's} JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATION VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3 AUTUMN, 1998, ISSN 0892-2310 A Publication of the Society for Scientific Exploration Physical AnalysesPhysical Analyses in Ten Cases of Unexplained Aerial Objects, with Material Samples! scours F Vanes 80am an Fen CAO [Abstract—A svoj often sco meals srl phsteta ea {nary of whch re metalic in atare. They eas bo roughly lescibed a be THeeg in trocagarex ‘pt naan’ ot Wh combctiy chao lr mince o nara prove, Most erate ‘pevinesrre™ fore tenon tation in a mn Served aval objt, snd phys alsa ben performed acompe {ent tory of nova Telablly In seve asancs he samples fam chin ef everest of pfeios! ed vesigaon ow es ‘ambled dele eonlen abut he ate ofthe penomes fat ve teat teh pein bt acho be lear fn he metodo {Eveled a such aegis Purbemor, compan of rma ese ns _Reytort: UFO UFO siegs—physeale “The combination ofa tliabe sighting cf anunexplined aval object with he recovery of derable physal specimen sare. Wailethe media ten llode fo sentonal finds and at eat ore Termer military iteligete ofcer bas tet. ‘Ataore mode! evel in the conse of ities gations ef he plenon- non arvund the world, evan reaarohers ating piesa have patent Sembled the embryo of sample collecion stating fom physi specimens feperedy gaheredat teste ofa clone encounteror"maewer” (pe sipht- ing! "The resent paper summarise the data, stressing methodology while ro feasing from propesing premature explinaions ft the origin ofthe samples, ‘Weestved to fid those cases where) te Iterature gives sain! groundto tetany iden ao Opt Wong Bo ok 39360 JNallee support the fact that an unusual aerial phenomenon occurred. 2) the eircum- stances of the actual recovery of the specimen are reparted, 3) there is data to suggest thatthe specimen is infact linked to the observed aerial object, and 4) physical analysis has been performed by a competent laboratory of known reli- ability. In several cases the sample is available for continuing study by inde- pendent scientists, In the present paper we will try to establish the frequency of such eases and the type of analysis they suggest. In conclusion we will exam ine hypotheses that may deserve further testing Statistical Frequency of Physical Sample Cases Inman excellent catalogue compiled 'by Mr. Larry Hatch? and made available to rescarchers and to the general public one finds 15,181 unexplained serial Phenomena reports that have been tabulated in computer-readable form. We have broken down these eases according to the classification system used by this author (Vallee, 1990) in order to bring out the distribution of incidents across various situations, Under this classification, inspired feom Hynck's def- inition of elore encounters (Hynek, 1972), each case is given atype and a cate- gory: Hynek used a single digit representing the “kind or type of incident, anging from “1” for asimple sighting and"2" for physical effects to “3 "for re- port of a lifeform or living entity, We have extended this typology using “'" i cases when witnesses experienced a transformation of their sense of reality (often corresponding to the popular characterization of the incident as an "at duetion”) and "5" in cases of Tasting physiological impact, such at serious i lury or death, ‘The categories to Which thé typology is applied range from "CE" for close bnebunters and "MA" fot ianexvers (trajectory discontinuity) to "FB" for fly by (mo observed discootinuity in Aight) and “AN™ for simple anomalies in ‘which no UFO was reported: unusual lights or unexplained entities fall into this last category. Using this classification we would speak of a particularcase co. CE-3 inet fent, or aMA-2 incident. ef. leading to the simple matrix of Table 1, which stoves « convenient way for establishing a haceline in comparing reporte rom various countries or from various epochs. ‘When the Hatch catalogue is mapped into this classification the resulting listributlon is that of Table 2, showing 3,173.cazes af physical effects, or 215 he wuinor i eepecaliy dsb io De Peer Saresk, De Hane Pahl. Raboet Woe Ae rand vos Ludurper and Mr Jahn Schoelerfir bso in along materia or com nnicating de 1h trou Findings on valaus samples mentioned In hail. eww reepaiion wo posers this ecearc, suchas De Gtavo Fons in Braid Jim and Coes! Levenen inthe US. Aveseance vom Meves. Robert Alien, Ricardo Vcher, Rickare Masia and Mark Ura in seraing ances 1 ssrons specimens i gully tchactlalged, Sereal cawcspandeass, aeuabty Rober Kinch, ‘ere Lagrange, ames MeCampbel, anf foe ase, ave cliche tho savenonf epee mes an esac es. "Laney Hitch srmpatrctaogse i eb os hin in baie frat ander she BOS operating iste ronson tide IBM-comgaibe PCs Hades [42 ater ioe, Rotwond City. Cah he levenesPhysical Analyses af UFO-Related Samples 361 TABLE! (Cssfcation of Aromalion Bel mi ae i FL ye | | a) | ° = jo, = FI. ae N*- a x é of the catalogue, broken down 2s follows: 90.re associated with simple anom- ‘lies. 19 with a ly-by, 1.782 with maneuvers and 1,284 with close encounters I should be noted that we are using the January 1997 version of the Hatch eat- ‘alogue, which isan evolving entity, Statistics performed on other