UFO Chile - Issue 01

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO Chile" from August 1967 focuses on the organization itself and presents a collection of UFO sighting reports from Chile, alongside theoretical discussions.

¿QUE ES "UFO CHILE"? (What is "UFO CHILE"?)

The inaugural article explains the origins of UFO CHILE, founded in late 1959. The group comprised a heterogeneous mix of people, with only a few remaining from the initial session. Notable early members included Miguel Arteche, in whose home the first meeting was held, and Jorge Mas, a Spaniard born in Germany who possessed extensive knowledge of UFOs. Mas viewed UFOs not just as phenomena but as a religion and a metaphysical concept, linking them to the entirety of human and universal history. The group operated without formal statutes or a strict work plan, often improvising meetings to hear witness testimonies. The core unifying element was the members' profound curiosity about UFOs. The article highlights the importance of bringing witnesses to these meetings, some of whom provided accounts of extraordinary sightings. The author, Hugo Correa, founder of UFO CHILE, speculates on the group's future, suggesting that its inquiries might culminate in a book or a periodical, with the latter potentially offering greater utility to a wider audience. He concludes that the group's best destiny lies in its continued existence and pursuit of new testimonies.

CASOS CHILENOS DE 1967 (Chilean Cases of 1967)

This section details several reported UFO sightings in Chile during 1967 and earlier years.

Case No. 1 (January 25, 1967, Valparaíso): A luminous object emitting multicolored flashes was observed by a group of people on Morris Street 741. It appeared as a first-magnitude star, located north over the sea. After hovering for about 10 minutes, it moved away and diminished in size until it disappeared. Binocular observation noted secondary flashes on the object's side. The object's immobility could lead to confusion with a planet or star, but its prolonged stationary period ruled out a satellite. The source is cited as "El Mercurio de Valparaíso."

Case No. 2 (Late January 1967, Prov. Osorno): This case, reported with reservation due to its extraordinary nature and single witness, is under investigation by UFO Chile. The witness, a professional who requested anonymity, was on vacation in Riachuelo, near the Tres Esteros estate. While resting in a wooded area, he was struck by a powerful light, causing temporary blindness. He then observed a strange clarity and, with apprehension, a "fantastic vision": a flying saucer. The witness, who had previously dismissed UFO stories, described the object as mold-colored, approximately 35 meters in diameter, hovering above the ground, without windows or doors. He noted a soft heat and a suspended energy effect. The object moved slightly to the left, then ascended vertically at high speed. The witness returned home and did not initially report the sighting, fearing ridicule. No physical traces were found the next day. The report was later published in "La Tercera."

Case No. 3 (February 27, 1967, Valparaíso): Claudio Almendras observed four UFOs in a V formation between 0:30 and 0:40 hours, and again at 1:30 and 1:40 hours, moving from northeast to southwest and then in the reverse direction at high speed. The objects stopped over the bay and then moved north. "El Mercurio de Santiago" reported that each UFO emitted blue-green light beams from its upper part, with visible domes. The objects were circular. The "Diario Ilustrado" added that one object was tracked by Navy radar and performed maneuvers impossible for conventional aircraft, and was also observed by the Air Force, though both institutions later denied registering UFOs.

ALGUNAS OBSERVACIONES SOBRE LA TEORIA DE LAS ORTOTENIAS (Some Observations on the Theory of Ortotenias)

This section, authored by Pablo Petrowitsch S., explores Aimé Michel's theory of "ortotenias" – alignments of UFO sightings.

Aimé Michel, in his article "Existe el Problema de los Platillos Voladores" in "Planeta" magazine, proposed that some discovered ortotenias might be permanent and not limited to single-day observations. An example given is the "BAVIC" alignment from September 24, 1954, connecting six points in France, with Bayonne and Vichy as extremes.

The author calculated several French alignments from 1954 and identified another with similar characteristics, termed "AUPER" by Jacques Vallée. This alignment passes through Quimper, Vannes, Cholet, Clermont Ferrand, and Au rec, where UFOs were reportedly observed on October 2, 1954. The alignment is described as quite accurate, with Quimper and Aurec coordinates calculated precisely. Clermont Ferrand lies directly on the line, while Vannes and Cholet are close by.

Reviewing other French cases, the author notes multiple observations in Clermont Ferrand on various dates in 1954 and 1958. Focusing on the September 17, 1954 sighting in Clermont Ferrand, Michel suggested it aligned with three other sightings that day: two in France (Cénon and Chaudolas) and one in Italy (Ciampino, Rome). While the exact location of Chaudolas is uncertain, the alignment is not perfectly exact, with Cénon being north of the Clermont Ferrand-Rome line. However, the "AUFER" line from October 2 passes southwest of Rome, suggesting a repeated alignment across both days, with 4 points on the first occasion and 5 on the second. Other observations near the "AUPER" line include Annonay (September 16), Concerneau (October 4 and 9), Les Aubiers and Plozevet (October 7), and Vauriat (August 29, 1962).

