SPACE - No 46 - 1960 10

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE
Issue: Bulletin No. 46
Date: October 1960
Publisher: S. P. A. C. E. (Saucer Phenomena and Celestial Enigma)
Editor and Publisher: Norbert F. Gariety
Location: Coral Gables, Florida

This issue of SPACE magazine, dated October 1960, focuses on UFO sightings, unexplained phenomena, and related investigations from around the world. It features a mix of witness reports, official statements, and editorial commentary, reflecting the growing public and scientific interest in aerial anomalies.

Cover Story and Editorial Stance

The cover prominently displays the word "SPACE" in large, colorful lettering. The main headline, "Published Monthly from Coral Gables, Florida," indicates the magazine's origin. The editorial tone, as suggested by the publication's name and content, is one of open inquiry into "Saucer Phenomena and Celestial Enigma."

Key Articles and Reports

Senator Johnson's Interest in UFOs

The issue begins by highlighting a letter from Senator Lyndon B. Johnson to Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Ochsner. As Chairman of the Senate Preparedness Investigating Committee, Senator Johnson acknowledged receiving numerous inquiries about UFOs and stated that the staff of the Sub-Committee would maintain continuous surveillance over the problem. The magazine notes the significance of this statement during Johnson's political campaign, suggesting it indicates an openness to the subject and a potential for it to become a political issue.

UFO Activity and Predictions

The editorial section notes that the cycle of UFO activity is increasing, as predicted, and questions whether large-scale demonstrations or landings might occur, similar to those in November 1957. It expresses hope that the UFO issue will become a political football, leading to greater public acceptance of the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation.

Witness Reports and Sightings

Miami Disc Jockey Sighting: "Cracker Jim" Brooker, a popular country music disc jockey, reported seeing a bright glowing object over Miami on September 11th. The object was described as white, traveling at high speed, and disappearing vertically. It was seen by Brooker and his wife.

Portland, Indiana "Monster" Sighting: Three young men and a woman fishing in Hollow Block Lake reported seeing a square-shaped "monster" with hairy gray shoulders emerge from the water. The creature was described as being the size of an auto or small elephant and made a screaming sound. The mayor suggested it was a dead calf, but witnesses insisted otherwise. City officials banned swimming and fishing from the lake.

Winthrop, Massachusetts Blight: Eight homes on Shirley Street experienced a mysterious blight that scarred their outside paint with ugly blue and brown splotches, accompanied by a nauseating odor. Town officials requested the state Department of Public Health to investigate.

Four States Sky Flash: Observers in northeast Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana reported seeing an enormous bright flash in the sky early one Wednesday morning. A Texarkana policeman described the light as bright enough to read a newspaper by in the pre-dawn darkness. The light appeared to be moving eastward.

Grumman Films Mystery Sphere: The Grumman Aviation Engineering Corp. photographed a mysterious reddish object circling the earth. The object was estimated to be about a tenth the size of the Echo 1 balloon and traveling about twice as fast.

Flying Triangle Over Los Angeles: A police officer and several civilians reported seeing a triangular-shaped dark object hovering over Santa Monica. The object was described as traveling in a northeasterly direction at about 1000 feet at a slow speed, estimated to be about 10 feet across.

Red Ghost Light Near Bragg, Texas: A "ghost light," described as a red ball of fire, has been reported along a dirt lane south of Bragg, Texas, for 50 years, with recent increased excitement. Explanations range from a railroad switchman's lantern to swamp gas or highway reflections.

Ghost Rider in the Sky: The Air Traffic Control center in Jacksonville received numerous reports of a brilliant white light dropping from the sky, seen by airline pilots. Initial radio reports were more definite and descriptive than meteor sightings.

Caracas, Venezuela Sightings: Multiple reports from Curacao and Venezuela described a greenish light traveling north at high speed and noiselessly, and a luminous flying object over Caracas. The object was described as round with a tail, or a luminous disc-like apparatus, flying at supersonic speed.

Firey Rocket Over Caribbean: An American observer and ex-pilot, James Walker, reported seeing a blazing object, described as a fiery rocket, over the Caribbean on July 11th. It was seen flying at an estimated altitude of 5000 to 7000 feet and had a trailing flame.

Bakersfield, California Landing: A motorist, Chico Morales, reported seeing a glowing, hissing disk-like aircraft settle on the ground about a half mile off the road and then take off again. He described it as being 50 to 75 feet across and not belonging to Earth.

Mysterious Lights Over Colorado: An unidentified object flashing red, white, and green lights was reported high over southwest Colorado. Instruments estimated the object was 37 miles above the earth and hovered for about 30 minutes.

Hunk of Ice Falls in Georgia: For the second time in a year, a 50-pound hunk of ice fell from a clear sky into a field in northeast Georgia. The ice was described as sounding like a jet plane and making a hole about 10 inches deep. The Air Force and Weather Bureau attributed previous incidents to jet airliner water systems, but the magazine questions this explanation.

Round Objects Seen in Nebraska: Three bright round objects were seen moving south through the sky 15 minutes before sundown.

Flying Saucer in Algarve, Portugal: Mr. Carlos Sabino reported seeing a "flying saucer" and a half dozen small men around the apparatus. His dog, "Filipe," escaped in fear. The object flew up vertically and disappeared rapidly.

Editorial Notes and Commentary

Capt. Ruppelt's Question: The magazine opens with a quote from retired Capt. Edward J. Ruppelt, questioning what constitutes "PROOF" for UFOs, referencing radar detections and pilot sightings.

Grumman's Omission: An editorial note points out that Grumman Aviation did not disclose all information about the photographed mystery sphere, implying they are withholding details.

Impossible Satellite Speed: The magazine questions the possibility of a satellite remaining in orbit at 32,000 mph in a retrograde direction, suggesting it defies known physics.

Douglas Aircraft Spokesman: A spokesman for Douglas Aircraft stated they make nothing fitting the description of the reported flying triangle, though a small weather balloon is released daily.

Fear of Reporting: The magazine comments on the fear of witnesses like Chico Morales, who feared being institutionalized for reporting his sighting, citing the case of Rhinehodt Schmidt.

Conspiracy of Silence: The "Ed. Note" on page 8 questions how long the "conspiracy of silence" regarding UFOs will continue, noting that foreign reports are rarely seen in the American press.

Perfect Christmas Gift: The issue concludes with a promotion for S.P.A.C.E. magazine subscriptions as a Christmas gift.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SPACE magazine are the prevalence and increasing frequency of UFO sightings, the questioning of official explanations, and the perceived "conspiracy of silence" surrounding the topic. The editorial stance is one of advocating for open investigation and public awareness of UFO phenomena, often presenting witness testimonies as credible evidence and challenging conventional scientific or governmental explanations. The magazine seems to lean towards the belief in extraterrestrial visitation and encourages readers to expand their thinking to encompass possibilities beyond current understanding.