Saucers, Space & Science - No 44

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCERS, SPACE & SCIENCE
Issue: FALL Issue No. 44
Date: 1966

This issue of "Saucers, Space & Science" from Fall 1966, edited by Gene Duplantier, focuses on UFO phenomena, featuring a mix of detailed case studies, news reports, and public opinion surveys. The cover prominently displays a quote from Adlai Stevenson and an illustration of a flying saucer. The magazine aims to inform readers about various UFO sightings and related investigations.

Editorial

The editorial section addresses the surge of interest in UFOs following a major flap earlier in the year, which led to numerous magazine articles and the inclusion of UFO themes in comic strips like Mandrake the Magician, Abbie & Slats, Rip Kirby, and Buck Rogers. The editor highlights a discovery by Ronald Latour concerning a photograph from the Luna IX mission that appears to show plant life on the moon, urging readers with copies of the Feb. 11, 1966 LIFE issue to examine page 28. The editorial also references a past column titled "Magazines of Interest on Newsstands" and notes that other publications have adopted similar features. It announces that this issue contains the largest list of such magazines to date, with more to be added on page 15.

Articles and Features

The Barney and Betty Hill Case

This issue dedicates significant space to the extraordinary account of Barney and Betty Hill, a New Hampshire couple who claimed to have encountered and been abducted by occupants of a UFO on September 19, 1961. The story, revealed publicly for the first time, details their experience under clinical hypnosis administered over an 11-month period by Dr. Benjamin Simon. According to their account, a UFO followed their car, landed, and its occupants took them aboard for examination. They described the beings as human-like, wearing dark, shiny jackets, and led by a figure in a military-style peaked hat. The occupants spoke English with a distinct accent and interrogated them about life on Earth. The Hills reported that their memories of the encounter were suppressed before the beings left.

Walter Webb, an astronomer affiliated with the Hayden Planetarium, investigated the case and termed it "one of the most dramatic, most remarkable in the history of foreign object sightings," expressing conviction that the couple saw a space vehicle. Despite official Air Force explanations suggesting meteorological phenomena or Jupiter, the Foreign Technology Division of the Air Force reportedly took over the investigation due to its inexplicable nature. The Hills also experienced terrifying dreams following the incident, prompting them to seek psychiatric help, which led to the recovery of suppressed memories.

Mrs. Hill recounted being led to a clearing where an immense disc-shaped object stood. She described entering the craft and being subjected to tests, including questions about their diet and age. The beings seemed puzzled by human aging and the concept of time. A significant detail is the request for proof, leading to the examination of a large book filled with symbols and a map of the universe. The beings eventually took the book back, stating that nobody should know of the experience and that they would have no memory of it. Barney Hill, however, has no conscious memory of the event, though his experience under hypnosis aligns with his wife's.

Other Sightings and Reports

• Mario Whitton's Encounter: A 14-year-old Montrealer, Mario Whitton, reported seeing a mysterious object described as a half-circle or the upper part of an open parachute, colored white and gray with a white ray emitting light beams. The object descended, crossed the sky, and then ascended again, lasting for 3-4 minutes. His father admitted the possibility of debris from nuclear experiments.
• Ronnie Thurston and Alan Smith: Two 14-year-old boys, Ronnie Thurston from Brazil, Indiana, and Alan Smith from Tulsa, Oklahoma, each photographed UFOs. The magazine questions why both boys were 14 and if the UFOs were related.
• Joseph Smith's 1820 Report: An account from 1820 describes Joseph Smith seeing a "brilliant light" object and being spoken to by two individuals who mentioned ancient metal plates engraved with an unknown language. He was told to dig them up later, and he was subsequently shot and killed.
• UFO Chemical on Ontario Car: A housewife from Georgetown, Ontario, reported seeing a bright, dazzling silver object that left a trail. Later, she discovered her car's front part was blemished with tiny, hard, transparent chemical drops that smeared and left a rough mark on the paint.
• Kelowna Area UFOs: Four people in Kelowna, B.C., reported UFO sightings, including an oval-shaped saucer with a dome and a small satellite airship appearing from Okanagan Lake.
• Metro Toronto Saucers: Reports from Metro Toronto describe flying saucers looping the loop, changing color, and zig-zagging. Police and the Air Force base received numerous calls, though the Department of Transport had no radar reports.
• Presque Isle Landing: A teenage couple reported a metallic, silvery object landing near their car at Presque Isle state park, Erie, Pennsylvania. Police found triangular impressions in the sand.
• "UFO Burn" Fades: Charles Cozens, a 13-year-old from Kelowna, claimed to have received a burn from touching a "flying ship." Medical tests found no ill effects, and the incident generated significant interest, with people visiting from Vancouver.
• "Saucer Phenomena All Phenomena and No Saucer": An article by William S. Robinson discusses how most UFO sightings are explained as natural or man-made phenomena, citing Col. L.A. Bourgeois of the armed forces. However, it notes that some cases, like the Hamilton boy's finger burn, remain unexplained by conventional means.

