CENAP Report - No 014

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP REPORT
Issue: nr.14
Volume: 2J/H
Date: April 1977
Publisher: CENAP
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of the CENAP REPORT, published in April 1977, is dedicated to UFO research and features a variety of articles, including specific sightings, press news, and critical commentary on other UFO organizations.

Article Summaries

1. UFO - Forschung/Spezial

This section begins with a critical letter from Willi Zimmermann of Karlsruhe, dated March 7, 1977, addressed to CENAP. Zimmermann, who identifies himself as a teacher and implies a connection to DUIST, harshly criticizes CENAP's reporting, accusing them of numerous orthographical errors, punctuation mistakes, and the misuse of foreign words. He claims CENAP merely transcribes information from various newspapers, including poor translations of foreign articles, without proper verification. He suggests CENAP is ignorant of genuine UFO research and advises them to learn more before publishing. Zimmermann specifically mentions UFO books by 'Herr Veit' and implies that CENAP's current actions would embarrass them if they were as old as Veit. He suggests CENAP should cease publishing their 'scientific student newspaper' to avoid ridicule, stating he is only writing out of 'human understanding for the youth'.

The CENAP editorial response, attributed to H. Walter/CENAP, defends their reporting. They state that Zimmermann's letter, while 'helpless', contains points worth highlighting for their reporting. They acknowledge a previous 'serious word of desperation' from the 'strict father of the DUIST-UFO-Nation' and their response via letter on April 14, 1977. CENAP asserts they owe no one an answer and that their only 'attack point' was the technical flaws in their printing. CENAP claims that DUIST has accused them of merely copying articles and not conducting their own investigations. CENAP counters that they actively investigate UFO occurrences that DUIST has overlooked or deliberately concealed, citing the Ansbach case as an example. They position themselves as a 'middle ground' but will not tolerate being 'pestered' by DUIST. CENAP states their research is well-founded, unlike that from Wiesbaden. They acknowledge awareness of German-language UFO books, including those by Herr Veit, and that their current approach is precisely because of this knowledge. CENAP clarifies that they have not 'found the philosopher's stone' but are simply reporting. They question the origin of the term 'philosopher's stone,' suggesting it might stem from occult or spiritualist traditions, areas where DUIST and its followers are supposedly knowledgeable. CENAP reiterates that they see it as their duty to point out shortcomings in UFO research, especially when DUIST is responsible. They assure Zimmermann that the CENAP Report will continue to be published, providing information to serious researchers. They await further correspondence from Zimmermann.

2. UFO - Flap

This section continues the reporting on a small UFO wave around the New Year.

Sighting of Fam. Wirth: Following the editorial deadline of the previous issue, CENAP received a completed questionnaire from Fam. Wirth, allowing them to add details about a sighting by the 41-year-old technical employee E. Wirth. During the New Year's Eve festivities, around 00:10 AM on January 1st, a strange object was observed from the Eppelheim marketplace for approximately 5 minutes (a reduction from the 10 minutes reported in the RNZ). The object, described as ball-sized, moved west, had a red mantle, and a yellow core, resembling 'a flickering candle flame'. It was observed without any pulsating or light aura from a balcony and window. A sketch of the object is included.

The witness could not confirm if it was a solid body, but the object's contours appeared clear and distinct. No specific size, diameter, or distance could be provided. No sound or flight noise was detected from the object. Approximately 5 minutes later, a second object was observed, also noted by the Kohler family in the same house.

Observations by Fam. Apfel and Thorbecke: CENAP received information via telephone, mail, and directly from Frans Thorbecke in Heidelberg-Pfaffengrund. These observations were initially reported to the RHEIN-NECKAR-ZEITUNG and later confirmed to CENAP. Based on a personal conversation on January 30, 1977, and the CENAP questionnaire (File HEIDELBERG/31.12.1976/01.01.1977), the situation is described as follows:

On the late afternoon/early evening of December 31, 1976, Frans Thorbecke was visiting the Apfel family in Heidelberg-Kirchheim. While observing the sky from the living room towards Eppelheim, they saw a pulsating, vaguely discernible orange-yellow light in the west at 5:55 PM. Frans Thorbecke, a former pilot, estimated the altitude to be around 300 meters. He estimated its size, with an outstretched arm and thumb/index finger, to be about the size of a 1-DM coin. The most unusual aspect was the strange expansion and contraction of the spherical body, which would shrink to the size of a star. No color change was noted, but its brightness increased or decreased with the ongoing process. The object performed no flight movement and remained stationary. Since the sun had already set and the sky was cloudy, external light sources like sunlight reflection are ruled out, suggesting the object was self-luminous.

