APRO Bulletin - 1977 08 00 - Vol 26 No 2

Magazine Overview

This issue of The A.P.R.O. Bulletin, dated August 1977, is Volume 26, Number 2, priced at $1.00. The cover prominently features the headline "DOG DIES AFTER UFO INCIDENT" and a secondary headline "Ghost Riders Through the Gates of Hercules." The issue includes articles on photographic analysis, eyewitness testimony, and specific UFO case reports.

Article: Dog Dies After UFO Incident

This article details an incident involving Angel Maria Tonna, a rancher in Salto, Uruguay. Between February and March 1977, Tonna and his family experienced numerous UFO sightings. A particularly significant event occurred around 4 a.m. on February 18, when Tonna was bringing cows in for milking. All the lights in the barnyard went out, and a bright light appeared. Tonna observed a fiery disc-like object hovering near the barn. His dog, Topo, barked, and the cows became agitated. The object moved, breaking branches off a tree, and hovered over other trees before moving again. Tonna felt attracted to the light and experienced electric shocks. The object, initially orange, turned red and moved south out of sight. The generator later failed due to burned-out wires. The incident lasted about 10 minutes. Tonna's 19-year-old son witnessed part of the event. Following the incident, the dog became ill and was found dead 48 hours later. An autopsy revealed severe internal bleeding, ruptured blood vessels, and a yellow liver, attributed to an extreme temperature increase, possibly from radiation. Tonna's right arm also showed redness, believed to be radiation burns. The article also mentions Robert Barrow's research into the 1956 film "U.F.O."

Article: Ghost Riders Through the Gates of Hercules

Authored by Dennis Leatart, this piece describes observations of unusual objects in the constellation Hercules (M13). On August 18, 1977, at 9:35 p.m. PDT in Crestline, California, Leatart observed an object moving rapidly across his field of view, blinking on and off. He tracked it for about 60 degrees of arc. The object appeared to be in orbit, had a magnitude of about 7-8, was pointed in the front, flashed white, and was not visible to the naked eye. Leatart initially suspected it was a satellite but found its speed too rapid and the blinking unusual. He later observed similar objects multiple times in Oxnard, California, on subsequent nights in August 1977. These observations included objects moving from North to South, some blinking, and others star-like. Leatart has taken photographs and hopes they will reveal these "Ghost riders."

Article: UFO Over New Mexico

This report, by Field Investigator Bobbie Wolf, details an observation by Merle Arledge and Mary Lois Neal in Lovington, N.M., on September 30, 1976. At 6:40 p.m., Arledge noticed a brilliant, blue-white light in the sky. Later, with binoculars, the object appeared as a solid, spherical core with a halo of flames, significantly larger and brighter than Venus. They observed it for about five minutes. The object's color changed to fiery orange, then back to blue-white, and it steadily diminished in size, eventually becoming a mere speck. Neal also observed the light and noted its color change and apparent westward movement at high speed. They concluded it was not a planet, weather balloon, or new star. The light did not reappear on subsequent nights.

Article: Carlos Alberto Diaz Was a Hoaxer

Authored by Roberto Enrique Banchs and Richard W. Heiden, this article investigates a case previously reported in the APRO Bulletin (March 1975) concerning Carlos Alberto Diaz's alleged abduction in Bahia Blanca, Argentina. The investigation by CEFAI of Buenos Aires revealed significant discrepancies in Diaz's account. Key points include: the abduction site being a busy street where Diaz claimed to see no one; inquiries finding no witnesses or disturbed watch dogs; inconsistencies in bus schedules and arrival times; and evidence suggesting Diaz likely traveled directly to Buenos Aires. Psychological assessments of Diaz indicated a rich imagination, tendency to exaggerate, and poor judgment. The authors conclude the episode was a hoax fabricated by the witness.

Article: Eyewitness Testimony And Its Problems In UFO Investigation

Written by Ron Westrum, Ph.D., this essay discusses the challenges of relying on eyewitness testimony in UFO investigations. Westrum highlights that investigators often rely on intuition, but a more systematic approach is needed. He draws on principles from Forensic Psychology, emphasizing that the process of eliciting testimony can influence the account given, particularly through suggestion. Uninterrupted narration is generally more accurate than cross-examination. Westrum also explains that perception is a complex process involving cues and decisions, and that observers may interpret events based on their expectations. He notes that education can improve descriptive abilities but doesn't guarantee critical insight, and that puzzlement over details is a better indicator of critical ability than misplaced confidence. The article concludes by stressing the importance of understanding the limitations of eyewitness testimony.

Book Review: "Time Out For Tomorrow"

This review by an unnamed author discusses Norman Avery's book, "Time Out For Tomorrow." The reviewer notes that the book is not directly about UFOs but explores future possibilities in technology and society. It covers topics like pocket-sized video phones, holographic storage, advanced computers, and new energy sources like fusion. While acknowledging the book's potential to inform UFO speculation, the reviewer suggests it might be more suited for those with a less skeptical outlook.

New Consultant: Dewey M. McLean, Ph.D.

The APRO Bulletin announces the addition of Dr. Dewey M. McLean as a new Consultant. Dr. McLean has extensive teaching experience and is a consultant to the Paleontology and Stratigraphy Branch of the U.S. Geological Survey. He has industry experience with several oil companies and holds a Ph.D. in Geology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Photographic Analysis Utilizing Computer Image Processing

This excerpt, submitted by W. H. Spaulding of G.S.W., describes the initial steps in computer-aided photographic analysis. It involves digitizing the picture by scanning it to measure transmission or reflection as a function of position. The data are stored as digitized versions, or pixels. Software programs can then assign colors to density ranges for analysis. The article also touches on the limitations of resolution and the challenge of analyzing UFO photos due to unknown image distances and atmospheric effects. GSW's testing suggests that vertical and horizontal edges of objects increase in jaggedness with distance, which could be relevant for distinguishing real objects from models.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the analysis of photographic evidence, the challenges and reliability of eyewitness accounts, and the reporting of specific UFO incidents. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking to apply scientific and analytical methods to UFO phenomena while acknowledging the inherent difficulties and potential for misinterpretation or fabrication. The publication encourages detailed reporting and analysis, as seen in the technical excerpts and the debunking of a case.