TRANSLATION
"EL MERCURIO", SANTIAGO, CHILE 7 July, 1965
Anxiety in Antarctic.....
CHILIAN A.F. CORPORAL PHOTOGRAPHED THE
EXTRAORDINARY CELESTIAL BODY.
Scientific circles as well as those of the National
Defense Ministry have
received with caution and some distrust the
information that a strange
celestial body was sighted in Antarctica by
personnel of the "Pedro Aguirre
Cerda" Base.
These events have added to the numerous other
mysteries which disturb scientists of several nations
stationed at the bases of the White Continent.
The I.G.Y, of '57-58 resulted in uncounted
revalations in glaciology,
astronomy, meteorology and other sciences,
centering around the different
sectors of the 14.5 million square kilometers of
earth covered by thick
ice blankets.
Nevertheless, the celestial bodies observed lately
have implanted a
question which has gone unanswered.
At the Astronomical Observatory of the Univ. of
Chile, at Cerro Colan,
astronomer Don Hugo Moreno recalls that Dr. Menzel,
notable Northamerican
specialist in solar physics, has declared that
these phenomenon are
explicable by physical actions in the atmosphere.
He nevertheless also indicated that there is no
report that an astronomer
has witnessed the passage of these objects.
Sr. Moreno indicated that the USAF maintains a
center dedicated to the
study of these celestial bodies, which appear at
diverse locations on this
planet.
SIGHTINGS
Eighteen days ago, the P.A. Cerda base announced
that, at 16:00 hours
on the 18th of June, a celestial body of the
intense luminosity of a star
of first magnitude was seen by all the personnel of
the base. It appeared
to the East of Decepcion Isle, at 60 degrees
elevation, effecting a 180
degree turn to the left to continue in an Easterly
direction. The object later turned 90 degrees to the
right, to disappear toward the South, The
strange phenomenon was visible for 40 minutes. The
meteorological conditions were those of a clear, but
dark sky.
The strong prevailing wind prevented the mounting
of equipment on tripods to photograph the "star".
DECLARATION OF WITNESSES
"El Mercurio" yesterday interviewed personnel of
the P.A. Cerda Base, The wireless conversation across
3500 kilometers was perfect. The Chilean A.F.
Commander of the base, Don Mario Jahn Barrera,
explained the phenomenon observed by all the members
of his command last Saturday in the frozen Continent:
"It is adventurous for us to say we all saw a flying
saucer, one of those science-fiction things. On the
other hand, it was something real, an object which was
moving at astonishing velocity, maneuvering, giving
off a blue-green light and caused interference in the
electromagnetic equipment at an Argentine base
which_is directly in front of ours, on a nearby
island."
The voice was heard over equipment of the
Department of Radio Operations of the Chilean A.F. on
the third floor of the Defense Ministry in this city,
with only brief periods of interference, caused by the
atmospheric phenomena in the South of the area. The
direct line was made available through the courtesy of
the Chief of Public Relations of the Chilean A.F.
Group Commander Don Jose' Berdichewsky, at 16:00 hrs.
yesterday.. Radio contact lasted for twenty minutes.
FOTOGRAPHED
The voice of Commander Jahn continued: "This is the
second time, in less than a month we have observed
these celestial bodies. The first was the 13th of last
June, and then this Saturday at 19:20 hrs. It was
during this last case that the entire crew witnessed
the object, while they were making daily atmospheric
measurements. The object was of red-yellov color,
varying to green, yellow and orange. It was at a short
distance, at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to
us, over the extreme North of the Island, later moving
in a zig-zag course. In one of it's maneuvers, it
remained stationary in the air. Quickly, with the
equipment at hand, theodolites, binoculars, we
remained stunned as we observed the celestial body,
motionless in that spot in space for about 20
minutes."
"WE PHOTOGRAPH IT"
Without interrupting his narration, Cmdr. Jahn,
with excited, but certain words, announced what he
considered the most important aspect of the
observation: "Corporal Uladislao Duran Martinez, of
the crew, quickly looked for his camera, and tools:
more or less ten photographs, which, regarding his
experience will be perfect. He not only took the
photographs, but took them with a theodolite and
binoculars to get a more perfect picture."
"Unfortunately, here at the base we have no
laboratory for processing color photographs, so that
the Chilean A.F., as well as ourselves will have to
wait until next March, when our crew is rotated. Only
then may we make a further study of the case."
Asked about the form of the object, he indicated
that the sighting was at night, with a clear, but
dark, sky, and that the light of the object, already
described was the fundamental feature of the sighting.
"Don't Know of Anything Similar"
He was asked for a more personal impression of the
phenomenon, to inquire if, in his opinion, this could
have been an extraterrestial "flying saucer". He
stated: "It is adventurous to give an opinion in that
respect, but our observation did not involve a
hallucination of a collective psychosis. We are at the
base for scientific reasons, and we try to analyze
from this point of view, whatever we observe. But, I
can say it was not a star, because it had a rapid and
continued movement. To me it was a celestial object
which I cannot identify. I do not believe it could
have possibly been an aircraft constructed on earth. I
belong to the Air Force, and my knowledge of man made
aircraft does not include anything like this, because
of it's shape, velocity and maneuverability in the
air. etc."
"SIGHTED AT THREE BASES"
To corroborate his point of view, that the object
was real, he stated that later, while in communication
with the English base, he learned that the personnel
of that base reported seeing an object the size of a
first magnitude star the day before. This
communication came at 20:30 hrs.
In another location, the same thing took place with
the personnel of the Orcadas, Argentine base, at
almost the same time. There, the great certainty that
the sighting was of a strange, solid object was
supported by certain abnormal interferrences in
electromagnetic equipment, from the moment the object
appeared.
He later indicated that the members of his crew
returned to routine tasks after discussing the matter.
"In all, this is the second time we've seen something
like this,.....We're getting used to it" the men
agreed, in a kidding tone.
From that moment, communication with the antarctic
base grew less audible. The voices sounded far away,
and we then lost modulation.
Finally. Comandante Berdichewsky saluted the chief
of the Pedro Aguirre Cerda Chilean A.F. Base, and sent
a few words for the rest of the crew, Lt. H. Benavides
Bercerra; Sgts. L. Moza Tobar, A. Vera Pinochet, H.
Perez Mendez and J. Silva Diaz; Corporals U. Duran
Martinez (Who took the photos), J, Urrea Retamal,
R.Astorga Carrano, W. Benavide's Gangas, and J.
Alarcon Gomez; and meteorologist Don Angel Concha
Caldera.
END
Translated by NICAP-NYC Subcommittee July 26, 1965