The object was visible for about 4 minutes, during which it shrunk and expanded, appearing self-luminous. This rules out the theory of a balloon observation. At this distance, it could be estimated to be the size of a normal helicopter, but no noise was heard. A satellite is also ruled out due to the cloudy sky and the object's stationary nature. The object disappeared by shrinking and did not reappear. A sketch of the object is included.

The observation area includes a US Army helicopter start-and-landing pad (ELEV 366) and a local power supply station. Fireworks are also ruled out as an explanation, as the duration exceeds the lifespan of any firework or rocket. The area is known for its coal mining history.

Second Observation by Fam. Thorbecke: Another observation was made by Fam. Thorbecke from their apartment in Heidelberg-Pfaffengrund shortly after midnight. This time, from the balcony, they saw an object moving away from them for about 1.2 minutes at 00:02 AM. The object was described as having the same size, appearing clear and clean, while the witnesses observed from the balcony. With an outstretched arm, it was estimated to be the size of a 2-DM coin or a grapefruit. It appeared at an altitude of approximately 55 degrees and at a height of 300 meters. The sky was heavily overcast and cold.

This observation, like the one by Fam. Apfel, was considered significant. However, no further information was found, and Heidelberg astronomers offered no explanation. Therefore, it is classified as an unknown flying object.

UFO - Flap from Saarbrücken?

UFOs over Saarbrücken? (A.M. - Own Report): The Saarland radio reported on a person who was either a charlatan or a prankster. Gerhard Fischer from Dudweiler, Saarbrücken, presented a photograph of a supposed flying object taken on New Year's night. The slide clearly showed a spark-emitting red line surrounding a round flying object. According to Fischer, this line surrounded the entire round object. He was photographing the New Year's fireworks shortly after midnight when, coming from the south, he saw a second unknown object following the first. Fischer made his observation public in Dudweiler and, within days, found several witnesses in the Saarbrücken area who had also seen the flying saucers. Fischer, a surveying engineer, calculated the objects' altitude to be approximately 1800 meters, with a cloud cover of about 3000 meters, and a flight speed between 180 and 250 kilometers per hour. The American radar station at Ramstein Air Base reported no unusual activity on New Year's night.

Source: Mannheimer Morgen, Thursday, January 20, 1977.

On January 20, the author was alerted to this newspaper report via the 11-meter radio station CHRISTOPH I in Hils-Wallstadt. Initially thinking it was a joke, he contacted CENAP-2 (Herr Köhler) via radio and confirmed the UFO report. He then obtained the newspaper and other daily papers. The report was an independent piece by freelance contributor Dr. Adolf Müller from Saarland Radio in Saarbrücken. The author contacted Dr. Müller, who provided details and an address. Herr Gerhard Fischer was also contacted by mail and sent a completed CENAP questionnaire (File DUDAEILER) along with a compact cassette containing a recording of a survey from Studio-Welle Saar from January 7, 1977.

This concludes the reporting on the alleged UFO flap from Saarbrücken for this issue. The next CENAP Report will further detail the Saarbrücken observations, with hopes of obtaining and presenting photographic material.

3. Presse - News

IS IT A HEITZORZT? (Meteorite?)

Scientists eagerly awaited results from Lake Victoria, near Melbourne, where a fireball had been observed. This led to speculation that a meteorite had fallen into the lake, causing an island to emerge. However, experts have since packed up their instruments, having found no evidence of a celestial body in the lakebed. The question remains: what caused the sudden appearance of the island?

Professor John Lovering of Melbourne University stated that there is no connection between the two phenomena. He regretted that it wasn't a major discovery if the meteorite had been found. The explanation offered for the island's emergence is the eruption of natural gas from beneath the lakebed.

The environmental organization 'Greenpeace' suggested that a French atomic bomb test on the South Pacific atoll of Mururoa might have triggered the gas eruption. Australian seismographs did record unusual crustal movements during that period. Gordon H. H. of the Australian 'Greenpeace' organization believes this was a consequence of a thermonuclear test on Mururoa, leading to the unusual seismic activity in Lake Victoria.

The island that suddenly appeared in Lake Victoria on February 3rd is now slowly disappearing, much like a phantom. Storms have eroded much of the mud, leaving only a small portion of the 100-meter-long and 10-meter-wide island above the water. The search continues for the celestial body, which was reportedly observed on radar screens at a small airport. Scientists suspect it may have landed in a less populated part of Victoria (capital Melbourne). The University of Melbourne is attempting to reconstruct its flight path to locate it.

Was it a METEORITE? Some experts suggest it could have been a part of the Russian space station 'Salyut 4', which, according to Soviet reports, entered the Earth's atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean during that time and was destroyed.

Source: Mannheimer Morgen, March 2, 1977.

