Papers d'Ovnis - 2a epoca - No 02

Magazine Overview

Title: Papers d'OVNIS
Issue: No. 2, II Época
Date: March-April 1997
Publisher: CEI (Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios)
Country: Spain
Language: Catalan (with Spanish articles)

This issue of Papers d'OVNIS, published by the Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios (CEI), focuses on two major topics: the mass suicide of the Heaven's Gate cult and the declassification of a UFO incident in Bardenas Reales, Spain. The magazine also includes a section on UFO sightings in Catalonia and reviews of international UFO publications.

Suicidas sin fronteras: La Puerta del Cielo (Suicides without borders: Heaven's Gate)

This extensive article by Jordi Ardanuy details the events leading up to the mass suicide of the Heaven's Gate cult in March 1997. The group, founded by Marsall Herff Applewhite and Bonnie Lu Truslade Nettles, believed in extraterrestrial origins and a coming 'Next Level' of existence. The article traces their origins from the 1970s, their evolving beliefs influenced by Christian, astrological, and numerological ideas, and their public activities. It highlights their interpretation of the Hale-Bopp comet as a sign for their departure and their belief that suicide was the means to ascend to a spacecraft. The author notes the lack of violence at the scene of the discovery of the bodies, suggesting ritualistic self-poisoning. The article also touches upon the legal accusations against Applewhite and Nettles, their subsequent 'cloistered' period, and their eventual return to public promotion through the internet and videos.

El OVNI que acabó Deshinchándose (The UFO that Deflated)

Written by Ricardo Campo, this piece recounts a spectacular UFO sighting on the island of El Hierro in the Canary Islands on August 12, 1995. Approximately 2,000 people witnessed a large red central light with four or five intermittent white lights around it. The object appeared enormous and was observed for nearly three hours before ascending rapidly and disappearing. While initially speculated to be a military aircraft or a genuine UFO, the article later suggests it was a large balloon with lights, manipulated by German individuals. The author notes the confusion among witnesses and the tendency for people to believe in UFOs over more mundane explanations.

Bárdenas Reales: La verdad sobre el documento «0023» (Bardenas Reales: The truth about document "0023")

Authored by Joan Plana Crivillén, this article addresses the controversy surrounding document '0023' from a declassified Spanish Air Force UFO file concerning an incident in Bardenas Reales on January 2, 1975. Sensationalist authors and ufologists claimed the document was a forgery, citing its typography as evidence of modern printing methods inconsistent with 1975 technology. Plana investigates these claims by consulting with office equipment specialists, who confirm that electric typewriters were common in Spain by 1975. The article then presents a definitive response from the Spanish Air Force, including a statement from the former secretary of Lieutenant General Carlos Franco Iribarnegaray, confirming the document's authenticity and that it was transcribed on an IBM electric typewriter. Plana strongly criticizes the ufologists for their 'paranoid' and 'ridiculous' accusations, suggesting their motives are to discredit official declassification efforts.

Una Desclasificación Transparente (A Transparent Declassification)

This section, likely written by V.J. Ballester Olmos, discusses the declassification process of UFO files by the Spanish Air Force's Mando Operativo Aéreo (MOA). It highlights the MOA's efforts to locate and transfer all UFO-related documentation, even seeking out lost documents from various units. The author defends the MOA's objectivity, stating that anyone who informs themselves properly cannot doubt it. The article uses the example of expediente 850112 (Lanzarote, 1985) to illustrate the thoroughness of the declassification process. It also touches upon the Talavera la Real incident (1976), suggesting it was a mix of fortuitous events, general hysteria, and a soldier with mental issues, rather than a genuine UFO encounter, and that newspaper reports were sensationalized.

Más OVNIS en Cataluña: 1991-96 (More UFOs in Catalonia: 1991-96)

This section provides a list of UFO sightings reported in Catalonia between 1991 and 1996. It corrects a previous error in dating an entry and details several cases, including multiple sightings around Saldes and Gosol in February 1996, described as a transparent dome and possibly related to other observations. It also notes a sighting in Roses (Girona) in 1991, a luminous palm tree-like object near Montserrat in 1996, an elongated grey object near Castell d'Aro, and a strange vertical light formation near Sant Vicens.

Otros Países, Otros Boletines (Other Countries, Other Bulletins)

This section reviews several international UFO publications:

• AWARENESS (UK): Features statements from Nick Pope, former UK Ministry of Defence UFO desk officer, who believes UFOs are extraterrestrial despite no evidence of government cover-up.
• ANOMALIA (Portugal): Includes an article on the first Portuguese ufologist, Monterroio Mascarenhas, and a history of UFOs in Portugal.
• International UFO Reporter (USA): Discusses a 1965 case in Cherry Creek, questioning its authenticity but accepting it due to other sightings in the area. It also covers the Roswell incident and Nick Pope's views on government transparency.
• FORTEAN TIMES (UK): Mentions the resemblance of the 'Face on Mars' to Elvis Presley and discusses government mind control experiments and their potential link to UFOs and abductions.
• MAGONIA: Features an article on implants and potential government mind control, mentioning Whitley Strieber's program to analyze implants.
• Skeptical Inquirer: Focuses on 'The X-Files' and the debate around UFOs and extraterrestrial life.
• Fortean Studies: Includes research debunking the Spring-Heeled Jack myth and exploring the origins of abduction narratives in science fiction.

OVNICIENCIA: Boletín electrónico de la FAO

A brief mention of a monthly electronic newsletter from the Fundación Argentina de Ovnilogía (FAO) focusing on UFO phenomena.

Los OVNIS Según... (UFOs According to...)

