SPACE - No 48 - 1960 12

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE
Issue: No. 43
Date: December 1960
Publisher: Norbert F. Gariety
Location: Coral Gables, Florida, USA

This issue of SPACE magazine, published monthly from Coral Gables, Florida, focuses on UFO phenomena, scientific speculation, and unusual events. The editor, Norbert F. Gariety, expresses a desire for the public to know what is happening in the skies, despite official disdain.

UFO Sightings and Reports

Vancouver Island Sighting

On September 30th, eleven people reported seeing unknown objects over Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Witnesses described the objects as yellow-orange with a high-pitched hum, hovering and moving in circles. Gaynor Wilson, a 14-year-old witness, described her horse becoming frightened and her dog leaving. Her parents also witnessed the circular, luminous, white discs.

Warminster, England Sighting

British Army Capt. M. J. Massey-Beresford and four others reported seeing a brilliant white object in the sky near Warminster, England. It was described as possibly a 'satellite coming in to land,' so bright it was temporarily blinding. The object remained stationary for a few seconds before traveling north, trailing sparks. A local girl, Jean Williams, described it as 'like a giant sun,' pure white instead of the normal yellow of a shooting star.

The editor notes that while 'ridiculous,' this report might be truthful, as 'our own' satellites have not reached such a stage of perfection. He also mentions 'other' satellites being tracked, including one by the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, moving in the opposite direction of US satellites and at twice the speed.

Other UFO Reports

• Del Norte, California: Six unidentified flying objects were reported by 13 people, including an FAA employee. They were described as 'faster, lower and brighter' than the Echo satellite, with some moving southeast and others southwest, and one moving erratically.
• Anderson, California: A strange red streak in the sky, observed early in the morning, was described as several miles wide and long, and not moving.
• Cincinnati, Ohio: Two separate sightings of unidentified flying objects were reported. One was a round, bright object moving north to south, and the other was a glowing object streaking swiftly.
• Florida Turnpike: A UFO was seen coming from the southeastern horizon, initially appearing like a 'harvest' moon, then gaining speed and altitude, changing color to yellow and white, and trailing sparks.

Scientific and Technological Developments

Frozen Sound

An article discusses a future invention called 'Frozen Sound,' which would allow people to dial simple codes and listen to the voices of anyone who ever lived. This is based on the idea that spoken words travel through space as sound waves. The technology is linked to current outer space research.

Project Ozma

Dr. Frank Drake and Wm. Waltman are developing monitoring equipment for Project Ozma, which aims to search for life in space by listening for wave radiation from the stars Tau Ceti and Epsilon Eridani. The goal is to detect transmissions indicating an attempt by living creatures to communicate with Earth.

Arctic Climate Discovery

Dartmouth College geologists have found evidence that the North American Arctic had a tropical to warm climate until approximately 50,000,000 years ago. This discovery was based on fossils uncovered in Canadian Arctic islands and involved mapping subsurface structures.

Soviet Comet Collision Theory

A Soviet inquiry suggests that between June 30 and July 1, 1900, there was no night in large areas of the earth because the planet was colliding with a comet. This theory emerged from studies of a mysterious explosion that occurred in Siberia in 1908, which leveled a square mile of forest and was felt worldwide, but left no crater.

Speculative Scenarios and Philosophical Discussions

The Future of Humanity: Superwomen?

An article from The Family Doctor, a British Medical Association magazine, speculates that a race of superwomen might rule a manless world in the future. It suggests that a large number of males may not be biologically necessary and that geniuses could be selected to produce supermen (or superwomen) through artificial insemination and frozen sperm banks.

Interstellar Dialogue

A fictional dialogue between 'Earth' and 'Tau Ceti' explores the vast differences in civilization. Tau Ceti, representing an advanced alien civilization, expresses surprise at concepts like war, disease, and death, indicating they have lived in peace and harmony for millions of years, focusing on self-improvement and mutual enjoyment.

The Phantom Battle of Edgehill

Reports persist of 'ghost armies' reenacting the Battle of Edgehill (1642) in Warwickshire, England. Witnesses have reported seeing and hearing the battle, and the Rev. John Dening is attempting to record these phenomena using modern technology and psychically sensitive individuals.

Other Items

• Jinxed Ship: The stern section of the freighter 'African Queen' vanished after being towed, with three sailors aboard.
• Ocean Floor 'Slipped': Scientists discovered that the ocean floor of California has slipped 600 miles east and west, indicating significant movements of the Earth's crust.
• Ghost Hitchhiker: Taxi drivers in Naha, Okinawa, report encounters with a 'nightwalker of Nago,' a female ghost who hitches rides.
• Amazonian World Forecast: A speculative piece on the future of human society.
• Santa Claus on a Practice Run?: A mysterious light sighted over Ery, California, was speculated to be a satellite, traffic signal, or even Santa Claus.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SPACE magazine revolve around the unexplained, particularly UFO sightings and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. There is a strong undercurrent of skepticism towards official explanations and a belief that the public has a right to know about these phenomena. The editor, Norbert F. Gariety, seems to champion the pursuit of knowledge in these areas, even if it means supporting the publication out of his own pocket. The magazine also explores scientific advancements, geological discoveries, and speculative future scenarios, often with a sense of wonder and a questioning of established norms. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry into the unknown, encouraging readers to share their own observations and news.