CENAP Report - No 021

Magazine Overview

This document is issue number 21 of the 'CENAP - REPORT', published in November 1977. CENAP (Private UFO - Forschungsgruppe Mannheim) is an organization that registers UFO sightings with international UFO registries and exchange libraries. The report is primarily in German and focuses on UFO investigations and classifications.

CENAP - aktiv

This section details a UFO sighting that occurred on July 11, 1977, in Mannheim, Germany. The report describes an interview conducted with a witness who, along with a friend, observed two white, glowing objects with an unusual, irregular flight path. The objects were described as wedge-shaped and appeared to be moving at high speed, exhibiting sharp turns and hovering. The witnesses ruled out conventional aircraft and meteors, concluding it was a UFO. The report includes sketches and a reconstruction of the object's flight path based on witness accounts and a photograph.

Witness Accounts and Analysis

Two witnesses, Herr Göre (born 1958) and Alexander Maidanidis, were on a balcony in Mannheim at approximately 10:30 PM when they observed the objects. The objects were described as 'white-glowing bodies' that appeared suddenly and moved with an irregular flight path. Their color was compared to burning magnesium, but they glowed more intensely. The objects were clearly visible for about 5 seconds, moving from 90 degrees to the north-northwest without changing their shape. The witnesses noted that the front of the 'wedge' seemed brighter than the base and described the maneuver as potentially 'aerobatic,' beyond the capabilities of any known terrestrial aircraft.

The report also includes a detailed analysis from the perspective of CENAP. They consulted with the air traffic control at München-Neuoetheim but received no specific information. The possibility of double meteorites or other astronomical phenomena was ruled out. The most plausible explanation proposed is that the objects were two military jet aircraft, possibly French MIRAGE, Swedish SAAB-VIGGEN, or prototypes of the MRCA-Tornado, flying in formation. These aircraft, flying at a high altitude, could have been illuminated by the setting sun, reflecting off their metallic surfaces. The report suggests that turbulence in the atmosphere at those altitudes could explain the perceived irregular flight path and the lack of engine noise reaching the ground. The short sighting duration (approximately 5 seconds) is attributed to the limited visibility in an urban environment and the perspective of the observer.

Object Characteristics Summary

• Shape: Wedge-shaped
• Color: White, glowing
• Behavior: Unusual flight path, sharp turns, hovering
• Speed: High
• Altitude: High

War es ein Jupiter-Effekt?

This section investigates several UFO sightings reported in the Lesser Slave Lake area of Canada during Thursdays in March 1977. The sightings involved multiple witnesses and described strange lights.

Sightings in Lesser Slave Lake

On March 3rd and March 10th, 1977, people reported seeing yellow, green, and red lights over the southern shore of Lesser Slave Lake. Three RCMP officers were among the witnesses. A local resident also reported a sighting on March 3rd. Ken Fass, manager of Slave Lake Airports, reported seeing an object resembling a 'torch' shortly after 10:00 PM on March 3rd. On the same night, four people and an RCMP officer from Canyon Creek observed a bright object with red lights, estimated to be not very high above the lake.

Another report from Canyon Creek, from the same witness who saw the object on March 3rd, described an object that was half as bright and appeared around 9:30 PM, moving slowly in the east and disappearing into clouds by 10:00 PM.

Investigation and Conclusion

A research effort on the following Friday night suggested that the phenomenon might have been an erroneous observation of Venus being obscured by clouds. The report concludes that while the initial reports were mysterious, the explanation likely involved conventional aircraft or atmospheric phenomena rather than extraterrestrial craft.

CENAP UFO Classification

This section introduces CENAP's UFO classification system, which aims to align with international standards. It is presented to assist foreign UFO researchers who may receive the report in German.

Classification Categories

• NL (Night-Light / Nocturnal Light): Light phenomena observed in the night sky.
• MNL (Maneuvering Night-Light): Night lights exhibiting maneuvers or unusual flight patterns.
• DD (Daylight Discs): Objects clearly identifiable as abnormal aircraft during the day.
• RV (Radar-Visual): UFOs detected by radar and visually confirmed.

Close Encounters Classification (based on J. Allen Hynek)

• CE I (First Kind): UFOs observed within 150 meters.
• CE II (Second Kind): Sightings similar to CE I, but with physical evidence.
• CE III (Third Kind): Sightings involving UFO occupants.

