Un rapport sur l'enquête d'échantillons de magnesium d'une explosion d'ovni au-dessus de la mer dans la région d'Ubatuba du Brésil

Analyse spectrographique

L'analyse officielle des 2 morceaux métalliques pris de l'échantillon n° 1 fut réalisée le 24 septembre 1957, par le chef chimiste de la Section Spectrographique du Laboratoire de Production Minérale, le docteur Luisa Maria A. Barbosa. Une exposition de routine fut initialement faite, pour identifier le métal dans l'échantillon. Une des pièces métalliques fut brûlée dans un arc entre des électrodes standards lors d'une exposition de durée limitée. Le métal dans l'échantillon fut identifié comme du magnesium. Puis une 2ᵉ exposition, utilisant l'autre pièce métallique, fut réalisée pour déterminer la pureté du métal et détecter d'autres éléments pouvant être présents dans l'échantillon. Cette exposition fut réalisée selon une méthode spéciale prescrite pour les analyses très sensibles utilisant un grand spectrographe Hilger pour des résultats plus précis et plus fiables. Le rapport officiel sur cette analyse spectrographique, signé par le docteur Barbosa, fut reçu quelques jours plus tard (figure 1A; traduction, figure 1B). La conclusion fut que le magnesium dans l'échantillon était d'une pureté inhabituelle sans inclusion détectable d'autres éléments. Mais comme j'attendais une description plus détaillée des résultats de l'analyse, je me rendis au laboratory le 30 septembre 1957, pour rencontrer le docteur Barbosa et demander des explications supplémentaires. Je tentais de lui faire comprendre la nécessité d'un rapport plus détaillé incluant des données techniques sur les lignes de spectre enregistrées sur la plaque photographique. Nous discutâmes pendant presque 1 h. Elle dit que je n'avais aucune autorité pour évaluer son travail, que si j'étais chimiste je serais satisfait de son rapport, etc. J'ai essayé de la contredire mais elle refusa de prendre en compte ma demande d'un autre rapport. À la fin je lui ai posé des questions sur l'interprétation des données spectrographiques. Voici un résumé des questions et réponses :

Est-ce que votre analyse a montré la présence de magnesium de pureté inhabituelle et l'absence d'autres éléments métalliques ?

Oui, j'ai identifié sur le film l'ensemble des lignes habituelles et inhabituelles de l'élément magnesium. Il n'y avait aucun autre élément métallique dans l'échantillon, pas même ce que l'on appelle des "élements sous forme de trace" habituellement détectés dans les échantillons métalliques.

Votre rapport suggère que le métal dans l'échantillon est absolument pur au sens spectrographique sense, avec un pourcentage de 100. Pourquoi ne citez-vous pas cette conclusion intéressante ?

Parce qu'un métal pur au sens spectrographique peut toujours contenir d'autres constituants qui pourraient être présent dans votre échantillon et toujours échapper à la détection. La méthode a ses limites. Différents composés ou état de combinaison du même élément, par exemple, ne sont pas distinguables par l'analyse spectrographique. La plupart des éléments non métalliques ne sont pas détectés par elle et les exceptions sont très rares. Dans ce cas particulier, il peut s'agir d'un mélange des éléments trouvés avec n'importe lequel de ses composés, ou une combinaison chimique de n'importe quels de ces éléments non métalliques comme le sel, par exemple, malgré le fait que l'apparence de l'échantillon suggère que l'élément soit sous sa forme métallique.

Détaillerez-vous la planche spectrographique pour moi ?

Bien sûr. Ici [me montrant le film] vous pouvez voir 5 spectres. Le spectre correspondant à l'échantillon analysé est le 1er, en haut du film. Il montre un certain nombre de lignes de spectre avec des forces différentes, mais toutes appartiennent au même élement elles représentent le spectre du magnesium. Les 4 autres spectres ont été réalisés à des fins de comparaison. Le 3ᵉ est également un spectre de magnesium et correspond à un sel de magnésium chimiquement pur, CO3Mg. Le spectre restant est le spectre de comparaison ud fer, Fe.

Une photocopie de la planche spectrographique de Barbosa fut demandée plus tard et obtenue.

Pour confirmer les résultats de la 1ʳᵉ enquête et afin d'obtenir une évaluation plus précise des conclusions, j'ai demandé une 2ᵉ analyse spectrographique du matériau. Elle fut réalisée le 24 octobre 1957. Un autre morceau métallique de l'échantillon n° 1 fut placé sous le spectrographe de Hilger par Elson Teixeira qui a pris en charge depuis 15 ans les analyses spectrochimiques du Laboratoire de Production Minérale. Son expérience comprend plus de 50000 déterminations spectrographiques. Il a quitté le laboratoire quelques années plus tôt pour le privé, mais a toujours la permission d'utiliser les installations du laboratoire. Il fut d'accord pour faire un 2nd spectrogramme de l'échantillon de magnesium au lieu de faire un rapport sur l'analyse effectuée par le docteur Barbosa. Son problème fut de déterminer si le magnesium était ou non d'une pureté absolue au sens spectrographique.

Il utilisa des procédures techniques spéciales pour controller les nombreuses variables qui pourraient influencer les résultats (telles que les contaminants atmosphériques, des électrodes sales, etc.). L'analyse de M. Teixeira fut traduite in extenso (Figure 2). Il prévoya également une analyse spectrographique "semiquantitative" afin d'établir les pourcentages de toutes les impuretés possibles non détectées dans le spectrogramme précédent de l'échantillon de magnesium. Mais son analyse confirma l'absence signalée d'impuretés de tout type et par conséquent il considéra que le test "semi-quantitatif" était à l'évidence inutile.

Le film spectrographique accompagnant l'analyse de Teixeira me fut envoyé.

Par ailleurs, les 2 analyses spectrographiques dans ce rapport ne furent pas les seules effectuées sur les échantillons de magnesium. Une 3ᵉ étude spectrographique du matériau fut menée par les militaires. L'armée brésilienne fut informée du cas, et je fut contacté par le major Roberto Caminha qui demanda et reçut un échantillon du matériau le 4 novembre 1957. L'analyse des militaires fut réalisée à l'ITM (Instituto de Technologia Militar ?), mais je ne fus pas informé des conclusions. Il semble qu'une enquête complète ait été ordonnée par l'armée brésilienne, mais je n'ai pas été en mesure de confirmer cette information.

Un autre petit fragment (le dernier morceau de l'échantillon n° 1) fut donné au commandant J. G. Brandao de la Marine brésilienne qui me contacta quelques mois plus tard. Aucune information ne fut obtenue sur les méthodes employées et les résultats de cette enquête, mais il y a des raisons de penser qu'un test spectrographique (le 4ème) fut effectué à l'arsenal de la Marine à Rio de Janeiro.

Analyse de diffraction rayons X

L'analyse spectrochimique du docteur Barbosa indiquant que le métal dans les échantillons était pur au sens spectrographique, d'autres tests se révélaient nécessaires pour pallier les limitations de la méthode spectrographique et pour examiner la possibilité d'impuretés non métalliques dans le matériau. Les fragments restants de l'échantillon 1 furent envoyé au Laboratoire de Crystallographie du Département National de Géologie et Minéralogie, Département de Production Interne pour les études de diffraction aux rayons X. Le directeur et chef chimiste de cette institut de recherche, le docteur Elysiario Tavora Filho, est reconnu pour ses travaux fondateurs sur le crystallographie depuis 1949, et est professeur de minéralogie à l'Ecole Nationale de Chimie. Il est responsable des résultats présentés ci-dessous. A mon avis son travail est complet et sans faille dans les moindres détails.

