CENAP Report - No 029

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP - REPORT
Issue: 29
Volume: 3Y/H7/78
Date: July 1978
Publisher: CENAP (central research network for extraordinary phenomena, Mannheim)
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of the CENAP REPORT delves into the critical distinction between Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and Identified Flying Objects (IFOs), presenting a translation of an article from Dr. Hynek's INTERNATIONAL UFO REPORTER. The report aims to educate readers on how to classify sightings by examining various potential explanations.

UFO oder IFO? (UFO or IFO?)

The lead article, translated from Dr. Hynek's work and adapted by Andreas Gareradarfer and Christian Pöchhacker for CENAP-Ortsgruppe Neumarkt, addresses the challenge of distinguishing between genuine UFOs and IFOs. It highlights that the majority of reported phenomena are eventually identified as IFOs. The article emphasizes that while witness perception is key, objective analysis is crucial. It provides examples of how common objects and atmospheric effects can be mistaken for UFOs.

Common Misidentifications:

• Stars and Planets: Atmospheric conditions can cause stars to appear to move or twinkle intensely, leading to misinterpretations. The changing positions of planets relative to fixed stars can also be confusing.
• Aircraft and Helicopters: Navigation lights of planes and helicopters are frequently mistaken for the entire object, leading witnesses to underestimate the size of the actual aircraft. The lack of sound and unusual flight paths can also contribute to misidentification.
• Balloons: Various types of balloons, including large instrument balloons (like 'HIGHBALLs') and smaller weather balloons, are often reported. Their appearance from the ground can be deceptive.
• Meteors and Re-entries: These celestial events can be brief and appear similar to other phenomena. Distinguishing them often involves checking with agencies like NORAD.
• Satellites: The apparent 'hopping' motion of satellites as the eye tracks them can create illusions.
• The Moon: The moon is also occasionally mistaken for a UFO.
• Lenticular Clouds and Test Clouds: These can have unusual shapes and appearances.
• Other: Birds, searchlights, and even optical illusions caused by atmospheric turbulence or psychological phenomena like autokinesis can be misidentified.

CENAP's Investigative Approach:

CENAP utilizes regular star charts to determine the position of celestial bodies at the time of a sighting. If a witness describes a bright, stationary light that doesn't exhibit other unusual characteristics, it's often classified as a star or planet. For aircraft, CENAP suggests contacting FAA stations for air traffic information. The key is to gather as much information as possible and critically assess witness descriptions against known capabilities of objects and phenomena.

The article stresses that while witness accounts are the foundation of UFO research, they should not be taken as absolute truth without verification. The process is described as critical, requiring thorough investigation and information gathering.

Büchervorschlag (Book Recommendation)

This section recommends two books on the UFO topic:

1. "UFOs - Es gibt sie wirklich" (UFOs - They Really Exist) by Heyne Verlag. This is a 224-page paperback, priced at 5.80 DM, and is a translation of the American original "UFOs EXIST." It explores UFO phenomena from ancient times to the present, covering cases like the Maury Island mystery and the Mantell incident, and discusses the US Air Force's stance in the 1960s. The book is divided into three parts: "Origin of UFOs," "UFOs in USA - Doubts Begin to Recede," and includes a bibliography.
2. "UFO Spekulationen und Tatsachen" (UFO Speculations and Facts) by Jean-Claude Bourret. This book, published by Edition Sven Erik Bergh-Verlag, is a translation of the French original "La nouvelle vague des soucoupes volantes." It features numerous interviews with individuals who have witnessed UFOs, with their accounts critically examined by scientists, the French Minister of Defense, and a representative of the church. The book has 286 pages, including 4 photo pages, and costs 26.80 DM.

Was war es? (What Was It?)

This article details a significant sighting that occurred on August 30, 1976, in Danbury, Connecticut, USA. Six police officers and hundreds of citizens witnessed a mysterious object in the sky for approximately two hours.

The Danbury Sighting:

Police officer Elston Dodge first observed the phenomenon and called for backup. Multiple officers, including Robert Paust (7 years of experience) and Peter Winter, along with numerous civilians, witnessed the object. It was described as brightly lit, displaying colors of white, green, and red, and blinking continuously. The object moved in a zick-zack pattern, appeared larger than stars, and at times seemed to hover before changing direction.

Peter Winter managed to photograph the object, describing it in his police report as a "possible UFO sighting." The photos reportedly showed a wide, horseshoe-shaped object, much larger than stars. The observed lights were not consistent with typical aircraft navigation lights. Robert Paust noted the brightness and clarity of the lights and the distinct colors. He stated it was definitely not a known type of aircraft.

Harold Chapman, another officer with 10 years of experience, confirmed that at least six police officers witnessed the event from a parking lot. He ruled out helicopters, airplanes, and weather balloons as explanations. The lights were too bright to be from a standard weather balloon. Chapman also mentioned that he and Officer Winter photographed the object. When the film was developed, the photos showed star trails, indicating a long exposure, but the object itself appeared to have moved differently from the stars on one frame, suggesting movement relative to the background.

