Papers d'OVNIS

Magazine Overview

Title: Papers d'OVNIS
Issue: Nº 4, II Época
Date: July-August 1997
Publisher: Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios (CEI)
Country: Spain
Language: Catalan (original), English (translation)

This issue of 'Papers d'OVNIS' is dedicated to the theme of "Cinema and Exhibition: 50 Years of UFOs," coinciding with a film cycle organized by the CEI in collaboration with the Filmoteca de la Generalitat de Cataluña to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's sighting. The magazine explores the rich history of UFOs in cinema, the cultural impact of these films, and various UFO-related events and perspectives.

Cine y Exposición: 50 Años de OVNIS

The central theme of the issue is the celebration of 50 years of UFO phenomena, marked by a film cycle and exhibition. The article "Cine y exposición: «50 Anys d'OVNIS»" by Martí Flò highlights the collaboration between the CEI and the Filmoteca de la Generalitat de Cataluña. This event showcased films related to UFOs and extraterrestrials, running from June 18th to July 20th, 1997. The exhibition at the Aquitania cinema featured a collection of UFO magazines, books, photographs, and graphics, alongside historical information about the CEI itself.

The article "OVNIS y extraterrestres en la pantalla" by Jordi Ardanuy provides an extensive overview of UFOs and extraterrestrials in cinema, tracing their evolution from early films to contemporary productions. It begins with Georges Méliès' "Le Voyage dans la Lune" (1902) and moves through decades of cinematic portrayals, including the impact of "The War of the Worlds" (both the novel and radio/film adaptations), the Cold War era's alien invasion films, and the more nuanced or philosophical depictions of the 1970s and 1980s. The article notes the shift from overt alien threats to more complex themes, including the influence of science fiction on public perception and the role of films in shaping UFO mythology. It mentions key films such as "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "Alien," and "Independence Day," among many others, illustrating how cinema has both reflected and influenced our understanding of the UFO phenomenon.

¡Los Marcianos Han Aterrizado! El Programa Radiofónico de Orson Welles que Sembró el Pánico en EE.UU.

This article by Jordi Ardanuy recounts the infamous 1938 Halloween broadcast of Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre on the Air, which dramatized H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds." The realistic, news-bulletin style of the broadcast, which interrupted regular programming, led many listeners to believe that a Martian invasion was actually occurring. The article details the ensuing panic across the United States, with people fleeing their homes, jamming roads, and seeking refuge. It also touches upon earlier hoaxes, such as the 1835 "Great Moon Hoax" published in The Sun newspaper, and later imitations of Welles' broadcast.

El «Avión Inexistente» de South Yorkshire

This piece by Jordi Ardanuy investigates a reported UFO sighting on March 24, 1997, in the Peak District, South Yorkshire, UK. Multiple witnesses, including a couple observing Comet Hale-Bopp and a local farmer, reported seeing a silent, low-flying aircraft that appeared to be crashing. The incident was followed by a large-scale search operation involving police, helicopters, and mountain rescue teams, which found no trace of any aircraft. A seismic unit detected an explosion in the area shortly after the sightings. The article also touches upon the history of "phantom aircraft" sightings in the region and explores various explanations, including military aircraft, Concorde, or even a bolide.

Otros Países, Otros Boletines

This section, written by Luis R. González, provides a review of recent UFO publications from various countries. It covers the Skeptics UFO Newsletter (Philip Klass), Anomalies (France), UFO (Italy), The Anomalist (USA), and The Excluded Middle (USA). The reviews highlight articles on topics such as the Roswell incident, alleged alien abductions, declassified documents, and the analysis of UFO cases from a skeptical perspective. It also mentions the Skeptical Inquirer's tribute to Carl Sagan and a piece on the "Hale-Bopp" comet.

Los OVNIS Según...

Luis R. González, an economist and ufologist, presents his perspective on ufology in this article. He advocates for a skeptical approach, emphasizing the importance of analyzing explained cases and understanding the psychological aspects of belief formation. González argues that true ufology should focus on in-depth analysis of promising cases rather than simply collecting sensational reports or engaging in conspiracy theories. He also touches upon the ethical responsibilities of ufologists when dealing with witnesses, particularly those who claim to have experienced abductions.

Other Sections and Themes

Other articles in the issue include "Breves" (Briefs), which likely contains short news items. The magazine also features a section on "Publicaciones" (Publications), detailing new and ongoing UFO-related books and journals. The "IV Encuentro del Colectivo CDU" section reports on a gathering of ufologists organized by the CEI.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the intersection of UFO phenomena with popular culture, particularly cinema, and the ongoing investigation and analysis of UFO sightings and related events. The editorial stance appears to be one that encourages critical inquiry and a balanced perspective, as evidenced by the inclusion of both detailed case studies and skeptical analyses. The magazine aims to document the history and evolution of ufology, engage with scientific and cultural perspectives, and foster a deeper understanding of the phenomenon, while also acknowledging the role of psychological and social factors.

