SPACE - No 34 - 1959 10

Magazine Overview

This issue of S.P.A.C.E. (Saucer Phenomena and Celestial Enigma), published monthly from Coral Gables, Florida, by Norbert F. Gariety, is dated October 1959. It presents itself as a platform for exploring UFO phenomena and related mysteries, often questioning official explanations and government transparency.

Cover Story and Editorial Stance

The cover prominently features the word "SPACE" with the subtitle "Saucer Phenomena and Celestial Enigma." While the main cover text is a stylized "SPAC," the full title is present in the masthead. The issue's main themes revolve around UFO sightings, the ongoing space race, and the perceived secrecy surrounding extraterrestrial phenomena.

Soviet Moon Shot and UFO Activity

The issue opens by noting a decrease in UFO reports after a July and August "flap," but anticipates an increase following the Soviet Union's successful 850 lb. payload landing on the Moon on September 13th. The editor speculates that if intelligent races have bases on the Moon, as some researchers and possibly government officials believe, this event would not have gone unnoticed. This, in turn, is expected to accelerate UFO surveillance of Earth. The successful moon shot is also framed as a significant step in humanity's quest to conquer space travel, potentially leading to future open acceptance and fraternization with extraterrestrial peoples.

Repercussions of Soviet Moon Shot Success

Following the Soviet moon shot, President Eisenhower remained notably silent, likely due to the immediate follow-up from Premier Khrushchev. Vice President Nixon stated that the Soviet venture was "nothing to get hysterical about," acknowledging that the US and USSR would alternate leading in the space race. The editor finds it "morbidly amusing" that veteran newsmen and officials downplayed the achievement, likening it to "a lad whistling in the dark." The magazine turns to Dr. Wernher von Braun for an unbiased evaluation.

Dr. Wernher von Braun on the Space Race

Reporting from Huntsville, Alabama, Dr. Wernher von Braun states that Russia is "far ahead" in space projects and that lost time cannot be bought back. He believes that if Russia stopped immediately, the US could catch up in one to three years, possessing the necessary brains and resources. However, he notes that continuous "evaluations, justifications, rejusti-fications" hamper progress. Von Braun expresses alarm at Russian progress and was unsurprised by their moon landing. He highlights that Sputnik III carried all the instrumentation previously sent up in IGY projects, consolidated into one rocket.

Willy Ley's Speculation

Space expert Willy Ley suggests the US might stage a spectacular space shot during President Eisenhower's visit to Russia, possibly orbiting a satellite around the moon, which would be more difficult than a direct moon hit.

Steve Erdman's Questions and the Air Force's "Silence"

A letter from Steve Erdman of St. Louis, Missouri, a young and confused schoolboy, expresses his interest in UFOs and his frustration with the lack of satisfactory answers from parents, teachers, the government, and the Air Force. He specifically asks for a report on the "Silence Group," which many saucer clubs mention but the Air Force denies. He questions the Air Force's denials and their claim of no evidence, asking if they must simply accept the Air Force's "NO."

Editor's Response to Steve Erdman

Editor Norbert F. Gariety responds to Steve, acknowledging his interest and assuring him he will witness the mystery's resolution. He discusses the potential for future acceptance and fraternization with extraterrestrial peoples, noting that many are not yet ready for this. He draws a parallel to Earth's own racial integration problems, questioning humanity's readiness for inter-planetary relations.

Regarding the "Silence Group," Gariety explains it's not as significant as often portrayed in the UFO investigation field, with some embellishing the story. He reveals that he spent four years in the Air Force, including two with the Research and Development Command. He points to Air Force Regulation No. 200-2, which prohibits Air Force Intelligence Officers at bases from giving out official UFO reports to the press, classifying this as secrecy. He argues that the primary reason for Air Force secrecy is the desperate attempt to duplicate the propulsion and speed of true interplanetary UFOs, a race they are also in with Russia for national security reasons.

Gariety clarifies that the Air Force has not denied UFOs but rather explains away all reports they can, admitting some they cannot explain. Their consistent statement is that in ten years of investigations, thousands of reports have yielded no "physical evidence" or even a fragment of a flying saucer. Gariety emphasizes that "physical evidence" is the key phrase, meaning something tangible. He believes the Air Force's stance is an admission that they have not yet been able to capture a UFO.

He suggests that the Air Force's approach of chasing UFOs and even firing at them is counterproductive. He advocates for a more welcoming approach, using signals like lights, to encourage progress, rather than aggressive pursuit. He posits that admitting the existence of smarter beings from other planets is a blow to human egotism, both personal and national.

Gariety concludes his response by stating he doesn't have all the answers but has been following the subject for eight years. He offers a retort for those who claim UFOs are not accepted by the government: the US government does not officially recognize Red China, yet 600 million Chinese exist. He invites readers with answers to Steve's questions to submit them briefly.

Mystery Chunks of Ice

The issue reports on a "MYSTERY CHUNK OF ICE" that fell from the sky in Buffalo, New York. A 15-lb block of ice fell near a 9-year-old boy, George J. Trillizio, narrowly missing him. The Buffalo Weather Bureau could not explain its origin, with an assistant suggesting it might have fallen from a plane. However, no plane was seen or heard, and the cube did not break upon impact, leading to further mystery.

Cosmic Debris Theory

Editor Gariety proposes that such ice chunks could be cosmic debris, originating from a disintegrated planet or large polar ice caps. He criticizes weather bureaus for offering "asinine explanations" like aircraft de-icing equipment. A news account from the London Evening News describes "half a ton of ice" falling in a garden, striking an apple tree and severing a bough. Forensic experts analyzed samples of the ice.

