CENAP Report - No 023

Magazine Overview

This issue of CENAP - REPORT, number 23, dated January 1978, is a German-language publication from CENAP, a research network for extraordinary phenomena based in Mannheim.

Table of Contents

The issue features the following articles:
1. Blümchenpost usw!? (Flower Post etc.!?)
2. Presse - News (Press - News)
3. Voreilig (Hasty)
4. Speyer
5. Tiere und UFOs (Animals and UFOs)
6. Fotoseite (Photo Page)

Article Summaries

1. Blümchenpost usw!?

This section critiques the German UFO scene, suggesting it is regressing rather than progressing. The author expresses concern about sensationalist reports and 'phantasts' damaging the credibility of serious UFO research. The article notes that the press is becoming more open to the UFO phenomenon, potentially moving away from preconceived notions. It references a prediction from Herr Veit in 'UN-Nr.248, Dezember 1977' about increased UFO activity between January and April 1978 due to Mars' opposition to Earth, urging friends of UFO research to observe the sky and send in reports with photos to the Deutsche UFO-Studiengesellschaft.

The author of this section, likely from CENAP, seems to dismiss Herr Veit's predictions as fanciful, contrasting them with more grounded research. They also mention a 'Mr. Jürgen Wandel' from Berlin who is sending out 'sectarian literature' disguised as 'flower posts,' which he calls a 'selfless writings mission.' This literature reportedly describes a 'grandiose world' with extraterrestrials where one can achieve higher abilities like clairvoyance and invisibility by renouncing earthly desires and practicing 'selflessness.' The author expresses skepticism about this spiritual interpretation of UFOs, questioning the definition of true selflessness and the financial requests made in such publications.

2. Presse - News

This section reports on a news item from the Mannheimer-Morgen dated February 27, 1975, about a professor at a Californian university who has constructed a flying saucer. The apparatus is equipped with eight Wankel engines and is expected to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. A DPA photo of the constructor in his 'UFO' was published. The article notes that this report, initially dismissed as a fleeting news item, has resurfaced with reports from SPIEGEL (December 5, 1977) and the Danish Morgenposten (December 4, 1977). These reports feature the same object, now with a two-seater version having a glass dome, and a larger six-seater version. A US mail-order company is offering these 'futuristic Discojets' with hovercraft drives as a special gimmick, with prices for the two-seater at $687,500 and the six-seater at $1,125,000, with delivery expected in 1978 and 1979.

Another news item, from Mannheimer-Morgen on October 13, 1977, reports on three 'unknown flying objects' (UFOs) sighted near La Rochelle, France. These objects were described as luminous, flickering orange and green points that moved suddenly and at high speed in various directions. The sightings were reported to the Gendarmerie of St. Porchaire.

3. Voreilig (Hasty)

This article discusses the growing public and political interest in UFOs, particularly concerning the United Nations (UNO). It mentions headlines from July and August 1977, such as 'Year of the UFOs?' and 'UFOs in the UNO,' reflecting a surge in UFO enthusiasm. It also references Jimmy Carter's election as US President and his alleged belief in flying saucers. The article notes that in 1972, the UNO was confronted with 'Galactic Spaceship Problems and their Pilots' at the request of Idi Amin of Uganda. However, this issue was quickly forgotten.

The article then focuses on Eric Gairy, Prime Minister of Grenada, who brought the topic of UFOs to the UNO in October 1977. Gairy advocated for a 'glorious victory of the historical 7th International Congress of UFO Scientists and Researchers' held in Mainz in 1967. He proposed the establishment of a UNO committee to seriously investigate 'flying saucers' and related phenomena. The article suggests that Grenada hopes to discover technologies from other worlds through UFO research, potentially aiding in solving global problems. It criticizes the 'naive' approach of DUIST (a UFO organization) and Herr Veit's 'UFO-Nachrichten' for promoting fantastical ideas. The article concludes by noting that delegates at the UNO committee were only moderately interested, with some headlines stating 'UFOs bore the UNO,' indicating that the organization has more pressing global issues to address.

4. NASA, UNO und UFOs ? (NASA, UNO and UFOs?)

This section details the US government's involvement in UFO research. It mentions that the UFO research institute in Evanston, USA, has received new films from Mexico, Guatemala, and the Bahamas for analysis. It then focuses on the US space agency NASA, which has taken on the task of conducting a new official study of the UFO problem by the end of the year. This decision stemmed from correspondence between the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and NASA's administration. Frank Press, Director of OSTP, was overwhelmed with UFO-related questions and proposed that NASA form a 'small commission for investigations' and take over UFO correspondence previously sent to the White House.

