Saucers, Space & Science - No 19

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCERS, SPACE & SCIENCE
Issue: Number 19
Date: March 1961
Editor: Gene Duplantier
Publisher: Not specified
Country: Canada
Language: English

This issue of 'Saucers, Space & Science' delves into various reports and discussions surrounding unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. The cover prominently features a map of Nova Scotia with the headline "NOVA SCOTIA VISITED BY UFO," highlighting a significant sighting that occurred in the region.

Nova Scotia UFO Sighting

The lead article, "NOVA SCOTIA VISITED BY UFO" by Colin Deacon, details a mysterious object sighted over Halifax on Tuesday night, November 23, 1960. Dozens of city residents reported seeing a "ball of fire with a flaming tail" or "something like a rocket with twin jets" around 4:40 p.m. Commercial air officials and RCAF and RCN authorities stated they had no knowledge of the sighting and made no sightings themselves. An RCN spokesman suggested it could have been a weather balloon from HECS Bonaventure, but noted it wouldn't have a tail of fire. A city astronomer dismissed the possibility of it being a "leonid meteor" due to its five-minute duration, stating meteorites fade within 30 seconds.

Two Halifax men, Arthur Hickey and Bert Whitman, hunting in the Musquodoboit area, also saw the UFO around 4:45 p.m., describing it as a ball of fire with a long flaming tail that disintegrated after about five minutes. Another witness described a "pointed object" with "two streams of flames" flying west at about 4:50 p.m., noting small wing-like structures. A woman on Agricola Street also saw it moving northwest, appearing as a ball of flame. A fourth viewer concurred, stating it came down "slowly" and then disintegrated. Many sightings were reported while looking into the setting sun, leading to speculation that the sun's reflection might have made a balloon appear orange.

Subsequent reports on page 2 suggest the object might have been a trans-Atlantic jetliner, though an air traffic center refused to confirm or deny any flights. However, the Halifax international airport control tower stated no scheduled landing jets were in the air at the time. A Europe-New York bound flight at 20,000 feet could produce a yellow trail, and the setting sun might give it an orange glow.

Reader Correspondence and Other Sightings

Several letters from readers are featured. Mrs. Donald MacLellan of New Glasgow, N.S., wrote about her husband seeing a similar object months prior. Edgar L. Giles reported seeing the fireball over Halifax on Sunday, November 20, while driving across the Angus L. Macdonald bridge. Mrs. Helen Holloway reported sightings in Middlefield, Queens Co., Liverpool, and Port Medway on November 20th and 22nd.

Captain C. Ward of Trans Canada Air Lines reported a spectacular flash in the skies near Bagotville, Quebec, on Saturday evening, described as a circular aurora, reddish in color, lasting about 20 minutes. This phenomenon was also seen by other pilots in Eastern Canada and New York State.

'Which Are You?' by Leslie Smith

This column categorizes people interested in the "saucer field" into three types: the uneducated and impressionable, the "monetary monster" who profits from UFOs, and the intelligent, open-minded investigator. Smith emphasizes that salvation and peace come from within, questioning the need for external validation from UFOs and cautioning against dogmatic beliefs.

Other Reports and Brief Bits

Abominable Something in Jungle

A game warden in Kluang, Malaya, reported being convinced of the existence of a creature previously unknown to man, described as giving Tarzan-like cries, leaving 30-inch human-like footprints, and standing at least 10 feet tall. A tracker reportedly made contact with the creature.

Space Timetable for U.S.

A projected timeline for U.S. space exploration is outlined, including missions to the moon and other planets, with man landing on the moon by 1970.

UFO Sightings and Phenomena

Several brief reports detail various sightings and events:

• November 14, 1960: Charles Harnett in Springfield, Illinois, witnessed a bright streak in the eastern sky that broke into pieces.
• November 20, 1960: A tidal wave up to 75 feet high surged across the northern Peruvian coast.
• November 20, 1960: An earthquake originated near Peru.
• November 24, 1960: UFO flashes were reported across Ontario, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, and Missouri states.
• November 23, 1960: Roland Daum reported a bright object moving north to south in Cincinnati, Ohio.
• November 23, 1960: Wm. Arrend spotted a glowing object streaking northerly in Cincinnati, Ohio.
• December 10, 1960: An unexplained cause rattled windows and shook buildings in London, Ontario.
• December 11, 1960: A strange white light and explosion during a storm near Buenos Aires, Argentina, shook houses and revealed a crater.
• December 15, 1960: A "meteor swarm" flashed across South Western Pennsylvania, northwest Virginia, and Ohio.
• December 16, 1960: Dorothy Lefler in Cincinnati, Ohio, reported a ball of flush white light travelling noiselessly, arcing upward and disappearing.
• January 1, 1961: Mr. and Mrs. J. Hunter in Toronto, Ontario, witnessed two rectangular objects shining with a metallic yellow-gold sheen.
• January 16, 1961: A brilliant multi-hued fireball crossed California, causing widespread reports.
• January 16, 1961: A fireball was seen over Phoenix, Arizona, verified by Sky Harbor Airport.
• January 17, 1961: Five weak earthquakes rocked the Khoshi, Japan area.
• January 20, 1961: A bright orange object, described as like a star, was reported in Scarborough, Ontario, moving and stopping.
• February 6, 1961: A concussion rattled windows in Sarnia, Ontario.