The Great Thread Mystery

Another mystery reported is a quarter-mile of blue-and-white nylon thread found in Titchfield, Hampshire, UK, running over hedges, fields, and gardens, and crossing a main road. Civilian and military air centers stated it did not come from their aircraft, leading to speculation of "Martian knitting wool" or a deliberate prank.

Major Keyhoe and Contact Cases

The magazine questions Major Keyhoe's stance on UFO investigations, specifically his reluctance to print documented cases from New Zealand, Australia, and New Guinea, which involved alleged intelligent occupants. The editor asks what happened to Keyhoe's initial intentions to investigate UFO reports and provide facts to the public and Congress. The Blenheim, New Zealand case, where a UFO landed within 10 feet and two occupants in metallic suits were seen, is highlighted as an example of a case not published by NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena).

Keyhoe's Policy vs. Air Force

Gariety contrasts Major Keyhoe's policy with that of the Air Force, suggesting that while Keyhoe investigates reports, he only publishes those he deems suitable for the public, similar to the Air Force's selective reporting. The difference is seen as one of degree only.

International UFO Reports

Several international UFO reports are detailed:

• Blenheim, New Zealand (July 13, 1959): A UFO landed in a farmyard, and two occupants in shiny metallic suits were observed. This case, along with two other corroborating reports from the same date and general area, was allegedly not published by NICAP.
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (July 13, 1959): Astronomers observed an aerial body with unusual characteristics moving SW. Captain Ciro Vaz of the Army Technical School also witnessed a luminous body shaped like a Maltese cross with green lights and a red ray.
• Brazil (July 14, 1959): A UFO escorted a Brazilian Air Force B-26 for nearly an hour. The incident was not reported in the press due to national security reasons, as the Brazilian Air Force controls its officers and personnel.
• New Guinea (September 1959): An eyewitness account from an Anglican Priest and his 38 witnesses at an Episcopal Mission is mentioned, with a promise of a complete story in the September issue of S.P.A.C.E.

Unexplained Blast Jolts Two Counties

An unexplained explosion shook Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Washington D.C., on September 28, 1959. Fire officials speculated it was caused by a jet plane breaking the sound barrier, but no ground explosion was reported, and no planes from Andrews AF Base were aloft at the time.

Pear-Shaped, Needle-Nosed Objects Seen Near Newfoundland

On the same date, September 28, 1959, two flying objects, one pear-shaped and one needle-nosed, were seen near Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland. A housewife reported seeing a door open in the pear-shaped object and flames spewing forth, followed by the needle-shaped object disappearing at high speed.

Strange Light in Eastern Sky

On September 23, 1959, a "STRANGE LIGHT" was reported near Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Two men described a pear-shaped object emitting a blinding flame-like light. Dogs in the vicinity reportedly howled and barked, suggesting a high-pitched sound inaudible to humans.

Light in Sky in Oregon Puzzler

On September 26, 1959, an object or light was observed in Central Oregon. The Air Force scrambled two planes to investigate. Phil Brogan of the American Meteor Society stated it was not a meteor. The object was described as "something different."

Camera Footage and Investigation

An airport controller and a Federal Aviation Agency flight service specialist watched the light through binoculars. The object disappeared as jet interceptors arrived. A camera set up for the IGY was capturing sky pictures, and the film was to be processed in Alaska.

About Your Editor

This section provides biographical details about Norbert F. Gariety: born May 12, 1921, married with a wife named Evelyn and two children, Norbert Jr. and Patricia. He served in the Air Force for four years during World War II, with two years in the Research and Development Command. He is a professional photographer, owns LeMan Studio, and has been the publisher of S.P.A.C.E. since January 1957 and director of the radio program "SPACE STATION" since January 1958.

Soviet Plans for Space Conquest

A report from London (AP) via Moscow Radio claims a Soviet scientist predicted that space travelers eventually will meet beings from other worlds and together conquer the cosmos. Soviet science is said to command the means to send rockets to Mars and Venus. Astronomer Feliks Segal believes space travelers will first colonize the Moon, then conquer other planets, and finally venture into other solar systems. Moscow Radio predicts that within "perhaps no more than some decades," man will be living on the Moon, then moving on to Mars, Venus, and Mercury. The report suggests it would be possible to create an artificial atmosphere on Mars resembling Earth's.

Editor's Concern on US Policy

The editor expresses concern that the US's official attitude toward UFOs and extraterrestrial spacecraft might lead to the Russians making the first announcement to the world about UFOs being actual spacecraft from other planets, thus giving them another "psychological victory."

Cynthia Appleton's Baby

This section details the case of Cynthia Appleton from Birmingham, England, a "Contactee" who claims to have had physical and projection-type contacts with space beings. One contact in September 1958 allegedly informed her she would have a baby, a boy named Matthew, weighing 7 lb. 3 oz., born in late May 1959. The baby was born on June 2, weighing 7 lbs. 2 2/3 ozs., named Matthew, and the details are described as "almost exactly as predicted--VERY STRANGE!"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the increasing evidence and reports of UFO sightings globally, the intense competition in the space race between the US and the Soviet Union, and a critical stance towards government and official bodies (particularly the Air Force) for their perceived secrecy and dismissive explanations regarding UFO phenomena. The editor consistently advocates for transparency and a more open-minded approach to investigating these unexplained events, often contrasting the official narrative with eyewitness accounts and alternative theories. There's a strong undercurrent of suspicion towards officialdom and a belief that significant discoveries are being withheld from the public.