Anomalia - 1a Epoca - No 04

Magazine Overview

Title: Anomalía
Issue: Nº 4-1ª Epoca
Date: December 2001
Publisher: Fundación Anomalía
Country: Spain
Language: Spanish

This issue of Anomalía magazine, dated December 2001, presents a diverse range of articles focusing on ufology, scientific investigation, and the preservation of knowledge.

Cover Features

The cover prominently features a sketch of a man's face, with the main headline announcing "En la desaparición del Prof. Manuel Pedrajo" (On the disappearance of Prof. Manuel Pedrajo). Another significant headline, "DESPLIEGUE LUMINOSO SOBRE CANARIAS" (Luminous Deployment Over Canarias), is accompanied by a video still of a re-entry, credited to Dr. David Clarke of UFOIN, Great Britain.

Editorial: De la preservación de los legados

The editorial, titled "De la preservación de los legados" (On the preservation of legacies), discusses the challenges faced by ufological research, particularly the struggle against egoism and envy within the community. It highlights the mission of Fundación Anomalía to safeguard ufological legacies, archives, and libraries for future generations. The editorial contrasts the efforts of those who contribute generously with those who seek to exploit or claim credit, emphasizing the institution's commitment to preserving individual efforts with dignity. It is signed by Julio Arcas Gilardi and José Ruesga Montiel.

Articles and Features

The British UFO Office Closes

A Reuters report from London details the closure of the British UFO Office after nearly 50 years due to a drastic decline in reported UFO sightings. Denis Plunkett, the founder, notes a significant "drought" in reports and speculates that extraterrestrial visitors may have finished their exploration of Earth. He also points to cyberspace as a new challenge for UFO enthusiasts.

J.A. Hynek's First Statement on Flying Saucers

This section presents the first public statement by Professor J.A. Hynek, dated July 6, 1947. Hynek, associate director of the Perkins Observatory, suggests that flying saucers, if real, likely do not originate from outer space, as sightings are concentrated in the United States and not reported globally. He notes that large telescopes are not ideal for observing them and recommends using the naked eye or binoculars. He advises witnesses to carefully observe trajectory and note positions relative to the horizon.

La Nave de los Locos Magazine Review

Ricardo Campo Pérez reviews "La Nave de los Locos," a Chilean ufology magazine edited by Sergio Sánchez and Diego Zúñiga. He praises its quality, noting its focus on ufology in Chile and Mexico, the FIDAE conference, and the "Psychosociological Hypothesis." The magazine also covers abduction cases and defends the role of skeptics like Phillip J. Klass. The review highlights the magazine's elegant style and humor, which has drawn criticism from some readers.

"Ciencias y Pseudociencias en el Siglo XXI" Conference Cycle

This section details a series of conferences held at the Ateneo de La Laguna, Tenerife, from October 23, 2001, to January 30, 2002. The cycle, sponsored by the Ateneo and Orfeón La Paz, covers topics such as the origins of modern science, astroarchaeology, the social construction of science, cloning, visual perception, alternative medicines, destructive sects, and "Erase una vez...los platillos volantes" (Once upon a time...flying saucers), presented by Ricardo Campo Pérez.

Editorial Novelty: Transmutaciones y Transfiguraciones

Fundación Anomalía announces the publication of "La Mitopoiesis Ufológica" (The Ufological Mythopoiesis) by Martin S. Kottmeyer and Stefania Genovese, titled "Transmutaciones y Transfiguraciones." Orders can be placed with Fundación Anomalía.

Fundación Anomalía Awards and Grants 2002

The announcement for the 2002 awards and grants from Fundación Anomalía, made on November 4, 2001. Prizes include the Premio Internacional Zúrich (250,000 ptas), Beca Universitas (150,000 ptas), and the Ricardo Caruncho Research Aid Fund (up to 100,000 ptas). The Premio Cuadernos de Ufología is also mentioned.

Caminando en la Búsqueda (Walking in the Search)

José Ruesga Montiel reflects on his nearly 30 years of ufological research, noting the evolution from initial extraterrestrial hypotheses to a more psychosocial and anthropological understanding of the phenomenon. He emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary study and collaboration, criticizing simplistic explanations and the "official science" dichotomy. Ruesga Montiel highlights the value of field research combined with meticulous analysis and acknowledges the contributions of various individuals and groups, including the RNC, Ufología Andaluza, CEFO, Cuadernos de Ufología, and Fundación Anomalía. He stresses the importance of teamwork and learning from past experiences.

