CENAP Infoline - no 031

Magazine Overview

This issue of cenap-infoline, number 31, dated January 28, 1996, focuses on astronomical discoveries and related controversies. The cover features headlines about the fight against 'Skybeamers' and the possibility of life on other planets.

Kampf dem "Skybeamer"

Werner Hasubick from VHS Buchloe is quoted as protesting against 'Skybeamers,' which he describes as moving searchlights or laser beams used for advertising. These devices, he states, can make astronomical observations nearly impossible within a radius of several kilometers. Hasubick mentions a local 'Skybeamer' that was eventually removed after protests. He also notes that such installations require permits from the district office, and the operator in question did not have one. In Augsburg, a ban on 'Skybeamers' has been implemented due to concerns about air safety near a helicopter landing site, a decision later upheld by an administrative court. The article suggests that arguments against the approval of 'Skybeamers' have been compiled and are available upon request.

Planeten mit Lebensmöglichkeit ? Leben im Weltall entdeckt?

This section reports on the discovery of two planets outside our solar system that scientists believe could harbor life. Geoffrey Marcy, an exoplanet discoverer from the University of California Observatory, announced the finding. He states that the presence of water is key to life, and these planets may have it. One of the stars observed is nine times larger than Jupiter, and its surface temperature is estimated at 85 degrees Celsius, creating ideal conditions for life. The planets are located in the Virgo and Ursa Major constellations.

"70 Virginis" and "47 Ursae Majoris"

Astronomers identified a planet orbiting the star '70 Virginis' which is about nine times larger than Jupiter. It is believed to be mostly gaseous but may possess moons where life could develop. The star itself is similar in size to our Sun. The discovery was made by analyzing gravitational wobbles in the star. Similarly, another planet was found orbiting a star in the constellation Ursa Major, with a mass roughly three times that of Jupiter. This planet also appears to have a zone where liquid water could exist. Alan Boss from the Carnegie Institute in Washington calls this discovery the dawn of a new era in astronomy, predicting more such findings in the coming years.

Sind Außerirdische klein und dick?

This article speculates on the physical characteristics of potential extraterrestrial life. Based on the discovery of planets with immense gravity, scientists like Paul Murdin, Director of the British National Space Center, suggest that beings on such worlds would likely be flat and wide, rather than tall and thin. He posits that large animals like horses or cows would be unlikely, with creatures resembling crabs or snails being more probable due to the high gravity.

Auf dem Jupiter geht es recht turbulent zu

Data from the Galileo space probe reveals that Jupiter is a much more turbulent place than previously assumed. The probe has detected powerful hurricanes with wind speeds exceeding 500 kilometers per hour. Contrary to expectations, the atmosphere is also drier than anticipated. Furthermore, Jupiter's atmosphere is thicker and contains less helium than scientists had predicted. Wesley Huntress of NASA's Ames Research Center expressed enthusiasm for the data, stating it exceeds optimistic expectations. The probe's findings challenge existing models of planetary formation, particularly regarding Jupiter's composition and its relationship with the Sun. A descent probe sent data about extreme winds and turbulence, likely driven by internal heat rather than solar energy, before burning up in the atmosphere. The Galileo mission, which took six years to reach Jupiter, aims to provide more detailed insights into the planet's temperature, pressure, wind speeds, and chemical composition.

Wunder Weltraum - 10 Tage Belichtungszeit

The Hubble space telescope has captured stunning images of the universe, revealing stars and galaxies never before seen by humans. The article notes that some of these celestial bodies emit light about four million times fainter than what the human eye can perceive. The images required a ten-day exposure to capture the faint light of distant stars.

TV-Tip: 7.Februar '96

A television program titled "Von UFOs entführt?" (Abducted by UFOs?) is highlighted. The program, based on a book by Heinz Rohde, features Peter A. and Christiane F., who claim to have been abducted by extraterrestrials. Christiane recounts her experience to a doctor under hypnosis, describing her 'fourth kind encounter.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers topics at the intersection of astronomy, space exploration, and the unexplained. There is a clear interest in the search for extraterrestrial life and phenomena that challenge conventional scientific understanding, such as UFOs and the implications of exoplanet discoveries. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these subjects with a degree of openness, presenting scientific findings alongside more speculative or anecdotal accounts, such as alien abductions and the 'Skybeamer' controversy.