Magazine Summary
THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN
Summary
This issue of the APRO Bulletin features reports on UFO sightings in Illinois and Brazil, including a mass sighting in Brazil. It also details an investigation into the 'Object Over Gulf of California' incident, with witness testimonies and an artist's rendition. The publication includes a discussion on the Hollow Earth theory, refuting it with scientific evidence, and a section on UFO photography. Additionally, it covers UFO phenomena in Puerto Rico and a photograph taken in Alabama.
Magazine Overview
The A.P.R.O. Bulletin, published by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization Inc. (A.P.R.O.), is a bi-monthly publication. This issue, dated November-December 1970, covers a range of UFO-related topics, including detailed incident reports, theoretical discussions, and photographic evidence.
Object Over Gulf of California
This section details an incident that occurred on November 5, 1970, at Cholla Bay, Mexico. Mr. Albert Formiller, a retired policeman, reported seeing a greyish-white, oval object with a dark tube, emitting a beam of light. The object appeared cloudlike and rolled slowly. The beam illuminated the water and a rocky headland. Later, a white glow appeared, and the object turned, revealing a green glow. Supporting witness testimony comes from Norman Norris, who described the object as a white, oval-shaped light with a hazy, dark-colored rim. The estimated actual size was 30 feet in diameter. APRO is continuing its investigation into this case.
Object Over Illinois Farm
This report describes an incident on October 5, 1970, near Walsh, Illinois. A witness observed a red, fuzzy, circular light beam with fog around it, which appeared to be a searchlight. A third beam of light was then focused directly on the witness. The sighting lasted about two to three minutes.
Mass Sightings In Brazil
On November 24, 1970, a series of UFO sightings occurred across three states in Brazil. The initial report came from Ludovico Granchi in Itacuruca, State of Rio. Shortly after, his mother, Mrs. Irene Granchi, APRO's Field Investigator in Rio de Janeiro, received calls about similar sightings. These events included a blackout in Belo Horizonte and pronounced interference on a TV set. The objects were generally described as domed with a beam projecting upward, similar to a mercury vapor lamp, and about the size of the moon.
AIAA Releases UFO Statement
This article summarizes the statement published by the AIAA UFO Subcommittee in November 1970. The subcommittee acknowledged the existence of a UFO problem but did not endorse the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH). They criticized the National Academy of Sciences' statement that ETH is 'the least probable' explanation and found no scientific basis for such probability assessments. The subcommittee noted a 'small residue of well-documented but unexplainable cases' and suggested that a phenomenon with 30% unexplained incidents warrants further study. They rejected the idea that nothing of scientific value would come from UFO research and expressed 'disenchantment' with the ETH due to a lack of scientific basis. They recommended a 'continuing, moderate level effort with emphasis on improved data collection by objective means and on high-quality scientific analysis.' They also suggested that government agencies consider UFO proposals without bias and that USAF UFO files be handed over to a civilian agency.
UFOs and the Hollow Earth Theory
Dr. John S. Derr, a Research Scientist, addresses the theory that the Earth is hollow and contains an advanced civilization. He presents evidence to refute this theory, including satellite imagery showing no polar openings, the Earth's reduced moment of inertia (0.3306) indicating mass concentration at the center, and seismic data demonstrating that compressional waves travel through the Earth's interior. Derr concludes that the hollow Earth theory is an impossibility.
Object Photographed In Alabama
This section reports on a UFO sighting on October 6, 1970, in Decatur, Alabama, which resulted in a photograph of a night-flying UFO. Mrs. Dennis Billings saw a lighted object, and her husband took a photograph. The object was described as a dark mass behind lights, with lights of various colors around its edge. The article also recounts a previous sighting by the Billings in September 1966.
UFO Phenomena in Puerto Rico
This section summarizes two investigations by APRO's Representative in Puerto Rico, Sebastian Robiou L. The first incident involved two Cessna 150 aircraft near Tortuguero on April 6, 1967, where pilots observed an 'oval, not round,' dull-white object that moved erratically. The second incident occurred on December 31, 1968, near Vega Baja, where witnesses saw a stationary white, round object with a human-like figure before it. The object then emitted a blue-green light and rose. Another incident on August 18, 1968, near Ramey AFB, involved security policemen observing a UFO rising from the ocean, described as circular or sphere-like with bright lights.
Press Reports
This section compiles brief press reports on UFO sightings from various sources. These include a report from England's Ministry of Defense investigating a 'fried egg' shaped UFO, a photo of two saucer-shaped objects in the sky in Ottawa, Canada, a sighting by Ron Swiderski in Chicago, and a report of a UFO seen by Mohammed Ali (Cassius Clay) in New York City.
