UFO Chile - Issue 02

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO Chile, dated October 1967, focuses on spectacular UFO cases, with the lead story detailing a two-day observation of unidentified flying objects by scientists in Antarctica. The magazine also explores the concept of 'ortoteny' (alignments of sightings) and presents several Chilean UFO cases from 1967.

Scientists Observe UFOs Over Antarctica for Two Days

The primary article recounts an extraordinary event during the Second International Geophysical Year (1956-1958). Four Chileans, including two scientists, a helper, and a sergeant-paramedic, were stationed for a month on Robertson Island in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica. Their mission was to study the region's geology, fauna, and flora using a portable radio transmitter and other equipment.

In early January, amidst stormy weather, their radio equipment failed, cutting off communication with the outside world. On January 8th, Dr. Tagle, who habitually observed the sky for meteorological phenomena, woke Professor Barros. They witnessed two metallic, cigar-shaped objects hovering vertically and motionless in the sky. The objects were described as having a burnished, compact appearance with smooth metallic surfaces, clearly indicating an artificial origin. Their apparent size was comparable to that of a full moon.

The two objects remained stationary for some time. Around 9 AM, one object (Object One) abruptly shifted to a horizontal position and moved westward at incredible speed, transforming from a metallic sheen into a light that cycled through the visible spectrum. It executed sharp turns and maneuvers, moving with extreme velocity and complete silence. After about five minutes, it returned to its original position near the second object (Object Two), which had remained still. Object Two then engaged in a series of sharp, erratic flights eastward, also displaying color changes. After three minutes, it rejoined Object One, regaining its metallic appearance.

Following this display, the expedition's Geiger-Miller detectors revealed a 40-fold increase in ambient radioactivity, a discovery that intensified the crew's fears. The temperature was around -21 degrees Celsius. The men were unable to concentrate on their work, feeling like microorganisms under a microscope. They managed to take photographs of the objects in both color and black and white, despite lacking telephoto lenses.

Professor Barros, a rational scientist, struggled to accept the phenomenon but became convinced it was non-human. He estimated the objects' altitude at 8,000 meters and their length at approximately 150 meters, with a diameter of 25 meters, based on a cloud's shadow. Using a polarization lens, Barros directed a light beam at the objects. Object One emitted an intense light and descended significantly, appearing to be about three meters long, like a small automobile. Dr. Tagle thought he saw a hatch on its upper part, though Barros did not corroborate this.

Tagle's reaction to this descent was extreme; he kicked and destroyed the polarization lens. Object One then ascended again. Barros calculated its speed during another flight at 40,000 kilometers per hour, nearly escape velocity. The instantaneous acceleration and deceleration implied immense inertial forces, suggesting a propulsion system far beyond conventional understanding.

Later that night, a blizzard began. Around 2 AM, the radioactivity levels decreased, and the psychological tension eased. The men felt the objects had departed. The next day, radioactivity returned to normal, and the sky cleared, revealing the objects were gone. On January 20th, a helicopter rescued the four men. They reported their experience to a Chilean naval officer who was not surprised, stating that such observations were common in Antarctic expeditions.

In Support of Ortotenies

This section discusses the concept of 'ortoteny' or alignments of UFO sightings, referencing the work of Jacques Vallée and Aimé Michel. The author argues that while Vallée's critiques of ortoteny's accuracy are largely valid, Michel's observation that some alignments repeat over time is significant. The article provides examples from France (1954) and Italy, highlighting cases where multiple observations on different days form consistent lines.

One notable example is the 'BAMOP' alignment, which connects Vannes, Chateaumillant, and Morestel on October 2nd, 1954, and Plozevet, Montlevic, and Beauvoir on October 7th, 1954. Calculations show these points align with a great circle passing through Vannes and Morestel, with minor deviations for other points. The article also mentions other cases, such as 'BRAMS' and 'VIGNO', which show remarkable similarities and near-parallel alignments with observations in France and Morocco.

A Recent South American Alignment

On the 20th anniversary of the 'Arnold case' (June 24th), numerous observations were reported in southern South America. The article highlights a well-defined alignment of five points in Argentina, defining a line that intersects the equator at 36° 50′ W with an inclination of 5° 59′, showing deviations of less than 1.5 km for each point. This alignment, when projected into France, connects two cases from the same day.

Further examples of alignments are presented, including those from September 27, 1954, in France, and other isolated points in Brazil and France. The author offers to share details of the logarithmic calculation method used for these alignments.

Chilean Cases of 1967

This section details several UFO sightings reported in Chile during 1967:

• Case No. 4 (November 27, 1967): Near Llay-Llay, a reporter, a company executive, and TV cameramen observed a strange, luminous object with multi-colored lights. It moved with impossible agility, ascending, descending, and emitting lights, and was seen near an airplane that made a sharp turn towards Santiago.
• Case No. 5 (November 12, 1967): In La Reina, Santiago, a physicist observed a luminous, cigar-shaped object rotating like a gyroscope at an estimated altitude of 100 meters, disappearing at high speed.
• Case No. 6 (March 18, 1967): In Villa Alemana, a subterranean explosion-like sound was heard, followed by a large yellow light in the air. The event caused significant cracks in a house, and the object was described as resembling a flying saucer.
• Case No. 7 (May 9, 1967): Near Antofagasta, a mysterious fireball was reported to have fallen south of the Baquedano station, prompting a search by Carabineros.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on detailed accounts of UFO sightings and related phenomena, emphasizing scientific observations and unexplained events. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFOs, presenting evidence and analysis without outright dismissal. The inclusion of scientific expeditions, researchers' theories, and detailed case reports suggests an effort to approach the subject with a degree of rigor, while acknowledging the mysterious and often inexplicable nature of the phenomena. The recurring theme is the persistent presence of unexplained aerial objects and the challenges they pose to conventional scientific understanding.