CENAP Infoline - no 051

Magazine Overview

Title: cenap-infoline
Issue: Nr. 31
Date: February 4, 1997

This issue of cenap-infoline, a German-language publication focused on UFO phenomena and related scientific topics, presents a diverse range of articles and news items. The cover prominently features headlines about the deaths of notable figures, the Hale-Bopp comet, and astronomical news.

Obituaries

Ernst von Khuon Dies: The issue reports the death of Ernst von Khuon, a TV author and science journalist, at the age of 81. Khuon was known for his own books and for editing the 1970 volume "Waren die Götter Astronauten?" (Were the Gods Astronauts?), which explored the theories of Erich von Däniken. He received the Bundesfilmpreis twice.

Clyde W. Tombaugh, Discoverer of Pluto, Passes Away: Astronomer Clyde W. Tombaugh, who discovered the planet Pluto in 1930, died at his home in Las Cruces, New Mexico, at the age of 90. Tombaugh described his work of comparing night sky photographs for ten months to find Pluto as a "stinkingly boring job."

Hale-Bopp Comet and UFO Allegations

The headline "Hesemann's: Hale-Bopp - Fairy Tales" suggests a critical look at sensationalized reports surrounding the Hale-Bopp comet. The article critiques an article in "Magazin 2000" (Feb/Mar 1997, page 53) for allegedly using falsified images of Hale-Bopp. It highlights the debunking efforts of American comet researcher David Tholen, who exposed a photograph used by US radio talk show host Art Bell and ex-SF author Whitley Strieber. This photograph, claimed to show a mysterious "companion" to Hale-Bopp, was revealed to be a digitally manipulated image of Tholen's own previous work from Hawaii. Bell and Strieber reportedly retracted their "sensation" quickly after Tholen's findings were published (Tholen, Jan 15, 1997, Skyweek 2/97). The article concludes with a remark that the "German Michel" (a symbol for the average German) is still dreaming of Nibiru, implying a continued susceptibility to such sensationalism.

Science and Technology

First Atom-Laser Created: A team of physicists, including German scientist Wolfgang Ketterle, has successfully generated a laser beam composed of atoms instead of light. This development, on which physicists worldwide have been working for years, allows for ultra-precise time measurements and is expected to open new dimensions for microelectronics. The "Bose-Einstein-Strahl" (Bose-Einstein beam) can precisely structure semiconductor chips for computers. (Bayerntext, Jan 27, 1997).

Gigantic Chain of Galaxies Discovered: Astronomers from the University of Maine have discovered a massive chain of 23 galaxy clusters in the constellation Aquarius. This "cosmic pearl necklace" stretches for approximately one billion light-years. Researchers believe this structure is not a result of gravity but rather a remnant of the Big Bang, and further study could provide insights into the early universe. (BILD, Jan 16, 1997).

"Independence Day" a Box Office Hit: Roland Emmerich's science fiction film "Independence Day" was the most successful cinema film in Germany the previous year, attracting 9.2 million viewers. (BILD, Jan 16, 1997).

Flying Saucers - The Russians Are Building Them

In Saratov, Russia, engineers have developed a flying saucer-shaped aircraft, codenamed "Equipe." This disc-shaped craft, approximately 12 meters in diameter, is designed to fly using an "air cushion principle" and can ascend vertically without a runway. It has a range of 120 to 700 kilometers, can carry 18 people and 600 tons of cargo, and is expected to enter production within three years. Russian forest rangers are reportedly interested in using "Equipe" to combat forest fires. (J. Hartmann).

Asteroids and Comets

Asteroid on Collision Course? An asteroid, "1997 AC 11," composed of rock with a hard iron-nickel core weighing 100,000 tons, is heading towards Earth at 20 kilometers per second. NASA scientists are using special cameras to track its trajectory and determine if it will impact Earth in the coming weeks. This asteroid belongs to the "Aten" group, remnants from the universe's formation 15 billion years ago. Professor Heinz Kaminski of the Bochum Institute for Environmental and Future Research views this as a "bad omen" and calls for a global defense system against such celestial threats.

Comet 1997 A1 Discovered: The comet "1997 A1" has been discovered in the constellation Leo and is expected to pass Earth in February, becoming visible in the constellation Cancer.

UFOs and Media

"Tatort" All: CENAP Consults: Werner Walter, a terrestrial UFO researcher and author of "Ufos. Die Wahrheit," expresses concern that the upcoming "Tatort" episode "Tod im All" (Death in Space), which features UFOs, might cause renewed "alien hysteria." Walter, associated with CENAP (Central Research Network for Extraordinary Sky Phenomena), fears the episode will unnecessarily unnerve the public. He notes that in the past 20 years, 700 reported UFO sightings have been explained, often as disco lights, and asserts, "There are no UFOs!" He offers consultations via telephone during the broadcast. (Kir, Morgen, Jan 10, 1997).

Pilot Sees UFO at Rome Airport: An Alitalia pilot reported seeing a UFO during his approach to Rome's Fiumicino airport. The pilot described a "strange, intensely green light" that crossed his flight path. The air traffic controller confirmed seeing it but stated that radar showed nothing. A driver also reported seeing the unusual light, and police were alerted. The question is posed: "Was it a UFO?"

Asteroids on Collision Course: A report from London (dpa) discusses how hundreds of Trojan asteroids orbit the Sun along with Jupiter. Calculations by astronomers Harold F. Levison and the Shoemakers suggest that some of these asteroids could eventually cross Earth's orbit. These asteroids are located about 812 million kilometers ahead of and behind Jupiter.

Space Tourism

For 30,000 Marks, Travel to Space as a Tourist: The Japanese company Kawasaki Heavy Industries is planning a space rocket for 50 passengers, codenamed "Kanko Maru" (Cruise Ship). The rocket is intended to orbit Earth and potentially dock with a space station. It is designed for a comfortable launch and flight, comparable to a jumbo jet, and requires no special training for passengers. The ticket price is 30,000 Marks per person, with the first flight scheduled for 2010.

Black Hole at Galactic Center

Gravity Monster at the Center: Astronomers suspect a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. Measurements by Andreas Eckart and Reinhard Genzel from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (Garching) of 39 stars orbiting the galactic center at a distance of 0.03 to 1.3 light-years support this hypothesis. The observed orbital paths can only be explained by the immense gravity of a mass 2.45 million times that of the Sun, concentrated in a region barely larger than the solar system.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue of cenap-infoline demonstrates a recurring interest in UFO phenomena, often juxtaposed with scientific explanations or skepticism. While reporting on alleged UFO sightings and sensationalized claims (like those surrounding Hale-Bopp), the publication also features scientific news in astronomy and physics, such as the discovery of galaxy chains and the creation of an atom laser. There's a clear effort to debunk unsubstantiated UFO claims, as seen in the Hale-Bopp article and Werner Walter's comments on the "Tatort" episode. The magazine also touches upon future possibilities like space tourism and the scientific understanding of cosmic phenomena like black holes. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting both the unexplained and the scientifically explained aspects of UFOs and space, with a tendency towards rational explanations where available.