CENAP Report - No 008

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP REPORT
Issue: 8
Volume: 1J/H 8/76
Date: October 1976
Publisher: CENAP
Country: Germany
Language: German

Article 1: Taormina 1954

This article delves into a UFO sighting reported in Taormina, Sicily, in the summer of 1954. According to various accounts, two unknown flying objects, approximately 35 meters in diameter, appeared and moved silently. A United Press photographer allegedly captured the event on film, and thousands of people reportedly witnessed the objects before Italian jets intervened. The article references information from the Danish SUPOI newsletter, which published details from Ole Henningsen. Henningsen recounts his investigation into a photograph taken by Giuseppe Grasso in 1954. Dr. Donald H. Menzel of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory questioned the photo's authenticity, suggesting the figures in the photo were not looking at the objects but at something else, and noting discrepancies in the shadows. Grasso himself later stated he believed the objects were balloons, with one found later in the mountains and another in S. Alessio. The article also discusses Frank Edwards' sensationalized reporting of the event. Henningsen's analysis of the photo, including the shadows and the perspective, leads him to question the UFO explanation, though he acknowledges the unusual appearance. He concludes that the photo is likely not proof of UFOs and requests further information.

Article 2: Rätsel über der Schweiz (Riddles over Switzerland)

This section presents two reports of unexplained aerial phenomena from Switzerland, sourced from the CENAP archive.

Case 1: On July 19, 1974, around 11:15 PM, Matthias Loging and two companions observed a "banana-shaped," "orange luminous," and "absolutely silent" object near Visp. The object was comparable in size to the full moon and moved slowly westward, disappearing over the horizon within 10-15 seconds. The witnesses were visibly astonished.

Case 2: An entry in the observatory book of the Astronomical Society of Lucerne, dated July 13, 1975, details an observation by amateur astronomers U.S. and P.S. While observing constellations, U.S. noticed a very bright, stationary light about 20 degrees above the horizon in the north. The light appeared orange and brighter than Venus. It was located above Lucerne, within the twilight zone. The light suddenly increased in brightness and then began moving west at a constant speed. U.S. observed two distinct sections on the object, with the front part appearing brighter. A red, blinking object then appeared in the northwest, crossing the path of the first object. A third, yellow-orange, non-blinking object was also observed. The total observation time was 2-3 minutes, ending around 10:35 PM. The weather was calm and clear, with a temperature of 24 degrees Celsius, and a haze layer at the horizon.

Article 3: UFOs über La Spezia (UFOs over La Spezia)

This article details a UFO sighting in La Spezia, Italy, a city known for such reports. On September 3, 1976, a "very graceful," approximately 1.20 to 1.30 meter tall, "extraterrestrial" dwarf was observed by residents and 15 geology students in an old fortress. The figure was described as wearing a dull, matte black plastic suit. Conflicting reports emerged: one described a helmet with two upward-sloping slits, while another stated the figure had no head and only one eye. Two students fainted from shock, and a geologist's pulse meter went wild. The being moved with a "gliding gait" and disappeared within 20 seconds. The police president of La Spezia ordered a search of the area, but no further details were found. The article notes that La Spezia has a history of UFO sightings, with one reported in 1558 and another in a 1967 manuscript.

Article 4: I.U.F.O.R. meldet (I.U.F.O.R. Reports)

This section appears to be a brief report from the I.U.F.O.R. organization, but the content is not fully legible or detailed in the provided scan.

Article 5: Presse - News

This section likely contains news items related to UFOs from various press sources, but the specific content is not detailed in the scan.

Article 6: CENAP - Intern

This section is likely an internal update or report for CENAP members, but the specific content is not detailed in the scan.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings and related phenomena, presenting witness testimonies, photographic evidence, and critical analysis. The editorial stance appears to be one of investigation and skepticism, as evidenced by the detailed examination of the Taormina photo and the inclusion of scientific and skeptical viewpoints. The publication aims to document and analyze unexplained aerial events, encouraging reader participation and information sharing.

This issue of UFO-Nachrichten, dated Summer 1976 and identified as issue 155 within volume 1976, focuses on witness testimonies of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and potential associated phenomena. The publication is presented as being from the CENAP-Archiv, likely a German-based organization.

