Papers d'Ovnis - 2a epoca - No 03

Magazine Overview

Title: Papers d'OVNIS
Issue: Nº 3. II Época
Date: Mayo-Junio 1997
Publisher: CEI (Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios)
Language: Catalan (with Spanish content)

This issue of "Papers d'OVNIS" (UFO Papers) from May-June 1997, published by the CEI, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Kenneth Arnold sighting, a pivotal event in the history of UFO phenomena. The magazine delves into the academic and scientific engagement with ufology, exploring how universities are increasingly studying this topic.

Key Articles and Content

"DE PLATILLOS VOLANTES A OVNIS: 50 AÑOS DE HISTORIA" by Pere Redón

Pere Redón, President of CEI, reflects on the 50-year journey since Kenneth Arnold's sighting near Mount Rainier in 1947. He notes how the phenomenon has evolved from 'flying saucers' to 'Unidentified Flying Objects' (UFOs), attracting widespread attention through films and television. Redón acknowledges the development of a 'religion' around the phenomenon, with both believers and skeptics. He highlights the CEI's founding principles, emphasizing a rigorous scientific approach and avoiding sensationalism, as stated in their 1958 manifesto. The article touches upon subsequent waves of sightings and the shift towards more confrontational stances in ufology. Redón concludes by reiterating the enduring mystery of what Kenneth Arnold truly saw.

"CUANDO LA UNIVERSIDAD SE OCUPA DE LA UFOLOGÍA" by Martí Flò

This section explores the increasing involvement of universities in ufological research, a field previously dominated by independent investigators. Martí Flò discusses how academics, often referred to by J. Allen Hynek as the 'secret university,' are contributing serious research. The article mentions figures like Dr. John E. Mack of Harvard Medical School, who faced an inquiry due to his work on abduction cases, and Michael A. Persinger, known for his Tectonic Strain Theory linking seismic activity to electromagnetic effects on the human mind. The text also references international research, including studies on 'false memory syndrome' by Nicholas P. Spanos, and the challenges faced by academics in pursuing such controversial topics.

"Blanes (Girona), 19/VIII/82" by Manuel Borraz

Manuel Borraz analyzes a UFO sighting reported in Blanes, Spain, on August 19, 1982. The witness described a silent, disk-shaped object with illuminated panels. Borraz compares this case to a similar sighting in Calella de Mar on the same date, suggesting that both might be explained as misidentifications of advertising airplanes with luminous panels, a form of publicity that was becoming more common. He notes that while multiple witnesses and detailed descriptions are often presented as strong evidence, they do not guarantee the accuracy of the testimony, especially when influenced by cultural stereotypes like the 'flying saucer'.

"MÁS OVNIS EN CATALUÑA: 1991-96" by Jordi Ardanuy

This section presents a compilation of UFO sightings in Catalonia between 1991 and 1996. It includes a case from Tarragona on August 18, 1996, where a red light approached and then disappeared, and another from Spring 1996 where lights were attributed to Venus. The article highlights the challenges in interpreting such sightings, emphasizing that even detailed observations do not always lead to definitive conclusions.

"UNCONVENTION 97: UN CONGRESO NADA CONVENCIONAL" by Luis R. González

Luis R. González reports on the 'Unconvention 97' conference held in London on April 19-20, 1997, organized by FORTEAN TIMES. He describes the event as having a predominantly skeptical audience, which appreciated rigorous methodologies even when they led to demystification. Key speakers included Richard Wiseman, who discussed the 'Indian rope trick' as a legend, and Budd Hopkins, who presented his work on abductions and criticized skeptics. Philip Klass discussed his investigation of the RB-47 radar-visual case, and Jim Moseley shared anecdotes from his career in ufology. Hillary Evans presented a critique of abduction phenomena, arguing they are not related to UFOs. The report notes the diversity of opinions and the ongoing debate within the field.

"LOS OVNIS SEGÚN ... JOAN PLANA"

Joan Plana, Vice President of CEI, shares his personal journey into ufology, starting from a childhood fascination. He emphasizes his shift from a belief in extraterrestrial hypotheses to a more grounded approach focused on investigating cases with official or aeronautical implications. Plana highlights the importance of CEI's objective methodology and his pride in contributing to the declassification of official UFO documents. He expresses frustration with the sensationalist media coverage of UFOs and commends serious research organizations like Fundación Anomalía/CdU and CEI.

"OVNIS en Chile"

This section details UFO sightings in Chile, including reports from Punta Arenas and Santiago. It mentions unusual lights and a large, luminous object observed in Punta Arenas. The article also touches upon a widespread power outage in Chile, which led to speculation about UFO involvement, though officially attributed to technical issues. The section notes the recurring nature of UFO sightings in Chile, particularly in the southern regions.