Title: MAS ALLA DE LA CIENCIA
Issue: 20
Volume: III
Date: June 1997
Publisher: MAS ALLA DE LA CIENCIA
Country: Spain
Price: 450 ptas
ISSN: 1130-7078

This issue of MAS ALLA DE LA CIENCIA, dated June 1997, delves into various UFO-related phenomena, including updated information on the Roswell incident, a major UFO convention, and several distinct sightings.

Roswell: Reports and Parties

The magazine reports on the second informe released by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) on June 24th regarding the Roswell incident. According to this report, the USAF's investigations in the area involved the use of parachute-equipped mannequins to study the effects on pilots and astronauts ejected from high altitudes. The report addresses the claim that these mannequins might have been mistaken for alien bodies, noting that such experiments did not begin until 1954, making it unlikely to explain the alleged extraterrestrial sightings from July 1947. The USAF's new report reaffirms that a balloon, not a spacecraft, fell in Roswell. Sheila Widnall, Secretary of the USAF, stated that all documents related to the topic were released in 1994 and that this additional information sheds light on early investigations and the heroic nature of Air Force personnel during that period.

Concurrently, Roswell, New Mexico, hosted the "UFO Encounter '97" event on the weekend of July 5-6, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the purported UFO crash. Thousands of enthusiasts attended, with notable figures from the UFO community present, including Stanton G. Friedman, Erich von Daniken, Whitley Streiber, John Mack, and Philip Corso, among others. The event featured conferences, debates, book signings, and existing UFO museums, drawing large crowds and receiving significant media coverage.

Mysterious Lights Over Arizona

The issue details a sighting on the night of March 13th, where Sue Krzyston and her husband witnessed unusual lights in the sky near Phoenix, Arizona. These lights were described as exceptionally bright, large, and having an amber-orange-red color, appearing like flames without a defined shape. Mike Krzyston managed to film about three minutes of the phenomenon. The sighting was not isolated; other witnesses from Tucson to Kingman reported similar strange lights, often described as a V-shaped or boomerang formation. Official radar systems reportedly detected nothing, and authorities initially dismissed the event. However, the persistence of witnesses, the existence of video evidence, and the ongoing public interest in UFOs in the U.S. led to coverage by major media outlets like USA Today, ABC, NBC, and CNN.

Adding to the intrigue, Arizona Governor Fife Symington declared on June 19th, during a break in a fraud trial, that he would order an investigation into the sightings. Shortly after, he convened a press conference to retract his statement, calling it a "joke" and humorously dressing his chief of staff as an alien. The article notes that this might have been advised by his lawyer. While some attribute the phenomenon to a complete mystery, others suggest it could be a Stealth bomber due to its shape.

UFO Alert: Radio Broadcast and Sightings

A special event called "ALERTA OVNI" took place on the morning of Sunday, July 6th, across Spain and other parts of the planet. Organized by the radio program "Turno de Noche" of Onda Cero and the magazine Año Cero, it involved numerous UFO enthusiasts looking for extraordinary phenomena. For five hours, from midnight to 5 AM, opinions were shared, and calls were received describing UFO observations. A total of 43 sightings of unknown lights were reported, concentrated mainly in northern Spain and Andalusia. The broadcast suggested that astronomical objects, satellites, airplanes, and spotlights could sufficiently explain most of these observations.

UFO in the Sierra del Segura (Jaén)

On June 15th, during an alert by the Granadian group S.L.B. Betelgeuse, two members observed a large object with three lights forming a prominent isosceles triangle. The sighting occurred in the Sierra del Segura, an area known for recent UFO activity. The object appeared from the north and disappeared to the south within four to five seconds at high speed, leaving traces. The flight path was marked by the lights at the base of the triangle, which seemed attached to a solid surface, as stars were obscured when the object passed. Investigators noted similarities to an object previously observed in Huelva and Sevilla on March 30th, which was investigated by Moisés Garrido and featured in Enigmas magazine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, presenting both official explanations and witness accounts. There's a clear interest in the Roswell incident, its anniversary, and ongoing government involvement or lack thereof. The magazine highlights public enthusiasm for UFOs, as seen in the Roswell convention and the radio alert. It also presents specific sighting reports from different locations, including Arizona and Spain, often contrasting witness descriptions with official lack of detection or alternative explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, presenting evidence and witness testimonies while acknowledging official reports and potential mundane explanations, but not dismissing the possibility of the extraordinary.