Australian Saucer Record - Vol 07 No 02 - 1961 INCOMPLETE

Magazine Overview

Title: AUSTRALIAN SAUCER RECORD
Issue: No. 2
Volume: VOLUME SEVEN
Date: 1961
Publisher: A.F.S.R.S.
Country: Australia
Price: 2/-

This issue of the Australian Saucer Record, dated 1961, presents a collection of articles and editorials exploring various facets of UFO phenomena, space travel, and speculative science. The cover prominently features a map of Australia with flying saucer illustrations, setting the tone for the content within.

Editorial: "Pause and Think" by "Archillicus"

The editorial, penned by a guest writer identified as "Archillicus," urges readers to adopt a mindset of open-mindedness and critical thinking, encapsulated in the repeated phrase "Pause and Think." The author begins by relating a personal anecdote about stickers on a parcel proclaiming "Flying Saucers are Real," which sparked a discussion about faith and belief. He draws a parallel between believing in God, whom one has not seen, and believing in the existence of flying saucers, which have been witnessed and documented by others. The editorial highlights that even ministers of religion are coming forward to claim that saucers are real, citing instances in Boianai (1959) and Cressy, Tasmania (April 1961).

The core message of the editorial revolves around the question of whether flying saucers are "FRIEND or FOE - GOOD or BAD." The author posits that we cannot definitively judge them as good or bad, as we do not fully understand them. He encourages individuals who have seen strange objects to come forward and share their experiences, emphasizing the magazine's commitment to helping. The piece further delves into the nature of belief, suggesting that we often accept things we cannot see, like God or even other people in our society, and questions why we are hesitant to accept evidence of flying saucers. The author concludes by urging readers to weigh the information presented and to consider the motto "Seek and Ye Shall Find," implying that belief and acceptance are prerequisites to discovery.

Flight Into Space by Don Alfredo Calef

This article by Don Alfredo Calef examines the challenges and possibilities of manned space flight, focusing on the concept of suspended animation as a potential solution for long-duration journeys. The author notes that scientists are concentrating on the ultimate achievement of manned space flight, but the problem of keeping a man alive and mentally capable in space is a significant concern.

Calef suggests that suspended animation, a state where the body is made inanimate, could be a key factor. He draws examples from nature, such as hibernation in bees and woodchucks, and the sleep-like states of ground squirrels and snakes, which allow them to survive extreme conditions. He also mentions yogis who have demonstrated centuries of suspended life and modern medical techniques involving freezing bodies for operations.

The article touches upon anecdotal evidence of a village that put its aged to sleep during a famine, bringing them back safely, though this case is noted as not fully authenticated. Calef speculates that achieving planetary conquest peacefully will require humans to develop their spiritual qualities, rather than solely focusing on military supremacy. He discusses the immense challenges of sustaining life and mind during space travel, requiring extensive investigation and experimentation. The author also explores theories about the nature of extraterrestrial beings, suggesting they might be spirit forms or beings that can dematerialize and rematerialize. He posits that if these beings are akin to angels, they could manipulate natural laws, such as vibration, to achieve feats like levitation.

Calef further considers that extraterrestrials might be completely human in form, using advanced scientific instruments to achieve immunity to harm. He also entertains the idea that they might be purely physical beings who condition themselves through technology. The article references the case of Russian Cosmonaut Col. Ilyushin, who reportedly suffered mental derangement after a few days in space, contrasting this with Major Gagarin's successful return. The author concludes by noting that scientists predict significant advancements in space travel within the next 5 to 10 years.

Methods of Propulsion of the Spacecrafts

This section, likely a continuation of an article, delves into the scientific and speculative aspects of spacecraft propulsion, challenging conventional scientific thought. It begins by stating that sightings of extraterrestrial spacecraft moving at incredible speeds necessitate new, "unorthodox" scientific lines of thinking, with antigravity being a likely component.

The Nature of Gravity: The article explains gravity as a two-part phenomenon: a strong influx from the universe towards Earth and a weaker emission of "ultraplasma" from Earth. It posits that an object's weight is the pressure from the universe pushing back against Earth's pressure, rather than an attractive force between objects. When objects move towards each other, it's due to external pressure, not mutual attraction.

Utilization of Antigravity: The key to propulsion lies in understanding the difference between gravity and antigravity. If a spacecraft can neutralize gravity by allowing ultraplasma from the universe to pass unimpeded while still catching ultraplasma from Earth, it could achieve enormous speeds. The article suggests that many experiments worldwide aim to reduce weight, but true propulsion requires separating gravity and antigravity.