Antoni Ribera Jordà: The dean of ufologists, Ribera reaffirms his long-held belief that UFOs are extraterrestrial spacecraft. He bases this on the consistency of witness accounts, particularly regarding abductions and the descriptions of alien beings (small, large-headed, with large black eyes). He suggests that the focus on genetic and sexual aspects in abduction cases may indicate a hybridization agenda.

Epílogo al Caso de Bariloche: This section revisits the controversial Bariloche UFO case, addressing criticisms of a skeptical analysis by CAIRP that dismissed it as a reflection of lights. It notes that the pilot, Captain Polanco, later claimed another encounter and that the case remains debated.

Flaps en Australia, Nueva Inglaterra e Israel: Reports on a series of UFO sightings in Australia in February 1996, numerous sightings in New England (USA) in early 1996, including a direct encounter, and an incident in Israel involving the capture of what turned out to be a reptile embryo.

Mensaje Agrícola a los Extraterrestres: A brief note about Spanish farmers sending a message to potential extraterrestrial civilizations via a NASA/ESA probe.

Las Fotografías en el Satélite Europa: Discusses images from the Galileo probe of Jupiter's moon Europa, highlighting potential conditions for life and linking it to the broader search for extraterrestrial life.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently defends the reality of UFO phenomena, often attributing them to extraterrestrial origins. It actively engages with and critiques skeptical viewpoints, particularly in the Bardenas Reales case. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting open investigation into UFOs, encouraging the sharing of information, and challenging what it perceives as misinformation or deliberate obfuscation by authorities or skeptical groups. There is a clear emphasis on the scientific and investigative aspects of ufology, while also acknowledging the more speculative and fringe elements of the field.

Title: Más Allá de la Ciencia
Issue: 98
Volume: 9
Date: April 1997

This issue of Más Allá de la Ciencia delves into various phenomena related to ufology and unexplained events, featuring reports from England and Spain, alongside information on relevant publications.

Extraña explosión en Inglaterra (Strange Explosion in England)

The article reports on an incident in Sheffield, England, on March 24th. Witnesses, including a former police officer, observed a light just before a strong explosion occurred around 10:05 PM. Despite extensive searches, no debris or evidence of a crash was found. Several hypotheses were considered, with the most plausible suggesting the presence of a supersonic aircraft. However, rumors of a UFO crash have persisted, despite denials from ufological groups. A similar incident occurred in the area about two years prior. The area is described as a 'black spot' for aviation, with a history of accidents and ghost stories, further amplified by the visibility of the Hale-Bopp comet.

FUE UN METORITO (IT WAS A METEORITE)

This section confirms that a luminous object observed on June 14th over the Sil Valley in Galicia, Spain, was indeed a meteorite. Analysis of a video recording, not made by the person initially credited, by Professor José Ángel Docobo of the «Ramon Maria Aller» Astronomical Observatory, shows the clear disintegration of a meteorite traveling at approximately 45,000 km/h. This finding is documented in the observatory's 1996 research report.

PUBLICACIONES (PUBLICATIONS)

Monográfico sobre contactismo de Más Allá y nueva etapa de Cuadernos de Ufología

Más Allá de la Ciencia launched a special monographic issue in April 1997 titled "Contactados. ¿Existen personas capaces de comunicarse con extraterrestres?" (Contactees. Are there people capable of communicating with extraterrestrials?). This issue examines classic international cases such as those involving Adamski, King, and the Aetherius Society, as well as Spanish cases like Ventura Muñoz, Luis J. Grífol, and José Fabregat.

Separately, Cuadernos de Ufología has begun a new phase, now serving as the informational organ for the Fundación Anomalía. The first issue of its third stage features the initial part of a dossier on UFOs in Australia, compiled by Mark Moravec.

OVNI SOBRE UTRERA (UFO OVER UTRERA)

On the night of Friday, January 3rd, or Saturday, January 4th, three witnesses in Utrera, Seville, Spain, observed an object described as metallic, cylindrical, opaque, and flying slowly, without any visible lights. Its size was compared to a zeppelin but more cylindrical, longer, and less high. The experience caused fear among the observers. The distance was not estimated, but the sky was clear, visibility was normal, and the weather was dry and cold.

PLATILLO VOLANTE EN SABARIS (PONTEVEDRA) (FLYING SAUCER IN SABARIS (PONTEVEDRA))

On August 27, 1996, in Sabaris, Pontevedra, Spain, a witness observed an object described as a classic saucer. The object, metallic in color with a bluish base featuring potent flashing lights, was visible for about ten minutes. The rest of the object did not appear to have its own luminosity, though it initially showed some brightness. The witness stated the flying saucer was at a close distance and believes it was observing him. The angular size was estimated to be about three times that of a full moon. The craft seemed to rotate on its axis, hovering above the observer's position for a while, before departing at high speed towards the east-west, heading for Portugal.

ÚLTIMA HORA: OVNI EN L'ESCALA (GIRONA) (LATEST NEWS: UFO IN L'ESCALA (GIRONA))

On March 19th, two municipal police officers in l'Escala, Girona, Spain, witnessed an orange circular object over the l'Escala Carting track. In their report, Manuel Delgado and Manuel Caballero stated the object was approximately 40 meters away and 4 meters above the ground. The object disappeared when they decided to take photographs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings and unexplained aerial phenomena, often presenting eyewitness accounts and official or scientific analyses. There is a clear interest in documenting cases from Spain and England. The publication also serves to promote ufological research and publications, highlighting new issues and special reports. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation into these phenomena, presenting evidence and witness testimonies for the reader's consideration, while also acknowledging scientific explanations when available, as in the meteorite case.