CENAP Report - No 037

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP - REPORT
Issue: Nr. 37
Volume: 4 (implied by starting the 4th year)
Date: March 1979
Publisher: CENAP (centrales erforschungsnetz außergewöhnlicher phänomene)
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of CENAP REPORT, dated March 1979, marks the beginning of CENAP's fourth year of investigation. The magazine details a significant number of UFO reports received over the years, with a particular focus on incidents in Kuwait.

UFOs over Kuwait

The lead article, "UFO's über KUWAIT," reports on new data concerning UFO incidents in Kuwait, following up on previous mentions in CR-35. The German Embassy in Kuwait sent a letter dated January 28, 1979, enclosing photocopies of articles from the local press. These articles pertained to the findings of a committee established under the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) to investigate unidentified flying objects in Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf.

An article from the ARAB TIMES on January 24, 1979, titled "The Riddle of the 'Flying Objects'," reported that Kuwait was investigating the results, with a possible "Yes, maybe" conclusion. The KISR's UFO Research Committee held a press conference about their studies and global studies. A committee member revealed that a bright UFO was photographed over Kuwait by an ARAB TIMES cameraman named Ali Sha'ash.

The committee, which included Dr. Adnon Shihabu-ddin (Director of KISR), Dr. Rateb Eid (KISR Researcher), and Major Khaled Al-Akoud (Deputy Head of Civil Defense), admitted they were "feeling in the dark." They suggested possible explanations such as natural phenomena, reflections, or lens effects, potentially caused by car exhaust gases, light, and humid weather. The committee stated, "We can neither deny nor confirm the appearances of UFOs."

Further details were published in the KUWAIT TIMES on January 24, 1979. The KISR held a press conference on the UFO phenomenon. The committee's findings were discussed, formed after a ministerial council meeting to investigate UFOs. The committee comprised experts and officials from various ministries. Their conclusion was that some objects might be the result of light refractions from gas combustion, influenced by weather conditions. They could not fully dismiss the possibility of advanced technology from another country for espionage. However, they found no proof that UFOs originated from another planet. They also considered and dismissed explanations involving light refractions from insects. The possibility of mass hallucination was deemed unlikely. Meteor and shooting star explanations were considered probable and worthy of further investigation. The committee proposed to the Council of Ministers to establish observation posts for geological changes and UFOs. The Council of Ministers, meeting on January 21, 1979, agreed to continue research and studies both domestically and internationally.

The Council of Ministers also instructed the committee to examine the possibility of establishing a center for observing geological changes and researching UFOs or meteors.

A drawing of a UFO, based on witness accounts near UMM EL AISH, was included. The committee's report, spanning 200 pages in English and Arabic, included correspondence between agencies and world institutes interested in UFO reports since November 1978. It also named several "trusted" individuals who had observed flying saucers on eight occasions.

Specific sightings detailed include:

• November 9, 1978, 0:50 AM: Near KOC assembly center Nr. 24, a flying saucer was seen 100 meters away by one group and 5 km away by another. Its diameter was estimated at 45 meters, hovering 20 meters above the ground for 10 minutes before disappearing.
• November 9, 1978, 4:00 AM: Another UFO was seen near the same KOC assembly center.
• November 21, 1978, 5:30 AM: A flying saucer was observed between assembly centers Nr. 23 and 24.
• November 23, 1978, 5:30 AM: Several people saw a UFO near the Kuwait Satellite Station.
• November 29, 1978, 11:30 AM: Photos of a UFO were taken and given to the Ministry of Defense.
• December 1, 1978, 0:50 AM: A radar officer spotted a UFO moving rapidly towards Iraq near the UMM-QASR-HEER-STELLE.
• December 13, 1978, 4:00 AM: A police officer observed a UFO.
• December 14, 1978: The UFO was seen again by a group of people.

The report also listed the names of individuals who claimed to have seen UFOs, including military officers and civilians from KOC and Bechtel Company.

CENAP's annotation suggests that due to the presence of oil facilities and associated gas flares in the observation areas, the humid weather might have created a mixture of gas, mist, or dust particles, giving the impression of an unknown phenomenon from a distance.

