Saucers, Space & Science - No 06

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCERS, SPACE & SCIENCE
Issue: Number 6
Date: September 1958
Publisher: Gene Duplantier
Country: Canada

This issue of "Saucers, Space & Science" delves into various aspects of UFO phenomena, space exploration, and related scientific and psychological inquiries. The cover prominently features "OPERATION SKYWATCH," detailing a personal observation experience.

Operation Skywatch

The lead article, "OPERATION SKYWATCH," by Gene Duplantier (Editor) and Homer Schaefer, recounts their observation experience on the late afternoon of August 17, 1958, in Cedar Valley, northeast of Toronto. They prepared for the Perseids meteor shower and the anticipated sighting of a UFO. After dusk, they observed stars whose flashing colors could be mistaken for UFOs. They noted two spectacular meteor flashes originating from the Northeast, with meteors falling in groups. At 1:59 a.m., Homer Schaefer reported seeing a round red light, similar to a flashlight beam, hovering low over treetops. This was corroborated by the editor. Later, around 4 a.m., both observed a red and green flashing light on the horizon, which they identified as the star in Orion's belt. The observation concluded as clouds converged.

Reports on Flying Saucers

Washington (NANA): A report from a House subcommittee quotes Air Force officials stating that most flying saucer reports are explainable by natural phenomena and are not from other worlds. The report notes that publicity on sightings floods the Air Force with reports, many from "cranks," burdening their investigative forces. Attempts to demystify UFOs have led to increased cries for public disclosure from "quasi-religious cult of saucer believers."

Washington, D.C. (The Arctic): The Arctic radar warning system is picking up an average of one unidentified aircraft every 23 minutes. In a recent four-month period, there were 58 unknowns every 24 hours, with about 13 remaining unidentified, possibly Russian. Lt. Gen. Wm. H. Turner, U.S. Air Force deputy chief of staff, stated that interceptors are "scrambled" to identify unknown aircraft, with the Strategic Air Command capable of being airborne within 15 minutes. Most aircraft are identified without scrambling, usually private planes with no flight plan. In 12 cases, interceptors are scrambled for positive identification.

Stratford District: John Till reported observing unidentified and unexplained objects in the southeast sky early Saturday. Police and RCAF officials were notified, but no explanation was offered. Till described seeing about 60 individual, hazy lights, roughly 12 times as bright as stars, with a yellowish-green color, moving in a north and south direction.

A reader from New York City described an experience in Tomkins Square Park, Manhattan, where they saw an object resembling a large open hand coming towards them, passing over with a noise like a gale of wind.

Six People See Pumpkin-Size Saucers

Kitchener: At least six residents reported seeing a bright, flashing object the size of a pumpkin. Charles Habermehl stated, "Now I believe in flying saucers." The object hovered above the Chicopee hills for about four minutes, then dropped out of sight. Mrs. Wheeler described it as "a strange thing" that "flashed and left a trail." A Preston man, who wished to remain anonymous, described the object as "Brilliant with a blue and white light," pulsating and gliding, and definitely maneuvering.

Lindsay, Ontario: Seven persons reported sighting a strange, "unidentified" object hovering over bushland. They described it as glinting "like a reflection from a mirror."

North Bay (CP): A strange object seen in Northern Ontario skies was identified as a U.S. Navy blimp. Pilot Ed Weisslock described it as cigar-shaped, silver-grey, with two men visible inside.

Lambton: Sputnik III's carrier was observed flashing across the sky, appearing bright and steady, then blinking. Viewers at Petrolia reported a second object an hour later, which appeared to have a tail and was not flashing.

The Tomorrows Need An Exploring Mind

This section features an excerpt from an article by Frank Pace, Jr., President of General Dynamics Corp., discussing the importance of "exploring the tomorrows" and embracing new ideas. He highlights the rapid acceptance of space programs and the need for free societies to stay ahead of the Communist world. Pace emphasizes that becoming familiar with new areas of ideas is key to generating great new thoughts.

Oshawa: Thousands of citizens watched two flying objects soar high over the city, described as gold in color and very shiny. Chief Herbert Flintoff described them as spaced at 3-minute intervals. Speculation ranged from Russian sputniks to U.S. sputniks. Officials at David Dunlap observatory suggested it could have been the planet Jupiter, but this did not explain two objects or their speed.

See Weird "Glowing" Object in Sky

Ottawa Citizen: Two Overbrook men reported seeing a large spherical object, flattened at the top and bottom, bathed in a yellowish light, hovering high over the city. It disappeared when an aircraft approached. The control tower at Uplands reported unusual aerial operations. Mr. Bradley described the object as moving at a fairly reasonable clip, then stopping before taking off at terrific speed. He stated it was not a falling star, meteor, satellite, or aircraft, and made no noise.

