Magazine Summary
RESEARCH REVIEWS
Ever wanted to host your own late-night paranormal radio show?
Across the Airwaves
You’re on the air. Callers bring Mothman, Fresno Nightcrawlers, UFO sightings, reptilian autopsies, and whispers about AATIP and Project Blue Book. Every reply shapes how the night goes.
Summary
This "Anniversary Issue" of Research Reviews from February 1957 features articles on various scientific topics, including a detailed explanation of "flying saucer" sightings attributed to the Office of Naval Research's SKYHOOK project, which uses large plastic balloons for cosmic ray research. The issue also covers topics such as thinking abilities, space flight, underwater acoustics, experimental tooth decay, refractory carbides, oceanography, salmon science, aircraft instrumentation, flame propagation, aerodynamics, and the history of the research reserve. The cover highlights the six chiefs of Naval Research.
Magazine Overview
Title: RESEARCH REVIEWS
Issue Date: February 1957
Publisher: OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH
Country: USA
Document Type: Magazine Issue
This "Anniversary Issue" of RESEARCH REVIEWS, published by the Office of Naval Research in February 1957, presents a collection of articles covering diverse scientific and technical advancements relevant to naval research. The cover features portraits of six former Chiefs of Naval Research, highlighting the history and leadership of the organization. The issue aims to report on technical progress in research by Navy laboratories and contractors.
Articles and Content
Bogies at Angels 100
This article by Urner Liddel, Head of the Nuclear Physics Branch at ONR, addresses the phenomenon of unidentified flying objects, commonly referred to as "bogies" by pilots and "flying saucers" by the public. Liddel posits two primary reasons for the widespread excitement: people's inherent desire to be afraid and a psychological need for a scapegoat or a savior. He argues that these objects are not supernatural but are, in fact, real, attributing most sightings to the ONR's SKYHOOK project. This project utilizes large plastic balloons, approximately 100 feet in diameter, launched to altitudes of nearly 100,000 feet for cosmic ray research. Liddel explains that the balloons, moving with wind speeds up to 200 miles per hour, can be mistaken for "flying saucers." He notes that the distribution of atomic particles in "cosmic rays" mirrors that of the universe, with hydrogen nuclei (protons) being the most prevalent, followed by helium nuclei.
The article details how news releases about the SKYHOOK project have led to incidents, including aviators attempting to intercept the balloons, sometimes with dangerous consequences. Sightings have been reported across various locations, including Minneapolis, Chicago, White Sands Proving Grounds, and Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. Liddel recounts instances where "flying saucer" reports were investigated, such as one claiming radioactivity, which was later found to be caused by a faulty electronic circuit. Another case involved a geological find that was sensationalized by the press as a dispute between the Navy and Air Force, but was actually a cosmic ray measuring device.
Liddel further elaborates on the visual aspects of the balloons, noting that a telescope can reveal details like an "atomic" engine and exhaust gases, which are actually structural members and gas emissions. He also mentions balloons flown in tandem, creating "squadrons." The article suggests that some fantastic stories have inadvertently helped locate lost equipment. Liddel also touches upon other potential causes for misidentification, such as mirages and internal inflection in lens systems affecting photographic images. He concludes that the misinterpretation of the size and velocity of these balloons, combined with imagination, fuels the "flying saucer" myth.
Other Featured Articles
The issue includes a table of contents listing various articles:
- From the Chief of Naval Research: Inside front cover
- The First Chief of Naval Research: Page 1
- Thinking Abilities: Page 3
- Down-to-Earth View of Space Flight: Page 8
- The Navy's Stake in Underwater Acoustics: Page 14
- Experimental Tooth Decay in Gnotobiotic Rats: Page 17
- The Refractory Carbides: Page 20
- Oceanography in the United States: Page 24
- Bogies at Angels 100: Page 29
- Salmon, Science, and a Sense of Smell: Page 32
- A New Look for Aircraft Instrumentation: Page 36
- Flame Propagation: Page 39
- Putting Aerodynamics on the Molecular Beam: Page 43
- History of the Research Reserve: Page 45
- Before Vanguard: Inside back cover
Cover Photo
The cover photo features the six chiefs of Naval Research, listed with their tenures: VADM H. G. Bowen (1 Aug. 1946-31 Oct. 1946), RADM P. F. Lee (1 Nov. 1945-30 June 1948), RADM T. A. Solberg (1 July 1948-30 June 1951), RADM C. M. Bolster (1 July 1951-30 Dec. 1953), RADM F. R. Furth (30 Dec. 1953-31 Dec. 1955), and RADM Rawson Bennett (Jan. 1956-).
Publication Information
RESEARCH REVIEWS is published by the Office of Naval Research in Washington, D. C. Manuscripts and changes of address should be sent to Code 740. The publication is listed for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office. The subscription price is $1.50 per year in the U. S. and Canada, $2.00 per year foreign, and $0.15 per individual copy. The publication was approved by the Bureau of the Budget on 28 February 1955.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The recurring theme of this issue is the advancement and dissemination of scientific and technical knowledge, particularly as it pertains to naval research. The editorial stance, as exemplified by Urner Liddel's article, is to provide factual, logical explanations for phenomena that might otherwise be sensationalized or misunderstood. The magazine promotes a rational, evidence-based approach to understanding complex subjects, encouraging readers to seek knowledge over unfounded speculation. The "Anniversary Issue" underscores the Office of Naval Research's commitment to reporting on its ongoing contributions to science and technology.
I believe there are two reasons for all the excitement concerning these unusual objects. First, people like to be afraid. In our younger days we walked through cemeteries as an indication of our courage in the face of great danger. It does no good to tell a young lad that there are no ghosts; he knows that ghosts are real and that he is very courageous in entering the territory which is sacred to these ephemeral individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ONR's SKYHOOK project?
The SKYHOOK project, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, involves the use of large plastic balloons, approximately 100 feet in diameter, to study cosmic rays and their distribution.
What is the explanation for 'flying saucer' sightings according to Urner Liddel?
Urner Liddel explains that 'flying saucer' sightings are often misidentifications of large SKYHOOK balloons, and that people's fear and desire for scapegoats or saviors contribute to the myth.
What are 'bogies' and 'angels' in aviation?
In aviation, 'bogies' is a term for unidentified objects in the sky, and 'angels' is a unit of 1000 feet used by fliers to estimate the height of these objects.
How does the article explain the 'radioactivity' reported in a flying saucer?
The article explains that a reported 'radioactivity' was caused by a faulty contact in an electronic circuit, whose resistance varied with mechanical vibration, leading to a false reading.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- H. G. BowenVADM, Chief of Naval Research
- P. F. LeeRADM, Chief of Naval Research
- T. A. SolbergRADM, Chief of Naval Research
- C. M. BolsterRADM, Chief of Naval Research
- F. R. FurthRADM, Chief of Naval Research
- Rawson BennettRADM, Chief of Naval Research
- Urner LiddelHead, Nuclear Physics Branch, ONR
Organisations
- OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH
- DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
- General Mills Aeronautical Research Laboratories
- U. S. Government Printing Office
- Bureau of the Budget
- National Science Foundation
Locations
- Washington, D. C., USA
- Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
- White Sands Proving Grounds, New Mexico, USA
- Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, USA