The Condon Report and the Prairie Network

This article critically examines the Condon Report's handling of data from the Prairie Network, a project designed to photograph meteors. The author argues that the report deliberately obscured findings that 22 out of 114 UFO cases investigated between 1965 and 1967 could be correlated with Prairie Network images, with 16 remaining unexplained (73%). The report allegedly used misleading terminology like "inconclusive identification" (INC) instead of "correlation," and falsely claimed that all cases had astronomical explanations, when only 6 out of 8 comparable cases did (75%). The author contends that the network's cameras were primarily suited for detecting bright meteors and were not designed for typical UFO observation.

Case OVNI con Fotografía Resuelto (UFO Case with Photograph Resolved)

Juan Carlos Victorio Uranga presents a case from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, on July 16, 1979, where three witnesses photographed a UFO. The object was described as composed of changing yellow-red lights. The photographs were sent to CEI for analysis. The article notes that after 22 years, contact was re-established with the person who sent the photos, potentially leading to a solution.

Puntualizaciones (Clarifications)

Manuel Borraz provides clarifications on previous articles. He corrects the date of a reported UFO incident over a Siberian airport to January 21, 2001, suggesting the phenomenon was likely Venus. He also clarifies a report about a luminous phenomenon in Fez, Morocco, on February 9, 1964, attributing it to a sodium cloud released by a rocket.

Los OVNIS de la Pradera (The Prairie UFOs)

Brad Sparks discusses the "Prairie Network," a project that operated from 1963 to 1975 with the goal of photographing meteors. Despite its extensive coverage, the project had only one success: a meteorite fall in Lost Hills, Oklahoma. The article criticizes the Condon committee's claim that the cameras could locate UFOs, arguing that the network's capabilities were limited to detecting meteors and bright astronomical objects.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a rigorous, evidence-based approach to ufology, emphasizing scientific investigation, critical analysis, and the importance of preserving historical data. There is a clear stance against sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, advocating for a multidisciplinary understanding of the phenomenon. The editorial emphasizes collaboration and the value of collective effort in advancing ufological research, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by internal conflicts and the need for intellectual honesty. The magazine appears to support the idea that ufology can contribute to scientific understanding when approached with proper methodology and a willingness to integrate findings from various disciplines, including social sciences.

This issue of 'THE GOLDEN AGE OF UFOS' (Vol. N/A, Issue 20-21, November 2001) is a Spanish-language publication from Black Mesa Press, priced at $9.95. The cover prominently features the book title and a UFO graphic.

Book Review: The Golden Age of UFOs by Donald R. Burleson

The issue includes a review by V.J. Ballester Olmos of Donald R. Burleson's book, 'The Golden Age of UFOs'. Burleson, a doctor in English literature and expert in computer imaging, posits that the period between 1947 and 1952 was a 'golden age' for UFOs, filled with excellent photographs and testimonies, which he believes indicate an extraterrestrial origin. The review touches upon Burleson's personal encounter with a UFO at age five and his later fascination with the subject, including the Roswell incident. The book highlights cases like McMinnville, Oregon (May 11, 1950) and the sighting by Nicholas Roerich in the Himalayas (August 1926) as significant evidence. Burleson also focuses on the Roswell crash, analyzing photographs of alleged debris and attempting to decipher a teletype message. The review mentions other photographic cases discussed in the book, such as Rhodes, Great Falls, Lubbock, and Tremonton.

However, the reviewer, V.J. Ballester Olmos, expresses skepticism, suggesting that Burleson's strong belief in extraterrestrial origins leads to biased interpretations and 'aberrant conclusions'. Olmos argues that such credulity is incompatible with a scientific spirit.

Analysis of UFO Cases and the Condon Committee

The magazine delves into the complexities of UFO case classification, particularly referencing the work of the 'Prairie Network' and the 'Condon Committee'. It highlights how cases were reclassified, leading to confusion. The article criticizes the Condon Committee for its 'profound obscurity' in hiding results that favored UFOs and for establishing rules that led to cases being categorized as 'Sin conclusión' (SC) or 'No operativas'. The text points out that the committee suppressed a list of 16 important unexplained UFO cases confirmed by scientific instruments of the Prairie Network project.

The article details a breakdown of cases, distinguishing between UFOs and OVIs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena), and categorizing them by correlational probability ('concluyente', 'aceptable', 'sin conclusión', 'no operativas'). It notes that 43 cases lacked directional information (NI).

Investigation into Luminous Phenomena in the Canary Islands (November 1997)

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to an investigation into luminous phenomena observed in the Canary Islands between November 20 and 22, 1997. Initially reported as UFOs, the events were later analyzed by UFOIN, astronomical experts, and NASA.