versions may er from those given here, In Table 2, “physical effects” may refer to soil disturbances, broken tree limbs, rushed grass, bumed areas. orto a Variety of electromagnetic offect ABLE? Icons Frequency inthe Hatch Calalogve co T 7 3 7 3 tases Siping —fipset Tae Ra PaetapeT esr Tansmaton Ble AN Asonaly ow ™ ae FR Myte ar 2 1 ee MA Manaiver a 6 aso, Ce er Frere as naz eth 488 ee See toe noe362 Vallee ‘The Alleged Crash at Aurora (Texas): April 17, 1997. In order to provide some background to the analysis that follows, itis inter- sting to note that allegations of extraterrestrial “crashes” are nothing new and did not even begin in the present century, 4m the course af a survey of early acrial phenomena in the United States, Donald Hanlon and the aathor found numerous reports of sightings in the per od 1896-1897, which has become known in the literature as the “airship wave.” (Hanton é Vallee, 1967) One of the most remarkable cases had been reported on April 17, 1897 in the small town of Aurora (Texas), The story, as told im a local newspaper, stated that an unidentified object "salled over the Public square and when it reached the north part of town collided with the tower of Judge Proctor’s windmill and went to pieces with a terrific explosion, ‘callering debris over several acres.” Although Hanlon and this author regarded the story as an instance of early ‘Americana and a probable hoax (in a context remarkably similar to that of Roswell, the press went on to state that the pilot of the ship, who “was not an {inhabitant ofthis world," had died in the accident and that undecipherable pa- [ers were “found en his person”), out article re-swakened interest in the case. Tewas investigated again in 1973 by William Case, ajournalist with the Dallas Time-Herald, and by personnel from the McDonnell Douglas airaft com; ‘ny. While the 1897 story reporied that the sirship was “built of an unkeown ‘metal resembling somewhat a mixtore of aluminuit and silver.” the fragment found by Case and hit co-workers was determined to consist of aluminum (839%) and zinc (about 16%) with possible traces of mangenese and copper. The combination could originate with numerous common aluminum alloys, according to the McDonnell scientists, but not prior to 1908+ While we cite this case for completeness, itis not included in the overall analysis Case Studies The cases that follow have beew extracted from the small subiet of physical ‘fects cases where recovery of x material specimen was achieved under con- litions that are of sufficient reliability to warrant serious fallow-up. One case ‘he Council Bluffs incident of December 17, 1977) will be described in detail ther incidents drawn from the literature and listed in chronological order will vrovide the relevant backdrop. “asene. I: 1939 oF 1934, Ubatubea, near Sao Paulo (Brazil) — Classification: a2 ‘This incident came to light in 1957 through the efforts of Dr vo Fontes ‘itty J.B: MeDoneett export va the Astor coe, unpubl, 13 August 1973, The arte a ‘migstom were Reald A. and, Joseph Curey (1a 1973),Physical Analyses ef UFO-Related Samples 363 of Brazil and Jim and Cora! Lorenzen, the founders of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, a now-defunct civilian research group in the U. 8. Wit- nesses on the beach at Ubatubs are said to have reported seeing a disk that plunged toward the ocean at high speed, rose again to about 100 feet and ex nded, showering the area with bright metallic fragments, sore of which fell lo shallow water. A few of the fragments were recovered and analyzed in by Dr. Luisa Barbosa et a laboratory specialized in inineral production studies, Br. Barbosa identified the major component of the specimen as highly pure magnesium, more pure than commercially produced magnesium but pos- sibly not as pure as multiply sublimed magnesium, Subsequent work under the direction of Prof. Petet Sturrock has beth cot ducted at Stanford University end et various laboratories in France, including: Orsay University, confirming that the material was magnesium and magte- sium oxide, with a very minute amount of impurities,’ calzium and iron, Analysis of this sample is still ongoing, measure isotopic ratios that might help establish the origin of the material (Lorin & Havette, 1986).* ‘The actual date ofthis eveet, often wrongly quoted in the literature as 1957, sally imprecise. Dr. Pierre Kaufmann of Sao Paulo believes the original incident took place in 1933 or 1934 when a bolide indeed passed over Ubatuba anderashedai a nearby beach. The only aerial eventto occur at or near Ubutu- tha in 1937 was the crash of a DC-3. Case no. 2: June 21, 1047, Maury Ueland (Washington) — Classification: MA-? On the affemoan of June 21, 1947 (three days before the Kenneth Amold case} foar people who were on a boat close to the shore of Mauiry Island neat ‘Tacoma, Washington, reported an observation which hes puzzled and divided rescarchers ever since. According to the published story the withessea were Mr, Harold Dahl (a salvage operator). his fifteen-year old son and two erewinen, ‘They hod a dog with them. They reported secing a group of six large, fat doaghrut-shaped objects flying at an estimated altitude of 