1958 11 00 Fantastic Universe - Shapes in the sky

Magazine Overview

Title: FANTASTIC UNIVERSE SCIENCE FICTION
Issue: NOV.
Volume: ICD
Date: November 1958
Publisher: ICD
Country: USA
Price: 35c

This issue of Fantastic Universe Science Fiction presents a mix of science fiction stories and a detailed exploration of UFO phenomena. The cover features a striking image of an astronaut and highlights the new novel "Seed of Violence" by Jay Williams, alongside novelets and stories by notable authors in the genre.

Featured Novel: Seed of Violence

The lead feature of this issue is "Seed of Violence," a new novel by Jay Williams. While the scan does not provide a synopsis, its prominent placement suggests it is a significant work within the magazine.

Novelet and Stories

"Operation Cassandra," a novelet by Miriam Allen de Ford, is also highlighted on the cover. Additionally, the issue includes stories by Christopher Anvil, Lee Correy, Frank Herbert, and Robert F. Young, indicating a diverse range of science fiction narratives.

Article: Shapes in the Sky

A substantial portion of this magazine is dedicated to an article titled "Shapes in the Sky," which delves into numerous UFO sightings and encounters. The article's primary focus is on the reactions of animals, especially dogs, to these unexplained aerial phenomena. It compiles various anecdotal reports from the 1950s, illustrating how animals often appear to be the first to detect or react to UFOs.

Animal Reactions to UFOs

The article details several cases where dogs have exhibited fear, aggression, or unusual behavior in the presence of UFOs. Examples include a 12-year-old boy's account in Knoxville, Tennessee (November 6, 1957), where his dog reacted fearfully to a 'long, round' object and its occupants. Another case from Everittstown, New Jersey (November 6, 1957), describes a dog barking furiously at a luminous egg-shaped object and a small, gnome-like man. The article also references incidents where dogs have allegedly been harmed or killed due to UFO proximity, such as the case in Pozzuoli, Italy (October 21, 1954), and the controversial Maury Island incident (June 21, 1947).

Beyond dogs, the article touches upon other animal reactions. It mentions how dogs in France (Quarouble and Chabeuil) alerted their owners to strange phenomena. The text also notes instances of cattle stampeding in response to UFOs (Belle Glade, Florida, September 14, 1952; Po River valley, Italy, October 12-13, 1954) and even pigeons in Portland, Oregon (July 4, 1947), becoming excited by large disc-shaped objects. The article humorously notes the absence of cats from these reports, referencing a case where a cat remained indifferent to a UFO.

Specific UFO Incidents Discussed

The "Shapes in the Sky" article covers a range of specific incidents, including:

• Knoxville, Tennessee (November 6, 1957): A boy's encounter with a round object and its occupants, with his dog's fearful reaction.
• Everittstown, New Jersey (November 6, 1957): A luminous egg-shaped object and a gnome-like man's interest in a dog.
• Kelly, Kentucky (August 21, 1955): A dog's alarm at the approach of 'little men'.
• Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy (October 21, 1954): A dog's reported death after a silvery object hovered nearby.
• Maury Island, Washington (June 21, 1947): An alleged incident involving a dog and fragments from a UFO.
• Quarouble, France (September 10, 1954): A dog's barking alerting its owner to 'little men'.
• Chabeuil, France (September 26, 1954): A dog's barking drawing attention to a creature in a 'diving suit'.
• Perpignan, France (November 14, 1954): A UFO landing and occupants retreating from dogs.
• Chaleix, France (October 3, 1954): 'Spacemen' interacting with a dog.
• Pistakee Bay, Lake Michigan (May 1954): A dog's fear during a sighting of a streetcar-like object.
• Monza, Italy (October 28, 1954): A disk-shaped object with figures, and a dog's fearful reaction.
• Pulaski, Wisconsin (November 14, 1957): A dog and pigs reacting to a large, top-shaped object.
• Isolo, Italy (November 14, 1954): Little men showing interest in rabbits.
• Venancio Aires, Brazil (December 11, 1954): Frightened chicken cries leading to an experience.
• Gaillac, France (October 27, 1952): Commotion among chickens preceding an 'angel-hair' phenomenon.
• Portland, Oregon (July 4, 1947): Pigeons reacting to five large disc-shaped objects.

UFOs Over Sweden?

The issue also includes a brief report titled "UFOs Over Sweden?" detailing a sighting on Sunday evening, July 20th, 1958. Described as a 'ball of fire resembling a rocket,' the object was seen across Scandinavia and was reported to be shining with a 'strong blue-white light,' or as a 'round, sharply glowing globe with a long multi-colored tail.' In Finland, it was described as cigar-shaped. The object appeared to divide at the horizon, and later that night, two brightly glowing objects were seen over Norway.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the "Shapes in the Sky" article is the unusual and often fearful reactions of animals, particularly dogs, to UFOs. This suggests an editorial stance that takes animal sensitivity to unexplained phenomena seriously, presenting numerous anecdotal accounts as evidence. The magazine appears to be exploring the fringes of ufology, presenting a variety of reported incidents without necessarily endorsing them as factual, often noting the need for further investigation. The inclusion of science fiction stories alongside these reports indicates a broader interest in the speculative and the unknown.