CENAP – REPORT

Magazine Overview

This issue of the CENAP REPORT, titled "CENAP – REPORT Nr. 70", is dated December 1981 and is the 12th issue of the 6th year of publication. CENAP is described as a 'central research network for extraordinary phenomena'. The cover headline poses the question: "Heidelberg's 'UFO' crashed near Offenbach?"

Article: Heidelberg's 'UFO' Crashed Near Offenbach?

The article begins by referencing a 25-meter-long meteorite that crashed in Lost City, Oklahoma, on January 3, 1970, and was easily found due to photographic tracking. It then shifts to the end of 1981, when the CENAP headquarters in Mannheim was confronted with UFO reports. The comprehensive investigation report compiled by Werner Walter for this issue is highlighted. A photograph is presented, claimed to be from the air and space flight archive of Hj Köhler, documenting how a meteor phenomenon can be captured on photographic material.

The main report, titled "Hanau/Offenbach: Crashed Meteorite Sought", published in the ABENDPOST/Nachtausgabe on November 27, 1981, details an event in Hanau where a bright, luminous object falling from the sky was observed. Meteorite collector Walter Zeltschel, who claims to have the world's largest private collection of extraterrestrial debris, reported significant scientific interest in gathering precise data on the incident. He suggested the meteorite likely fell south of the Main river in the Offenbach district. The accompanying BILD article from November 27, 1981, titled "'UFO Landed' – or was it a Meteorite?", recounts a Heidelberg police commissioner reporting a UFO sighting. Other callers described a green-blue-white, round object with a fiery tail, with some claiming it had landed. The article concludes it was likely a meteorite, also sighted over Hanau.

Investigation Begins

The author, presumably Werner Walter, recounts how he read the ABENDPOST report on November 27, 1981, and later learned from Hj Köhler about a BILD article titled "UFO Landed". This connection prompted him to investigate. Due to the late hour, no immediate research was possible. The following Sunday, November 29, he visited the Mannheim main post office to find phone numbers for the Heidelberg Police Department and Walter Zeltschel. An attempt to call Zeltschel that evening was unsuccessful, with the line busy, possibly due to the newspaper reports.

On Monday morning, November 30, 1981, he contacted the Heidelberg Police Department's press office and spoke with Herr Kirsch, who was cooperative. Kirsch reported that the first notification came from Deputy Precinct Leader Herr Grab, who sighted a spherical object without a trail around 6:52 AM in the Eschelbronn/Meckesheim area. Other calls were received from the same region. French military in Speyer had no explanation, ruling out military maneuvers as they had ceased. A caller from Mannheim reported seeing the object fly towards the Wasserturm and possibly land there. Most reports placed the sightings around 7 AM on Tuesday, November 24. The author also obtained contact information for the Neckar-Gmünd police precinct and witness Frau Gebhardt. He then called the Mannheim Police Presidium, where spokesperson Herr Fischer stated that no incidents were reported to them, but someone had called for research.

Further Inquiries and Conflicting Information

Despite efforts, information was scarce. Frau Gebhardt's phone was constantly busy, and attempts to reach Reviervorsteher Grab were unsuccessful. The author contacted the HEIDELBERGER TAGBLATT and RHEIN NECKAR ZEITUNG. The Tagblatt promised to send a clipping from their archive. The RNZ reported no further information beyond a small article titled "Unidentified Flying Object Sighted". The author obtained this article and later spoke with local editor Frau Gerti Aupor of the HEIDELBERGER TAGBLATT. She confirmed that the sightings occurred on Wednesday morning, not Tuesday as initially reported by Herr Kirsch. Herr Grab's sighting lasted over a minute, though other witnesses reported shorter durations. Descriptions included a glowing object with a tail, or a satellite. Frau Junkermann of Süddeutscher Rundfunk saw a luminous phenomenon around 9 AM, but most reports were between 6:52 AM and 7 AM. The author notes that French military maneuvers had occurred in the Lobbesheim area the day before but had concluded.

Witness Accounts and Police Involvement

Frau Gebhardt eventually called back and described seeing a luminous object with a fiery tail heading towards the Mannheim Wasserturm around 6:53 AM. She described it as a gas body, not 'stable', and it seemed to impact the Wasserturm, causing a bright flash. CENAP confirmed no damage to the Wasserturm. The author concludes that most sightings around 7 AM on November 25, 1981, were consistent with a meteorite-like object, aligning with the ABENDPOST report. The object initially appeared over the greater Heidelberg area and moved towards Hanau/Offenbach. Key circumstances noted were a maximum sighting time of about one minute, and the witnesses' perception of an unusual event.

