APRO Invitation to join - 1974 00 00

Magazine Overview

This document is an invitation to join the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc. (APRO), a Tucson, Arizona-based organization dedicated to UFO research. Titled 'AN INVITATION TO JOIN THE AERIAL PHENOMENA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION, INC.' and subtitled 'and learn the FACTS', this issue, dated by its copyright as 1974, aims to inform potential members about the nature of UFOs and APRO's work.

Frequently Asked Questions About UFOs

The core of the issue is a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about UFOs, providing answers based on APRO's research and data.

What is a UFO?
A UFO is defined as any airborne object that cannot be identified by the witness.

Are many UFOs eventually explained?
Yes, the document states that various researchers present different percentages of explained sightings. APRO itself does not maintain firm figures because identified objects are filtered out by members and Field Investigators before reaching Headquarters.

What objects are most often reported as UFOs but are later identified?
The most common identifications include:
1. Bright planets or stars seen under unfamiliar or unusual conditions.
2. Weather balloons.
3. Unusual cloud formations.
4. Ordinary aircraft observed under unusual conditions.
5. Kites.
6. Hoaxes, often involving homemade balloons with candles.

Who sees UFOs?
UFOs have been reported by men and women, adults and children, people of all colors and creeds, and individuals from every walk of life.

Where are UFOs seen?
UFOs have been sighted in almost every country worldwide, including large cities, small towns, and rural areas. Specific mention is made of countries like China and North Korea, and newly emerging African countries which have not yet reported UFOs.

What time of the day are UFOs most frequently reported?
Most reports occur between dusk and dawn, with daylight sightings being comparatively fewer than those during the night and early morning hours.

What do UFOs look like?
The most frequently reported shapes are disc-shaped, egg-shaped, cigar-shaped, and spheres. Other reported shapes include triangular, Saturn-shaped, rectangular, conical, football-shaped, and square.

How do UFO night reports differ from those seen during the daytime hours?
Objects seen at night typically exhibit steady or blinking lights or glow all over, whereas daytime sightings are described differently.

Have UFOs been photographed?
While many UFO photos exist, most are not authenticated. The document highlights the Trindade Island, Brazil, photographs taken by Almiro Barauna in 1958 as a well-documented sequential set. Other examples include photos from Yungay, Peru, and an illustration of a UFO over Freeport, Long Island.

Do they appear adaptable to earth conditions?
Some occupant reports suggest they wear space suit-like equipment, but in many cases, they do not appear to require breathing apparatus.

Have there ever been any incidents involving 'hardware' or material evidence remaining after a landing?
Yes, although rare, such incidents indicate that UFOs are material objects.

Have UFOs landed and have they been photographed on the ground?
There are hundreds of reports of UFOs landing, sometimes leaving burned areas or depressions. However, no authenticated photos of a landed UFO exist.

Have there been any reports of occupants?
Yes, APRO has over a thousand reported cases involving occupants.

What do the occupants look like?
Occupants are generally described as humanoid but often smaller than humans, between 3 and 5 feet in height. An artist's rendering of the 'Gill occupant case' is featured on the front page.

All About APRO

APRO was founded in 1952 and was 22 years old in January 1974, making this its 23rd year of existence. The organization publishes the 'APRO Bulletin' bi-monthly, detailing research results, global reports, book reviews, and scientific comments. In 1957, APRO began building its International Staff and Scientific Consulting Staff, which by this time comprised 41 scientists on consulting panels covering various scientific disciplines and representatives in 47 countries.

APRO was established because the U.S. Air Force was not addressing the UFO problem effectively. With the U.S. government's withdrawal from active investigation, APRO's role has become even more critical. It positions itself as the only UFO research organization conducting serious, scientific research.

APRO is a non-profit, scientific educational organization that is tax-exempt. However, rising costs for printing and distribution necessitate expanding membership. The staff, including Consulting Panels, Administrative Staff, Foreign Representatives, and Field Investigators, all contribute their time without remuneration.

Membership and Contribution

Individuals interested in contributing to UFO research can subscribe to APRO's monthly periodical or become a full member. Members can submit clippings and leads for investigation. APRO seeks individuals seriously interested in answering fundamental questions about UFOs: What are they? Where do they come from? Why are they here?

Document Details

Publisher: Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc.
Address: 3910 East Kleindale Road, Tucson, Arizona 85712 U.S.A.
Copyright: 1974

• Featured Cases and Photographs:
• The Gill Report: Boinai, New Guinea, June 27, 1959. Thirty-eight witnesses observed a hovering UFO with four occupants for an hour.
• Dr. Clyde Tombaugh: Discovered Pluto, saw a UFO in 1948 near Las Cruces, New Mexico.
• Trindade Island, Brazil: January 16, 1958. Sequential photographs taken by Almiro Barauna, witnessed by over 200 people.
• Yungay, Peru: March 1967. Four color photos of a disc, noted as the only sequential photos of two UFOs.
• Officer Paul Carter: Colby, Kansas, August 19, 1972. Witnessed a UFO hovering after a chase.
• Freeport, Long Island, New York: November 6, 1973. Patrolmen Gary Steinberg and Thomas Brown photographed a UFO from the side and head-on.
• Sheriff's Deputy Arthur Strauch: Sibley County, Minnesota, October 21, 1965. Photographed a glowing disc.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the invitation to join APRO and contribute to UFO research. The editorial stance is that the UFO problem remains unsolved and requires serious, scientific investigation, which APRO is uniquely positioned to conduct. The publication emphasizes the importance of evidence, witness testimony, and scientific analysis in understanding UFO phenomena. It portrays APRO as a dedicated, experienced, and globally connected organization working to uncover the truth about UFOs.