Papers d'Ovnis - 2a epoca - No 09

Magazine Overview

Title: Papers d'OVNIS
Issue: Nº 9, I Época
Date: Mayo-Junio 1998
Publisher: CEI (Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios)
Country: Spain
Language: Spanish

This issue of Papers d'OVNIS, the 9th in its first epoch, published in May-June 1998, delves into several key topics within the realm of ufology and related phenomena. The cover prominently features "LUCES NOCTURNAS EN LAS CANARIAS" (Nocturnal Lights in the Canary Islands) and "EL TRIÁNGULO INMORTAL DE LAS BALEARES" (The Immortal Triangle of the Balearic Islands), alongside a map of the Canary Islands and a photograph commemorating the 40th anniversary of the CEI. The magazine also includes articles on pilot observations, the history of ufological organizations, and international UFO reports.

40th Anniversary of the CEI

The issue celebrates the 40th anniversary of the founding of the CEI (Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios) and the 30th anniversary of its current headquarters. The event, held on April 14th, brought together current and former members, including two of the four founding members, Antonio Ribera and Antonio Pelegrí. The article highlights the historical significance of the CEI in UFO research and its evolution over the decades. It mentions the honorary presidency of Dr. Hermann Oberth and the presidency of Mariano Velasco Durántez in 1965, noting the CEI's engagement with astronomical associations and national events. The text also touches upon the shift in the CEI's focus towards astronomy and astrophysics, influenced by the growing interest in space exploration and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

Nocturnal Lights in the Canary Islands: Pilot Observations

This section presents two detailed accounts of UFO sightings by pilots of the now-defunct Spantax airline in 1968, in the Canary Islands region. The first incident occurred on March 14th, 1968, when the crew of a Fokker 27 aircraft (flight IB/371-372) en route from Las Palmas to Villa Cisneros (Sahara) observed a strange light approaching them during their landing approach. Despite contacting air traffic control, no other aircraft were reported in the vicinity. The light disappeared shortly after. The second incident, on September 17th, involved another Spantax crew flying between Tenerife and Las Palmas. At approximately 21:45, while at an altitude of about 3,000 feet, they observed a light approaching at high speed. The object stopped near the left side of the aircraft, illuminating the cockpit intensely. It remained stationary for about 45-50 seconds, performing rapid up and down movements, before rapidly moving away northwest. The pilots described the light as bluish and could not determine its origin or nature. The article emphasizes the credibility of these witnesses, who were trained professionals familiar with aviation and the sky.

The Immortal Triangle of the Balearic Islands

This extensive article by Matías Morey explores the concept of 'immortal triangles' in ufology, specifically focusing on the Balearic Islands. It begins by discussing the general notion of 'deadly triangles' as geographical areas associated with unexplained disappearances of ships and aircraft, often linked to UFO activity. The author traces the origins of this concept, referencing Charles Fort and Morris K. Jessup, and highlights the popularization by Charles Berlitz's book 'The Bermuda Triangle'. The article then examines how this concept has been applied, sometimes controversially, to the Balearic Islands. It discusses the contributions of various ufologists, including Antonio Ribera, who proposed the existence of a 'western Mediterranean triangle' and later a 'Balearic triangle'. The author critically analyzes the different proposed boundaries and locations for these triangles, noting inconsistencies and the tendency for the concept to be adapted by different researchers. The article also touches upon theories involving underwater bases and the influence of 'contactees' in shaping these ideas. It concludes by suggesting that the concept of a 'Balearic Triangle' has become convoluted and lacks clear definition, often serving to create a sense of mystery rather than providing concrete explanations.

Other Countries, Other Bulletins

This section reviews recent issues of various international ufology publications. It covers articles from FORTEAN TIMES discussing electronic voice phenomena (EVP), crop circles, and the skepticism of Kent Jeffrey regarding the Roswell incident. It also mentions the death of George King, founder of the Aetherius Society, and the controversy surrounding alleged Nazi prototypes. The review of SKEPTICAL INQUIRER highlights its special issue on alternative medicine and its coverage of the Roswell incident, including discussions on the government report and the possibility of extraterrestrial origins. The section also examines the publication MAGONIA, featuring Jenny Randles' analysis of the Rendlesham Forest incident and critiques of UFO literature. The Brazilian bulletin CONTACT UFO is reviewed, noting its focus on Billy Meier, alien implants, and the growing ufological community in Brazil. Finally, the Skeptics UFO Newsletter is discussed, with its critical analyses of UFO reports and skepticism towards certain claims, including those related to Roswell and alleged extraterrestrial encounters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, particularly those involving lights and aerial phenomena, and the historical development of ufological concepts like the 'Bermuda Triangle'. There is a strong emphasis on pilot testimonies as reliable evidence, contrasting them with less substantiated claims. The magazine also showcases the historical evolution of ufological organizations like the CEI, highlighting their research methodologies and shifts in focus. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, valuing evidence-based analysis while acknowledging the enduring mysteries of the UFO phenomenon. The publication also demonstrates an interest in international ufological developments and the critical examination of claims within the field.

