CENAP Report - No 026

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP REPORT
Issue: nr.26
Volume: 3Y/H4/78
Date: April 1978
Publisher: CENAP
Country: Germany
Language: German
Cover Headline: Keine UFOs (No UFOs)

Article 1: Keine UFOs (No UFOs)

This section, which appears to be the main focus of the issue, aims to debunk UFO sightings by providing scientific explanations. It references reports from BUFORA Journal, Flying Saucer Review, and a Science Research Council report from 1976. The article delves into the "Portugal Fall" and presents supplementary news. A key explanation offered involves experiments conducted near Huelva, Spain, where a launch site for civilian high-altitude research rockets was used. These rockets, reaching altitudes of up to 100 kilometers, were used to measure atmospheric conditions.

A specific experimental method is detailed: releasing a cloud of thin aluminum-coated foil from the rocket's apogee (90-95 km altitude). This foil cloud, extremely light (3.4 grams per square meter), descends slowly (5-10 m/s at 80 km). The metallization is intentionally thin to prevent excessive radar reflection and corrosion by atmospheric gases like nitric acid, nitrogen oxides, and hydrogen peroxide. The foil's diffusion is controlled to allow for accurate measurements of wind speed, direction, and air density in the upper atmosphere.

Wind shear and turbulence can distort the foil cloud's shape from spherical to cigar-like, breaking it into smaller pieces. These foil clouds are visible under specific optical conditions, above the tropopause, when the sun's angle allows for reflection. They appear as bright, softly outlined bodies that can change direction. The author recounts a personal experiment where such a foil cloud was observed, noting its movement consistent with prevailing winds (east-southeast in summer, east in winter), supporting the hypothesis that these are not extraterrestrial objects.

The article also discusses a case from the "UFO-Nachrichten" (UFO News) from Wiesbaden, April 1977, concerning a "Luminous Sphere over the Huelva mountain range." This sighting, on July 30, 1976, involved a spherical object observed over Cumbres Mayores, Spain. The object was described as exceptionally shiny and remained motionless at high altitude before moving eastward. This event occurred during the same period as the TRIDENT incident, involving research balloons launched from Sardinia. The report suggests that the observed phenomena could be related to these atmospheric experiments.

Article 2: Kino-Tip (Cinema Tip)

This section reviews the UFO film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" by Steven Spielberg, which premiered in German cinemas on Good Friday, 1978. The film, known internationally as "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," was made with scientific consultation from Professor A.J. Hynek of the UFO Study Center in Evanston, Illinois. The review highlights the film's fictional narrative depicting a series of UFO-typical incidents.

It mentions the classification system used in the film (CE I, CE II, CE III) and discusses the "Bermuda Triangle" case, where five Avenger bombers from the USA, which disappeared on December 5, 1945, are depicted as being in perfect condition in the Mexican desert. The review notes that the film's plot is set in the present day, despite the historical disappearance of the aircraft. The film also illustrates UFO-related phenomena such as city black-outs and aircraft malfunctions. It describes a police chase of a UFO formation, a confrontation between a traffic aircraft and a UFO, and a radar control center's observation of a UFO. A boy is abducted, and his mother experiences EM effects. The film also presents coded messages from space, identified as latitude and longitude coordinates for a future UFO landing.

The review contrasts the film's portrayal with the typical "little green men" trope, noting that the characters in the film, after encountering the spaceship, return to their time with no apparent ill effects. Professor Hynek's involvement is highlighted, suggesting his influence in presenting a wide range of known UFO archetypes and forms, leaving the origin and purpose of the extraterrestrials ambiguous. The review concludes that the film's special effects and realistic portrayal of incidents make it a significant experience, even for seasoned UFO researchers. It also notes a significant increase in UFO sightings in the USA, anticipating further developments.

Article 3: UFO-Back Log

This section appears to be a collection of miscellaneous UFO-related news items or short reports. One item mentions a sighting of three "unknown flying objects" (UFOs) over St. Parchaire, near La Rochelle, France, which were described as flickering orange and green lights. These objects were reportedly seen the previous Sunday and were thought to be returning.

Article 4: Presse-News (Press News)

This section presents a small selection of news items related to UFOs. One item, titled "UFOs on their way back this time," refers to the sighting over St. Parchaire, France, mentioning that gendarmes also observed the phenomenon, described as three luminous points.

Article 5: Besucher aus dem ALL (Visitors from the ALL)

This section details a specific UFO sighting that occurred on January 31, 1971, in New Hampshire, USA. Two men, a farmer and his brother, reported observing a UFO. The sighting took place near Newmarket, New Hampshire, about 10 miles from the well-known Exeter sighting of 1965.

The UFO was described as small, gray-white, and shaped like a dented sphere. It was observed hovering and ascending vertically at high speed, despite a stiff breeze. The object then banked and flew horizontally before disappearing. The witnesses noted no signs of propulsion. Initially, the explanation of a balloon was considered, but the vertical ascent against the wind made this less likely.

Investigators from NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena) researched the case. The witnesses, both in their thirties, provided detailed accounts. The farmer owned the land where the object hovered and ascended. His brother, studying theology, was visiting at the time. NICAP's investigation concluded that the UFO was likely a balloon. This conclusion was based on information from the Air Force Base near the sighting location, which reported no balloon launches. However, the Boston Logan Airport did report launching a balloon at 13:00 on May 31, which was ten minutes before the sighting. The timing, altitude, and wind direction were noted as factors that still made the case difficult to explain solely as a balloon.

