Papers d'OVNIS

Magazine Overview

Title: Papers d'OVNIS
Issue: 27-28
Date: Marzo-Abril 1996
Publisher: Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios (CEI)
Language: Spanish

This issue of Papers d'OVNIS, a bulletin from the Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios, focuses heavily on the burgeoning intersection of ufology and the Internet, alongside significant case reports and discussions on anomalous aerial phenomena.

Especial Internet: UFOs and the Web

The magazine dedicates a significant portion to the impact of the Internet on ufology. It explores how the World Wide Web has become a crucial tool for accessing information, sharing research, and connecting with other enthusiasts. The articles detail the evolution of computing, from early command-line interfaces to graphical user interfaces like Windows and Mac OS, emphasizing how these advancements have made computers more accessible.

The Evolution of Computing and the Internet

The "Viaje Ufológico por las Autopistas de la Información" section traces the development of personal computing and networking. It highlights the transition from user-adapting-to-machine to machine-adapting-to-user, with the advent of user-friendly operating systems and multimedia capabilities. The concept of the Internet and its precursor, ARPAnet, is explained, detailing its origins in defense strategy and its expansion through the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the creation of the National Research and Education Network (NREN).

The article delves into the technical aspects of the Web, explaining protocols like TCP/IP, FTP, and Telnet, and the development of hypertext. It introduces HTML (HyperText Markup Language) as the standard for creating web pages, allowing for the integration of text, images, sounds, and other media. The role of browsers like Mosaic and Netscape is discussed, along with the concept of URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) and the challenges of navigating the vastness of the Internet.

Ufology on the Internet

The magazine provides extensive lists of websites related to ufology, categorizing them into general information, magazines and periodicals, bibliographies, and ufologists. Notable mentions include Stan Friedman's UFO Page, Flying Saucer Review, and various university-affiliated sites. The article emphasizes how the Internet has democratized information dissemination, allowing direct access to data and research without traditional media intermediaries.

It highlights the impact of the Roswell case on Internet discussions and the emergence of new research projects like the Hessdalen Project. The article also touches upon the commercial aspects of the Internet, including online stores for UFO-related merchandise and the use of credit cards for transactions.

Groups and Discussion Forums

Beyond individual websites, the issue points to online communities such as discussion groups (Internet Relay Chat - IRC) and mailing lists dedicated to ufology. These platforms facilitate real-time conversations and the sharing of information among enthusiasts worldwide.

Case Files and Reports

El Ejército del Aire Desclasifica el Caso 5/3/79, de las Islas Canarias

This major article details the declassification of a significant UFO case by the Spanish Air Force. The phenomenon, observed on March 5, 1979, across the Canary Islands, involved a luminous object initially described as serpentine lines of various colors and later as a white-yellowish expanding streak. The investigation, initiated in 1992, concluded with the dossier being released in December 1995. The judge's report was inconclusive, suggesting the possibility of an "unknown craft," while retired Colonel Munaiz Ferro-Sastre favored a missile explanation. The head of the Canary Islands Air Command also suggested a missile launched from international waters. The report notes the coincidence of the event with the presence of American ships specialized in missile tracking in the area.

Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos e Intervención de Aviones Militares

This section focuses on UFO encounters involving military aircraft. It analyzes approximately a hundred cases, highlighting those with higher reliability. The study covers encounters between Spanish Air Force planes and anomalous aerial phenomena, involving 95 pilots between 1962 and 1995. A significant finding is that most of these encounters occurred during daylight hours, contrary to general UFO statistics. The article breaks down the types of phenomena, radar detection, and the models of military aircraft involved, including Mirage F.1, F-86 Sabre, and F-4 Phantom. It also categorizes the explanations for resolved cases, which include aircraft, missiles, meteorological balloons, and astronomical stimuli.

OVNI con Prisas sobre Manchester

This news brief reports an incident on January 6, 1995, where a British Airways Boeing 737 was overtaken at high speed by a wedge-shaped object with small white lights near Manchester Airport. The incident was investigated by Civil Aviation authorities, but no plausible explanation was found.

Esferas Luminosas sobre el Cielo de Brasil

This report describes mysterious luminous spheres observed in Aparecida, Brazil, in September 1995. A scientist from INPE located one of these lights, noting that it caused other lights to move at speeds exceeding 800 km/h. A local resident reported being 'absorbed' by a light and moved a significant distance, experiencing subsequent physical discomfort.

OVNIs: ¿Otra Vez Venus?

This short piece discusses sightings of a light in the sky near Saldes and Gosol, Spain. While some residents believe it to be a UFO, astronomers suggest it might be the planet Venus, which was at its brightest and most visible during that period. However, some witnesses claim the light moved in a way inconsistent with a celestial body.

Expo OVNI en Bruselas

An announcement for an upcoming UFO Expo in Brussels in May 1996, commemorating the 20th anniversary of a previous event. The expo was set to feature exhibitions, lectures, films, and other related activities.

Other Sections

¿Vida en el Cosmos?

This editorial reflects on the discovery of potentially habitable exoplanets, citing news about the Hubble Space Telescope's findings. While initially generating excitement about the possibility of extraterrestrial life, the article expresses caution, noting that early reports were premature and that further investigation is needed.

Los OVNIS según Matilde González

An interview with Matilde González, secretary of the magazine "Cuadernos de Ufología." She discusses her evolving views on UFOs, moving from an early belief in extraterrestrial visitation to a more nuanced perspective that considers psychological and socio-cultural factors. While acknowledging that not all phenomena can be explained psychologically, she leans towards these explanations for many modern sightings, such as abductions.

Humor

A section providing links to humorous websites related to UFOs and aliens, including Marvin the Martian and The Infamous Mars Smiley Face.

Actividades del CEI

This section reports on a visit by CEI members to the Barcelona Flight Control Center, where they learned about its operations and discussed UFO observations with air traffic controllers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the increasing integration of the Internet into ufological research, the declassification and analysis of military UFO cases, and the ongoing debate between extraterrestrial hypotheses and other explanations (psychological, misidentification, etc.). The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various perspectives and data while encouraging critical analysis, particularly in the context of the vast and sometimes unreliable information available online. The CEI itself states that it does not necessarily share the opinions expressed in the publication but encourages collaboration and free use of articles with proper citation.