Papers d'Ovnis - 2a epoca - No 28

Magazine Overview

Title: Papers d'Ovnis
Issue: No. 28 (2nd epoch)
Date: April-June 2002
Publisher: Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios (CEI)

This issue of "Papers d'Ovnis" delves into several intriguing UFO cases and related phenomena, blending historical accounts with contemporary investigations and speculative theories. The magazine maintains its focus on the unexplained, with contributions from its dedicated staff and researchers.

Key Articles and Features

El caso Arrubal (29-11-74)

This feature revisits a significant UFO sighting that occurred on November 29, 1974, near Arrubal, Spain. The article, authored by Jordi Ardanuy, details how ten schoolchildren reported observing an elongated, luminous object with unusual lights and what appeared to be letters or symbols. A notable aspect of this case was the reported stoppage of a car's engine, a common concomitant effect in many UFO encounters. The report includes details from the original newspaper coverage in "La Gaceta del Norte," highlighting the journalistic interest at the time and the subsequent investigation by reporter Vicente Escudero. The children described the object as silver, shiny, and carrying "mucho" large, illuminated letters. The object reportedly moved in a zig-zag pattern before disappearing slowly into the clouds, followed by a red light.

Luces vistas desde Marbella: 11-04-2002

This section, written by the editorial staff ("Redacción"), reports on a luminous phenomenon observed from Marbella, Spain, on April 11, 2002. The sighting involved three witnesses who described repeated luminous balls expanding and exploding silently, illuminating the sky with various colors (reddish, yellow, blue). The objects moved at high speed horizontally. The witnesses initially considered possibilities like bombings or mirages but dismissed them due to the frequent color changes and horizontal movements. The event lasted approximately two hours and was described as beautiful. Investigations by Marcos Antonio Benítez Castillo have not yet clarified the origin of these lights, and no military exercises were reported in the area.

Dos casos OVNI en Varesse (Italia)

Authored by Matteo Leone, this article presents two UFO cases from Varesse, Italy, investigated by Stefania Genovese. The first case, from April 23, 2001, involved a woman named Loredana who observed a luminous, blinding object resembling a missile with a dome and a tubular base. The object moved horizontally for about 50-60 seconds. Loredana, who wears contact lenses and has good vision, was surprised that no one else saw it. The description of the object, including its shape and luminosity, is detailed, with a sketch provided. The second case, from April 30, 2001, involved Lorenzo G., a night watchman at a steel mill. He described a reddish-yellow, spherical object that transformed into a cigar shape and then evolved vertically and horizontally before disappearing. Lorenzo G. emphasized the object's shape-changing ability and precise movements. The duration of this sighting was brief, estimated between 5 and 10 seconds. Investigators explored potential effects on electrical lines, with negative results from Enel and Montedison. The article notes the witness's calm demeanor and meticulous description, suggesting a credible experience.

Unconvention 2002

Luis R. González reports on the Fortean Times Unconvention 2002 held in London on April 6-7, 2002. The event featured numerous talks on a wide range of Fortean and paranormal topics. Key speakers included Graham Hancock on lost cities, Colin Wilson on the outsider perspective, and Jon Ronson on secret rulers. The article highlights discussions on the Betty and Barney Hill abduction case, with differing interpretations from Karl Pflock (believing in genuine extraterrestrial visitors) and Peter Brookesmith (favoring psycho-social explanations). The author also notes the growing strength of the HET (Humanoid Extraterrestrial) theory in Europe and the increasing appeal to multi-dimensional entities and paranormal effects among believers.

Marte Ficción

Antoni Ribera's article explores the enduring fascination with Mars, particularly in science fiction. He references H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds" and the concept of Martians invading Earth. Ribera also touches upon astronomical observations, such as the discovery of Mars' moons, Phobos and Deimos, and the historical debate surrounding Martian canals. He mentions writers like Edgar Rice Burroughs, C.S. Lewis, Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, and Ray Bradbury, who have significantly contributed to Martian lore in literature. The article posits that the "red planet" still holds many surprises. A notable quote from Antoni Ribera states, "the red planet still holds many surprises."

Other Sections

• OVNIS EN BREVE: This section provides brief reports on recent UFO sightings, including one in Cantillana (Sevilla) on January 8, 2002, involving a cylindrical object with lights, and another in Altea (Alicante) on January 28, 2002, of a bright luminous point near the moon.
• Papers D'ÓVNIS Staff: Lists the editorial team, including Jordi Ardanuy, Martí Flò, Josep Mª Orta, Pere Redon, Ma Luisa Romero, and Mª Carmen Tamayo. It also clarifies that Papers D'ÓVNIS is a publication of the Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios (CEI) and that the CEI does not necessarily share the opinions expressed within the magazine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO sightings, historical cases, and related phenomena, often drawing connections between them and broader Fortean topics. There is a clear interest in investigating and documenting unexplained events, while also acknowledging the role of science fiction and speculative theories. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and investigative, encouraging reader participation and presenting diverse viewpoints within the field of ufology. The CEI, as the publisher, aims to foster study and discussion on UFO phenomena, while maintaining a distinction between the organization's views and those of its contributors.

This issue of *Papers d'Ovnis*, dated April-June 2002, delves into a variety of topics related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. The magazine features articles on fictional flying islands, astronomical observations, and reviews of ufological literature and bulletins from various organizations.

