CENAP Infoline - no 089

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP-INFOLINE
Issue: NR.89
Date: April 11, 1999
Publisher: CENAP-INFOLINE
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of CENAP-INFOLINE, a supplementary information source for the CENAP Report, focuses on sky phenomena and space exploration. It is a tri-weekly publication, though frequency may vary. The subscription cost is DM 30,.

Himmelsphänomene im Visier: 20jähriger will Ufo-Geschichten zum Platzen bringen

The lead article introduces Tino Günter, a 20-year-old from Rathenow who is studying social pedagogy. Günter has founded a regional branch of CENAP (Centrale Erforschungsnetz außergewöhnlicher Himmelsphänomene) with the goal of investigating the natural causes behind reported UFO sightings. He clarifies that he is not looking for aliens but rather for rational explanations for unusual aerial phenomena. Günter contrasts himself with 'Ufologen' who, in his view, prefer sensational stories over scientific explanations. He invites anyone who has seen something inexplicable in the sky to contact him at 0172/3071704.

The article mentions that CENAP has a 90% clarification rate for cases investigated since 1976. It also notes that Tino Günter is currently the sole investigator in Brandenburg for CENAP, while his colleagues are spread across Germany.

Ufo-Alarm – Pennäler erklärt Phänomene auf

This article from Münstersche Zeitung features Carsten Bade, an 18-year-old high school student from Oberhausen who serves as a regional UFO investigator for CENAP in Mannheim. Bade and his ten nationwide colleagues investigate reports of unidentified aerial phenomena. Bade notes that the Ruhrgebiet region has a high number of such reports, having already investigated 20 cases in his first 1.5 months. He developed an interest in space due to his fascination with the cosmos and a disillusionment with books that he felt were primarily money-making schemes rather than genuine investigations. Bade emphasizes that his motivation is to find explanations, not to hope for an 'authentic' UFO encounter. He remains critical and neutral, focusing on natural explanations. His investigative process involves collecting material and speaking with witnesses, using questionnaires and interviews without imposing a predetermined narrative. He highlights the importance of cooperation with air traffic control centers, weather stations, and observatories, as many sightings are explained by reflections from laser shows, cloud formations, or miniature hot-air balloons. Bade acknowledges that a small percentage of cases remain unexplained, making each new case exciting. He encourages people not to withhold their observations due to fear of ridicule and provides his phone number (0171/6851234) for reporting sightings in the Ruhrgebiet.

Science & Technology News Briefs

Sauerstoff-Generator auf den Mars: NASA plans a test mission in 2002 to send an oxygen generator to Mars. This device will extract oxygen from the Martian atmosphere's carbon dioxide and water ice from the polar caps, producing breathable air and rocket fuel. Professor Sridhar from the University of Tucson calls this a "turning point in space travel" as it will be the first time a consumable resource is obtained from extraterrestrial sources.

Raketen-Treibstoff vom Mars?: Experts are developing plans for a 'factory' on Mars that could produce rocket fuel. By using carbon dioxide from the Martian atmosphere and water ice from the poles, they aim to generate liquid oxygen and methane. The power for this factory would come from large antennas made of iron, which would be supplied by iron from the Martian soil.

'Rosetta' soll Kometen erkunden: European scientists are investing over a billion marks in the 'Rosetta' space project, which aims to send a probe and a lander to comet Wirtanen. Launched in January 2003, the mission will take nine years to reach the comet. The lander will attempt to anchor itself to the comet's surface using a 'harpoon' due to the comet's low gravity. The analysis of cometary material is expected to provide groundbreaking insights into the formation of our solar system, as comets are considered pristine remnants from that era.

NEWS - Jahrtausendwende Angst: A poll shows that only 21% of Americans fear a catastrophe at the turn of the millennium, down from 39% three months prior.

China: Bemannt ins All: China is beginning astronaut training for spaceflight, with plans for a manned space capsule launch in the next century.

Europäer wollen neue Mars-Sonde schicken: The European Space Agency has approved the 'Mars Express' project, a mission to send a probe to Mars in 2003 to search for signs of life. The probe will specifically look for water, a prerequisite for life, and will use radar to analyze the soil. It is known that Mars had abundant water 3.8 million years ago before its climate drastically changed.

Sonne strahlt durch den Berg

This short piece describes a natural phenomenon in Elm, Switzerland, where the sun shines through the 'Martinsloch' (Martin's Hole) in a mountain twice a year, creating a spectacular light effect.

Neue Mars-Sonde bekommt Scheibenwischer: Future Mars probes, like the 'Pathfinder' which had its solar panels covered in dust, may be equipped with a 'wiper' system. This system uses lightweight plastic strips that bend when electricity is applied, potentially capable of cleaning dust from the solar panels.

Entdeckt: Das hellste Licht aller Zeiten: Astronomers observed an incredibly bright light, visible for a few seconds, originating from nine billion light-years away. This phenomenon was as bright as a million galaxies and brighter than the entire universe, prompting speculation about its cause, possibly a gamma-ray burst from colliding neutron stars.

Vom Meer aus ins All: An international consortium successfully launched a rocket from a converted oil platform at sea for the 'Sea Launch' project, with commercial operations planned to begin in August or September.

Leben auf dem Mars

This multi-page section delves into the controversial topic of potential life on Mars. It begins with a striking headline and images, suggesting that the first traces of life have been found.

Die ersten Spuren: An article by Peter Michalski discusses the discovery of microscopic, worm-like organisms found in a rock. These organisms, found five kilometers below the Pacific Ocean, are described as living and exhibiting characteristics of life, such as consuming and multiplying. The article draws a parallel to similar structures found in Martian rock, suggesting that life might have originated on Mars and been transported to Earth via a meteorite.

Die Super-Mikroorganismen – sie fressen, sie vermehren sich: This section continues the discussion, referencing the work of Dr. Philipp Uwins, a scientist from Queensland University, who discovered these microorganisms in rock samples. The article explores the theory of 'panspermia,' suggesting that life could have spread between planets. Dr. Paul Davies, a British physicist, posits that Mars, billions of years ago, might have been more conducive to the emergence of simple organisms than Earth, and that life could have then traveled to Earth via a meteorite.

A new theory by German hobby scientist Thor Helge Leuschke is presented, suggesting that Mars was once a moon of Earth that was ejected into space. Leuschke links this to biblical accounts of a celestial body that influenced Earth's rotation and climate, referring to it as the "Regent of the Night." He further speculates that this event led to the formation of the supercontinent Pangaea and, after Mars was pulled away, the continents separated and the "great flood" occurred.

The article includes images of the Mars meteorite ALH84001 and microscopic Earth organisms, highlighting their similarities. It questions whether all life originates from space.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features topics related to unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs) and space exploration, particularly Mars and comets. There's a clear interest in scientific investigation and debunking sensationalist claims, as seen with Tino Günter and Carsten Bade's work. The issue also touches upon speculative theories regarding the origin of life, linking terrestrial and Martian findings, and even referencing biblical interpretations of cosmic events. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous, evidence-based research while remaining open to the profound implications of scientific discoveries, especially concerning extraterrestrial life and the early history of the solar system.