Papers d'Ovnis - 2a epoca - No 15-16-17-18

Magazine Overview

Title: Papers d'OVNIS
Issue: Nº 15-16-17-18, II Época
Date: Mayo-Diciembre 1999
Publisher: CEI (Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios)
Language: Catalan (original), Spanish (articles)

This issue of 'Papers d'OVNIS' is a substantial publication from the Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios (CEI), covering a range of topics related to ufology, astronomy, and the history of science fiction. The issue is dated May-December 1999 and is presented in its second era.

Cover Story: The Phenomenon of the "Three Suns" of Caspe (1787)

The prominent cover story delves into the historical event known as the "Three Suns" of Caspe in 1787. This is presented as the first book on UFOs, suggesting a deep historical interest in the subject. The article is authored by Jordi Ardanuy.

Table of Contents Highlights

The table of contents reveals a diverse array of articles:

• Actualidad (Current Affairs): Regular updates from the editorial team.
• Sobre la Pluralidad de Mundos (On the Plurality of Worlds): An article by Josep Comas i Solà, likely discussing the possibility of life on other planets.
• Los OVNIS de Diez Minutos en la Década de los Cincuenta (UFOs in Diez Minutos in the Fifties): A detailed look at UFO coverage in the Spanish magazine 'Diez Minutos' during the 1950s, authored by Ignacio Cabria.
• Un Avistamiento Inusual (An Unusual Sighting): A personal account by V. J. Ballester Olmos of a phenomenon he witnessed.
• El Primer Libro Español Sobre OVNIS (The First Spanish Book on UFOs): An analysis by Martí Flò of an early Spanish publication on the topic.
• Álbum de Artefactos Voladores Insólitos (I) (Album of Unusual Flying Artifacts I): The first part of a series by A. Font Sallarès.
• Sobre los «Avistamientos» OVNI en la Academia General del Aire (On UFO 'Sightings' at the General Air Academy): An investigation by V. J. Ballester Olmos.
• Tampoco Sirve (It Doesn't Work Either): An editorial note from the redactión.
• El CEI es una Subsidiaria de la CIA (The CEI is a Subsidiary of the CIA): An article by Julio Salcedo.
• Vuelve el Caso del "OVNI de Putre" (The 'Putre UFO' Case Returns): A report by La Redacción.
• ¿Nuevo Método de Determinación de Distancias Galácticas? (New Method for Determining Galactic Distances?): An article by A. Font Sallarès.
• Hace Cuarenta Años: Objetos No Identificados (Forty Years Ago: Unidentified Objects): A historical piece by Eduardo Buelta.
• El Fenómeno de los «Tres Soles» de Caspe (1787) (The Phenomenon of the 'Three Suns' of Caspe (1787)): The main cover story by Jordi Ardanuy.
• Área 51: A brief mention.
• La Leyenda del «Indianapolis» (The Legend of the 'Indianapolis'): A report by La Redacción.
• Historia del CEI (V): La Década de los Setenta (History of the CEI (V): The Seventies): Part five of a series by Martí Flò.
• Otros Países, Otros Boletines (Other Countries, Other Bulletins): A contribution by Luis R. González.
• La Noticia y su Comentario (The News and its Commentary): An editorial by Pere Redon.
• ¡Como Presidente del CEI debo Manifestar Rotundamente que el CEI no se Vende! (As President of the CEI, I Must Resolutely State that the CEI is Not For Sale!): A strong statement by Pere Redon.
• Manises: Veinte Años Después (Manises: Twenty Years Later): A retrospective by La Redacción.
• Actualidad (Current Affairs): More news from the editorial team.

Feature Articles and Themes

The Plurality of Worlds

Josep Comas i Solà's article, originally published in 1937, examines the possibility of life on other planets within our solar system and beyond. He analyzes Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, concluding that only Earth is undoubtedly inhabited, with Venus and Mars potentially harboring life, at least vegetal. Comas i Solà extends his argument to stars, suggesting that if our solar system is common, then the universe must contain an incalculable number of inhabited worlds. He notes that while astronomers focus on understanding celestial bodies, the question of extraterrestrial life remains largely in the realm of speculation, requiring knowledge of physics and chemistry.

