CENAP Report - No 007

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP - REPORT
Issue: 7
Date: September 1976
Publisher: CENAP - Forschungsgruppe Mannheim
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of CENAP REPORT, number 7, dated September 1976, is a German-language publication from the CENAP UFO research group in Mannheim. It covers a range of topics related to UFO phenomena, atmospheric electrical discharges, and astronomical speculation.

Table of Contents

1. UFOs? Ball Lightning and Bead Lightning?
2. What does it look like on Mars and Venus?
3. Earthly UFOs
4. News from Denmark
5. German Vacationers Saw UFOs Too
6. No UFOs
7. Another Mosaic Stone Found
8. CENAP - Intern

Article 1: UFOs? Ball Lightning and Bead Lightning?

This article, authored by Wolfgang Driessen, explores the potential connections between UFO sightings, ball lightning, and bead lightning (Perlschnurblitz). The author begins by acknowledging the difficulty in definitively explaining these phenomena and suggests that they might be natural occurrences that are not yet fully understood. Driessen draws parallels between the sudden appearance and disappearance of UFOs and bead lightning, noting their often spectacular and elusive nature. He recounts a personal experience of witnessing a ball lightning phenomenon in the Bavarian Allgäu in 1944, describing its blue color and behavior. The article contrasts the typical yellow color of ball lightning observed in flatlands with the blue observed in mountainous regions. It also touches upon the ionization of the atmosphere and its potential role in these events. Driessen suggests that UFOs might exhibit similar characteristics to bead lightning, such as a 'hollow shell' or 'atmosphere' that allows them to persist for a duration before disappearing silently. He also posits that the electrical fields generated by atmospheric conditions, possibly influenced by solar activity, could be responsible for both lightning phenomena and UFO appearances. The author concludes by suggesting that the behavior of UFOs might be explained by these natural electrical phenomena.

Article 2: What does it look like on Mars and Venus?

This section delves into the conditions on Mars and Venus, contrasting early, more romanticized notions with data obtained from space probes. The article references earlier speculative works, such as those by Rowland and Bedrjte Allingham, which described lush landscapes on these planets. However, it highlights that more recent missions, including those by the USA and NASA, have provided different findings. The article mentions that probes like Mariner 10, Venus 9, and Venus 10 have revealed harsh environments on Venus, characterized by sharp mountain ranges, extreme heat (up to 500 degrees Celsius), and high atmospheric pressure. Similarly, Mars is described as having a barren, rocky surface with no indications of artificial canals or advanced civilizations. The author questions whether the probes provided inaccurate data or if any hypothetical advanced beings on these planets would have retreated or hidden from the probes. The text also references a fictional account from a 1959 book describing Venus as a paradise with advanced civilizations, which the author seems to dismiss in light of scientific data.

Article 3: Earthly UFOs

This article, titled "'Earthly UFOs' that were planned and tested," discusses the idea that some UFOs might be human-made craft. It references a newspaper report from the Mannheimer Morgen dated April 19, 1975, about a successful test of a 'flying saucer' by a German inventor. The article describes the craft as having a disc-like shape with a propulsion system and mentions its testing in a stadium. It also refers to a report from the Hamburg Abendblatt from April 22/23, 1950, about a circular aircraft with a jet drive being tested. The text suggests that these 'earthly UFOs' could be mistaken for extraterrestrial craft, especially if their origins are not widely known. The article includes diagrams illustrating the schematic cross-section of a 'flying saucer' and another object.

Article 4: News from Denmark

This section presents two UFO sighting reports from Denmark.

• January 30, 1976, 7:35 AM, Brørup: Two independent witnesses observed a bright, pulsating yellow object in the sky, described as being about 10-15 meters in diameter and moving in a straight line over a forest.
• March 27, 1975, 11:45 PM, Birkered: A young woman reported seeing a silent, metallic grey object moving in the sky. She initially thought it was a helicopter but realized it was noiseless and had a metallic sheen.

Article 5: German Vacationers Saw UFOs Too

This article details a UFO sighting reported by a German tourist, Monika G., on Gran Canaria. On June 25, 1976, around 10:45 PM, she observed an object emitting an intense orange glow hovering over a field. The object was described as disc-shaped and was visible for about three minutes. The sighting was accompanied by disturbances in radio and television reception across the island, leading to speculation about electromagnetic interference from the UFO. The article notes that authorities reportedly tried to suppress information about the sighting and that scientists were investigating the landing site.

