APRO Bulletin - 1964 03 00 - March

Magazine Overview

The A.P.R.O. Bulletin, published by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO), presents its March 1964 issue, dedicated to investigating unidentified aerial phenomena. The publication aims to contribute to the solution of the mystery surrounding unidentified objects observed for centuries. This issue features reports on unusual events in Mexico, Britain, and Venezuela, alongside discussions on satellite anomalies and other unexplained occurrences.

Fall of Foam in Mexico

This article details an incident on December 12, 1963, in Agua Prieta, Mexico, where Customs Interventor Ignacio Baz was called to witness two strange, white, ball-shaped objects, approximately six feet in diameter, land in a freshly plowed field. The objects bounced between three and six feet off the ground and were driven by a strong north wind towards mesquite growth, where they began to tear apart. Baz photographed the remnants, which measured about two feet at their largest dimension. One portion landed in water and showed no deterioration, while the other was at the base of a mesquite bush. The substance resembled interlocking bubbles interwoven with fibrous material. It was initially thought to be soap or detergent foam, but its ability to remain intact in strong winds and cling to a stick suggested otherwise. A similar incident was recalled from Illinois in 1957. The substance's purpose and origin remain unknown, and it is presumed to have broken down into fine particles and been absorbed into the ground after a rain.

Unexplained Craters in Britain

On July 20, 1963, farmer Roy Blanchard of Charlton, Dorset, England, discovered an unusual crater on his farm. The crater was deep, with a smaller hole in the center, surrounded by a depressed area. Trenches radiated from the hole, and in some areas, barley plants had disappeared, seemingly 'sucked up'. Constable Anthony Penny reported seeing an orange object flashing in the sky on the day the crater was found. Leonard Joliffe, a dairyman, heard a blast or explosion on an unspecified morning before the crater was discovered. Investigations into the crater ruled out a World War II bomb and meteorites, with probes finding only a common field stone. The physical description of the crater included a main depression three feet deep and a smaller, two-inch diameter hole three feet deep. Around the large depression was a circular area that was depressed but not dug out. Trenches, about four feet long and one foot wide, radiated from the opposite side of the hole. The barley plants in the area of the latter trenches had disappeared.

Later, other craters were found in Britain. Two widely publicized holes were at Middle Monynut Farm, East Lothian, Scotland, about 15 feet in diameter and 3 feet deep, with twelve trenches extending 40 feet from each crater. Small squarish holes were also found. Two more craters were found on Dufton Foll in Westmorland, with the large hole being 37 yards across and two feet deep, featuring channels up to four feet deep and 18 yards wide. These channels did not resemble those caused by UFOs but rather by large quantities of water landing from above. A crater at Flamborough Road, Yorkshire, was described as roughly circular, 6 feet in diameter, and about a foot to one and a half feet deep. Three more craters were found near Sanqunar, Dumfrieshire, Scotland. When mapped, the English and Scottish craters formed a pattern of orthotenic-like straight lines. An unexplained crater was also found at Las Cruces, New Mexico, though no other phenomena occurred at the time. A cow near the Charlton crater reportedly began losing its hide by peeling, which Blanchard felt might be related to the crater's cause.

Mystery Satellites, Strange Space Happenings

This section discusses several unusual events involving artificial satellites. Robert Werlwas of Virginia Polytechnic Institute reported on Satellite Anna, which initially had five blinking lights that failed after two months, then reappeared around August 1963. Richard B. Kershner suggested the satellite might have repaired itself. Kershner also cited an incident where Mariner II was 'struck by a tiny meteorite' on its way to Venus, causing a power cut-off, but the power eventually returned, implying self-soldering of wires. Both Telstar Communications Satellites reportedly had mysterious troubles, with Telstar I refusing commands from the ground on two occasions. The first instance was fixed by remote control, but the second in February 1963 remained unresolved until the satellite began functioning again, leading Kershner to comment, 'Maybe it's Space Gremlins again.'

