Uranus - 1958 - Vol 05 No 1 - Whole No 25

Magazine Overview

Title: URANUS
Issue: Vol. 5, No.1
Date: July/August 1958
Publisher: MARKHAM HOUSE PRESS LTD.
Country: United Kingdom
Price: 2/- OR 35c
Editor: DAVID WIGHTMAN

This issue of URANUS, a magazine focused on satellites and space travel, addresses the perceived stagnation in UFO research, attributing it to government secrecy and public apathy. It also delves into the potential for man-made flying saucers and the ongoing analysis of reports concerning contact with extra-terrestrials. The publication explores the Moon as a possible base for alien spacecraft and provides a detailed account of a UFO landing in Galt, Ontario.

Editorial: (Short and not so sweet)

The editorial expresses frustration with the current state of UFO research, which it claims has become stagnant due to government policies of secrecy and a general public apathy. It notes that while worthwhile information is becoming scarce, the possibility of man-made flying saucers achieving the performance of observed UFOs within the next few years (before 1960) is high. The editorial questions whether UFOs themselves will eventually force authorities to reveal what they know.

A Visitor

This article recounts a conversation with a friend who brought up the topic of Flying Saucers. The discussion involved George Adamski and the friend's observation of similarities between early science fiction magazine covers (dated 1910, 1930, 1931) and the descriptions of flying saucers, including Lonzo Dove's model from 1932, suggesting a potential historical basis for the modern sightings.

SAUCER BASES - A Consideration (Part II) OUR MOON

This section examines the Moon as a strategic base for alien spacecraft wishing to survey Earth. It highlights advantages such as operating from the dark side, away from Earth astronomers, and the ease of launching missions to Earth. The article then reviews historical evidence of unexplained phenomena on the Moon, including "flashing lights" observed by William Herschel in 1790 and others, a "round dark object" seen by R.A. Brooks, and pulsating flashes near the Liebig crater reported by Brian Warner in 1956. It also mentions "dome like structures" and "bodies" passing close to the Moon. Scientifically, the article discusses the Moon's distance, size, density, and tenuous atmosphere, concluding that while colonization for terrestrial purposes might not be worthwhile, it could be an admirable endeavor for beings from another world. The potential for Russian scientists to gain astounding information from lunar orbit is also noted.

THE GALT (ONTARIO) LANDING

This article provides a detailed report on a UFO landing that occurred in the autumn of 1957 near Galt, Ontario, Canada. The incident involved a 15-year-old boy, Jack Stevens, who witnessed an aluminium-coloured object with a humming noise descend into a grain field. The object, described as having a stationary dome and a rapidly spinning body with portholes, hovered before landing. After the object departed, Stevens and friends found scorched ground, three large, three-toed prints (about 18 inches long) with vein-like markings, and two bales of grain ripped open. Subsequent analysis of soil samples by S.J. Hartman revealed unusual properties, including "Blue - purple" radiation attracted to the North, altered soil pressure characteristics, particle separation, and a glowing layer. Grain grown in the affected soil was healthier, and ants in the soil became significantly larger and stronger. The possibility that the craft was seeking pure water, given Galt's artesian wells, is suggested.

IF THEY ARE HUMAN

This section poses the question of whether extra-terrestrial life capable of designing and piloting spacecraft might be humanoid. It notes the silence of qualified scientists on this topic but suggests that if "they are human," many problems that Earth scientists are grappling with have already been solved by these visitors. The article touches upon the challenges of interstellar travel and the potential applicability of solutions for lunar journeys.

Space Travel Considerations

This part of the magazine discusses the practical challenges of space travel, focusing on the need for a continuous supply of oxygen, food, and provisions for hygiene and sanitation. It cites information from British, American, and Soviet publications, as well as a lecture from Manchester University. The article quantifies the daily weight requirements for an average human (140g albumen/fat, 400g carbs/salts/vitamins, 4-8 pints water, 2-3 pounds oxygen), totaling 8-13 pounds per day. It suggests that long-term space travel, beyond journeys to the Moon and back, would require significant logistical planning. The purification of water through distillation and the recovery of atmospheric moisture via refrigeration are presented as key solutions, with power potentially supplied by "helio-electric" plants.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of URANUS include the investigation of UFO sightings and landings, the scientific and speculative aspects of space travel, and the potential for extra-terrestrial contact and colonization. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, acknowledging government secrecy while also exploring the possibilities presented by UFO phenomena and future space exploration. There is a clear interest in presenting detailed reports of sightings and scientific analyses, alongside broader theoretical discussions about space and potential visitors.

This issue of THE SAUCERIAN BULLETIN, dated August 1958, Volume V, No. 3, is edited and published by Gray Barker. It delves into a critical analysis of UFO contact stories, presenting a skeptical viewpoint alongside reports and information relevant to the flying saucer phenomenon.

Analysis of Published Reports on Contacts with Extra-Terrestrials (Part III) by Isabel Davies

This extensive article, spanning pages 12-15, critically examines the nature of 'messages' purportedly received from 'space people'. Isabel Davies argues that these messages often contain basic precepts found in existing religious, ethical, moral, philosophical, and mystical literature, suggesting they are not necessarily 'unearthly'. She points out the illogical reasoning of believers who confuse rejection of contact reports with rejection of the messages themselves.