Witnesses described bright lights, 'shooting stars', 'comets with trails', and 'burning objects with smoke'. The initial reports from local newspapers like Canarias 7 suggested meteoric activity.

However, further investigation, including analysis of a video filmed by a tourist from Yorkshire, led to the conclusion that the primary event on November 21, 1997, was the re-entry of a Soviet Soyuz rocket booster (Resurs F-1M). This conclusion was supported by Dr. Nicholas Johnson, Chief Scientist of NASA's Orbital Debris Office, who confirmed the video showed a typical re-entry of a large object.

The article also discusses observations on November 20 and 22, which were likely meteors, possibly from the Leonids or Taurids showers, but the limited data made definitive confirmation difficult.

Fundación Anomalía Activities

The magazine also reports on the activities of Fundación Anomalía, including its annual patron meeting in Valencia in November 2001. The meeting covered financial reports, budget approvals for 2002, and plans for improving IT infrastructure and updating their headquarters. They discussed the growth of their bibliographic database, the 'UFO Academic Abstracts', and the progress on their Thesaurus.

Awards and grants were announced: the 'Beca Universitas' was awarded to a project on 'Hydroaerolitos', the 'Fondo Ricardo Caruncho' was granted to Antonio Salinas, Marcos A. Benitez, and Juan Carlos Victorio Uranga for their research, and the 'Premio Géminis' for the most outstanding researcher of the year went to Manuel Borraz Aymerich. The 'Anaparéstesis' award was given to Matilde González García for her dedication to the foundation's administrative tasks. A 'Fondo Antonio Ribera' was established for database development.

Discussions also covered future publications, including the 'Anuario CdU' and 'Biblioteca Camile Flammarion', and the presentation of an institutional dossier. The foundation's press office reported on its international outreach.

Editorial Stance and Recurring Themes

The magazine consistently emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and scientific analysis in understanding UFO phenomena. It critiques organizations and committees that appear to obfuscate or mismanage data, particularly highlighting the Condon Committee's perceived lack of transparency. There is a recurring theme of distinguishing between genuine unexplained phenomena and misidentifications, such as meteors or space debris. The publication also showcases the ongoing work and dedication of ufological organizations like Fundación Anomalía and Colectivo Cuadernos in collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information on anomalous phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking factual explanations while acknowledging the persistent mystery surrounding some cases.

This issue of UFO magazine, dated November 1997, delves into various unexplained aerial phenomena, satellite re-entries, and the scientific analysis of UFO evidence. The magazine features articles on specific sightings, a review of a book on scientific ufology, and discussions on the characteristics and analysis of video footage of unidentified objects.

Satellite Re-entry Over Gran Canaria

The magazine reports on an incident in November 1997 where observers in Gran Canaria witnessed what was initially thought to be a meteor. However, based on its long duration, scientists suggested it might have been a satellite re-entry. The article references the Harvard Smithsonian Catalog and other precise sources for satellite re-entries, identifying the Resurs F1M Soyuz U-r as a likely candidate. Other explanations considered included the passage of a meteor from the Leonid shower. Experts commented that fragments of the re-entry could have appeared at different times, explaining other similar reports. This event was unusual due to the coincidence of a meteor shower and an orbital re-entry, dismissing local press claims of a video recording of a spacecraft by Mr. Chapman.

UFO Sightings in Israel

Two videos from the Israeli coast are analyzed, showing objects with characteristics commonly associated with UFOs: erratic movement, a wide range of speeds, and right-angle turns. The most unusual aspect is the erratic movement, with estimated accelerations impossible for current technology. The analysis notes that zoom usage in the videos led to the loss of terrestrial reference points, but the starry background allowed for movement measurement. One incident on July 22, 1999, involved an object observed over an Israeli Air Force base for six hours without sound, witnessed by over 100 people. The object's movement was analyzed using stars as reference points, revealing rapid changes in direction and speed, inconsistent with conventional aircraft. The article details the object's characteristics, including its lack of anti-collision lights, changing light positions, and an unusual structure resembling "headphone bridges." The possibility of it being a helicopter is considered, but deemed unlikely due to the duration and silence of the observation. Another sighting on September 2, 1998, involved a video of a strange red-yellow-blue triangle described as 'patrolling' the skies near Rishon Leziyon. The video, filmed manually, shows the object rotating and changing lights, with its apparent size varying due to zoom. The analysis highlights that the object performed approximately 15 revolutions, with each turn starting slowly and ending in a flash.