Police Report from Neckargemünd

A police report from the Neckargemünd precinct dated November 25, 1981, details several reports of an unidentified flying object. POK Grab reported seeing an object around 7:50 AM near Meckesheim, described as a ball-shaped object (3-5 meters in diameter) with green-blue-white color, moving silently at an altitude of 3-500 meters. It briefly flashed brightly before disappearing. Frau Friederike Müller reported seeing a large glowing body descend near Bammental/Bammertsberg around 6:45 AM. A patrol from Wiesloch reported seeing a glowing object over Rettigheim around 7:50 AM that burned out. The report lists measures taken, including immediate searches, notification of press spokespersons, and information sharing with municipal authorities. It also notes that French forces had been conducting exercises in the Lobbach area.

Further Analysis and Conclusion

The author contacted Frau Junkermann, who described seeing a silvery, gleaming object resembling an aircraft fuselage with a reddish tail fin, moving slowly and low over a wooded area near Kreuzberg. She initially dismissed it as an unusual aircraft but later connected it to other reports. The author classifies this as an IFO (Identified Flying Object) due to its likely explanation as an aircraft.

Another witness, Herr Krautheimer, reported seeing an object with a fiery tail, bluish-white, around 6:50 AM. The author also contacted Hj Köhler and CR-Leser L. Lelgemann to inform them of a planned meeting with Frau Aupor. The possibility of a shallowly impacting meteorite became more pressing, leading the author to contact the ABENDPOST in Frankfurt for more information on the meteorite case. He was directed to the DPA's Hessen regional office, which provided no further details. A letter was sent to Herr Zeitschel on November 29, hoping for a response. A call to the RHEINPFALZ in Ludwigshafen yielded a laconic "We saw no UFOs."

A meeting with Frau Aupor took place on the evening of November 30th. The author also learned of a witness, Herr Krautheimer, who saw an object with a fiery tail. The author's investigation into the meteorite case led him to contact the ABENDPOST in Frankfurt, who referred him to the DPA. The DPA provided no additional information. On November 29, a letter was sent to Herr Zeitschel regarding the meteorite. A call to the RHEINPFALZ in Ludwigshafen was unhelpful.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the investigation of unidentified flying objects and the potential explanation of these phenomena as meteorites. The magazine appears to adopt a serious, investigative approach, meticulously documenting eyewitness accounts, police reports, and media coverage. There is a clear effort to distinguish between credible sightings and misidentifications, as seen with the classification of Frau Junkermann's sighting as an IFO. The editorial stance favors rational explanations, leaning towards a meteorite explanation for the November 1981 events, while acknowledging the initial public perception of UFOs. The publication aims to provide a platform for detailed research and discussion on extraordinary phenomena.

This issue of STERNE UND WELTRAUM, dated 1962/7, focuses on UFO phenomena, exploring both potential sightings and the psychological and criminal aspects surrounding them. The magazine features a prominent cover story about a 'Glowing Body Hovering in the Sky' and delves into the 'Flying Saucer Story' as a new form of occult criminality.

Glühender Körper schwebte am Himmel (Glowing Body Hovered in the Sky)

This article reports on a sighting on Wednesday, November 25, 1981, in the Rhein-Neckar region of Germany. Hundreds of people called the police and the Mannheim Morgen newspaper to report seeing a 'glowing sphere, fireball or mysterious flying object.' After extensive research involving military authorities, police, the Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik in Heidelberg, and a local hobby UFO research group, it was concluded with 99.9% probability that the phenomenon was a meteorite. While military radar stations and the Heidelberg meteorite tracking camera did not register it, nuclear physicist Dr. Kiko believes it was a meteorite that likely entered the Earth's atmosphere from the direction of Frankfurt towards Heidelberg, either burning up or impacting as a stone or iron meteorite. Werner Walter, head of the Mannheim CENTAP group, stated that his hobby group had identified 193 out of 200 'supernatural' sightings as hot air balloons, ball lightning, or mostly meteorites. Police Chief Jürgen Grab, however, still considers his personal sighting a mystery, describing a silent, glowing body moving at an altitude of around 300 to 500 meters. Dr. Kiko explained that most meteorites burn up in the atmosphere, with only about one reaching the Earth's surface as a stone or iron meteorite per year. The article concludes that while 99.9% certainty points to a meteorite, the remaining fraction is open to individual interpretation.

