CENAP Report - No 075

Magazine Overview

This issue of CENAP – REPORT, identified as Nr. 75 and dated Mai 1982, is published by CENAP, a central research network for unusual phenomena. The magazine is primarily in German, with some articles in Turkish. The cover prominently features a headline about a mysterious celestial object causing excitement in Aksaray, Turkey, and a smaller article about UFOs over Germany.

UFOs über der Türkei

This section reports on a mysterious celestial object sighted in the Aksaray region of Turkey. Eyewitnesses described a bright, green light hovering at an altitude of 800-1000 meters, exhibiting various movements. They noted it was at least 10 times larger than a visible star. The object's presence reportedly caused excitement and disrupted radio and television signals. Some witnesses described the object's shape as "egg-shaped" or "elliptical."

Esrarengiz gök cismi heyecan yarattı

This article elaborates on the Aksaray sightings, noting it was the third such sighting in two weeks. The object was seen at an altitude of 800-1000 meters and appeared significantly larger than a star. The object was observed moving towards Konya. Another sighting was reported over Tokariş village, 15 kilometers from the district, where the area was illuminated as if it were daytime. TV and radio devices reportedly malfunctioned during this sighting. The object was later seen near the Aksaray Motor Factory, emitting a bright light.

UFOs: „Wechseln die Farbe – landen nie!“

This section, from BILD newspaper dated March 18, 1982, reports on numerous UFO sightings across Germany. It highlights several accounts:

• Ursula Wiebers (Hamburg): Reported seeing five UFOs, initially a large, bright disc with a rainbow-colored tail, followed by two smaller white "escort ships." She later saw the UFO again.
• Family Klar (Aachen): Claimed to have seen a UFO twice, once with a bright light illuminating their living room.
• Uwe Krüger (Berlin): Witnessed three white discs maneuvering in the sky.
• Petra Rusch (Erbenheim): Saw a bright light in the sky with a friend.
• August Wörner (Mayen): A UFO researcher who has seen 700 UFOs, described a white, round saucer flying south and then returning.

Wörner stated that UFOs often change color, appear disk-shaped, fly at low altitudes (30-40 meters), and "never land."

Riesiger Feuerball über Albshausen

This article from "WETZLARER NEUE ZEITUNG" reports on a massive fireball observed over Albshausen and Steindorf on a Saturday evening. The event caused a power outage and significant fear among residents, with some speculating about atomic strikes or alien arrivals. EAM (Energie-Aufsichts- und Management) experts initially investigated the cause. Later, it was suggested that a bird might have collided with the 20,000-volt power lines, causing a short circuit and the spectacular "fireball" effect. The report dismisses intentional destruction.

UFOs lösten sich in Luft auf!!!

This report, dated April 9, 1982, details an investigation by CENAP Heilbronn into UFO sightings reported in the BILD newspaper. Roland Gehardt of CENAP contacted witnesses to gather more information. The report mentions:

• Ursula Wiebers (Hamburg): Claimed to have seen 5 UFOs. Gehardt contacted her and found her to be influenced by UFO researcher Ernst Timm. Wiebers described one UFO as "weird" and feared an "invasion."
• Franz-Josef Klar (Aachen): Reported seeing UFOs with his family. Gehardt attempted to contact him but found him unwilling to discuss the sighting over the phone. Questionnaires were sent but not yet returned.
• Uwe Krüger (Berlin): Reported seeing three white discs. Gehardt faced difficulty finding the correct Uwe Krüger in Berlin due to multiple individuals with the same name.
• Petra Rusch (Erbenheim): Reported seeing a bright light. Gehardt had trouble locating the correct place name (Erbenheim vs. Erbenbach) and found that none of the Rusch households contacted had seen UFOs.

Gehardt expresses skepticism about some sightings, particularly Wiebers', suggesting they might be influenced by media hype or psychological factors. He notes that Wiebers' description of the UFO's shape and color bore similarities to the "Eisenburger UFO" (a lens reflection) and objects seen near Darmstadt.