Books and Magazines

• Books Reviews: "Barker's Book of Saucers" and "Flying Saucers Uncensored" are listed.
• Magazines of Interest on the Newsstands: The issue provides an extensive list of magazines featuring saucer articles, with publisher addresses for readers to obtain back copies.

Other Sections

• Mystery Blast, Glow in Sky: A brief report on a bright object seen by reporters in Erie, Pennsylvania.
• What They're Doing and Saying: A section likely covering general news and opinions on UFOs.
• Headliners: A section for prominent news items.
• Announcements: General announcements.
• New--The Book of George Adamski: A new book by George Adamski is mentioned.
• Spacespots: This section includes scientific observations, such as the detection of manmade equipment orbiting Earth, the discovery of gamma rays from a presumed wrecked star, warmer-than-expected Jupiter observations, Saturn's rings being made of ice, and warnings about solar radiation threats to Apollo astronauts.

Key Incidents

• September 19, 1961: Barney and Betty Hill's abduction experience in New Hampshire.
• March 29, 1966: Charles Cozens' "UFO Burn" incident in Kelowna.
• August 2, 1965: Ronnie Thurston's UFO photograph in Brazil, Indiana.
• 1820: Joseph Smith's encounter in Manchester, New York.
• June 17, 1966: Chemical substance found on a car in Georgetown, Ontario, after a UFO sighting.
• August 8, 1966: Multiple UFO sightings and official recognition in Metro Toronto.
• August 3, 1966: UFO landing reported at Presque Isle state park, Erie, Pennsylvania.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Saucers, Space & Science" strongly leans towards presenting UFO phenomena as a serious subject worthy of investigation, often challenging official explanations. The detailed coverage of the Barney Hill case, including the hypnosis sessions and the perceived inadequacy of the Air Force's initial investigation, highlights a theme of potential government secrecy or downplaying of evidence. The magazine actively encourages reader participation by requesting information and sightings. The inclusion of scientific reports in "Spacespots" suggests an attempt to bridge the gap between conventional science and the unexplained phenomena discussed. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting compelling witness testimonies and investigative findings while acknowledging the controversial nature of the subject.

This issue of SS&S magazine, dated August 1966, Volume 12, presents a collection of UFO reports, discussions, and related news. The content ranges from eyewitness accounts of unidentified flying objects to reviews of new books and articles on the subject, as well as updates on UFO organizations and activities.

Key Articles and Reports

"FLYING MUSHROOM" STORY STARTS NEW UFO FLAP

This section details a UFO sighting near Erie, Pennsylvania, involving Betty Jean Klem and Douglas J. Tibbetts. They reported seeing a "mushroom-shaped, silvery object with lights" descend behind trees. The object left three diamond-shaped indentations in the sand. The incident is compared to similar sightings in New Hampshire and Michigan. Two police officers, William Rutledge and Don Peck, also reported observing a bright light over Lake Erie that moved erratically.