Editorial zum CR37

In the editorial, dated March 1, 1979, the CENAP staff reflects on their work, having received around 6,000 UFO reports, with most originating from foreign language countries. They note the lack of serious investigation by capable organizations worldwide, mentioning a few US-based groups like 'Center for UFO Studies' and 'National Investigation Committee on Aerial Phenomena'. CENAP aims to be equally effective in its region. Retrospectively, CENAP has received 82 'Field Investigations' cases from their region dating back to approximately 1944. Of these, only 5 were classified as unidentified aerial phenomena. The remaining cases were attributed to misimpressions and misinterpretations by witnesses.

The editorial lists the following explanations for reported sightings:

• Balloons: 22 cases (approx. 27%)
• Insufficient Information: 16 cases (approx. 20%)
• Airplanes: 12 cases (approx. 15%)
• Meteors: 9 cases (approx. 11%)
• Hoaxes/Fabrications: 7 cases (approx. 9%)
• Other Astronomical Explanations: 2 cases (approx. 2.4%)
• Visions or Deception (?): 2 cases (approx. 2.4%)
• Searchlights: 2 cases (approx. 2.4%)
• Lightning Strike (?): 1 case (0.82%)
• Re-entry: 1 case (0.82%)
• Satellite: 1 case (0.82%)

Out of 8 cases where photos were submitted, they were identified as trick photos or film errors. Only one case (Heidelberg-Saarbrücken, 1976/77) resulted in a photograph of a supposed phenomenon. The editorial also mentions reports of flying saucers and sightings of occupants, classifying these as DD and CE III events.

Hoax via Telephone

The magazine details a specific incident where CENAP-Mannheim was targeted by a hoax. On February 10, 1979, Hansjürgen Köhler received a call from an anonymous person claiming to have obtained his number from the MANNHEIMER MORGEN newspaper. The caller described the landing of three flying saucers in the Grafenberger Wald near Hilden, leaving behind indented grass and broken branches. The caller insisted on meeting a CENAP representative. Köhler engaged with the caller, attempting to verify the story by contacting the Düsseldorf airport, highway police, and local police. None of these authorities reported any unusual activity or confirmed the presence of UFOs or a police cordon. The caller's background noises suggested a public telephone booth, and his lack of funds for the call further raised suspicion. The caller eventually mentioned that police had arrived, but this was not corroborated by official sources. CENAP concluded that this was likely a prank by someone with a sense of humor.

Small CENAP Operation on the Sidelines of the Big Event

Werner Walter recounts his experience on SÜDWESTFUNK's regional program (Südwest 3) on February 6, 1979. When asked if he believed in UFOs, he responded, "Yes to UFOs, but flying saucers, no, not at all!" The program was a live discussion about UFOs with ufologists, scientists, artists, pilots, and writers.

Astronauts and UFOs: Are Astronaut Observations Better Documents? (Part II)

This section critically examines a photo claimed to show two alien objects, each with a hexagonal shape and a 'force field', with a cloudy Earth in the background. The photo, which appeared in various publications and was mentioned by CUFOS and MUFON, was alleged to depict a typical UFO 'force field system'. However, the article reveals this photo is a fabrication. The anonymous forger used an actual photo taken from the Gemini-7 spacecraft on December 4, 1965, showing the spacecraft against Earth. The forger retouched the original NASA photo (S 65-63722) to obscure the spacecraft's nose and blend it with the dark Earth's surface. This manipulation created the illusion of two mysterious lights hovering in space, presenting it as convincing UFO evidence that fooled thousands.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO investigations, particularly focusing on the Kuwait sightings, the analysis of various reported phenomena, and the identification of hoaxes and misinterpretations. CENAP maintains a skeptical yet open approach, diligently investigating reports while critically evaluating evidence and explanations. The editorial stance emphasizes the need for serious, capable research organizations and highlights CENAP's commitment to rigorous investigation within its operational area. The magazine also addresses the challenges of distinguishing genuine phenomena from fabricated or misinterpreted events.