Untersuchungsbericht über die UFO-Sichtung von Ursula Wiebers

This section details Gehardt's interview with Ursula Wiebers on March 19, 1982. Wiebers stated she was not the first UFO researcher to contact her, mentioning Ernst Timm. She claimed to see UFOs "almost every week" and had her binoculars ready during the call. Wiebers seemed influenced by Timm's statements about UFOs appearing at the same points. She described her UFO sighting on March 16, 1982, as a "giant tablet" with blinking lights, and saw four more UFOs. She also reported daytime sightings on February 11 and 19, 1982, in Hamburg, describing a rotating UFO.

Wiebers expressed frustration that photos she took were not published by BILD, speculating it was to prevent public panic. She offered to swear an oath that she saw a UFO and stated that the UFO she saw during the day was as large as the moon. She also mentioned that a reporter had visited her and taken photos. She plans to contact Frau Anny Baguhn and Frau Inge-Marita von Düllen.

"April, April!"

This section features a satirical article from the DONAU-ZEITUNG dated April 1, 1982, about Syrgenstein planning to establish a landing site for flying saucers. The article, presented as an April Fool's joke, highlights how the UFO theme can be exploited for humor and questions the authenticity of some UFO reports. It mentions that CENAP had previously organized a UFO congress in Syrgenstein.

Stellungnahme zu CR 73 "UFO-Zensur"

This is a letter from GEP (Gemeinschaft zur Erforschung unbekannter Phänomene e.V.) in Lüdenscheid to Werner Walter, dated March 15, 1982, regarding the non-publication of Walter's reader letter (CR 73). The GEP explains that the letter was not published for two main reasons: its length and its focus on attacking "Dipl. Phys. von Ludwiger." GEP states that their journal should not become a "battlefield of reader letters" and that they have not published reader letters previously. They also defend Ludwiger, finding no objective basis for the attacks. GEP mentions their efforts to collaborate with MUFON and clarifies that "censorship" in this context refers to the editor's right to decide what to print.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, eyewitness accounts, and the investigation of these phenomena by organizations like CENAP and GEP. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, with a degree of skepticism towards some reports, particularly those influenced by media hype or psychological factors, as seen in the analysis of Ursula Wiebers' sighting. The inclusion of a satirical April Fool's article suggests an awareness of the sensationalism surrounding the UFO topic. The GEP's letter indicates a commitment to rigorous research and a structured approach to publication, prioritizing factual reporting over unverified claims or personal attacks.

This issue of CR magazine, identified as issue 74, delves into the topic of UFOs, with a significant portion dedicated to reports from Turkey. The magazine, published by CENAP, appears to be a German-language publication focused on ufology. The cover prominently features the headline "UFOs über der TÜRKEI" (UFOs over Turkey), indicating the primary focus of this edition. The issue includes reader letters, reports on specific sightings, and commentary on UFO research methodologies.

Editorial and Reader Correspondence

The issue opens with a critical letter from Gerald Mosbleck, a reader, addressed to the editor (referred to as 'CR'). Mosbleck expresses his dissatisfaction with the magazine's editorial approach, likening the editor's style to that of an "insulted boy." He argues for a more balanced and less 'sensational' presentation of UFO phenomena, emphasizing the need to cater to a broader readership and avoid alienating members of the UFO community. Mosbleck specifically critiques an article in CR 73 regarding a UFO sighting in Hamburg, questioning the interpretation of certain visual evidence. He also stresses the importance of avoiding internal conflicts within the UFO community, referring to a potential "Broderkrieg" (fratricidal war) between CENAP and GEP.

Another section, "CENAP meint," clarifies that while CENAP intended to publish a GEP-open letter in CR 74, the Messel case took precedence, leading to the delayed publication of Gerald Mosbleck's response. This section highlights CENAP's commitment to presenting reader letters and information relevant to the UFO theme.

Further reader contributions include a letter from Thorsten Mockenhaupt, who praises the "CENAP SONDERBAND" and the explanation of UFOs from Messel, but inquires about the whereabouts of 'Woody.' Karlheinz Räther from Odenthal-Eikamp questions the use of self-drawn cover images, finding them 'childish,' and also raises a point about a report from the ZDF-Drehscheibe concerning a UFO sighting by Frau Gustafson, suggesting a possible misinterpretation of the object's movement and appearance under stress.