More On Magnetic Models of Matter
Dr. James A. Harder discusses the concept of magnetic charge and its potential implications for UFO propulsion. He references Professor Julian Schwinger's postulate of magnetic charge and explores how magnetic conductors might work. Harder speculates on the Apache Junction artifact and the possibility of magnetically charged particles interacting with matter.
Book Review: UFOs and Diamagnetism
This review discusses Eugene H. Burt's book, which proposes a theory of inverted magnetic fields generated by positive charges to explain UFO characteristics like rapid accelerations and intense light emissions. The theory also attempts to explain diamagnetism and the Earth's magnetic field. The review notes that the book is technical but understandable to UFO enthusiasts and that the author criticizes scientists for rejecting unexplained observations.
UFO Photographed Over Superstition Mountains
This report describes a photograph taken in March 1968 near Apacheland, Arizona, of an object described as a stubby cigar with no wings or tail. The object was in sight for 5 seconds and was followed by a sound like 'Whoomp.' The photograph was checked for internal reflections and found to be normal.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The recurring themes in this issue include detailed eyewitness accounts of UFO sightings from various locations, the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, and theoretical discussions about the nature and origin of UFOs. The APRO Bulletin consistently advocates for continued research, objective data collection, and open publication of findings, while also critically examining various hypotheses and theories related to UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging detailed reporting and analysis of UFO incidents.
The issue seems to boil down to the question (the statement continues): Are we justified to extrapolate from 0.99 to 1.00, implying that if 99% of all observations can be explained, the remaining 1% could also be explained; or do we face a severe problem of signal-to-noise ratio (order of magnitude 10-2)?
Key Incidents
A witness on a dairy farm observed a red, fuzzy, circular light beam with fog around it, followed by a third beam focused on him.
A retired policeman witnessed a greyish-white oval object with a dark tube, emitting a beam of light that illuminated the water and a rocky headland.
A series of mass sightings occurred across three states in Brazil, with reports of unusual objects and TV interference.
Two Cessna 150 aircraft pilots observed an unidentified object described as 'oval, not round' and dull-white, which dropped sharply and passed under their aircraft.
Two witnesses reported seeing a stationary white, round object with a human-like figure standing before it, which then emitted a blue-green light and rose.
Fifteen security policemen observed a UFO rising from the ocean, described as circular or sphere-like, emitting a bright light and pulsating.
A photograph was taken of a night-flying UFO described as a dark mass behind lights, with lights of various colors around its edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the stance of the AIAA UFO Subcommittee on the UFO problem?
The AIAA UFO Subcommittee accepts that a UFO problem exists but does not accept the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH) or any other hypothesis for the moment, finding the problem 'buried in what appeared to be a maze of preconceptions, emotions, bias, hasty conclusions, and excessive and misleading publicity.'
What evidence is presented against the Hollow Earth theory?
Evidence against the Hollow Earth theory includes satellite photos showing no polar openings, the reduced moment of inertia of the Earth (0.3306) indicating mass concentrated at the center, and seismic data showing compressional waves traveling through the Earth's interior, which would not occur in a hollow shell.
What are the key characteristics of the object sighted over Cholla Bay, Mexico?
The object was described as greyish-white and oval, with a black or dark-colored tube tilted to the left. It appeared cloudlike and rolled slowly, emitting a beam of light. Later, a white glow illuminated its upper half, and it made a 180-degree turn, revealing a green glow.
What is the main conclusion of the AIAA Subcommittee regarding UFO research?
The Subcommittee recommends a 'continuing, moderate level effort with emphasis on improved data collection by objective means and on high-quality scientific analysis,' and suggests that government agencies 'consider sound proposals in this field without bias or fear of ridicule and repercussion.'
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- Arthur J. EpsteinField Investigator
- Joseph GurneyField Investigator
- Mr. S.Witness
- Mrs. Irene GranchiField Investigator
- Ludovico GranchiWitness
- Jose AugustoWitness
- Mr. Lloyd BrewerField Investigator
- Mr. Albert FormillerWitness
- Norman NorrisWitness
- Mr. Grady HendricksWitness
- Mrs. Grady HendricksWitness
- Benicio GuimaraesWitness
- +8 more
Organisations
- Aerial Phenomena Research Organization Inc. (A.P.R.O.)
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
- University of Colorado
- USAF
- National Academy of Sciences
- US Department of Commerce
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- ESSA
- TRW Systems
- Hughes Aircraft
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- McDonell-Douglas Missile & Space Systems Division
- NASA
- Goddard Space Flight Center
- +6 more
Locations
- Cholla Bay, Mexico
- Walsh, Illinois, USA
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Itacuruca, Brazil
- Tijuca, Brazil
- Santo Antonio de Padua, Brazil
- Porto Novo do Cunha, Brazil
- Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Jardim Botanico, Brazil
- Leblon, Brazil
- Ipanema, Brazil
- Campo Grande, Brazil
- Botofojo, Brazil
- Caxias, Brazil
- +6 more