La méthode d'identification chimique par rayons X était bien sûr indiquée pour compléter les resultats obtenus par l'analyse spectrographique des échantillons de magnesium. Les avantages de la procédure ne résident non seulement dans la quantité de matériau à examiner (seulement quelques Mg) requise, mais aussi dans le fait que différents composés ou états de combinaisons des mêmes élements sont distinguables puisqu'ils possèdent des structures crystallines différentes. Elle est largement utilisée pour l'identification des phases d'alliages. Si plus d'une variété de crystal est présence dans un specimen quelconque, chacun produira son spectre indépendamment (un fait très important à se souvenir), et le motif consistera en des spectres superimposés avec des intensités relatives dépendant des quantités relatives des phases. Ainsi, la constitution de systèmes inorganiques et organiques, les systèmes minéraux et d'alliages peuvent être déterminés avec précision au travers de la crystallographie par rayons X. A côté de cela, les rayons X sont également utilisés pour une analyse chimique au travers de l'utilisation des spectromètres à rayons X enregistrant les raies d'émission de rayons X caractéristiques, ou raies d'absorption, de l'échantillon. Des combinaisons favorables des élements permettent une sensibilité extrême dans la détection de faibles pourcentages d'un élément dans un composé ou un mélange (indépendant de l'état de la combinaison chimique), et permet également une bonne précision dans lanalyse quantitative (Von Hevesy, G.: Analyse chimique par rayons X et son application, McGraw Hill, New York, 1932).

Parce que les résultats précis de l'analyse par diffraction des rayons X, avec les avantages notés ci-dessus, en font une méthode sensible pour déterminer la composition et la structure des métaux, il fut décidé d'utiliser cette procédure analytique dans l'investigation sur les échantillons de magnesium. La conclusion selon laquelle le métal était d'une pureté absolue (au sens spectrographique), sans inclusions détectables d'autres éléments, était une conclusion que tous les enquêteurs précédents avaient hésité à accepter sans confirmation par une autre méthode.

Une identification préliminaire des échantillons par spectrométrie par rayons X a confirmé le rapport précédent. Le métal était réellement du magnesium et semblait être d'une pureté inhabituelle, avec un pourcentage proche de 100. Etonné par ce résultat vraiment incroyable le professeur Filho répéta l'examen spectrométrique plusieurs fois avec toujours les mêmes conclusions. Il décida alors de demander un réexamen précautionneux de la plaque photographique pour revérifier les résultats rapportés de l'analyse spectrographique. Un de ses assistants, le docteur Augusto Batista, fut envoyé pour cette mission au Laboratoire de Production Minérale. Informé de ces développements innatendus, j'étais intrigué et ne réussis pas à reconnaître la signification de l'approche du professeur Filho. Il adopta une attitude réservée quant aux motivations de sa décision, et je n'arrivais pas à obtenir un quelconque indice de la part du docteur Batista. Comme je l'appris par la suite, le professeur Filho avait pris conscience de toutes les implications de l'absence signalée de tout impureté dans les échantillons. Le diagramme de diffraction par rayons X correspondait à un diagramme standard de haute qualité fournit pour comparaison, imprimé sur une carte par le fichier de données du Current X ray powder (accompagné de son volume d'index). Ce motif "standard" de diffraction avait été produit, cependant, en utilisant le standard existant de pureté ASTM pour le magnesium (ASTM 4 0770), qui montrait encore dans l'analyse spectrographique plusieurs impuretés. La conclusion fut que le magnésium dans les échantillons devait être plus pur encore que le "standard de pureté" ASTM pour ce métal. Cela serait une découverte vraiment incroyable, une de celles qui ne pourraient être facilement acceptées. Une vérification de l'analyse spectrographique fut donc demandée. Lorsqu'il vit que les résultats signalés étaient confirmés, le professeur Filho fut problablement tenté de rejeté la chose dans son ensemble à première vue. Mais il n'eut pas le choix. En tant que véritable scientifique, il ne put écarter les faits solides et froids obtenus des élements de l'analyse précédente. Il décida donc d'utiliser la procédure la plus sensible disponible à son laboratoire pour clore la question, si c'était possible. Il décida de faire une étude complète et précautionneuse du motif de diffraction de poudre sur le magnesium dans les échantillons, en utilisant la méthode de la poudre.

Le Laboratoire de Crystallographie du professeur Filho est equipé des instruments les plus élaborés et sensibles disponibles où que ce soit pour la diffractométrie et spectrométrie par rayons X. Un appareil photo à poudre de type Debye Scherrer a été employé. Un fine grained polycrystalline specimen of the magnesium sample was prepared. Its diffraction pattern was recorded on a special photographic film (of the cylindrical type) and that film was the object of careful examination. From the position of the lines on the film the so called "Debye rings" the spacing (d) of the corresponding atomic planes was determined. From the X ray picture, supplemented by other data, Filho determined space lattices, the spacing (d) already mentioned (interplanar distances) and the values of theta (bonding angle). The relative intensity of each line (or arc) on the film was also measured. The pattern obtained matched the diffraction pattern of the ASTM standard of purity of magnesium referred to above (ASTM 4 0770). All lines in the film were accounted for with the exception of six very faint ones. These did not correspond to the metal. They indicated that the sample contained inclusions of ail unknown crystalline substance, which was present in very small amounts.

Was it the impurity of impurities the chemists were attempting to detect since the first examination? The identification of this unknown material was the next step, for obvious reasons. But this task was going to be difficult because the unidentified component was not present in sufficient amount to give a characteristic diffraction diagram. In fact, the six reflections in the film which were accounted for were too weak to be used. A possible method to solve this problem was to expose different films for different lengths of time, thus making possible the measurement of strong intensities on one film and weak intensities on another. However, Filho decided on another approach.

The appearance of the "fragments" suggested that at some time they had been subjected to violent oxidation over all their surfaces, which were covered with a powdered material presumed to be magnesium oxide. This oxide, in Filho's opinion, might possibly be present within the body of the samples as the unidentified constituent. A plausible theory, and consistent with the claimed origin of the samples. The oxide formed on the surface of molten magnesium exposed to air would be present within the metal as a result of oxygen diffusion through the samples at ignition temperature. A microscopic examination made by Batista showed findings that appeared to support this theory. In fact, some of the small magnesium chips (taken from Sample 1) were covered with the powdered substance at points that corresponded to the surface of the original "fragments," and showed a few cracks and small fissures also filled with the same material. In these areas the crystalline metal was shot through with fissures containing that material too. On the other hand, it is true such areas were scattered and small, most of the samples showing only the crystalline pattern of pure metal. Besides, under microscopic examination, powdered specimens showed only a kind of crystal. They did not present any visible trace of the nonmetallic inclusions. Obviously, the mixture was not homogenous: the nonmetallic component was more abundant in areas close to the surface of the original sample; it might be present within the metallic mass, but in very small amounts, possibly in sufficient amount to explain the six unidentified lines on the film. As to the grain structure of the metal itself, Batista was almost sure the samples were fragments of a magnesium casting. Unfortunately, their appearance suggested they were not from the surface of the original casting, but came from within the metallic mass disrupted in the explosion; as a result, no information could be obtained on the thermal and mechanical treatment involved in the production of the casting. He also verified that the heat developed in the fragments when they were at ignition temperature had influenced physical and chemical properties at the surface of the molten metal, but apparently was too brief to produce gross melting or other recognizable changes in the grain structure. The accuracy of these observations was apparentry confirmed by the diffraction pattern for the magnesium in the samples.

