SPACE - No 52 - 1961 04

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE
Issue: Bulletin No. 52
Date: April 1961
Publisher: Norbert F. Gariety, Editor and Publisher, from Coral Gables, Florida.
Content Focus: This issue of SPACE magazine, dedicated to 'Saucer Phenomena and Celestial Enigma,' features a collection of UFO sightings, unexplained phenomena, and related scientific and speculative articles.

Cover Story: 60 FOOT LIGHT HOVERS OVER S. MIAMI STREET

The lead article details a sighting on March 9, 1961, in South Miami, Florida, where a family of five witnessed a large, luminous object. The object, described as about 60 feet in diameter and greenish in color, hovered about six feet off the ground on S.W. 112th Street for approximately 20 minutes. The family noted a distinct break in the light area, with the darker area above and the bright area shining directly down. No sound was heard, and there was no vehicular traffic on the street. The witnesses, who had no prior opinion on UFOs, concluded it was far beyond current aircraft or missile technology. The editor, Norbert F. Gariety, and his wife, Mrs. Gariety, interviewed the family, who requested anonymity due to the husband's position as Vice President of a company subcontracting for the missile base at Cape Canaveral. Gariety concluded it was a factual report of a UFO hovering low over an outlying street.

Other UFO Sightings and Reports

South Miami Area Report: Another report from South Miami, described as 'fantastic,' involved a dirigible-shaped object hovering about 100 feet above a 7-acre tomato field. A large door opened, releasing three smaller objects, followed by three cars and an oblong vertical capsule. People emerged from the capsule, entered the cars (identified as Ford Galaxies), and drove away. The capsule was then retrieved by the craft, which ascended and disappeared. Small lights, like St. Elmo's fire, were observed around the object. The witness's wife saw the object as it was leaving. The article notes weak points in the story, such as the lack of other witnesses, but mentions that tire tracks were found in the tomato field leading to SW 136th St., and police were notified. A reporter for the Miami HERALD initially covered the story but it was deemed too far out for the City Desk.

Miami Area Formation: On March 25, a Mr. Dyer from Toronto, Canada, and five other witnesses saw a formation of white lights traveling rapidly north in a V-shape, which then changed to a half circle and moved northeast. Dyer described the lights as much larger than aircraft lights and very bright white, traveling too fast to be aircraft.

South Florida Weather: The area experienced several loud explosions or 'sky-quakes' during March, with no logical explanation provided.

Watertown, N.Y. Mysterious Sound: The Binkowski family in Rotterdam, Netherlands, reported a persistent, high-pitched, whirling sound for five weeks, causing them physical pain (jaws and necks) and sleep deprivation. The sound changes pitch like a Civil Defense alert and is so oppressive they must leave the house. It follows them even to work and school. Electric and utility companies and police could not identify the source. The house is located between two radio transmitters, WGY and WSNY. The General Electric Company offered to send an engineer to investigate. The sound is loudest in the attic and exterior walls, suggesting the house amplifies distant sounds. Rotterdam Councilman Frank C. Kriss vouched for the family's credibility, and their doctor expressed concern about potential hypertension.

Watertown UFO Sighting: Mrs. Albert Brimmer reported seeing a bright, luminous object on February 2, 1961, while driving from Watertown to Three Mile Bay, N.Y. She initially thought it was a plane but realized it was not, as it drifted with ease. The object had streams of red lights from below and green lights from above. It circled the airport, veered toward local villages, and was lost and reappeared twice. It hung stationary over Three Mile Bay and then Cape Vincent before fading out without moving. Her husband confirmed it was not a star.

Ogdensburg Sighting: Mrs. Lyle Bonney sighted a similar bright light on returning to Watertown from Ogdensburg, New York.

West Hollywood, Florida Sighting: Fletcher King observed a 'saucer' at a very low altitude on March 18, appearing just beyond Douglas Road. It moved slowly north, then northwest at considerable speed, and appeared to descend. He had the impression it was saucer-shaped. He considered pursuing it but decided against it due to his wife's concerns.

