Saucers, Space & Science - No 22

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCERS, SPACE & SCIENCE
Issue: Number 22
Date: October 1961
Publisher: Not specified
Country: Canada
Language: English

This issue of "Saucers, Space & Science" delves into various UFO phenomena, with a strong focus on sightings within Ontario, Canada. It features investigative reports, personal accounts, and theoretical discussions, alongside news from the broader UFO community and scientific speculation.

SAUCERS VISIT ONTARIO AGAIN

This lead article by Homer Schaefer, Area Reporter for Galt-Kitchener, details a series of UFO sightings in the Galt-Kitchener area during late July and early August 1961. Schaefer had a hunch that saucers would return to the area on July 31st, based on previous landings on that date in 1957 and 1959. His prediction proved accurate, with three sightings reported since July 27th.

The first sighting on July 31st was by John Amy of Suffolk Street, Kitchener, who described a white ball that dropped straight down and then vanished. On August 2nd, Amy saw a similar object drop straight down again through binoculars. On July 27th, six boys witnessed a white ball of light shoot from east to west with no visible tail. The boys, identified as Bill Monk, Bob Holson, Jim Hoch, and Bill Mills, were excited, though the reporter missed this sighting while showing other boys Jupiter through binoculars. Later that evening, Craig Peel and Jim Hoch saw a similar object coming from the south, making a sharp turn and heading west, described as a fuzzy white ball, squashed flat. These sightings occurred in the Chicopee Hills near Kitchener. The article also recalls a past sighting of a pumpkin-sized saucer in the same area.

WILL CONTACT OUTER SPACE SOON

This brief news item, datelined Norwich, England, and attributed to Reuters, reports that a Soviet scientist, Prof. Vladimir Sivo-rov, predicted future contacts with intelligent life on other planets. He expressed his belief in extraterrestrial intelligence and stated that this future contact is "not very remote." The report is dated September 1, 1961, and references The Toronto Daily Star.

FOLLOW-UP OF SAUCER SIGHTING OVER SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO IN JUNE, 1960

This section presents a letter from ATIC (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio) to Captain John W. Plantikow, dated June 8, 1961. The letter discusses an 8mm film forwarded by ATIC, taken by Mrs. Arthur Kunkel of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, which showed phenomena she was unaware of while filming. ATIC's conclusion was that the disc-like phenomena were caused by lens aberration when the lens was exposed to direct sunlight. The boom heard by Mrs. Kunkel and others was possibly a sonic boom from jet aircraft operating in the area. The letter states the film is being returned to Mrs. Kunkel.

Following the official ATIC letter is "CLUB'S VERSION OF SAULT FILM UFO." This account details Mrs. Kunkel's experience, stating she saw the silvery object before photographing it. She described it moving swiftly from south to west and disappearing, followed by a noise like a plane breaking the sound barrier. The local radio reported a shock wave, with Kincheloe U.S. Air Base denying their planes caused it. Mrs. Kunkel photographed smoke trails, and when the film was developed, Norman Ouellette (G.D.) was invited to view it. The story notes a mistake in a previous issue of "Saucers, Space & Science" where the saucer was depicted in front of a contrail, when it actually appeared behind it. Contact information for Mr. Ouellette is provided.

CONVENTIONS

Two upcoming conventions are listed: The Interplanetary Spacecraft Convention in Yucca Valley, California, on October 14-15, 1961, sponsored by George Van Tassel. The second is the World UFO Convention at the "Century 21" World Fair in Seattle, Washington, from July 28 to August 12, 1962, now named SPACEARANA. Information for the latter can be obtained from P.O. Box 6552, Seattle, Washington, and Ruth M. Willard at P.O. Box 96, Marysville, Washington. The "Spacearama News" bulletin is also mentioned.

BEWARE THE INVADER

By Leslie Smith, this article critiques the "flying saucer cult," warning against two types of followers: the formally uneducated and the imaginative "way-out" individuals. Smith argues that magazines catering to these groups can sow seeds of communism by exploiting weaknesses in the democratic system. He criticizes the communist doctrine as contradictory, advocating brotherhood while being materialistic and anti-God. Smith urges those seeking salvation not to turn to "flying saucers" or "false prophets" who exploit them.

MOST ANCIENT UFO PROOF KNOWN

This section presents an account of an ancient UFO sighting from "the year 22, third month of winter," recorded on papyrus rolls from the "Casa de la Vida" (House of Life) during the reign of Thutmoses III (1501-1447 B.C.). The "sky object" was described as a "CIRCLE OF FIRE IN THE SKY," about a yard in length and 5 in width, emitting a foul odor but no voice. It caused disturbance and palpitations among those who witnessed it. The event was recorded for posterity. The appearance was between February 18 and March 20 of the year 1478 B.C. The information was found in the Vatican Museum by Boris Rochewiltz and examined by Prof. Alberto Tulli. Credits are given to Eduardo Buelta of Spain and Dorothy Lefler for translation.