UFO Sighting at Cressy, Australia

Rev. Lionel Browning and his wife, initially skeptical, reported seeing a "mother ship" and smaller "flying saucers" near Cressy, Australia, on October 4, 1960. They described the smaller objects as about 30 feet in diameter with a flat underside and rounded dome, light grey in color. The mother ship was estimated to be 300 feet long and travelled at about 50 mph.

Man Says 'I Saw Flying Saucers'

A Brunswick man reported seeing two formations of "flying saucers" over the Dandenongs, Australia, on Friday evening. The objects were described as "long, green, luminous, and cigar-shaped."

Strange Lights

Two other reports of strange lights include one by Warrant Officer D.D. Keiwen of RAAF H.Q. who saw a bright light hovering over Fuller St., Bulleen, and Mrs. Henrikson who saw a strange light moving from west to east on Saturday night.

Mars Life Seen Easy

Dr. Wernher von Braun is quoted as saying the U.S. will soon be able to put a man on Mars and keep him alive longer than a native of the tropics could exist in the Arctic. A humorous prediction by Ephraim Kishon is also included.

What They're Saying

This section features various letters and statements:

• "TRUTH" NEWS LETTER: Claims that "spacemen" have been born on Earth and that their helpers would not come another way. Offers subscriptions.
• OPEN LETTER: A statement from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) confirming that Amateur Radio Service rules do not prohibit interplanetary communications. A letter from J. Edgar Hoover states all fingerprint records are maintained in Washington, D.C., and there is no file on reincarnation.
• INTERPLANETARY: Reports thousands of non-terrestrial spacecraft seen dropping from 50,000 feet over Southeastern England on September 25, 1960.
• COSMON RESEARCH FOUNDATION: Claims to have discovered thousands of craft from an extremely high altitude, demonstrating to analyze human reactions to seeing "thousands of ships you call 'scucers'."
• Markage: Claims "flying saucers" and intelligent communication have been well-established by key units throughout the Earth globe.
• List of UFO Magazines and Bulletins: Includes publications like AERIAL PHENOMENON RESEARCH ASSOCIATION BULLETIN, JAPAN UFO INVESTIGATION, UNIVERSARION SPACE MESSAGES, CAPITOL DISTRICT UFO COUNCIL REPORTS, NEW AGE EXPOSITOR, THE WATCHER, SAUCER FORUM, and AUSTRALIAN FLYING SAUCER REVIEW.
• TOPSIDE: A publication by the Ottawa Flying Saucer Club.
• Venusian Joke: A humorous anecdote about a Venusian asking to meet a leader.
• Herb Shriner Quote: Encourages looking to the skies to see new stars.

Soviet Sky Sugers No Surprise to Expert

Waveney Girvan, a British spokesman, attributes the Soviet press's mockery of UFO reports to the sheer number of sightings making it impossible to suppress the information. He believes Russia has discovered something about conditions in outer space and life on other planets.

Russians Hit Saucer Sighting -- Term It Self-Deception

Soviet newspapers Pravda and Komsomolskaya Pravda sarcastically labeled reports of flying saucers over Russia as "fantastic fairy tales," warning the public to end these rumors. This stance aligns the Soviet Union with Western governments that have historically dismissed UFO reports.

Flying Saucer Contactee Gets New Honor

Dr. Daniel Ray, a California missile firm executive and "flying saucer contactee," is listed in "Who's Who in California." He claims to have taken a ride in a UFO over 10 years ago. He has authored several books on the subject.

Conventions and Films

The magazine lists several upcoming conventions, including Midwestcon, National Conclave of Faithists, Borderland Sciences Research Assoc., Understanding Congress of New Age Progress, and the 4th Annual Space Craft Convention. It also reviews the science-fiction film "Village of the Damned," describing its haunting premise and terrifying elements.

Books

Several books are reviewed:

• "SEVEN HOURS ABOARD A SPACESHIP" by Dan Martin.
• "THE REALITY OF THE UNDERGROUND" by Riley Crabb, summarizing the Shaver Mystery.
• "THE SKY PEOPLE" by Brinsley Le Poer Trench, detailing the history of "Sky People" visiting Earth.

Study Urged on Impact of Planet Life

A report commissioned by NASA suggests that America should prepare for the psychological impact of discovering intelligent life on other planets, warning that such a discovery could lead to profound changes or even the collapse of civilization.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features reports of UFO sightings from various locations, including detailed witness accounts and official responses (or lack thereof). There's a clear interest in documenting these phenomena and exploring potential explanations, ranging from the mundane (weather balloons, aircraft) to the extraordinary (alien visitation). The inclusion of reader letters, columns analyzing the motivations of UFO enthusiasts, and lists of related publications suggests an editorial stance that is open to the subject matter while also acknowledging different perspectives and encouraging critical thinking. The magazine also touches upon broader themes of space exploration and the potential impact of extraterrestrial contact on society.