CENAP Infoline - no 086

Magazine Overview

Title: cenap-infoline
Issue: nr.86
Date: January 24, 1999
Publisher: CENAP
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of cenap-infoline, a bi-weekly UFO newsletter, presents a collection of "new (old)" evidence photos from international ufology. The cover prominently features a "Mexico Photo of the 'Flying Cigar'" and a zoomed-in section labeled "Interior - Reflections" and "Cigar-UFO". The publication aims to provide current information on the UFO scene.

Neue (alte) Beweisfotos der internationalen Ufologie

Mexico Photo of the "Flying Cigar"

The magazine details a case involving Raul Garza, an engineer from Mexico, who claims to have photographed a cigar-shaped UFO near Monterrey on April 14, 1998, during a forest fire. He reportedly used an Olympus Reflex camera with a 70mm telephoto lens and 400 ASA film. Garza allegedly captured more images of the same UFO on daylight in October 1998. The article references Santiago Yturria from "OVNI Investigaciones" and the video material in "Messengers of Destiny" as influences. However, the author of this section critically analyzes Garza's photos, labeling them a "frechheit" (outrage). The analysis points out that the white, hazy light phenomenon appears unnatural and that the images show signs of long exposure, such as light trails from city lights and cars. Crucially, the author identifies light artifacts and reflections on a windowpane, indicating the photos were taken through a window. The daylight photos from October supposedly reveal the trick more clearly, showing reflections of the landscape in the window. The author concludes that the "Cigar-UFO" is merely a reflection caused by a fluorescent light tube, a simple trick that the photographer must be aware of.

UFO over Keller/Texas photographed

This section reports on a professional newspaper photographer, M.L.Gray of the Star-Telegram, who allegedly photographed a shape-shifting UFO near Keller, Texas, on November 30, 1998. Gray described the object as initially a bright light that grew intensely bright, then faded, and hovered in place. He managed to take 15 photos with a 300mm lens. Gray noted the phenomenon was "very unconventional" and unlike anything he had photographed before, despite the area's heavy air traffic. The article mentions that the photos were published online and that the object appeared as an "orange, distant ball of light." The author of this section suggests that the phenomenon might be a miniature hot-air balloon, a prank device sometimes used in America, and draws parallels to past UFO cases where witnesses described similar objects as "brighter than the sun."

UFOs über Israel fotografiert (UFOs Photographed over Israel)

This article discusses the claim that Israel is a UFO hotspot, with many Israelis reporting sightings, photographs, and videos of UFOs. It highlights a case from Rishon Letzion where a 16-year-old named Gil Bar reportedly filmed an F-15 jet pursuing an elliptical UFO in November 1998. The author dismisses this footage, stating it shows a contrail from a distant jet and a small, metallic object moving quickly, but there's no evidence of an "intercept mission" or that the two objects are related or at the same altitude. The author suggests it's a random capture and not a military UFO chase. Another incident involves Nahum Shomroni, who photographed a swarm of about 20 black, amorphous objects over Even Gvirol (Tel Aviv) in November 1998. These are also dismissed as likely being balloons released with helium in plastic bags. In Nuzidath, someone filmed a star-like phenomenon which, when enlarged, appeared as a "light-point sphere," attributed to video artifacts. The article also mentions Spasso Maximovitch, who filmed a silver, glowing object near Rosh Haayin in September 1995 that split into four fiery spheres. Later, in May 1996, Maximovitch filmed a similar silver sphere and a white-glowing oval object that collided, causing a large explosion. The author questions whether this was a "secret war of the stars" or a misunderstood military maneuver. The article notes that journalist David Ronen has a UFO column in the newspaper Maariv and is involved in a film project, but much of his collected material is locked away by the newspaper. A company called "Union Skyline Pictures" is producing a three-part series titled "Riddle Of The Skies" based on footage provided by Chamish, which will include the Gil Bar film.

Betty Cash gestorben (Betty Cash Died)

This section reports the death of Betty Cash on December 29, 1998, the 18th anniversary of her close encounter with a UFO near Huffman, Texas, in 1980. Cash, along with Vicky Landrum and Colby Landrum, had sued the US government for injuries sustained from the encounter. They were the only individuals to have sued the US government over UFO-related injuries. The lawsuit was initially dismissed, but lawyer Peter Gersten maintained contact with Cash. The article mentions that Cash later suffered from cancer but recovered. She passed away after a stroke in November 1998.

Science & Technology

UFO-Fan leimte Wissenschaftler und Medien (UFO Fan Tricked Scientists and Media)

This article discusses a controversial workshop held in 1997, organized by a Stanford University physics professor who was interested in paranormal phenomena. The workshop, funded by the Rockefeller family, brought together renowned astronomers, geophysicists, and biologists with UFO researchers. The stated goal was to examine "physical evidence related to UFO reports." While the scientists reportedly found no evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence or unknown physical processes, they acknowledged that some incidents might involve rare phenomena and that further study could yield new insights. The article criticizes the subsequent Stanford University News Service announcement, which framed the workshop as the "first independent investigation of UFO phenomena since 1970." The author suggests that the media, particularly the Washington Post's astronomy editor, were misled into believing this was a significant scientific breakthrough. The article implies that the pseudoscientific origins of the "study" and its failure to clarify the UFO problem were not widely understood, creating a lasting impression that modern scientific methods were exploring the background of UFOs.

Ariane 5 einsatzbereit (Ariane 5 Ready for Operation)

This brief section reports on the successful third and final test flight of the Ariane 5 rocket on October 21, 1998. The launch from ELA-3 in French Guiana was delayed by one day due to fueling issues. The payload included the Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator (ARD) and MAQSAT-3. The flight involved the jettisoning of solid boosters, first stage separation, and the deployment of the ARD capsule. The second stage ignited, and after a total flight time of 33 minutes and 7 seconds, Ariane 503 successfully placed the MAQSAT-3 satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit with high precision.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the presentation and critical analysis of UFO photographic and video evidence, particularly from Mexico and Israel. The magazine appears to adopt a skeptical stance towards many of the presented cases, often attributing them to misidentifications, natural phenomena, or deliberate hoaxes (e.g., window reflections, balloons). There is a clear distinction made between genuine scientific inquiry and what the publication views as pseudoscientific claims or media manipulation. The issue also touches upon the legal and societal aspects of UFO encounters, as seen in the report on Betty Cash's death and the critique of the Stanford workshop. The inclusion of the Ariane 5 launch serves as a contrast, highlighting advancements in conventional science and technology.