In 1957, LIFE photographer Ralph Crane covered George Van Tassel’s “Fifth Interplanetary Spacecraft Convention” at the Giant Rock in the California desert, capturing dozens of images that have found their way into the Google-hosted LIFE archive. In attendance were the likes of Daniel Fry, Orfeo Angelucci, Howard Menger, Evelyn Smith, Truman Bethurum, and a few others BSRF followers may just recognize.

Unfortunately, this particular gallery is thoroughly disorganized, tagged only with the description “Flying Saucer Convention”, the year 1957, and the photographer Ralph Crane. We’ll be continuing to browse and search through it for ourselves in the days and weeks to come, and encourage all interested parties to do likewise.

Were you there in 1957? Did you find anything of particular notability in the LIFE archives? Please, let us know!