2.000 feet. Their central holes were about 25 feet in diameter and they glistened with a gold-sl very color. Cnc object suddenly staried wobbling and dropped (oan altitudeof 500 fect above the boat. Gne of the disks came dawn (as if ta“*help” the one in difficulty. aceording to Dahl). A dull explosion was heard and numerous sheets of light. thin metal issued fram the central opening in the troubled ob- ject. At the same time. the witnesses were showered with hot, dark fragments that resembled lava rock ar slag compared to brass in colar, The dog was re- portedty hit by one of the fragments and died. ‘A man named Fred Crisman, to whom the incident was reported, allegedly ‘Samo, Pee = Sd ya pena se Tid Aaal ergo te Sov fr See Egan, Fw ew ea “Seer. "Anu Lenape Ano" roan at sorfennce.64. J. Vallee ‘acoma slag mill” * To this author's knowledge, however, the composition of ‘original samples, assuming that they were in fact studied by the FBI, was ever telessed, Ina book he co-authored with Kenneth Amold (whose own classic observa- on took place three days later. on June 24, 1947) popular writer Ray Palmer ‘blished an analysis oF the original fragments, whose primary constituents erecalcium, irom, zinc and titanium. Also found were aluminura, manganese, 2pper, magnesium and silicon, nickel, lead. srontium and chromium. Traces ‘sllvet in and cadmium Were alsa reported. ‘Thote investigators who regard the case as @ hoax bave their opinion on the etthat it was Crisman who initially sent the samples to Ray Palmer, linking em to alleged experiences involving the "Shaver Mystery,” ascience-fiction Je of underground beings. In their opinion itis only after the Kenneth Amald ‘servation had been published thatthe story was changed to involve the al- ged UFO incident. For the purpose of this discussion we will kecp this weak se inthe present lst, but it is lear that no firm conclusion can be drawn From ‘reported facts. As Ray Palmer commented: “Therc we have it. The samples ‘stsent by Crisman and Dah! were not slag nor were they natural rock. What sre they 7" ‘ae no. 3: 1952, Washington (DC) — Classification: MA.2 According to journalist Frank Edwards a metallic fragitent coming from an ject that fell in 1952 was examined a few years later by a Canadian te- treher, Me. Wilbert Smith, The fragment had teen sawed off from the recov. sd sample, representing about one thitd ofits volume. Over one inch in size. ‘ras remarkably hand and reportedly consisted of “a matrix of magnesium or- vsilicate" composed of “particles of 15 microns.” (Edwards, 1996) Inter ‘wed by two civilian researchers, Messrs. C.W. Fitch of Cleveland (Ohio) 1 George Popoviteh of Akron (Ohio), Smith siated that a Navy pilot had sochasing aflying disk when he saw abright “scintillating” fragment detach Mf and fatto the ground, It was recovered an hour later and weighed in at grams. Smith reportedly showed the sample to Admiral Knowles. Unfor- stely there is no report of an independent analysis in the literature, and the ple is not available for further stedy. ley pe message dred Aupest 5, 1947, om THe Mary inland cate ind may penn of UFOs (ards Cas. Dele tng 9. p30 and i he bok hy Kent ‘idand tay Pata Te Coming othe Sacer, pp, 106108Physical Analyses of UFO-Related Samples 365 Case no, 4: December 14, 1954. Campinas (Brazil) - Classification: MA-2 According to American joumalist Frank Edwards (Edward, 1996) numerous ‘wimnesses in Campinas observed three disk-shaped objects in Might over the city. Again, one of them siarted wobbling wildly and lost altitude. The other ‘objects followed it down and it stabilized at an altitude of about 300 feet. At that point the troubled disk emitted a thin stream of silvery liquid. The materi- al was reported to splatter overa wide area including roofs, sirets, sidewalks, even clothes left outside to-dry. An analysis by an unnamed Brazilian govern- ‘ment laboratory is said to have identified tin (Sn)as the main component of the collected sarnples. An indepcndent anal ysis by a private chemist, Dr. Risvaldo Maffei, reported that 10% of the material was composed of other substances than tin, bur gave no precise measurements. ‘Case no, 5: November 1], 1956. Vétddd istand, Sweden — Classification: CE:2 Prof. Sturrock has custody of a sample reportedly recovered by two witness tof an aerial phenomenon (one of whom has since died). Although the mate~ rial appears to be common tungsten-carbide, the original shape af the speci men was unusual and it has not been identified as an object serving a scanveaithanal use, ‘According 10 a summary of the case compiled by von Ludwiger" he two ‘witnesses, Stig Ekberg and Harry Sjéberg were building a house on the island ‘of Viidd8, about 90 km NNW of Stockholm. «Atabout 10 p.m. Ekberg was dri- ‘ving his Ford V8 pickup when they saw a bright fying object with the shape cf a flaitened sphere 8 m. wide and 3m. high approaching from the right (From the feast) against the clear night sky. They estimated that it flew about | km in front of them at an altitude af 100 meters. Suddenly it made a sharp turn towards them, at which time the truck engine sputtered and died and the headlights ‘went oat. The object started “slowly gluing