SPACE - No 36 - 1959 12

Magazine Overview

SPACE, published monthly from Coral Gables, Florida, by Norbert F. Gariety, presents its December 1959 issue, Bulletin No. 36. The magazine focuses on saucer phenomena and celestial enigmas, featuring a mix of eyewitness accounts, scientific reports, and editorial commentary.

Cover Story: Rehill Saw 'Em, Don't Believe It

The lead article details the experience of Joseph John Rehill, a U.S. Navy pharmaceutical-aviation technician, who, despite being a skeptic, photographed what he described as a 'sudden flash' in the sky. The resulting transparencies showed five white spots, one disc-shaped, against a blue sky. Rehill, who claims not to believe in things he cannot feel, see, touch, or taste, stated that Air Force Intelligence Officers had examined his camera and the film, finding no evidence of tampering. He also mentioned being briefed by Air Force Intelligence Officers. The article notes that Rehill's attitude was one of ridicule towards flying saucers, yet he admitted the Air Force examined his camera and transparencies. The author expresses skepticism about Rehill's prepared follow-up, noting his reluctance to have the transparency examined or projected.

Other Sightings and Phenomena

Ball of Light Chases Car

A report from Statesville, North Carolina, details Robert L. James's account of a 'ball of light' with a blue glow that chased his car for several miles, hovering just above tree-top level and moving at varying speeds. Police checked with other officers and found similar reports from the Hickory and Salisbury areas.

Ice Delivered Here by 'Iceman' in the Sky

This section reports on chunks of ice falling from the sky in Miami, Florida. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Garber found a large block of ice in their yard after hearing a thud, and Mrs. Joyce Smith also found a slab of ice. A leading meteorologist suggested the ice might have come from a comet, though he couldn't be certain. The ice was described as clear and crystalline.

Angel Hair Falling from the Sky

Residents in Sylvania, Georgia, reported 'angel hair' falling from the sky, described as silky and cobweb-like. This material had been reported in other areas recently. An Air Force chemist examined a sample and identified it as silver halide, a chemical used to seed rainclouds.

Saucer Sighters Relax, But AF Is on Guard

This article notes that the U.S. Air Force reported fewer flying saucer sightings in 1959 than in previous years. However, the Air Force is preparing for potential sightings by issuing a new regulation, AFR 200-2, to identify UFOs. The report reveals that in 12 years of checking thousands of sightings, none were confirmed as real flying saucers, with only a small percentage remaining unidentified.

It Can Happen Here

A report from Alvin, Texas, describes a truck driver who claimed a 'flying saucer' stopped his truck with its rays. Police investigated but found no evidence of intoxication. The driver's story involved the object spraying fog and causing the truck to stop running.

Unusual Crash

A brief report mentions a 20th-century plane crashing into a 19th-century ship wreckage discovered by skin divers off the coast.

Scientific Discoveries and Theories

Magnetic Field of Sun Is Reversed

An astrophysicist reported that the sun's magnetic field has reversed itself, a discovery termed significant by astronomers who indicated 'internal activity' in the sun.

Antarctica Seals Sealed 2,000 Yrs.

Scientists found seal carcasses in Antarctica preserved by the polar climate, estimated to be over 2,000 years old. Radiocarbon dating confirmed one carcass was between 1,600 and 2,000 years old.

Mystery Object Falls Into Pacific

A mysterious object with a parachute fell into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Manhattan Beach, California. It was described as metallic, square at the top, and cylindrical at the bottom.

No Room for War

An editor predicts that in 20 years, nations will be supporting extensive space missions, making war budgets impossible due to economic logic.

Women Sight Flying Object in Willoughby

Three housewives in Willoughby, Ohio, reported seeing a silver-colored pencil-like object with fins fly over the town.

Hot Game of Basketball

An aircraft designer in Miami reported finding basketball-sized holes burned into his yard, with ash and fused material present. Police are analyzing the ash.

Four Soviets Die in Space

A report claims four Soviet astronauts, including a woman, lost their lives in unsuccessful attempts to put a man into space between 1957 and 1959.

Earliest "Human"? -- "Abominable Coal Man" Nominated

This section discusses the discovery of fossils of 'Oreopithecus' in Italy, suggesting creatures belonging to the human line of evolution lived there at least 12 million years ago. These fossils have been studied and show characteristics resembling the human line of evolution.

Do We Come From Garbage???? -- Left by Spacemen Billions of Years Ago????

Professor Thomas Gold suggests that life on Earth could have started from germs and 'garbage' left by exploring space travelers billions of years ago. He posits that humans might evolve to travel to distant planets and contaminate them with life forms, potentially leading to the evolution of intelligent life on those planets.

Well, Water You Know -- Ice From Sky Just Frozen H-2-0

Scientists studying a large cake of ice that fell in Georgia concluded it was frozen water (H-2-0), but were unsure how it got into the sky or why it fell. The ice was of earthly origin and not from a comet.

Editorial

The editor apologizes for the late publication of the November and December issues, explaining that his primary business, portrait photography, has a greatly increased volume during these months. He states that SPACE is a sideline and operates at a deficit, which he charges off to his advertising budget. He thanks those who waited patiently and acknowledges the complaints from a smaller percentage of readers. He also thanks Betty Pasco for volunteer stenographical help. The editor emphasizes that adherence to a fixed deadline and immediate personal answers to letters are not possible due to the demands of his business and the nature of the publication.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained aerial phenomena, UFO sightings, and related government investigations, particularly those of the U.S. Air Force. There is a recurring theme of skepticism versus belief, with the editor often presenting witness accounts alongside official explanations or questioning the preparedness of witnesses. Scientific discoveries, such as the sun's magnetic field reversal and ancient hominid fossils, are also featured, broadening the scope beyond just UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various theories and accounts while maintaining a critical eye, as evidenced by the editor's personal note on the 'garbage theory' of life's origin, where he refrains from declaring a winner in the debate between religious and scientific viewpoints.