Boletín Informativo

Magazine Overview

This document is the "Boletín Informativo" (Informative Bulletin) No. 16, Volume V, from the "Centro de Investigaciones en Cohetería y Astronomía" (CICA), published in Spanish. The issue covers the period from July to December 1971.

CICA: Ten Years of Research and Diffusion

The bulletin celebrates CICA's ten years of existence, highlighting its extensive work in the fields of rocketry and astronomy. It mentions that the "Boletín Informativo" of DIOVNI-CICA, the organization's sole publication, has increased its distribution across Chile and to 25 nations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. CICA also maintains informational exchanges with major international research associations, with some of its information being reproduced abroad.

The editorial expresses gratitude to all collaborators, acknowledging their importance to CICA's future successes.

Rocketry in Chile

The "Cohetería" section details the history and current activities of rocketry research in Chile, particularly within CICA. Interest in rocketry surged globally with the Space Age in 1957. In Chile, the "Centro de Investigaciones en Cohetería y Astronomía" was formed in Santiago in 1961, with its rocketry branch focusing on solid fuels.

In 1963, students in Concepción presented their rocket project. A significant achievement was the 1964 launch of a two-stage, solid-fuel rocket that reached an altitude of over fifteen kilometers, though the group later dissolved due to internal issues.

Separate efforts involved a collaboration between the Chilean Air Force and the Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María in Valparaíso for meteorological research using rockets.

A key study mentioned is on "solid fuel in a hybrid rocket," led by Dr. Arno Beckers from the University of Aquisgrán, Germany. The research aims to find a solid fuel that is lightweight, cost-effective, and ignites only at high temperatures.

CICA's rocketry branch, under the direction of Vice-President Ejnar Trollund O., has established an experimental laboratory. They are researching new types of solid fuels and have developed three standard rocket models:

• EPSILON C: Three-stage rocket, solid fuel, theoretical range of 60 km, maximum test range of 20 km, initial weight of 250 kg.
• EPSILON A: One-stage rocket, solid fuel, theoretical range of 20 km, test range of 8 km, approximate initial weight of 100 kg.
• DELTA 3 A: One-stage rocket with three simultaneous engines, offering great thrust and a range similar to Epsilon A.

These figures are based on current fuels, with expectations of improved performance with newly tested propellants.

CICA is self-funded through member dues. Despite limitations in essential equipment, the organization is pursuing a potential meteorological program requiring short-range, high-thrust, low-cost projectiles.

Astronomy and General Information

The "Astronomía" section covers general news and events. The "Liga Latinoamericana de Astronomía" (Latin American Astronomy League), to which CICA is affiliated, held its 5th Convention in Lima, Peru, from August 7-14, 1971. The League comprises 63 astronomy associations from across South America.

Notable attendees included Dr. Donald Menzel, former director of the Harvard University Observatory. Chile was represented by Jacques Bellenand, president of the Chilean Association of Astronomy, and Ricardo González from the El Tololo Astronomical Observatory.

Ricardo González presented on "image converter tubes" that enhance telescope resolution. Although CICA did not send a representative, Professor Leopoldo Celis submitted his work on the "Luminous Variation of Variable Stars," which received positive comments.

Santiago, Chile, was chosen as the host city for the League's next convention (1971-1974). The presidency of the League transitioned from Dr. Antonio Soares de Araujo to Jacques Bellenand.

Internal Information

Internal news includes the election of Sr. Eduardo Cabello as the replacement director for Sr. Jaime Pla, who is temporarily absent due to work. A new, larger headquarters has been secured, which had been provisionally established at Alameda Bernardo O'Higgins 1435, office 16, for nearly two years. The new location will centralize administrative activities. The astronomy branch plans to resume its work once the 31 cm reflector telescope, built by members, is installed. Construction of a larger, 41 cm mirror is underway and expected to be completed the following year. The rocketry branch will continue using its laboratory, and the UFO sub-branch (OVNI) will relocate to the new headquarters.

UFO (OVNI) Reports

The DIOVNI branch has reduced its activities due to a general reorganization of CICA, offering a summary of recent UFO reports from the national press.

• May 18-19: Reports of UFO sightings communicated by personnel from Chilean Antarctic Bases.
• May 8: At the 'Bernardo O'Higgins' Army Base, a luminous object brighter than any star was observed between 23:30 and 23:52, affecting radio equipment.
• May 15: The Public Relations Office of the Chilean Air Force reported a luminous object observed for 15 minutes towards the SW, at approximately 35 meters altitude. It displayed changing colors (red, green, blue-gray) and caused minor communication disruptions.
• August 18: Near Punta Arenas, two officials observed an orange object that turned violet, at a distance of about 50 meters. The object rotated 180 degrees and ascended rapidly, leaving a smoke trail.
• September 24: Two truck drivers reported a bright object near the sea on the Tocopilla-Antofagasta road. It was later described as a fully illuminated object, about 20 meters in diameter with a helicopter-like cabin, hovering about 30 meters above sea level.
• October 21: A luminous object, possibly an aircraft of special characteristics, was observed near Cajón del Maipo in Santiago.
• October 23: Reports indicated an object seen in five locations near Tocopilla, including Fraguita, Mina Mantos de Luna, and Caleta Buena.
• October 25: The crew of the schooner Martin Pescador observed a large red ball near the mouth of the Loa River that sank into the sea.

UFOs in Latin America (Part II)

This section, authored by Pablo Pétrowitsch S., lists numerous UFO sightings across Latin America with dates, times, locations, and directional information. Countries covered include Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Cuba, and Uruguay, spanning from 1949 to 1950.

Eclipses in 1972

The bulletin provides a schedule for eclipses in 1972:

• January 16: Annular solar eclipse, partially visible in Chile from Valdivia southward.
• January 30: Total lunar eclipse, partially visible in Chile, with a magnitude of 1.054.
• July 10: Total solar eclipse, invisible in Chile.
• July 26: Partial lunar eclipse, visible in Chile, with a magnitude of 0.548.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are rocketry, astronomy, and UFO phenomena. CICA presents itself as a dedicated research organization, self-funded and committed to advancing knowledge in its fields. The editorial stance is one of optimism and perseverance, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and the pursuit of scientific understanding, particularly in the nascent fields of rocketry and UFOlogy. The inclusion of detailed UFO sighting reports and a catalog of past sightings suggests a strong focus on the UFO aspect of their research, alongside their rocketry and astronomy endeavors.