UFOs in 'Diez Minutos' Magazine (1950s)

Ignacio Cabria's contribution details how the Spanish magazine 'Diez Minutos' extensively covered UFO phenomena in the 1950s, contributing to the widespread public fascination with "flying saucers." The magazine featured numerous articles, including reports on recent sightings, the theories of George Adamski, and speculation about the origin of UFOs. The magazine even organized a contest titled "the flying saucer for Mars." The articles often presented information in a relatively neutral tone, mixing UFO reports with other current events.

An Unusual Sighting

V. J. Ballester Olmos recounts a personal experience from June 15, 1999, where he witnessed a bright, long-lasting phenomenon in the sky near Villarrobledo, Spain. While others suggested it was an airplane or a shooting star, Ballester Olmos, with his extensive experience in observing celestial events, identified it as a bolide (a very bright meteor). He notes that the phenomenon was impressive enough to be mistaken for a UFO by the general public.

The First Spanish Book on UFOs

Martí Flò reviews "En el país de los platillos volantes" (In the Land of the Flying Saucers) by J. Curto Guzmán, published in 1950. This book is identified as potentially the first Spanish novel to address the topic of UFOs. The review details the plot, which involves two men who travel to another planet in a self-built spacecraft. The novel explores themes of intergalactic society, politics, and war, with a unique concept of 'shame' as a social regulator. Flò notes the novel's literary shortcomings but highlights its historical significance in early Spanish ufological literature.

Early Aviation and Flying Machines

A. Font Sallarès presents "Album de Artefactos Voladores Insólitos (I)," a series exploring the history of unusual flying machines and inventions. This section touches upon early attempts at flight, including the Montgolfier brothers' balloon and Clément Ader's experimental aircraft, the "Eolo." The article also features the visionary drawings of French artist Robida, who depicted futuristic transportation and advertising in the late 19th century, as well as a 1911 engraving of an aerial traffic policeman.

Other Notable Content

• John D. Barrow's Theories: Mathematician and astrophysicist John D. Barrow is quoted stating that if extraterrestrials exist, their spacecraft would be microscopic. He also discusses the limits of scientific knowledge and the possibility of manipulating time.
• Manises Incident Revisited: The issue includes a retrospective on the Manises UFO incident, twenty years after it occurred.
• CEI History: Part five of a series detailing the history of the CEI (Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios) covers the 1970s.
• Editorial Stance: Pere Redon, as president of the CEI, makes a strong statement asserting that the organization is not for sale.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of 'Papers d'OVNIS' are the historical investigation of UFO phenomena, the scientific and philosophical implications of extraterrestrial life, and the history of aviation and early technological endeavors. The CEI, as the publisher, appears to maintain a stance of rigorous investigation, historical documentation, and open discussion of these topics, as evidenced by the diverse range of articles and the editorial statement by its president.

This issue of "Papers d'OVNIS" (Issue 44) delves into the complex world of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), with a significant focus on events related to the Academia General del Aire (AGA) in Spain. The magazine explores historical sightings, the potential involvement of intelligence agencies, and scientific perspectives on the phenomenon. It also features articles on the technical characteristics of UFOs, historical investigations, and the evolution of UFO research organizations.

UFOs and the Academia General del Aire

The lead article, "SOBRE LOS «AVISTAMIENTOS» OVNI EN LA ACADEMIA GENERAL DEL AIRE," discusses how a military history book about the AGA has begun to include UFO incidents, a shift attributed to the 'declassification' of information. It examines two specific incidents from August 1962, which were analyzed by physicist Javier Armentia and engineer Manuel Borraz. They concluded that the luminous objects seen descending were likely astronomical phenomena complicated by optical illusions, specifically identifying the planet Venus as the cause for some sightings. Another significant event discussed is the testimony of three brigades on November 16, 1965, which is also given a conventional explanation, linking it to widespread reports from other towns in the Murcia region and even a report from the Meteorological Service of Lérida about a luminous circle in the sky. The article also references experiments by ESRO (European Space Research Organisation) in the mid-1960s involving the dispersion of substances in the stratosphere to study atmospheric phenomena, which could have created luminous clouds mistaken for UFOs.