Melven Goldstein, a meteorologist from Western Connecticut State College in Danbury, described the night as "spectacular" with no atmospheric conditions that would obscure the view, even if the object was distant.

The sighting was compared to other UFO reports in the region, with similar sightings noted in Westchester and Rockland counties, as well as in Kingston, New York, Windsted, Connecticut, and Carmel, New York, occurring around the same period.

The article includes a map of the event area in Connecticut and provides basic data about the state. It also mentions that the object was visible for two hours before suddenly disappearing.

NL über Kirn (Newsletter about Kirn)

This section, titled "A sensational report and what became of it later - Part II," refers to an ongoing investigation or report related to Kirn. It notes that as of June 25, 1978, contact was made with Anton Konichit, likely for information gathering via a CENAP questionnaire or direct communication. A decision was made by Louis Preston, Hansjürgen Köhler, and Werner Walter (W.W.) to travel to Kirn on April 30, 1978, starting from Mannheim and passing through Wiesbaden to visit DUIST members.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CENAP REPORT consistently focuses on the rigorous investigation and classification of aerial phenomena. The editorial stance emphasizes a scientific and analytical approach, aiming to demystify UFO reports by identifying common misidentifications and providing evidence-based explanations. The magazine promotes critical thinking and thorough data collection, encouraging readers to question assumptions and seek verifiable facts. The inclusion of book reviews and detailed case studies like the Danbury sighting underscores the publication's commitment to providing in-depth information on the UFO phenomenon.

Title: CENAP
Issue: REPORT
Publisher: CENAP
Country: Germany
Language: German
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of CENAP, a publication from the 'centrales erforschungsnetz außergewöhnlicher phänomene' (central research network for extraordinary phenomena), focuses on UFO investigations and sightings.

Investigation near Kirn, Germany

The report details a journey to Kirn, Germany, where a SPAR regional warehouse was reportedly illuminated by a luminous object. The authors, arriving at 15:45, noted the SPAR building was in a small valley, surrounded by houses. They mention a BILD newspaper report claiming police officers witnessed a 'light object' illuminating the SPAR building. The SPAR facility is located near the main access road from Bad Kreuznach. The terrain difference between the access road and the valley floor is about 10 meters. Louis Preston found markings on a roadside barrier that resembled an aircraft. This led them to a small airfield, not a Phantom airport as suggested by BILD, but one used by gliders. They heard a typical 'rustling' sound from the gliders. The report mentions that police officers also allegedly noticed something unusual. The authors attempted to contact a witness named 'K.' by phone but received no answer. They then contacted 'Frl. F.', but her mother stated she was unavailable. The mother provided no further information, only that her daughter was coming from Hochstetten and heading to Kirn.

Further investigation involved contacting the police station in Kirn. The authors sent a letter on May 1, 1978, to witness 'K.' and witness 'Foje', requesting details and sending CENAP questionnaires. They also contacted three other group representatives: Axel Ertelt and Adolf Schneider of MUFON-CES, and Hans-Werner Peiniger of GEP-Lüdenscheid. Axel Ertelt did not respond. Adolf Schneider replied on May 3, 1978, stating that their files contained no UFO cases from July 9-16. The Kreisverwaltung Bad Kreuznach (District Administration) provided the private addresses of police officers Backer and Odenbreit, with the note that their information could not be published without the witnesses' consent. The police stated that no official report on the incident existed and advised the authors to contact the officers directly. Questionnaires were subsequently sent to Officers Backer and Odenbreit on May 10, 1978.

Remarkable Photo of a Horseshoe-Shaped UFO

Page 3 features a striking photograph with the headline 'Dazzling 2-Hour Display'. The caption identifies it as a 'REMARKABLE PHOTO of the horseshoe shape U flower right!'. The accompanying text states that six police officers and hundreds of confused citizens saw a UFO for two hours over the sky of Connecticut. On the night of August 30, 1976, patrolman Peter Winter photographed this phenomenon over Danbury with his camera. The image itself shows star trails (long exposure) on the left and a 'horseshoe-shaped' luminous phenomenon on the right. The text invites readers to learn more within the issue.

UFO Sighted in Jayess

Page 4 presents a drawing of a UFO with the headline 'UFO von sechs Leuten in JAYESS gesichtet' (UFO sighted by six people in Jayess). The article reports that on February 5, 1977, a UFO construction was allegedly observed over the Mississippi town of Jayess around 8:30 PM. The object was described by Mrs. Darwin Alexander, and Doug Walker created a drawing based on newspaper reports and the witnesses' accounts. Among the witnesses were two police officers and a pilot from the Madison-County area. Further details are promised within the current CENAP-REPORT, described as an independent, monthly information journal of the CENAP.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, eyewitness testimonies, photographic evidence, and the investigative process undertaken by CENAP and other organizations like MUFON-CES and GEP. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, documenting cases, and attempting to gather official and witness accounts. There is an emphasis on detailed reporting and follow-up investigations, including correspondence with authorities and witnesses.