These findings supported the hypothesis that magnesium oxide was the unknown component. Since the patterns of known materials can be used to identify the composition of an unknown constituent, the diffraction lines of magnesiurn oxide were studied. It was found the unidentified lines on the X ray film did not belong to that pattern. Therefore the composition of the dry, white powder on the surface of the samples should be determined too, and a second diffraction pattern was made, using this material. As a result, the non metallic powder was identified as magnesium hydroxide,(OH), plus magnesium in its metallic form. The hydroxide was obviously the unknown component already detected, for the unidentified lines on the first film corresponded with the diffraction pattern of this substance. No evidence was found concerning magnesium oxide, which was not present at least in the analyzed samples (from Sample 1). If a surface film of oxide was eventually formed while the molten fragments were falling through the air, or during the initial melting stage, it certainly was removed when the heated meta was cooling rapidly in the sea water. It is evident, on the other hand, the hydroxide in the samples was not a constit uent of the metal in its original form, appearing as an effect of oxidation in contact with water (the fall into the sea of the burning magnesium fragments, if the story of the samples origin is true).

The diffraction patterns recorded for magnesium and magnesium hydroxide were presented side by side in the photocopies of the original Filho films that were obtained.

The X ray diffraction diagrams determined for each material, in comparison with the standard diagrams of the respective ASTM standards of purity, are presented in Figure 3A, which is a photocopy of Filho's original report on the X ray diffraction analyses of the magnesium samples.

For those who possess the technical background necessary for an interpretation of technical data presented in the Filho diagrams, a translation of his report is presented in Figure 3B.

Professor Filho's promised written statement on the possible origin, of the magnesium samples, in the light of the data obtained with X ray diffraction analyses, was not received due to the unexpected results be found, Filho decided only numerical data should be released : written statements or conclusions of any kind could not be issued because he didn't want to discuss certain problems connected with the origin of the samples.

Tests de radiation

La densité relative des échantillons de magnesium (exprimée en terme d'eau à 4 °C) a été mesurée au Laboratoire de Crystallographie du Dr. Batista. La méthode utilisée fut la procédure classique impliquant 2 pesées, la densité relative du métal étant déterminée par une formule simple (le poids du specimen dans l'air divisé par la perte de poids lorsque suspendu dans l'eau). Une balance de Jolly du type utilisé par les minéralogistes a été employée.

Les études précédentes suggéraient que de grands morceaux du métal devraient [got] être utilisés. Leurs surfaces étaient couverte d'hydroxide de magnesium, un matériau plus dense ; des régions dans le métal crystallin avec des inclusions de ce matériau furent également observées. Un des 2 "fragments" restants (échantillon 2), par exemple, contenaient à l'évidence plus d'inclusions d'hydroxide que l'autre (échantillon 3), mais l'apparence des 2 échantillons indiquait que leurs densités relatives ne correspondraient pas aux valeurs prédites pour le magnesium.

En fait, elles ne représenteraient que les densités moyennes d'échantillons contenant des quantités inconnues d'un matériau plus dense. Pour résoudre le problème, Batista sélectionna un petit morceau métallique pris du centre du "fragment" divisé (échantillon 1) pour la détermination de densité. Ce specimen fut précautionneusement poli jusqu'à ce que la surface blanche argentée du magnesium pur ne montre aucune trace d'hydroxide sous examen microscopique. Un tel échantillon devrait avoir une densité d'environ 1,741, mais une densité significativement plus élevée fut trouvée, la densité précautionneusement mesurée de cet échantillon de magnésium était de 1,866. La procédure fut répétée 3 fois avec une micro-balance, et la même valeur fut trouvée chaque fois.

Comment cette anomalie pourrait-elle être expliquée ? 3 possibilités devaient être considérées :

1. a hitherto unknown, close packed modification du magnesium ordinaire (ce n'était pas le cas, car la diffraction par rayons X avait identifié la structure crystalline ordinaire de ce métal (close packed hexagonal) dans l'échantillon) ;
2. l'inclusion d'un constituant plus dense dans l'échantillon ; ou
3. une distribution inhabituelle des 3 isotopes stables et naturels constituant le magnésium terrestre, i.e., une constitution isotopique differente dans le magnesium des échantillons.

L'interprétation des données disponibles suggérait que la 2ᵉ possibilité était l'explication la plus plausible. Il était possible qu'une petite inclusion d'hydroxide soit encore présente dans le specimen (rendue plausible par l'analyse de diffraction par rayons X). Les mesures de densité gave no ground for reliance on an unusual isotopic ratio. On the other hand, the powder diffraction pattern showed hydroxide was mixed with the pure metal in very small amounts too small, apparently, to explain the high density found. This discrepancy can be resolved only with careful determinations, using several metallic chips taken from the samples. It is evident the hydroxide cannot be evenly distributed through the whole metallic mass, and tests with different samples will show different densities. If any of the density measurements corresponds to the expected value for terrestrial magnesium, the problem is solved. But if any discrepancy remains even a small one then a mass spectrographic analysis is necessary to study the isotopic constitution of the magnesium samples. The reasons will be discussed in another section of this report.

The magnesium in the samples analyzed, which was absolutely pure in the spectrographic sense, represents something outside the range of present day technological development in earth science. In fact, the metal was of such fantastic purity that even to see it symbolized on paper is unbelievable. Even the infinitesimal quantities of "trace elements" usually detected by spectrographic analysis traces so small they could not possibly be detected by any other analytical method were not found. Thus, the magnesium in the samples was absolutely pure in the spectrographic sense with a percentage of 100. X ray spectrometry and X ray diffractometry by the powder method confirmed the results of the spectrographic analyses the metal was pure magnesium

Again, no impurity was detected to introduce irregularities, in the crystal lattice. The presence of any impurity of any interstitial atoms would change the regularity of the crystal lattice, thus causing crystal imperfections that would be revealed by the X ray method. Therefore, on the basis of the chemical analyses the conclusion was that the magnesium in the samples was of absolute purity, in the sense that any other possible constituents which could be present would lie present in such an infinitesimal amount as to be beyond the reach of any known method of chemical analysis.

We know very little about metals completely free of impurities and imperfections, simply because they are never found in nature and, in most cases, cannot be prepared in the laboratory. It is not too difficult to refine a metal to 99,99% purity (which means there is something else besides the metal to the extent of 1 part in 10000), but once beyond this point the going gets rough. For every 9 we tack on after the decimal point following the first two 9s, the cost increases tenfold, sometimes a hundredfold. This is so because involved, delicate and time consuming crystallization operations are required so that the final product becomes more precious than gold.

In the study of the properties of absolutely pure metals the first problem is to secure them. As a matter of fact, the task seemed hopeless for any metal until eight years ago when the American metallurgist Walter Pfann invented the zone refining process, which promises to be one of the outstanding developments in the story of the metallurgist's efforts to produce "super pure" metals. With this method it is possible to produce germanium and molybdenum (also iron and titanium, according to some sources of information) of almost absolute purity. However, even with this process, everything has to be done piecemeal: metals cannot be purified continuously. This one great drawback to the large scale production of pure metals seems now to have been overcome by a new development announced by Dr. Pfann five years ago. His new invention, based on the zone refining method and called continuous multistage zone refining, will make it possible to obtain pure metal in a continuous flow.

Such is the situation concerning the latest developments in the field of "super pure" metals. A few can already be refined to approach absolute purity, but the problem still remains unsolved for the other metals, because of technical difficulties not yet solved. Magnesium is included in this latter group. In other words, to produce magnesium of absolute purity is still an impossible task. Getting rid of the last bit of impurity is impossible, even in the laboratory. If this postulate is correct the magnesium in the samples analyzed could not have been produced here or recovered from the explosion of a man made missile or vehicle. It is, then, of interest to discuss the matter further for direct and indirect support of the postulate.

