CENAP Report - No 079

Magazine Overview

This issue of CENAP REPORT, number 79, from September 1982, is the 7th year and 9th issue. It is published by CENAP, a German research network for unusual phenomena. The magazine is primarily in German and covers UFO-related topics.

Debunking the Nagora Photos

The lead article, titled "NAGORA - PHOTOS WERE EXPOSED! UFO PHOTOS HAVE NO PROOF! BROCHURE SHOWS CONVINCING COMPARATIVE DOCUMENTS!", critically examines photographs taken by Rudi Nagora in September 1971. Nagora, a 25-year-old musician from Munich, claimed to have photographed an interplanetary flying object during a demonstration flight over Deutschlandsberg in Styria, Austria. He described a disk-shaped object moving erratically at an estimated altitude of 1000 to 1500 meters, which he photographed with an Agfa Click I camera. The report details his account of the object's movements, including circling him and shooting vertically upwards.

However, the article presents a counter-argument from Klaus Webner, a photo consultant known for his trick photography demonstrations. Webner asserts that the alleged Nagora spaceship is actually a "thrown-up car hubcap." The VENTLA Verlag had previously published these photos in 1976, claiming they were "proof" and had been "proven genuine." Webner's analysis, presented in a brochure with 14 counter-arguments, aims to refute the VENTLA Verlag's claims. He argues that descriptions like "supersonic object" or "25-meter object diameter" are due to misinterpretations of photos and are supported by his own photographic demonstrations. The article quotes VENTLA Verlag's assertion that "no one, not even a photo, UFO or spaceflight expert, would have been able to create this series of images through manipulation." Webner's work, however, is presented as having definitively disproven this. The article concludes that photographs of "flying saucers" generally lack proof, as any amateur photographer can create them with primitive means. It suggests that those who cling to such documents settle for belief and dreams, shunning reality. A brochure detailing Webner's findings, with 24 photos and 3 illustrations, is available for 15 DM.

Project UFO by Werner Walter

A new brochure titled "Project UFO" by Werner Walter is announced. This 150-page book, developed over two years, reportedly presents UFO-related themes from the perspective of 1947 and the years that followed. For the first time, it allegedly includes photographs from previously secret FBI and CIA documents, which are claimed to prove that the US government secured "flying saucers." The book is said to detail disputes between the US Air Force and the Bundespolizei over these objects and includes "Office Memorandum" documents from the "United States Government." It also covers Kenneth Arnold's sighting, an interview with him, and US Air Force efforts to intercept UFOs in 1947, supported by newspaper reports. The publication of early UFO photos is mentioned, along with a CIA forum's evaluation of the UFO phenomenon and a summary report from CIA sources. The Roswell incident is also highlighted. "Project UFO" is available for 35 DM.

VASP Pilot Sees UFO

The magazine reports on a sighting by Juan Fatorell (41) in Allen, Rio Negro, Argentina. While driving, his car's electrical system failed, and he observed a "mushroom-like" object and heard a humming sound. He reported hearing a "hoarse voice" commanding him to exit the vehicle and experienced a burning sensation on his neck, losing consciousness. He was found 80 kilometers away, suffering from depression and minor injuries. Police investigations found no evidence of alcohol consumption, and Fatorell is described as a calm worker. The report also notes that within 24 hours, two more UFO sightings were reported in Rio Negro. Additionally, nine people independently reported seeing a UFO over Rivera, Uruguay, described as having colorful, bright lights. This sighting was corroborated by a VASP airline pilot who claimed to have been accompanied by a UFO for a longer distance.

UFO-Jet "Chase" over Brazil

On February 8, 1982, at approximately 3:20 AM, Captain Gerson Britto of VARIG was piloting a flight between Fortaleza and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when he encountered a UFO. For about 1.5 hours, the aircraft was "escorted" by a "sandwich-shaped" object with amber and blue lights. Britto, an experienced pilot, alerted the passengers, and most of the 150 on board observed the object. Initially, J. Allen Hynek, Director of the Center for UFO Studies, suggested the object might be the planet Venus. However, a Brazilian astronomer, Mr. Renaldo, also dismissed this explanation. The article notes that airline pilots familiar with the route and Venus were asked to fly the same route at the same time to gain perspective, and they found the described object impossible to be Venus. Mrs. Granchi of APRO gathered information from pilots and found that the Varig object constituted a "legitimate UFO case." An unidentified woman reportedly demanded a large sum for a photograph of the object. The article mentions that support was received from military and civilian authorities in Brazil.