This issue of "OFFICIAL UFO" from October 1976, identified as Volume Nr. 228, focuses on the analysis of UFO sightings, particularly those reported by astronauts and pilots. The magazine, published by the Cosmic Brotherhood Association International Japan and distributed in Germany, critically examines photographic evidence and testimonies, often questioning the validity of UFOlogists' interpretations and suggesting potential misinformation or misidentification.

NASA and Astronaut Testimonies

The central theme revolves around UFO reports from NASA astronauts. The article "NASA statuiert UFO-Beweis durch CBA" (NASA establishes UFO proof through CBA) highlights claims of UFO evidence from space missions. However, the content quickly delves into skepticism. Richard Underwood, a photo expert from NASA-Johnson-Space-Center, is interviewed. He states that while he has analyzed many photos from space missions, he has not found anything that significantly engaged him, expressing a slight disappointment that he hasn't found evidence of alien spacecraft. He notes that UFO authors accuse NASA of a 'cover-up' and call him and his colleagues liars.

The magazine presents a series of alleged UFO photos, including a snippet from NASA Photo S65-63722. It discusses the analysis of these photos, often attributing them to dust particles, debris, or reflections.

Specific astronaut accounts are scrutinized. Pete Conrad is mentioned for reporting a moving object outside the Gemini spacecraft. NASA and NORAD initially identified it as the Russian satellite PROTQ-3, but the article argues that its trajectory and proximity suggest it was a UFO. However, it also points out that NORAD's tracking capabilities are limited and that the object's orbit may have been affected by a rendezvous maneuver or decay.

Another case involves astronaut Edwin Aldrin from Apollo 11, whose photos allegedly showed UFOs near the Moon. The magazine suggests these were reflections or artifacts, not alien craft. The article also mentions a Gemini-7 flight where astronauts reportedly saw an object, which was later identified as 'Agena Ranging Lights,' a term the author finds amusingly ironic given the context.

Several astronauts, including John Glenn, Grissom, Young, Gordon Cooper, Deke Slayton, and Walter Schirra, are quoted denying personal sightings of UFOs in space. Schirra explicitly states his limited knowledge of UFOs, relying only on newspapers and media.

Analysis of Photographic Evidence

The magazine emphasizes the critical analysis of photographic evidence. It discusses how images are interpreted and often debunked. For instance, a photo attributed to Skylab-2 showing a UFO is revealed to be a photo of a runway in Brazil, mislabeled as a Mercury-7 photo taken by Scott Carpenter. Similarly, a Skylab-3 photo, initially presented as a UFO, is identified as a sunrise photograph. The article criticizes UFOlogists for not verifying their sources and for perpetuating misinformation.

The Frederick Valentich Case

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich in Australia. On October 24, 1978, Valentich reported seeing an unidentified flying object while on a solo flight from Melbourne to King Island. His last transmission described the object as "not an aircraft" and hovering above him. Despite extensive searches, no trace of Valentich or his plane was found. The article notes that Valentich's father believes his son was abducted by a UFO and that Frederick had claimed to have seen classified RAAF material that supported his belief.

The magazine also touches upon other alleged UFO incidents, including one involving Captain Lawrence Coyne and his helicopter crew, and mentions the X-15 flights where pilots reported seeing a 'UFO fleet,' which the article attributes to 'Fireflies' or ice flecks from the liquid oxygen tanks.

Critique of UFOlogy

The publication strongly criticizes the methods and conclusions of many UFOlogists. It accuses them of sensationalism, misinterpreting evidence, and fabricating stories. The article suggests that UFOlogists often ignore facts and twist narratives to fit their preconceived notions. It argues that while astronauts may have seen unusual phenomena, these are rarely extraterrestrial spacecraft, but rather misidentified conventional objects, atmospheric conditions, or optical illusions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of UFO evidence, the skepticism towards sensationalist claims, and the emphasis on rigorous investigation and factual verification. The editorial stance is clearly one of skepticism towards many UFOlogy claims, advocating for a more scientific and rational approach to understanding unexplained aerial phenomena. The magazine aims to debunk myths and expose what it perceives as misinformation within the UFO community, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between genuine mysteries and fabricated stories.

