APRO Bulletin - 1960 03 00 - March

Magazine Overview

This issue of THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN, dated March 1960, focuses on "Physical Evidence" related to unidentified aerial objects (UAOs), also known as UFOs. The publication is from the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO), based in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

NICAP SCORES

The bulletin reports on a NICAP disclosure regarding an Air Force Inspector General's Brief from December 1959. This brief outlines the Air Force's serious concern with UFO sightings, emphasizing the need for rapid and accurate identification. The concerns are threefold: potential threats to U.S. defense, contributions to technical and scientific knowledge, and the responsibility to inform the American public. The brief also details necessary orderly reporting procedures and the qualifications for officers responsible for handling UFO investigations, including the need for investigative experience, scientific background, and appropriate equipment.

Authorities Grab Photos; Hopf Urges Vigilance

Two instances of individuals obtaining photographs of UAOs are highlighted. Charles Morris, an airplane instructor, captured 19 feet of film of three disc-shaped objects over Dubuque, Iowa, estimating their speed at 200 mph and altitude at 20,000 feet. Joe Perry, a pizza restaurant owner from Grand Blanc, Michigan, photographed a saucer-like object silhouetted against the full moon. Both sets of photos were turned over to federal authorities (UPI and FBI, respectively). John Hopf, APRO's photo analyst, expressed skepticism that this film would ever be seen again and urged members to remain vigilant in capturing photographic evidence, offering APRO's services for analysis.

Physical Evidence: Ubatuba, Brazil Incident

This section details a remarkable case involving metallic fragments found on a beach near Ubatuba, Sao Paulo, Brazil, sent to APRO by a social columnist named Ibrahim Sued. Sued described seeing a flying disk explode into thousands of fiery fragments. Dr. Olavo T. Fontes, APRO's representative in Brazil, initiated a scientific analysis of the material. Initial tests suggested it might be lead or aluminum due to its appearance and weight, but it was found to be lighter than aluminum. Spectrographic analysis performed by Dr. Luisa Maria A. Barbosa at the Mineral Production Laboratory revealed the substance to be magnesium of extremely high purity, with no other metallic elements detected, not even trace elements. A second analysis confirmed this, and a third analysis by the Brazilian Army also yielded similar results. Further examination using X-Ray diffraction by Dr. Elysiaro Tavora Filho indicated the substance was apparently absolutely pure magnesium. The analysis also revealed magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) as a result of the explosion and fall into the sea. Geiger counter and Atomic Scaler tests found no abnormal radiation. The bulletin emphasizes that the purity of the magnesium (showing no impurities beyond Mg(OH)2) is beyond current technological capabilities, suggesting it is highly probable the fragments are from a flying disc.

Second Alaska Sighting in Three Weeks

Reports detail a "flame-belching" object sighted over Alaska on February 14th and 15th, 1960. The object, described as tubular, was seen near Nome, Unalakleet, and St. Michael. NORAD confirmed that "unidentified flying OBJECTS" were seen. The object sighted at Unalakleet was moving northwest at high speed, producing contrails and a flash, which was initially assumed to be an explosion. Pete Walsh, a witness, described it as a manned aircraft traveling at tremendous speed. The report notes the similarity to an object seen at Willoughby, Ohio, in December 1959. A subsequent report on March 6th mentioned a bright flash followed by an explosion and an object seen "drifting" to earth. The Atomic Energy Commission's reactor testing station in Eastern Idaho experienced a power failure 2.5 hours later, which the AEC attributed to a bird, but APRO notes the coincidence.

RAAF Statement on Gill Sightings

Representative Peter Norris of Australia forwarded a letter from Squadron Leader F. A. Lang of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) regarding U.F.O. activities in the Boianai area of New Guinea. The RAAF concluded that the observed phenomena were likely planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Mars), with light refraction and weather conditions creating the impression of size and movement. They did not believe the phenomena were manned space vehicles.

Agencies in Disagreement on Mystery Lights

A UPI press release reported that the Air Force was investigating reports of mysterious lights seen across the eastern U.S. on March 7th. Air Force officials suggested a meteor, while missilemen at Cape Canaveral believed it looked like a satellite falling back to Earth. The National Space Agency confirmed that the Soviet satellite Lunik III was expected to fall into the atmosphere in March. However, officials at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory stated the lights could not be explained by them, describing the objects as fast-moving balls of molten substance falling apart.

The Polar Satellite: What Is It?

The bulletin discusses the detection of a dark polar satellite, dubbed the "Black Knight," in early February 1960. It radiated no light, was tumbling, and emitted no radio signals. The U.S. Defense Department suggested it might be a Russian "spy satellite," which the Russians denied. APRO considered the possibility of it being a captured natural satellite. The Defense Department's explanation was that it was a shell of a rocket stage. The report notes that the "Black Knight" had been tracked since January 4th, was one of two dark satellites in polar orbits, and each weighed around 15 tons. Information about this was leaked during an attempt to coordinate tracking efforts.

Army Reg Concerns Tracking Unknowns

Reference is made to a U.S. Army regulation that authorizes and urges the tracking of any object exceeding Mach 1 above 50,000 feet altitude, suggesting the Army is monitoring high-flying unidentified aerial objects.

Mystery Flash and Power Failure

Several newspaper clippings report a brilliant flash of light observed by thousands in a four-state area on February 7th. A Western Airlines pilot described it as a "blinding flash." A noise like jets was heard in Butte, Montana. Coincidentally, a power failure occurred at the Atomic Energy Commission's reactor testing station in Eastern Idaho 2.5 hours later. While the AEC attributed the power failure to a bird, APRO suggests the timing and other observations (like an amateur astronomer tracking a red ball) point to a connection with the flash.

Takanashi to Study Ice Fall Data

Mr. Takanashi, APRO's Japanese representative, plans to study unusual ice falls and requests data from U.S. staff for correlation.

UAO Sightings Over Trindade, Part II

This extensive section continues the report on the "Almirante Saldanha" incident. Almiro Barauna, a photographer invited to work with the Brazilian Navy, recounts his experience of photographing a UAO on January 16, 1958, near Trindade Island. He describes the object's movements, speed, and appearance, noting it was metallic, grey, and surrounded by a greenish vapor. Barauna took six photos in approximately 14 seconds, with the object estimated to be flying at 900-1000 Km./hour (600 mph) and measuring about 120 feet in diameter and 24 feet high. The Navy conducted a thorough investigation, including projecting the negatives and conducting "Time-tests" to estimate speed. The Navy initially attempted to maintain secrecy, but statements from various crew members and officers, including Captain Viegas and Com. Paulo Moreira da Silva, confirmed the sighting and the authenticity of Barauna's photographs. The report notes that the object's purity (pure magnesium) is beyond current technological capabilities. The Navy's attempts to deny involvement are described as "foolish" and "childish."

UAO PHOTOGRAPHED IN VIENNA

The Vienna newspaper Wiener Montag featured a photograph of a glowing white object taken by Edgar Schedelbauer on March 2nd. The object moved slowly, hovered, and was described as the "most sensational photograph of our century." Experts checked the negative for authenticity.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the pursuit of concrete physical evidence for UAOs, the challenges of obtaining and analyzing such evidence, and the often-secretive or dismissive responses from official agencies (military and governmental). APRO positions itself as an organization dedicated to investigating these phenomena thoroughly and objectively, often contrasting its findings and methods with official explanations or lack thereof. The editorial stance is one of persistent inquiry and a belief that UFOs represent a genuine mystery that warrants serious scientific investigation, often highlighting discrepancies between official statements and witness accounts or scientific findings.