Davies highlights the lack of proof offered by space people and suggests that an 'extra-terrestrial book' would be the easiest artifact to provide as proof, yet books are conspicuously absent from contact stories, despite features like TV, music, and dancing being mentioned. She questions why no one is seen reading or mentions libraries or literature. The article specifically scrutinizes the accounts of Adamski, noting that his space friends (Orthon, Firkon, Ramu) show no interest in the books written about them, which Davies finds highly unusual for any civilization.

Contradictions are also pointed out in the claims made by different spacemen regarding the number of planets in systems (12 vs. 22) and the age of Earth records (78 million years vs. 75,000 years). The formation of craters on the Moon is also debated, with conflicting explanations of erosion versus meteors or volcanic action. Davies concludes that the consistency of these stories with the theory of invention is strong, and she questions the blind acceptance by believers and discusses motives for presenting false stories.

The Money Motive and Other Motivations

The article touches upon the 'money motive' as a driving force behind some UFO stories, though it notes this applies only to a minority. Orfco Angclucci is cited as an example of another motive: the desire to be the sole possessor of an answer to a significant riddle, or to reinforce one's own message to the world, perhaps due to being singled out by 'gracious supermon'. Angelucci's book, "Secret of the Saucers", is recommended as a psychological study of contact authors without a monetary motive.

A Sceptic's Plea

Gray Barker, in his concluding remarks, addresses the believers directly, stating that they will continue to accept stories that align with their needs and intelligence. He defends the sceptics, arguing they are not narrow-minded but require more evidence and should not be expected to abandon critical thinking.

List of Books Quoted

A list of books from which quotes were taken is provided, including works by Adamski, Angelucci, Bethurum, Fry, Tassel, and Williamson.

For Your Information: North American Flying Saucer Journals

This section, spanning pages 19-20, provides a comprehensive list of flying saucer journals published in the United States that were available to the publication. It includes details such as the journal's title, editor, location, and the last issue received or frequency (monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, irregular). Notable journals listed include APRO Bulletin, Civilian Saucer Intelligence, CRIFCO Orbit, Doubt, Infinity, Inter Galaxy News, Little Listening Post, New Era, Round Robin, Saucerian Bulletin, Saucer News NEXUS, Saucer People, Saucers, Saucers Space Science, Space Craft Digest, Thy Kingdom Come, Truth, UFO HOTWIRE, UFO Investigator, Ufologer, and Understanding.

Opinion in Russia

On page 17, the issue reports on the Soviet Union's stance regarding UFOs. There has been virtually no official recognition of UFO existence, with comments from the official press labeling them as fabricated American stories or part of a psychological war. However, information received from Brazil suggests a Soviet Polish publication reviewed "Space Gravity and the Flying Saucer" and discussed UFOs from Venus. According to this report, scientists at the Academy of Space Research in Moscow allegedly consider 90% of Flying Saucers to be from Venus. They believe landings are not safe yet due to gravity and atmospheric differences but anticipate them in approximately 30 years. The report also mentions space stations, crashed craft, unknown energy sources, and remotely controlled craft, though the editor notes a contradiction regarding remote control and the use of spacesuits for future 'official landings'. A German publication, Neues Zeitalter, reported an 'astrogram' from a UFO at Irkutsk, Siberia, stating 'Landing on Earth in 15 terrestrial yrs.. Destruction not intended... defence useless... peaceful colonisation... exchange possible.' Soviet nuclear scientists reportedly confirmed this as the first authentic message from a UFO.

Letters to the Editor

Page 18 features a letter from Ed URANUS to Mr. Wightman, responding to a quote attributed to him by Lonzo Dove. URANUS clarifies his exact words regarding a book, stating that while he might have initially considered it 'a lot of you know what' before reading the expurgated version, reading it afterward led him to believe the book itself was a masterpiece. He criticizes Dove for misrepresenting his statements and suggests Dove is an 'armchair traveller' regarding his criticisms of Rampa's descriptions of Tibet.

Proposed Space Ship Ecosystem

Page 11 discusses ideas for sustaining life in space. It quotes Sputnik's concept of a sealed vase with earth, seeds, and worms creating a circulatory system. The article suggests a similar system for a space ship, using foliage and seaweed in an aquarium to reconstitute oxygen and provide food. It is proposed that a few hundred or thousand square feet of foliage could be sufficient for astronauts.

UFO Sightings and Extraterrestrial Gardens

Also on page 11, the article notes that some UFOs seen are of considerable size, suggesting they may have traveled vast distances. It speculates that unless crews subsist on 'pill' form food, their equipment might include an 'extra-terrestrial aquarium' or 'garden', posing the question of what strange plants might be found there. The proposed space ship gardens and aquariums are presented as concepts that need to be tested under space conditions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards UFO claims, the critical analysis of evidence presented by contactees, and the exploration of potential motives behind UFO narratives. The editorial stance, particularly through Isabel Davies's article and Gray Barker's commentary, is one of critical inquiry and a demand for verifiable proof, contrasting with the uncritical acceptance by some believers. The issue also highlights the international scope of UFO interest by including a report on Soviet opinions and a directory of North American journals.