down.” It scemed to rock back and forth until it came to a sop in the middle of the road. about 100 m. in Front of them, one meter above the ground, “Ii was illuminating the sdtrounding landscape with such a tremendous amount of light that even a har, half a kilo- meter away, was visible as if the sun wae shining.” The air smefed like zone and smoldering insulation After about 10 minutes the light of the object intensified. it lifted off the round, moved to the left and up, made a sudden turn and accelerated away in the direction from which it came. At that point Ekberg was able to restart the tusk normally, and the headlights came back on. Observing that the grass at the landing ste had been flattened, they investigated further and found a shiny “tock” that was hot to the touch. It was a three-sided piece of metal abaut the size of amatchbox, and had a heavy weight. ‘Afler several unsuccessful attempts to have the sample studied, it was taken ‘on wigs veulpaev Afsertunpuhahad bn abun escaal commaniaton, oust Naa oer Dconery Selene366 3. Vallee to the SAAB airline: manufacturing company where Mr. Sven Schalin con- ducted @ theraugh analysis. Other tests were later run in laboratories in Swe- den, Denmark and Germany: The general conclusion was that the objeet was composed of tungsten ¢arbide and cobalt, consistent with manufactured prod- vets. According to von Ludwiger, “all industrial countries have companies ‘hich produce such hard metals, and the manufacturing technology is in "ple the same .. The overall quality of the material was outstanding, but not ssid! For the early 1950s." ase no. 6: July 13, 1967, Maumee (Ohio) — Classification: CE:2 ‘At 11:26 p.m. EST s collision reportedly took place near Maumee, involv= ng a car driven by two men and an unidentified light, Both witnesses were ‘oung Navy veterans, one of them & radar specialist, In their report to police hey stated they hed unexpectedly encountered an intense source of light in the siddle of the pavement while traveling West on Stitt road towards White ouse, Ohio. They could se¢ fr aatline or structure in the object. The driver Wwerved tothe left skidding for about 70 feet and expecting a-estastrephic co!- sion, Whea they stopped, however, there was no irave of the object, The pas- snger confirmed the report, adding that the light appeared “bright as a reldr’s arc”. Following the cvent the two men drove to Waterville Where they phoned po- ce. They were instructed to proceed to the Maumee Police Station and await ve arrival of the State Highway Patro}, They revisited the sccne with (wo pa- olmen. Thecar itself was examineg,as wellas the surrounding area, the road ad planted crops. No tangibte evidence was reported, except for skid marks sade by the vehicle and some damage tothe car bumper and hood. Some time ter the driver reported finding two metal Samples he retrieved in the middle {the road and some “fibrous” metal found on the car. This fibrous sample med out to contain 92: magnesium, according to Lorenzen and Condon.” Neither witness experienced any unusual sensation during the incidem, and cir health was not affected, sena, 7: Early 1970s. Kiana {Alaska} — Classifientions MA-2 In this case, where Prof. Sturrock has also obtained one of the recovered tgments, an Eskimo is reported to have found two pieces of miaterial om a ver bank near Kiana following an serial phenomenon. Each specimen is sil: 1y; lightweight, and looks as if it had been poured in a molten state from a srce-close to the ground,” "The acho indebted 0 Mark Roepe ofthe Cee or UFO Suc fr desi of the aunee, ‘sincere (Condon, E1888), Suuack.Frier estou commonkation teva Quoted wit peo,Physical Analyses of UFO-Related Samples 367 Gate na % 1975 0° 1976. Bogota (Columbia) — Classification: MA-2 “Theo students at the University of Bogota were about to take acab at 4 a.m. that night when they heard a nactllic sound-overhead. They reported secing & disk, about 12 feet in diameter, swinging in the sires if it had difficulty matn- taining its altitude of 3.000 to 3.500 feet — abviously 2 very rough estimate rinee It is notoriously difficull to estimate the distance and size of luminous ‘ebjects at night. Four other objects appeared, fying around the first one as ifto provide assistance. Sponts of liquid were then ejected from the primary object. ‘The witnesses took shelter under a txee-and watched the liquie fall on the pave ment, producing a vapor. The objects rosc and disappeated into heavy rain Clouds. After letting the material coo! down for aboat ten minates the witnest- tes were able to recaver two metal chunks, about four inches by one inch anda quarter inch thick. The fist analysis was performed in Central America by 2 thechaniea| engineer With a petroleum company. He concluded that the sample twas an alunsintum alloy with magnesium and tin. It was noamagnatic and con- tained traces of unidentified materials. He also stated that the material was ary to cut ond presented very fine granulation. In October 1985 the author ‘was given asample of this material by Mc. Ricardo Vilcher, « Latin American investigator, and brought it to the United States for analysis. Subsequent study {ed by Dr. Harold Puthoff and ourselves