This issue of CENAP, dated 1979, focuses on UFO phenomena, with a prominent cover story titled "UFO in Berlin" and an extensive report on recent UFO observations in New Zealand.

UFOs Over New Zealand

Einleitung (Introduction)

This section introduces an article detailing recent UFO incidents reported in New Zealand during December 1978 and January 1979. These events include UFOs detected by radar, observed by various aircraft, and filmed by an Australian TV team. The details are sourced from newspaper articles and radio/television interviews with pilots, air traffic controllers, and the TV crew.

Die ersten Begegnungen (The First Encounters)

The report begins on Friday morning, December 22, 1978. An Argosy cargo plane departed Blenheim at midnight, flying south towards Christchurch. While flying over the coast, the first UFO was sighted at approximately 220 knots. Captain John Randle (45) and First Officer Keith Heine (32) described the object as an "intensely white light, too strong to be a bug light," and a "long shape." Captain Randle noted that the object's light illuminated the land below as it flew overhead. They were slightly puzzled but did not immediately report it.

Shortly after, Senior Radar Controller John Cardy (45) and Precision Talkdown Controller Andy Herd (25) at Wellington Airport were alerted to the sighting of five lights in the Clarence River area of the South Island by a DC-8 from Air New Zealand. Wellington radar picked up strong echoes of these lights. The targets appeared to move away from the coast over the sea within a 16 km quadrant. At 3 AM, Wellington radar detected a large echo 48 km southeast of the city. Mr. Cordy described it as hovering for a time, then moving at 120 knots to a point 80 km southeast, where it remained for 30 minutes.

Further Radar and Visual Sightings

Meanwhile, the five other lights remained in the general area. Suddenly, another object appeared inland. At 0:30 AM, a second Argosy plane departed Blenheim, also heading towards Christchurch. Mr. Cardy contacted Captain Vem Powell and First Officer Ian Pirie (21) of this second aircraft, as they were able to visually confirm the radar target, which was detected 20 km ahead and to starboard. The crew initially could not see the object but were asked to check a position 40 km ahead of the port, where the radar echo seemed to be. Pirie observed a bright white light with a blinking, reddish hue, which shifted from back to front. The object appeared a few kilometers away on the aircraft's weather radar and maintained its course at 3200 m altitude. When they acquired the light, it remained relatively in the same position. It disappeared into clouds for a time, but reappeared as bright as before. Mr. Cordy stated that the radar target was as large and solid as the Argosy aircraft. The crew observed the light for 10-12 minutes before it moved away at a 60° angle to starboard, seemingly moving slowly before disappearing. Wellington's radar lost it shortly after. However, as the aircraft approached Christchurch, its weather radar picked up an object ahead. Captain Powell observed a bright, flashing white light pass by him, covering an estimated 24 km in 5 seconds, which equates to a speed of 17,000 knots/h. The report indicates this is a continuation in the next CENAP issue.

Nachtrag zum CR-34 Bericht "UFO in Berlin" (Addendum to CR-34 Report "UFO in Berlin")

Following the previous report on a photo case in Berlin (CR-34), the magazine received a letter from reader H. Leibl of Heilbronn. Leibl offers his own explanation for the photograph.

Etwaige Lösung (Possible Solution)

Leibl suggests that the object in the photograph is simply a street lamp situated on a long staircase, likely photographed from a slightly elevated angle. He believes he can identify the lamp post and a section of the handrail in the image. He notes that while the object in the photo is depicted with its dome upwards, witnesses Schenk and Zscherpe reported observing the object with its dome downwards. Leibl further speculates that the object was illuminated by another street lamp or a flashlight. He estimates the object was about 5 meters away, not 200-400 meters as previously suggested, arguing that otherwise, given the poor quality and grainy film material, such a clear object would not be recognizable at night.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO phenomena, presenting eyewitness accounts, radar data, and expert analysis. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging reader participation and critical discussion, as evidenced by the inclusion of Leibl's alternative explanation for the Berlin UFO photo. The publication aims to document and investigate unexplained aerial phenomena, fostering a community of interest and research.