Papers d'OVNIS

Magazine Overview

Title: Papers d'OVNIS
Issue: Número 4
Date: Abril 1994
Publisher: Centre d'Estudis Interplanetaris (CEI)
Language: Catalan (with some Spanish articles)

This issue of Papers d'OVNIS, the bulletin of the Centre d'Estudis Interplanetaris, delves into several UFO/UAP cases and discusses the nature of ufological investigation. The cover prominently features the headline "OVNI sobre la vertical de Cubelles en 1982" (UFO over the vertical of Cubelles in 1982), accompanied by a sketch illustrating a mysterious scene.

Editorial: Repensar el Fenómeno OVNI (Rethinking the UFO Phenomenon)

Joan Crexell, in his editorial, reflects on the decline of public interest in UFOs since the 'golden age' of mass sightings. He notes that while the phenomenon itself seems to be less active, the remaining enthusiasts are a small, dedicated group. Crexell suggests that to understand the phenomenon better, it's crucial to revisit the vast archives of cases, particularly those involving 'occupants' and their activities outside the craft. He proposes focusing on potential actions like collecting samples or startling citizens, and exploring other behavioral patterns beyond simple sightings. The core message is the need to 'rethink the UFO phenomenon' by piecing together individual elements to form a complete understanding.

OVNI sobre Cubelles (Cataluña 1982) (UFO over Cubelles)

This article details a sighting that occurred on February 26, 1982, near Cubelles, Catalonia. The report, originally published in the newspaper El Correo Catalán, describes how municipal police officers Florentino García and Rodrigo Egea observed a luminous object near an abandoned hermitage around 4:30 AM. The object reportedly initiated maneuvers, moving towards Cubelles and then towards the coast, where it remained stationary over the sea for about two hours. A Lieutenant Mayor, a police chief, and other officers also witnessed the event. The article includes a sworn statement from the police officers and mentions that an airplane approaching the object turned back. The CEI members Josep M. Horta, Joan A. Monton, and the article's author investigated the case further, confirming the witnesses' accounts. The object was described as predominantly yellow with intermittent bright flashes and was observed for about an hour and a half, spending more time stationary than in motion. One witness noted an airplane that approached the object and then veered away.

L'únic OVNI que he vist (The Only UFO I Have Seen)

Joan Crexell recounts his personal sighting from the weekend of March 19-20, 1978, near Valencia. While driving towards Valencia, he and his wife observed a powerful, white, neon-like light, about the size of a fifty-peseta coin, crossing the sky. Initially mistaken for an airplane, its behavior – stopping above a factory and remaining stationary for about fifteen minutes – indicated otherwise. The light was estimated to be about 500 meters high. They drove closer to investigate but found nothing unusual. The event occurred during a cold night with clear visibility. No local newspapers reported any unusual occurrences that day.

Un OVNI en alta mar (A UFO at Sea) (Océano Atlántico 1975)

This article, written by Joan Plana, details an unusual sighting that occurred in August 1975 aboard the cargo and passenger ship "Villa de Bilbao." The ship was en route from Santa Cruz de la Palma to Vigo. Around 7-8 PM, approximately 34° North latitude and 15° West longitude, the ship's lookout spotted a metallic, cigar-shaped object moving silently about 10 meters above the sea. The object was estimated to be 15 meters long and 2.5 meters high, maintaining the ship's speed of about 14 knots. It displayed no visible structural details and emitted no sound. The object was observed for about three minutes by the lookout, the captain, and other crew members before it suddenly accelerated and disappeared. The radar on the ship was not operational at the time. The article notes that the "Villa de Bilbao" was retired from service in 1980. A editorial note suggests that the short duration of many UFO sightings, often coinciding with the moment of observation, might indicate a deliberate strategy by the craft to be seen and then disappear, possibly hinting at advanced intelligence.

El laberinto ufológico. I. El testigo (The Ufological Labyrinth. I. The Witness)

Authored by V. Cererols, this article critically examines the role and perception of UFO witnesses. Cererols argues that the study of UFOs is complicated by the subjective nature of witness testimony. He contrasts the 'first-class' witnesses (educated, intelligent) of the 1960s-70s with those perceived as less credible, noting how this created a hierarchy. The author suggests that the 'passive' UFOs of earlier decades, which were often described as silent and mysterious, have been replaced by more 'aggressive' and 'messianic' accounts in recent times, with UFOs sometimes performing 'aerial spectacles.' Cererols questions whether the witnesses or the phenomena themselves have changed. He emphasizes the significant influence of media and popularizers on how UFO events are reported and interpreted. The article also touches upon the 'field investigator' or 'turn journalist' as a decisive figure. Cererols advocates for a more rational approach, accepting that witnesses can err, imagine, or be manipulated, without dismissing their experiences entirely. He stresses the importance of analyzing phenomena logically and naturally to focus on the truly inexplicable.

Papers de Charles Fort

This section presents two articles inspired by the work of Charles Fort.

¿«Transistores» en la Francia del siglo XVII? ("Transistors" in 17th Century France?)

This article highlights a passage from Cyrano de Bergerac's "A Comical History of the States and Empires of the Moon" (written between 1619-1655). In the book, the protagonist describes a 'book' that has no pages or letters but produces sounds and speech when a dial is turned. The author of this article draws a striking parallel between this description and the function of a transistor, questioning whether Cyrano de Bergerac could have envisioned such a device centuries before its invention. The article notes the description of the device as being metal and having 'imperceptible springs and machines,' resembling an early, book-sized transistor.

La detonació del març 1971 al cel de Barcelona (The March 1971 detonation in the Barcelona sky)

This piece recounts an unexplained loud explosion heard across Barcelona on March 18, 1971. Newspapers at the time, including La Vanguardia, El Correo Catalán, and Diario de Barcelona, reported the incident as an "unusual noise" with no clear explanation. Emergency services received numerous calls inquiring about the origin of the sound. While some speculated it might have been a plane breaking the sound barrier, no official confirmation was provided. The article notes that Charles Fort had documented similar unexplained explosions in his writings, such as one in Madrid in 1896, which caused structural damage and panic. The author concludes by emphasizing the need to seek logical explanations for phenomena but to remain open to the truly inexplicable.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed case studies of UFO sightings, analysis of witness credibility and the evolution of UFO reports, and historical perspectives on unexplained aerial phenomena. The CEI, as the publisher, appears to maintain an open yet analytical stance, encouraging rigorous investigation and critical thinking while acknowledging the enduring mystery of the UFO phenomenon. The magazine aims to provide a platform for sharing and discussing cases, fostering a deeper understanding through collective research and historical context. The editorial stance leans towards a rational approach to ufology, encouraging a re-evaluation of past data and a critical examination of current trends in witness reporting and interpretation.