Die, Flying Saucer Story" – Eine neue Form der Okkultkriminalität (The 'Flying Saucer Story' – A New Form of Occult Criminality)

This extensive article by Dr. jur. Herbert Schäfer examines the phenomenon of UFO sightings and the associated 'UFO-believers' from a critical perspective, labeling it a new form of occult criminality. The author posits that the industrial age has brought humanity to a cultural threshold, leading to a psychological situation characterized by unfulfilled desires and a longing for new salvation promises. This creates fertile ground for 'occult criminals' who exploit these yearnings, often using mystical clichés and pseudoscientific arguments. These individuals, ranging from fanatics to psychopaths and con artists, find an ideal operating field where emotions override self-criticism. They prey on the insecure and the unlucky, as well as those seeking spiritual fulfillment.

The article traces the history of UFO reports, noting their increase since the 1940s and the emergence of a vast UFO literature, particularly in English-speaking countries. It highlights the common descriptions of UFOs as 'flying saucers' or 'UFOs' and the belief that they are technologically advanced craft from other planets. The author criticizes the uncritical acceptance of these claims, citing the US Air Force's own reports which, while acknowledging a percentage of unidentified sightings (decreasing over time), list numerous conventional explanations such as meteors, rockets, aircraft, and optical illusions.

Dr. Schäfer discusses the psychological underpinnings, referencing Carl Gustav Jung's theories on archetypes and how UFO sightings might be projections of these unconscious symbols, a modern myth arising from a vital need. The article strongly criticizes the 'UFO scene' as a breeding ground for deception, where individuals like Georg Adamski and others have published sensational accounts of space travel and encounters with aliens. It points out that many prominent UFO proponents have faced legal issues for fraud.

The text details various UFO organizations, including the Ufo-Studiengemeinschaft in Wiesbaden-Schierstein and the 'Oberhoheitliche Weltregierung' led by Mischalek, which allegedly defrauded followers of nearly 200,000 DM through donations. The author emphasizes that these 'occult managers' often use charismatic leaders and public figures to lend credibility to their schemes. The article suggests that many followers are driven by a latent desire for salvation and are unwilling to accept rational explanations, even when confronted with evidence of fraud.

CENAP Activities and Publications

This section, presented as a letter from CENAP (Centrales Erforschungsnetz Außergewöhnlicher Phänomene) dated December 8, 1981, reflects on the past year and expresses gratitude to supporters. It notes the efforts of 'opposition forces' to hinder serious UFO-UAP research. CENAP published a monthly magazine (CR) and a quarterly publication (CRS), and in 1981 released a supplementary DIN-A4 publication called the 'CENAP SONDERBAND,' which was selling out quickly. They also proposed a 'CENAP-Rundband' project, inviting readers with cassette recorders to contribute their experiences and opinions.

The letter mentions a series of 'nervous disturbances' experienced by CR readers following the publication of CR 69, which included articles on 'INTERKOSMOS-Korrespondenz' and 'Unfassbar: DUIST hält Solarzeppeline für außerirdische Weltraumschiffe.' This led to phone harassment of CENAP members Klaus Webner, Hansjürgen Köhler, and Werner Walter by individuals claiming to be from the 'Komitee der Männer in Schwarz' (Committee of Men in Black), threatening to set fire to CENAP's premises if their 'defamations' were not retracted.

The article also touches upon a UFO lecture given by Werner Walter to a class in Viernheim, discussing the open-mindedness towards UFOs in public discourse but noting that critical examination can lead to waning interest. The Roswell incident is mentioned again, with Wido Hoville of UFO QUEBEC and Klaus Webner involved in discussions, and William Moore sending a letter calling certain accounts 'BULLSHIT!' The article criticizes the tolerance of UFOlogists.