This issue of OVNIS magazine, identified as number 22 from the 1st epoch, dated January 20, 1998, focuses on recent UFO observations in South America, particularly in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. The cover headline highlights that South America is fertile ground for UFO observations, with numerous recent news items from the Southern Cone countries being selected for this issue.

OVNIS in Bariloche, Argentina

Vecinos of Bariloche, in southern Argentina, reported seeing a UFO on Monday, April 13th, which they attributed to power outages and light disturbances near the city's airport. América Jara, a witness, described seeing "lights of various colors, at a low altitude; they made no noise and each time a strong white light appeared, the electricity was cut." Employees of the Bariloche airport and the Institute of Meteorology denied that the power outage was related to communication attempts by the alleged flying object, suggesting that private planes arriving and departing might have caused the disruptions. Technicians from the Cooperativa Electrica de Bariloche (CEB) stated that their search for the cause of the outage was unsuccessful, despite a thorough inspection of the power lines. The first outage, which affected half the city, occurred at 7:45 PM local time (11:45 PM GMT) at the Cipresales electrical station, but meteorological conditions did not explain the blackout. The problem was resolved without technical intervention, but further outages occurred around 9:00 PM local time (1:00 AM GMT on Tuesday).

This incident is compared to a similar event in August 1995 at the same airport, where a dozen people claimed to have seen a UFO intercepting a flight with 102 passengers. In that case, minutes before the UFO sighting, a power outage affected the entire airport, with the electric company unable to determine its cause.

Additionally, a three-minute home video filmed on Wednesday, April 15th, captured the supposed passage of unidentified flying objects over Bariloche. The images, recorded by a local resident, show a light flashing with red, blue, yellow, and green sparks, along with shots of the Moon. Adrián Zuber, who witnessed a similar phenomenon, stated, "It was clear that it was not an airplane." Some researchers consider Bariloche a prime location for observing these phenomena, but documented evidence is scarce. Francisco Martínez of the Argentine Ovniology Network noted that while there are many comments about these sightings, there is a general lack of conclusive documents. Nestor Etcharte, a local researcher of occult sciences, affirmed that testimonies from this region are frequent, recalling a case in 1995 where a resident of El Cóndor neighborhood took a very clear photograph of a UFO.

Forty-Minute Recording Shows a UFO in Sao Paulo, Brazil

On March 29th, an amateur Brazilian cameraman presented several Brazilian specialists with a nearly 40-minute recording allegedly capturing a UFO. The cameraman, Valentim do Nascimento Junior, who lives in "Playa de José Menino" in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, claims to have captured the footage early Saturday morning from his residence. Nascimento Junior stated that the recording, made around 4:00 AM local time (7:00 AM GMT), shows an object reflecting intense yellow, green, and blue lights. He explained that his wife woke him, startled by the intense light that had invaded their bedroom. Initially disbelieving, he used binoculars to observe the object's intense lights and rapid movement, which mesmerized him. He managed to film the object after overcoming his surprise.

Wallacy Albino, a UFO specialist and member of the "Ufological Studies" Group of Guarujá, who viewed the recording, asserted that "the images truly show a UFO and not an airplane or a balloon, as many people will surely say." Albino also noted that during the recording, a smaller light was seen circulating in the sky and then returning to the UFO, which he believes could be one of the probes used by extraterrestrials to examine Earth.

UFO Filmed in Chile

Two Chilean farmers reported filming a UFO for 18 minutes on April 4th. Álvaro and Rodrigo Gómez Pérez stated that the event occurred on Friday at 4:00 AM local time (8:00 AM GMT) while they were working on their property in the sector of Antuco, about 16 kilometers from Los Angeles and approximately 530 kilometers south of Santiago.

"Suddenly we saw a large light in the sky, approaching from the east. As it got closer, we saw it was an object in the shape of a cone, like a large top, which produced a great luminosity," the brothers recounted. They added that as the unidentified object remained in the air and moved slowly without moving away, they ran to their house to get a video camera and filmed it for 18 minutes. The brothers reported that their entire family came out to see the UFO, which suddenly ascended and disappeared in the same direction it had arrived, over the Andes mountain range.

Álvaro and Rodrigo Gómez immediately contacted local media, and two television channels are interested in purchasing the recording, which they described as "very clear."

Chile has been the scene of numerous UFO sightings for decades, especially in isolated areas of the north and south. Regions prone to these phenomena include the Atacama Desert in the north, the Elqui Valley at the foot of the Andes in the Coquimbo region, and the Magallanes region, though sightings also occur in the central zone.

According to some UFO researchers, Chile ranks fifth globally in the number of reported sightings, with testimonies dating back to 1860. The oldest accounts come from the narratives of the Mapuche indigenous people in the south and the Aymara in the north. Even three centuries ago, the Spanish navigator Sarmiento Ruiz de Gamboa described in his logbook and officially reported to the Spanish kings the sighting of what is now described as a UFO while crossing the Strait of Magellan.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings and related phenomena, emphasizing witness testimonies and, where available, photographic or video evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into these unexplained events, presenting accounts from various sources, including ordinary citizens, researchers, and historical records. The publication highlights specific geographical areas known for frequent sightings, such as Bariloche and various regions in Chile, and acknowledges the challenges in obtaining conclusive proof while encouraging further documentation and analysis.