1952 06 17 Look Donald Menzel Flying Saucers Lagrange scan

Magazine Overview

Title: Look
Issue Date: June 17, 1952
Volume: 16
Issue Number: 13
Publisher: Cowles Magazines, Inc.
Country of Publication: USA
Price: 15¢

This issue of Look magazine prominently features "The Truth About Flying Saucers" on its cover, alongside the question "What Is A Jew?". The cover also highlights actress Zsa Zsa Gabor and baseball legend Rogers Hornsby.

The Truth About Flying Saucers by Dr. Donald H. Menzel

Dr. Donald H. Menzel, professor of astrophysics and associate director of solar research at Harvard University, presents his findings on the flying saucer phenomenon. He states that his work was conducted at the request of LOOK and has garnered interest from the Air Force.

Menzel recounts his own experiences seeing what he initially perceived as flying saucers, which he later identified as weather balloons. He posits that many reported sightings can be explained by natural phenomena.

Natural Explanations for Saucer Sightings

Menzel dismisses the idea that flying saucers are extraterrestrial craft or secret weapons from foreign powers. He argues that such explanations are simplistic and avoid scientific inquiry. He attributes the public's fascination with the unusual and a general sense of unease in the world to the heightened interest in flying saucers.

• He identifies several common misinterpretations:
• Atmospheric Phenomena: High winds aloft can carry light objects like newspapers to great heights. Weather balloons, often released in groups, can also be mistaken for saucers.
• Optical Illusions: Reflections from distant planes or birds, the planet Venus (which can be seen in daylight and appear to move due to atmospheric haze), and the difficulty people have focusing on distant objects contribute to sightings.

The "Lubbock Lights" and Historical Cases

Menzel discusses the "Lubbock Lights" photographed in Texas, suggesting they are similar to phenomena reported historically, such as the "Durham Lights" in England nearly a century prior. He also references a 1897 report of a mysterious cigar-shaped airship, which was later dismissed by Thomas A. Edison.

Why More Frequent Today?

Menzel explains the increased frequency of reports by noting that many sightings occur in hot, sparsely settled areas like Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. These regions have experienced significant population growth and have become popular tourist destinations and military bases. The clear skies in the West also contribute to better visibility.

Mirage Theory

Menzel's central hypothesis is that flying saucers are an optical phenomenon, specifically related to temperature inversions. A temperature inversion occurs when a layer of warm air overlies colder air, creating a lens effect in the atmosphere. This can cause distant lights to appear to float, move, or fly in formation, mimicking the descriptions of flying saucers. He demonstrates this principle using laboratory experiments with liquids like benzene and acetone to simulate atmospheric conditions.

He notes that these inversions are common over deserts and coastal waters and can also be indicated by smog. He believes that understanding these atmospheric conditions can demystify the saucer reports.

Laboratory Experiments

Menzel describes experiments where he reproduced the visual effects of flying saucers using a cylindrical jar with layers of benzene and acetone. He showed how a light beam could be bent, a pinhole image could be distorted into an oval, and distant lights could appear to float and move, simulating the "Lubbock Lights" phenomenon.

"Ghost" Saucers and Other Phenomena

He also addresses "ghost" saucers, which he suggests might be caused by a large bubble of colder air settling from a balloon, creating a lens that distorts the balloon's image. He mentions "green fire balls" as likely meteors, with their color possibly due to magnesium content.

Conclusion on Flying Saucers

Menzel concludes that while a substantial amount of unexplained material remains after accounting for misidentifications, his analysis points towards natural optical phenomena as the cause. He believes that further study and experiments will eventually resolve the saucer scare.

Other Articles and Features

• Picture of the Month: A review of the M-G-M film "Pat and Mike," starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, highlighting their chemistry and the film's comedic elements. It also mentions co-star Aldo Ray and the sports stars featured.
• The Nation: Includes articles on "The Business of Being Mother," "A Socialist Taunts the Major Parties" by Norman Thomas, and "Introduction to Murder" by Wenzell Brown.
• The World: Features "5-Day Pass in Tokyo," "Now They Are 18" by Robert McKeown, and "The Chances of War" by Bertrand Russell.
• What Is a Jew? By Rabbi Morris N. Kertzer, exploring the identity and meaning of being Jewish.
• Look Reports: An article on "Krilium: A New 'Wonder Drug' That Treats Ailing Soil" by William H. White.
• Sports: "It's Still Baseball, Cobb!" by Rogers Hornsby, defending modern baseball.
• Entertainment: Includes "Costumes Executed by Brooks" and "TV Song of Love."
• Zsa Zsa, The Great Gabor: A profile of the actress by Rupert Allan.
• Art: "Fourteen Famous Eyes in a Museum Storeroom."
• Fashions and Home Living: "Black and White for Summer."
• Men's Fashions: "Like Father, Like Son" by Perkins H. Bailey.
• Food: "America's Favorite Ice Cream - Sodas."
• Other Departments: Letters to the Editors, Look Applauds, Photoquiz, Look Behind the Scenes, Photocrime, and Sources of Look's Pictures.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of Look magazine in this issue appears to be one of rational inquiry and the debunking of sensationalism, particularly evident in Dr. Menzel's article on flying saucers. The magazine aims to provide factual information and scientific explanations for phenomena that capture public attention. It also covers a broad range of topics, including current events, social issues, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle, reflecting a commitment to informing and engaging its diverse readership. The inclusion of articles like "What Is a Jew?" suggests an interest in exploring cultural and identity-related subjects.