CENAP Report - No 059

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP – REPORT
Issue: Nr. 59
Volume: 5. Jahrgang / H1
Date: January 1981

This issue of CENAP REPORT, published by CENAP (centrales erforschungsnetz außergewöhnlicher phänomene), focuses on UFO phenomena and related topics, with contributions from Hansjürgen Köhler and Werner Walter. The magazine presents a critical analysis of various cases and phenomena.

Himmel sprühte Funken (Sky Sprayed Sparks)

This section reports on a mass sighting of UFOs in France and England on Christmas night 1980. Hundreds of French citizens reported seeing a formation of UFOs, while many English observers noted "flashing light spots" in the night sky. The article suggests these phenomena were likely meteors or satellites burning up in the atmosphere.

Sowjetunion startete Raumstation Prognos 8 (Soviet Union Launched Space Station Prognos 8)

This article details the launch of the automatic space station Prognos 8 by the Soviet Union on Christmas. The unmanned station was placed into a highly elliptical Earth orbit to study solar radiation, plasma streams, and magnetic fields, aiming to understand the sun's influence on interplanetary space and Earth's magnetosphere. The report also mentions the simultaneous launch of eight Kosmos-series satellites by the Soviet Union using a single rocket.

„Invasion aus dem Weltall

This issue of STRANGE PHENOMENA, Volume 9, Number 1, published in March 1980 by BUFORA JOURNAL, carries the cover headline "UFO-Wahn oder was?" (UFO Mania or What?). The magazine delves into various UFO-related topics, including detailed reports from New Zealand, a historical US government document, and ongoing investigations into alleged UFO crashes and recovered craft.

New Zealand Reports: "More News"

The section "More News" expands on previous reports from New Zealand, referencing contact with the "Christchurch UFO Research Group" led by John Knapman. The magazine includes a "Physics and Engineering Laboratory, DSIR, New Zealand" evaluation report, which provides photographic and map evidence of events. The CENAP is seeking radar imagery from the Laboratory. A report by W. Ireland from December 1979, titled "Ungewohnten Observationen von Lichtern am Nachthimmel" (Unusual Observations of Lights in the Night Sky), covers sightings by numerous people in New Zealand between December 20, 1978, and January 10, 1979.

Wellington Radar and Sightings (December 1978 - January 1979)

The issue details specific incidents: on December 20, 1978, the Flight Service Unit at Woodbourne Airport reported "various white lights similar to landing lights in the sky." Around 2 AM on December 22, 1978, a newspaper distribution machine crew reported anomalous echoes on their 50 cm surveillance radar near Wellington. The same crew later reported seeing unidentifiable lights and an echo on their 3 cm weather radar while flying between Woodbourne and Christchurch. On December 31, 1978, a TV film crew was on board the same machine to document sightings for a news story. The Wellington radar operator confirmed anomalous readings, leading to a "UFO pursuit" and spectacular footage captured during the return flight from Christchurch, which was broadcast internationally.

Beyond radar and aircraft sightings in the Wellington-Christchurch area, numerous sightings of lights were reported in the eastern sky from various locations in New Zealand. Wairarapa reported the most sightings, with the "Riversdale UFO" appearing around 3 AM for over a week and being extensively photographed. On January 2, 1979, the Air Force conducted a Maritime Patrol Aircraft search in the area of the December sightings, attempting to observe anomalous radar returns, but Wellington and Christchurch radar stations detected nothing.

A PEL Environmental Physics Division observer stationed at the Wellington Airport Control Centre reported seeing many anomalous radar readings shortly after midnight. On the night of January 2, 1979, a TV cameraman at Clarence River photographed a light appearing in the eastern sky around 3:15 AM. A second TV crew was sent to observe it, noting atmospheric refraction effects before it behaved like a normal planet. The Venus rises around 3:15 AM.

The DSIR report aims to provide a "most likely explanation" for these sightings from an atmospheric physicist's perspective. It discusses unusual atmospheric conditions and suggests terrestrial sources like lighthouses, navigation signals, city lights, or planets. In one case, a Kalmar fishing boat was cited as the most likely source under normal visibility conditions. The report emphasizes confronting witnesses with satisfactory explanations rather than engaging UFO fanatics or skeptics.

