The Ubatuba UFO Fragments

In September 1957, witnesses on a beach near Ubatuba, Brazil, observed a disc-shaped craft explode in the sky. Metal fragments fell to the beach and were collected. Laboratory analysis revealed the material was magnesium of extraordinary purity—supposedly impossible to manufacture with technology of that era.

The Sighting

According to witnesses:

• A disc-shaped object was seen flying over the ocean
• The craft appeared to be in distress
• It exploded spectacularly in the air
• Metallic fragments rained down on the beach

The Fragments

Witnesses collected:

• Small pieces of shiny, lightweight metal
• Grayish-white in color
• Light enough to float on water
• Several samples were preserved

How the Story Emerged

An anonymous letter was sent to Brazilian journalist Ibrahim Sued:

• Accompanied by metal fragments
• Described the beach sighting
• Requested analysis
• Witnesses apparently wished to remain anonymous

Initial Analysis

Brazilian scientist Dr. Olavo Fontes:

• Obtained the fragments for study
• Arranged for laboratory analysis
• Documented the chain of custody
• Shared samples with multiple facilities

Laboratory Results

Analysis revealed extraordinary properties:

• The metal was magnesium of 99.9%+ purity
• This exceeded any magnesium produced industrially at the time
• Normal magnesium contained trace impurities
• The samples showed virtually none

The Purity Problem

In 1957:

• Industrial magnesium contained 0.5-2% impurities
• Achieving 99.9% purity was technologically impossible
• The Ubatuba samples exceeded theoretical limits
• No known process could produce such material

Subsequent Analyses

The fragments were analyzed by:

• Brazilian laboratories
• The Dow Chemical Company
• Stanford Research Institute (later)
• Various government laboratories

Results varied but consistently showed unusual purity.

APRO Investigation

The Aerial Phenomena Research Organization:

• Obtained and studied samples
• Distributed material to researchers
• Documented the analysis history
• Considered it significant evidence

Skeptical Views

Critics argued:

• The anonymous source was problematic
• Chain of custody was imperfect
• Later analysis showed less dramatic purity
• Manufacturing processes may have been misunderstood

Later Analysis

When analyzed with more modern equipment:

• Some samples showed slightly lower purity
• However, they remained unusually pure for their time
• Isotope ratios were also studied
• Results continued to be anomalous

Significance

The Ubatuba fragments are significant for:

• Physical material allegedly from a UFO
• Documented laboratory analysis
• Anomalous purity levels
• Challenge to contemporary technology claims
• Multiple independent analyses

Legacy

The Ubatuba fragments represent rare physical evidence in UFO research. While questions remain about the source and exact purity levels, the material has been subjected to more scientific analysis than almost any other alleged UFO artifact. The case demonstrates both the potential and the difficulties of physical trace research.