1953 12 00 School Science and Mathematics - Vol 53 No 9 - Miller

Magazine Overview

This document is a scanned page from a publication titled "ON FLYING SAUCERS AND OTHER ‘UNUSUAL’ AERIAL OBJECTS". The article is authored by Julius Sumner Miller, identified as a Ford Foundation Fellow from the University of California, Los Angeles. The page number is 716.

The Subject of Flying Saucers

Julius Sumner Miller begins by noting that as the year is about to turn (he is writing on Christmas day), it is an opportune time to review the subject of flying saucers and other unusual aerial objects, which has garnered significant attention in both reputable and disreputable press outlets. He acknowledges the peculiar position science teachers find themselves in when asked about these phenomena, as children can pose difficult questions. Miller states his intention is to summarize the scientific utterances on the subject from reputable technical quarters to convey the general position held by scientific observers.

He observes that while no final opinion has been definitively stated by the scientific community, the evidence points in a particular direction, though readers are free to interpret based on their own judgment or bias.

Historical and Mythological Context

Miller draws a parallel between man's history, which is filled with mythical and real occurrences, and the sky. He notes that early written records and stone writings depict the sky populated by gods, birds, and animals, with constellations being mental constructs of mythical creatures. This mythology, he points out, persists today, with constellations still taught based on conjured likenesses.

He then introduces a "new" mythology that has arisen, largely from reports by balloon and airplane observers and air-defense spotters. Miller suggests these reports possess a psychological character rather than a purely physical one.

Air Force Interest and Report Analysis

The Air Force has shown particular interest in flying saucers for evident reasons. Miller states that a sifting and analysis of reports by reliable, competent observers reveal that roughly 80% of these observations can be explained by conventional means. These explanations include:

• Weather balloons
• Planes
• Reflections from objects like newspapers flying about
• Meteors (at night)
• Reflections of searchlight beams incident on clouds

These are considered real phenomena. However, Miller notes that approximately 20% of utterly reliable reports lack a simple explanation.

Scientific Explanations for Unexplained Phenomena

The current position in scientific quarters regarding these unexplained mysteries is that they are atmospheric phenomena. These include mirages, fog, and ice-crystal layers. Miller asserts that nearly all "objects" reported by pilots at great heights can be explained by standard physical concepts. He highlights one specific observation that does not fit known physics: a hovering nocturnal light. As a way to resolve this dilemma, he mentions the possibility that these flying saucer images could be craft from interplanetary space, manned by beings from other planets.

Historical Precedents and Alternative Views

Miller points out that these "unusual" phenomena are not new to the literature. He cites a recent letter to *Science* (Vol. 116, page 640) that refers to reports by Elihu Thomson in 1916 and by John Zeleny in 1932, which described similar "objects in the sky."

He then presents another perspective: if these phenomena are not real in the sky and not pure psychological abstractions, could they be spots in the eyes? He uses the example of the "canals" on Mars, suggesting that this is how they were "established."

Societal Context

The article concludes with a brief, seemingly unrelated statistic: that in the fall, the United States was short about 345,000 public elementary and secondary school classrooms, with three out of every five classrooms being overcrowded.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this article is the scientific investigation and explanation of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), commonly known as flying saucers. The author, Julius Sumner Miller, adopts a balanced approach, acknowledging the public fascination and the existence of unexplained sightings while grounding the discussion in scientific principles and observable data. The editorial stance is one of cautious skepticism towards sensational claims, favoring conventional explanations where possible, but also admitting the limitations of current scientific understanding for certain phenomena. The article encourages critical thinking and interpretation based on evidence and personal judgment, rather than accepting unsubstantiated theories. There is an underlying concern for the scientific literacy of the public and educators when faced with such topics.