SBEDV - No 001 - 1957

Magazine Overview

This document is the first informational bulletin from the Sociedade Brasileira de Estudos sobre Discos Voadores (Brazilian Society for the Study of Flying Saucers), issued on December 23, 1957. It is published by CIPEX and GENA and is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The bulletin's primary purpose is to present the society's foundational principles and initial findings regarding UFO phenomena in Brazil.

Decalogue of the Society

The bulletin begins by outlining the society's 'Decalogue,' a ten-point set of principles guiding its operations and beliefs:

1. Flying saucers are extraterrestrial.
2. Their occupants have behaved peacefully.
3. The Society does not aim to exploit sensationalism but to contribute to the clarification of the phenomenon.
4. It is essential for board members not to derive any material advantage, immediate or remote, from the flying saucer phenomenon.
5. The Society is interested in contacts with flying saucer occupants and will provide assistance to those who have had such contacts.
6. The Society does not criticize or reject seemingly fantastical accounts, believing that what appears to be fantasy today may become reality tomorrow.
7. The Society aims to expand its field of action by collaborating with similar organizations worldwide.
8. The Society accepts cooperation from all who approach them, without prejudice of race, creed, or political ideology.
9. The Society will assist Brazilian authorities when requested, provided that the principles of this Decalogue and its statutes are not infringed.
10. In the event of discreet or overt landings of flying saucers, the Society will provide all possible assistance to the occupants, assuming their visits are always of a peaceful nature.

Statistical Analysis of UFO Sightings in Brazil (Nov-Dec 1957)

The bulletin then presents a statistical overview of UFO sightings reported in Brazil between November 17 and December 8, 1957. A total of 45 cases were registered, with the distribution as follows:

• 1 case in August
• 4 cases in October
• 35 cases in November
• 5 cases in December

Of these, 34 cases described luminous objects crossing the sky at high speeds or hovering. In 5 cases, the disks flew in groups (ranging from 2 to numerous), and in 2 cases, disks were observed on the ground, with occupants seen in some instances. No direct contacts were reported.

The informants were categorized as:

• 23 cases reported by categorized individuals (mayors, doctors, well-regarded persons).
• 6 cases reported by military authorities.

Further breakdown of observations:

• 8 cases observed by isolated individuals.
• 25 cases observed by restricted groups.
• 12 cases observed by diverse people from the same region.

Specific observations include:

• 7 cases registered over military bases.
• 2 cases photographed.
• 1 case filmed (the film is available to members).
• 1 case observed from an airplane.
• 2 cases coincided with power outages in cities, plunging them into darkness.

Geographical distribution of cases:

• 25 cases in the São Paulo, Southern Minas, and Southern Goiás region (densely populated).
• 8 cases in the southern states.
• 1 case in the west.
• 11 cases in the Northeast (Zone 2, densely populated).
• No cases reported in the Amazon region (less densely populated).

The bulletin notes that this is the first statistical analysis conducted by the society, making comparisons with previous data impossible. However, the initial findings are considered significant, particularly the 25 cases in November, 11 disks seen on the ground, 2 cases with visible occupants, and 7 cases over military bases.

Detailed Case Reports

Probable Contact in Rio de Janeiro

The bulletin highlights a spectacular case published in Rio de Janeiro in November 1957. Professor Sérgio Raul de Barros Bogina of Leblon reported seeing a flying saucer over the area near Corcovado. Key points of this case include:

• Witnesses included the professor, his wife, and Mr. Inocencio Lopes.
• The disk moved between Sumare and Corcovado, over the south slope of the mountain and Lagoa Rodrigues de Freitas, near Jardim Botanico.
• The disk stopped near the outstretched hand of the Christ the Redeemer statue.
• The professor perceived the disk dividing into two, with one part descending three times to the ground near Jardim Botanico.
• This operation lasted 15 minutes before the object(s) ascended and moved towards the city center.
• Other witnesses included populations in the affected areas (Botafogo, Centro, Tijuca) and TV Tupi reporter Hilton Rocha and a colleague, who filmed the disk.
• Later that night, the professor and his wife observed two luminous objects. Around midnight, a large flash, described as a gigantic electronic flash, occurred in the Sumare area.
• The professor speculated that someone might have photographed the event due to the clear, warm, and starry night.

The report concludes by questioning the disk's purpose in the area.

Divided Disks and Military Involvement

Similar to the Rio de Janeiro case, a phenomenon of a disk dividing into two was observed over a military base in Salvador (6th Military Region of Brazil). Military authorities witnessed this, and reporter João Martins of 'O Cruzeiro' magazine was invited to a restricted conference on the matter. The bulletin suggests a link between these two cases.

Fantastic Occurrences and Ridiculous Denials

Ceres, Goiás: A case reported by the local judge involved two men whose truck was paralyzed by a disk. Seven men emerged from the disk, observed the truck, and then left. This case was officially denied by the Goiaz police, but the report notes that the denial came after the judge's letter and that there was a superior order to issue the denial.

Recife, Pernambuco: A disk hovered over the 1/40 RI barracks for about 20 minutes, illuminating the building and the motto 'Aqui aprendemos a defender a Patria.' This was reported by military personnel. Simultaneously, people at the Recife Air Base witnessed a luminous object in the sky.

The bulletin mentions that the 7th Military Region concluded, after a secret inquiry, that the object seen over the barracks was merely an international airplane attempting to land.

More Fantastic Photographs and Incidents

Santos, Brazil: The bulletin mentions a trip taken in a disk by Professor Guimarães. Dr. Achilles Greco and a friend photographed a disk approximately 50 meters in diameter from a fishing boat. The photographs are described as very clear, and the army and navy are investigating the case, as the area is used for naval maneuvers. An 'foreign embassy' is reportedly interested, and military secrecy is noted.

Alagoas: Mr. Darcy Rosa, director of the National Department of Rural Endemias, reported a frightening encounter where a luminous object descended towards him and his family while they were trying to locate something with a lantern, causing them to flee in panic.

Coincidence: A disk passing over a power transmission tower in Rio de Janeiro caused it to catch fire, leading to a blackout. A similar event occurred in Mogi Mirim, São Paulo, with a disk passing over a transmission tower and causing a blackout.

Society's Operations and Appeal

The Sociedade Brasileira de Estudos sobre Discos Voadores possesses documentation on the cases reported in this bulletin and is willing to provide copies and further information to interested parties. The society acknowledges facing financial difficulties in its research and information services and requests any assistance from interested individuals to help mitigate these expenses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently promotes a serious, scientific, and non-sensationalist approach to the study of UFOs. It emphasizes the extraterrestrial origin of the phenomena and the peaceful intentions of the occupants. The society positions itself as a collaborative entity, willing to work with authorities and international organizations. There is a recurring theme of official denials or attempts to downplay sightings, which the society seems to view with skepticism, suggesting a potential cover-up or lack of understanding. The editorial stance is one of open-minded inquiry, believing that current 'fantasies' may become tomorrow's realities, and a commitment to providing assistance and information to those involved or interested in the phenomenon.