The CEI and Intelligence Agencies

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to an article titled "El CEI es una subsidiaria de la CIA," which alleges a link between the Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios (CEI) and the US intelligence community. The article claims the CEI is tied to a 'sinister group' of international espionage, citing similarities in names and alleged connections to intelligence organizations. It details the history of the CEI, its members, and their alleged ties to figures and organizations involved in espionage and political intrigue, including links to the CIA, the OAS, and individuals implicated in historical events like the Bay of Pigs invasion and the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The article also touches upon mysterious suicides of individuals investigating UFOs and the CEI's role in the declassification of Spanish Air Force UFO files.

Technical Aspects and Historical Cases

Another section, "¿ NUEVO MÉTODO DE DETERMINACIÓN DE DISTANCIAS INTERGALÁCTICAS ?", discusses a new method for determining intergalactic distances proposed by Ignacio Lamothe L. de Arrøyabe, which aims to overcome the limitations of the current Hubble Constant-based methods by accounting for gravitational effects on light.

An extensive article by Eduardo Buelta, the first president of the CEI, titled "HACE CUARENTA AÑOS," provides a detailed summary of UFO investigations from the late 1960s. Buelta outlines ten key points regarding Unidentified Objects (O.N.I.), including their historical presence since antiquity, a 'bi-annual rhythm' of appearances, a progression towards the East in the location of sightings, an exponential decrease in activity after initial waves, and a classification of O.N.I. into distinct types (circular, cylindrical, and external objects). He also discusses the technology, behavior, and potential purposes of these objects, as well as the historical interventions of non-terrestrial beings in human history.

Specific UFO Phenomena and Investigations

"EL FENÓMENO DE LOS «TRES SOLES» DE CASPE (1787)" recounts a historical event where three suns were observed. The article attributes this to a parhelion, an optical phenomenon involving the appearance of multiple images of the sun due to atmospheric ice crystals, rather than a divine sign or an unidentified flying object.

"AREA 51" discusses the notorious US military base and its association with secret aircraft development, including the U-2, A-12, SR-71, and the D-21 drone. It touches upon the 'Skunk Works' division of Lockheed and the mystique surrounding the base, including alleged crashes of alien craft.

"La leyenda del «Indianapolis»" recounts the dramatic sinking of the USS Indianapolis during World War II, exploring the circumstances and the delayed rescue effort, which has fueled various theories and fictional accounts.

"HISTORIA DEL C.E.I. (V) ¿DEJANDO LASTRE?: EL DURO CAMINO HACIA LA MADUREZ (LA DÉCADA DE LOS SETENTA)" details internal conflicts and changes within the CEI during the 1970s, including leadership changes, the formation of dissident groups, and the establishment of the 'Consejo de Consultores de Stendek' to provide scientific rigor to UFO research.

Other Publications and Themes

The magazine also features a section "Otros países, otros boletines" which reviews various international UFO publications, including MUFON UFO Journal and Abduction Watch, highlighting their content on topics like crop circles, alien implants, and the psychology of abduction experiences.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the historical investigation of UFO phenomena, the critical analysis of alleged sightings, the potential influence of intelligence agencies on UFO research, and the scientific approach to understanding unexplained aerial events. The editorial stance appears to favor a critical and evidence-based approach, seeking conventional explanations for many reported phenomena while acknowledging the persistent mystery surrounding others. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between factual reporting, scientific analysis, and speculative or sensationalist accounts.

This issue of Fortean Times, identified by its cover headlines and content, focuses on a variety of paranormal and ufological topics, with a particular emphasis on close encounters, alleged alien-human interactions, and government secrecy surrounding UFO phenomena. The cover prominently features 'ALIEN SEX PROBING CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE INTIMATE KIND,' suggesting a deep dive into the more intimate and controversial aspects of UFO encounters.

Key Articles and Features

Alien Sex and Reptilians: The issue delves into the controversial topic of alien-human sexual encounters, with a quote from Pamela Stonebrooke describing encounters with 'reptilians' as 'the safest way to have a good time... sex was incredible, tantric, organic, everything I ever wanted it to be.' The article also touches upon pseudopornographic artwork by David Higgins depicting encounters with alien women and insectoid 'voyeurs.'