showed itto be formed mainly of ali- minum (93.7) with phosphorus (4.89%) and iron (0.9%) with traces of sulfur find an unexplained oxy-carbide layer.” The sample included no fluoride and fo water, contrary to most aluminum samples: fluoride is 4 eammon by-prod- ‘tet of aluminum production. One side of the specimen showed evidence of vi- ‘olen activity and bubbling. while the other side was fat, with some embedded tnaterial, possibly from the road asphalt. Its appearance was typical of an aver- heat and was indeed consistent with the blowup of a machine, although the hoax hypathesis eoutd not be totally excluded ‘The sample was subjected to analysis with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) eich produces an X-ray fuotescence spectrum, Ieading to the above composition findings. It was further analyzed with a scanning lon mass spec- troseope (SIMS) «which usex an eleciron beam in a vacuum, boring at various points into the material. This test found a sutface layer of earbon, oxygen and hitrogen, beyond which we encountered alutinum as well as magnesium (as reported by the initial analysis in Central America), with potassium, tulfur, Todium and siligon. Phesphorus and iron also showed up in race amoun's Case no. 9: December 17, 1977. Council Bluffs (fowa} — Classification: MA-2 In this incident (which is described at more length in the next section) (wo fesidenis of Council Blufts (Lowa) saw an object that crashed to the ground in the vicinity of a dike in Big Lake Park on the northern city trmits, The time nays fe Bago ape condected wth Dx, Patol was Tit pushed a alle. JF Confronts, 1990, pp 44-5.368 4. Vallee ‘Was 7:45 p.m. A bright flash was observed, fallowed by flaines eight to ten feet . When the witnesses reached the scene they found a large area of the dike covered with a mass of molten metal that glowed red-orange, igniting the ‘sas. ‘As opporcd to many of the previous eases, wher few exact times and de- ‘niled witness accounts are available, the preseat incident offers an abundance of information. Police and firefighters reached the sceae within minutes of the event, One law officer deseribed the molten mass “running. boiling down the cediges of the levee” over ap area of about faut by six feet. The ceatral portion remained warm to the touch for another two hours, There were eleven witness: es in all, eliminating the hosx hypothesis. Two of the witnesses had indepen dently seen s hovering red object with lights blinking in sequence around the Periphery. Inquiries made at Eppley Air Pictd and Offutt Air Force Base dis- ‘closed that no engine failure had taken place and there was no-aireraft opera tion inthe area.!= ‘The recovered residue was analyzed at Towa State University and the Griffin, Pipe Products company, leading to the determination hat the metal Was chiefly iron with small amounts of alloying metals such as nickel and chroma. am, This composition excludes a meteoritic origin, Case to, 10: Circa 1978. Jopaia, near Puebla (Mexico) — Classification: MA-2 While in Mexico in November 1978 the author was told by locl investiga- ‘818 of the fall and recovery of a metallic residue following an observation of an usknovn acrial phenomenoa in the mountains near Puebla. The object Was ‘eportedly composed of iron with silicgn (1.13%) and traces of manganese (0.84%), chromium (0.77%) and carbon (0.28%),"? ‘Analysis of the Council Bluffs Case ‘The weather in Council Bluffs the evening of Saturday, December 17, 1977 ‘as overcast with & 2,500 foot ceiling, rees Fahrenheit. Wind was from the WNW at 16 mph, with gusts ta 25 mph. ‘he town is located on the southeaster shore of the Missouri river in lows, cross from the city of Omaha (Figure 1.) The object hit the ground in the icinity of “Gilbert's Pond” in Big Lake Park across the Missouri from Epp- ‘airport. The cxact street address is 1900-N. Eighth strec, It fella a point 16 2et from the paved road and 6 feet fromthe top of the levee, burning an area 4 et wide by 9 feet long. There was a secondary burn area 27 feet away on the de of the dike, measuring about 2:by 4 feet. Some samples of the inaterial were embedded in the ground in both areas at ne-eratet Was discovered. There was an indentation 2 to 3 inches deep and any metal spherules were found scattered about the area, particularly toward "retegbocecanverasion with snigatrs, September 178.Physical Analyses of UPO-Related Samples 369 i} sao S=:— et fae _ {remenatchy — _— Maartaitord THB + ro ene ano Fig. A ciny map of Couacit Bate370 J, Vallee: ‘many methl spherules were found scattered about the area, particularly toward the Northeast. The initial witnesses were Kenny Drae andi his wife Carol, and Kenay's 12- year old nephew Randy Jamet, Two other witnesves, Mike Moore and his wife ‘Criss, reported acing a hovering red object with lights as they crossed 16th street on their way downtown along Broadway avenue, Criss reported “a big ‘ound thing hovering in the sky below the tee tops. It was hovering. t wasn’t moving,” She added that she saw red lights aroiind the perimeter of the abject. blinking in sequence. A middle-aged couple who saw the event spoke to the investigators by telephone, stating that they had seen “a