Revista Alpha - No 05

Magazine Overview

Title: ALPHA
Issue: 05
Volume: I
Date: March 2015

This issue of Revista ALPHA, the fifth edition of the magazine, focuses on the theme of 'Aerial Encounters with UFOs' and features interviews and articles exploring various aspects of ufology. The magazine announces the official launch of its website, which aims to be a major portal for Brazilian ufology, offering news, interviews, book tips, and free access to all past editions.

UFOLOGIA EM FOCO (Ufology in Focus)

This section introduces Ricardo Varela, an engineer from INPE (National Institute for Space Research), who is also an analyst of UFO videos and images for Revista Ufo and a consultant for Revista ALPHA. Varela is described as one of Brazil's leading UFO researchers.

PAPO UFOLÓGICO (Ufology Chat)

This segment features Professor Maurício Eloy, who holds degrees in Art History and Cultural History. Eloy has been researching the connection between Shamanism and Ufology for over 20 years. The discussion touches upon the phenomenon of abductions.

ENCONTROS AÉREOS COM UFOS (Aerial Encounters with UFOs)

This article highlights the impact of close encounters between civilian and military pilots and UFOs. It raises the question of whether airspace is truly safe given these sightings and emphasizes the credibility of pilot reports, as they are trained observers who describe phenomena that defy known aviation standards.

O CASO SANTA MARÍA (The Santa María Case)

Considered one of the most significant cases in global ufology, this incident involves a pilot from the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) who reportedly shot at a UFO, presenting it as strong evidence for the extraterrestrial origin of UFOs.

UFOLOGIA COM A MORGANA (Ufology with Morgana)

In this episode, Morgana discusses the fundamental elements of studying ufology, identifying religion, history, and science as essential components.

Editor's Note: SAUDAÇÕES UFOLÓGICAS! (Ufological Greetings!)

Rafael da Silva Pereira, the Editor of Revista ALPHA, expresses his hope that readers are enjoying the magazine. He highlights the launch of the new website and emphasizes the magazine's commitment to improving with each edition. Pereira notes that this issue delves into 'Aerial Encounters with UFOs,' a topic handled with sensitivity by military institutions. He reiterates the two interviews featured: Ricardo Varela and Professor Maurício Eloy, and encourages readers to enjoy the edition and follow the magazine on Facebook.

Interview with Ricardo Varela

Ricardo Varela, an engineer at INPE, discusses his background in applied and scientific computation, with expertise in spatial research and high-altitude experiments. He has been researching ufology for over 30 years, focusing on the Paraíba Valley region. Varela states that most UFO evidence consists of hoaxes, natural phenomena, or optical illusions, making the task of separating truth from falsehood challenging. He believes that while there's no irrefutable proof, many interesting cases cannot be explained by natural phenomena or human-made objects, leading him to believe that Earth is visited by intelligent extraterrestrial beings.

Regarding the analysis of UFO images and videos, Varela explains that the process involves comparing submitted materials with known optical phenomena and documented cases. He clarifies that their role is not to 'validate' or 'certify' evidence but to eliminate known explanations, leaving the unexplained in a 'gray area.' He mentions special lightning phenomena occurring at high altitudes as an example of something initially mistaken for UFOs.

Varela recounts a personal experience in 1981 as a flight controller at CINDACTA, where radar registered objects moving at extremely high speeds with sharp turns. He investigated the radar's functionality and continued to monitor for similar events.

When asked about the scientific community's reluctance to discuss ufology, Varela speculates about the lack of official research institutions in Brazil and notes that past military investigations lacked rigorous scientific methodology.

Interview with Professor Maurício Eloy

Professor Maurício Eloy, with a background in Art History, Cultural History, and visual arts, discusses his research into the connection between Shamanism and Ufology. He has organized ufology forums and believes that Shamanism and Ufology are deeply intertwined. Eloy suggests that extraterrestrials might be particularly interested in human creativity, which he links to Shamanism and human cultural history. He also touches upon the concept of human aggression being learned rather than innate.

ENCONTROS AÉREOS COM UFOS (Continued)

This section reiterates the significance of aerial UFO encounters, emphasizing that these events challenge governmental institutions and the scientific community. It highlights the difficulty in finding logical explanations for pilot sightings of objects that do not conform to known flight patterns or aerodynamic principles. Such cases often trigger alerts for air forces worldwide.

Book Review: AB ORIGINE by André de Pierre

The magazine features a review of the book 'Ab Origine' by André de Pierre. The book presents two intertwined stories: one about the mysterious death of a Brazilian army officer, Valter Abdias Albuquerque, and his son Davi's quest for answers, uncovering secrets that could alter human history. The second story is set in a distant past, involving young lovers Allpamanta and Killa, and Samyaza, a leader of the 'Expulsos do céu' (Expelled from Heaven). The book explores themes of origin, mystery, and humanity's place in the universe, drawing on archaeological findings and ancient scriptures.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are aerial UFO encounters, the scientific investigation of ufology, and the intersection of ufology with other disciplines like Shamanism and ancient history. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting serious, scientific inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, encouraging critical analysis, and debunking common misconceptions while acknowledging the possibility of genuine unexplained events and extraterrestrial visitation. The magazine actively engages with researchers and academics, aiming to elevate the quality of ufological research and dissemination in Brazil.

This issue of Revista ALPHA, titled 'REOS COM UFOS' (Encounters with UFOs), focuses on pilots' direct experiences with unidentified flying objects. The cover features two A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, hinting at military encounters with UFOs. The issue includes a variety of historical and contemporary cases, personal testimonies, and discussions on the nature of ufological study.