Wallraff Das BILD-Handbuch (Wallraff The BILD-Handbook)

This section critiques a BILD handbook, suggesting it promotes a 'stupid' narrative that hinders independent thinking and democracy. It references a statement by Lord Clancerty at a UFO conference, who claimed that beings from other stars settled Earth thousands of years ago, explaining racial differences. The article dismisses this as nonsense and part of a broader pattern of misinformation.

Looking for South African UFOs

This brief section announces CENAP's expansion into South Africa, seeking reports of UFO sightings from the region. It references past sightings in South Africa in 1972, 1977, 1979, and 1978 and asks for any relevant information. It also mentions that Canada is releasing UFO-specific material from its 'National Research Council' on microfilm, expected in mid-1982.

SUFOI + CENAP

This section details the collaboration between CENAP and SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information), a major UFO organization from Denmark. CENAP has become the German representative for SUFOI. They are adopting SUFOI's UFO/UAP questionnaire, translated into German, to standardize UFO research. The questionnaire is a 4-page DIN-A4 document with an additional page for supplementary questions. CENAP hopes that other German groups will also adopt this standardized approach.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the UFO phenomenon, its investigation, and the societal impact of UFO beliefs. The magazine adopts a critical and skeptical stance towards sensational UFO claims, particularly highlighting the potential for fraud and manipulation within the UFO community. It emphasizes the importance of scientific investigation and rational explanation, while acknowledging the psychological factors that contribute to belief in UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of debunking sensationalism and promoting a more grounded approach to understanding unexplained aerial phenomena, often framing UFOlogy as a form of 'occult criminality' when exploited for personal gain. The magazine also showcases its own research efforts through CENAP and its collaborations with other international organizations.

Title: Heidelberger Tageblatt
Issue Date: December 3, 1981
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Main Cover Story: UFO Sighting in Rhein-Neckar

The cover story of the December 3, 1981, issue of the Heidelberger Tageblatt, titled "Von grünen Männchen keine Spur" (No sign of little green men), investigates a widely reported UFO sighting that occurred on Wednesday, November 25, 1981, in the Rhein-Neckar region of Germany. Numerous callers reported seeing a "glowing sphere," "fireball," or "mysterious flying object" between approximately 7:00 AM over Bammental, Meckesheim, Gaiberg, Wiesloch, and the Königstuhl area. Similar reports also came in from the Hanau and Offenbach regions.

The article details the police response, with Police Chief Jürgen Grab reporting seeing a "green-blue-white balloon-shaped body" hovering silently at an altitude of around 300 to 500 meters. Many early risers corroborated this observation, with the phenomenon lasting up to a minute before disappearing behind trees or mountains.

The police launched an unsuccessful search in the reported areas, admitting they were unsure what they were looking for. Investigations into potential military exercises by the French, Americans, and the German Bundeswehr yielded no results, as all denied conducting any operations that morning. The police expressed resignation, stating, "We can't do anything more now."

Expert Opinions and Investigations

Meteorite Hypothesis

Dr. Jürgen Kiko from the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg did not rule out the possibility of a meteorite. However, he noted that the institute's meteorite tracking camera was shut down at 6:30 AM due to daylight. The Territorial Command South and NATO in Heidelberg checked their radar screens but found no registered activity. The American Air Force unit in Ramstein also confirmed clear weather but no sightings of meteorites or similar objects.

CENAP's Involvement

The article introduces CENAP (Central Research Network for Extraordinary Phenomena), a group founded in 1973 by three men from Mannheim who had previously encountered unidentified flying objects. CENAP has investigated approximately 200 similar cases in Germany and Austria, most of which were explained as meteorites, hot air balloons, plasma phenomena, or ball lightning.

Werner Walter, described as the "boss" of the Mannheim hobby scientists and a consultant for the Northern Ohio UFO Group, stated in a TAGEBLATT interview that CENAP often combats sensationalism, particularly from the tabloid press. Walter and his colleagues are "99.9 percent convinced" that the November 25th event was a meteorite. He referenced the American "Project Blue Book," which investigated about 12,000 unidentified sightings over 25 years, with only 700 remaining unexplained, not necessarily indicating extraterrestrial origins.

Dr. Kiko, after speaking with witnesses, also concluded with "near certainty" that it was a meteorite. He explained that meteorites are typically visible for a maximum of 20 seconds, and while witnesses reported a minute, they might be mistaken, as 20 seconds can seem long during a spectacular aerial display. The duration of visibility also depends on whether the meteorite enters the atmosphere vertically or at an angle.