Robert Frosch from NASA responded that they were determined to answer the inquiries. He noted that no similar procedures were currently active in the Air Force, countering claims of censorship and secret government operations. Frosch admitted that the lack of preparation was to avoid disappointing individuals with overly technical evaluations. NASA plans to appoint a project leader to review UFO reports from the past ten years to determine if a formal study is warranted. The article also mentions the ongoing French UFO study (GEPAN) and questions its influence on NASA's decision. Dr.Richard Henry is presented as a strong candidate for the NASA position, having collaborated with UFO organizations like the Center for UFO-Studies and APRO. The establishment of such a commission is seen as important, especially after the previous government study (Project CONDON, 1967-1959), to ensure a less stigmatized and controversial approach to UFO research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a serious, scientific approach to UFO research, contrasting it with sensationalism and what it terms 'phantastic' or 'sectarian' interpretations. There is a clear skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a focus on official investigations by government agencies and international bodies like the UNO and NASA. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, aiming to separate credible information from speculation and to encourage a more rational understanding of the UFO phenomenon.

Title: CENAP REPORT
Issue: 1
Volume: 1
Date: October 1977
Publisher: CENAP
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of CENAP REPORT delves into various UFO and anomalous phenomena, featuring reports on official stances, eyewitness accounts, and scientific analyses.

NASA and UFO Investigations

The issue begins by referencing a report from International UF-ar (October 1977, Page 4) concerning NASA's response to a request from U.S. President Jimmy Carter for a renewed investigation into UFOs. According to a report in 'DIE WELT', NASA had rejected the request. However, in a letter to President Carter's science advisor, Frank Press, NASA stated its readiness to examine any tangible evidence. The article notes that Jimmy Carter himself had reported seeing a UFO while he was Governor of Georgia. The U.S. Air Force had previously concluded its 22-year investigation into UFOs due to a lack of conclusive evidence. The CENAP report indicates that further details were pending.

The 'Landing Case at Speyer' Controversy

An article in 'UFO-Nachrichten' (Wiesbaden, Number 248/December 1977) is discussed, which reportedly declared the 'landing case at Speyer' as a deliberate fraud. This contradicted an earlier publication in 'UN Nr.247/Oktober 1977', which had been premature as investigations were still ongoing. The CENAP report questions who was behind these investigations and hints at potential research from 'VV-Publications'. Despite alleged doubts within the DUIST editorial team regarding the investigation, they published the report prominently. The article contrasts this with DUIST's usual practice, noting that while 'UN' articles often cite correct sources, DUIST's approach is questioned. The CENAP report implies that DUIST may have been mistaken in some cases, citing 'AZTEC' as an example of a case they could refute.

Meteor Events and Aerial Phenomena

The magazine then shifts focus to several observed aerial phenomena, including a fireball event and a mysterious light in the Soviet Union.

Fireball Over Czechoslovakia

On September 14, 1977, at 19:09 GMT (20:09 local time), a fireball was observed over Czechoslovakia. Despite eyewitness reports of a 'horizontally flying UFO', scientific analysis suggested it was a meteor. The object was estimated to be at an altitude of only 100 meters. The fireball traveled 163 km within 6.5 seconds in the Earth's atmosphere, with an estimated mass of over 5 tons, impacting the ground and reducing to about 10 grams. Its speed was approximately 30 km/sec, decelerating to 10 km/sec. The object was visible at an altitude of 84 km and detectable down to 38 km. Exact geographical data placed its entry at a latitude of 48.76 degrees and its descent zone at a latitude of 49.40 degrees. Eleven stations photographed the object, nine of them within the USSR. One station captured it as it appeared at the zenith from 300 km away. The conclusion from the Fernschreiben (telegram) was: 'Meteorite fall very likely. Descended mass should be around 10 grams.'

