APRO Bulletin - 1974 03 00 - March-April

Magazine Overview

Title: THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN
Issue: VOL. 22, NO. 5
Date: MARCH-APRIL 1974
Publisher: AERIAL PHENOMENA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION, INC.
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the APRO Bulletin presents a collection of recent UFO reports and related investigations, highlighting the organization's ongoing commitment to understanding unidentified flying objects. It features detailed accounts of sightings from various countries, scientific analyses of physical evidence, and updates on APRO's research initiatives.

Florida's Mystery Sphere

The issue details the discovery of a metallic sphere by the Betz family on Fort George Island, Florida. The sphere, about eight inches in diameter, exhibited unusual properties, including vibrating like a tuning fork when certain musical notes were played, moving under its own volition, and causing a pet poodle to react fearfully. A metallurgist identified its outer surface as stainless steel (#431). Dr. Hynek of Northwestern University requested the sphere for examination. Due to concerns about interception or loss, the Betz family was advised to take it to a National Enquirer UFO Panel meeting in New Orleans. APRO's consultant in Civil Engineering, Dr. James A. Harder, commented that an X-ray should reveal a doughnut-shaped presentation. Further analysis indicated the internal material was denser than the shell, and the sphere possessed four magnetic poles.

Occupant Encounter In Spain

Maximiliano Iglesias, 21, reported two separate encounters near Valdehijaderos, Spain. In the first, he saw a glowing plate-shaped object hovering over the highway, with another similar object above it. Two human-appearing beings emerged from the hovering object, re-entered it, and then it ascended. In a second encounter on the same highway, Iglesias saw three silvery objects parked, emitting diffused light. His car engine stopped. He then saw four figures outside, whom he fled from. The figures followed him closely before he hid in a ditch. Upon returning to his truck, he found no one there. He later saw the figures again in the distance, signaling to him before they re-entered the three ships which then ascended. The account was forwarded to APRO via Peru.

French Reports Stir Speculation

Concorde Jet Incident: On June 30, 1973, a supersonic Concorde jet tracking a solar eclipse over Africa captured photos of an unidentified object flying higher than the jet's altitude (56,000 feet). The object was estimated to be at least 660 feet in diameter. French astrophysicist Serge Koutchmy and Dr. Claude Poher classified the object as unidentified. The photos were shown on French television in January 1974, sparking debate about whether it was a cloud. APRO is seeking further information and good reproductions of these photos.

Ouzoues-sur-Loire Sighting: On December 10, 1973, Police Chief Henri Gauthier and two ladies observed flashing lights moving slowly toward the southeast without making a sound.

Eastern UFO Symposium

The fourth APRO UFO Symposium was scheduled for June 15th at the Pottstown High School Auditorium in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Speakers included Dr. Frank B. Salisbury, Dr. Berthold E. Schwarz, Professor Theodore Spickler, Mrs. Betty Hill, and Miss Marjorie Fish. The event aimed to raise funds for special projects and COMCAT.

Eastern UFO Symposium Transcripts

Transcripts from the January 1971 Eastern UFO Symposium in Baltimore were available for $3.00 postpaid. Professor Ted Spickler's dissertation on ball lightning and plasmas was highlighted as particularly relevant to UFO reports.

We Salute Mr. Rehn

APRO's Swedish Representative, Mr. K. Gosta Rehn, an 83-year-old attorney, had recently published his third book on UFOs, with translations planned for England and Germany. Mr. Rehn has been an APRO member since 1958 and is noted for his sharp intellect.

Eastern UFO Symposium (Page 3)

Speakers at the Eastern UFO Symposium included Dr. Ralph Blum, author of "Beyond Earth---Man's Contact with UFO's", and Mr. L.J. Lorenzen. Dr. Salisbury was to address "What is Proof?" and Professor Spickler would discuss his investigations during the fall 1973 "flap".

French Sightings (Page 3)

On February 24, 1974, about 30 witnesses in Curel, France, observed a large, vibrating UFO. Police officers Michel Dormey and Sergeant Charles Robin were among them. The object was estimated to be 900 feet long and 300 feet wide, described as a round disc of bluish gray color with three orangish crescents. It moved slowly and disappeared over the horizon. Similar sightings occurred on February 26 near Verbiesles and Eclaron, where the object was photographed. A third sighting on March 1 involved a lighted cigar-shaped object seen by vineyard workers in Epernay.

Occupant Encounter (Page 3)

An account from Peru described an incident for which APRO is seeking more details. The original report appeared in "El Comercio" in late March 1974.

UFO Detector Designs

APRO Headquarters requested original UFO detector designs from members. The San Diego group, French investigators, and Mr. Harris in Tucson are coordinating efforts to design and test UFO detectors and recording instruments, including a standard magnetic alarm and recording system.