Historical Italian Sighting (1558)

The issue begins by referencing a report found in the public library of La Spezia, Italy, dating back to the 16th century. A chronicler named Antonio Cesna wrote in 1558 about peasants in two different regions observing a peculiar disc-shaped object. This object was described as changing color from yellow to red and emitting red fireballs from below. The source for this information is cited as "Saucers, Space & Science" (UFO-Nachrichten/Wiesbaden Nr.155).

La Spezia Farmer's Encounter (November 14, 1954)

A detailed account is provided of an experience by a farmer near La Spezia, Italy, on November 14, 1954. The farmer witnessed a luminous, cigar-shaped apparatus land on his field and then quickly conceal itself. From this 'cigar machine,' three dwarves dressed in metallic suits emerged. These beings directed their attention to rabbits that the farmer kept in wooden crates on the meadow, conversing animatedly in a foreign language. Fearing his rabbits would be stolen, the farmer retreated into his house to retrieve his rifle. Upon aiming at the dwarves, his rifle malfunctioned, becoming unusable in his hand. The farmer then found himself paralyzed, unable to move or speak.

Jan Stewart's Minnesota Sighting (January 6, 1976)

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the testimony of Jan Stewart, a 29-year-old woman from Minnesota, USA. On January 6, 1976, around 7:10 PM, while driving to an astrology course, she observed a bright object on the horizon near Cedar. Initially mistaking it for an airplane, she noted its unusual arrangement of lights: a red light in the center and small green lights on each side. As she approached, the object appeared to move towards her, growing larger. She described it as having a diameter of about 10 cm from her perspective, with the green lights blinking rapidly. The object's behavior was erratic, moving at sharp angles and at high speed. Stewart described the object as being very close, possibly within 15 to 43 feet (7.50 to 13 meters) at one point. The red light was steady, while the green lights blinked intensely. The object followed her car through several turns, sometimes appearing directly above her windshield. She estimated the object accompanied her for about a mile.

Medical and Psychological Effects

Following the sighting, Jan Stewart experienced several unusual physical and psychological symptoms. She developed menstrual cramps despite recently finishing her period, which was followed by a full period approximately 48 hours after the sighting, contradicting her regular 28-32 day cycle. She also suffered from eye problems, including redness, burning, and discharge, which she initially attributed to dry air or a cold. She later discussed these issues with her friend Mary Root, who also reported similar problems. Stewart consulted with Brad Steiger, an author on phenomena, who suggested her eye condition might be conjunctivitis and recommended seeing an eye doctor. Steiger also indicated that such medical issues were not uncommon in cases of close encounters.

French Sighting (August 22, 1976)

The issue also reports on a sighting that occurred on the morning of August 22, 1976, near Saverne and Bouxwiller in Alsace, France. Two young people driving on a road observed a luminous sphere on the right side of their car, about 4-5 meters above the ground. The object, described as 10 cm in diameter with colored rings, followed their vehicle in a bow-shaped motion. As it appeared to approach them, they drove back to Monswiller in fear. The object, described as lilac and blue, became intensely bright. Later, it was observed higher in the sky, having taken on a cigar-like shape. Gendarmes from Bouxwiller also observed the phenomenon, describing it as a triangle of luminous points that moved with sharper light. Multiple witnesses, located in different areas, reported that the phenomenon was silent. The gendarmerie considered the case serious and collected testimonies.

CENAP's Research and Public Relations

The final section discusses the UFO research organization CENAP (likely the publisher or a related entity) and its efforts to gain public recognition. The article highlights CENAP's positive reception by the Mannheim newspaper "Mannheimer Morgen" and a radio interview that was broadcast. However, it also expresses concern about legal actions initiated by individuals (Veit and Wörner) against a group called DUIST, fearing that such actions could damage the credibility of serious UFO research and lead the public to dismiss all UFO claims. CENAP aims to filter out unserious groups and individuals to promote a more credible approach to UFO research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are witness accounts of UFO sightings, the physical and psychological effects experienced by witnesses, and the challenges faced by UFO research organizations in gaining public acceptance and distinguishing serious inquiry from sensationalism. The editorial stance appears to be in favor of rigorous, scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, while cautioning against unsubstantiated claims and legal disputes that could harm the field's reputation.