GREENISH FIREBALL REPORTED

A bright greenish fireball was seen over Lake Ontario, attracting numerous witnesses. Dr. Ian Halliday of the Dominion Observatory identified it as a meteor. John Calabrisi of the Broome County Astronomical Society noted that the object's duration and trail were longer than typical for a meteorite. Reports from Toronto also described an object breaking up in fire over the lake.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Art Sampsel shares a report from his contact in Goodridge, Minnesota, about a UFO sighting in Bagley, Minnesota. The incident involved a saucer landing, four small beings emerging, and performing some work on the device. The correspondent suggests that the Highway Patrol may have been told to suppress information about this sighting.

FLYING SAUCERS PROBABLY NEW AIRCRAFT

An official from Winnipeg International Airport suggested that objects seen late Tuesday night were likely anti-collision lights on newly installed aircraft, not flying saucers. This statement was made in response to a report from Robert Gates and others who saw a mushroom-shaped object with flashing lights.

BOOKS

This section reviews several new books on flying saucers, including "Flying Saucers, Serious Business" by Frank Edwards, "The Anatomy of a Phenomenon" by Jacques Vallee, and "Incident at Exeter" by John Fuller. It also mentions pocketbooks like "Strangers From the Skies" by Brad Steiger and "Flying Saucers over Australia" by James Holledge. Two softcover books, Gray Barker's "BOOK OF SAUCERS" and Riley Crabb's "FLYING SAUCERS UNCENSORED," are highlighted. "FLYING SAUCERS UNCENSORED" by Riley Crabb is described as a seventh volume in a series, analyzing unusual sightings and events, and exploring anti-gravity devices and the "fourth dimension." It also delves into occult chemistry and vortexian physics. Gray Barker's "BOOK OF SAUCERS" is presented as a collection of "wildest and most imaginative saucer stories," covering various aspects of UFO phenomena, including alleged alien encounters and government cover-ups.

MAGAZINES ON THE NEWSSTANDS

A list of recent magazine articles related to UFOs is provided, with titles, publication dates, prices, and publishers. Notable articles include "The Flying Saucer War" in the National Enquirer and "Why the Air Force Hides the Truth About Flying Saucers" in Pageant.

EDITORIAL (Cont. from page 2)

This editorial discusses Fred Stone's "Panorama" magazine report on the Nov. 9th/65 blackout. It suggests that some telephone operators may have overheard instructions related to the blackout, and that the jamming of traffic by negroes shortly before the event might indicate a planned disruption.

HEADLINERS

This section provides brief news items, including President Johnson's speech interruption by a blackout, power disruptions in Cuba, a Norwegian tanker striking an underwater object, a lightning strike affecting a power station in Saskatchewan, the discovery of an underground tunnel in Hamilton, Ontario, and reports of "flying cats" in Ontario and Quebec. It also mentions a baby born with unusual features, a broken-off part of the Gulf Stream, and a helicopter crash potentially causing power disruptions. The section also touches on hospital capacity for births, a lightning-related blackout in Peterborough, and a scientist's belief that UFOs travel in the heavens. Finally, it notes the discovery of an ancient village and a prediction of the Earth's magnetic field collapse.

UFO MATERIAL FOR SALE / BOOKS / BOOKS / BOOKS

These sections offer various UFO-related materials for sale, including tapes, photos, slides, news clippings, books, and a UFO detector. Specific offerings include tapes featuring speakers like Maj. Keyhoe and Frank Edwards, and a list of over 150 books on flying saucers from Searchlight UFOs.

THE AERIAL PHENOMENA RESEARCH ASSOCIATION

This is introduced as a new UFO organization offering a zine and newsletter.

PROBE MAGAZINE

Described as a magazine formerly known as Controversial Phenomena Bulletin, it features articles on various phenomena, UFOs, ESP, and more.

GRAY BARKER'S BOOK OF ADAMSKI

This section announces an upcoming book by Gray Barker about George Adamski, promising to reveal confidential facts and discuss his life and writings. Pre-orders are available.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, presenting eyewitness accounts, scientific and official explanations (or lack thereof), and related cultural artifacts like books and magazines. There's an underlying theme of potential government secrecy or cover-ups regarding UFOs, as suggested in the editorial and some news items. The publication appears to cater to an audience interested in exploring the mysteries of UFOs, with a stance that encourages investigation and openness to various possibilities, while also acknowledging skeptical viewpoints.