The Trindade Island's UFO
Encyclopedia
The Trindade Island's UFO refers to a unidentified flying object
which was seen and photographed over the Trindade Island
on January 16, 1958. The photographs were rumored as being a hoax. In August 2010, a major TV show in Brazil aired information stating that the original photographer had made "hoax" photographs in the past. After an incorrect translation, many in the English speaking world incorrectly believed the television show's report indicated that the "Trindade Island's UFO" photo was in fact a fake. However, the report was discussing an entirely different set of photographs. To date, the authenticity of the photo remains a mystery.
ian ship
Almirante Saldanha, taking part in projects of the International Geophysical Year
, was preparing to sail away from Ilha de Trindade, off the coast of the state of Espírito Santo
.
Among the crew of the ship, there was a member of the Brazilian Air Force
, Captain José Teobaldo Viegas, the submarine photographer Almiro Baraúna, several scientists and a group of highly trained explorers.
Reportedly Captain Viegas was on the deck with several scientists and members of the crew when he suddenly noticed a flying object, which had a "ring" around it, just like Saturn
. Witnesses present reportedly saw the UFO at the same time.
It reportedly came toward the island from the east, flew towards the "Pico Desejado" (Wished Peak), made a steep turn and went away very quickly to the northwest.
As soon as the object was noticed, Almiro Baraúna was sought for photography. After getting the camera and going up the quarter-deck, he managed to take several pictures of the object.
After being disclosed, the pictures were exhaustively analyzed by the Laboratório de Reconhecimento Aéreo da Marinha (Brazilian Navy's Aerial Reconnaissance Laboratory) and by the Serviço Aerofotogramétrico Cruzeiro do Sul. All the pictures were considered genuine, taken from a real occurrence, with the certification of military personnel. The pictures even received confirmation from Juscelino Kubitschek, president of Brazil
at that time.
To this day because of the certification of the witnesses and the official recognition, the object in Almiro Baraúna's pictures remains unexplained.
(the controversial US Air Force investigation into the UFO phenomenon) concluded that the photographs were hoaxed. The credibility of Barauna himself has been questioned. He had produced hoaxed photographs in the past (not only of UFOs) and in the past had written an article showing how a well-known UFO photograph taken some years earlier could have been hoaxed. Also, Barauna had the negatives for two days before the Brazilian Navy took them from him for their investigation, and he had cut them away from the remainder of the film negatives. Also, the Brazilian Navy
did not get statements from the witnesses immediately after the event. Therefore, the actual number of witnesses is not known with certainty.
Unidentified flying object
A term originally coined by the military, an unidentified flying object is an unusual apparent anomaly in the sky that is not readily identifiable to the observer as any known object...
which was seen and photographed over the Trindade Island
Trindade and Martim Vaz
Trindade and Martim Vaz is an archipelago located about 1,200 kilometers east of Vitória in the Southern Atlantic Ocean, belonging to the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The archipelago has a total area of 10.4 km² and a population of 32...
on January 16, 1958. The photographs were rumored as being a hoax. In August 2010, a major TV show in Brazil aired information stating that the original photographer had made "hoax" photographs in the past. After an incorrect translation, many in the English speaking world incorrectly believed the television show's report indicated that the "Trindade Island's UFO" photo was in fact a fake. However, the report was discussing an entirely different set of photographs. To date, the authenticity of the photo remains a mystery.
The story
At 12:00 pm on January 16, 1958, BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian ship
Ship
Since the end of the age of sail a ship has been any large buoyant marine vessel. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing,...
Almirante Saldanha, taking part in projects of the International Geophysical Year
International Geophysical Year
The International Geophysical Year was an international scientific project that lasted from July 1, 1957, to December 31, 1958. It marked the end of a long period during the Cold War when scientific interchange between East and West was seriously interrupted...
, was preparing to sail away from Ilha de Trindade, off the coast of the state of Espírito Santo
Espírito Santo
Espírito Santo is one of the states of southeastern Brazil, often referred to by the abbreviation "ES". Its capital is Vitória and the largest city is Vila Velha. The name of the state means literally "holy spirit" after the Holy Ghost of Christianity...
.
Among the crew of the ship, there was a member of the Brazilian Air Force
Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
, Captain José Teobaldo Viegas, the submarine photographer Almiro Baraúna, several scientists and a group of highly trained explorers.
Reportedly Captain Viegas was on the deck with several scientists and members of the crew when he suddenly noticed a flying object, which had a "ring" around it, just like Saturn
Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturn, equated to the Greek Cronus , the Babylonian Ninurta and the Hindu Shani. Saturn's astronomical symbol represents the Roman god's sickle.Saturn,...
. Witnesses present reportedly saw the UFO at the same time.
It reportedly came toward the island from the east, flew towards the "Pico Desejado" (Wished Peak), made a steep turn and went away very quickly to the northwest.
As soon as the object was noticed, Almiro Baraúna was sought for photography. After getting the camera and going up the quarter-deck, he managed to take several pictures of the object.
After being disclosed, the pictures were exhaustively analyzed by the Laboratório de Reconhecimento Aéreo da Marinha (Brazilian Navy's Aerial Reconnaissance Laboratory) and by the Serviço Aerofotogramétrico Cruzeiro do Sul. All the pictures were considered genuine, taken from a real occurrence, with the certification of military personnel. The pictures even received confirmation from Juscelino Kubitschek, president of Brazil
President of Brazil
The president of Brazil is both the head of state and head of government of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the Brazilian Armed Forces...
at that time.
To this day because of the certification of the witnesses and the official recognition, the object in Almiro Baraúna's pictures remains unexplained.
Controversy
Other investigators of the case have questioned the authenticity of the photos. Project Blue BookProject Blue Book
Project Blue Book was one of a series of systematic studies of unidentified flying objects conducted by the United States Air Force. Started in 1952, it was the second revival of such a study...
(the controversial US Air Force investigation into the UFO phenomenon) concluded that the photographs were hoaxed. The credibility of Barauna himself has been questioned. He had produced hoaxed photographs in the past (not only of UFOs) and in the past had written an article showing how a well-known UFO photograph taken some years earlier could have been hoaxed. Also, Barauna had the negatives for two days before the Brazilian Navy took them from him for their investigation, and he had cut them away from the remainder of the film negatives. Also, the Brazilian Navy
Brazilian Navy
The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
did not get statements from the witnesses immediately after the event. Therefore, the actual number of witnesses is not known with certainty.
External links
- Forgetomori article about the hoax
- Trindade Island's UFO - MUROF
- Trindade Island's UFO - Cohen UFO
- Trindade Island's UFO - NICAP
- Trindade Island's UFO - One of the pictures taken by Almiro Baraúna
- Trindade Island's UFO - Work by Kentaro Mori (Brazil) with many links to other works
- Martin J. Powell's Trindade Island UFO page
- Study by Martin Shough
