distant planes, jet aircraft" which do not fully account for typical saucer reports.

Wylie describes the typical saucer as a round or oval disk of bright aluminum, seen only on clear days and generally in the part of the sky opposite the sun. He posits that these are often caused by reflected sunlight from airplanes. He details his research method, which involves verifying reports by driving towards the objects or using binoculars, and by checking with local airports to see if planes were maneuvering in the area. He also notes that birds, particularly hawks seen at a critical angle with the sun, can appear as "saucers."

A key characteristic of these reflected sunlight phenomena, according to Wylie, is that there is usually only one sighting per object. This single sighting, he argues, indicates that they are not space ships, enemy projectiles, or secret weapons, but rather transient optical effects. He contrasts this with the numerous reports received for spectacular meteors, suggesting that the singular nature of saucer sightings points to a less extraordinary cause.

Wylie emphasizes the importance of prompt investigation. He learned twenty-five years prior that on-the-spot interviews can significantly alter and clarify witness accounts, often revealing that parts of the story were exaggerated or imagined. He believes that if trained individuals had obtained fundamental facts promptly and discarded imagination, simple explanations would have been found.

He then discusses other phenomena often conflated with saucers, such as fireballs (spectacular meteors). He notes that green is a common color for meteors, contrary to some claims, and that this has been observed for at least eighty years. He also mentions other visual phenomena that are sometimes misidentified, including the planet Jupiter, reflections from floodlights or airport ceiling lights, and mirage effects caused by atmospheric inversions, such as "goof lights" reported by highway patrolmen.

Wylie references a specific case of fireballs reported over the Regina area of Saskatchewan, Canada, on February 9, 1913. While popular accounts described hundreds of fireballs moving horizontally across North America, Wylie states that original reports indicate only one fireball that disintegrated at a high altitude, and associated shooting stars were falling downward at an angle, not moving horizontally towards New York City. He concludes that this event was likely an exceptionally good shower of shooting stars that was "blown up" into a sensationalized procession.

He reiterates that due to exaggeration and the absence of essential facts in older reports, he has made little attempt to investigate them unless reported promptly. For timely reports, he finds it possible to eliminate imagination and offer a probable explanation based on natural laws. He believes that the sensational stories featured in magazines could also be explained if the essential facts were available, free from imagination and error, a point he feels is supported by Menzel's book.

News and Notes

Meeting of the American Meteorological Society

The 122nd National Meeting of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) in Washington, D. C., on April 29, was the largest in its thirty-four-year history, with 516 registrants. Joint sessions with the American Geophysical Union and the American Physical Society contributed to the high attendance. Many foreign delegates from the Commission on Synoptic Meteorology of the World Meteorological Organization also attended.

A highlight was a panel discussion on the "Jet Stream," moderated by Brig. Gen. J. J. George. Researchers from the Air Force, Navy, Weather Bureau, University of Chicago, and Canadian Meteorological Service discussed the current status of jet stream exploration and research into its causes and utilization in weather forecasting.

An evening session on radar meteorology featured G. E. Stout of the Illinois State Water Survey describing the first known radar photographs of a tornado vortex. George Gamow addressed the AMS on "Cosmic Weather" at a Press Club event on April 30.

American Association of Physics Teachers Meeting

The Summer Meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) took place from June 25-27 in Pittsburgh. The meeting featured short contributed papers on demonstration equipment and pedagogical problems. Dr. R. Sutton presented "Some Teasers for Conclusion Jumpers." Four symposia covered topics including the relation of physics and medicine, integration of high school and college physics teaching, challenges in implementing satisfactory science instruction at the high school level, facilitating advanced students to bypass introductory college physics, and the new field of transistor physics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the rational explanation of phenomena often sensationalized in popular culture, specifically "flying saucers." The editorial stance, as presented through C. C. Wylie's article, is one of scientific skepticism towards extraordinary claims and a strong emphasis on empirical evidence, prompt investigation, and the application of known natural laws. The magazine also highlights the activities and advancements within scientific communities, particularly in meteorology and physics education, suggesting a commitment to disseminating scientific knowledge and fostering professional discourse.