Topside - Issue 07 - 1961 Fall

Magazine Overview

Title: TOPSIDE
Issue: Fall Edition
Year: 1961
Publisher: Ottawa Flying Saucer Club
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

This issue of 'Topside' explores various scientific and speculative topics, primarily focusing on unconventional theories of gravity and related phenomena. It also includes a report on meteorite analysis and a poetic reflection on Christmas.

Gravitational Speculations

The lead article, "Gravitational Speculations," delves into the historical and contemporary understanding of gravity. It begins by noting how early, unorthodox ideas about the Earth's shape were eventually accepted, suggesting that new explanations for gravity might face similar resistance. The article highlights the enduring mystery of gravity's 'why,' despite well-known laws. It introduces George Louis LeSage and P.G.A.H. Voigt as proponents of unorthodox explanations.

P.G.A.H. Voigt's Theory

The publication features extracts from a GAUSS article discussing Mr. Voigt's hypothesis. Voigt, an Electrical Engineer, has studied the unknowns of science for over 10 years. He proposes that gravity is not a pull, as Newton described, nor a 'by-product of the curvature of the 4-dimensional time-space continuum' as Einstein suggested, but rather a result of an 'unbalance of push forces.' Voigt envisions a 'primitive gas' of 'microls' that occupy all space. In regions with a body like Earth, these microls are affected, leading to an unequal impact force that creates gravity. He notes that this 'unbalance is mechanically and mathematically exactly equivalent to a pull.' Voigt also connects his concept to Einstein's 'continuum,' suggesting that curvature could represent contours in this sub-atomic gas, and the 'by-product' force arises from unbalanced impacts.

LeSage's Theory and Comparisons

The article also discusses George Louis LeSage, a Swiss-born mathematician from the 18th century, whose ideas about gravity were similar to Voigt's. LeSage visualized gravity as being caused by 'ultra undane' particles shooting through space. The GAUSS article compares Voigt's theory, which involves a short mean free path for his 'microls,' with LeSage's idea of 'thinly sown' particles with long free paths. The difference lies in the number of particles required and the nature of their impact.

Soviet Research on Gravitation

Another section, "Soviet Research on Gravitation" by K. W. Rodie, summarizes research from a lengthy Soviet volume. It highlights the work of Dr. Kirill P. Stanyukovich, who has proposed several theories for controlling gravity. These include developing a 'graviplane' (a machine unaffected by gravity), creating 'weightless matter' by lowering temperature to absolute zero, and suggesting that gravity is caused by 'gravitons' (ejected energy from vibrating matter). Stanyukovich also predicted the future use of antimatter to overcome gravitation. However, the article notes that many Russian scientists, including V.A. Fok and D.D. Ivanenko, disagree with Stanyukovich's claims, finding his reasoning unsubstantiated.

Views of Other Soviet Scientists

Further contrasting views are presented from V.A. Fok of Leningrad State University, who aligns with Einstein's views and negates Stanyukovich's assumption about affecting weight by manipulating gravitational waves or gravitrons. D.D. Ivanenko, a Professor of Theoretical Physics at Moscow State University, also questions the existence of gravitons and the possibility of annihilating gravitational attraction by lowering temperature.

Planet Life Determined by New Technique

This section reports on a discovery by scientists from Fordham University and Esso Research and Engineering Company. Using advanced analytical techniques on a 97-year-old meteorite, they found organic material, specifically paraffinic hydrocarbons, similar to those found in grapes and apples. These molecules are produced only by living matter, providing the first physical evidence of life forms existing outside Earth.

A Christmas Story: Lamps to Light the World

By Wilbert B. Smith, this is a poetic piece reflecting on Christmas amidst a backdrop of worldly concerns, including atomic war and destruction, contrasting it with the message of peace and light.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unconventional scientific ideas, particularly in physics and cosmology, with a focus on theories that challenge mainstream thought. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into phenomena that are not fully understood by conventional science, as evidenced by the prominent discussion of alternative gravity theories. There is an underlying theme of questioning established scientific dogma and considering the possibility that history might repeat itself by rejecting potentially valid, yet unorthodox, ideas. The inclusion of Soviet research, even if controversial, further underscores this broad approach to exploring scientific frontiers.