SPACE - No 09 - 1957 09

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE
Issue: Bulletin No. 9
Date: September 1957
Publisher: Norbert F. Gariety
Location: Coral Gables, Florida, USA
Focus: Saucer Phenomena and Celestial Enigma (S.P.A.C.E.)

This issue of SPACE magazine, published monthly, delves into various unexplained phenomena, UFO sightings, and related mysteries. The editor, Norbert F. Gariety, aims to provide readers with information on these topics, often presenting news clippings and personal commentary.

Alarmists in the Saucer Field

The lead article addresses what the editor terms 'alarmists' who sensationalize UFO-related events. The editor discusses an article from the Aetherius Society of London, which suggests that 'Etheric distortion' caused by nuclear experimentation is responsible for mysterious 'sky quakes' and aircraft disasters. The editor, drawing on his experience as an Air Force Airplane Mechanic, disputes this theory. He points out that aircraft accidents occurred long before the atomic bomb and that aviation safety has improved significantly over the years, with statistics showing fewer fatalities per passenger mile flown compared to automobile accidents.

UFO Sightings and Reports

Several specific sightings are detailed:

• Yokohama, Japan (June 10): Over 15 witnesses saw a cigar-shaped object, described as long with a brilliant silvery glow, travel from southwest to northeast. It was visible for about 30 seconds.
• Tokyo, Japan (June 10): An hour and a half after the Yokohama sighting, six witnesses observed two small, round, silvery objects exhibiting zig-zag movements and hovering before ascending and disappearing.
• Indiana, USA: Four youths reported a huge red light descending to about 200 feet, described as kidney-shaped and about 50-100 feet in size with large white lights. The object allegedly discharged a projectile that entered their car and exploded, leaving fragments.
• Miami, Florida, USA (May 29, 1957): Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Bunnell and Mrs. Mildred Bolger reported seeing a cigar-shaped object, light gray in color, which appeared stationary, then disappeared and reappeared farther away.

Unexplained Phenomena

Beyond UFOs, the magazine covers other mysteries:

• "Haunted House" in Illinois: A full-scale search was conducted in Wilmington, Illinois, for a 'ghost' at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Mikulecky, where household objects were reportedly flying around on their own. The phenomena allegedly followed them to other residences.
• Oklahoma "Haunted House": A family in Tulsa, Oklahoma, moved out of their home due to what they claimed was an electrical phenomenon causing objects to move erratically.
• Ice Falling from the Sky (Reading, Pennsylvania): Farmer Edward Groff reported a 50-pound cake of ice falling from a clear sky, followed by a smaller piece. An investigation by state police and analysis by M. J. Reider, Associates, suggested the ice was formed from fused hailstones, possibly transported by a jet stream. However, the chemists found no iron, and the theory of formation in a thunderstorm was questioned due to the clear sky and the unusual fused nature of the ice.

Scientific and Space Exploration News

The issue also touches on scientific advancements and space exploration:

• Life in the Universe: Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto, stated that many astronomers agree that life may exist elsewhere in the universe based on the laws of chance.
• Air Force Rocket Launch: An Air Force rocket, 23 feet long, was expected to be launched into space, possibly to the Moon, from a balloon at 100,000 feet, as part of Operation "Far Side" to measure cosmic rays and the Earth's magnetic field.
• High-Altitude Balloon Flight: Major David Simons, an Air Force Doctor-Pilot, set a record altitude of 102,000 feet (nearly 19 miles) in a balloon, proving that it is safe for man to fly to outer space. Colonel John Stapp, involved in the project, suggested a 4-5 man gondola to that height might be the next step.

Other Mentions

The magazine also includes a brief, somewhat tangential mention of the Abominable Snowman mystery, suggesting reader interest in various mysteries. The editor notes that S.P.A.C.E. stands for 'Saucer Phenomena and Celestial Enigma', indicating a broad scope for unexplained events.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, unexplained physical phenomena, and the scientific or skeptical explanations (or lack thereof) for these events. The editor, Norbert F. Gariety, adopts a stance that is open to unusual reports but critical of sensationalism and alarmist interpretations. He emphasizes the importance of factual reporting and personal experience, while also acknowledging the limitations of current scientific understanding. The magazine appears to be a platform for sharing diverse accounts of the unexplained, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional explanations, as suggested by the quote "THERE ARE MORE THINGS IN HEAVEN AND EARTH, HORATIO, THAN ARE DREAMED OF IN YOUR PHILOSOPHY."