PROJECT MAGNET

By Wilbert B. Smith, this article discusses "Project Magnet," a non-official government project he was associated with. Smith explains that the project utilized the extensive field organization of the Department of Transport without dedicated funds, using their facilities. The project ran for about four years, involving instruments to detect radio noise, gravitational disturbances, and radioactivity. Four recording instruments produced graphical lines on tape, with alarm circuits to alert personnel. Towards the end of the project, they arranged a special phone circuit to ask for a craft to be brought down for observation. Despite an overcast afternoon, they received "squiggles" on their instruments. A cigar-shaped craft, about 80 feet long, was observed from about 50 miles away. The press became highly involved, leading Smith to shut down the project and go "underground."

Smith details his methodology for evaluating UFO reports, assigning probabilities based on independent confirmations. He states that the information gathered includes philosophy, "human engineering," and science. He was particularly interested in the construction and operation of the craft and their capabilities, admitting that much of the information received was unintelligible.

He discusses the difficulty in deciphering information, suggesting the problem lies with human understanding rather than the information itself. He questions basic scientific concepts, such as the constancy of the velocity of light, and proposes that time is a "field function" derived from the existence of the universe, variable by natural or controlled means. He uses the example of a flying saucer trip to illustrate how time intervals can differ for observers. Smith argues that the "theory of relativity" and its concept of "time dilation" lead to a paradox that is resolved by recognizing the variable nature of time. He notes that people are slaves to the clock, believing its intervals represent time itself.

The article concludes by mentioning that this discussion was part of a talk given to the Vancouver Area Flying Saucer Club and is printed through the courtesy of Mr. Herbert Clark.

BUDYRS UFOS

This piece by Budrys explores the nature of UFOs, questioning their existence beyond an "artifact of limited human knowledge." Budrys suggests that UFO behavior often paralyzes human rational processes, with reports agreeing on behavior but lacking a discernible rational purpose. The author poses questions about what UFOs want and what humans stand to gain or lose, noting the common answer that they are "observing" us. Budrys likens this to assuming someone in a forest is observing wildlife simply because they are present.

He proposes a working approach to UFO inquiry, focusing on two significant features: the lack of reported contacts between spacecraft personnel and humans functioning in normal society, and the confinement of UFO activity to formation flying and aerobatics. Budrys notes that contacts, when reported, come from individuals on the fringes of society. He observes that UFOs display advanced flight capabilities but lack a recognizable search pattern or consistent concentration on interesting human activity. He suggests that UFOs might be trying to attract attention to their superior skill and technology rather than studying us.

Budrys postulates that if UFOs are "aero-space craft," their behavior should reflect the rationality of their pilots. He notes that contacts, if any, are with individuals out of touch with mainstream society. The aerobatic displays are compared to Japanese Naval Air Force pilots during World War II, suggesting roots in an inferiority complex and a need for "face" – a display of martial skill to impress or overawe. He describes this behavior as functionally psychotic within the context of war.

He finds the prolonged duration of this "saber-waving" behavior particularly perplexing. While an inferiority complex is suggested, it doesn't fully explain the lack of intensified efforts to provoke a reaction. Budrys observes that public reaction has waned, with fewer aircraft scrambles and UFO sightings relegated to humorous features or less prominent news. He concludes that UFOs are less understandable in their response over time, suggesting they are not "craft" in the human sense, but possibly natural phenomena. He advises against tackling the UFO problem from a motivational end, advocating instead for reacting to them as natural phenomena.

U.S. SCRAPS AVRO'S FLYING SAUCER

This news brief reports that the U.S. Army has scrapped the Avro flying saucer project, despite a $10,000,000 investment. The project was shelved because it had not advanced sufficiently. Officials at Avro Aircraft Ltd. indicated that security on the project had been lifted, suggesting the U.S. was finished with it. An official at the Ames Research Centre stated that tests had stopped due to lack of funds, and one model had been untouched for a month. The U.S. Army confirmed contract work was complete and data was being analyzed.

ANOTHER REPORT OF UFOS

This brief reports a flying saucer sighting by three Iowa State University students who saw three reddish-orange circular objects heading east to west. The objects were described as travelling faster than an airplane and were very high. The sighting was reported to Rod Riggs, managing editor of The Tribune. The report is credited to Mrs. June Larson of Seattle, Washington, and The Ames Iowa Tribune, March 25, 1961.

SPACE SHIP SEEN OVER COPENHAGEN

A brief report mentions several people in Stockholm saw a spherical "shining object with a fiery tail" speeding over the city. This is credited to D. Lefler, Cinci., O. Sapa-Reuter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, particularly in Ontario, Canada, and the broader implications of these phenomena. There's a consistent effort to investigate and report on sightings, often with a critical eye towards sensationalism and the cult-like aspects of UFO belief. The magazine seems to lean towards a scientific or rational explanation, even when exploring the more speculative aspects. The article "Beware the Invader" and "Budrys UFOs" highlight a skepticism towards the idea of intelligent alien visitors and suggest that UFOs might be natural phenomena or a manifestation of human psychology. The issue also touches upon the scientific community's engagement with UFOs, as seen in the "Project Magnet" discussion and the mention of astronomical observations. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, seeking logical explanations while acknowledging the persistent mystery surrounding UFOs.