Book Review: Scientific Ufology by Kevin Randle

The magazine includes a review of Kevin Randle's book 'Scientific Ufology.' The reviewer notes that while the book aims to apply scientific methodology to UFO cases, it doesn't always deliver on that promise. However, the book is considered serious and valuable for its objective approach, presenting cases that are resolved and others that remain mysteries. Randle is credited with demystifying some established beliefs about extraterrestrials while remaining open to skeptical viewpoints. The review discusses chapters on radar cases, photographic evidence, and the psychology of UFO sightings. Randle's analysis of photographic evidence highlights five classic cases, acknowledging the scarcity of definitive photographic proof. The book also addresses alleged UFO hoaxes and fraud. Randle's conclusion is that there is no conclusive proof of extraterrestrial visitation, but the phenomenon warrants scientific investigation.

Analysis of Object Characteristics

The analysis of the observed objects points to several key characteristics: they lack typical aircraft anti-collision lights, their light positions change rapidly, and they exhibit unusual movement patterns and speeds. The objects are described as having a triangular shape and emitting bright yellow-orange light with fainter white lights. The possibility of infrared emission is also noted. The analysis emphasizes that these characteristics are inconsistent with known aircraft and suggest a phenomenon that requires further scientific study.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the rigorous analysis of UFO sightings, the application of scientific methods to understand unexplained aerial phenomena, and the distinction between UFOs and extraterrestrial visitation. The magazine maintains a stance that while definitive proof of alien spacecraft is lacking, the evidence gathered from sightings and video analysis warrants serious scientific investigation. The editorial approach appears to be one of critical examination, seeking to debunk hoaxes while acknowledging the genuinely unexplained aspects of the UFO phenomenon.

This issue of Mundo Desconocido features a tribute to Professor Manuel Pedrajo, a prominent figure in Spanish ufology. The article, written by Julio Arcas and José Ruesga, commemorates his life and contributions to the study of unidentified flying objects (UFOs).

In Memoriam: Professor Manuel Pedrajo

The authors recall Professor Manuel Pedrajo as a friend and colleague, comparing his departure to being struck by lightning. They note that Pedrajo was one of the first in Spain to publish a comprehensive book dedicated to collecting, analyzing, and hypothesizing about UFO cases. His book, "Los Platillos volantes y la evidencia" (Flying Saucers and the Evidence), published in 1954, detailed a significant early encounter in Spain: the case of Villares del Saz, Cuenca, in July 1953. This publication occurred during a time when such topics were not widely accepted, and it even attracted the attention of the Directorate General of Security.

Pedrajo's public involvement in ufology began in the 1970s with symposiums and conferences in Santander, organized by the now-defunct group CIOVE. He was known for his humor, extensive culture, and a conviction that UFOs, which he referred to as "platillos volantes," exerted a form of manipulation over humanity and intervened in the biosphere, orchestrating events he termed "stage productions."

The article mentions an international conference in Santander in 1991 and a gathering in August with members of Fundación Anomalía and the CEI (Center for Extraterrestrial Studies) from Barcelona, including Pedro Redón and Mari Carmen Tamayo. During this meeting, Pedrajo spoke candidly about his experiences and research.

Intellectual Background and Interests

Professor Pedrajo was a humanist scholar who studied Philosophy and Ancient History in Paris and Madrid. His interest in aerial phenomena was sparked by early journalistic reports in the 1950s. Beyond his ufological pursuits, he was a collector of violins and an accomplished classical music performer.

Notable Cases and Legacy

Pedrajo was part of a group of pioneers in Spanish ufology, including Osuna, Buelta, Lleget, and Ribera. He influenced many, and despite controversial ideas, he approached the subject with generosity and an honest desire to understand the nature of "flying saucers." The article notes his direct involvement in classic cases like the "E.C." of Pontejos in 1968 and the case involving hunters in Porcieda (Liébana) in 1966.

The authors express sadness at Pedrajo's passing, occurring shortly after the disappearance of Ribera, marking the end of an era for these pioneers. They emphasize the importance of remembering their courtesy, intellectual depth, and the friendships that transcended partisan views. The current generation, they state, has the obligation to pass on the legacy of these early researchers to future generations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue focuses on remembrance and the historical context of ufology in Spain. The editorial stance is one of respect for the pioneers and a call to preserve their contributions and spirit of inquiry. The article highlights the importance of rigorous investigation, intellectual honesty, and the enduring mystery of UFO phenomena, suggesting that Pedrajo's work continues to inspire questions about the universe.