Papers d'Ovnis - 2a epoca - No 29

Magazine Overview

Title: Papers d'Ovnis
Issue: Nº 29
Date: Julio-Septiembre 2002
Publisher: Centro de Estudios Interplanetarios (CEI)
Country: Spain
Language: Spanish

This issue of Papers d'Ovnis, published in July-September 2002, explores the intersection of natural phenomena and alleged UFO sightings, aiming to provide rational explanations for many reported cases.

Featured Articles and Content

El Retrato Imposible (The Impossible Portrait)

This extensive article by Manuel Borraz revisits the case of a couple who reported being accompanied by a luminous object for over ninety minutes on the N-232 highway near Alcañiz-Vinaroz on April 7, 1977. Borraz meticulously analyzes the details, concluding that the object was most likely the Moon. He points out that the circular shape is consistent with the Moon's appearance, the reddish color could be due to atmospheric absorption near the horizon, and the perceived movements can be explained by the winding road and the Moon's gradual ascent. The article dismisses explanations involving other celestial bodies and suggests that the witnesses, though sincere, were inexperienced and prone to misinterpreting visual stimuli, possibly influenced by media coverage of UFOs at the time. The author emphasizes the 'paradox' of visual experiences that are difficult to capture in images, highlighting the importance of narrative interpretation.

Novedades sobre el incidente de Jaca 7/9/76 (News on the Jaca Incident of 7/9/76)

Manuel Borraz provides an update on the Jaca incident from September 7, 1976. Following up on a previous article in Papers d'Ovnis (No. 24), which suggested a lunar misidentification, new testimony from a third witness, Fernando Ascaso, has been obtained through investigator Carlos León Martínez. Ascaso, a truck driver, arrived at the scene shortly after the main witnesses and stated he had never believed in UFOs but found the object inexplicable. Despite this new testimony, Borraz maintains his stance, agreeing with León that the evidence still supports the lunar hypothesis. The key issue remains that none of the witnesses explicitly identified the object as the Moon, yet descriptions like 'something that looked like the moon' are noted. The article suggests that the truck driver's account, while detailed, also aligns with the characteristics of the Moon, particularly its appearance low on the horizon.

Aznalcollar: 23/7/2002

This report by 'La Redacción' details a case from Aznalcollar, Seville, on July 23, 2002. A driver named L. L. R. encountered a luminous object that appeared to cross the road. Initially mistaken for a motorcycle, the object then seemed to descend towards the car, resulting in an explosion of multicolored lights. The driver exited the car to find nothing there, and the vehicle showed no signs of impact, except for a fine liquid on the hood that evaporated upon touch. The driver experienced battery issues with his car shortly after. The report notes the similarity of this case to the 'Mallorca case' of October 3, 1980, involving Commander Bañuls.

Maravillas de la Naturaleza y ovnis (Wonders of Nature and UFOs)

Manuel Borraz contributes an article exploring the overlap between natural phenomena and UFO reports. It begins by discussing auroras borealis at lower latitudes, citing historical accounts from Diego de Torres Villarroel in the 18th century, which described phenomena that some have interpreted as UFOs but Borraz suggests were likely auroras. He references a treatise by de Mairan and mentions auroras observed in Asturias and Mallorca in 1989 and 1991, respectively. The article also touches upon the 'noisy' aurora of 1737, as described by Benito Jerónimo Feijoo, who used it to illustrate the unreliability of some testimonies regarding extraordinary events. Feijoo noted that while some witnesses claimed to hear sounds during the aurora, he and others perceived nothing.

Cazas F-16 persiguen aparato desconocido sobre Washington (F-16 Jets Pursue Unknown Aircraft over Washington)

This brief section mentions an incident where F-16 fighter jets pursued an unidentified aircraft over Washington.

Cuando la imagen desinforma (When the Image Misinforms)

Manuel Borraz discusses how images can be misleading in the context of UFO reports, implying that visual representations may not always accurately reflect reality.

Porque no pueden existir los ovnis (Why UFOs Cannot Exist)

This article by V. J. Ballester Olmos presents arguments against the existence of UFOs, likely from a skeptical perspective.

Otros Países, Otros Boletines (Other Countries, Other Bulletins)

Luis R. González provides a roundup of UFO-related news and publications from other countries.

«Fantasmogénesis» ufológica (Ufological 'Phantasmogenesis')

This section, likely by an unnamed author or staff, critiques articles that blend factual accounts with speculation and pseudoscience. It references an article in 'Año Cero' that discussed UFOs and 'mutations' in ants, linking them to electromagnetic fields. The author criticizes the article for including 'phantoms' and 'half-truths,' suggesting a 'genesis of the grotesque.' The article then discusses the case of two young men in Andorra who filmed what they claimed was a UFO, but which was later explained as a 'Brocken Spectre' by the police and media.

#### ¿Qué fue de las batallas aéreas? (What happened to the aerial battles?)

This subsection delves into historical accounts of aerial phenomena, referencing Father Feijoo's writings from the 17th-18th centuries. Feijoo discussed 'battles and encounters of enemy hosts in the Air or in the Sky,' which he attributed to meteors, particularly the Aurora Borealis. He cited Gasendo's description of an Aurora Borealis in 1621, where witnesses reported seeing squadrons, spears, and artillery fire, which Feijoo interpreted as a misinterpretation of atmospheric phenomena.

#### Círculos en el hielo y «anillos de hadas» ('Ice Circles' and 'Fairy Rings')

This section explores the phenomenon of 'ice circles' and 'fairy rings,' which have been reported in various locations, including the Mzha River in Ukraine and lakes in Canada. While some witnesses have linked these formations to UFO landings, the article presents a scientific explanation involving whirlwinds in water masses that freeze, creating circular patterns. It notes that these phenomena are rare and require specific conditions. The article also touches upon the folklore associated with these circles, such as 'witch circles' and 'fairy rings,' and mentions their connection to fungi.

#### Tradición y modernidad: la cuadratura de los círculos (Tradition and Modernity: Squaring the Circles)

This piece discusses a newspaper article from 'El Mundo' that linked 'fairy rings' to various explanations, including witches, devils, poltergeists, and extraterrestrials. It contrasts these interpretations with a scientific explanation involving fungi. The article also mentions the concept of 'cremats' and 'erols' in Catalan folklore, referring to circular marks in fields, and notes that the absence of supernatural connotations is attributed to the region's strong mycological tradition.

#### Huellas de ovnis que no se posan (UFO Tracks That Do Not Land)

This section, referencing an article by Luis Burgos, discusses UFO tracks that appear without the object necessarily landing. It mentions cases where tracks were found under fences, suggesting the object hovered or flew low. The article notes the abundance of such tracks in some areas, like Argentina, and speculates about objects displacing themselves close to the ground.

Del «ovni de El Vendrell» a las «luces sísmicas» (From the 'UFO of El Vendrell' to 'Seismic Lights')

This article examines the phenomenon of 'seismic lights' – luminous phenomena allegedly related to seismic activity. It notes that such reports are often anecdotal and lack clear scientific explanations. The article focuses on seismic events off the Catalan coast in September 1994 and subsequent reports of a luminous object, the 'ovni de El Vendrell.' It reproduces letters from readers of 'La Vanguardia' describing sightings of a bright sphere with a luminous tail, questioning if it was related to the seismic activity or if others had observed it. The article also briefly mentions a case in Galicia where seismic activity was investigated, with some suggesting a link to UFOs, though meteorological explanations were also considered.

¿Pasaba algo en Galicia? (Was Something Happening in Galicia?)

This section discusses an article from 'Enigmas' magazine that investigated seismic activity in Galicia and the possibility of non-natural causes, including seismic lights. While the article presented examples of luminous phenomena, it also considered conventional explanations like sunsets and lightning. It notes a curious coincidence where a luminous circle was observed over Sarriá more than 24 hours before a seismic event, and mentions a 'bluish phosphorescence' observed over rooftops in Becerreá, linking it to the 'Galician UFO wave' of 1996.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of Papers d'Ovnis in this issue appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking rational and scientific explanations for reported UFO phenomena. The magazine frequently revisits classic cases, re-examining witness testimony and comparing it with known natural phenomena like the Moon, auroras, and optical illusions such as the Brocken Spectre. There is a clear emphasis on debunking sensationalist claims and distinguishing between genuine mysteries and misinterpretations or hoaxes. The publication also acknowledges the role of folklore and popular beliefs in shaping perceptions of anomalous events, while striving to ground its analysis in empirical evidence and scientific understanding. The recurring theme is the exploration of the 'marvels of nature' and how they can sometimes be mistaken for extraterrestrial phenomena.

This issue of "Papers d'Ovnis" (Issue 29, July-September 2002) from the "CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS INTERPLANETARIOS" (CEI) focuses on the skepticism surrounding Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and presents conventional explanations for many reported sightings. The magazine features articles by Manuel Borraz, V. J. Ballester Olmos, and Luis R. González, alongside reader contributions and reviews of other publications.

Article: "Porque no pueden existir los «OVNIS»" by V. J. Ballester Olmos

This central article, originally published in 1968, argues against the existence of UFOs. V. J. Ballester Olmos, then president of the CEI, adopts a skeptical stance, presenting theories that explain sightings through natural phenomena, misidentified objects, and psychological factors. He discusses how atmospheric effects, such as reflections from aircraft, the appearance of meteors, and noctilucent clouds, can be mistaken for UFOs. The article also touches upon the psychological aspect, suggesting that a public fascination with the unknown and a desire for sensationalism contribute to the proliferation of UFO reports. Olmos also addresses the scientific implausibility of extraterrestrial life visiting Earth, citing the vast distances involved and the limitations of current physics.

Article: "Cuando la imagen desinforma" by Manuel Borraz

Manuel Borraz critically examines the reliance on images in ufology, arguing that "an image is not always worth a thousand words." He presents several visual examples of alleged UFOs, including drawings and photographs of triangular and conical objects, and explains how each has received a conventional explanation. These include atmospheric re-entry, stratospheric balloons, the planet Venus, and conventional aircraft. Borraz highlights how misinterpretations and the desire to believe can lead to the mythologization of mundane phenomena.

Reader Contributions and Case Analyses

The issue includes several reader letters and analyses of specific sightings:

• José Álvarez López (Oviedo) describes observing a bright white sphere with a luminous tail moving north-south near Mataró, Spain, in September 1994. He estimates its size to be about half the full moon and notes its indistinct outline due to atmospheric entry.
• Joan Plana (Sabadell) suggests that sightings reported between El Vendrell and Tordera in September 1994, and earlier in August, were likely meteors or bolides, citing the luminous trail and observation area as supporting evidence.
• A report details an incident on July 27, 2002, where two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept an unknown aerial object detected by radar over Washington D.C. The object disappeared from radar, and military officials could not identify it, though they downplayed the idea of a pursuit.

Other Countries. Other Bulletins by Luis R. González

This section reviews various ufological and paranormal publications:

• Fortean Times (Issue 148, July 2001) features an article on Candy Jones, a model whose alleged alternate personality was supposedly created by the CIA. It also covers Steven Greer's "Disclosure Project" and the ongoing debate between skeptics and believers.
• Fortean Studies (Volume 7) includes a review of Loch Ness Monster sightings and ufological topics such as Kenneth Arnold, Nazi UFOs, Egyptian hieroglyphics, and Malaysian abductions.
• The Skeptic (Volume 14, No. 1) discusses "scareship" sightings over various countries and articles on sleep paralysis and phantom personalities.
• MUFON UFO Journal (Issue 399, June 2001) features an excerpt from Freddy Silva's book "Secrets in the Fields," questioning the origin of crop circles. It also touches on low-level case studies and alleged government cover-ups.
• MAGONIA Monthly Supplement (Issue 33 & 34) reviews books on near-death experiences and the paranormal, and discusses the role of governments in controlling information, particularly regarding UFOs.
• UFO Historical Revue (Issue 8) delves into the contradictions surrounding a supposed UFO shootdown incident in 1953.
• International UFO Reporter (Spring 2001) covers the discovery of exoplanets and UFO sightings in the Pennine region of England.
• La Nave de los Locos celebrates its first anniversary with articles by prominent ufologists and an interview with Jacques Vallée. It also discusses "globovnis" in Chile and other controversial topics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of UFO phenomena. The editorial stance, particularly evident in the articles by V. J. Ballester Olmos and Manuel Borraz, leans heavily towards skepticism, advocating for conventional explanations and highlighting the role of misperception, psychological factors, and sensationalism in the UFO debate. The magazine aims to debunk sensationalist claims and ground UFO research in rational analysis, while also acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena and the ongoing public interest in the subject.