"CONGRESO MASIVO EN BRASIL O NUEVA FALSA NOTICIA EN INTERNET"

This brief note discusses a planned large-scale UFO conference in Brasilia, Brazil, organized by ufologist A. J. Gevaerd. It mentions the participation of international researchers and questions the veracity of the announcement, as some invited Spanish speakers denied knowledge of it.

"DE CONGRESOS"

• This section provides information on several upcoming UFO-related conferences and events, including:
• "50 Años Dorados" in London, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Roswell incident and ufology.
• A similar event in Murcia, Spain, also commemorating the Roswell incident.
• The 9th BUFORA International UFO Congress in Sheffield, UK.
• Mentions of MUFON's annual conference in the USA and an event in Santa Fé de Bogotá, Colombia.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a serious, objective, and scientifically grounded approach to ufology. It criticizes sensationalism in media coverage and speculative theories, advocating for rigorous investigation and the search for explanations for reported phenomena. The CEI's editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, emphasizing evidence-based research and a move away from purely extraterrestrial hypotheses. The issue also highlights the growing academic interest in ufology, suggesting a shift towards more structured and multidisciplinary research.

This issue of UFO Updates, dated May 23, 1997, focuses on reports and speculations surrounding unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. The cover prominently features an image of a Russian flying saucer, the EKIP, with claims of a larger version being developed.

Russian Flying Saucers: The EKIP

The magazine reports on a presumed Russian flying saucer named EKIP, developed in Saratov. According to rumors, a larger model could accommodate up to 2,000 passengers and might enter testing phases by 1999. The source for this information is cited as UFO UpDates - Toronto, referencing Reuter from May 23, 1997.

Speculations about Area 51

A significant portion of the issue delves into the ongoing discussions about Area 51. An article by Jim Wilson in Popular Mechanics (June 1997 issue) is highlighted. Wilson, who claims to have visited the vicinity of Area 51, found no unusual activity. He proposes a theory that the U.S. Air Force has moved its highly secret testing operations from Area 51 to the White Sands complex in southern Utah (Area 6413), near Green River. This location, according to Wilson, is likely used for testing the military version of NASA's X-33 spacecraft, known as Venture Star, which is designed for vertical takeoff and horizontal landing, capable of carrying up to 20 tons. The article suggests Area 51 might have been closed due to radioactivity from past nuclear weapons experiments. Unofficial sources close to Congress reportedly dismissed the idea of relocating the base as ridiculous, estimating the cost at over 5 billion dollars. Despite this, local residents reportedly claim that 'secret' activity continues, and 'Venusian screws' (tornillos venusianos) are still found in the area.

UFO Sighting in Tenerife

The issue details a UFO sighting that occurred on the night of April 27th in Tenerife. Investigator José Gregorio González Gutiérrez, author of "Los OVNIS en Canarias," reported that several witnesses on the southern highway, near the Tenerife Sur airport, observed a luminous and static object. The object, described as having a clearly delimited luminosity brighter than a star but smaller than the Moon, was pale yellow. It remained visible for over 20 minutes before disappearing without a trace on a SW-NE trajectory. Another witness, Pedro C., a tourist from Barcelona staying in Las Caletas, reported seeing a yellowish light moving inland from the coast for about ten to fifteen seconds around 11:00 PM. González commented that the myth surrounding unidentified objects in the Canary Islands has been greatly exaggerated, with many untruths being spread.

Cycle of UFO Cinema in Barcelona

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Arnold sighting, the CEI (Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios), nearing its 40th year of existence, has organized a cycle of UFO-themed films in Barcelona. In collaboration with the Filmoteca de la Generalitat de Catalunya, the event, titled "50 anys d'OVNIs" (50 Years of UFOs), will be held at the Aquitania cinema from June 18 to July 20. The program includes a selection of classic and contemporary films related to UFOs and alien encounters, such as "A Trip to the Moon" (1902), "The Thing" (1951), "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951), "The War of the Worlds" (1953), "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977), and "Independence Day" (1996). The exhibition also features a display of UFO magazines, books, photographs, graphics, and historical elements related to the CEI.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing mystery and speculation surrounding UFO phenomena, including alleged technological advancements by foreign powers (Russia), government secrecy and hidden military projects (Area 51), and eyewitness accounts of unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these topics, presenting theories, and documenting sightings, while also acknowledging skepticism and the potential for exaggeration, as noted by José Gregorio González regarding the Tenerife sighting.