Later, an OMNI article from June 1982 is referenced, detailing the flight. As the lights dimmed, Captain Britto announced seeing a "strange object forty or fifty miles to the left" and requested witnesses. Passengers found themselves bathed in a blinding light and observed the sky for an hour, seeing red, orange, white, and blue flashes. Britto described the object as a "fast-moving, saucer-shaped disk with five searchlights." He attempted to communicate telepathically. Shortly before landing, he reported the light was about eight miles away and had never come so close. Radar detected nothing. When questioned, other pilots in the area confirmed seeing a confusing light. A group of Brazilian military aircraft were dispatched to pursue the object, but publicly stated they found nothing, though the official report remains classified. Approximately 100 people reportedly saw the object. The article then discusses the possibility of Venus appearing intense and colorful due to atmospheric conditions, citing Dr. J. Allen Hynek. However, Hynek also stated that if the pilot's account of the object's intelligent behavior and maneuvers was true, it could not have been Venus, thus implying it was a UFO.

Photo Analysis: BILD Newspaper

An article titled "A Photo... or a PICTURE is always included!" by Werner Walter analyzes a photograph published in the Düsseldorf edition of the BILD newspaper on March 29, 1982. The BILD headline was "UFOs over the Rhine - 100 were already there." The article focused on an 18-year-old hobby ufologist, Michael Hesemann, from Neuss. The BILD article was accompanied by a 14.5x17.5cm picture with the caption "Only last week a UFO was seen over Mülheim. A BILD reader photographed it with a telephoto lens." The article questions whether BILD itself used the photo to illustrate the report. Klaus Webner, the CENAP photo consultant, was consulted. Webner's analysis of the printed photo highlights its "great blurriness of the trees" and "superimposed double contour of the alleged object," indicating that the object and trees were not on the same focal plane. He suggests that the double contour arises when the object is close to the telephoto lens. The article concludes that the photo is inconclusive and suggests a potential hoax.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of CENAP REPORT are the critical examination and debunking of UFO photographs, the promotion of CENAP's own publications and archives, and the reporting of various UFO sightings from around the world. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of photographic evidence presented as proof of UFOs, emphasizing the possibility of hoaxes, misinterpretations, and natural phenomena. However, the magazine also reports on credible sightings and investigations, such as the VASP pilot incident, suggesting an open yet critical approach to the subject matter.

This issue of CENAP-OGH AKTUELL, dated 'Anfang Februar 1976' (Early February 1976), features a prominent article titled 'MNL AM ARARAT' by Roland Gehardt, detailing an investigation into a UFO sighting. The magazine is published by CENAP-OGH and appears to be in German.

MNL AM ARARAT: A Sighting Near Mount Ararat

The main article presents a case investigated by R. Gehardt and M. Kreisel, with a report by R. Gehardt. The incident involved a single witness (T.B., aged 28) who was driving a Daimler-Benz truck from Germany to Iran. While near Mount Ararat (5165 m), approximately 20 km west of the Iranian border and 35 km south of the Soviet border, the witness suddenly observed a round, white object through the car windshield. The object moved rapidly from right to left, heading towards Yerevan (Soviet Union). The sighting lasted for approximately 5-6 seconds, after which the object disappeared from view. The witness could not explain what he had seen.

During the witness interrogation, there was a discrepancy between the object's perceived size. In the CENAP questionnaire, the object was described as being about 5 cm large when an arm was extended, but during the personal interview, the witness described it as star-sized. The report notes that size estimations can be inaccurate, especially in retrospect.

At the time of observation, the object was estimated to be about 58 degrees high, and when it disappeared, it was approximately 87 degrees high.

The concluding remarks suggest that the object might have been a satellite. Several points support this assumption:
1. Size: Described as being as large as a star.
2. Color: Bright white, with a reddish halo that could be attributed to extreme cold.
3. Flight Behavior: Rapid, straight ascent.
4. Flight Duration: The sighting occurred in a moving truck, and the 5-6 second duration is considered sufficient for a satellite to disappear from view.

The CENAP-OGH team concludes that this sighting is explainable as a satellite.