The Flying Island of Laputa

The issue begins with an examination of Jonathan Swift's fictional flying island of Laputa, as depicted in his work. The text describes the island's construction, particularly its reliance on a magnetic stone for levitation and movement. The description highlights how by orienting the magnetic stone, the island could be made to ascend, descend, or move obliquely, following the Earth's magnetic field lines. This mechanism is compared to modern theories of electromagnetic propulsion and the behavior of flying discs.

Strange Occurrences on Mars

The magazine then shifts focus to events on Mars. It recounts an incident on December 9, 1949, when Japanese astronomer Tsuneo Saheli observed a mysterious, brilliant explosion on the Martian surface, followed by a large, luminous grey-yellow cloud. The article also mentions the malfunction of the Mariner VII probe near Mars in 1969, where its battery exploded in a region that had experienced previous unexplained accidents, earning it the moniker 'the Great Galactic Ghoul'. The Viking-l probe is also mentioned as having suffered a loss of an electric oven upon landing in a 'fatal zone'. The text notes that the daily press reports on the ongoing issues with the American probe, suggesting inexplicable malfunctions.

Mars and UFOs: The Biennial Cycle

A significant section of the magazine explores the connection between Mars and UFO sightings. It details how several European researchers, working independently in the 1950s, concluded that UFO 'waves' (periods of increased sightings) coincided mathematically with Mars oppositions. These oppositions occur when Earth and Mars are at their closest and aligned on the same side of the Sun. The article humorously refers to this as the 'Martian Hypothesis' and notes that the 'biennial cycle' of increased UFO activity seemed particularly strong in the periods following 1947, with notable surges in 1948 and 1971, and again in 1973-74, all coinciding with Mars oppositions. A graph by Eduardo Buelta illustrates this correlation.

Reviews of Ufological Literature and Bulletins

The magazine includes several reviews and summaries of recent publications and bulletins from ufological organizations:

• Fundación Anomalía's New Book: The issue announces a new book published by Fundación Anomalía, featuring two award-winning works: "Transmutaciones" by Martín S. Kottmeyer, which explores the influence of nuclear fear on ufological imagination, and "La Mitopoyesis Ufológica" by Stefania Genovese, which examines UFOs as a modern myth with parallels to the past. The review notes that Kottmeyer's work links UFO phenomena to social tensions and the Cold War, while Genovese's thesis provides a review of UFOs as a modern myth.

• Skeptical Inquirer (May 2001): This bulletin is discussed for its coverage of the 'Intelligent Design' debate and a note from Susan Blackmore explaining her shift away from paranormal research. Robert Sheaffer's column addresses the 'Chupacabra' phenomenon and a possible terrestrial explanation for the Trent photograph from McMinnville. A notable article recounts the case of a supposed abductee who, after experiencing severe distress, was helped by a psychiatrist.

• Skeptical Inquirer (Vol. 25, No. 3): This issue marks the 25th anniversary of CSICOP and debunks claims about the Moon landing being a fraud. It also discusses the 'Martian Face' and the speed of light as an insurmountable barrier.

• Fortean Times (No. 146 & 147): Issue 146 touches upon themes related to Easter and the risks of premature burial. Issue 147 focuses on UFO-related deaths, including classic cases like Mantell and the Maury Island incident. It also features articles on Djinn and compulsive writing.

• MUFON UFO Journal (March & April 2001): The March issue covers a UFO wave in Brazil and Stanton Friedman's defense of the MJ-12 documents. It also discusses the possibility of aliens being temporal travelers and UFO-related stress. The April issue features an article by Dr. Paul La Violette suggesting that crop circles are created by extraterrestrials using force fields and microwaves. Ron Westrum is cited for his opinion on why ufology has not met expectations, citing a lack of continuity and critical spirit. Jenny Randles discusses the possibility of closed-door ufological conferences. Richard Hall laments the resurgence of interest in Adamski, whom he and NICAP had previously exposed as a fraud. Chris Rutwoski notes an increase in reported UFO cases in Canada.

• Skeptics UFO Newsletter (No. 67): This bulletin reports on the deteriorating health of Philip Klass and the impact of the NASDAQ crash on ufology, including the cancellation of Joe Firmage's book. It also mentions the creation of NARCAP by Richard Haines and others for pilot reports on UFOs, with criticism of its inclusion of explained cases.

• International UFO Reporter (Autumn 2000): This issue includes articles on Scandinavian phantom rockets, a review of the Rendlesham Forest case by Jenny Randles and Richard Hall, and the origin of the term 'foo fighter'. Mark Rodeghier attempts to explain the decrease in reported abductions.

• Journal of Scientific Exploration (Vol. 15, No. 1): This issue is mostly non-ufological, but includes an article by Peter Sturrock re-examining the Ubatuba fragments, which were found to be terrestrial. It also discusses scientific investigations into sleep paralysis and its potential link to abductions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the exploration of UFO phenomena through historical accounts (like Swift's Laputa), astronomical observations, and the analysis of UFO reports and literature. There is a clear engagement with both ufological claims and skeptical counterarguments, as evidenced by the reviews of publications from organizations like Skeptical Inquirer and MUFON. The magazine appears to maintain an open, yet critical, stance, presenting various theories and findings while also acknowledging skepticism and the need for rigorous investigation. The connection between Mars and UFO activity is a prominent theme, suggesting a long-standing interest in potential extraterrestrial influences from our planetary neighbor. The editorial stance seems to favor detailed analysis and the review of diverse perspectives within the field of ufology.