The Magnetic Field of the Spacecrafts: Spacecraft might create their own independent magnetic or gravity fields using ultraplasma. This field could push back matter, including atoms and microatoms, potentially causing the spacecraft to emit light as the surrounding air is energized. The strength of this field would determine the dazzling effect.

The Heat of Friction: Neutralizing friction would prevent heat from being a barrier, allowing for very high speeds, potentially limited only by the speed of light, assuming Einstein's hypotheses are correct. However, these hypotheses are noted as unproven.

Speeds Below and At the Speed of Light: The article discusses Einstein's theory of relativity, where time is relative to speed. It suggests that moving at speeds close to light could lead to time dilation effects, where a traveler might age less than those on Earth. It also touches upon the idea that distant stars are visible because light loses some speed over vast distances, appearing as slower radio waves.

A Hole in the Poll or He Talks Out of the Back of His Neck by A. J. Millikan

This article by A. J. Millikan critically examines an anonymous writer's story published in a previous issue of A.S.R. Millikan expresses skepticism about the story's seriousness and points out perceived weaknesses, including the author's claim of being threatened.

The article first addresses the anonymous writer's mention of an "oasis at the Antarctic." Millikan counters this by referencing the Byrd expedition's discovery in Wilkes Land, which found an ice-free inlet with water slightly above freezing due to thermal activity, but with no vegetation. He also mentions Hitler's 1939-40 expedition to Queen Maude Land, which explored a large ice-free area but found no vegetation. Reports from Nazi files indicate bases on Kerguelen and Crozet Islands, but not in Queen Maude Land.

Millikan then turns his attention to the "hollow-earth theory," which the anonymous writer apparently discussed. He outlines John Symmes' theory of concentric spheres with entrances at the poles and Sir Edmund Halley's similar idea. Millikan notes that these theories predated the discovery of Antarctica and lacked scientific experimentation. He also mentions that despite efforts, including those by Congressmen, no expeditions to prove Symmes' theories were funded.

The article questions the feasibility of a sun at the Earth's center, given the Earth's distance from its actual sun and the high temperatures involved. Millikan also speculates on the Nazis' potential plans, dismissing the idea that they would conquer the world for an extraterrestrial race, as it would make them subservient. He raises the question of whether an extraterrestrial power is trying to take over Earth, suggesting that their weapons might be too destructive, leading to the uninhabitable state of Earth, especially in the context of a potential nuclear World War III. The article concludes by referencing the anonymous writer's claim that "Zunans" have had space travel for thousands of years, supported by ancient writings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of the Australian Saucer Record consistently explores themes of the unknown, the speculative, and the challenges to conventional scientific and belief systems. The editorial "Pause and Think" sets a tone of open-minded inquiry, encouraging readers to question their assumptions and consider evidence beyond personal experience. The articles on space travel and propulsion highlight humanity's drive for exploration while acknowledging the immense scientific and technological hurdles, particularly concerning antigravity and the potential for suspended animation. The critical examination of the hollow earth theory and extraterrestrial intelligence reflects a deep interest in alternative cosmologies and the possibility of non-human civilizations. The magazine appears to adopt a stance that encourages the investigation of unexplained phenomena, even those that challenge established scientific paradigms, while maintaining a degree of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, as evidenced by Millikan's critique.

This issue of "Amazing Story" (likely a publication focused on unusual phenomena) features a significant portion dedicated to reader mail responding to a previous article. The cover headline itself poses the question, "An Amazing Story?", indicating a focus on a sensational or controversial piece.

Reader Reactions to "An Amazing Story"

The bulk of the content in this issue is comprised of letters from readers expressing their views on a previously published article, referred to as "An Amazing Story." The reactions are varied, with many readers expressing strong skepticism and disbelief.

One reader dismisses the story as the work of a "crackpot" and "too fantastic to take in," questioning the logic of the narrative, particularly regarding the supposed secrecy of "Dark Devils" in the Far South and the effectiveness of threats against those who reveal information. This reader also points out the implausibility of a "Flying Saucer Army" organized by Hitler at the South Pole and the absence of any mention of God or the Plan of God, which they consider conspicuous.

Another reader, while acknowledging the magazine's openness to new thoughts, finds the story "very screwy" and questions the practicality of a joke that involves threats and elaborate arrangements. They suggest it would have been simpler to leave the person alone if they weren't meant to talk.

