CENAP Report - No 055

Magazine Overview

This issue of CENAP REPORT, number 55, dated April 28, 1980, with a September 1980 cover date, is published by CENAP, a German central research network for extraordinary phenomena. The magazine focuses on international UFO research and collaboration, featuring a detailed case study from Germany and an introduction to a UK-based investigation team.

MUFOIT-GB: A New Force in UFO Investigation

The issue introduces MUFOIT-GB (Merseyside UFO Investigation Team) from England, a newly formed research group aiming to advance serious UFO research in Europe. CENAP received an inquiry from a MUFOIT member, J.P. Kohnson, in November 1979. Following this, MUFOIT presented its investigative methods, leading to an optimal collaboration between MUFOIT and CENAP. John Johnson represents MUFOIT in Germany and has been instrumental in fostering this partnership. The article highlights MUFOIT's serious working methods, which are presented as similar to CENAP's approach in Germany, despite potential criticisms from some UFO enthusiasts.

MUFOIT initially consisted of 15 individuals dedicated to shedding light on UFO activity in the 'Merseyside area' and addressing the general lack of information on these events. The group comprises individuals who are grounded and interested in discovering the nature of UFOs, their origins, reasons for appearance, and distinguishing verifiable cases from those that are not. MUFOIT members typically meet weekly for discussions and to divide investigation tasks, maintaining an archive of reports and findings. The 'Merseyside area' of focus includes the cities of Liverpool, Manchester, St. Helens, Wigan, Birkenhead, and Southport.

Since MUFOIT does not publish its own magazine, CENAP plans to feature interesting cases investigated by MUFOIT in the CENAP-REPORT as part of their information and material exchange. CENAP also received further information from MUFOIT at the CENAP-UFO-KONVENT in Syrgenstein, where John Johnson represented MUFOIT and gained insight into the German UFO scene. The report includes two photographs from this convention.

CENAP expresses its commitment to maintaining and expanding its connection with MUFOIT, wishing them success and hoping for continued good cooperation. The report notes that MUFOIT is on a good path to becoming another group dedicated to the UFO phenomenon in Europe on a serious basis.

Case Study: UFO Over Konstanz

This section, a continuation from a previous report (CR-54), details a UFO sighting in Konstanz, Germany, investigated by a local CENAP representative. The phenomenon observed is distinct from the 'Mindelheim case.' Information was received on July 19th from Klaus Trippel, who had interviewed Frau Sanders, the witness. Frau Sanders, who had no prior interest in UFO literature, became intensely interested after her sighting. She described seeing a red-orange, oval object surrounded by a white halo, which she observed for 35-40 minutes. She noted apparent internal movement and a subsequent horizontal displacement to the right without perceived motion. After another 5-10 minutes, the object retreated, appearing more spherical and orange, shrinking until it was only a point. The sighting occurred around 23:45 on April 28, 1980, under a cloudy, windy, and rainy sky, two days before a full moon. The object moved at a fast speed, approximately 45 degrees above the horizon, its height and distance unestimatable by the witness. The report notes the proximity of a local airfield for sports planes and helicopters, but Frau Sanders dismissed this as an explanation, being familiar with the behavior and lighting of conventional aircraft.

Further information on research and official statements regarding this case will be presented in CR-56.

Controversy within the German UFO Scene

The issue addresses a dispute involving August Wörner, who allegedly sent out circulars accusing 'bad guys' after his photograph of a 'spider from Teheran' was debunked (as reported in Magazin 2000 and Bulletin 2000). A press release from UN Nr. 264 is included, which critiques Wörner's actions and suggests that some publications use aggressive tactics to gain readership. The article notes that DUIST members are annoyed by being grouped with Wörner's worldview. It also reveals that in 1976, Wörner filed a criminal complaint against Herr Veit under the treason paragraph for alleged espionage activities for extraterrestrial powers.

A letter from UFO-STUDIO MAYEN, A. Wörner, dated April 10, 1980, addressed to Klaus Webner, states that a typewriter belonging to Ventla-Verlag was used for a letter from Webner dated April 7, 1980. The letter asserts that the text was not written by Webner and was merely signed by him, confirming a report in Magazin 200. The letter requests Webner's date of birth and profession before further action is taken. The author of this section expresses that such actions do not foster friendly relations and suggests that in times of need, individuals may align themselves to counter 'aggressive youth' who challenge their 'beautiful but false worldview.' The author criticizes the UN for misleading readers and states that Wörner's initial reaction to his 'spider' not being a spaceship demonstrates this. The 'old hands' in the UFO scene are accused of wasting time on 'charlatans and their space fairy tales,' while the author advocates for a scientific investigation of the UFO phenomenon.

