CENAP Report - No 089

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP - REPORT
Issue: Nr. 89
Date: July 1, 1983
Publisher: CENAP (centrales erforschungsnetz außergewöhnlicher phänomene)
Country: Germany
Language: German

Editorial Introduction and Publication Update

The issue begins with a letter to the readers dated July 1, 1983, apologizing for a delay in issue Nr. 88 due to the transition from photocopies to printed production. The editors express hope that the new, printed CENAP REPORT will be well-received and that readers will help promote it to increase subscriptions. They acknowledge that the switch to printing involves some ecological concessions but assure readers that their ideological stance remains unchanged, emphasizing they have never been 'conformists'.

Upcoming Events and Publications

The report mentions that Hansjürgen Köhler will undertake his annual 'northern europe tour' from July 3 to July 30, 1983, aiming to invigorate the Danish and Norwegian UFO scenes. This tour includes attending a SUFOI weekend seminar and a SUFOI field investigator training.

Furthermore, the 3rd CENAP-UFO/UAP Meeting is announced for the weekend of September 9-11, 1983, in Mannheim. This meeting is intended as a national UFO research conference, open to all interested individuals, not just CENAP members. It will feature discussions on UFO problems and incidents, opportunities to gain new experiences, and the study of images, photos, films, and videos, as well as documents.

Additionally, 'PROJECT UFO II' by Werner Walter is announced as available. This 150-page, bound book reportedly covers private UFO research and investigations by recognized scientists, including a 'Man In Black' case and aspects of the CUFOS UFO HANDBOOK by Allan Hendry. It is available for 35 DM, with payment to be made to the Postcheck account listed.

UFO-Jagd bei Nürnberg: Aufregung um Flugobjekt

This section, accompanied by a photograph of a bright, trapezoidal object, discusses a UFO sighting near Nuremberg. The article from the 'AZ' (Augsburger Allgemeine) reports that an unknown, brightly shining object disturbed people in the Nuremberg area for two days. The Bavarian Radio documented the event, and a BR camera team filmed the mysterious UFO from a height of 12,300 meters. Eckard Pohl from the Nuremberg Observatory observed the UFO with a telescope and described its shape as pyramid-like. The photograph is noted as being taken with 200x magnification.

Zusatzbericht zur Berichterstattung in CR-Nr.87 / Fall Nürnberg - April 83

This report revisits the Nuremberg case, stating that, as previously reported in CENAP-Report Nr. 87, parallel cases existed worldwide. The Sarajevo/Yugoslavia case is highlighted as the most well-known. This report aims to demonstrate how simple causes can lead to fantastic theories. It asserts that the subsequent cases discussed are also stratospheric research balloons, similar to those observed weeks earlier in Nuremberg.

Sarajevo-UFO: Analysis of a 1968 Incident

The report details an incident on October 18, 1968, between 16:30 and 17:45, where a balloon appeared over Sarajevo/Yugoslavia, sparking wild speculation. Drawings based on observations and photos were created, suggesting a craft of unknown origin with its own propulsion. The shape was described as trapezoidal, which is often associated with UFOs. Reflections from the balloon's surface were interpreted as 'ionized particles' that provided the UFO's propulsion. The article concludes that this case is still circulated among ufologists as a UFO incident, despite being a simple natural phenomenon.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate drawings of the supposed propulsion theories, depicting forces like 'reaction force', 'lifting force', 'horizontal force', and 'vehicle weight', with streams of ionized particles supposedly generating the reaction force.

Further Incidents in Yugoslavia and the 'Stratospheric Balloon-UFO'

The report continues by discussing further incidents over Yugoslavia that fueled speculation about extraterrestrial visits. Stratospheric balloons, some of which reportedly hindered air traffic, were observed in the years following the initial Sarajevo event.

On May 16, 1970, another 'stratospheric balloon-UFO' was observed and photographed over Sarajevo. A photograph from this date is included.

On October 3, 1971, observations were made from commercial aircraft at an altitude of 10,000 meters over Yugoslavia. The crews of an Avio Genexa TU-134 and a McDonnell-Douglas DC-9 reported observing a flying object, which was depicted in drawings.

A few days later, on October 8, 1971, a 'flying object' was photographed over Nis/Yugoslavia. This was also identified as a stratospheric balloon that had apparently been in the area for several days. It was observed from 16:45 to 17:40, and in the final minutes of observation, it turned from orange to red, a change attributed to the setting sun.

A photograph from Nis on October 8, 1971, is presented, showing a balloon-like object.

Ufologists' Interpretations vs. Reality

The article criticizes ufologists for their interpretations of these events. It states that these incidents over Yugoslavia ignited ufologists' imaginations, leading them to envision various UFO shapes and propulsion systems. The photos of stratospheric balloons were interpreted as evidence of extraterrestrial visitors, presenting a 'clear UFO shape' that defied earthly aircraft. The report points out that ufologists' logic dictates balloons are round and lack 'ionized drives'. The idea that special stratospheric research balloons might have 'deformed' envelopes to withstand extreme pressure is rejected by ufologists if it doesn't fit their UFO narrative.