bright red object rock~ ‘et to the ground near Big Lake” ht tefused to be idertified. Four teenagers in ‘asmall foreign car spoke to the Drakes atthe time of the incident but did not make a repon. Secondary witnesses who observed the metal were Jack E. Moote, assistant fire chiet (who took the 911 calf ftom Kenny Drake), police officer Dennis Murphy and Rober, Allen, who had served in the Air Force and wrote @ ‘weekly astronomy column for & local newspaper. Mr. Moore stated that the ‘center of the metal mass was too hot ta touch when he arrived on the scene about 8 p.m., only 15 mintites after the initial incident, and that it remained so for about an hour. Investigation proceeded as follows: Measurements taken a! the impact point by Robert Allen indicate the object was traveling from the Southwest £9 the Nottheast. Samples of the object were sent to the Ames Laboratory atthe [ows ‘State University, and others were taken to the Griffin Pipe Products Company, ‘The material was determined to be carbon steel, “probably man-made,” of 8 {ype common in manufacturing, The following four hypotheses were exam- ined A. Hoas by Unkxown Persons Pouring Molten Metal on the Ground ‘A check was made with every metal firm in the metropolitan area which has the memotest possibility of mabstaining mcial in a molten state. Griffin Pipe is the only company which has the capability for producing « similar product. Mr. Linton Stewart, Works Manager thre, stated that they “drop the bottoms” from their cupolas on Friday afternoon and do no pouring until Monday. The -melting point is close to 2500 F, which would require transporting in a brick ‘oven of 6 inch thickness with a large truck, keeping the materia) ut the melting Paint, Conctusion: negative. 1B Hoax by Unknown Persons Using Thermite ad Ordinary Meal Prof. Frank Kayser, of lowa Statc University, observed that one mi leet the splatters from a casting or welding operation i Mysiey Raming jet Detnicey ot Meee.” aaa Wels sara. 20 esembes 197Physical Analyses of UFO-Related Samples a surround it with thermite powder and ignite it, heating the metal to th 1000 degrees C range. A coaling rate appropriate 19 wrought-iron microstructere could beachieved by speaying water on the mixture, However the material was im a molten state when the witnesses arrived, The farface of the ground w: frozen to a depth of at least-+ inches and the alr was-ut 32 F. Under such condi tions, cooling by water spraying would have generated considerable amounts of jce. A check made with chemical and construction firms in the arca dis- closed no source of thermite. Negative conclusion, Piece of Equipmient from Aircraft Because of the ptoximity to Eppley Air Field it was thought the object could have fallen from an aircraft landing on the runway heading 320 degrees. How ever a check with the sirport indicated no abnormal aircraft activity at the time, Al] airlines eperating into Eppley Field responded that they had f= rival using that runway which would bring an aircraft within the vicinity ofthe impact site (Braniff had landed at 7-32 p.m.) Funbermore the aireraft would be ow and the metal could not be heated by the air to the meiting point while falling, Negative conclusion, Bi. Meteorisic Impact a ‘There was no significant crater. the material remained ia a molten state quite ong, the composition is not compatible with meteoritic natare as noted above {very low nickel element in particular) and the spectrographic analysis did not jose any metal components which should be an integral part of meteoritic materials, Negative. ‘The material sent to Ames Laboratory at lowa State University was lyzed by Dr. Robert S. Hansen, director of the Ames Energy and M sources Research Institute. The material was found to consist of rolid met slag and white ash inclusions in the slag, These were examined by X-ray flu rescence, electron beam microprobe and emission microscopic techniques ‘endet the supervision of Edward DeKulb-of the analytical spectroscopy sec tion. ‘Aanes’ findings were as follows: “The metal is chiefly trom with wery soabl ‘amounts (1ess than 1%) of alloying metals such as nickel and chromium. The slag is a foam material containing metsitic iron and ateminum with smaller amounts of magnesium, "The white ach was found to be caleium, with some mi Tnvthe course of research and follow-up for this paper the author contacted Mr. Robert Allen, wh confirmed that the cave had remained unsolved after twenty years."