Topside - Issue 03 - 1960 September

Magazine Overview

Title: Topside
Issue Date: September, 1960
Publisher: Ottawa Flying Saucer Club
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

This issue of *Topside* is a publication of the Ottawa Flying Saucer Club, featuring articles on scientific topics related to gravity and unexplained phenomena, alongside UFO sightings.

Gravity Day 1960

This section details the events of Gravity Day, held on August 27th, 1960, in New Boston, New Hampshire, sponsored by the Gravity Research Foundation and organized by Mr. Rover W. Babson. The morning session included three technical papers:

• "Gravity and the Nature of Fundamental Particles" by Dr. Lloyd Motz: This paper explores the relationship between macroscopic gravitation theory and fundamental particles, suggesting that a correct theory of gravitation must come from understanding particle structure, potentially through non-Euclidean geometries and the WEYL THEORY OF GAUGE INVARIANCE.
• "Can there be a Shield for Gravitation?" by Dr. W.O. Swann: This paper posits that if there is an inequality between the forces of attraction for large and small particles, gravitation could be explained as electrostatic attraction. It suggests that a gravitational shield could be built using concentric shields of matter and anti-matter, though it notes the extreme danger of matter-anti-matter interaction.
• "The Possibility of Producing Changes in the Gravitational Mass of Certain Substances" by Joel E. Fisher: This paper reports on experiments where substances like Bismuth appeared to gain or lose weight depending on their magnetic history. Fisher also suggested that earlier reports of gravitational changes due to rotating magnetic fields might have been due to vibration affecting the gravimeter.

The event included a luncheon and opportunities for attendees to socialize. Dr. H. Dwight Carle presented on how birds and trees respond to gravity, and Professor Charles J. Lyon demonstrated how plants grow under equalized gravitational stimulus, resulting in tangled growth patterns. The author notes the omission of any speculative papers on gravity control, observing that the thinking was dominated by modern scientific orthodoxy.

An Interesting Sighting

Authored by W. B. Smith, this article describes a personal UFO sighting on August 16, 1960. While watching for the satellite Echo 1, Smith and his family observed a light in the sky traveling north. Initially thought to be the satellite, its speed and course were incorrect. As it passed overhead, they realized it was not a satellite. The object was described as traveling at jet aircraft speed at 5,000 feet and emitted a steady white light along with an intense blue light flashing rapidly. Using 7x35 glasses, the blue light was blinding. The object slowed gradually, made a sharp right-angle turn to the west, and disappeared, all without sound. The author emphasizes that this object was not an ordinary aircraft, based on their familiarity with local air traffic.

Article from Montrealer Nachrichten

This section presents a translated article from the *Montrealer Nachrichten* dated September 10, 1960. It reports that the satellite "Echo 1" was observed simultaneously with another flying object of a reddish color. This object was seen in Montreal and other North American locations. Amateur astronomers estimated its speed to be twice that of "Echo 1" at a similar altitude. The possibility of it being another Soviet or American satellite model was disputed. Grumman-Aviation Engineering reportedly took a photograph of the object. Robert I. Johnson, Director of the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, summarized observations, opining that the object was about one-tenth the size of "Echo 1" and neither a meteor nor an artificial earth satellite.

The Books of Charles Fort

This part of the magazine reviews the works of Charles Fort, highlighting his contribution to the study of unnatural occurrences. His work is described as a classic that encourages readers to think independently and challenges the limitations of orthodox thinking. The review mentions his four books: *The Book of the Damned* (1919), *New Lands* (1923), *Lo* (1931), and *Wild Talents* (1932). These are available bound in one cover by H. Holt and Co. The subjects covered by Fort range widely, including falls of fish, red rain, frogs, hailstones, black rains, cobwebs, jelly fish, and space ships, all appearing without apparent reason. The book is recommended as a catalogue of unusual happenings, suitable for reading in pieces.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the intersection of scientific inquiry and unexplained phenomena. There's a clear interest in exploring topics that challenge conventional scientific understanding, particularly concerning gravity and aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards unusual events, as evidenced by the reporting of UFO sightings and the appreciation for Charles Fort's work, while also acknowledging the dominance of modern scientific orthodoxy in academic circles. The publication itself, by the Ottawa Flying Saucer Club, indicates a focus on ufology and related subjects.