MJ-12 Documents Controversy: The magazine reports on the ongoing debate surrounding the MJ-12 documents. British investigator Timothy Good has voiced strong suspicions about the authenticity of newly surfaced MJ-12 materials attributed to Tim Cooper, citing similarities in typing, paragraphing, and classification inconsistencies. He also notes that some materials appear to be directly extracted from other sources, and that the 'Salina Cantwheel' letters were likely written by the same person as Tim Cooper's letters.

The Manises Incident Revisited: The 20th anniversary of the Manises UFO incident is explored. While the Fundación Anomalía, through Juan Antonio Fernández Peris, proposes that the lights were caused by refinery chimneys in Cartagena, this explanation is contested. The article highlights that the official report from the Spanish Air Force, which remains largely classified, does not offer a definitive explanation and suggests the possibility of an unknown craft. The pilot of the Mirage F-1 involved, Fernando Cámara, also disputes the chimney explanation, reporting radar detection and electronic interference, which he attributes to terrestrial technology.

Skepticism and Ufology: The issue features critiques of ufological claims and analyses. Philip Klass is mentioned for his focus on Joe Firmage, a billionaire internet expert who has published a 240-page report on UFOs, religion, and psychic phenomena, funded by $3 million. The article also notes Andy Roberts' piece in Fortean Times on perceptual errors in UFO case explanations and Mark Pikington's commentary on an internet hoax about an extraterrestrial signal.

• Other UFO and Paranormal Reports:
• The 'Yeti of Les Gavarres': A mysterious animal, possibly an extraterrestrial or a mutated creature, was sighted in Girona, Spain, leading to speculation and investigation.
• Madrid UFO Sighting (June 26): Amateur ufologists reported observing a strange light under the moon in Madrid, which was initially exciting but later explained by experts as a post-mirage effect.
• Alh84001 Meteorite: New studies on the ALH84001 meteorite suggest that geological structures indicate the possibility of past bacterial life on Mars.
• 'Millennium Psychosis': Mental health experts in England are observing cases of 'Millennium Psychosis,' a disorder linked to anxieties about the approaching year 2000.
• Chinese Spacecraft Reentry: Strange lights observed over Mallorca were identified as the reentry of a Chinese spacecraft, the Larga Marcha.
• Nuwaubians Sect: A religious group in Georgia, USA, known as the Nuwaubians, who believe in extraterrestrials and await a spaceship in 2003, are under scrutiny for alleged separatism and potential armament.
• Manises Incident - Official Investigation: The article details the official investigation into the Manises incident, noting that while the Spanish Air Force's report is extensive, it does not provide a conclusive explanation, attributing the phenomenon to a 'craft of unknown origin and technology.'

• Publications Reviewed:
• Skeptics UFO Newsletter: Discusses the MJ-12 documents and Philip Klass's work.
• Fortean Times (Issues 118-121): Features articles on perceptual errors, contactee meetings, and the Pascagoula abduction.
• The International UFO Reporter: Covers 'archaeofology,' the 'Ghost Rockets' of 1946, and an interview with Bill Bequette.
• Anomalies: Focuses on Roswell and the limitations of USAF cover-ups, with an interview with Jacques Vallee.
• Fortean Studies: Includes an article on the mystery of phantom ships and a critique of ufology.
• UFO Historial Revue: Discusses the Majestic-12 documents and their alleged inconsistencies.
• Magonia: Covers Satanism, class struggle, and UFOs.
• UFO (CISU): Features articles on 'foo fighters,' crashed UFOs in Italy, and MIBs.
• The Skeptic: Publishes the first part of a work on abductions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Fortean Times include the persistent mystery surrounding UFO sightings, the alleged involvement of governments in cover-ups, and the human fascination with the unknown. The magazine appears to maintain a balanced approach, presenting both sensational claims and skeptical analyses, encouraging readers to critically evaluate the evidence. There is a clear interest in exploring the more controversial and intimate aspects of alleged extraterrestrial encounters, as indicated by the cover story. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into paranormal phenomena, while also acknowledging and dissecting skeptical viewpoints and potential hoaxes.