The Saybrook "Flying Disc" Incident (1947)

This section presents a translated Office Memorandum from the United States Government, dated August 20, 1947, from SAC Springfield to the Director, FBI, regarding a "FLYING DISC." A Mrs. from Saybrook, Illinois, reported finding a flying disc in her yard on July 26, 1947. An investigation by a local agent concluded that the object's stability was questionable and it was likely a concoction by local juveniles. The "disc" was described as an old wooden platter with a silver plate, spark plug, timer, and brass tubing assembled on it. Photographs were taken, and the object was retained pending Bureau advice. The FBI Director, in a September 5, 1947 response, stated they were not interested in the flying disc and instructed it to be made unusable, deeming it a prank.

UFO-Crash? 2. Fortsetzung

This part of the magazine discusses ongoing investigations into alleged UFO crashes. It mentions an inquiry by CENAP to a UFOlogist named Mr. Pilichis regarding photos, though no response was received. Pilichis offers photos for sale and a book, "ALIEN BODY PHOTOS AN UPDATE REPORT," which allegedly contains photos of aliens.

Leonard H. Stringfield and Alleged UFO Recoveries

Leonard H. Stringfield, described as a central figure and MUFON-Director for Public Relations, is highlighted. At the 11th Annual MUFON Symposium in June 1980, he reported on the potential revival of the question of crashed UFOs possessed by the US government. Stringfield claims to have eight photographs of alleged humanoid bodies from the Wright Patterson AFB. He also states he has 19 new sources who have observed or seen documents related to these alleged alien bodies, though he considers all information "alleged." He has also received questionable leads about crashed machines, including a photo of a saucer-like craft on a truck, which experts determined to be a hoax.

Stringfield reportedly possesses limited medical information from an overseas source concerning alien bodies, stemming from classified studies at a US medical center. He also has stories from credible sources about individuals who knew too much about secret operations.

MUFON Presentation and Photos

Stringfield presented his findings, including the eight photos of humanoid bodies within a glass enclosure at Wright Patterson AFB, to various MUFON attendees. The photos are reportedly not being released to the media. The editor of MUFON UFO JOURNALS spoke with Stringfield in July 1980, who admitted he could not definitively say whether the images were a hoax or real.

Other Investigations and Reports

The magazine also mentions an investigation into technical installations at Wright Patterson in the 1960s, where a person allegedly saw seven bodies and was taken to a work area with eyes blindfolded. Another report comes from a former G-2 Air Force Officer who allegedly saw secret papers in 1948 about a UFO crash in New Mexico, with the craft and bodies reportedly recovered. Stringfield is working with another researcher on details of a 1953 UFO crash in Louisiana, with data from a firsthand witness who was on guard duty during the recovery operation, reporting dead and living beings on board.

Three independent sources have reported on a machine found at Wright Patterson that has been there for years, with the sources' connection to the base being technical. It is uncertain if these witnesses will provide further statements. Stringfield also has medical information from a US medical center regarding alien bodies from an overseas source.

"UFOs bei Scandia?" and CRS Report

The final section introduces "CRS Nr.2 vom Winter 1980" (CRS No. 2 from Winter 1980), a special report from CENAP-REPORT-SPECIAL, featuring an investigative report by R.E. Engberg exclusively for Germany. An annual subscription to CRS, which appears 4-5 times a year, costs DM 15.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of UFO sightings, the analysis of radar data, the potential for government cover-ups or secrecy regarding UFO phenomena, and the presentation of findings from various research organizations like CENAP and MUFON. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into these phenomena, presenting evidence and witness accounts, while also acknowledging the skepticism and the need for credible explanations, as exemplified by the handling of the Saybrook incident and the cautious approach to Stringfield's claims. The concluding statement, "Kann die Wissenschaft, soetwas ernstnehmen?" Wohl nicht, so bleibt. Phänomen ungelöst." (Can science take something like this seriously? Probably not, so it remains. Phenomenon unsolved.), suggests an open-ended approach to unexplained events.