The report emphasizes that NL and MNL phenomena are most commonly associated with CE I cases. It also notes that unusual aerial displays can be caused by conventional aircraft, searchlights, and positional lighting, which can sometimes lead to 'UFO hysteria.'

Case Example: UFO over Cologne

A report from the CENAP local group in Cologne describes a sighting on a clear September evening. The witness observed bright lights moving in unison, with smaller red and green lights on the sides. The phenomenon was described as a large luminous phenomenon, comparable to a star of the first magnitude, and was partially obscured by a halved tree. The object moved in a specific direction and then disappeared.

Analysis of the Cologne Sighting

The analysis suggests that the 'mysterious' sighting was likely a conventional aircraft. The bright lights are explained as landing lights, which are switched on during takeoff and can be visible from a distance. The perceived movement and hovering are attributed to the aircraft's approach and departure relative to the observer's position and the limited field of vision in an urban setting. The report concludes that many mysterious aerial phenomena can be quickly explained as conventional aircraft.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed analysis of specific UFO sightings, the attempt to provide rational explanations for these phenomena, and the establishment of a standardized classification system for UFO reports. CENAP's editorial stance is one of serious, scientific investigation, aiming to distinguish between genuine unexplained phenomena and misidentifications or hoaxes. They express a commitment to 'serious UFO research' and caution against sensationalism and the tendency to attribute every unexplained aerial event to extraterrestrial spacecraft. The report highlights the importance of thorough documentation and analysis in UFO research.

This issue of SCOPE magazine, dated March 30, 1977, is primarily in German and focuses on UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings and investigations. The cover features a map of Canada highlighting regions with reported UFO and 'MNL' (Missing Non-Human Life) cases in March 1977. The magazine details several specific incidents and discusses broader themes within the UFO community.

UFO Sightings in Canada

The issue reports on several UFO sightings in Canada during March 1977. One incident occurred in Faust on Thursday, March 17th, where several people reported seeing a strange light in the sky around 22:00 Uhr. A young girl described a red light moving at high speed westward, which she initially mistook for the planet Jupiter. Another resident of Faust reported seeing the same light from a different location. Witnesses consistently reported no sound accompanying the object, which disappeared mysteriously in the western sky and later over the southern shore of the lake. The earliest sighting was around 21:30 Uhr, and the latest around 22:00 Uhr. Investigations by the RCMP and SCOPE found no connection to the launch of a weather balloon from the Slave Lake Airport.

Another UFO was observed between Faust and Slave Lake on a Thursday. SCOPE established a 'UFO-Hot-Line' for individuals to report sightings or participate in UFO observations. The number provided is 849-4033.

RCMP Sightings:

A Constable reported an incident on March 10th. While on patrol in Canyon Creek, he observed a bright orange light in the western sky around 21:40 Uhr. Initially thinking it was an airplane, he noticed the light was stationary. He then observed a cone-shaped object descending at a 45-degree angle, with pulsing lights appearing on its left and right sides. The object moved slowly westward, appearing to move up and down. The Constable contacted other police officers, including one who had investigated the March 3rd sighting. The object disappeared from view around 22:15 Uhr.

Sgt. Leliberte stated that he was not officially authorized by the RCMP to comment on UFO sightings, and that reports from citizens were being forwarded through regular RCMP channels to the federal government. According to the leadership, RCMP officers rarely speak about their UFO sightings due to past difficulties, citing an instance in southern Alberta where a member faced trouble after reporting a UFO.

SCOPE Event:

On March 23, 1977, SCOPE organized a UFO watch in the Lesser Slave Lake area, which was attended by hundreds of people. Despite the large turnout, no UFOs were observed, only three 'unpleasant' phone calls were received via the UFO-Hot-Line. The watch was organized following reports of UFO sightings by several residents of the Lesser Slave Lake area over the preceding three Thursdays. Approximately 20 enthusiasts organized the watch from various observation points, attracting hundreds of observers, including a CBS television reporter, a cameraman, and a team from Calgary and Edmonton. A professional UFO speaker from the United States was also present.

The RCMP also participated in the observation, with five members monitoring for unusual lights. An observer noted an unusual amount of traffic on the highway between Wagner and Widowater. A family in a camper van at a campsite in Canyon Creek observed a large group of people standing in the dark, equipped with binoculars and cameras. Communication was handled by the Slave Lake Waveseekers C.B. Radio Club, with observation posts on Marten Mountains and other locations along the southern shore of Slave Lake between 20:30 and 23:30 Uhr. Sightings were reported between 21:30 and 22:45 Uhr.