Evening Reporter: Groups of local observers reported strange aerial objects. They dismissed explanations like balloons or conventional aircraft, stating, "We could hear no engines at all." They were heading southwest without sound.

Galt Evening Reporter: Around 8 p.m., Robert Hunter and five youngsters saw four "odd objects," two appearing missile-like and others resembling "flying saucers." They were silvery in color and travelling slowly.

Clearview Quarry: A party of swimmers saw one object heading slowly east to southeast, described as "saucer-like in shape, more cylindrical than round" and silvery.

Experts Urge Mars Vehicle

Two Boeing Aircraft Co. engineers, Henry K. Habeler and Richard D. White, suggested an "interplanetary exploratory vehicle" that would send TV pictures of Mars to Earth. They proposed a 615 lb. disc with solar batteries.

Flying Saucers Not Hallucination

Alamogordo, N.M. (AP): Dr. Carl Jung, Swiss psychologist, stated that UFOs are real and "Show signs of intelligent guidance by quasi-human pilots." He concluded that a purely psychological explanation is ruled out, based on his research since 1944. Jung noted that discs do not behave in accordance with physical laws, suggesting an intelligent interplanetary relationship and a superior scientific technique.

Victoria Daily Times: The U.S. Air Force reportedly stated that investigations over the last 10 years have produced no evidence of flying saucers or interplanetary spaceships, nor development beyond current scientific knowledge.

New York Herald Tribune: A follow-up article denied the previous report, though the source was unclear.

Trieste, Italy: The Trieste astronomical observatory reported a mysterious object seen nightly, emitting light equal to a third magnitude star, visible for about two minutes.

Canadians Find Strange Valley in Arctic

Toronto (CP): Two Canadian geologists found a strange green valley near Bathurst Inlet. Dr. W. R. Newman described it as a beautiful valley with a blue river flowing through it. The valley is about 10 miles long, two miles wide, and 500 feet deep, possibly a rift valley providing shelter.

Mystery Blast Shakes Homes

Lake Shore Road Area: Residents reported their homes were shaken by a mystery explosion. A spokesman for Selfridge Field Air Base denied any of their aircraft were involved.

Atomic Explosion Burns Out Radios

Noumeau, New Caledonia: Radio sets on Wallis Island were reportedly burned out by a U.S. nuclear explosion.

Couchiching Monster Back Again

Orillia (CP): A U.S. tourist and his family reported seeing a huge head sweep across moonlight on the lake, described as a "monster" unlike any known animal or boat.

Asian Flu Not New

University of Michigan Medical Centre: Researchers discovered evidence of an Asian Flu wave 70 years ago, suggesting a single vaccine could protect against all flu forms. Dr. Fred H. Davenport explained that a person's first flu attack leaves an indelible mark on their bloodstream, allowing identification of past infections. This finding suggests a vaccine effective at all times can be developed.

Note: The editor questions the timing of the Asian Flu outbreak in relation to nuclear devices.

Observation near North Star: On July 20, a bright object appeared below the north star, leaving a fiery trail. It was described as a dark blob and estimated to be about a mile away. On August 7th and 8th, a similar bright, phosphorescent, elongated object was observed near Cassiopeia.

Radar "Fence": The U.S. is developing a radar "fence" to spot silent satellites 1,000 miles above the country to prevent enemy military satellites from orbiting undetected.

Letters and New Concepts

Letter To Be Left Under a Doorstone: A poem by Frances Frost reflects on the changing seasons and the state of the world.

New Concept: A poem by Ellen Wise offers a cynical perspective on a "clean bomb."

Exchange and Printed Matter

The magazine thanks editors of various publications for exchanges and lists them. It also mentions an article by Charles Margoux in the July UFO Journal about the "Shaver Mystery." A printed matter section includes correspondence from Gene Duplantier to Wm. G. Woods of the Bureau of UFO Research & Analysis.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings from various locations, official investigations (or lack thereof) into these phenomena, and the broader implications for science and humanity. There's a clear interest in distinguishing between genuine unexplained events and misidentifications or hoaxes. The editor, Gene Duplantier, appears to maintain an open but critical stance, presenting reports from various sources while also including personal observations and commentary, such as his note on the Asian Flu article. The magazine seems to advocate for continued exploration and investigation into the unknown, particularly in space and atmospheric phenomena, while also acknowledging the role of scientific explanation and psychological interpretation.