Northwest Texas Landing: On January 10, 1961, W. K. Rutledge, an attorney, and George A. Thomas, a drilling contractor, flying near Wichita Falls, Texas, observed an odd phenomenon about 1500 feet above their plane. It was a large, round, luminous craft surrounded by a brilliant glow. As their plane approached, the object descended, and dozens of people on the ground watched an orange, glowing craft zigzagging before landing. The Sheriff organized a search party. Rutledge circled the craft, noting its glow illuminated their plane. The object reportedly took off straight up shortly after the police arrived. Air Force Intelligence Officers from Sheppard Air Force Base later questioned Rutledge and Thomas.

Code from Out of the Sky: A Wichita Falls resident with military experience reported hearing a coded message transmitted at speeds faster than normal military Morse code. The signal had a definite CW carrier tone and was heard for four nights following the Texas landing.

Schedelbauer Photo Analysis: The issue revisits a photograph taken by Edgar Schedelbauer near Vienna, Austria, in March 1960. Mr. Takanshi of the Japanese INTERNATIONAL UFO INVESTIGATION BULLETIN offers an analysis based on Lt. Plantier's theories of electro-magnetic propulsion. Takanshi notes that upward lines in the photo suggest the object moved upward but slightly sideways due to Earth's gravitational pull. He explains that the glowing mass of air surrounding a flying saucer can drip down when decelerating, and the saucer's rotation can create a 'glowing spider' effect. He concludes that the object suddenly took off, leaving behind some of the glowing mass.

Sweden Warm Spell: An unrelated item notes an unusually warm spell in Sweden during February 1961, with temperatures reaching record highs for the season.

Radiation Mystery in Australia: Dr. Victor D. Hopper of Melbourne University reported evidence of radioactivity over Mildura, Victoria, Australia. Photographic plates sent to 50,000 feet showed a radiation level of 100 milliroentgens, one-third the maximum safe dosage for workers using radioactive materials.

Plant Algae on Venus: Dr. Carl Sagan of the University of California, Berkeley, proposes seeding Venus's atmosphere with primitive algae to split carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, making the planet habitable for humans. The editor expresses concern about interfering with potential existing life on Venus.

Mammoth Deaths: Geologist William R. Farrand suggests that mammoths found frozen in Siberian glaciers likely died by accidental drowning or burial, not by a catastrophic glacier sweep. He dismisses the 'quick-frozen' myth, citing that the number of frozen mammoths is small compared to the estimated total population.

Windsor, Canada Sighting: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Weiss reported seeing an enormous blue light with trailing edges that turned orange, throwing off spots as it moved south. At least 12 people claimed to have seen the light. A weather official suggested it could have been a research rocket.

New Scrolls Found in Cave Hunt: Scholars in Israel expressed enthusiasm over a new hoard of 70 fragile Dead Sea scrolls accidentally uncovered in a cave near the Dead Sea.

Flying Saucer with 'Legs' Lands in France: A report from Rouen, Normandy, describes Remy Carbonnier, a roof repairer, witnessing a round, shining object about six meters across on a railway track with three leg-like supports. The object ascended straight up silently.

Trans-Canada Pilot Reports UFO: Captain C. Ward of Trans-Canada Airlines reported observing a UFO with a long blue tail traveling horizontally between Montreal and Seven Islands on December 10, 1960. The sighting was verified by his co-pilot and passengers. Investigations by officials reportedly involved evasion and double talk.

Little Green Men in Ontario: A humorous anecdote describes four 'little green men' emerging from a landed saucer near Agincourt, Ontario, Canada, and their response to a police officer's question about what they were looking for.

Dr. Wernher von Braun Quote: A statement attributed to Dr. Wernher von Braun suggests that the U.S. will soon be able to put a man on Mars and keep him alive longer than a native of the tropics could survive in the Arctic.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SPACE magazine are UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and mysterious occurrences. The editorial stance, as expressed by Norbert F. Gariety, is one of open-minded investigation into these phenomena, often highlighting witness testimony and the limitations of conventional explanations. There's a consistent skepticism towards official denials or evasions, and an emphasis on the need for thorough investigation. The magazine also includes articles on related scientific topics and historical finds, broadening its scope beyond just UFOs. The editor's personal involvement in interviewing witnesses and analyzing evidence is a prominent feature.