CENAP Infoline - no 050

Magazine Overview

Title: cemap-infoline
Issue: nr.50
Date: January 5, 1997
Publisher: cenap
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of cemap-infoline celebrates its 50th edition and aims to continue providing information on UFO research and related topics. The editor expresses a desire to avoid filling the magazine with sensationalism found in other publications, focusing instead on genuine UFO research.

Articles and Features

The Mars Fossil Debate Continues

The controversy surrounding alleged fossilized life forms in the Mars meteorite ALH84001 is discussed. US planetary scientist John Kerridge is quoted as being "absolutely convinced" that the evidence points to a non-biological origin, suggesting the formations are mineral. While the discoverers are reportedly close to proving their findings, it may take another one to two years for definitive answers. Recent US research suggests the formations are iron oxide crystals, unrelated to terrestrial bacteria, and that the meteorite, which fell in Antarctica 13,000 years ago, shows no signs of microfossils.

Carl Sagan Passes Away

The renowned US planetary scientist and popularizer of astronomy, Carl Sagan, has died at the age of 62 due to cancer. He had recently believed he had beaten the cancer and was planning the film adaptation of his novel "Contact." Sagan was a leading figure in the research into possible extraterrestrial life.

Top-Secret UFO Files from the RAF/GB Confirmed

In a surprising announcement on November 10, 1996, the British Minister of Defence, Earl Frederick Howe, confirmed the existence of "top-secret UFO files" compiled by the Royal Air Force (RAF). Lord Howe stated in a letter to The People newspaper that all RAF commanders had been ordered to report all UFO encounters. He added that "regarding the existence of extraterrestrial life forms, we have an open opinion."

This revelation stems from a parliamentary debate concerning a UFO incident in Skegness in October 1996. Two UFOs were sighted by police in Lincolnshire and tracked by RAF radar for six hours over The Wash. A police officer even recorded video footage of an object from the roof of the Skegness Police Station, which was then sent to RAF Neatishead.

Radar Measurements or UFOs?

Martin Redmond, representing the Don Valley, has been pressing the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for information regarding UFOs. He reported witnessing a UFO with a red-green rotating light that compromised British airspace over East Anglia. Redmond questioned why no reconnaissance aircraft were dispatched to investigate a precise radar target near the coast. This raises concerns about the actual protection of UK airspace. Nick Pope, writing in the English journal Sightings, sarcastically questions if UFOs adhere to public office hours. He notes that a major problem in investigating UFO sightings is the lack of sufficient evidence to draw conclusions. In some cases, there is too much information, which also poses a challenge. Pope refers to the Skegness incident as "the most exciting of recent years." He mentions that military officials sought an everyday explanation and speculated that the phenomenon might have a meteorological cause. Some RAF experts suggested that radar systems might have picked up a "ghost echo" from the Boston church tower. However, Pope points out that the visual observation of the UFO, and its ability to suddenly appear and blink in the sky, contradicts this explanation.

A potential solution proposed is to separate visual observations from radar detections. It is suggested that astronomical stimuli might trigger visual sightings, while weather conditions could create a "ghost echo" of the church tower.

Stop the UFO Sect Madness

This section strongly criticizes and warns against UFO sects, particularly the "Interplanetare Bruderschaft Astar Sheran." CENAP received a plea for help from the VfgP (Association for Fringe Science Phenomena) in Forstenning/Bavaria, regarding a mother whose daughter had become involved with this sect. The daughter reportedly abandoned her husband and children, emptied their bank account, and canceled her insurance. It is stated that five families in the nearby district of Erding have also been negatively impacted by this sect. The article emphasizes that such sects exploit the public's interest in ufology and fringe science, damaging the credibility of serious researchers. The authors urge everyone involved in the UFO scene, whether in favor or against, to stop supporting these groups, to refuse advertising and donations, and to clearly distance themselves from their activities. They advise informing the local press about any leaflets, doomsday messages, or events organized by these sects.

The article includes quotes attributed to "Astar Sheran" and other figures, described as originating from poor science fiction. One message claims that atomic bomb tests have put the Earth into a "state of boiling" and that their "higher atmospheric layers" need repair. Another message, purportedly from "Soltec," speaks of "our radiant ones" and the need for spiritual development to "save your world."

Another message discusses beings on Venus having a higher consciousness and living an "ethereal life form," enabling them to travel in space, a privilege not granted to Earthlings. A communication from "entities from the 4th dimension of Venus" states that they are pure energy beings and can be perceived as light or light spheres. They offer to help and escort people, urging them to leave everything behind.

The magazine calls for support in confronting this "madness" and disrupting UFO sect circles. It also includes a TV tip for a program titled "Irdischer Humbug um Außerirdische: Tatort: Tod im All" (Earthly Nonsense about Extraterrestrials: Crime Scene: Death in Space) scheduled for January 12, 1997.

Space and Technology News

Observing Space Objects: The US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), in collaboration with the Air Force and NASA, has activated a new Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) station in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This experimental station is designed to precisely determine satellite locations and verify onboard system performance, having already obtained results from satellites as low as 370 km and as high as 20,200 km.

Water on the Moon: NASA's Lunar Prospector mission, scheduled for September 1997, is expected to confirm or deny claims that the DoD Clementine-1 mission found frozen water on the Moon. If confirmed, the next step would involve sending an orbiter or lander to sample the material, highlighting its potential value.

Hubble Discovers Distant Star: The Hubble Space Telescope, using a special camera, has discovered an unusual star 3,000 light-years away. This neutron star, named Pulsar 1055-52, is only 20 km in diameter, extremely hot (1 million degrees), and resulted from a supernova explosion. Its gravity and magnetic field are billions of times stronger than Earth's, and it rotates five times per second, emitting gamma rays.

Space Station with Schedule Problems: The construction of the planned international space station "Alpha" is delayed. Russia's service module is not expected to be ready until December 1998 due to financial issues, pushing back the planned launch of Europe's "Columbus" module to 2004. However, a cargo module built by Russia, funded by Boeing, is on schedule.

Giant Meteorite Crashes in Honduras: A large meteorite crashed in Honduras, creating a 50-meter crater on a coffee plantation and leaving a trail of fire. An eyewitness described seeing "huge flames that destroyed everything."

Faketen-Schrott (Space Junk) Collected: Residents near the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan have collected 125,000 kilograms of space junk that falls shortly after launches.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, extraterrestrial contact, and related phenomena, often presenting information from fringe science perspectives. There is a strong critical stance against sensationalism and a clear warning against the dangers of UFO cults and sects, urging researchers and the public to remain discerning and to avoid associating with them. The editorial stance champions serious investigation while debunking what it deems as pseudoscientific claims and manipulative groups.