SBEDV - No 019-20 - 1960

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Bulletin from SBEDV-RIO DE JANEIRO - Brasil, titled '1960 Flying SAUCER STATISTIC of Brazil', provides a detailed statistical analysis of Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) sightings in Brazil during the year 1960. The publication, identified as Nr. 19/(engl.exchange) and part of volume 19-20, was issued by CIPEX e GENA and is presented in English, though it references tables in Portuguese. The primary focus is on quantifying and categorizing UFO activity across Brazil, drawing comparisons with data from previous years (1958 and 1959) and exploring various characteristics of the sightings.

1960 Flying Saucer Statistic of Brazil

The article begins by presenting the overall statistics for 1960, noting 85 sightings mentioned in 64 reports, with 14 reports excluded due to ambiguity regarding their relation to 'Echo 1'. Table 2 highlights Ceará as the state with the most sightings (23), a trend also observed in 1958. The month of May recorded the highest frequency of sightings (29), followed by July in 1959 (19) and April in 1958 (17).

An interesting hypothesis is explored regarding the frequency of UFO visits being proportional to population density. However, Table 4, which compares population density with the index of sightings per million inhabitants, suggests this is not the case. The populated South, including São Paulo, shows an index of 3.5, similar to the less populated North region's index of 4 visits per million inhabitants. The data also shows that highly populated states like São Paulo, despite economic development, were well-visited, and Ceará, in the less populated North-East, had a high index of 6.6 sightings per million inhabitants, a region experiencing droughts and emigration.

The article notes the appearance of three orange-colored saucers in Brasilia on the inauguration night of the capital, though this sighting was not initially included in the statistic.

The Highlights of Saucer Activity in Brazil in 1960

This section details specific notable incidents from 1960:

• Ceará: An intense period of activity was reported in July 1960, with numerous towns in Ceará experiencing sightings, particularly in the evening hours. The saucers were described as having an 'intense inner light with a halo'. Writer Rachel de Queiroz reportedly witnessed a saucer. In one instance, men transporting cargo were followed for three hours by an 'airplane without wings'. On another night, saucers landed on a hill, and a crew member signaled to a fisherman, who fled in fear.
• Manhaçú: A metallic 'DISCO VOADOR' was observed floating gently near a school, noticed by a pupil.
• Ubatuba: A movie theater delayed its showing by 40 minutes because townspeople preferred to watch two saucers (one white, one red) circling overhead for the same duration.

Additional data points include:

• Hour of the Visit: Evening hours (6-9 PM) accounted for 30 cases, daytime for 19, and nighttime for 12.
• Form of the Saucer: 48% were round (13 with a halo), 32% were oval, disc, or saucer-shaped, and 18% were elongated, rectangularlike, missile, or cigar-shaped. One sighting (nr. 50) showed an intense luminescence.

Statistical Tables and Graphs

Several tables and a graph provide detailed statistical breakdowns:

