Likely Sputnik remains crash Beatnik scene

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- A San Francisco museum dedicated to honoring the Beat Generation has an unusual new exhibit -- the purported remains of Russia's Sputnik I satellite.

Area resident Bob Morgan recently started showing the charred items that he believes to be the remnants of the first man-made object to orbit Earth, The New York Times reported.

Morgan maintains that on Dec. 8, 1957, his grandfather saw the 13 fragments fall from the sky. Morgan says he is convinced they are pieces of Sputnik I.

The Beat Museum meanwhile celebrates the lives of famous beat writers such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.

Museum founder Jerry Cimino said that by exhibiting the pieces, he is able to show what mankind can truly accomplish.

"I wouldn't call it a stunt, but there's nothing wrong to shouting out your message," Cimino told the paper. "And if I can use this story to call attention to the message of the Beat Museum, which is tolerance, inclusiveness and having the courage to live your own individual dreams, that's a good thing."