Foo-fighters: WWII Aerial Encounters

The magazine begins by detailing the 'foo-fighters,' mysterious aerial objects reported by pilots during World War II. Both Allied and Axis pilots described these objects as 'fireballs' or 'fire fighters' (from the French 'feu' meaning fire). They were typically described as about 1 meter in diameter, immaterial, and capable of intelligent, rapid movements like ascending, descending, and maneuvering. Initially, pilots on opposing sides attributed these objects to enemy aircraft, but the phenomenon was widespread. A specific incident on November 23, 1944, involved a crew from the 415th Night Squadron reporting ten luminous globos that turned orange and moved at absurd speeds near Rhin, north of Strasbourg. Pilots like Charles Odom described them as 'crystal balls' the size of basketballs, flying in formation and behaving like aircraft.

Kenneth Arnold and the Birth of 'Flying Saucers'

The issue highlights the pivotal case of pilot Kenneth Arnold on June 24, 1947. While flying from Chehalis to Yakima, Washington, Arnold diverted his course to investigate a reported plane crash near Mount Rainier. He then observed about nine aircraft moving at extremely high speeds with unusual movements. Arnold described these objects as appearing like 'flying saucers,' a term that would soon become synonymous with UFOs. The German Air Force (Deutsche Luftwaffe) even created a project called 'Sodenbüro Nr.13' to collect and analyze pilot reports of these objects.

Case Iberia 249: A Near Collision

On November 4, 1968, an Iberia Caravelle IB-249 en route from London to Alicante, piloted by Juan Ignacio Lorenzo Torres, encountered an unidentified object. While descending to 28,000 feet near Sagunto, Valencia, co-pilot Juan Celdrán García spotted a light approaching at high speed on a collision course. The object decelerated rapidly and stopped about 10 meters from the aircraft. Witnesses described it as a very bright light accompanied by two smaller ones, performing maneuvers that defied known aerodynamics. Pilot Juan Ignacio described it as resembling a human eye. He attempted to communicate with the object via the emergency channel 121.50, using light flashes as a code for 'Yes' and 'No.' The object responded to some questions with a single flash, indicating 'Yes' to queries about its origin and intentions, but did not identify itself further before disappearing towards Africa.

Case Haroldo Westendorff: A Pyramid in the Sky

In October 1996, pilot and businessman Haroldo Westendorff encountered a massive, pyramid-shaped object over the Patos Lagoon in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The object was estimated to be 100 meters in diameter and 60 meters in height, flying towards the sea and performing complex maneuvers. Westendorff flew his Tupy aircraft around the object for about 10 minutes, documenting its behavior. Airport staff on the ground confirmed seeing an object but could not identify it, and air traffic control stated no other aircraft were in the area. The object emitted a red beam of light and opened a compartment before Westendorff attempted to evade it.

Case VASP 169: A Persistent Companion

On February 8, 1982, a VASP flight 169 piloted by Gerson Maciel de Brito was accompanied by a luminous object while flying from Fortaleza to Rio de Janeiro. The object maintained a constant distance from the Boeing 727-200. Air traffic control in Brasília initially had no information about the object, but later detected it. The object was sighted by other aircraft, including an Aerolíneas Argentinas flight and a Transbrasil flight. Commander Maciel de Brito informed his passengers, who observed the phenomenon. The object was tracked until near the Galeão airport in Rio de Janeiro.

Case Santa María: Firing on a UFO

This issue details the 'Caso Santa María,' involving Peruvian Air Force pilot Oscar Santa María. On April 11, 1980, while piloting a Sukhoi SU-22 fighter jet at the Arequipa Air Base, Santa María was ordered to engage a globe-shaped UFO hovering near the runway. After attempting communication, he fired 64 rounds of 30mm machine gun fire at the object. The projectiles seemed to be absorbed by the UFO, which then ascended rapidly. The event was witnessed by hundreds of people. The Sukhoi SU-22 lacked radar but had a combat screen that calculated distance. The UFO was described as having a luminous cream-colored dome and a wide, silver base. Despite pressure from investigators, official documentation of this case remains elusive.

Ufology with Morgana: A Multidisciplinary Approach

In an episode titled 'Ufologia com a Morgana,' consultant Morgana de Oliveira discusses the study of ufology. She emphasizes the need for an open mind and identifies three key areas: religions, history, and science. Religions are important for finding facts in sacred texts, history provides context, and science is crucial for verifying the reality of UFO phenomena. All these areas are interconnected and vital for solving the 'puzzle' of ufological research.

Erich von Däniken's Peruvian Expedition

The magazine promotes an upcoming expedition to Peru led by author Erich von Däniken, exploring archaeological sites and UFO sighting locations. The nine-day trip, organized by Terra Inca Operadora de Turismo and Revista UFO, includes conferences, ruin exploration, Nazca Lines overflights, and desert vigils. Ufologist A. J. Gevaerd and writer Alcione Giacomitti will also participate.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes direct pilot testimonies and historical UFO cases, particularly those involving military aviation. The magazine presents a clear stance that UFOs are a real phenomenon, often posing a potential threat to aviation safety, and that their extraterrestrial origin is a strong possibility. The editorial encourages further investigation and highlights the need for institutions to address the implications of these encounters. The recurring theme is the direct, often startling, confrontation between human pilots and unidentified aerial objects, raising questions about security and the nature of these visitors.