Two Reports from Rumania

On February 2, 1974, a glowing orange-red cigar-shaped object was observed coming from the southwest at tremendous speed from multiple locations. Witnesses described it as traveling horizontally for 6-7 seconds before disappearing northeast. Another witness reported a long, oval-shaped object traveling at high speed and altitude. A 16-year-old boy described a white oval object with an orange-red projection. Another witness saw a bright flame that turned into a blue egg-shaped object with a long tail. A school superintendent described a space rocket emitting flames. A green object with a bright red tail was also reported. A map showing the trajectory and observation points was included.

UFO Excavations

Following a sighting of two bright orange spheres side-by-side over Bughee de Jos village, Rumania, on February 8, 1974, two unusual "excavations" appeared in the ground. The spheres fused into a single oval object that moved slowly southwest. Afterward, a whitish mist remained where the objects had hovered. Accompanying the article were drawings of the object and excavations, a photograph of an excavation, and a scale drawing of the area.

Mariner

On March 29, Mariner 10 flew by Mercury, sending back new data and pictures. Analysis of Doppler shifts in telemetry signals will provide a precise measure of Mercury's mass, and spacecraft occultation will yield its radius. Preliminary results from magnetometer and plasma probe experiments indicate Mercury has a magnetic field strong enough to deflect the solar wind. The planet's surface shows evidence of volcanism, suggesting past internal melting. Ultraviolet spectra indicate an atmosphere mainly composed of argon, neon, and helium, supporting the theory that Mercury lost its primordial and secondary atmospheres due to high surface temperature and low gravity. The apparent lack of recent vulcanism suggests Mercury's upper layers are presently below the melting point, though a molten core is possible. The planet's relatively high density suggests a large abundance of heavy elements in its core.

Newsman Films UFO Over France

On March 31, French astrophysicist Pierre Guerin described a strip of motion picture film taken by French Television as the "best document existing in the world concerning UFOs." The film, taken near Thillot, showed a luminous oval-shaped object descending vertically, hesitating, becoming elliptical, and then departing rapidly. Experts were examining the film.

Formation Seen By Air Crews

On January 26, 1974, Captain Lars Berglund piloting a Boeing 727 reported a formation of 10 to 15 luminous saucer-shaped objects flying in precise formation. The sighting lasted only one minute but was also observed by the co-pilot, mechanic, and crews of Portuguese, Norwegian, and English aircraft.

Photo Cases

Panama Canal: A photo received in July 1972, allegedly taken over the Panama Canal locks between September 1962 and January 1965, shows an unidentified object. The sender, who wished to remain anonymous, found the photos stapled together in a filing cabinet at Fort Gulick, Canal Zone. The location is identified as the Panama Canal, possibly over one of the three locks.

Athens, Greece: Field Investigator Dimitrios Zambicos forwarded a copy of a photo taken in Athens on January 12, 1974, by four witnesses. The object was not seen when the photo was taken. The camera was on a fixed tripod, and the sky was overcast. Snow began to fall 10 minutes after the photo was taken.

Visit To Sol 3

Daniel H. Harris discusses the study of planets as a means to understand Earth. He suggests that if we cannot control a phenomenon, we should collect, classify, compare, and contrast examples of its results to interpret them. He posits that the reason for planetary visits might be to study Earth as a typical planet.

New Dues Rate

APRO announced an increase in dues to $8.00 per year for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and $9.00 per year for all other countries, effective January-February 1974. This adjustment was due to increased operating costs, particularly for paper and postage.

Western UFO Symposium

APRO announced a UFO Symposium to be held on July 13 at the Heritage High School Auditorium in Littleton, Colorado. Speakers included Dr. James A. Harder, Dr. Jule Eisenbud, Dr. David Saunders, Dr. R. Leo Sprinkle, and Mr. L.J. Lorenzen. Dr. Harder was to discuss the Pascagoula kidnapping incident, and Mr. Lorenzen would address governmental policy concerning UFOs.

Back Issues

A list of available back issues of the A.P.R.O. Bulletin was provided, with prices of 50 cents each.

Thank You

APRO expressed gratitude to local members who assisted with routine tasks at Headquarters due to the "energy shortage," including folding, stapling, and bundling the January-February Bulletin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of the APRO Bulletin include the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings from around the world, with a particular focus on physical evidence and scientific analysis. The organization emphasizes the importance of detailed reports from field investigators and consultants. There is a clear stance that UFOs are a serious phenomenon worthy of scientific study, as evidenced by APRO's development of detection instruments and its engagement with scientific experts. The bulletin also highlights the financial challenges faced by APRO in maintaining its operations and research efforts, necessitating dues increases and appeals for contributions. The editorial tone is one of persistent inquiry and a dedication to uncovering the truth behind the UFO phenomenon, even when faced with limited resources and the need for public awareness.