Article 6: No UFOs

This section aims to clarify three cases that are demonstrably not UFOs. The first case mentioned is that of Alex Birch, which was reportedly covered in UN issues 75/November 1962, 30/April 1963, and 37/November 1963, as well as in a 1967 congress report. The article states that despite these reports, the explanation provided is not convincing, and it is difficult to accept that these were not genuine UFO incidents.

Article 7: Another Mosaic Stone Found

This brief entry appears to be a continuation or a concluding remark, possibly referring to the ongoing collection of evidence or information related to UFO phenomena.

Article 8: CENAP - Intern

This section is likely reserved for internal communications or updates within the CENAP organization.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of CENAP REPORT include the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, the comparison of UFO sightings with natural atmospheric electrical discharges like ball lightning, and the exploration of extraterrestrial life possibilities on other planets. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, attempting to differentiate between genuine unexplained phenomena and misidentified objects or hoaxes. There is a clear interest in scientific data, but also an openness to witness testimonies and speculative theories. The inclusion of 'earthly UFOs' suggests a consideration of terrestrial explanations for some sightings. The publication aims to inform its readers about ongoing research and reported incidents within the UFO community.

This issue of UFO-Nachrichten, dated July 1975, features a cover story titled "Die UFOs an der Fensterscheibe" (The UFOs on the Windowpane) by Siegfried Mell. The magazine focuses on UFO sightings, investigations, and research efforts, with a particular emphasis on debunking hoaxes and exploring unexplained phenomena.

The UFOs on the Windowpane

Siegfried Mell reports on the confession of Alex Birch, a 14-year-old English student from Sheffield, who admitted that his famous UFO photograph, taken in 1972, was a hoax. Birch revealed that he had drawn five flying saucers on a windowpane and photographed them, creating a sensation that led to interviews with the press and even questioning by UFO specialists at the London Ministry of Aviation. Despite his confession, Birch maintained that he was convinced of the existence of UFOs.

The Silver Lake/California Case

The magazine then shifts to a report from UFO-Nachrichten no. 226/July 1975, detailing an incident from January 20, 1975, concerning thousands of mysterious, disc-shaped objects discovered in a dried-up lake in California. Approximately 5,000 of these objects, described as 'rotten' and measuring 18 to 33 cm long, were found standing upright in the dry bed of Silver Lake. A local prospector was the first to report the phenomenon. While some speculated it could be debris from a destroyed UFO, the event remained unexplained.

The Stone Puzzle in the Desert

This section continues the narrative from the Silver Lake incident, reiterating the discovery of 5,000 pointed objects in the desert, suggesting they might be remnants of an extraterrestrial craft.

Another Mosaic Piece Found?

This article discusses various UFO sightings and research efforts. It mentions a report received by DENAR about a phenomenon observed in the direction of Bachach. It also references a student, Down Jones, who observed a phenomenon that he described as a 'flame' and later as a 'flying saucer.' The article touches upon the work of the DUIST organization, which is accused of trying to interpret every natural phenomenon as a UFO. It highlights the case of a meteor crash on April 26, 1975, which DUIST allegedly tried to present as a UFO. The article also discusses a case from Ansbach where objects were initially thought to be UFOs but were later identified as hot air balloons. It mentions the international cooperation efforts of CENAP, an organization focused on UFO research, and its collaboration with other international groups.

CENAP - Intern

This section details the formation and early struggles of CENAP, an organization dedicated to UFO research. It highlights the challenges of gaining recognition against established groups and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation. CENAP aims to conduct research based on realistic findings and distance itself from religious and occult aspects of the UFO phenomenon. The article mentions the appointment of Herr Walter as the director of the West German section of the International UFO Registry and the establishment of a worldwide connection for UFOlogy days. CENAP also plans to investigate UFOs using computer analysis and soil samples. The section concludes by noting the growing trend of groups reorganizing for UFO research on a global scale and distancing themselves from fringe elements.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the investigation of UFO sightings, the debunking of hoaxes, and the exploration of unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking rational explanations while acknowledging the possibility of genuine unexplained events. There is a clear skepticism towards organizations that sensationalize or misinterpret phenomena, as seen in the critique of DUIST. The magazine also promotes international collaboration in UFO research, as exemplified by the focus on CENAP's efforts.