Magnesium occurs abundantly on earth, but never in the pure state always in combination. The meteorites. (almost entirely composed of common silicates and nickel iron) reaching earth may contain magnesium, but always in combination (magnesium oxides, silicates, etc.), never in the pure state. The production of metallic magnesium requires special extraction and refining methods, the most widely used being he process of electrolytic reduction of magnesium chloride derived from sea water, natural brines, potash waste liquors, dolomite and magnesite. Thermal reduction processes are also available; they are of two types one using carbon (the Hansgirg process), the other using ferrosilicon (the Pidgeon process) for the reduction of magnesium oxide derived from magnesite, dolomite or sea water.

Refined commercial magnesium of a purity of 99.8% Mg (pure magnesium, ASTM: B 92 45) can be produced by any of these methods in the form of ingots, powder, ribbon,, wire and extruded and rolled strips. Impurities such as iron, nickel and copper have definite tolerance limits because the quantity and state of these impurities determine the resistance of the metal to corrosion. Some elements are not harmful in large proportions, but others are detrimental even when present in minute amounts. Calcium is usually present in very small quantities, chiefly in solid solution; if present in amounts greater than approximately 0.1%, calcium occurs as Mg2Ca. It is not harmful, and in some magnesium alloys (MI and AZ31X), it is added to improve such characteristics as the grain size of the ingot, rolling properties and ductility. Excessive amounts, however, are considered detrimental to welding characteristics in some alloys.

In common with aluminum and many other metals, magnesium is not used commercially without alloying. Manganese, zinc, zirconium and aluminum are the chief alloying components of magnesium alloys. Magnesium cerium and magnesium thorium alloys are more recent developments.

Silicon is the impurity usually picked up in ordinary foundry operations and occurs generally as Mg2Si. If present in amounts of 0.5% or more, it changes the regularity in the crystal lattice, causing defects in the magnesium crystals.

The presence of even a few hundredths per cent of manganese greatly increases the tolerance limit for iron (which is 0.017%, for pure magnesium) and also for nickel.

Composition limits for commercially pure magnesium (ASTM B 92 45 for ingot and stick) are: Pure magnesium sheet, wire extrusions, ribbon, and ingot and stick for remelting: 99,80% Mg min.; impurities (max.), 0,02 % Cu, 0,001 %, Ni, 0,20 % total of Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Si. Powder, grade C: 96 % Mg min.; impurities (max.), metallic Fe 0,05 %, insoluble residue 0,25 %, Si 0,10 %, grease and oil 0,020 %, alloyed iron and aluminum as oxides 0,40 %.(Townsend, R. A.: Properties of Magnesium and Magnesium 41loys. ASTM Metals Handbook, Cleveland, 1954.)

It is evident the quantities of impurities found in commercially pure magnesium vary according to sources of production and methods employed. In any case, however, they are always present, even in the composition of the purest commercial magnesium available. It can be concluded that no commercially pure magnesium exists with a composition at all like that of the samples analyzed.

To complete the investigation on this important point, I decided to test the accuracy of the spectrograph in detecting these impurities in commercially pure magnesium. But typical samples of this metal were not available; the metal is not produced in Brazil, except in powdery or granular form.

As an alternative, tests were made using chempur magnesium salts and samples of commercially pure tin and lead. All elements whose presence was predicted in each sample, even the so called "trace" elements, were detected in spectrograms made with the same Hilger spectrograph used for the magnesium samples. The Teixeira investigation confirmed the high precision and accuracy of the instrument. It also eliminated the possibility of other constituents which could escape detection. On the basis of these studies, it is evident the person who supplied the samples could not have obtained them from any available source.

The ASTM standard of purity for magnesium (ASTM 40770) shows in spectrographic analysis the following impurities: Ca 0.1%; and traces of Al, Cu, Fe and Si (Swanson and Tatge: J.C. Fell Reports. NBS, 1951.) This is the purest magnesium that can be produced by present day processing methods and refining technologies of terrestrial metallurgy. The conclusion is that the magnesium in the samples analyzed, which was absolutely pure in the spectrographic sense, is better in quality than the purest magnesium refined on this planet and represents something outside the range of present day technological developments in earth science.

On the basis of this. evidence, it is highly probable the metallic chunks picked up on the beach near Ubatuba, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, are extraterrestrial in origin. This is indeed an extremely important and almost incredible conclu Sion. But on the basis of the findings of these chemical analyses there is no other alternative. As staggering as the implications may be, this appears to be the only acceptable explanation. Therefore, the magnesium samples analyzed must represent "physical evidence" of the reality and extraterrestrial origin of a UFO destroyed in an explosion over the Ubatuba region. They are, in fact, "fragments" of an extraterrestrial vehicle which met with disaster in the earth's atmosphere, as reported by human beings who witnessed the catastrophe. The gratifying aspect of this case, however, is that we do not have to depend on the testimony of witnesses to establish the reality of the incident, for the most advanced laboratory tests indicate the fragments recovered could not have been produced through the application of any known terrestrial techniques.

Further investigation of the incident will be necessary, of course, but only to complete the information already obtained and, if possible, to obtain more samples of the material for additional examinations. I had in my possession three fragments of the "flying disc." Sample I was used for the chemical analysis made in Brazil. Sample 2 was divided and a large piece, roughly a rectangular prism approximately 1.2 x 0.7 x 0.7 centimeters, was sent to Coral E. Lorenzen, director of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization in Alamogordo, New Mexico. This sample can be used for other analyses, if necessary. However, if other tests are needed for a critical evaluation of the Brazilian analyses, special precautions must be taken from a technical viewpoint. The reasons are obvious. It is far more difficult to prove the "absolute purity" of a metallic sample than to show the presence of, "impurities." Thus, spectroscopic tests cannot be accepted because they are based on the visual impression of the technician conducting the test they cannot be rechecked by other observers. Spectrographic tests done in a routine manner, using standard electrodes and making an exposure of a fixed length, cannot be accepted either. A spectrum must be run on the electrodes for reference, and possible impurities in the carbon rods used as electrodes (such as traces of Mn, Fe, Si and Ti) sometimes appear as contaminants; they cannot be subtracted out on the basis of a standard assumption of purity, i.e., assuming that all electrodes have the same impurity content. Many variables have to be controlled, such as atmospheric contaminants, dirty electrodes, use of different electrodes, use of different excitations techniques, etc. These are some of the corrective measures to avoid mistakes, especially in this case, in which a claim of "absolute purity" was established on the basis of chemical examinations. We need a true scientific research, not a routine examination of the samples. Incidentally, Sample 2 was not analyzed in Brazil, but there is no logical reason to suspect it is less pure than the other the material is similar in appearance and came from the same object.

Density measurements of magnesium chips from Sample 2 must be made to resolve the discrepancy represented by the high density found in previous tests. If any discrepancy still remains a mass spectrographic analysis is indicated, to study the isotopic constitution of the magnesium in the samples.

Magnesium has five isotopes, but only three are stable; the two others are unstable, having a very short half life. It is a striking fact that, with few exceptions, the relative abundance of the isotopes for each element is the same once and for all. The exceptions are the elements Pb, He, C, 0, N and S. Apart from these minor exceptions, in the early geological period in which minerals were formed a certain isotopic constitution appears to have prevailed over the material now accessible to our investigation. (Figure 4 shows the isotopic abundance of terrestrial magnesium.)

A higher density might indicate a different isotopic constitution in the magnesium of the samples, if the possibility of a small inclusion of hydroxide is excluded. after a careful evaluation. An unusual isotopic distribution probably a preeminence of the heavier isotopes 25 and 26 would be absolute proof of the extraterrestrial origin of the metal, in my opinion.