An article in the Milwaukee Journal discussed Echo's outer space problems. Gale V. Highsmith, a satellite tracker, reported seeing something going around Echo 2 every five seconds, appearing to come into view, head towards the observer, then cross up and away. He estimated its track to be a mile long and half a mile wide, moving at an estimated half-mile per second, which seemed too fast. Highsmith conjectured that a ruptured plastic and aluminum bag might have spilled seven pounds of red-orange phosphorescent dye, creating a visible streak. He also suggested the dye might have adhered to the balloon, causing an optical illusion due to an 'irregular paint job'. The balloon, if ruptured, would not collapse due to lack of atmospheric pressure, and escaping gas could force Echo II into a fast spin.

Furthermore, the article notes that 14 Rangers or Lunar probes have failed their missions. Gale Highsmith asserted he saw Ranger 6 crash on the moon, observing an elongated dark gray spot. A Flagstaff astronomer and a Florida astronomer also reported seeing a brilliant white flash near the predicted impact point and observing Ranger 6 go behind the moon, respectively. The Russian Lunik of October 1959 is cited as the only successful lunar probe to date, with British spokesmen at Jodrell Bank indicating Russians face similar problems.

On February 18, space scientists were baffled by the disappearance of Syncom, launched from Cape Kennedy with the aim of hovering motionless over a spot in the South Atlantic. Its radio transmitter abruptly stopped working after achieving orbit. Unlike Mariner II, no 'jolt' was recorded. A Swedish tracking station had tracked an object trailing Syncom, and two preceding it, suggesting the trailing object might be the satellite's last stage, but the preceding objects were not logical parts of the launching mechanism. Three weeks later, Syncom was tracked via Doppler shift. In March, six mysterious 'orphan' satellites were discovered, with both the U.S. and Russia disclaiming ownership.

S.F. Residents Watch "Boomerang"

On September 25, 1963, South Bay residents reported a 'boomerang' or 'half moon' shaped object moving rapidly across the sky above the San Francisco Bay area. Ed Cameron and workmen observed the brightly lighted, glowing object, which faded alternately and appeared to 'blow up' in the west.

UFO Stumps FAA

On October 3, 1963, in Lynchburg, Virginia, several people spotted an object with three groups of rotating round lights. An FAA Tower Official stated the object had not been identified.

Year of Strange "Clouds"

This section references an article in the January 1964 Bulletin about a strange ring-shaped cloud over Flagstaff, Arizona. It then describes 'many-armed' clouds photographed by the Tiros 5 weather satellite, spiraling over tropic and subtropic areas, often over oceans. These formations, sometimes over 100 miles across, tended to curve clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counter-clockwise in the Southern. They typically appeared where warm air masses met colder ones or where temperature inversions were likely. U.S. Weather Bureau specialists were unable to explain these phenomena.

Craters Found in Scotland

This is a continuation of the 'Craters' article, detailing findings in Scotland. Craters were found at Middle Monynut Farm, East Lothian, and near Sanqunar, Dumfrieshire. The report notes that when mapped, these craters, along with those in England, formed a pattern of orthotenic-like straight lines. The article encourages readers to submit information on similar findings.

Mystery Security Meeting In NZ

On February 21, 1964, a secret meeting took place in New Zealand involving the head of security, the Solicitor-General, and the chairman of the State Services Commission. The Prime Minister was also called in. The nature of the discussion was not disclosed, with officials stating it was a matter of security that could not be made public. The article speculates on a possible connection to UFOs.

Ruby "Rings" Over NZ

V. E. Burnett of Ngongotaha, New Zealand, reported seeing a moon-sized, glowing, pulsating, ruby red circle of light on December 28, 1963. The object, composed of equal-sized segments with discernible spaces between them, moved slowly in an east-west direction, pulsating evenly. It turned back on its path, made a slight detour left, and headed south. The sighting lasted at least five minutes.

