SBEDV - No 031-35 - 1963

Magazine Overview

This issue of the SBEDV Boletim (Boletim No. 30), published between March and November 1963, is dedicated to the study of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), with a strong focus on Brazilian cases and investigations. The publication, edited by W. Buhler in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, covers a range of topics including eyewitness accounts, photographic evidence, and official inquiries.

Introduction

The introduction sets the context of the Cold War space race, mentioning the US and Soviet Union's efforts to explore space, with discoveries on Mars and Venus. It also notes German scientists attempting radio communication with potential extraterrestrial inhabitants. The article highlights Professor Haroldo Valadão's assertion in Brussels that the existence of extraterrestrial life could resolve questions about the legitimacy of planetary possession by Earth inhabitants. This sets the stage for the ongoing discussion and investigation into UFOs.

Explanation of Photographs

This section details photographic evidence related to an interview with Professor Joao de Freitas Guimaraes. It describes a photograph of the professor, a drawing of a UFO he reportedly traveled in, a diagram of its magnetic field indicators, and details of its cabin. Several other photographic analyses are presented, including a UFO sighting on Ilha da Trindade and comparisons with other reported sightings.

Key Photographic Evidence and Analysis:

• Figure 5: Professor Joao de Freitas Guimaraes at Praia de S. Sebastiao, with a drawing of the DV (Disco Voador) he allegedly traveled in. The drawing includes details of the cabin, magnetic field indicators, and circular seating.
• Figure 6: An enlargement of a UFO photograph taken at Alto da Boa Vista on July 27, 1958. It was described as red and showing 'propulsion circles'.
• Figure 7: An enlargement of a UFO photograph from Ilha da Trindade, noted for its similarity to the UFO described by Professor Freitas Guimaraes. A four-phase drawing of the Ilha da Trindade UFO is also presented.
• Figure 8: A comparative study of UFOs from Alto da Boa Vista (A), Ilha da Trindade (B), and S. Sebastiao (C), courtesy of Professor Freitas Guimaraes. The similarity to his described UFO is emphasized, with the addition of observation windows.

Questionnaire to Professor Joao de Freitas Guimaraes

This section contains a detailed interview with Professor Joao de Freitas Guimaraes, conducted in Santos on June 25, 1961. He discusses the multiplicity of UFO shapes and their resemblance to his own sightings.

Key Points from the Interview:

• Similar UFO Shapes: Professor Guimaraes confirms that various reported UFO shapes are similar to the one he saw and described.
• Ilha da Trindade and Alto da Boa Vista Sightings: He had the opportunity to view photographs of the UFO sighted over Ilha da Trindade and Alto da Boa Vista, stating they were identical in form to the one he had drawn. He also mentions his own sighting at S. Sebastiao in 1956.
• Encounter Details: He recounts an encounter where he was invited to view photographs of the UFO and was present for a four-hour interview. Six photographs were shown, documenting the object's movement. He notes the similarity between the Ilha da Trindade and Alto da Boa Vista UFOs and his own drawings.
• S. Sebastiao Sighting (1956): This event, publicized in 1957, occurred three weeks before an arranged meeting with alleged extraterrestrial visitors.
• FAB Archives: Professor Guimaraes mentions that the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) possessed identical photographs to his drawings, as confirmed by Colonel Coqueiro.
• Refusal to Go to Encounter: He states he did not attend a planned encounter on August 12, 1957, due to personal circumstances and the overwhelming public attention.
• Press Silence: He explains his reluctance to widely publicize his findings, citing public disinterest, skepticism, and the potential for the issue to be exploited for political or commercial gain. He also notes how the press often distorted facts and ridiculed him.
• Lack of Official Publication: He questions why photographs of UFOs held in Brazilian Air Force archives are not published.
• Gagarin's Description: Professor Guimaraes finds a strong coincidence between his descriptions of UFOs and those made by cosmonaut Gagarin, noting that his own accounts predated Gagarin's by several years.

The Brazilian Navy and the Appearance of a UFO over Ilha da Trindade

This extensive section details a series of UFO sightings and events that occurred around Ilha da Trindade, based on a study by Dr. Olavo Fontes, translated from the APRO and Flying Saucers magazines.

Key Events and Findings:

• Naval Investigation: Officials from the Brazilian Navy, while conducting research with the IGY, reported seeing a UFO on at least eight occasions. The event gained significance as other individuals also witnessed the UFO, and in two cases, it was observed using theodolites.
• Photographic Evidence: The UFOs were photographed, and the plates were deemed authentic, showing details of the craft. Radar also detected the UFOs.
• Significance of the Case: The Ilha da Trindade case is considered one of the most important in UFO history, potentially convincing even the most skeptical observers.
• Scientific Facts: The presence of authentic photographs showing details, control, and dimensions of the UFOs, along with evidence of intelligent control, constitutes scientific facts.
• Spacecraft Hypothesis: The report suggests that if UFOs are real, they must be spacecraft, as no nation is believed to possess the technology to build such craft. The expenditure of millions of dollars on UFO research is questioned as a means to conceal their existence as secret weapons.

Parliamentary Inquiry:

• Congressional Investigation: A congressional inquiry was approved on February 27, 1958. Deputy Sergio Magalhães requested that the Brazilian Navy explain the facts related to the Ilha da Trindade incident.
• Navy's Response: The Navy responded with an official document addressing the questions posed by Deputy Magalhães. The document acknowledged the sighting of a strange object over Ilha da Trindade by the crew of the NE 'Almirante Saldanha' and the taking of photographs.
• Secrecy: The Navy's report was considered secret, and the Chamber of Deputies was not authorized to release it. The information provided to the Deputy was a memorandum, not the full secret report.
• **Questions Posed to the Navy: 1. Confirmation of the NE 'Almirante Saldanha' crew witnessing a strange object over Ilha da Trindade. 2. Whether an inquiry was opened and testimonies taken from the crew, given the official note acknowledging photos. 3. The basis for the Navy's lack of importance given to the fact if the answer to (2) was negative. 4. Confirmation that the photos were developed in the presence of officers, identifying the object. 5. Whether negatives were examined for any prior photographs. 6. The reason for maintaining the fact in secrecy for approximately a month. 7. Confirmation of other identical phenomena observed by Navy officers. 8. Confirmation that the commander of the tugboat 'Tridente' witnessed the 'flying saucer' object.
• Justification for Inquiry: The widespread interest in UFOs over the past decade, the military involvement, and the official acknowledgment by the Navy, coupled with conflicting reports and lack of public information, necessitated the inquiry.

Chronology of Appearances on Ilha da Trindade:

• First Appearance (Late November 1957): A weather balloon equipped with a theodolite was launched. The commander, Bacelar, monitoring radio signals, noticed an unexpected change. The balloon's instruments were reported to be descending prematurely. The UFO appeared near the balloon, moving erratically. It was described as a silver, oval object, three times longer than wide, reflecting sunlight. It remained visible for approximately three hours before disappearing.
• Second Appearance (December 5, 1957): An operative reported a circular, silver object flying silently at an altitude of about 6,000 feet. Its angular diameter was similar to that of the full moon.
• Third Appearance (December 31, 1957): The same or a similar circular, silver object appeared again, at 7:50 AM. It was observed by multiple witnesses, including five operatives, a sailor, the island's doctor, and a Navy officer.
• Fourth Appearance (January 1, 1958): At 7:50 AM, a bright light appeared over the sea, moving at high speed and describing a 90-degree trajectory before disappearing. The object shone intensely, resembling a mirror reflecting the sun. The entire island garrison, including Commander Bacelar, witnessed it.
• Fifth Appearance (Night of January 2, 1958): Another alarm was raised at night. The object was seen for only a few seconds, and the incident was not taken seriously. However, on the same night, the tugboat 'Triunfo' was overflown for approximately 10 minutes by an unidentified aerial object. The UFO was described as round, with an orange halo, and maneuvered at high speed with abrupt changes in direction.
• Sixth Appearance (January 6, 1958): A weather balloon was launched and controlled from the ground. The UFO appeared, and the radio-sonda signals began to diminish. The balloon was drawn into a cloud, disappeared for about ten minutes, and then reappeared, lighter, suggesting its instruments had been removed. An 'intruder' object was observed inside the cloud.
• Seventh Appearance (Shortly before NE 'Almirante Saldanha' arrival): The UFO appeared very low over the island, approached the meteorological post with incredible speed, braked abruptly, and hovered. It then circled the island, hovered over Pico do Desejado, moved in a zig-zag pattern, and then took off towards the horizon at tremendous speed. It was described as an extraordinary object, made of polished aluminum or similar metal, with a flattened spheroid shape and a large ring that appeared to rotate. It made no noise. The object was surrounded by a greenish luminosity.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent presence and investigation of UFOs in Brazil, particularly the detailed accounts from Ilha da Trindade. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry and documentation of these phenomena, advocating for a scientific approach despite skepticism. The publication aims to present evidence, eyewitness testimony, and official reports, encouraging a more open and less dismissive public attitude towards UFOs. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of photographic evidence and the need for transparency in official investigations.

Title: CIPEX e GENA
Issue: 10
Volume: 11
Date: February 23, 1958 (raw date: 23 de fevereiro de 1958)
Publisher: CIPEx-Centro de Investigação e Pesquisa Exobiológica
Country: Brazil
Language: Portuguese

This issue of CIPEX e GENA delves into several UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings and investigations, primarily focusing on events in Brazil during late 1957 and early 1958. The content includes witness testimonies, photographic evidence, and official interest from both Brazilian and US authorities.

