CENAP Infoline - no 067

Magazine Overview

This issue of MORGEN, dated Wednesday, August 20, 1997, issue number 191, is a German-language publication from 'cenap-infoline'. The cover story details a fraudulent fortune teller in Worms who scammed a woman out of a significant sum of money and jewelry. The magazine also features articles on space exploration, scientific discoveries, and UFO reports.

Fraudulent Fortune Teller in Worms

The main article on the cover reports on a case in Worms where a fortune teller, identified as 'Maria', defrauded a 34-year-old woman from Worms-Pfeddersheim. The fortune teller claimed the woman was cursed and demanded a large sum of money to remove it. The victim withdrew 30,000 Marks from her bank, met 'Maria' at her apartment, and handed over the money and some jewelry, which were wrapped in a cloth and placed in a cassette. When 'Maria' failed to reappear as promised, the victim opened the cassette to find only shredded paper and pebbles. The police are seeking 'Maria', described as 45 years old, 1.60 meters tall, with black, tightly combed hair and a Mediterranean complexion. The stolen jewelry includes a gold necklace with emeralds and diamonds, and a bracelet with a pendant. The police are appealing for other potential victims to come forward.

Science and Technology

"Christa" Satellite Searches for Ozone Holes

A smaller article on the cover mentions the launch of the "Christa" satellite by the US space shuttle "Discovery" on August 9, 1997. The satellite's mission is to investigate the distribution of ozone holes in the Earth's atmosphere at an altitude of 10 to 150 kilometers. The satellite is equipped with infrared spectrometers to study the effects of greenhouse gases.

Minerals from Space

An article from MERKUR plus (August 29, 1997) discusses a meteorite found in the Sahara in 1989. A doctoral student from Münster, Cornelia M. Lingemann, has identified a mineral within this meteorite that was previously only theorized to exist in the Earth's mantle. This discovery is significant for understanding the formation and development of the solar system, and the mineral is set to be officially named.

Mars: The Red Planet is Ending

An article from MORGEN (September 19, 1997) reports on findings from the "Surveyor" space probe regarding Mars. Scientists from NASA have concluded that Mars is either a dying planet or geophysically dead. The probe detected a weak magnetic field, only one-eighth hundredth the strength of Earth's. This suggests that Mars' core has cooled significantly, implying that active volcanoes are absent and that life, if it ever existed, is unlikely to be possible today. While Mars is roughly the same age as Earth, it appears to have aged much faster.

Creating Matter from Light

An article from MORGEN (September 26, 1997) details a groundbreaking experiment by 20 US physicists at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC). They successfully created matter from pure light, a concept aligned with Albert Einstein's famous equation E=mc². While converting matter into energy is common (e.g., atomic explosions), the reverse process was previously unachievable due to the immense energy requirements. The physicists used a powerful green laser emitting 1000 billion watts, colliding its light with electrons moving at nearly the speed of light. This collision generated highly energetic gamma radiation, leading to the creation of electrons and positrons.

UFO on the Autobahn

An article from MORGEN (October 4/5, 1997) reports on a UFO sighting near Palermo, Sicily. Restaurant patrons and drivers called the police to report a silver, disk-shaped object hovering over the highway. By the time authorities arrived, the object was no longer visible. Witnesses described it as unlike any aircraft or helicopter they had seen.

NASA Launches Plutonium-Powered Probe

An article from MORGEN (October 6, 1997) discusses NASA's controversial launch of a probe carrying nearly 33 kilograms of highly radioactive plutonium. The mission, named "Cassini," aims to research the use of nuclear energy in space. Critics warn of a potential radioactive contamination of 99% of the world's population if the launch fails, as plutonium is extremely toxic and causes cancer. Despite these concerns, the White House has approved the $3.4 billion project.

"Mir" and "Atlantis" Say Goodbye

An article from MORGEN (October 5, 1997) reports on the completion of the US space shuttle "Atlantis" mission to resupply the Russian space station "Mir." The shuttle delivered a replacement computer and repair materials for leaks in the "Mir's" "Spektr" module. American astronaut David Wolf remained on "Mir" to replace Michael Foale.