Franz-Josef Loczinski from Herne expresses his enthusiasm for CR 74 and the "CENAP-Report." Pia Heppner from Tröbes discusses 'Contactees' like Adamski, questioning the authenticity of his claims about extraterrestrials from Venus. Walter Schilling from Hamburg welcomes the pro-ufological stance of the CR report and mentions an offer of an audio cassette titled "Sie hören uns in deutscher Sprache" (They hear us in German) from extraterrestrial intelligences.

Paul Bachmann from Bern, Switzerland, provides a professional and serious assessment of the magazine but points out a factor that bothers him: the investigative approach, which he likens to a "detective story," where witnesses are intensely questioned, and any deviation from their statement is met with harsh scrutiny. He compares this method to Prof. J. Allen Hynek's approach in the Blue Book Project, which often sought to explain away sightings as conventional phenomena.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The magazine extensively covers UFO sightings, particularly in Turkey. A report titled "UFOs über der TÜRKEI" (UFOs over Turkey) details multiple observations of unidentified flying objects across the country.

Niğde: On January 16, 1982, around 19:05, a mysterious object was seen over Gümüşler town. It emitted dazzling lights and moved towards Konya, described as disc-shaped and emitting white and light green lights. Another sighting occurred on January 15th, between 19:05 and 19:30.

Havsa: Several sightings were reported in the Havsa district. On January 10th, around 21:00-21:15, an object was seen over Arpaç village. On January 14th, between 21:30-22:00, another object was observed over Taptık village. On January 15th, two objects were seen around 21:35, described as egg-shaped, hovering at 600-1000m altitude, and then disappearing rapidly.

İzmir: On January 15th, around 23:30-24:00, a luminous object was observed over İzmir. It flew at a low altitude, prompting a response from the fire department and police. The object was seen over Belkahve, then moved rapidly south over the city, and later hovered over Buca Waldlager, displaying colors like a "fire flame." It remained visible for about 45 minutes before disappearing.

Konya: The issue notes that the same mysterious object seen in Niğde was also observed in Konya. On January 25th, residents of Meram district reported seeing a green and red luminous object at 1000-1500m altitude. It moved and changed position by 50-60 meters over half an hour before vanishing. In Nalcacı, a math teacher observed a similar object that emitted bright lights.

Aksaray: The increasing number of UFO sightings in Aksaray led to the dispatch of three astronomy experts from the Kandilli Observatory in Istanbul to investigate. Witnesses reported that the objects emitted bright lights and that radios and televisions experienced interference during the sightings. The number of reported objects increased to five, with four stationary and one moving.

Other Reports:

• A report from Australia mentions the Valentich case, based on a PARADE magazine article, attributing the incident to a "freed pole piece" igniting the aircraft.
• A brief mention of a UFO sighting in Norway that reportedly exploded.
• A report from the "MANNHEIMER MORGEN" newspaper on February 17, 1982, describes a UFO sighting near Edenkoben, identified as a French radio sonde.

UFO-Ecke (UFO Corner)

This section includes a letter from Don Ferguson of Phenomena/UFO Research, South West Australia, discussing the Valentich case and its explanation in PARADE magazine.

New Publications

The magazine announces new publications from CENAP, including the "CENAP SONDERBAND 2/1982" which covers topics like George Adamski, UFOs in France, GEPAN, and interviews. It also mentions the "CENAP DOKUMENTATION" series, which aims to provide in-depth looks at specific UFO-related themes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, particularly in Turkey, and the critical examination of UFO research methods and reporting. There's a clear emphasis on presenting detailed accounts from witnesses and acknowledging the challenges in interpreting such phenomena. The editorial stance, as reflected in the reader letters and CENAP's own commentary, suggests a commitment to thorough investigation and a desire for balanced reporting, while also acknowledging the need to address the specific interests of their readership. The magazine seems to advocate for a serious and scientific approach to ufology, distinguishing itself from purely sensationalist accounts. There's also an underlying concern about maintaining objectivity and avoiding internal conflicts within the UFO community.