CENAP Infoline - no 020

Magazine Overview

This issue of cenap-infoline, number 20, dated June 4, 1995, features a prominent article titled "Kaiser der Milchstrasse" (Emperor of the Milky Way) and includes various reports on UFO phenomena, astronomy, and related topics.

Talk Round in Kassel: "Kaiser der Milchstrasse"

The main article details a talk round organized by the Astronomical Working Group Kassel, held on May 19, 1995, at the Offener Kanal Kassel. CENAP was also invited. The head of the working group noted that UFOlogists tend to avoid CENAP. Despite this, they managed to attract Mr. Jörg Langbein, an author and editor for UFO-Nachrichten, and a representative from Pro-Linie. A UFO photographer, with over 3000 photos, also attended, expressing wonder at lens reflections and raindrops that he believed transformed into plasma phenomena.

Two 45-minute sessions were dedicated to discussing UFOs and pre-astronautics. Viewers could call in as the broadcast was live. A peculiar incident mentioned was a "Party-Gag-Heißluftballonfall zu Sylvester" (Party Gag Hot Air Balloon Fall on New Year's Eve).

The highlight of the talk round was a guest who claimed to be in contact with extraterrestrials and stated he had been named "Kaiser der Milchstrasse" by them. The organizer had prior reservations about this guest, having learned he was associated with the Eduard Meier circle and that psychological aspects were involved. Therefore, no direct personal attacks were made. His statements, however, provided a certain situational comedy that amused the studio audience. The article questions the responsibility of talk show hosts in inviting such individuals, suggesting that if people risk public ridicule, psychologists should be consulted.

Skyweek 12/95: Bright Fireballs Over the Pacific

On February 16, 1995, US military satellites detected two bright fireballs over the Pacific Ocean, with apparent magnitudes of -18 and -19 meters, observed 10 hours apart.

The Chance of Searching for Distant Planets

This section discusses advancements in the search for planets outside our solar system. Techniques have evolved to the point where planets of the Jupiter class could potentially be found if they are common, though this is not yet proven. A key factor in evaluating search strategies is the expected distance of a planet from its star. Simulations by Alan Boss suggest that gas giants like Jupiter form within a "critical" or "ice condensation radius" where the protoplanetary disk is too hot for the condensation of ice into planetesimals, which initiate gas planet formation. For stars with masses between 0.1 and 1 solar mass, this "gas giant zone" is between 4.5 and 6 AU. This poses challenges for methods relying on detecting stellar movements caused by planetary gravity, as these signals are weaker for planets further from their star, and observations over long periods are required.

However, 5 AU is considered a favorable distance for detecting "Jupiters" using gravitational lensing effects in the Milky Way bulge, and for direct imaging of planets that are not overwhelmed by their star's glare. Large ground-based telescopes with adaptive optics are expected to be capable of imaging large planets within 5 AU of their star within 25 light-years. For the discovery or spectroscopy of terrestrial planets, space-based interferometers would be necessary, but these are not anticipated soon. NASA Administrator Goldin sees the potential for new "visionary" goals for NASA, comparable to the Apollo program, if European efforts in Horizon 2000 Plus are not faster.

*Source: Nature 20.04.95 678-679 SH*

Space Shuttle Discovery Launch Delayed

The scheduled launch of the space shuttle Discovery on June 8, 1995, marking the 100th manned US space flight, was postponed by a month. NASA engineers were reportedly frustrated by the need to repair the foam insulation of the shuttle's fuel tank, which had 137 holes attributed to a woodpecker. The woodpecker, which NASA claims even built a nest in the launch tower, was undeterred by attempts to stop it, pecking holes into the foam insulation.

*Source: n-tv 5.06.95*

Alien Film Experience on TV

Mr. von Buttlar shared his alien film experience on Ulrich Meyer's show "Die Menschen hinter den Schlagzeilen" (The People Behind the Headlines) on SAT-1 on May 23, 1995. Apart from a computer-animated drawing, no new insights were presented. A notable observation was a wall-mounted telephone in the "OP" (operating room), which was unusual for 1947, but such details are often overlooked in UFO circles, similar to the alien photo of the ET doll from Canada.

Nazi UFOlogist on ARD

On May 28, 1995, ARD's "ZAK-Wochendurchblick" featured Norbert Ratthofer, a "NAZI-Ufologe" who claims that flying saucers originated from Hitler's North Pole base. The article suggests that ARD would have been better advised not to broadcast this segment, thereby avoiding giving a platform to such fanatics.

*Source: hkc*

Protection from UFOs: The Copper Roof Mystery

This article features a detective's account of an unusual case. He is called to a bridge to meet a distressed couple, both in their 60s, who claim they are being targeted for death. The woman has severe skin lesions, and the man has a sickly yellowish complexion. They refuse to enter their apartment, fearing they are being made ill by something there.

