American Journal of Physics

Magazine Overview

This issue of the American Journal of Physics, Volume 37, Issue 10, dated October 1969, features a significant review of the "Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects," commonly known as the Condon Report. The review, written by Thornton Page, provides an in-depth analysis of the extensive report conducted by the University of Colorado for the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, under the direction of Edward U. Condon. The journal is published by the American Association of Physics Teachers.

Book Review: Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects

Thornton Page reviews the Condon Report, a substantial work comprising 965 pages plus xxiv, published by Bantam Books in 1969 for $1.95. Page notes that while the report is not brief, it contains 56 detailed case studies that apply physics to UFO sightings. He highlights that 33 of these cases were explained, but a larger proportion remained unexplained, leading to criticism that the report's conclusions, which recommended no further government study of UFO sightings, did not logically follow from the evidence. Page outlines three perspectives on the issue: Condon's view, the critics' view (including J. Allen Hynek), and a "middle position."

Condon's argument, as presented in the report, is that most cases can be explained by normal phenomena, and the extraterrestrial hypothesis lacks direct evidence and would violate known physics. He concludes that further study is of no scientific value. Critics, like Hynek, acknowledge that 90-95% of sightings are explained but find the remaining few potentially significant, possibly indicating new atmospheric phenomena or advanced extraterrestrial technology. They advocate for continued Air Force records and periodic reviews.

The "middle position" emphasizes the significant public belief (30-40%) in extraterrestrial visitors, which has political implications and raises concerns about public education and the public image of science. This perspective suggests that scientists should not dismiss sightings and interpretations, as doing so can strengthen the "new left" view that science relies more on authority than observation. Page also points out the trend in reported UFO shapes (saucers, sickles, cigars) and the eastward travel of "flaps" as empirical facts that might fit sociological theories.

Page criticizes the report's treatment of the Prarie (meteor) Network's sky photos, calling it garbled and noting its value as a source of UFO data. He poses the philosophical question, "What is the proper evidence for physical reality?" and suggests that UFO sightings, like theories of rotating neutron stars, can be measured and exhibit statistical patterns that might support a theory of extraterrestrial civilizations.

Book Review: Practical Physics

The issue also includes a review by Clyde R. Burnett of "Practical Physics" by G. L. Squires, published by McGraw-Hill Book Co., Ltd. in 1968 for $6.50. This book is presented not as a laboratory manual but as a "companion to any undergraduate course in practical work." Burnett praises its leisurely readability and its value for experimental problem-solving and measurement situations. Part II, "Experimental Methods," is described as a collection of "tried-and-true recipes." The book includes detailed discussions of error reduction and elimination, though Burnett notes that the specific experiments discussed might not be commonly assigned in U.S. physics labs. The review highlights the book's informality and its useful advice on data recording, analysis, and report writing, particularly in Part III, "Record and Calculations."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the critical examination of scientific methodology and evidence, particularly in the context of controversial subjects like UFOs. The review of the Condon Report underscores the tension between scientific rigor, public perception, and the interpretation of ambiguous data. The journal's stance, as reflected in the "middle position" discussed by Page, appears to advocate for a more open-minded and less dismissive approach to phenomena that capture public interest, even if they challenge conventional scientific understanding. The inclusion of the "Practical Physics" review suggests a continued focus on the fundamentals of scientific inquiry and laboratory instruction within the physics community.