UFO Alarm in the Soviet Union

A mysterious light phenomenon near the Soviet-Finnish border reportedly ignited intense discussions among scientists about UFOs. The report references a DUIST example of 'mysterious light rain over Russia' from 'UFO-Nachrichten'. The CENAP report summarizes the events and their resolution. Headlines such as 'Luminous Jellyfish' (Tiroler Tageszeitung), 'Mysterious Light Phenomenon over Karelia and Finland' (Oberöst. Fr.nachrichten), 'UFO Alarm in the Soviet Union' (Hsue Kronen Zeitung), 'Fireball over Karelia' (Süddeutsche Zeitung), and 'Rätselhafte Lichterscheinung' (Neue Tiroler Zeitung) appeared in German-language press. The phenomenon over Karelia, northwest of the Soviet Union, near the Finnish border, prompted new discussions about the existence of UFOs among Soviet scientists. The official Soviet news agency TASS reported on September 22, 1977, about a two-day-old light phenomenon in the night sky. On September 10, 1977, around 1 AM, a bright star reportedly appeared, sending light pulses towards Earth. This object moved slowly towards Petrozavodsk, resembling a 'luminous jellyfish'. It stopped over the city and emitted thin light rays like rain before the spectacle ended. The 'jellyfish' then moved in a wide semicircle towards Lake Onega, glowing red in the center and white at the edges for about ten to twelve minutes. Scientists at the Pulkovo Observatory near Leningrad described it as a bright fireball moving rapidly from south to north, leaving a glowing tail for 20 minutes. Reports also came from Finland. In Helsinki, a large fireball was seen and interpreted as a large meteorite. The situation appeared enigmatic. The Center for UFO Studies in Evanston, Illinois, provided further information. According to the 'INTERNATIONAL UFO REPORTER' (October 1977, Page 4), TASS reported a large star suddenly appearing and emitting light pulses, described as a 'luminous jellyfish'. The object moved slowly, stopped, became a 'bright semicircle', and then continued its activity. It appeared as a semicircular glow, red in the center and white at the sides, lasting 10-12 minutes. A fireball seen from Helsinki, 350 miles away, lasted 4 minutes. TASS later checked with the Petrozavodsk Meteorological Observatory and the Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory for explanations, but UPI telegraphed the assumption of re-entry and burning of a Soviet rocket or an 'Ex-plosion' of a 'Re-Entries' object. The article suggests that 'Ro-Entries' can cause noises similar to rocket descriptions and can be observed for up to 2 minutes. James Oberg, an expert on rocket launches, confirmed this possibility. Ground witnesses saw the launch of KOSMOS 955 from Plesetsk, 200 miles east of Petrozavodsk, around 3:59 AM local time. A 'SPACEFLIGHT' article from June 1974 described a similar event: a small, bright object ascending, reaching a peak altitude, and then descending, forming three light arcs. The object was brighter than a crescent moon and cast faint shadows. For three minutes, it appeared like a 'gas cloud', seeming to be obscured by a substance before disappearing behind a hill. Finnish newspapers reported sightings across the region. The meteor theory was dismissed as the phenomenon lasted nearly 4 minutes. The author of the SPACEFLIGHT letter linked the observation to the launch of the Soviet weather satellite METEOR 2. A Soviet astronomer, Prof. Vladimir Krat, Director of the Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory in Leningrad, suggested the phenomenon was likely a rocket launch or a returning Sputnik. The city of P is over 190 miles south of the Plesetsk launch complex. On September 20, the Soviets launched KOSMOS 955, a military observation spacecraft. What Soviet citizens saw was likely the launch or a special maneuver of this type of spacecraft.

Animals and UFOs

The final section of the report focuses on UFO sightings and animal mutilations in the Colorado area.

Colorado Animal Mutilations

Four sheriffs, four officers, and two veterinarians in the Colorado area investigated UFOs in connection with animal mutilations. Reports described 'gruesomely bright UFOs' like 'Big Mama' and a 'Baby UFO' repeatedly seen by confused ranchers and law enforcement officials. These sightings were linked to bizarre animal mutilations that occurred in 1977. Logan County Sheriff Harry Graves stated, "There is a definable connection between these lights and the mutilations, as these mutilations occur exactly after such lights have been seen." Since August 1975, when the first UFO was sighted and the first animal mutilations were reported, a total of 74 cattle, 1 bull, 1 steer, and 1 horse were found mutilated. In each case, body parts such as eyes, ears, tongue, and reproductive organs were surgically removed with a precision that baffled veterinarians. Sheriff Graves, a 23-year veteran, described the situation as "very confusing," noting the absence of any signs of predators and no visible tracks of perpetrators. He stated that he and four other deputies had seen 'Big Mama' multiple times. He described 'Big Mama' as a large, brilliant star-like object that hovered for 90 minutes before disappearing at high speed. He also mentioned that three 'Baby UFOs' emerged from 'Big Mama', emitting bright lights, and then vanished upwards. The 'Big Mama' was followed by a plane and police vehicles. Men were stationed in the remote area to investigate, but the situation remained unclear. Under-Sheriff Wolever reported observing newspaper photographer Bill Jackson photographing the mysterious objects and viewing them through a telescope. Wolever described 'Big Mama' as initially round, then disappearing into the night, and later reappearing, more pear-shaped, with its color changing from white to red to green and back to white. Wolever, a 40-year-old officer with 11 years of service, stated that residents of Logan County reported uncanny objects at the same time the first mutilated animal was found. "We received reports almost on the same night that some mutilations on animals were discovered," said Wolever. "The mutilations occurred in the same concentrated area where reports of strange lights had come from." Sheriff Graves asserted that the mutilations defied explanation because: the animals were not predators; there were no signs of predation; the cutting was clean, with no traces of blades found under the skin; the animals were found lying on their backs with all four legs extended upwards in an unnatural position; and in only two cases were markings found in the earth – strange, bulbous indentations. This concludes Part 1 of the report 'Animals and UFOs', with the continuation promised in the next CENAP REPORT.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and their potential connections to terrestrial events like meteor showers and satellite re-entries. The magazine also highlights the controversial topic of animal mutilations, presenting eyewitness accounts and expert opinions. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical investigation, seeking to debunk sensationalism while presenting documented cases and seeking rational explanations, though acknowledging the persistent mystery surrounding many UFO reports. The CENAP REPORT positions itself as an independent journal aiming to provide factual reporting on these subjects.