UFO Flap:

The magazine mentions a 'UFO flap' where UFOs were reportedly appearing massively over Slave Lake/Alberta, with even the Mounties seeing them. A Friday CBC radio show reported that Wayne Aho, described as a 'remarkable UFO expert', visited Slave Lake for a month and witnessed a UFO. During the program, Mr. Aho was interviewed about interplanetary visitors.

International UFO Incidents and Analysis

Comparison to Australian Lights:

A note from CENAP compares the observed 'Nocturnal Lights' (NLs) to similar phenomena seen in TAREE/200 Million, north of Sydney, Australia, in September 1972. Reports from the German press and the INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE (September 15, 1972) are referenced, with a report translated by Mr. Nickut. The object in Australia, like the one near Lesser Slave Lake, appeared star-like and was visible for a limited time over several days. The article speculates that the appearance of certain planets could cause these NL phenomena.

UMMO-Sage: A UFO Hoax Uncovered:

This section details a case involving alleged extraterrestrial visitors from a planet called UMMO. The report begins with a visit from San Jose de Valderas on June 1, 1967. It recounts sightings in Madrid between 1966 and 1967, including a 'weakly luminous round flying object' in Aluche on February 6, 1966, which landed briefly. Witnesses described it as a 'classic flying saucer type' and mentioned a black symbol on its underside, similar to one found in Aluche. The object was reportedly 12-13 meters in diameter.

Further details emerge about the Aluche incident, with a reporter measuring landing traces that were rectangular, 15x13 cm, and 12 cm deep. The distance between the impressions formed a triangle. A witness described seeing something like a 'large chassis' between the landing gear and the machine's belly.

Another incident on June 1, 1957, near San Jose de Valderas, involved a round object seen by many people. It was described as a 'classic flying saucer type', 12-13 meters in diameter, with a black symbol on its underside, similar to the one found in Aluche.

In a separate incident, a UFO was photographed over a wooded area near a castle. Despite its size, it reportedly cast no shadow. The UFO allegedly landed again about 4 kilometers away in Santa Monica. A witness there noticed a symbol resembling an 'H' on the underside of the object. Small metal tubes with a middle thickening were found near the landing traces, which, upon opening, released a quickly evaporating liquid. Narrow plastic strips were left behind, bearing the same symbol as the underside of the saucer.

UMMO Communication and Hoax Analysis:

The magazine discusses the UMMO visitors' alleged ability to communicate telepathically and their claims of being sent by God for humanity's salvation. The analysis of the metal tubes revealed they were almost pure nickel, and the plastic strips were made of a novel material called Polyvinylfluorid. The article references a publication from a Wiesbaden-based UFO organization that translated a report about 'aliens living in Spain' from the planet WOLF 424, also known as UMMO, with 1.8 billion inhabitants communicating via telepathy.

Claude Paher from CNES in Toulouse, France, investigated photos related to these incidents and concluded they were a hoax. He determined that the objects were small models made of transparent plastic, with the symbols drawn with ink. Paher demonstrated how he could recreate these 'photographs' using two plastic drinking cups and a model, costing a total of 7.60 Francs or $0.50.

A separate test by GROUND SAUCER WATCH in Phoenix, Arizona, using computer magnification, revealed a visible strand in the photos, further supporting the hoax theory. The article concludes that these findings have provided a valuable service to serious UFO research.

Announcements and Events

Call for Information:

Dr. Richard F. Haines, a researcher and consultant for the Center for UFO Studies in Evanston, Illinois, is seeking detailed information about UFO sightings from commercial, military, private, and test pilots. He is willing to correspond with individuals who possess such information.

SUFOI Exhibition in Copenhagen:

SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information) is celebrating its 20th anniversary. To mark this occasion, an exhibition is announced at the Copenhagen City Hall from November 26 to December 4, 1977. SUFOI aims to collaborate with international groups, and CENAP has been invited to participate with information displays. CENAP plans to report on this exhibition in a future issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, investigations into these phenomena, and the critical analysis of potential hoaxes. The magazine presents a balanced approach, reporting on witness accounts and official investigations (like those by the RCMP) while also highlighting skeptical analyses and evidence of deception, particularly concerning the UMMO case. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, acknowledging the public interest in UFOs but also emphasizing the need for rigorous evidence and critical evaluation. The inclusion of a quote from Werner Walter, 'Not everything that is photographed is a UFO,' encapsulates this skeptical yet open-minded perspective.