* He kindly supplied ws with copies of his correspondence with Air Force Space Systems, who had stated that in their opinion the material was "aoharsilaphone conventions an vonmapamaence wih R.Allen, Sepremter 1999.am 1. Vallee not gpace debris from a mansmade object. ctting four reasons: (1) reentesing spacecraft debris does not impact the Earth's surface in a molten state (2) the 35-to 40-pound mass lef no crater or indentation, (3) reported visual sighting ‘was at an altitude of only 500 0 600 fect, where reentering debris would not be glowing ond (4-the lack of structural indications is inconsistent with space de- bis. Biscussion of Element Frequency ‘The samples described in the ten cases we have reviewed ere summarized in ‘Table 3. They belong, broadly speaking, in two major classes: samples resem- bling slag or industrial residue, and light silvery alloys, with one incident (case no. 2, Maury Island) involving both types of materials. Unfortunately, as we have seen, the analysis ofthe original samples in this particular case was never released by authorities, and we can only referto sources of dubious reliability. Te incidents involving slag-like material one primarily finds iran with traces, of chromium, manganese and silicon, notably in Jopals and in Council Blue. ‘tn cases involving light silvery material we find references to magnesium (cases 1, 3 and 6) and aluminum (cuses | and #), nf mentioned in trace amounts. Some of the details of the composition remain puizeting: We cannot accoitnt far the very high degree of purity of the Ubatuba magnesivin sample, or forthe absence of water and fluoride in the Bogota specimen. ‘We have encountered no case af unknown elements ahd no case with ad- vanced technology materials exhibiting an untsual structure. However the samples, as analyzed. appear to be consistent with the accounts given by wit- nesses, lending credibility to the reports in spite of their sometimes extraordi- nary details, ‘In summary, the analysis supports the thesis that sn unidentified phenorme- hom has heen repeatedly observed in various parts.0f the world over «long pe- riod, that it manifests throogh a physical, materist support, and that i is amenable to scientific study. On the other hand, the patterns observed in the composition of the samples at our disposal do not point 1 any-clear hypothesis for the nature of the phenomenon. ‘The fact that no exotic composition was found in these ten cases cannat be used to negate the theory that an advanced technology of unknown origin may have generated the samples. In the case of our own automobile industry, for ‘example, environmentally-compliant engines produce more mundane exhaust (auch as pore water} than older modets, where one could find carmplex combi- nation of gases. Liquid Metal Technology ‘The similarities between many of the above cases point to a common sce- nario for the generation of the recovered samples: metal is observed 10 be ejected in molten form by an unidentified acrial object, commonly describedPhysical Analysesof UFO-Related Samples m3 TABLES ‘Summary of Sample Com pasion Sie Leeann “ae “Ligh Silvery Allo Me Peary Setonsany Primary Secondary 1 Vesta nove Me ALCae 2 Maury isa Fe Si. CouNLPHCE —Ag.SA Ct Zn. ALM. Ma, Se 3 Wastingian owe Mg.si Campinas o0e S07 G08) 5 sweden WéS4.91). Gort. one 20.6%), Feta 38) 6 Maumee one Mgo2s) 7 one ves 8 Boga ae ANOS) PUSHY 9 Couns Fe NiceMa SLT ene suite 10 dopala Pe ‘5K1%).ManO.8%) ene no. 88),c10 38) -adisk, occasionally as a vehicle fying ian unstable condition. The materi al, in iquid form, falls over a feirly wide area where i takes minutes te hours to ool down, When analyzed, it urns out to be made up of common terrestrial ef- ‘ements, often ina form resembling ordinary industrial byproducts, Given this scenario, itis appropriate to ask under what conditions one right Want to use liqeid metal ina flying vehicle, In the words of J. R. Bumby of the University of Durham, “the high conductivity of liquid metals makes them an attractive means of current collection for homopolar machines.” (Bumby, 1983) Bumby goes on to cite a number of such machines, both superconduct- ing and non superconducting, that have been built (Watt, 1958: Doyle, 1974 Chabreric et al, Mailfert, 1972) and ane that is commercially available (Lewis, 1971), Similatly, liquid metal designs have been proposed for magne- ta-hydrodynemie (MHD) generators, fer the decomposition of toxic wastes and for superconducting airborne platforms (Southall & Oberly, 1979). How. ever the composition of the liquidswsed in such machines is radically different from the list of elements found in Table 3, A8 noted by Bumby, “At room tem- perature the only pure liquid mctal is me#cury. although at slightly higher tem- atures gallium (29.8 degrees C) and sodium (97,8 degrees C) become liq- id.” Actual machines are using sodium-patassivm and gallium-indium rixtures as curreni conductors, thus rinimizing Wear and frietion. The latter14 J. Vallee s liquid abowe 15.7 degrees:C. Yet none of these elements has been identified among the samples we have reviewed. ‘A different approach has been proposed by J. Roser in correspondence with the author, Noting the composition of the Bogota specimen as mentioned in our eatlfer publication'® he hypothesized a nuclear design for the object's ower plant, utilizing direct energy conversion rathe: than a heat driven me- chanical prime mover, “A closed cycle MHD generator using a liquid metal ‘working fluid with no vapor staging pumping could be configured im atorus or sineular shape and would make very litte noise due 0 the lack of moving gars.” he wrote, adding that the nuclear process known as beta decay might allow the design to extract a surplus of power in the form of free electrons. Assuming a working fluid of Aluminum 27 plus some percentage of Phos- shorus 31 (solitary stable isotopes of their respective elements) Roser specu- ‘ates that depleted fuid might