55,537° Heat: The Brightest Star in Our Galaxy

An article from MORGEN (October 8, 1997) highlights the discovery of the "Pistol Star" by the Hubble space telescope. This star, located 25,000 light-years away, emits as much light energy in six seconds as the Sun does in a year. Its core temperature reaches an astonishing 55,537 degrees Celsius. Astronomers believe it will explode as a supernova in one to three million years.

Saturn Exploration: "Cassini" and "Huygens"

An article from MORGEN (October 11/12, 1997) details the launch of the "Cassini" spacecraft and the European "Huygens" probe towards Saturn. "Cassini" will orbit Saturn for four years, studying its rings and moons, including at least 18 moons. "Huygens" will land on Titan, Saturn's largest moon, which has a dense atmosphere rich in nitrogen and carbon compounds, offering clues about Earth's early chemistry. The mission faced protests due to the 33 kilograms of plutonium onboard, but NASA maintains it is safe.

Cassini Launch Postponed

An article from MORGEN (October 14, 1997) reports that the launch of the "Cassini" and "Huygens" probes was postponed due to strong winds in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The launch was rescheduled for October 15th. The delay was attributed to concerns about wind affecting the Titan rocket's trajectory.

Jupiter's Moon Europa: The First Colony in Space?

An article from MORGEN (October 17, 1997) discusses the discovery of organic molecules on Jupiter's moon Europa by researchers from the University of Hawaii. Alongside water and energy, these molecules are considered a prerequisite for life, making Europa a prime candidate for extraterrestrial life.

Hubble Images Clarify Galaxy Formation

An article from MORGEN (October 23, 1997) explains how images from the Hubble space telescope of a collision between two galaxies are providing new insights into the formation and evolution of star systems. The observation of over 1000 young star clusters formed during the event helps answer questions about why galaxies have different shapes (spiral vs. elliptical) and offers a glimpse into the future development of our own Milky Way galaxy.

"Ariane-5" is a Success Model

An article from MORGEN (October 31, 1997) reports on the successful second test flight of the European "Ariane-5" rocket. After a previous failure, this launch was successful, carrying a small research satellite and two instrument platforms. The "Ariane-5" is intended to replace the successful "Ariane-4" model.

No Sign of "Pathfinder"

An article from MORGEN (October 31, 1997) states that the Mars probe "Pathfinder" has been silent for three weeks, and NASA's attempts to re-establish radio contact have failed. Scientists fear that the cold Martian temperatures may have affected the probe's transmitter.

UFO Alarm Quickly Resolved

An article from MORGEN (October 31, 1997) describes an incident in Bottrop where a caller reported a UFO, leading to a police response. The 'UFO' was identified as a bright laser show from a discotheque.

Mir to Remain in Orbit Until 2000

An article from MORGEN (November 3, 1997) quotes former Mir commander Valeri Korsun stating that the Russian space station "Mir" will remain in orbit until at least the year 2000, despite frequent malfunctions. The current crew was preparing for another spacewalk to perform necessary repairs on the aging station.

First Japanese Person in Space

An article from MORGEN (November 5, 1997) announces that the US space shuttle "Columbia" will launch on a 16-day mission on November 19th, including studies of the Sun's outer atmosphere and preparations for the international space station. The crew will include one Japanese astronaut, Takai Doi, who will be the first Japanese person to perform a spacewalk.

Uranus Has 17 Moons

An article from MORGEN (November 4, 1997) reports that recent astronomical findings indicate Uranus has 17 moons, not 15. Two newly discovered moons, approximately 160 kilometers in diameter, orbit Uranus at distances of six to eight million kilometers. These are described as large, irregular clumps of ice and matter.

Laser Light Irritates Migratory Birds

An article from MORGEN (October 17, 1997) warns that laser lights from discotheques are increasingly disorienting migratory birds. The Association of Friends of the Stars reported an incident where a flock of cranes became 'entangled' in a laser beam, requiring police intervention.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers a wide range of topics related to space exploration, astronomy, and scientific advancements, often highlighting new discoveries and technological achievements. There is a notable interest in UFO phenomena, with reports of sightings and investigations. The publication also touches upon societal issues, such as fraud, and environmental concerns, like the ozone layer. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on current events and scientific findings, with a degree of skepticism towards sensational claims while still acknowledging unexplained phenomena.