Boy Roasted In Mysterious Fire

This article details a peculiar incident on December 13, 1962, involving Billy Peterson, who was found dead in his car, covered in severe burns. The car's interior was so hot that it melted a plastic icon on the dashboard, yet the upholstery and Peterson's clothing were not burned. The autopsy revealed carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of death. However, doctors were amazed by the condition of Peterson's body, noting that while his back, legs, genitals, nose, and mouth were severely burned, his eyebrows were untouched, and his hair was not singed. The burns were so extensive that he could not have dressed himself after they occurred. The article draws parallels to the Desvergers UFO case (1953) and the Itapu Fortress case (1957), where individuals received burns only on parts of their body covered by clothing, suggesting a possible ultrasonic beam or similar phenomenon.

Mysterious Light Haunts Couple

John and Donna Hoban of Rabual, New Britain, reported experiencing a glowing, 'ghostly' light in their bedroom on February 19, 1964. The light, described as a 'globe of light without any center', hovered just above Mrs. Hoban's face. She also perceived three doors where there was only one. Mr. Hoban reported a tingling sensation and his hair standing on end. The article contrasts this with a theory about a luminous globe emanating from a dying body.

Two-State UFO Group Forges Ahead

This brief note congratulates the Two-State UFO Group, headquartered in Newport, Rhode Island, for its continued activity and membership, noting that many of its members also belong to APRO.

Children Observe UAO

On August 18, 1963, David and Michael Saunders of Ft. Kent, Maine, observed a humming, slow-moving object resembling two dinner plates fastened together, lip-to-lip. The object moved across the sky and appeared to cross the St. John River, which would be unusual for aircraft due to the international border. Lt. Rice of Fort Kent stated that experimental aircraft, Canadian or American, would be unlikely to cross the border.

An earlier sighting on August 17, 1963, by a lone hiker near Cyr mountain, described an oval-shaped object with a yellowish light moving northwest with irregular turns, observed for fifteen minutes. This sighting could not have inspired the Saunders boys' report, as it was published four days later.

Scientist Discusses Space "Press Wire"

Ronald N. Bracewell, director of Stanford University's Radio Astronomy Institute, speculated that if intelligent life exists in outer space, it likely has means of communication that are currently beyond human interception. The article questions how scientists arrive at such 'way out' ideas while seemingly unable to objectively examine evidence of extraterrestrial life on Earth, such as strange aircraft and landings. Bracewell's theory is based on supposition, as no such communications have been intercepted.

UFO Over Western NY

A large, bright flying object was seen over western New York on July 18, 1963. Described as resembling satellites like Echo I but larger and brighter, it traveled from southeast to northwest. The object displayed odd flight characteristics, speeding up and slowing down. Personnel at the FAA control tower at Greater Buffalo International Airport observed it but had no radar contact, suggesting it might be a weather balloon. However, thousands of other people also saw the object.

Life on Moon Says Priest

Reverend Guy J. Cyr, S.M., proposed a theory that the moon's surface is not dust and rocks but is covered with tall, cylindrical trees and a fibrous, wooly material. He bases this on radar beams indicating soft, plushy dust adjacent to sheer drops, with the same material adhering to perpendicular 'canyon walls'. Cyr suggests this supports the idea of intelligent life on the Moon, citing strange phenomena in October involving four geometric figures (a circle, horseshoe, bullet, and cylinder) and later, a 'streak' formation. He dismisses geysers or volcanoes as explanations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The A.P.R.O. Bulletin consistently focuses on unexplained aerial phenomena, UFO sightings, and related mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and documentation of such events, encouraging reader contributions and presenting various theories, including those of a scientific and speculative nature. The publication aims to gather information and foster discussion within the UFO research community, highlighting the need for objective examination of evidence and questioning official explanations when they seem insufficient. The recurring themes include unusual aerial objects, unexplained physical traces like craters, anomalies in space technology, and the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence.