CENAP Infoline - no 004

Magazine Overview

Title: cenap-infoline
Issue: nr.4
Date: July 30, 1994
Publisher: CENAP-Mannheim

This issue of cenap-infoline delves into several prominent topics within the UFO and astronomy communities of the mid-1990s. It addresses the public fascination with the Comet Shoemaker-Levy-9's collision with Jupiter, the ongoing debate surrounding UFO sightings and alleged government cover-ups, particularly concerning the Apollo-11 moon landing, and explores more esoteric themes like past-life regressions.

The Great Comet Crash / Kometenkollision mit Jupiter

The magazine begins by acknowledging the widespread media coverage of the Comet Shoemaker-Levy-9's impact on Jupiter. It notes how the event, which lasted over a week and produced sensational images, captured public imagination and led to discussions beyond astronomy, including astrological interpretations. The article highlights how the event was discussed in talk shows, with some media outlets making erroneous claims, such as a space shuttle having a 'protective shield' against meteorites. The text clarifies that while spacecraft have heat shields for atmospheric re-entry, they do not possess shields against direct meteorite impacts, though damage from micrometeorites has been observed.

The article criticizes the sensationalist approach of some media, particularly 'Bild', in its coverage of the comet impact. 'Bild' is accused of using the event to create a sense of impending doom and to sell newspapers, even suggesting a risk to Earth from such comets, despite astronomical assessments of low probability. The magazine points out how 'Bild' amplified public anxiety, leading to thousands of reader calls reporting strange phenomena, nightmares, and even perceived psychic connections to the event. Examples include reports of dogs howling, unsettling dreams, and a voice from the 'all' warning of impending doom. The article concludes this section by critically examining 'Bild's' coverage of the Jupiter-Comet crash, suggesting it fueled 'contactee madness' and contributed to a sense of reality in people's nightmares.

Apollo-11 and the 'Snowman UFO'

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to debunking claims of UFOs being captured on film during the Apollo-11 moon landing. The article begins by referencing the historical significance of the 1969 moon landing and how it contradicted earlier UFOlogist narratives, such as those by contactee Adamski, who described a populated Moon with forests and cities. The reality presented by Apollo-11 was a barren, cratered landscape, which some interpreted as a 'cover-up' by NASA.

The magazine highlights the role of the German UFO organization DUIST in disseminating alleged UFO footage from the Apollo-11 mission, purportedly obtained from Japanese UFOlogists (CBA). DUIST presented these as evidence of extraterrestrial spacecraft. The article recounts how CENAP, then known as the 'Private UFO Research Group Mannheim,' began to question DUIST's claims. They attended DUIST lectures and observed Herr Veit, the 'High Priest' of DUIST, presenting original Japanese magazines with color photos, but refusing to disclose the source.

Further investigation, including obtaining black-and-white photos from Italy via Hellmuth Hoffmann, continued to fuel the debate. However, a ZDF television report on the Apollo missions, which included film sequences from Apollo-11, provided a turning point. CENAP was surprised to find that NASA's footage, when compared to the versions circulated by UFOlogists, showed a significant difference. The magazine asserts that the 'Snowman UFO' footage, which UFOlogists claimed was evidence of alien craft, was actually a reflection of the sun in the window of the Apollo spacecraft. Klaus Webner from Wiesbaden reportedly confirmed this by obtaining a copy of the original NASA film, thus refuting the UFOlogists' 'cover-up' narrative.

Past Lives and the Planet Phaethon

The magazine features an interview with artist Adele Holzer, who underwent hypnosis with acupressure to explore her past lives. Holzer, who had a background in music, painting, and caricature, was fascinated by astronomy. Through hypnosis, she discovered a past life on a planet named Phaethon, located between Jupiter and Mars, approximately 195 million years ago.

According to Holzer's regression, Phaethon was a planet with a circumference of 65,457.14 km and a diameter of 15,420 km. Its inhabitants were described as human-like but highly evolved, belonging to a single race. They possessed mini-implants in their brains that transmitted knowledge and research, ensuring uniform education and preventing power struggles. The planet had low gravity, which positively affected their psyche, making them optimistic but also prone to phlegm. Their existence was threatened by two moons orbiting Phaethon; one of these moons deviated from its orbit and eventually collided with Phaethon, completely destroying it. The inhabitants had also visited Earth, finding its gravity too high.

Holzer also described the fauna of Phaethon, including blue, dog-sized felines and small, lizard-like dinosaurs brought from Earth. Reproduction was strictly controlled, with only 220 million beings allowed on the planet at any time, and conception occurred only after a death. The fetus developed outside the womb. The interview touches upon the concept of 'mini-implants in the brain' and the idea of past lives influencing present-day emotions, particularly Holzer's lifelong fear of the moon.

Reader Contributions and Editorial Stance

The issue includes letters from readers offering their perspectives on UFOs and related phenomena. Esther Plödel expresses frustration with the dismissive and mocking tone often used towards UFO researchers and believers, arguing that it reflects a narrow-mindedness that fails to acknowledge the vastness of the unknown. She suggests that humanity is not the 'crown of creation' and that such skepticism hinders understanding.

Peter Dreves comments on a televised UFO discussion, describing it as chaotic and lacking in competent participants. He proposes a repeat discussion with more qualified individuals and stricter time limits, noting that the topic clearly interests the public, as evidenced by ratings.

Kurt Jürgens offers a more skeptical viewpoint, suggesting that the Pentagon's interest in UFOs was a strategic response to Soviet military advancements rather than evidence of alien visitation. He dismisses the possibility of extraterrestrial observation or visits, questioning the lack of detected alien radio signals and the absence of scientific investigation into alleged UFO traces, concluding that 'there are no UFOs.'

The magazine also includes a report on a claimed UFO sighting by high-ranking military officials in England. Lord Peter John Hill Norton, a former General and Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces, alleges that the USA, NATO, and Russia have exchanged reports on UFOs, which are kept secret under the code word 'Moondust.' The report details an incident on September 27, 1980, where a Royal Air Force radar operator detected an object that ascended at incredible speed, pursued by Phantom jets. Another witness, Jim Penniston, described a large, black, glass-like object at Woodbridge airbase. Major J. Halt observed the object appearing to pulsate with a black mass.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

CENAP-infoline consistently adopts a critical and investigative stance towards UFO phenomena. While acknowledging public interest and reporting on various claims, the magazine prioritizes debunking sensationalist media portrayals and unsubstantiated UFOlogist theories, particularly those involving government cover-ups. The coverage of the Jupiter comet crash highlights the contrast between scientific facts and public perception, while the analysis of the Apollo-11 footage demonstrates a commitment to evidence-based reasoning. The inclusion of past-life regression, though more esoteric, is presented as a personal exploration rather than definitive proof of extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance appears to favor rational explanations and critical analysis, encouraging readers to question extraordinary claims and to look for verifiable evidence. The magazine also positions itself as a source of correction and clarification within the UFO community, aiming to provide a more grounded perspective amidst what it perceives as 'UFO madness.' The issue concludes with holiday greetings and a promise of continued reporting.