Other Reports and Commentary

UFO-Alarm in Seeboden

A report from Kleine Zeitung, Klagenfurt, dated August 17, 1982, describes an incident in Seeboden, Austria, where a 'fireball' was seen descending and caused a small fire in a barley field. The object was later identified as a self-made hot air balloon, likely constructed by hobbyists. The remnants, including a metal part possibly from the propulsion system, were secured by the gendarmerie. Witnesses described it as a red-white-red colored balloon.

'Ufos' Enttarnt? (UFOs Unmasked?)

This section, from Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung, dated June 11, 1982, discusses several UFO reports from Heidelberg. One report describes a 'rocket engine'-like object with a red, flickering fire moving at a low angle out of the atmosphere. Another describes a red fireball seen over the city. The article suggests that these sightings might be explained by pranksters using a device launched from a terrace, resembling a bell with a parachute and a light. It mentions that such balloon-like devices could be purchased for 20 Marks. The article concludes that the 'green men' in Heidelberg might be sending up their 'UFOs' to generate attention and imagination.

UFO-Alarm in Hamburg

An article from Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung, dated June 9/10, 1982, reports on an incident in Hamburg where a police helicopter, 'Libelle II', was dispatched to investigate an unknown flying object (UFO) described as cobalt blue with flashing lights, seen at 300 meters altitude. The object was described as a luminous blue disc, about three meters in diameter, with white light in the center, moving at wind speed towards the southeast. Air traffic control reported nothing on radar, and a weather balloon was deemed impossible. The police helicopter searched the area for 20 minutes but found nothing. The article mentions that a police master sergeant and a police commissioner observed the object through binoculars.

Darmstadt 'UFO' Identified as Weather Balloon

An article from Darmstädter Echo, dated August 18, 1982, details an incident in Darmstadt where residents reported a 'UFO' landing on a house roof. Police investigated and found a balloon with a 'ticking measuring device'. It was identified as a radiosonde from a Munich weather office, which had deviated from its course and landed after a flight of three and a half hours. It was subsequently sent back to Munich.

UN-Leser haben das Wort (UN Readers Have Their Say)

This section contains letters from readers. S. Seline Fleischanderl expresses gratitude for the UN magazine and believes ufology, correctly understood, leads closer to God. L. Grivel mentions the acquittal of contactee Eugenio Siragus. Andreas Schneider thanks the magazine for bringing people together and for information on 'Seatone' capsules, suggesting readers are called by God to serve as his instruments. Gustav Vollmer expresses concern about increasing warnings and disaster predictions due to earthly egoism and disharmony, acknowledging that those who do good will share the burden.

INTERKOSMOS and UFO Research

An article on page 7 discusses a conference in Vienna where Austrian ufologists, including Heinrich Zetthofer, presented their work. Zetthofer, the leader of INTERKOSMOS, describes it as the largest organization in Austria dedicated to UFO research and paraphysics. He outlines the group's aim to investigate the origin, goals, and fundamentals of UFO phenomena using scientific disciplines. The article criticizes INTERKOSMOS for relying on information from the Ventla-Verlag, which publishes controversial material, and mentions George Adamski's 'carrier ship' photos and Paul Villa's UFO photos as examples of material they use. The article also mentions the 'Messel' case and Edgar Schedelbauer's UFO photo from 1960.

On page 8, the article continues discussing INTERKOSMOS, noting its 50 members who work on a voluntary basis. It mentions their use of astronautical slides and their intention to investigate UFOs as 'flying machines'. The article also references Frank Edwards, Dan Fry, and Bühler's '40 Kontakte mit UFOnauten'. It reiterates the 'Messel' case and its international explanation by CENAP in April 1982. It also mentions Heinrich Zetthofer's own UFO photograph from July 13, 1964, of an orange-colored hemisphere.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a critical and skeptical stance towards many UFO claims, often seeking rational explanations or identifying hoaxes. The CENAP-OGH team emphasizes its role as a serious research group that aims to debunk unsubstantiated phenomena to protect the credibility of UFO research. There is a recurring theme of distinguishing between genuine unexplained phenomena and misidentifications, hoaxes, or sensationalism. The magazine appears to value scientific investigation and critical analysis over speculative theories. The editorial stance leans towards debunking, as seen in the explanations for the Ararat sighting (satellite), the Seeboden incident (hot air balloon), and the Hamburg and Darmstadt reports (weather balloon). The magazine also includes reader contributions that reflect a range of views, from those who see UFOs as spiritual or divine signs to those who are critical of certain UFO research methodologies.