need to be occasionally ejected: “This discarded material would contain Al.27, P31, iron from original melt or housing era- sion, plus isotopes of nuclei close to aluminem and phosphores such as Me. Na Si and 8,” Accordingly he suggests isotopic analysis ofthe Bogota sam ple todetermine if it revenks anomalous isotopes such as Si.32 ¢halflife 280 years) which would indicate # nnelear-hased power source. ‘Conclusion Reports of unasval metallic residue following the observation of am tne plained seriat phenomenon are detailed enough for a comparative study to be tundertaken. This research is hampered, however, by several problems of rmethodotogy where lack af money or analytical resources is only a secondary obstacle, The primary concerns have to do with inaccuracies in data gathering. lack of informatian about exact dates and times, lack of detailed, critical field investigation, and failure to pravide an irrefutable chain of evidence in the col- lection, transportation and examination ofthe samples In spite of these shortcomings (which could be addressed through the setting up of better standards and through collaborative agreements among investiga tors) this paper has show n that significant progress had been madetowards the analysis of a number of relevant incidents. In one case at least (Cownei! BEafFs) the conditions of witness availability and reliability, on-site testimony by law enforcement officers, chain of custody and timely analysis were met. Other cases, such as Ubatuba and Bogota, are sufficiently intriguing {0 encourage investigators to expand their wark in the field ‘Over the years discussions of the UPO issue have remained narrowly pola ized between advoeates and adversaries of a single theory, namely the ex- tratemrestrial hypothesis (ETH), defines! as contact with an alten ¢ivilfeation originating in another solar system in our viiveese. This fixation on the ETH has narrowed and impoverished the debate, precluding examination of other Pale, 1 Contains, 17 HR -S.Physical Analyses of UFO-Related Samples a5 possible theories of the phenomenon. To the extent that recovered samples did ‘fot show an exotic composition oF complex structure supporting their precon- Ceived hypothesis, both sides of the extraterrestrial argument lost interest in the cases, In the viow of the present author such lack of follow-up is unfortu- nate, becanse much could be learned from comparative analysis of such mat rial even if it is mundane, Therefore our hope is that further field research may: te stimulated by publication of the present survey. References bRemby: JR (19851, Superconducting Rotating Electrica! Machines food: Clarendon Press. (Chabreric 2, Fene,C. and Maitfen. A. (1972). Ponded rotor, dest sumem seve mo#or ‘nth sapercoeducing felt wind, Pre. App Supercond Coa. Anaapolis, Corse, #1 (1999). The Day after nswell. New York: Pocket BOO Bie on Sage et operomtine die yes Adv Crm En 16 ‘Baurucs. (1966), Flying Saucer — Serows Busines, New York: Bante. Hielon, D. & Vallee, 1 F106). Arahins aver Tena, hing Sancer Revs 13.1 2049 the sue nue, ae alvthe ler on page 27. Hytet J.-A. TD) The OPO Experience. Chicage: Henry Regnery [diss D.L1167). Practical homopaar rachis. Uye of liguid rt tp cings. J Si Toh. EEG valine meat Hep i mchne ndetr le 9 Bt Lenin, CA Havete, A. 1986, Fetonic wad Blemensat Chorsctericoiion ofa Mperivm Som ‘eof Untnon Origin Collected in Bro! 1957. Unpabtished pape pettonal communion, “Socios, Hand Oherly. ©; {1929}. Sytem considerations fr airborne, high power super ‘contig generators FEC Mag15. 1,711 ‘alloc F (1000). Confomtoions New York. Ballantine. Append ep, 231-244. Mata (1958) Tho evelopm andoperstion ata 1 Kew honopolarreneratoe with me'y rushes. TSE paper 26061 p. 233.Afterword (October 2008) Following publication of this paper, | have become aware of other studies of metallic samples corre- lated with sightings of unexplained objects. lam indebted to N.A. Reiter and Patricia Mason for information about a case that took place in Newark, Ohio in the summer of 1996. Mr. Bennie Foggin observed a box-like, dark object glide low over his house. It was silent, except for a scraping sound, and was the size of a large jetliner. The object dropped a “blob of solidified and still hot aluminum.” It was 10 years before the sample could be properly analyzeed at Frontier Analytical Services in Cleveland, where Phyllis Budinger and colleagues performed infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersive Spectroscopy. The sample was primarily aluminum with secondary elements including Silicon, carbon, magnesium and calcium. An X-ray scan shows a homogeneous internal structure with some small (under 1 mm) spots or speckles that appear to be bubbles. The National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) reported in 1996 that an analysis of a sample recovered in Nevada by Las Vegas businessman Bob White after an observation of a large, bright object close to the road showed a composition of 85% aluminum, 9% silicon and minor constituents including iron (2%), and calcium (0.9%). This brings to twelve the number of metallic samples recovered and analyzed following close encounters with unidentified flying objects.