4. Ein lörmendes UFO (A Noisy UFO)

A Noisy UFO over Mont-sur-Marchienne: This incident occurred in an industrial area. On Tuesday, August 28, 1974, three kilometers from Charleroi, near the border of Mont-sur-Marchienne and Marchienne-au-Pont, a UFO was observed by Patricia Riega. The Riega house is located within the iron industry center formed by Cockerill-Providence and the Schrieden of Thy-le-Chateau, major iron producers. Many other industries are located here, including A.C.E.C. (Electrical Engineering Works of Charleroi), with numerous departments including electronics and vehicle construction. A dense rail network serves the area and its industries. An international railway line (Cologne - Paris) runs about 40 meters from the witness's home. The Sambre and the Charleroi-Brussels canal form the waterways of the area. Numerous coal heaps testify to the past of this 'black land'. The underground is riddled with mining and transport galleries. A pipeline carrying gas from the steelworks supplies the Jambe-de-bois power plant. This pipeline is about 20 meters from the witness's house.

On a warm evening, Patricia was sitting in her garden, enjoying the cool air outside. Her father was watching television, and her mother was working in the kitchen. The meteorological conditions were excellent, with a clear sky and light wind. At precisely 8:55 PM, the young girl heard something that sounded like a jet plane. As this part of the city is frequently overflown by low-flying jets, the witness is considered credible. The sound lasted for about 1 minute and 30 seconds. Soon after, she heard a 'whirring and buzzing' sound. This immediately drew her attention to a threatening object in the sky. She looked up, trying to locate the source of the noise. Without success, she saw only stars. She realized it could not be an aircraft, as the sound grew louder, almost to the point of bursting her eardrums. The sound volume was so intense that the child wanted to run back into the house out of fear. Nevertheless, she continued to watch the sky, and suddenly the UFO appeared as if emerging from a small cloud. It moved in a southwest direction (azimuth 236, elevation 30 degrees).

The witness compared the dimensions of the object to those of a flying object, stating more precisely it was three to four times the size of a flying object. The drawing shows a UFO above a building.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of CENAP REPORT revolve around UFO sightings, the analysis of these phenomena, and the critical examination of information dissemination within the UFO community. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation and a willingness to challenge established organizations like DUIST, which they accuse of complacency and inaccuracy. CENAP positions itself as a source of well-researched, albeit sometimes critical, information, aiming to provide a balanced perspective on UFO phenomena.

Title: UFO-Forschung
Issue: 4. Teil
Date: March 2, 1977
Publisher: CENAP-Dokumentation
Country: Germany
Language: German

Key Articles and Reports

Case Study: Mont-sur-Marchienne, Belgium (August 23, 1974)

The issue details an observation by a witness named Patricia in Mont-sur-Marchienne, Belgium, on August 23, 1974. The object was described as saucer-shaped, with a blue-black base and a red-orange-yellow top, exhibiting a strong luminescence. It was observed in a stationary position for a while before rotating counter-clockwise and moving away. The witness noted a humming sound and perceived details like violet spots on the object. The observation lasted about 30 seconds, and the witness was deeply affected by the experience.

Historical UFO Photograph: Passaic, New Jersey (July 29, 1952)

Reference is made to a UFO photograph taken on July 29, 1952, over Passaic, New Jersey. A witness identified this photograph, and the issue suggests that the opinion formed at the time was that the object was of terrestrial origin.

Witness Report: Viernheim, Germany (March 24, 1977)

On March 24, 1977, a witness driving on the E-30 highway near Viernheim, Germany, reported seeing a bright, football-sized light point. Initially dismissing it as a strong spotlight, the witness later reconsidered, describing it as a 'flying spotlight' with a 'flatter' shape. The object was visible for about 10 seconds before being obscured by bushes. Attempts to relocate the object from a higher vantage point were unsuccessful.

Object Description: Near B.A.B. 659 (December 1975)

An object was described as a flying saucer with a 'glowing dome.' Witnesses were two in number, and there were no notable side effects or unusual sounds, though a 'very strong' humming was reported. The source is cited as IMPORSPAGE Nr. 24/December 1975.

Case Study: Lisbon, Portugal (September 19, 1976)

This section recounts a dramatic incident involving a Portuguese Boeing 707 flight. Captain Blog Seigert reported a UFO rapidly approaching their aircraft. The object was described as 'sparkling, hissing, and glowing.' The UFO was so close that it obscured a significant portion of the cockpit view. The copilot and flight engineer were also witnesses. Air traffic control in Lisbon did not detect the object on radar. The aircraft ascended to 1300 meters, and the crew observed two bright points of light, one like a star and the other like a 'neon tube.' The UFO was estimated to be about 300 meters away when the pilot took evasive action. The incident was reported by multiple publications.