Are the relative abundances of the isotopes of each element characteristic only for the earth? We don't know. The little material we possess derived from the investigation of meteorites (which, presumably, are members of our solar system, too), shows they present the same relative abundance as the elements known in the laboratory. if this could be proved for all the planets in our solar system, and for planets in other solar systems, the possibility of metals with unusual isotopic constitution could not be discussed. With our present knowledge, however, we must be prepared to consider it in this case at least as an interesting theoretical possibility. For technical reasons such a study was not made in Brazil. A mass spectrographic analysis may solve the problem. Or perhaps the isotopes can be identified by their microwave spectra; if so, microwave spectroscopy might serve as a quick means of measuring how much of what kind of isotope is present, to at least show if the magnesium is a naturally or artificially mixed sample.

Conclusion

Les éléments disponibles semblent suffisamment valides pour établir que les fragments de magnesium furent récupérés de l'explosion d'un objet aérien d'origine artificielle ; que cet objet de forme discoïdale n'était pas un missile, un satellite ou un appareil contrôlé à distance fabriqué par l'homme, mais une machine aérienne d'origine extraterrestre. La question du lieu, des moyens et but de la fabrication d'origine ne peut être résolue avec les élements en main. Quelques déductions peuvent encore être avancées pour expliquer le mystère l'explosion soudaine de l'ovni et d'autres questions importantes sur l'incident d'Ubatuba :

1. L'absence de preuves physiques (telles que des ovnis écrasés) a été accepté comme le meilleur argument contre la réalité des ovnis. En fait, il est difficile d'admettre l'existence d'une machine volante si avancée qu'elle réduise la probabilité d'une défaillance mécanique près de 0 ou même de croire que les ovnis aient utilisé un principe de vol nous étant inconnu. L'incident de Ubatuba, cependant, a établi le fait que ces appareils étrangers ne sont pas exempts du facteur de défaillance et qu'ils peuvent être détruits par une défaillance innatendue de leur mécanisme de vol comme tout appareil ordinaire. There is still an important difference to be emphasized UFOs never crash, as do ordinary planes, possibly because of their material and the peculiar characteristics of the particular accident itself. L'incident de Ubatuba suggère l'effet d'une défaillance mécanique is such that in a split second the UFO explodes with prodigious kinetic force; there is a vivid flash followed in a few seconds by disintegration and thermic volatilization and the object vanishes in a shower of fiery sparks. As a result, no fragments or parts of the UFO are found in most cases of accident, especially if the explosion occurs high in the sky, since the UFO would be completely burned to cinders long before reaching the ground. in the Ubatuba case there were two fortunate circumstances to change the usual sequence of events. First, the disc shaped UFO was very low in the sky at the moment of the accident. Second, the explosion was over the sea, yet close enough to the shore to permit recovery of fragments dropped in shallow waters. If the burning metallic debris reached the ground, it would certainly be entirely consumed by the fire. As it happened, the magnesium fire was smothered; the water quenched the burning and allowed the recovery of "physical evidence."
2. There are, or were, two well known uses of magnesium that unfortunately convey a wrong impression with regard to its inflammability. At one time magnesium was known to the general public only as the powder or ribbon used by the photographers to produce a brilliant flash of light. More recently the magnesium incendiary bomb has confirmed the popular idea of extreme inflammability. Both the photographer's ribbon and fire bomb are special cases, however, and must not be taken as indicating the properties to be expected in the engineering applications of magnesium. Magnesium powder and ribbon burn easily because in a free atmosphere the temperature may be quickly raised to a temperature well above that used for normal melting operations in the foundry. Normally the ignition of magnesium depends on the mass. Fine powder burns readily; components of normal masses as used in engineering cannot be ignited by any normal accidental method. The conclusion is that in the Ubatuba incident the explosion shattered the magnesium container (the UFO's shell) and then ignited the fragments of the object's disintegration. On the other hand, it is true that water usually is ineffective to extinguish a magnesium fire. Burning magnesium uses outside oxygen, and at the high temperature of this reaction it will also burn in the oxygen of the water, Setting the hydrogen free.
   There is, however, one exception to this general rule, which explains the Ubatuba case. It is possible to stop the reaction by suddenly supplying a great mass of cold water, thus taking away the heat more rapidly than it is being produced. When this happens, we may find a certain amount of magnesium hydroxide on the surface of the metal (instead of the oxide) which acts protectively. There was magnesium hydroxide in the Ubatuba samples, and no oxide was found evidence that the UFO's metallic debris was still at ignition temperature when it reached the sea.
   There is nothing theoretical or imaginary in all this. The deductions are inherent in the evidence itself. Such evidence gives us a clear picture of what happens when the flight mechanism of UFOs of the type seen over Ubatuba is suddenly put out of operation by an unexpected engine failure. It suggests an explanation for the lack of "physical evidence" in similar cases reported, and explains why this "physical evidence" was present in the Ubatuba case.
3. Magnesium is the lightest structural metal. Its extreme lightness and good mechanical properties explain the everincreasing use of magnesium alloys in the aircraft industry. A more recent application is its use in the manufacture of artificial satellites. Sputnik I was made of a magnesium aluminum alloy. The Vanguard's shell is magnesium coated inside and out with gold (.0005 inch thick) and covered on the outside with layers of chromium, silicon monoxide, aluminum and silicon monoxide (total thickness of the multilayered shell: 1/33 inch). The gold coating and outer layers were added because magnesium cannot maintain the temperatures needed for the proper functioning of instruments inside the satellite. Its high thermal conductivity dissipates heat rapidly.
   Pure magnesium, on the other hand, has a low structural strength and is not used in aircraft or missiles. Similarly, it could not be the chief constituent in an interplanetary vehicle of another culture. In fact, pure magnesium serves no conceivable mechanical purpose in competition with other available materials at least apparently. In spite of this, the evidence available in the Ubatuba case is that "flying discs" (at least the type involved in the explosion) are made of magnesium of very unusual purity. Metals of other kinds possibly existed inside that UFO, but were not found. The small mag nesium pieces picked up near the beach apparently came me from the object's shell. They suggest that shell was made of magnesium of absolute purity, i.e., with a material of low structural strength. We can't explain this fact yet. The intrinsic properties of absolutely pure metals are not known. More and more it is being realized in chemistry and metallurgy that trace elements have enormously potent effects. For instance, really pure iron has a strength a hundred times as great as that of commercially pure iron. Titanium, which is almost as strong as structural steel and as light as aluminum, fails miserably if it is contaminated with as little as .02% of hydrogen. Accordingly, absolutely pure magnesium with perhaps undreamed of properties may be, perhaps, the metal of the future. Some day when we shall be privileged to study its properties we will know why it is used in "flying discs."
   Another possibility if the extreme purity of the metal had no special purpose but only expressed the advanced technology of its production is that the Ubatuba UFO was not manned. It could have been a small, automatic, remote controlled device launched by spacecraft in the earth's atmosphere to pick up scientific data. Several of these objects containing scanning instruments might be released from the same craft and controlled from a distance. In such a case, extreme lightness would be far more important than structural strength. Our own artificial satellites clearly show this possibility.
4. To ignite magnesium it is first necessary for the metal to reach its melting point 650 degrees C. (1202 degrees F.). In the Ubatuba incident this high temperature was reached instantly at the moment the UFO exploded. "It disintegrated into thousands of fiery fragments," reported the witness, "which fell sparkling with magnificent brightness. They looked like fireworks despite the time of the accident, noon . . ." This is a perfect description of a magnesium fire, of burning magnesium fragments with their brilliant actinic light. Such a report offers a clear idea about the amount of thermic energy released in the explosion. Certainly it was not a common explosion.
   The mystery of that sudden explosion probably will never be solved. It may have been produced by the release of some self destroying mechanism to prevent the machine from falling into our hands and thus giving us the chance to learn its secrets. There is also the bare possibility of an atomic explosion. We have some evidence that UFOs are powerful radioactive sources (Ruppelt, Edward J.: A Report on Unidentified Flying Objects (Chapter 15). Doubleday, New York, 1956) in certain cases. The Campinas incident (Fontes, Olavo T.: "We Have Visitors From Outer Space, APRO Bulletin, July 1957) indicates that they may use atomic engines sort which might blow accidentally. But then we would expect the debris to be contaminated, highly radioactive. However, use of a Geiger counter and an atomic scaler to determine whether the magnesium fragments register an extraordinary amount of radiation gave negative results. There is a third possible cause for the disaster, the most interesting possibility in my opinion a sudden failure in the UFO's flight mechanism. The Ubatuba incident involved a body moving at high speed and apparently in trouble, almost crashing into the sea, then a controlled maneuver to avoid the crash at the last moment, the object making a sharp turn upward and then the explosion. This sequence suggests the high speed maneuver was fatal. The UFO propulsion system, already too overloaded, was unable to withstand the tremendous strain of that sudden reversal of course, and ceased to operate.
   Recent evidence (two, incidents in France: at Vins sur Caramy on April 14, 1957, and at Palalda, near Montlucon, just eight days later) strongly suggests that UFOs are capable of creating electric and magnetic fields of extreme intensity, fields so powerful iron objects placed inside the fields acquire long lasting magnetic properties.(Michel, Aime: Flying Saucers and the Straight Line Mystery (Part 5). Criterion Books, New York, 1958.) Fields of such a magnitude evidently must be connected with the UFO's flight mechanism, possibly as a means of propulsion. But we do not know how they are utilized. Many scientists have rejected the possibility that UFOs could be spaceships, on the ground that any solid body moving through the earth's atmos phere at the reported extremely high speeds would burn up. Recent experiments, however, indicate heated air around an aerial machine or missile can be deflected electromagnetically. This might explain the electromagnetic fields referred to above. On the other hand, other scientists have questioned the so called means of propulsion and the reported sharp turns made by UFOs (as reported in the Ubatuba case) some scientists have claimed such sharp turns would rule out the possibility UFOs are piloted craft, or even aerial machines of any kind.
   Il a été suggéré qu'un champ de gravité artificiel résoudrait ces problèmes. Il est intéressant de noter que 2 physiciens à une conférence récente de la Société Américaine de Physique ont déclaré avoir produit un champ de gravité mesurable avec un appareillage consistant en des électroaiments montés sur un disque en rotation ("Science Suggests Answers to UFO Performances," UFO Investigator, 1:8, décembre 1958). Si de telles expérimentations sont confirmées, nous pourrions être sur la voie de reproduire les performances des ovnis. At any rate, les champs électromagnétiques très forts détectés in connection with the UFOs semblent d'une manière ou d'une autre liés à un effet de gravité artificielle d'un certain type. Malheureusement, nous ne savons toujours pas ce qu'est la gravité, bien que nous puissions décrire ce qu'elle fait. Les interactions fortes (forces électromagnétiques et forces nucléaires) sont certainement fascinantes, mais ce sont les interactions relativement ultra-faibles de gravité et d'inertie qui nous maintiennent au sol. La science des gravités, l'électrogravitique et l'électromagnétisme is still groping in the dark; we are just beginning to study the complex problems involved. However, if "force fields " can be used to neutralize the gravitational pull of the earth and to propel a vehicle to reach the planets, then suchfields could act also on the air molecules surrounding a fastmoving UFO in the dense lower levels of the atmosphere, dragging the adjacent molecules of air along with the object at speeds varying with their proximity to the object's surface. Such an effect could protect the UFO against overheating, even at enormous speeds. In fact, the heat produced by friction, instead of being concentrated on the surface of the UFO, would be dissipated in this thick layer of air carried along with it. Now, what would happen if the mechanism creating the "force field" failed unexpectedly? The "force field" evidently would vanish instantly. If the speed is very high, as in the Ubatuba incident, these 3 stages blend in a sudden and violent explosion: (a) le "champ de force" s'effondre, the surrounding air ceases to be carried along and the thick layer of air around the UFO disappears as well; (b) moving at speeds between Mach 4 and Mach 8, the UFO strikes against the motionless and elastic barrier of air with tremendous kinetic force, especially if it is hypersonic at the time, and its, equilibrium temperature changes instantly from normal to white hot; thermic disintegration is a matter of seconds; (c) with a vivid flash and sometimes a noise like a thunder, the craft explodes in flames or dissolves in a shower of sparks.
5. Cette théorie, que les vonis peuvent contrôler the so called "boundary layer," making it very thick and turbulent by all artificial gravity field, a été suggérée par le lieutenant Jean Plantier de l'Armée de l'Air française dans son récent livre sur le système de propulsion des ovnis (La Propulsion des soucoupes volantes par action directe sur l'atome, Maine Edition, Paris, 1958). La théorie de Plantier expliquerait comment les ovnis sont protégés de la surchauffe même à des vitesses énormes. Elle expliquerait aussi le mécanisme de cette explosion soudaine détruisant l'ovni d'Ubatuba. Pour accepter cette hypothèse, cependant, il est nécessaire de prouver par des expérimentations qu'un champ magnétique rotatif peut produire un effet de gravité mesurable, ou que les fortes interactions sous la forme de "champs de force" peuvent d'une manière ou d'une autre être utilisés pour neutraliser l'attraction gravitationnelle de la Terre et propulser un véhicule vers les planètes. Le développement d'une telle théorie nécessite un corps de données nous étant encore non disponible et obtenable seulement à travers une recherche à long terme. La seule chose que nous connaissons aujourd'hui est que les ovnis semblent capables de créer des champs électriques et magnétiques de haute magnitude autour d'eux.