Investigation of the Trindade Island UFO

The report begins with an account of an investigation led by Com. Bacellar, who subjected witnesses to interrogations and took measures to prevent them from communicating. The "unknown" object was described as solid, larger than a DC-3, intelligently controlled, and possessing performance far beyond anything manufactured on Earth. A significant development was the photographic evidence obtained by a Navy sergeant and later by Sr. Baraúna. The sergeant, while photographing the island, noticed a UFO moving through the clouds and managed to capture it on film. The developed negative showed a spherical object with a distinct, thick ring, matching descriptions from other witnesses. However, the rapid movements of the UFO made it difficult to capture clear details, resulting in a somewhat out-of-focus image.

These photographs were considered important because they showed the same object described by witnesses. The issue highlights a later appearance of the UFO near Trindade Island, which was extensively publicized. This event, occurring on January 16, 1958, around 12:15 PM, involved an object seen simultaneously by multiple observers on the deck of a ship. The UFO approached the island at high speed, hovered over a peak, disappeared briefly, and then moved towards the sea. Sr. Baraúna, who was photographing ship maneuvers at the time, captured four shots of the object.

US Interest and Photographic Evidence

Following the Trindade Island sightings, on February 22, 1958, Rio de Janeiro newspapers reported that copies of Baraúna's photographs had been sent to the United States at the request of Pentagon authorities. The American ambassador in Rio informed the Brazilian government of the US interest in examining these photos and comparing them with others in the United States. The Brazilian Armed Forces High Command facilitated the immediate dispatch of the requested copies.

The "Tridente" Incident and Espírito Santo Sighting

A curious coincidence noted is the arrival of Major-General Thomas Darcy, a representative of the American Air Force and the Brazilian-US Military Junta Defense Commission, in Rio on February 26, 1958.

The issue also discusses a UFO sighting near the coast of Espírito Santo. Admiral Gerson Macedo Soares, Secretary General of the Navy, confirmed that a Navy officer had seen a UFO near the coast. Commander Pedro Moreira, the press relations officer, also confirmed the information. The sighting reportedly occurred on the Navy tugboat "Tridente" and was witnessed by several officers and sailors. This incident is linked to the date of the Baraúna case, January 16, 1958.

Further details emerge about a sighting on the coast of Espírito Santo, involving Dr. Ezio Azevedo Fundão, Director of Surgery at Pedro Ernesto Hospital, and his family. While at their summer house in Praia da Costa, Vila Velha, they observed a brilliant object hovering over the Rocky Islands for about 40 minutes. The object was described as spherical and translucent, with a silvery light and an aluminum-like ring. Its dimensions were comparable to a "Convair" aircraft. A beam of light was emitted from its underside, projecting onto the sea. The object remained stationary, unlike an airplane, and was not a meteorological phenomenon. Notably, the Barra lighthouse in the same area ceased to function while the UFO was visible. The commander of the tugboat "Prudente" also reportedly sighted the object around the same time.

Dr. Fundão stated that he was certain it was something he had never seen before. His account was published in the magazine "O Cruzeiro" on June 7, 1958.

Fernando de Noronha "Phantom Rockets"

The magazine also addresses reports from Fernando de Noronha, where unidentified objects were observed in conjunction with the testing of intercontinental rockets launched from Florida. Initially, radar operators tracked a single rocket, but then a second, similar target appeared, moving along the same trajectory. Explanations ranged from atmospheric reflections to layer inversions. However, it became clear that these "phantom rockets" were real objects, observed by numerous people on the island. Sometimes one object was seen, other times in pairs, or even entire formations of three to four unknown objects. Some followed the rockets throughout their course, while others deviated. Many had a round shape and exhibited performance characteristics indicative of UFOs, not guided missiles. These appearances occurred at regular intervals, leading to speculation that the UFOs were "patrolling the area." The informant emphasized that all these sightings were kept secret.

Publications and Research Centers

The issue concludes with a list of publications and organizations related to UFO research, including:

• In Portuguese:
• "Círculo a Amizade Sideral" (Address provided)

• In English:
• "Flying Saucer Review" (FSR) (London)
• "Austral. Flying S. Review" (Australia)
• "Cosmic Science" (Anaheim, California, USA)
• "Orbit" (Newcastle Upon Tyne, England)
• "APRO" (Tucson, Arizona, USA)
• "NZSSR" (Henderson, New Zealand)
• "OFO Informer" (Seattle, Washington, USA)

• In German:
• "UFO Nachrichten" (Wiesbaden-Schierstein, Germany)

• In Danish:
• "UFOnyt" (Rønne, Denmark)

Additionally, a specialized store in New York for UFO literature is mentioned: "Flying Saucer News" (New York).

The magazine is published by CIPEx-Centro de Investigação e Pesquisa Exobiológica, with contact information and a P.O. Box provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, photographic evidence, military and governmental interest in these phenomena, and the challenges of official investigation and secrecy. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO reports, presenting detailed accounts and seeking to corroborate them with evidence and witness testimonies. The publication aims to inform readers about significant UFO events and the ongoing research in the field, both within Brazil and internationally.