Meteorite Statistics and Detection

On average, two "meteorite incidents" occur annually in Southern Germany. Most meteorites burn up in the atmosphere, with only about one per year landing as a solid mass, ranging from a few grams to several tons. The article explains that if two of the 28 meteorite tracking cameras in Southern Germany, which operated in conjunction with a Czechoslovakian network, had been active, the size, weight, and trajectory of the meteorite could have been determined. Dr. Kiko suspects the meteorite moved from the direction of Frankfurt towards the Rhein-Neckar area and burned up or entered the atmosphere there. No meteorite mass had been found in Germany that year. The article notes that the 99.9% probability could become 100% certainty if detected by radar.

Meteorite Tracking Camera

A description and photograph of the METEORITEN-ORTUNGSKAME-RA (Meteorite Tracking Camera) are provided. The camera is mounted on a tripod and uses a parabolic mirror to photograph the night sky. Its lens observes the sky all night, with a shutter opening and closing 12.5 times per second to capture fast-moving objects like meteorites as interrupted lines on the photographic plate. Stars appear as circular paths due to the Earth's rotation.

Other Reports and Features

UFO Journal Radio Show

A report from the United States announces a weekly radio talk show called "UFO JOURNAL" hosted by Mike Szpatura on UKW-Radio, station WBWC in Ohio, every Sunday evening from 5-7 PM. The show features advisors like Rick R. Hilberg, Allan J. Manak, and Robert S. Easley from NOUFOG in Cleveland, Ohio.

CENAP Report Distribution

An update from CENAP mentions that due to a request from the University of Freiburg, issues No. 31-69 of the CENAP REPORT have been made available to the university library, with the hope that many students will use these as a basis for their studies.

Angels and UFOs

A section titled "GIBT ES NOCH SCHUTZENGE?" (Are there still guardian angels?) explores the modern interpretation of angels, suggesting they are being replaced by the concept of UFOs and their occupants. It discusses how biblical passages are being re-examined through the lens of "pre-astronautics," interpreting angelic messengers as astronauts and flying objects as helicopters or advanced technology.

Ball Lightning (Kugelblitz)

The "Freizeit-Journal" section features an account of a "Kugelblitz" (ball lightning) witnessed during a thunderstorm in Vienna. The narrator describes a red-yellow, shimmering, transparent sphere, like a soap bubble, appearing in the room and exploding with a deafening noise. Dr. Alexander G. Keul, a meteorologist and former collaborator at the University of Vienna Observatory, is cited for his study on ball lightning. Despite many witnesses being reluctant to report due to fear of ridicule, his research compiled over 100 cases. Ball lightning typically appears during severe thunderstorms in June and July, often lasting less than a minute, and is usually a 20-30 cm sphere that glows yellow to red, with or without a detonation sound.

Comet Collision with the Sun

A report from the Berliner Morgenpost (October 11, 1981) details how the American research satellite Solwind observed a comet colliding with the sun on August 30, 1979. The impact released an immense amount of energy, estimated to be a thousand times the energy consumed annually in the entire United States. The collision ejected solar material millions of kilometers into space. While the comet itself was not visible from Earth due to the sun's glare, it had a tail that shone brighter than Venus. The article notes that eight comets have been observed in the last 300 years with orbits very close to the sun.

Saturn's Extreme Temperatures

Another report from AP Baltimore (October 11, 1981) discusses a discovery made by the American space probe Voyager 2 during its flyby of Saturn on August 26. Scientists found a cloud of ionized gas in the Saturnian system that is a hundred thousand times hotter than the surface of the sun, with temperatures ranging from 300 million to over 550 million degrees Celsius. The researchers believe that understanding the origin of this hot gas could have practical applications for energy generation on Earth.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue demonstrates a strong interest in unexplained aerial phenomena, with a primary focus on a specific UFO sighting. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, seeking rational explanations while acknowledging the public's fascination with the unknown. The inclusion of expert opinions from scientific institutions and dedicated research groups like CENAP suggests an effort to provide a balanced perspective. The magazine also explores the intersection of mythology (angels) with modern UFOlogy and covers significant astronomical events, indicating a broad scope of interest in phenomena both terrestrial and cosmic. The overall tone is informative, aiming to clarify events and present scientific findings to the readership.