SPACE - No 39 - 1960 03

Magazine Overview

Title: S. P. A. C. E. (Saucer Phenomena and Celestial Enigma)
Issue: March 1960 (Bulletin No. 39)
Publisher: Norbert F. Gariety
Location: Coral Gables, Florida, USA

This issue of S.P.A.C.E. magazine delves into the growing public and official interest in Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), presenting a mix of news reports, official statements, witness accounts, and speculative theories.

Air Force Bulletin on UFOs

The lead story highlights a United Press International announcement that the U.S. Air Force had issued an Operations and Training Bulletin to its commands stating that UFOs should be taken seriously. The magazine notes that the Miami Herald initially carried the story but deleted it from later editions, suggesting a deliberate policy of limited circulation. The editor expresses belief that this is a tactic to "carry hot items, but do not give them wide circulation" to control the narrative. The full text of the original bulletin is presented, emphasizing that UFOs are "serious USAF business." The Air Force's concern is threefold: whether UFOs pose a threat to U.S. defense, if they contribute to technical or scientific knowledge, and the responsibility to inform the public. The bulletin outlines procedures for handling UFO reports, stressing the need for qualified officers with investigative and scientific backgrounds, equipped with tools like binoculars, Geiger counters, and cameras.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The issue details several recent UFO sightings and related events:

• Alaska Incident: A report from Fairbanks, Alaska, describes a "silvery object" seen over Western Alaska on February 15, 1960, which belched flames. While the Alaska Air Command later officially identified it as a meteor, witnesses like Pete Walsh of Wien Alaskan Air Lines challenged this explanation, questioning how a meteor could travel horizontally, change course, and disappear. The Air Force's explanation is met with skepticism by the magazine's editor.
• Miami Sightings: Several reports from Miami, Florida, are included. One involved a seven-year-old's sighting, which made the Miami Herald. The objects were described as "golden (or bluish silver) hue," "bluish upside-down soup plate," and "eliptical objects surrounded by a golden haze." Witnesses reported them moving at high speeds and disappearing into space. Despite these reports, a supervisor at Dade's air control tower stated he had received no UFO reports.
• Laurel, Mississippi: Around 20 people reported seeing four white-lighted objects in a U-shaped formation flying north above Highway 11.
• Vienna Photograph: The independent Vienna newspaper "WIENER MONTAG" published a front-page photo of a flying saucer, calling it the "most sensational photograph of our century." The photo was taken by Edgar Schedelbauer, who described the object as "white-glowing spider-like" and felt radiated heat from it.

Scientific and Speculative Theories

The magazine explores broader implications and theories related to UFOs and cosmic phenomena:

• Martian Perspective: A viewpoint from Soviet scientist Prof. Boris Kukarkin suggests that a Martian scientist would consider life on Earth unlikely due to its atmospheric pressure, temperature, and gravity, which are significantly different from Mars.
• Hydrogen-Helium Cycle and Atomic Bombs: A letter from an anonymous reader proposes a theory linking the hydrogen-helium cycle in the universe to the sun's energy and planetary life. The letter suggests that atomic bombs, by releasing radioactive particles, disrupt this cycle, creating excess helium and increasing background radiation, which could attract intelligent beings from space to investigate.
• Extraterrestrial Life and Cosmic Debris: Milvin Calvin of the University of California is cited for his opinion that extraterrestrial life is logical. His research involves studying meteorites, which he suggests are ancient debris from cosmic explosions, and he has found "ancestral chromosomes" similar to early Earth life, indicating that evolutionary processes may not be unique to Earth.
• Biblical Cities and UFOs: The editor notes a potential connection between the search for the lost cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and his theory that UFOs and their intelligences use lower bipedal species for testing purposes, which are then picked up later. He observes that sightings of strange creatures often coincide with peak UFO activity.

Lectures and Events

Information is provided about upcoming lectures by George Van Tassel and Riley Crabb, both involved in UFO research and related organizations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a pro-UFO investigation stance, critical of official denials and perceived obfuscation by the military and government. The editor champions the idea that UFOs are a serious phenomenon requiring thorough investigation and open reporting. There's a recurring theme of skepticism towards official explanations, particularly the meteor explanation for the Alaska sighting. The magazine also connects UFO activity with other unusual phenomena, such as strange creature sightings and potential cosmic events, suggesting a broader, interconnected pattern of unexplained occurrences. The editorial tone is one of urgency and a belief that humanity is entering a critical period, referred to as the "DECADE OF DESTINY."