Topic: Atmospheric Physics

In October 1953, Reich observed "stars" fading out when he aimed his Cloud Buster pipes at them, leading him to believe he was interacting with space machines. To further validate his weather modification theories, he organized an expedition to Tucson, Arizona, in 1954. Accompanied by his daughter Dr. Eva Reich and other colleagues, he set out to create rain in one of the driest regions of the United States.

While Reich was working in Tucson, the Institute of Atmospheric Physics was founded nearby under the direction of Lou Douglas, a friend of President Eisenhower. Dr. James McDonald, a brilliant physicist at the institute, later became a leading advocate for the scientific study of UFOs. McDonald faced severe professional ridicule and congressional pressure for his views, which Robbins suggests contributed to his tragic suicide years later.