SPACE - No 28 - 1959 04

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE
Issue: Bulletin No. 28
Date: April 1959
Publisher: Norbert F. Gariety, Editor and Publisher
Location: Coral Gables, Florida

This issue of SPACE magazine, subtitled 'Saucer Phenomena and Celestial Enigma,' delves into the burgeoning UFO phenomenon of the late 1950s, with a particular focus on a significant increase in sightings following high-altitude nuclear tests.

UFO Flap Triggered by Project Argus

The lead article, "DID HIGH ALTITUDE A-TESTS TRIGGER UFO FLAP?", posits a direct link between Project Argus, a series of secret nuclear detonations conducted over 300 miles above Earth in September 1958, and a subsequent surge in UFO reports. The magazine lists specific dates and locations of major sightings in October and November 1958, including a Saturn-shaped object in Alliance, Ohio; the Fitzgerald saucer report from Sheffield Lake, Ohio; multiple sightings across Ohio cities; UFOs chasing a freight train in Indiana; and a landing and takeoff at a Nike base near Washington, D.C. The authors express strong belief that these events are not coincidental and suggest that advanced intelligences might be concerned about Earth's atomic testing, citing a petition signed by 9000 scientists decades prior.

Air Force Explanations and Skepticism

The issue critically examines the Air Force's explanations for UFO sightings. One section, "AIR FORCE 'EXPLANATIONS' FOR KILLIAN REPORT," addresses the case of Capt. Killian of American Airlines, who, along with his crew and passengers, reported seeing three UFOs pace their plane for 45 minutes on February 24, 1959. The Air Force initially explained this as pilots mistaking stars, specifically the constellation Orion, for UFOs. The magazine questions this explanation, noting that Capt. Killian and his crew, being knowledgeable in astronomy, would not mistake stars for the objects they observed, which they felt were humanly controlled.

Another Air Force explanation for a different sighting involved lights from three jet bombers refueling in the air. The magazine also includes a statement from Rear Admiral George Dufek, who advised against discounting the reality of flying saucers, suggesting that some observed phenomena might be 'saucers driven from Venus or other planets by intelligent creatures.'

'Skyquakes' and the Ethers

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the phenomenon of 'skyquakes' and their potential connection to UFOs. Bill Swygard, writing from Miami, explains that skyquakes are caused by a 'shift in the ethers,' which he describes as a more dense matter that interpenetrates the material world. He suggests that these dense areas are the 'home of the space visitors' and that what we perceive as skyquakes are merely repercussions of events happening in their realm. Swygard theorizes that the universe's expansion, described by the 'Red Shift,' causes densities to rub against each other, leading to these shifts. He notes that physical evidence like ice, stones, and even frogs can be ejected, and that 'angel-hair' is caused by a space craft emerging too rapidly into our density. He also recounts personal experience during an earthquake in Assam, India, where he floated four feet off the ground, attributing this to the levity effect of skyquakes nullifying gravity.

Eyewitness Accounts and Incidents

The issue presents several compelling eyewitness accounts:

• Pfc. Bernard G. Irwin Incident: A soldier in southern Utah saw a flash of light, stopped to investigate, and was found unconscious for 24 hours. His jacket also disappeared during this period, leading to speculation that he may have encountered a UFO and been examined.
• UFO Over Miami: Mrs. Robert Crawford reported seeing a greenish-white object traveling over Miami, described as much brighter than Venus and slower than a meteor.
• UFOs Over Miami (Previous Night): Two UFOs were seen making a long, sweeping curve over Miami, appearing stationary at times and then pulsating and separating.
• UFO Over Gulf of Mexico: Pilots on a Pan Am flight reported seeing a reddish light perform unexplainable maneuvers, stopping abruptly and accelerating at tremendous speeds.
• UFO Over Highway in South Carolina: Emmet West, an engineer, reported a large, round, glowing object hovering over his car, described as flat on the bottom with a curved top and a luminescent band.
• Military Plane Crash: An AFC-118 transport plane crashed after the pilot radioed, "WE HAVE HIT SOMETHING, OR SOMETHING HAS HIT US."

Spacecraft Technology and Future Possibilities

The magazine touches upon advancements in spacecraft technology. It mentions Boeing Aircraft Co. studying the possibility of an observatory on the Moon. More significantly, it highlights the work of Otis T. Carr, an electrical engineer and inventor, who was scheduled to demonstrate his OTC-X1 Electro-Gravitational Spacecraft, claiming it would be propelled solely by electricity produced by a unique 'utron' accumulator. Carr planned to pilot a prototype to the moon on December 7, 1959.

Additionally, a Defense Department official indicated that 400 million dollars and a 'sympathetic approach' could lead to a manned space ship by 1962, according to David A. Young of ARPA.

International Reports and Other News

• George Adamski's Tour: A report from New Zealand details the success of George Adamski's lecture tour, noting large audiences and significant public interest.
• Siberian Crater: An expedition to the Liapunov Crater in Siberia found steel, glass, and ceramics, leading to the conclusion that a "huge spaceship had crashed there."
• Splintered Windshields in Italy: Over 200 automobiles reportedly had their windshields chipped or splintered on an expressway in Northern Italy, an event attributed to high-frequency sonic vibrations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SPACE magazine are the unexplained nature of UFO sightings, the perceived inadequacy of official explanations, and the potential connection between advanced technology (both terrestrial and extraterrestrial) and unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance is clearly one of open inquiry and a willingness to explore unconventional theories, often challenging the official narratives presented by government and military bodies. The magazine encourages reader participation by soliciting reports and comments, positioning itself as a conduit for 'unofficial' information on UFOs.