The article includes a sketch by R. Fowler illustrating the UFO's movement, the witnesses' position in their truck (LKW), and the surrounding terrain (road, stream, wooded area, field). The sketch shows the UFO's position in opposition to the truck and its flight path. The investigators found no physical traces at the site where the object was believed to have landed or ascended.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination and debunking of UFO sightings. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, favoring scientific explanations and conventional phenomena over extraterrestrial hypotheses. The magazine actively seeks to provide rational explanations for reported sightings, as demonstrated by the detailed analysis of atmospheric experiments and the review of the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," which, while acknowledging the fascination with UFOs, frames them within a fictional context and scientific consultation. The publication appears to align with organizations like NICAP that investigate UFOs with a scientific and often skeptical approach.

Title: UFO-Nachrichten
Issue: 12
Volume: 1977
Date: November 12, 1977
Publisher: CENAP
Country: Switzerland
Language: German

This issue of UFO-Nachrichten, dated November 12, 1977, delves into the phenomena of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and meteorites, aiming to educate readers on how to differentiate between the two. The cover story, "Besucher aus dem ALL" (Visitors from ALL), with the subtitle "METEORITE.. und was man über sie wissen sollte." (METEORITE.. and what one should know about them.), sets the tone for the issue.

Reported Sightings and Incidents

The magazine compiles several reports of unusual aerial phenomena:

• Greece: On September 25th, a Greek mathematician in Kephalonia reportedly observed two bright, round objects of unknown origin. The objects were visible for two hours and were also witnessed by other individuals, including an officer from the port authority.
• Southern Germany: On a Sunday, an unknown flying object was sighted flying low over the landscape. Witnesses described it as a low-flying, glowing yellow sphere that moved beneath a jetliner, leaving a luminous trail and no audible sound.
• Vienna, Austria: A report from March 7, 1973, in the Wiener Zeitung, is mentioned in conjunction with similar reports from other newspapers like "Süd-Ost Tagespost," "Srez," "Tiroler Tageszeitung," and "Neue Zeitung Tirol." The article questions whether the object was truly under the aircraft or if perspective made it appear so, suggesting a meteorite explanation as plausible.

Understanding Meteorites

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to explaining meteorites. It clarifies that meteorites are objects of metal or stone that fall to Earth from space. The article emphasizes that meteorites possess unique characteristics that distinguish them from terrestrial rocks, making them identifiable even if not seen during their descent.

Key points about meteorites include:

• Appearance: Small meteorites might fall without significant visible signs, possibly with just a hissing sound. Larger ones are accompanied by spectacular displays, appearing as fiery masses with luminous trails, often accompanied by loud noises and explosions.
• Atmospheric Entry: During their passage through the atmosphere, meteorites are heated by friction, causing their outer layers to melt and shed pieces. They can appear white-hot but cool down upon reaching the Earth's surface, becoming safe to touch.
• Identification: The sound of a meteorite's flight and explosion can be separated in time, indicating its distance. The time delay between the explosion and hearing the sound can help estimate the distance, using the speed of sound (330m/sec).
• Fragmentation: It is likely that a large number of fragments are scattered if an explosion preceded the meteorite fall. Thousands of such fragments from meteorite explosions have been documented.

Observed Meteorite Forms (1977)

The magazine lists several observed phenomena from 1977, likely referring to meteor events, with detailed descriptions:

• A bright, moss-like trail, a 400-degree arc, an arrow-shaped orange head, and a magnificent tail.
• Steel-blue, spherical object (L=50°), with a long trajectory in the west.
• A smoky trail that expanded, a lance-shaped green-blue head, and a slow movement.
• A 5x expanded object, described as spherical, extremely slow, with a bluish core and a bright explosion at the end.
• Intensely orange, with a trail extending to 270 degrees, a fast, feathery tail.
• Orange, with a light trail of -1.0, an explosion flash of -6.0, a tangled and winding tail, a head that fragmented, and a smoke trail.
• A fireball (GAMMA CEP) with a magnitude of -3.0, casting a distinct shadow, which burst into multiple explosions (-5.0) and concluded with a light sphere of -7.0, moving slowly and appearing greenish before fading.

Meteor Streams

The issue also briefly touches upon different meteor streams and their characteristics:

• Perseids: Often show bluish-green colors and glow brightly.
• Aquarids: Generally have low speeds and are often yellowish.
• Capricornids: Typically have low speeds but can exhibit high brightness values, appearing as single objects or in groups, often with a yellowish hue.
• Sagittarius-Scorpius: Characterized by long trajectories, fragmentation, and bright trails.
• Ursa-Major Stream: Features bright trails, frequent fragmentation, and elongated shapes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the careful examination of aerial phenomena, with a strong emphasis on scientific explanation, particularly meteorites, as a potential cause for many UFO reports. The editorial stance appears to be one of rational inquiry, encouraging readers to seek factual explanations rather than jumping to conclusions about extraterrestrial visitors. The inclusion of specific observational data and the detailed breakdown of meteorite characteristics suggest a commitment to providing readers with the tools to analyze such events critically. The CENAP archive is credited, indicating a focus on cataloging and analyzing such reports.