UFO-Forschung: Analysis and Commentary

The issue delves into the psychological aspects of UFO belief, referencing the DUIST congress and the concept of 'contactees' who claim to have interacted with extraterrestrials. It discusses the narrative of 'alien pilots' who are described as benevolent. The report touches upon the work of Dr. Frank E. Stranges, who claimed to be a special investigator and mentioned the involvement of 'planetarians' in US government agencies. The text also critiques the DUIST's stance on extraterrestrial life, contrasting it with Prof. Oberth's scientific opinion that most planets are likely uninhabited.

Further commentary includes the story of Mr. Reinhold O. Schmidt, who claimed to have traveled in a UFO to Egypt and witnessed a Soviet atomic explosion. The issue also mentions the 'Men in Black' phenomenon and the concept of 'Love without Limits' promoted by some UFO proponents.

UFOs Over the Ground: Public Reaction

A brief mention is made of an article in the German newspaper BILD from March 2, 1977, titled "UFOs Over the Ground: People Have Seen Them." The publication contacted the BILD's editorial office for further information but was directed to regional and central editorial departments without obtaining specific details about the article's author or origin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, witness testimonies, and the analysis of these events. There is a clear focus on documenting specific cases, including detailed descriptions of objects, their behavior, and the witnesses' experiences. The publication also engages with the broader context of UFO research, including conferences, psychological interpretations, and the claims of contactees. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation, while also critically examining the more speculative or sensational aspects of the UFO phenomenon, particularly those associated with organizations like DUIST.

This issue of SENSATIONSPRESSE, dated February 24, 1977, focuses on UFO phenomena, presenting several reported sightings and critically examining media coverage. The magazine aims to provide a more serious and evidence-based approach to the subject.

UFO Incident in Langenargen

The issue details an incident in Langenargen on the night of February 24, 1977. Witnesses, including Herr Schaufler, reported a sudden bright light and a high-pitched sound. Herr Schaufler described seeing two objects emitting a searchlight-like illumination. The innkeeper, Grutser, reported that the bright light caused him to stop his work. Five other individuals also claimed to have heard and seen something.

UFO Incident in Oberursel

Another significant event reported is from Oberursel on February 23, 1977. A loud noise, described as an explosion, was heard. An object reportedly crashed through the roof and wall of a two-story house, creating a hole about half a meter in diameter. Police found a cast metal piece, approximately 30 cm wide and 10 cm thick, which they initially identified as a brake drum from an aircraft. However, Lufthansa technicians stated that such a part does not exist on any aircraft. The report questions whether this was a UFO.

UFO Sighting in Basel

The magazine also covers a UFO sighting in Basel, Switzerland, on March 11, 1977. Numerous witnesses at the Voltaplatz observed a grey object hovering at a low altitude. Described as having the shape of a large cylinder hat with a domed lid, the object moved away at high speed towards the Sandoz chemical plant. Witnesses like Lax Steiner and Albertine Steffen provided descriptions, with Steiner noting its speed and Steffen estimating its size to be at least 10 meters in diameter and about 3 meters high. The Basel airport stated they detected nothing on their radar.

Media Critique and CENAP

SENSATIONSPRESSE criticizes the sensationalist reporting of UFO incidents by some media outlets, particularly the BILD newspaper, suggesting they prioritize reader engagement over objective reporting. The magazine introduces CENAP (Centrale Erforschungs-Netz außergewöhnlicher Phänomene), a research network established in Mannheim on March 1, 1976. CENAP aims to provide a more serious and organized approach to UFO research, distinguishing itself from occult or pseudo-religious interpretations. The network focuses on literature studies, witness interviews, and field investigations to gather and verify evidence. They define UFOs as 'unidentified flying objects' encompassing mysterious aerial phenomena, unusual lights, and undefined craft, while cautioning against immediately equating them with alien spacecraft.

The 'Paper UFO' Explanation

In a separate report, the magazine explains the 'Basel UFO' incident. It was identified as a large, helium-filled balloon constructed from wood and paper by a student named Thomas Baumgartner as part of a school project. The object, weighing half a kilogram and standing 170 cm tall, was designed to test flight capabilities and was influenced by wind direction. Baumgartner's intention was to observe public reactions to such a creation. The report clarifies that the 'mysterious object' was a sophisticated model, not an extraterrestrial craft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the investigation of these phenomena, and a critical stance towards sensationalist media reporting. The editorial stance favors a scientific and evidence-based approach to understanding UFOs, as exemplified by the introduction of CENAP. The magazine seeks to separate factual accounts from speculation and to provide a more grounded perspective on UFO reports, while acknowledging the existence of unexplained aerial phenomena.