A West Australian reader bluntly states, "It spoils the rest of your matter in that it is such rubbish."

A New Zealander writes that their "whole soul recoiled at it," feeling the story contradicts their understanding of "God's Great Plan of the Ages."

An American reader, while finding the story "almost too hard to believe," congratulates the magazine for its courage in printing "crackpots views." This reader believes that "more is going on down there than we are allowed to know" and that even within the "amazing story," there might be "germs of the truth" that confirm other facts about the Antarctic.

Another USA reader commends the magazine for being "OPEN MINDED" by allowing such views to be expressed, even if they are considered "lunatic fringe."

One reader expresses that while they cannot give consideration to the "Hitler Army etc." views, they "have sufficient evidence among my own files to very much concur with his ideas if not facts regarding the underground areas of the earth."

The editor acknowledges that the whole story is "fantastic, and very hard to accept" but chooses to publish reader opinions to provide a wider range of viewpoints.

Recommended Reading

For readers interested in further exploration of related topics, the following books are recommended:

• "The Silent Continent" by William H. Kearns Jr. & Beverley Britton (Published by Victor Gollancz, 1955).
• "Seventh Continent" by Arthur Scholes (Published by George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1953).

Reported Sightings and Scientific Research

Beyond the reader mail, the issue includes several brief reports of unusual phenomena and scientific endeavors:

UFO Sightings

• Brisbane, Australia (June 5): Sixty people, including a police constable, schoolchildren, and businessmen, witnessed a "silvery red sphere" performing aerobatics for over three and a half hours. A trainer aircraft from the TAAF base in Townsville was scrambled but arrived after the object disappeared. Two farmers reported hearing a plane engine and seeing an object hanging in the sky. The constable described it as a "silver sphere, about six inches across," which became cone-shaped with a red end, moving slowly east and then accelerating away.
• Sydney, Australia (June 5): Four men working on a sheep station claimed to have seen "saucershaped objects darting out from a glowing sphere" while working on Toompang property.
• Cressy, Tasmania: The Rev Lionel Browning, a Methodist minister, claimed to have seen eight flying saucers and a cigar-shaped mother ship. The Air Force reportedly attributed this phenomenon to "MOON REFLECTIONS" and scud clouds, a conclusion the author of the report questions.
• Nairobi (May 14): Capt. R.A. Ainsworth, a British commander of an East African Airways Comet Airliner, reported seeing a "flying saucer" parallel to his plane, about 50 miles away. He described it as a "large green fire with a shower of red sparks behind it," agreeing with his crew that it was either a flying saucer or an abandoned satellite.

Scientific Research

• New York (April 6): Scientists at the Institute of Health were reportedly growing "little 'bugs'" from particles found inside a meteorite that fell in Murray, Kentucky, in 1950. These organisms were described as unlike any terrestrial ones.
• New York (March 16): A team from Fordham University and Esso Research and Engineering announced the discovery of waxy compounds, similar to those in butter and fruit skin, inside a meteorite fragment found near Orgueil, France, in 1864.
• Australia and New Zealand Universities: Research is underway to investigate the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Experiments involve passing high voltage electricity through liquids and gases to simulate the early Earth's atmosphere, leading to the evolution of complex hydro-carbon molecules. Another study focuses on a meteorite found in Wanganui, New Zealand, in 1908, exploring the theory that life on Earth originated from complex organic molecules from other planets. A link has been made between a compound found in a meteorite and nucleic acid, the basis of living things.

Other Reports

• Kalgoorlie, W.A. (April 27): A fireball and earth tremor were reported, accompanied by a "flaming orange object" seen by multiple parties. The object reportedly exploded soundlessly about 50 miles from Kalgoorlie.

Overseas Visitor

Mrs. Gladys Rydon of Tanganyika visited the magazine's headquarters (H.Q.) and shared an "amazing and very interesting story of her experiences." A special meeting was arranged to allow local members to hear her message, which included information about events in her home country near Mt. Kilimanjaro and saucer sightings there.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are reader engagement, skepticism towards sensational claims, and an ongoing interest in UFO sightings and the possibility of extraterrestrial life or phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of openness, as evidenced by the publication of diverse and sometimes critical reader opinions, and the inclusion of various sighting reports and scientific inquiries. The magazine aims to present "Amazing Stories" while also providing a platform for critical discussion and factual reporting on related subjects.