S. P. A. C. E.

Magazine Overview

Title: S. P. A. C. E. (Saucer Phenomena and Celestial Enigma)
Issue: February 1960, Bulletin No. 38
Publisher: Norbert F. Gariety
Location: Coral Gables, Florida, USA
Focus: This monthly publication delves into UFO reports, unexplained phenomena, and speculative interpretations of historical and biblical events through a UFO lens.

Key Articles and Reports

UFO Sightings in January 1960

The issue highlights several UFO reports from January 1960, aligning with predictions of increased activity. The most prominent sighting occurred near Crosby, Minnesota, where a two-story house-sized object with nine flashing lights was observed for eight hours by highway patrol and over 200 citizens. The object was also seen moving slowly between 500 and 1,000 feet altitude. The SAGE installation at Duluth reported no radar detection. Simultaneously, in Brainerd, Minnesota, law officers and residents reported mysterious, colorful lights on Lake Mille Lacs, described as a 'Christmas Tree' cluster and individual lights.

Two secretaries in Miami, Florida, reported seeing two silver-rimmed 'saucers' over the city on January 19th. While authorities at Homestead Air Force Base suggested the objects might have been reflections from high-altitude planes, the witnesses insisted they saw distinct objects. The story gained traction as other witnesses, including a teacher and a nine-year-old girl, also reported the sighting.

Soviet Missile Development and German Scientists

Dr. Helmut Grottrup, a rocket technician captured by the Soviets after World War II, discusses why Russia is ahead in the missile and space race. He attributes their success to concentrating on a few simple, rugged models, free from external pressure. Grottrup claims that while early Soviet advancements relied on German brainpower, post-1950 developments like multistage rockets and new fuels were achieved solely by USSR scientists. He contrasts Soviet missile simplicity with frequent US failures, suggesting that American engineers' pursuit of overly precise gyroscopic guidance led to reliance on delicate instruments that are prone to failure. Russian telemetering systems are primarily ground-based, with only simple instruments in the rockets.

Ancient Art and Mysteries

Search for the Tassili Frescoes: This section explores the discovery of prehistoric art in the Sahara Desert's Tassili n'Ajjer region. A French expedition led by explorer Henri Lhote uncovered thousands of paintings and engravings dating back to prehistoric times, depicting animals, daily life, and religious symbolism, some showing Egyptian influence. These discoveries offer new insights into early human civilization but also pose new riddles.

Did Fallout Fell Sodom & Gomorrah?: Soviet scientist M. Agrest proposes a theory in the Literary Gazette that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was caused by a nuclear blast from outer space invaders. He interprets the biblical account as a warning to evacuate the area before an explosion, with Lot's wife looking back and being turned into a pillar of salt as a consequence of witnessing the blast. Agrest also suggests the Baalbek terrace in Lebanon may have been a launching pad for alien spacecraft and that glassy objects called tektites found globally could be evidence of probe rockets.

Biblical Phenomena Reinterpreted

Angels in Flying Saucers?: Rev. Helmut Wipprecht, a United Church minister in Cobalt, Ontario, suggests that biblical angels or messengers could have been extraterrestrial visitors in flying saucers. He proposes that the Star of Bethlehem might have been a divinely sent flying saucer, and Elijah's 'chariot of fire' could be interpreted as a glowing, lighting flying saucer. The magazine's editorial note acknowledges that such theories may seem sacrilegious but argues that phenomena not understood tend to be attributed supernatural significance, citing meteors and aurora borealis as historical examples.

The Exodus, The Cloud & The Pillar: Arthur V. Sampsel draws parallels between the biblical Exodus and the 1948 Mantell UFO incident. He calculates the Godman UFO to be immense (15,000 feet long, 500 feet in diameter) and compares its size to the cloud that guided the Israelites through the Red Sea. Sampsel posits that this cloud, which parted the Red Sea and became a pillar of fire by night, was a UFO. He estimates the cloud's size based on the biblical account of two to three million people (plus animals) being led by Moses, suggesting the Godman UFO was small in comparison. He also mentions Van Tassel's claim that the 'Manna' found by the Israelites was food dropped from the spacecraft.

Other Unexplained Phenomena and Discoveries

Large Ticking Object Falls on Upstate New York Town: An object described as a large, ticking, aluminum device with engines and a sharp nose, about 15 feet long, fell from the sky into the Hudson River near Schodack Landing, NY. Despite attempts to retrieve it, the object sank. Authorities at Plattsburg and Westover Air Bases had no knowledge of any fallen aircraft.

Operation Ghost Fails to Explain Weird Goings-On: An investigation at the William Meyers farm in Guttenberg, Iowa, involving university professors and students with scientific equipment, failed to explain strange occurrences that led the family to move out, including objects being tossed around.

Watchers Fail to Find Activity in Ghostly House: In Baltimore, newsmen and photographers encamped at the home of Edgar G. Jones, who reported a four-day epidemic of flying sugar bowls and exploding pottery. No paranormal activity was observed during the stakeout.

New Evidence Uncovered in Antarctica: Soviet scientists report finding spores and plant tissue fragments in Antarctic rock formations, suggesting the continent was once a fertile, sunny place 200-300 million years ago. This aligns with earlier findings by Swedish and New Zealand/Australian explorers.

Flash Lights Western Sky: A bright flash of light was seen across four western states, described by a pilot as a brilliant, blinding flash that lit up the entire sky. Reports suggested the flash in southwestern Montana, with some persons hearing an explosion.

Fate of Ship Still Mystery One Year Later: Two lifebelts from the Danish liner Hans Hedtoft, which sank off Greenland 11 months prior, were found on the coast of Iceland, 600 miles away. The discovery adds to the mystery, as ocean currents do not typically run in that direction, and the ship's advanced radar failed to evade an iceberg.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena with historical events, biblical narratives, and scientific speculation. The editorial stance, as articulated by Norbert F. Gariety, is open to investigating anything unusual or unexplainable, believing that a deeper understanding of the mind and phenomena beyond normal perception will eventually make these events understandable. The publication encourages readers to consider new interpretations of accepted traditions and biblical accounts, particularly when viewed through the lens of potential extraterrestrial visitation. There's a clear skepticism towards official explanations, especially from the Air Force, and a willingness to entertain unconventional theories, even those that might be considered sacrilegious by some.

The magazine also shows an interest in the space race and technological advancements, contrasting Soviet and American approaches to missile development. The overall tone is one of curiosity, open-mindedness, and a desire to connect seemingly disparate events and phenomena into a larger, possibly cosmic, narrative. The publication seems to aim at challenging conventional thinking and encouraging readers to question established beliefs about our world and its history. The inclusion of various news clippings from different sources, often with credits, suggests an effort to gather and present a wide range of reported incidents and theories related to the magazine's themes.