The author then discusses Vauriat, a little-known village identified by Michel as being on the "BAVIC" line. The pueblo is also near "AUPER." An "ortotenia" on a global scale is described as a great terrestrial circle defined by two values: its intersection with the Equator and its angle of inclination. Vallée uses 'T' and 'i' for these values. For BAVIC and AUPER, specific values are provided. Calculating the intersection of these two ortotenias yields coordinates very close to Vauriat.

Another alignment, "CAMAC" (Cherbourg, La Ferté Macé, S. Jean d'Assé, Lavenay, Monlevic, Cassis) from October 7, 1954, consisting of 6 points, passes very close to the same location. This suggests three ortotenias, possibly the best-defined among those found, intersecting near Vauriat and Gelles.

The author expresses disappointment with the "Southend-Po di Gnocca" alignment from October 15, 1952, which spanned England, France, and Italy. It does not hold for Po di Gnocca, which is east of the line. Furthermore, other observations in Northern Italy on the same day, reported by "EPOCA" magazine, reduce the alignment's significance by diminishing one of its points.

Regarding the "AUPER" line beyond France and Italy, the author has traced its trajectory through the United States and Mexico but has found only a few points in those regions.

DE NUESTRO ARCHIVO DE VEINTE AÑOS (From Our Twenty-Year Archive)

This section presents a series of historical UFO sighting reports.

July 9, 1946 (Iquique): An Army Chief reported that during a patriotic address in July 1946, all listeners were looking at the sky instead of listening. He saw a red-orange object rotating in the sky over the ocean, which disappeared after an hour.

July 7, 1947 (Algarrobo): Hernán Medina Acuña, a pharmacist and former Navy radio-telegraphist, observed three strange, moon-shaped objects (about 40 cm in diameter) hovering over houses before moving at high speed towards Santiago. The witness suffered nervous shock.

July 9, 1947 (Los Cerrillos): Guillermo de la Cerda Simoner, a former Navy officer, observed a bright silver disc from Maipú, which then disappeared at high speed.

July 10, 1947 (Santiago): Residents reported a "flying saucer" passing at an altitude of about 900 meters at high speed. Earlier, the director of the Salto Observatory had telegraphed meteorological stations to be alert for "flying discs" reported to be crossing Chilean skies.

July 11, 1947 (Santiago): A merchant, Bronislaw Mysior S., reported seeing a "flying disc" at about 900 meters altitude, coming from the Andes towards the coast. It was round, with no holes, and moved at fantastic speed. Ten minutes later, a FACH plane was observed performing maneuvers in the area. Rosamel Bustos Gaete, aged 15, also reported seeing the object and being frightened.

July 12, 1947 (Santiago): A photograph of a flying saucer was reportedly taken from San Cristóbal by the Salto Observatory. The object was described as possibly a meteorite, and the observatory had received 15 reports of flying saucers in Chile.

July 12, 1947 (Puerto Montt - Valdivia): Carlos Miranda Reyes observed a gigantic disc descending from a great height over the Calbuco volcano, described as gliding like a leaf. The object, estimated to be 50 meters in diameter, produced bright flashes and disappeared behind the mountain. A telegram from Valdivia reported a "flying disc" producing intermittent bright lights and emitting gaseous vapor, visible for about five minutes.

February 28, 1967 (Peñablanca and Limache): According to "La Tercera," strange aerial objects with visible domes, emitting red-blue lights, were seen. They flew north and later reappeared heading southwest towards Valparaíso. "La Nación" also reported this sighting, with a witness describing an orange and violet trail. Carabineros did not record the event.

A curious note mentions the Italian magazine "Tribuna Ilustrada" publishing a photo of luminous objects in formation, though their origin is not specified.

REPRESENTANTES DEL APRO CON UFO CHILE (APRO Representatives with UFO CHILE)

This section reports on the visit of APRO representatives, Jim and Coral Lorenzen, to Chile.

The Lorenzens, on their way to Brazil, met with UFO CHILE members. During a conversation accompanied by slide projections, they discussed their current UFO studies, particularly official investigations in the United States, such as the one led by Professor Edward U. Condon at the University of Colorado. The APRO experience suggests that the cases provided for analysis might not be the most significant, causing dissatisfaction among the Condon commission members. The visit aimed to strengthen ties between APRO and organizations in Chile seeking more information about UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the nature and origins of UFO organizations, the detailed reporting of UFO sightings with an emphasis on eyewitness testimony and official investigations (or lack thereof), and the exploration of theoretical frameworks like "ortotenias." The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, documenting reports, and engaging with international research efforts and theories. There is a clear effort to present factual accounts and explore potential explanations, while acknowledging the limitations and challenges in UFO research. The publication also actively seeks information and exchange with other organizations.