À mon avis, ces champs électromagnétiques suggère une autre explication rendant nécessaire l'existence d'un champ de gravité artificiel autour des ovnis. Les récents développements dans le domaine de l'hydromagnétique semblent indiquer que l'effet de chauffe à la surface d'une fusée ou d'un missile peut être évité en utilisant des champs magnétiques. La possibilité fut discutée avec le docteur W. F. Hilton, aérodynamicien en chef de la Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Company en Angleterre.

From a study of thermonuclear work on the "pinch effect," we decided to try the effect of magnetic fields on the hot flow from our company's shock tube. The basis of this interaction is the very great heating of air behind the shock wave from the front of the vehicle. This heating causes the air to become partially ionized into electrically charged particles, and these particles in rapid motion past the vehicle have the nature of an electric current. They are, therefore, susceptible to deflection by means of a magnet. So far our results have been very encouraging, and we have been able to provide quite definite deviations with a small electromagnet powered by a 12 volt battery. Whether this effect will lead to a practical contribution to reentry remains to be established.(UFO Investigator, 1: 1, August September 1958)

Dans un rapport récent à l'American Rocket Society, le physicien de l'Université de Princeton Dr. Russell M. Kulsrud a indiqué que le nouveau domaine de l'"hydromagnétique" (anciennement appelée magnétohydrodynamique) pourrait aider à résoudre le problème de la réentrée de missile (UFO Investigator, 1: 8, décembre 1958). Dans les dispositifs de fusion nucléaire (bombes H par exemple) les champs magnétiques sont utilisés pour maintenir les gaz électrifiés à distance des murs d'un conteneur suffisamment long pour que la réaction nucléaire puisse avoir lieu. Le même principe, dit-il, pourrait être utilisé pour détourner les gaz chaud générés par les appareils plongeant dans l'atmosphère. Le docteur Kulsrud, qui travaille sur le projet Matterhorn de physique des plasma à Princeton, a également dit que le concept de science-fiction de l'utilisation de "champs de force" pour repousser les objets arrivants devenait une réalité en hydromagnétique.