Flap '80: UFO Sightings in Argentina

This section, a continuation of a series by Miguel A. Walter, CENAP-Argentina Correspondent, reports on UFO sightings in Argentina based on articles from the newspaper CLARIN (June 15, 1980) and LA NACION (June 17, 1980). CLARIN reported numerous witness accounts of UFO appearances across the country. Two reporters from Rosario observed three luminous objects near Independencia Park, which appeared to detach from the moon. Gramate reportedly photographed these objects. Similar experiences were reported by residents of Cordoba, with confirmation from the local airport control tower. The Second Brigade of the Air Force stationed in Parana also confirmed an appearance, suggesting it might be an experiment involving 'sodium clouds.' A radio station in Rafaela received numerous calls reporting sightings of bright, foreign aircraft over the Buenos Aires area. Police stations in Lujan and Jauregui also received similar reports.

LA NACION's article on June 17, 1980, confirmed that the UFO seen on the preceding Saturday was not a known meteorological phenomenon. This article, building on previous reports, emphasized that the sightings were not reflections from ice clouds or other meteorological events. The meteorological service of the Argentine Air Force, along with various official bodies, confirmed this, stating that the phenomena observed over Jorge Newbery Airport, Uruguay, Brazil, and other locations within Argentina were not meteorological in nature.

Additional Information and Subscription

The final page announces 'CRS' (CENAP-REPORT-SPECIAL), a supplementary publication offering detailed coverage of UFO cases that could not be fully included in the main CENAP-REPORT due to space constraints. CRS is available via subscription for DM 15,-- per year, with each subscription covering 4-5 issues. This subscription fee is necessary due to the low print run. Payment is to be made to the Ludwigshafener Postscheck-Konto 79082-673 of Werner Walter/CENAP.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the serious, scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, contrasting it with what the editors perceive as sensationalism and charlatanism within parts of the UFO community. There is a strong emphasis on international cooperation, exemplified by the partnership between CENAP and MUFOIT-GB. The editorial stance clearly favors rigorous, evidence-based research and expresses skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and personal attacks within the UFO field. The issue also highlights the importance of accurate reporting and debunks what it considers misinformation, particularly concerning the August Wörner case.

This issue of Semanario, dated June 19, 1980, is a weekly magazine of general interest, published in Argentina. The cover story, "LOS OVNIS QUE VIO EL PAIS" (The UFOs That the Country Saw), focuses on a significant wave of UFO sightings that occurred across Argentina on Saturday, June 14, 1980.

UFO Sightings on June 14, 1980

The magazine details numerous reports from various locations in Argentina, including Mar del Plata, Resistencia, Corrientes, Punta del Este, and the Uruguay-Brazil border. The radar at an international airport reportedly detected the phenomenon as a 'fleck,' with sightings occurring minutes before and after at widely separated locations.

Official Statements and Investigations

The official announcement from the Argentine Air Force meteorological office stated that it was impossible for the phenomenon to be ice crystal clouds, based on an analysis of cloud formation and the timing of the sightings. Lieutenant Enrique Cesar Martinez, head of weather forecasting, confirmed this, though he declined to offer personal opinions. Architect Roberto E. Banches, coordinator of CEFAI (Center for the Study of Anomalous Aerial Phenomena), investigated the various possibilities. He suggested that for some, it might have been a meteor shower, similar to one in May 1978, but acknowledged that this explanation was insufficient for qualified witnesses like pilots and flight operators. He ruled out common explanations such as balloons, shooting stars, artificial satellites, or psychophenomena, based on hundreds of witness testimonies.

Eyewitness Accounts and Evidence

The issue presents several eyewitness accounts and photographic evidence. Jorge Castronuovo, an air force policeman, described seeing a UFO at Jorge Newbery Airport, stating, "I was at the head of the runway and saw it very clearly." Obdullo Onofrio drew a depiction of the object he sighted. The magazine also features a photograph of Lieutenant Enrique Cesar Martinez during an interview. Another article mentions a report from the weekly magazine LA SEMANA, dated June 18, 1980, with the headline "UFOs, something extraordinary happened in Argentina on June 14 – it all began in the control tower of the city airport." This article reportedly reiterated previous reports and included commentary from a member of a UFO community.