• Tabela Nr. 1 (Table No. 1): Lists 64 UFO sightings in Brazil in 1960 by city/neighborhood, state, and date. It includes detailed entries for various locations across Brazil, such as Deus, Recife, Guarapari, Blumenau, Rio Grande, Belo Horizonte, Pelotas, Bananeiras, Botucatú, Piedade, Apiaí, Paracurú, Petrolina, Salgueiro, Cabrobó, Juazeiro, Cariús, Jucás, Farias de Brito, Crateus, Quixoramobim, Redenção, Acaraú, Campos Salles, Mombaça, Iguatú, Tauá, Cabrobó, Recife, Cajazeiras, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Vitoria da Conquista, Manhaçú, Conselheiro Pena, Governador Valadares, Boa Viagem, Iguatú, Recife, Fortaleza, Bebedouro, São Paulo, Brasilia, Caratinga, Juiz de Fora, Ubá, Itabuna, São Paulo, São Bento de Sapucai, Guararapes, Rio de Janeiro, Dôres do Indaiá, Canhotinho, Fortaleza, Recife, Triunfo, Aguas Belas, Canhotinho, Lençois, Salinas, Pacoti, Baião, Fortaleza, Crato, Tauá, Anadia, Salvador, Aracajú, Marabá, Recife, Jequié, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Araraquara, Ubatuba, Bento Quirino, Caconde, São Luiz, São Paulo, Agreste, São Paulo, Nazaré, Baturité, Mombaça, Sobral, Alagoinhas, Taipú, Salvador, Ouro Preto, Guararapes, Brasilia, Paraná, Belo Horizonte, Mimosa do Sul, Belo Horizonte.
• Quadro Nr. 2 (Table No. 2): Ranks Brazilian states by the frequency of UFO visits in 1960. Ceará leads with 23 visits, followed by Minas Gerais (15), São Paulo (13), Pernambuco (12), Bahia (5), and Rio Grande do Sul (4). Other states like Alagoas, Brasilia-DF, Guanabara, Espirito Santo, Maranhão, and Pará had fewer visits. Paraíba, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Sergipe each had one visit.
• Quadro Nr. 3 (Table No. 3): A graph illustrating the monthly frequency of UFO sightings in 1960, showing peaks in May (29) and July (14), with lower numbers in other months. It also overlays data from 1957, 1958, and 1959 for comparison.
• Quadro Nr. 4 (Table No. 4): Compares UFO visits to Brazil's physiographic regions in 1960, alongside population density and number of inhabitants. The SUL (South) region had 69 visits, LESTE (East) 74, DESTE (Southeast) 91, CENTRO OESTE (Central West) 8, and NORTE (North) 11. This table also presents data for 1958/59/60 for specific states within these regions and compares population density per square kilometer.

Comparison with 1957-1958 Statistics

The article compares the 1960 data with an earlier 14-month period (Nov 1957 - Dec 1958) which recorded 151 sightings. Key observations from this comparison include:

• Form of Spaceships: The proportion of elongated forms (cigar-fish-missile-shaped) increased from 5.6% in 1958/59 to 18% in 1960.
• Hour of Sighting: Evening hours (6-9 PM) were consistently preferred for sightings across all years, with frequency increasing significantly in 1959 (32%) and 1960 (49%) compared to an imaginary even distribution.
• Physical and Psychological Aspects: The authors note that their statistic is too small for definitive conclusions on crew aspects but highlights contributions from various cases and contact descriptions.

Some Sort of Contact Was Established with Our Civilisation

This section details instances of potential interaction:

• S. crew members were seen by local inhabitants in two cases.
• Cars were accompanied by UFOs in five cases, with a road block by the S. in two.
• An airplane was accompanied in two cases, with luminous signals sent up.
• Responses to UFO signals were observed, including blinking lights and swift approaches that caused panic.
• Animals became nervous in the presence of UFOs in two cases.
• The fertilizing action of the S.'s force field was observed on grass growth, leading to faster growth.
• Electricity suffered local blackouts in two cases.
• Trails were left by the S. in 12 cases.

Editor's Comments and Editorial Stance

The editor expresses appreciation for other researchers' opinions and knowledge exchange. A letter from Mr. B. Menzies, secretary of CSI (New Zealand), is mentioned, along with a discussion on the concept of 'government' and its potential for secrecy, particularly in relation to UFO information. The editor contrasts 'democratic' and 'totalitarian' governments, suggesting that secrecy in UFO matters blurs this distinction. The article references the publication of the Trinidade Saucer pictures in Brazil in 1958 as a significant event. It also touches upon the 'Campinas tin case' and the secrecy surrounding it, as well as the challenges in obtaining scientific analysis of samples. The editor thanks Mr. Menzies for his stimulating letter and expresses hope for future information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the statistical analysis of UFO sightings, the characteristics of UFOs (shape, behavior, trails), the times and locations of sightings, and the comparison of data over several years. There is a strong emphasis on presenting factual data and statistical trends. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, advocating for transparency and critical analysis while acknowledging the challenges posed by secrecy and potential disinformation campaigns, particularly from governmental or military bodies. The publication encourages collaboration and the sharing of information among researchers, highlighting the importance of international exchange.