L'hydromagnétique traite de la réaction de fluides de "plasma" [to], high magnetic fields strong enough to control charged particles moving in a "plasma" and smaller electric fields. In the "pinch effect," the flow of an electric current through a gas generates a strong magnetic field which at once contains the gas and brings it up to high temperature by compressing (that is, pinching) it. In my opinion, ionization and magnetism combine to produce a hydromagnetic effect on the air in rapid motion around a fast moving UFO i.e., energized ions, atoms (or positively charged nuclei) and free electrons in the air are contained in a magnetic field. Thus contained in the magnetic field, the ionized air will not touch the surface of the object. In the particular UFO case a magnetic field produced independently of the electric current that heats the gas in the pinch effect was necessary (a pincheffect current was not needed because the very great heating of air behind the shock wave already made it partially ionized into electrically charged particles). This could be obtained by an externally applied, rapidly pulsating magnetic field. The charged particles moving across the field would experience a deflecting force and proceed to gyrate in circles about the lines of magnetic force. An electric current would flow through the air along the magnetic surfaces. The power dissipated by the resistance of the gas would go into ionizing and heating the air, as well as into producing some ultraviolet and visible radiation. This might be called "ohmic heating." (it is the ohmic resistance of the gas that generates the heat on passage of the current). Unlike a pinch effect current , this ohmic heating current will not produce any contraction or compression of the ionized gas. As a result, the strong magnetic field around the UFO would hold the gas firmly in place and almost constant in volume. Such a magnetic field must be "force free," i.e., capable of maintaining its form through a balance of purely magnetic forces. It is already proved that a force free magnetic field is possible in a toroidal shape.

In fact, there are magnetic fields (according to the German astrophysicists A. Schluter and R. Lust) that possess certain field configurations which are "force free" in the sense they do not tend to expand or distort their shape. If we assume a set of wires wound into a metallic object in such a manner as to produce a three dimensional magnetic field, the object would have a longitudinal field into the coil (inside its walls), seeking to expand, and a circular field running around it, seeking to contract. In short, these fields would balance so that no inward or outward force exists. The trouble would come at the end of the system, for the compensation would break down there and the force free configuration consequently would be disturbed.

A way out is suggested by the torus or doughnut a system without end. It seems obvious that in a disc or saucer shaped object the "coil" bends in a circle to form a closed but endless system. In the resulting toroidal or doughnut shaped magnetic field the lines of force become circles and the path of each charged particle is a helix. Yet such a toroidal field is not stable enough, due to the effect of particle drift. In fact, as a result of curvature, the strength of the magnetic field is greater near the inside than it is near the outside. This inhomogeneity of the field alters the helical path of charged particles. The result is that the charged particles drift across the field, the positively charged ones collecting at the top of the tubular field and the electrons at the bottom. This drift is bad enough in itself, but its indirect effect will be catastrophic. The resulting separation of electric charges produces a large electric field which will completely disrupt the particle paths, throwing the entire gas into the surface of the UFO due to the fact that a steady electric field imposed across a magnetic field produces no current all in a fully ionized gas, but drives the gas particles indirection at right angles to both the electric and magnetic fields. The UFO would be destroyed in the process.

There is a simple solution for this drift of charged particles across a toroidal magnetic field. By one means or another the magnetic field can be twisted around its circular axis, giving the lines of force a helical form like the strands of a rope. In this twisted toroidal field the effect of particle drift is much reduced. Oppositely charged particles will still show some tendency to drift apart, with an accompanying separation of charges, but now the charges can leak back along the lines of force. Any difference in electric charge along a line of force will thus be eliminated, and a steady confinement of the ionized air now becomes possible. The necessary twist can be imposed on a toroidal field in a number of ways. Passing an electric current along the lines of magnetic force in a torus will do it, but such a current would require pulsing every few seconds. Another way is the method in which the toroidal field is twisted by interaction with an additional transverse magnetic field (generated by a set of helical windings in which the current flows in opposite directions in adjacent groups of wires).

It is my opinion hydromagnetics would explain the UFO's apparent immunity to air friction and suggest a possible power source. It is postulated that ionization and magnetism produce a hydromagnetic effect on the air surrounding a highspeed UFO which avoids any contact between the gas and the object's surface. There is, first, the very great heating of air behind the shock wave from the front of the vehicle, causing the air to become partially ionized into electrically charged particles, and these particles in rapid motion past the vehicle have the nature of an electric current. The interaction of an independently produced magnetic field, possibly created by an externally applied, rapidly pulsating magnetic field, holds the electrified particles in circular orbits. This force free field is probably a twisted toroidal magnetic held (or a special field configuration with similar properties). The deflected particles are kept away from the UFO's surface; the charged particles and atoms collide only with each other, and the plasma becomes fully ionized. A circular electric current flows into the doughnut shaped plasmoid thus formed around the object. This plasmoid acts as a "cushion" of high magnetic field pressure between the object and the surrounding atmosphere (like an invisible "force field"), but does not touch the surface of the UFO which moves inside of it in a kind of aerodynamical vacuum." The strong force free, rotating magnetic field holds the plasmoid firmly in place and constantly (or almost so) in volume around the object. The ohmic heating current (unlike the pinch effect current of thermonuclear experiments) produces no contraction or compression of the ionized gas confined in the externally applied magnetic field around the UFO. It is obvious, however, that the air does not remain steady and motionless during ohmic heating; in fact, the ionized gas is expected to develop violent activity during the process. The object's own motion, plus the effects of electric and magnetic forces involved, introduce complications which make the activity quite different from ordinary turbulence. Ultraviolet and visible radiation certainly are produced as a side effect. In addition, the "cooperative activity" of charged particles in the heated and ionized gas can produce many other effects, some of them not yet understood such as the production of radio noise bursts similar to those observed from the sun. Disturbances of the hydromagnetic type can also be expected, as well as the appearance of "runaway" electrons that no longer can be confined and strike the object, producing intense X rays (this tendency is probably reduced with a twisted field).

It seems reasonable to expect that a high magnetic field strong enough to form and maintain a plasmoid around a fast moving UFO through a balance of purely magnetic actions would protect UFOs against their friction at any speed, thus avoiding any heating effect. Also, these effects correspond with many of the unexplained phenomena reported in connection with UFOs. But magnetic fields are, of course, invisible and lines of force are purely imaginary constructs. How can we "see" them on UFOs? A way out is suggested by the Zeeman effect, which certainly would be detected in the spectrum of light emitted from UFOs at night. Available empirical evidence suggests careful research of the theory. Fields of the magnitude we have been discussing are probably strong enough to dominate the motion of charged particles within atoms, to cause some crystals to contract, to make a conducting metal extremely resistant to electrical current or opaque to infrared radiation, and perhaps to produce a measurable "gravity field" effect, too.

In the case of a UFO moving at low speed, or halted in mid air, the' heating of air particles is possibly not enough to generate a plasmoid around it only the magnetic field would exist. If necessary, however, magnetically confined plasmas might be generated by a rotating part in the object (a spinning ring, for instance), by rotation of the object itself, or with the help of special "plasma jets" on the object firing doughtnut shaped bursts of plasma. In the near vacuum outside the atmosphere these plasma jets also ,night operate as a possible propulsion source. On the other hand, it seems evident that if the object is moving at high speed in the dense lower levels of the atmosphere, the sudden collapse of the force free field and plasmoid would result in its thermal disintegration in a matter of seconds. The mechanism similar to the one discussed in connection with Plantier's theory, could certainly explain the mystery of the sudden explosion which destroyed the Ubatuba UFO.