Statistical Analysis and Geographical Patterns

Statistical studies mentioned in the magazine indicate that UFO sightings in the continent tend to increase significantly during June and July, with a peak between June and July annually. A graph illustrates monthly and hourly UFO cases in Argentina, showing the highest number of observations on the night of the Saturday sighting, which was the highest in 22 years according to the CEFAI team led by Architect Roberto E. Banches.

Other Sightings and Theories

Parish priest, physics teacher, and astronomy lecturer Rogelio Pizzi observed a phenomenon in Rosario, describing it as a celestial phenomenon, albeit fantastic. The magazine also references a photograph taken in Turdera, Buenos Aires, described as having classic UFO characteristics: strong flashes and great clarity. Another photograph from the Chaco province, taken by an amateur, is also presented. The issue notes that Argentinian territory seems to be a favored corridor for these alleged extraterrestrial craft, which have purportedly been visiting our planet since the beginning of the age.

Notable Cases and Investigators

Several specific sightings are detailed: a family in Palermo, Buenos Aires, saw a long, illuminated cigar-shaped object. The Rodrigo Madrigal family in Rio Tercero reported a circular object. Personnel from Las Higueras Airport observed a large object at high altitude. Witnesses in Villa Maria also saw a large object with a strange light. In Rafaela, flying saucers were observed leaving a trail in the sky. Licentiate Antonio Las Heras, described as one of the most serious UFO investigators in Argentina, was consulted and stated that while he had previously tried to explain sightings as weather balloons or satellites, the events of June 14, 1980, were confusing. He dismissed the explanation of ice crystal clouds, noting that such clouds form only in very low temperatures in mountainous regions, not on the plains where the sightings occurred. He emphasized the credibility of the witnesses, including qualified pilots and air traffic controllers, stating, "It was not a cloud."

Media Critique and Skepticism

The magazine also includes a section titled "UMFRAGE ÜBER WFO" (Survey about UFOs), which is dismissed as not important, focusing on general UFO history and a call for readers to write to the publisher. It notes the existence of an international UFO coordination center in London, possibly a private research group. The article questions the motives of prominent UFO speakers in Argentina, suggesting they profit from their lectures and publications. A separate piece critiques the German tabloid BILD for sensationalizing a story about a student who faked UFO evidence to expose the newspaper's practices, highlighting how BILD allegedly distorts facts to create alarming narratives.

News from the Scene and International Reports

This section includes various brief reports: a mention of an Esoteriker Ernst Meckelburg's book on time-travel UFOs; a report on the CENAP meeting in Heidesheim; a request for Italian guest workers to assist with translations; and a summary of Werner Walter's efforts to get UFO sighting reports published in German newspapers. It also references a report by Jahn Fisch on the Scandia UFO sightings and a UFO incident in Bremen where alleged debris was lost.

French UFO Event

A separate article describes a planned UFO rendezvous in France on August 15, organized by Frank Fontaine, who claimed to have been abducted by aliens in November. Over two thousand UFO enthusiasts gathered in Cergy-Pontoise and Sirod, but the event was uneventful, with no extraterrestrial signs observed. The article notes that the "little green men" are expected to make contact again on August 15, 1983, according to Fontaine.

Iranian UFO Incident

A brief report from Tehran details the Iranian Air Force's reaction to increased UFO activity. On Friday, the air defense fired upon a luminous object over Tabriz, which had been sighted before. The object reportedly evaded the attack. In Heyderabad, a "rainbow-like" object was seen for 45 minutes, and near Tehran, a "semi-circular luminous object, larger than the moon," was sighted.

Bremer Schüler legte BILD-Zeitung rein

This section details how a Bremen student, Thorsten Hannig, faked a story about "secret metal" found on a field after a UFO alarm to expose the sensationalist practices of the BILD newspaper. He provided BILD with ordinary metal pieces, which the newspaper then presented as potentially extraterrestrial, ignoring the geologist's explanation that they were new metal alloys. The student aimed to show how easily one could get into BILD and how the newspaper manipulates information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO phenomena with a tone that leans towards validating eyewitness accounts and questioning official explanations. While acknowledging the possibility of misidentification, the articles often highlight credible witnesses like pilots and investigators. There is a clear interest in documenting sightings, presenting photographic evidence, and discussing the implications of these events. The critique of media sensationalism, particularly BILD's handling of UFO-related stories, suggests an editorial stance that values more rigorous and less speculative reporting, while still maintaining an open mind to the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation. The recurring mention of CENAP and its activities indicates a focus on organized UFO research within Argentina and its international connections.