Upon visiting their apartment, the detective is shocked to find that every surface – walls, ceiling, and floor – is covered in copper sheeting. The couple explains that they had their apartment lined with copper because they believed it would block "evil extraterrestrial rays" from UFOs. They cite churches with copper roofs as an example of their protective properties. The man claims they had previously used wood, but it made them sick, and the whole city was ill. They had taken out a 30,000 DM loan to cover the apartment in copper, even lining their bed with it. The detective, realizing their delusion, suggests they see a doctor and eventually calls for social services.

Huch... ein Regenbogen!

This short piece describes a panic in Rome caused by a rainbow. People called the police and newspapers, fearing a catastrophe because the sun was surrounded by a rainbow, indicating a misunderstanding of natural phenomena.

Reading Tip!

A recommendation to buy the June 1995 issue of P.M. magazine, which includes a UFO special.

"They had triangular heads!" - Extraterrestrials Landed in the Eifel?

This section compiles eyewitness accounts of alleged extraterrestrial encounters in the Eifel region, collected by UFO researcher Willi Schillings for his book "UFOs und alte Steine" (UFOs and Old Stones).

• Willi Schillings, a UFO researcher from Langerwehe near Aachen, is collecting these reports.
• Heike van G. (30) from Stolberg-Mühle reported waking up with chills and being unable to move. She saw a 50-meter high, red-orange fireball outside her window. Three milky-white figures, about 1.45 meters tall with triangular heads, appeared at the foot of her bed. They vanished into a mist. She experienced days of pain.
• Seemann from Heerlen described seeing a round, yellow-red light in the sky, 30 meters in diameter, which blinded like fire. He experienced four days of headaches.
• Annemie D. (43) from Cologne reported seeing a circular object in the Eifelpark Gondorf, behind the mountains, that was several times the size of the moon. Deer emerged from the forest in large numbers, illuminated by the UFO's light.

NEWS aus der Astronomie (News from Astronomy)

Telescope with X-ray Vision

The article introduces the XMM (X-ray Multi Mirror Mission) telescope, scheduled to launch in 1999 on an Ariane 5 rocket. This telescope is designed to observe millions of stars in the universe that are invisible to the naked eye or sensitive cameras because they emit X-rays. Following the German satellite ROSAT, which mapped around 100,000 new stars, XMM, weighing four tons, will use even more sensitive instruments. Scientists expect XMM to discover about 600,000 new stars. DASA/Dornier is leading the project for ESA, with a total volume of 500 million Deutschmarks. The telescope features a central tube bundling three telescopes. Incoming X-rays are focused by a mirror system onto a CCD matrix detector. XMM will be placed on a highly eccentric orbit (70,565 km/1,000 km).

*Source: FLUG REVUE 12/1994*

Gravitational Lensing

A diagram illustrates how the gravity of a galaxy acts as a lens, bending the light from a quasar and directing it to Earth via two paths.

New Age of the Universe

Astronomers have potentially resolved the paradox of stars appearing older than the universe. A team led by Sjur Refsdal of the Hamburg Observatory studied the light from quasar QSO 0957+561, which is deflected by a galaxy and reaches Earth via two paths. By measuring the time difference between these paths, they calculated the Hubble constant, which in turn provided an age for the universe of ten to twelve billion years. This age is now closer to the age of the oldest stars, which are estimated to have formed twelve to 15 billion years ago.

*Source: FOCUS 10/1995*

299,792,458 Meters per Second: The Speed of Light

This section discusses the speed of light, stating that it cannot theoretically be surpassed.

Galactic Speed Record

Astronomers Felix Mirabel and Luis Rodriguez, using the VLA radio telescope in New Mexico, observed a phenomenon in our galaxy, the Milky Way, where matter appears to move faster than light. The binary star system GRS 1915+105 ejected two particle jets in opposite directions at 92 percent of the speed of light. Due to Earth-based observation angles, this creates the illusion of particles moving at 125 percent of the speed of light. Such "superluminal motion" had not been observed in our galaxy before.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently features reports on UFO sightings and alleged extraterrestrial encounters, often presented with a critical or skeptical undertone, particularly concerning the "Kaiser der Milchstrasse" guest and the "NAZI-Ufologe." There's a clear interest in astronomical discoveries and scientific explanations for phenomena, as seen in the articles on exoplanet detection and the age of the universe. The magazine also highlights the role of media in presenting such topics, questioning the responsibility of talk shows and news outlets. The editorial stance appears to favor scientific inquiry while acknowledging the public's fascination with the unexplained, often juxtaposing sensational claims with factual reporting or scientific analysis.