In 1974, a family named the Betts found a mysterious, highly polished metal sphere in their backyard on Fort George Island, Florida. The sphere, about 8 inches in diameter and 21 pounds, had unusual properties, including responding to sound, vibrating, and moving on its own. The family's attempts to understand the sphere's origins and purpose were met with skepticism and scrutiny from the US military and government agencies. As the story gained international attention, the Betts family received numerous offers to buy the sphere, including a $750,000 cash offer from a group of scientists. However, they became increasingly paranoid and withdrew from the public eye.
The sphere was eventually taken by the Navy for testing, and an X-ray revealed a complex internal structure with three smaller spheres inside. However, when the sphere was returned to the Betts family, it no longer had its original properties, leading them to suspect that it had been replaced with a fake.
Theories about the sphere's origin and purpose range from a downed satellite or industrial equipment to an extraterrestrial artifact or even an alien atomic weapon. While the true nature of the Betts sphere remains a mystery, its story has become a fascinating footnote in the history of unexplained phenomena.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. In the spring of 1974, a large brush fire swept across the property owned by Antoine and Jerry Betts.
2. While assessing the damage, they noticed a highly polished metal sphere lying in the smoldering grass.
3. The sphere was 8 inches in diameter and extremely heavy.
4. The Betts family brought the sphere home, which would change their lives forever.
5. The family's property was on Fort George Island, just outside of Jacksonville, Florida.
6. Antoine Betts was a marine engineer, and his wife Jerry was an artist.
7. The Betts family was educated and well-to-do, with six children.
8. The sphere was nicknamed the "BET sphere" or the "Bets orb".
9. The sphere weighed about 21 pounds and was slightly smaller than a bowling ball.
10. The sphere had no seams, no weld marks, and no signs of machining.
11. It had a few scuffs and scratches but no other dents or damage.
12. The sphere had a 3-millimeter triangle etched or stamped into it.
13. When Terry Betts brought the sphere home, it started to move on its own and responded to sound.
14. The sphere would vibrate along with the notes played on a guitar.
15. The sphere had a magnetic field, and a paper clip would stick to it.
16. The sphere seemed to be more active when exposed to sunlight.
17. When set in the sun, the sphere would vibrate and emit a low hum.
18. The sphere stayed warm for three entire days after being brought inside.
19. The Betts family reached out to the Jacksonville Journal, which sent a photographer to investigate.
20. The photographer, Lon Anger, was a longtime photographer for the Jacksonville Journal.
21. The Navy wanted to have a look at the sphere and offered to buy it, but Jerry Betts refused.
22. The Navy confirmed that the sphere wasn't government property and wasn't dangerous.
23. The sphere was returned to the Betts family, but with a mysterious X-ray image showing its internal structure.
24. The X-ray image showed that the sphere had an outer shell, different layers of steel, and a hollow space with three smaller spheres inside.
25. Dr. Carl Williston of the Omega Minus One Institute examined the sphere and found that it was emitting radio waves.
26. Dr. James Harder, an engineering professor, confirmed Dr. Williston's findings and warned that drilling into the sphere could cause it to go critical.
27. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a well-known astronomer and UFO advisor to the U.S. Air Force, examined the sphere and confirmed the findings of the other scientists.
28. The Betts family sent Terry and the sphere to a UFO panel assembled by The National Enquirer.
29. Dr. Hynek felt that the sphere was man-made, but the panel couldn't explain its strange behavior.
30. The sphere was taken to New Orleans for further testing, where it was guarded by the Navy.
31. When Terry tried to retrieve the sphere, he was told that it was being tested and couldn't be returned.
32. The sphere was eventually returned to Terry, but it no longer had four magnetic poles, and the X-rays showed that it had a seam and dust inside instead of the three smaller spheres.
33. The Betts family suspected that the sphere had been replaced with a fake one.
34. Dr. Harder warned the Betts family to be careful, as he didn't trust Dr. Hynek and thought he might have had something to do with the sphere being replaced.
35. The Betts family eventually faded back into society, sold their house, and left the island.
36. Jerry Betts still lives and has a blog where she showcases her artwork, but she never mentions the BET sphere.
37. The true nature and origin of the BET sphere remain unknown.