(6) We are beginning to probe the new frontier of the socalled "thermal barrier" as our planes approach thermantic (Mach 3 to Mach 4) and superthermantic (Mach 4 to Mach 8) speeds. There is also the missile and satellite reentry problem. In the thermantic region (1325 to 2650 mph), stagnation temperatures (air's original temperature plus the heating caused by friction with the moving surface of a plane) range from 250' to 1500' F., varying from 1200" to 6300' F. or more in the superthermantic region. However, the picture is much less severe in the relation to equilibrium temperatures (those in the metal on the surface of the airplane). In the thermantic region, for instance, they get up to only 900' F. but this is still heat, and plenty of it). At superthermantic speeds the problem becomes far more difficult. Tomorrow's airplane may glow red and give off enough heat to heat four hundred average sized homes when reaching its equilibrium temperature at 180,000 feet at a speed of Mach 8. To solve the problems involved we are making an endless search for better and better heat resistant materials and cooling systems.

On the other hand, the available evidence suggests the Problem of the "thermal barrier" was solved by the intelligences behind the UFOs. These unconventional aerial objects can move across the earth's atmosphere at velocities between Mach 4 and Mach 8 or more, with apparent impunity to the heating produced by friction with air molecules Are they made with heat resistant material better than Pyroceran of Inconel x? This is apparently the obvious explanation despite the fact the extremely high speeds reported - certain cases would be enough to burn up even the best heat resistant material in the universe. Cooling systems are useless if the speeds are high enough.

The physical evidence in the Ubatuba incident provides a different answer for the question. It indicates clearly materials of high heat resistance are not the key to the "thermal barrier" problem. It is obvious an object made of magnesium (a metal of low heat resistance) could never stand the overheating at the unbelievable speed it was moving when first seen over the sea. The magnesium shell would lose its mechanical strength quickly and burn in a few seconds even at speeds far below the one reported. Yet the Ubatuba "flying disc" did not show any sign of overheating at any time before the explosion, despite its enormous speed. This is a very important point. As no trace of any protective coating was detected in the recovered fragments, it seems evident something invisible existed around that UFO to protect its magnesium shell against air friction. When that protection disappeared, thermal disintegration within a few seconds was the observed result.

Whether or not that something protecting the UFO against overheating at high speeds was an artificially thickened and controlled "boundary layer" (Plantier's theory) or a hydromagnetic effect producing a kind of "aerodynamic vacuum" (my hypothesis) remains to be established. At any rate, the conclusion is that our present approach to the problem should be carefully reevaluated. Our endless search for better and better heat resistant materials and cooling systems may show good results for some time yet, but it will not win this new frontier for us. A different approach should be tried, for it seems that more practical and efficient solutions can be found. On the basis of the evidence available on the Ubatuba incident, it is my opinion the key to the problem is just before our eyes every time a UFO is sighted.

Postface (Coral Lorenzen)

Ainsi se conclut le rapport du docteur Fontès. Il y a juste quelques faits supplémentaires qu'il est nécessaire de signaler aujourd'hui.

Peu après avoir reçu les échantillons du docteur Fontès, l'APRO soumit une portion de l'échantillon à un laboratoire spectrographique de l'Air Force pour analyse. Une "spec d'émission" fut demandée. Le jour suivant l'opérateur du spectrographe d'émission rapporta qu'il avait accidentellement brûlé l'échantillon entier sans obtenir de plaque exposée. Il demanda un autre échantillon et l'APRO refusa.

Notre prochaine entreprise se déroula un peu mieux. Un morceau de l'échantillon fut soumis à un laboratoire de la Commission sur l'Energie Atomique. Un test de densité fut effectué qui impliquait de créer une solution dans laquelle des morceaux du métal ne flotteraient ni couleraient. Cette solution (un mélange de bromo benzine and brainstorm) fut trouvée avoir une densité de 1,7513 grammes par cc, un peu élevé mais proche de la normale pour du magnesium terrestre (1,74 grammes par cc). Les experts conclurent que cette légère déviation était le résultat d'une petite inclusion d'oxide dans les morceaux et was insufficient grounds for belief in an unusual isotopic ratio, and that the sensitivity of mass spectrographic determinations is such as to make such an examination completely unprofitable. A technician (who requested that his name be withheld) ran an emission spectrograph test which showed the presence of several trace elements, as follows: iron between 0,01 and 0,1 % ; silicon between 0,01 and 0,1 % ; aluminum between 0,01 et 0,1 % ; calcium between 0,0001 and 0,001 % ; copper between 0,0001 et 0,001 %.

The instrument used was an Applied Research Laboratories two meter grating spectrograph with a dispersion of five angstroms per cc. The technique used was the standard "semiquantitative" method prescribed for a magnesium matrix by Harvey, using standard electrodes. The resulting film returned with the report showed five irrelevant spectra, the magnesium spectrum and an iron spectrum for comparison. There was no separate spectrum of the electrodes, and it was not possible to determine whether the detected impurities ere in the electrodes or in the sample. The impurities, however, are those normally found in standard carbon electrodes. The complete test was, in Texeira's opinion, completely valueless from a scientific standpoint. A metallographer who examined the remaining portion of Sample 2 came to the conclusion the sample was a portion of a casting which had not been worked mechanically since it had originally "frozen" from the molten metal; the experience it passed through, which led to the oxidation noted, apparently having been too brief to allow gross melting or other recognizable changes in the grain structure.

One thing seemed clear we were not likely to obtain satisfactory results simply by sending out samples and having faith; furthermore, our supply of the metal was dwindling alarmingly. After due deliberation, the staff decided that an attempt should be made to have the metal examined by a qualified laboratory with APRO and USAF advisors participating. This seemed the best way to insure no important aspect of the problem was overlooked. Accordingly, a letter was addressed to ATIC, with a copy to the press to insure prompt attention but to no avail. We received only a routine request to forward the purported material to ATIC at the Wright Air Development Center. We then attempted to establish liaison with ATIC, but they declined to answer our letter. We could only conclude that the USAF was not interested in any real answers, or already had obtained full details (and possibly samples of the metal) through classified channels. Our correspondence with the Air Force had one satisfying result, however. The resulting UPI news story brought the matter to public attention in Brazil. As a result all aspects du rapport du Dr. Fontès were verified in press and TV interviews with the principals.

L'identité des témoins de l'incident d'origine reste inconnue. Dans une tentative pour les localiser, le Dr. Fontès et João Martins prospectèrent la zone de plage au voisinage d'Ubatuba. Ils finirent par localiser un pêcheur qui se souvenait d'un groupe de vacationers from an inland town qui parlèrent de l'incident et montrèrent des morceaux d'une substance grise soutenant leur histoire. Il ne put se souvenir de rien d'autre de quelque valeur à l'exception du fait qu'ils étaient excités et parlaient avec ferveur de leur experience. Cette information ne pourrait servir à qu'à approfondir le mystère, à l'exception de ce fait : au cours de en l'année suivante lorsque le Dr. Fontès se trouvait au milieu de son enquête sur le métal étrange, il fut visité par 2 membres d'une agence de renseignement brésilienne. Ces 2 individus commencèrent par faire des menaces voilées quant à ce qui pourrait lui arriver s'il continuait son enquête sur des sujets qui ne le concernaient pas. Lorsqu'il devint apparent que Fontès ne pouvait être contraint au silence, ils en appelèrent à son meilleur jugement pour coopérer avec eux et renvoyer l'ensemble de ses notes et le métal étrange vers eux.

Mon avis est que les témoins d'origine pourraient avoir signalé leur expérience à une quelconque agence officielle et qu'ils perdirent ainsi leurs échantillons de métal et furent encouragés au silence. Une autre conclusion pourrait être que des agences officielles apprirent l'incident de la même manière que le fit le Dr. Fontès et contactèrent les témoins via M. Sued. Un chercheur mis en cause la validité du cas sur la base du manque de témoins, et déclara également que les britanniques sont capables de produire du magnesium pur. Inasmuch as names of scientists and laboratories supposedly involved have not been forthcoming, APRO feels the burden of proof is on the doubter, and to prove his case he must produce samples of 100 % pure magnesium manufactured prior to September 1957.