The article argues that such interpretations lead to 'hot' theories and drawings presented to UFO enthusiasts as 'proof' of alien visitation. It suggests that groups like CENAP sometimes make things 'too easy' for themselves by accepting these interpretations. However, CENAP, after nearly 10 years of UFO research, concludes that most UFO reports stem from mundane causes that are recognizable if one chooses to see them. The report implies that some individuals prefer not to destroy the 'dream of flying saucers' and therefore disregard simple explanations.

An illustration on page 8 shows various UFO shapes as interpreted by ufologists, superimposed onto the appearance of stratospheric balloons over Yugoslavia, questioning the validity of these 'proofs' and suggesting a lack of common sense in such interpretations.

Hallingdal, Norway: Another Stratospheric Balloon Sighting

The report extends beyond Yugoslavia, detailing an incident in Norway on March 13, 1974, where a stratospheric balloon caused excitement over Hallingdal. Twelve photos were taken of this balloon, which impressively demonstrated the diverse reflections that can occur on a balloon's surface. The object was observed from 16:35 to 19:20. Six photos from this series are included.

Conclusion on 'UFO Invasions'

The author, Hansjürgen Köhler/CENAP, concludes that the supposed 'UFO influences' that ufologists have imagined did not occur over Sarajevo/Yugoslavia, Nis/Yugoslavia, Hallingdal/Norway, or Nuremberg/Germany. Instead, a terrestrial flying object, the stratospheric balloon, was responsible for these 'UFO invasions'. The photographic material used in the report was sourced from SUFOI's UFO-NYT and CENAP's research files.

Wer kreist denn da um unseren Mond? (Who is circling our Moon?)

This section addresses an event on June 22, 1983, at 22:00, when many people, including CENAP, questioned what was circling the moon. After a meeting in Mannheim-Vogelstang, CENAP members noticed something unusual while looking at the clear night sky and the moon. The question arose whether the moon had 'caught' another moon or was about to be invaded by UFOs.

The answer was found on a star chart at home. The author expresses relief that the next day's press reported no UFO invasion. Instead, the 'Bild' newspaper posed the question, 'Do you know which stars are shining?' and identified the planets Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter, as well as the star Spica from the constellation Virgo. Spica, appearing near the moon the previous evening, gave the impression that our moon had acquired a moon. Similar impressions are expected on July 20 and August 16 when Jupiter is near the moon. The author anticipates that people will again be confused and contact observatories, as they did on June 22.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of UFO reports, with a strong emphasis on identifying mundane explanations, particularly stratospheric balloons, for phenomena initially perceived as extraterrestrial. CENAP's editorial stance is clearly skeptical of sensationalist UFO claims, advocating for rational analysis and common sense. They aim to debunk popular myths and educate readers about the actual causes behind many reported sightings, while acknowledging the public's fascination with the unknown. The publication also serves as a platform for announcing upcoming events and new research materials within the UFO community.

This issue of the magazine, dated June 13, 1983, features a prominent cover story titled "3 Frauen: Wir wurden in ein UFO entführt" (3 Women: We were abducted by a UFO). The magazine appears to be a German publication, likely a tabloid or popular interest magazine, focusing on UFO phenomena and related mysteries.

Main Article: The Shropshire Abduction

The central piece details an alleged UFO abduction of three English women: Rosemary Hawkins (27), Valerie Walters (26), and Viv Hayward (27). The incident occurred late at night as they were driving home from a disco in Wolverhampton. Their car inexplicably stopped on the A5 road in Shropshire, and they reported seeing red and white lights hovering overhead. They experienced a time loss of approximately 20 minutes.

Upon reporting the incident to the police, the women were subjected to hypnosis by Dr. Joseph Jaffe, a medical professional, and other experts, including lawyer Harold Harris, who is associated with the Manchester Unidentified Flying Object Research Association (MUFORA). The women, hypnotized separately, provided consistent accounts of being taken aboard a saucer-shaped spacecraft made of steel. They described "green metal men" (Grüne Metall-Männchen) with round, faceless heads and green robes, about 1.20 meters tall, who examined them.

Key figures involved in the investigation included Det. Chief Inspector Norman Collins of the Greater Manchester Police Fraud Squad, who expressed his conviction that the women were not lying. Dr. Albert Kellar noted that the physiological responses of one woman during hypnosis, such as increased pulse and blood pressure, could not be simulated. The women themselves, despite the traumatic experience, maintained they were telling the truth.

NEWS OF THE WORLD provided video recordings of the hypnosis sessions, and the case was slated for presentation at an international conference in High Wycombe.

Other UFO Reports

Italian UFO Sightings

The issue also reports on UFO sightings in Italy, where newspapers were reportedly lacking in election-related topics and turned to UFO coverage. Objects described as cigar-shaped with three yellow-white lamps and a fiery tail were reportedly seen over Florence, Genoa, and Turin.

Marseille Flight Controller's Sighting

A shift supervisor at the control tower of Marseille's Marignane Airport (Southern France) claimed to have seen an unidentified flying object. He described it as a bright, elongated UFO flying at high speed, possibly outside the atmosphere, and not appearing on radar screens. Other eyewitnesses in the Aix-en-Provence area also reported seeing a large, bright white spot moving rapidly from west to east.

Hannover Sighting

A brief mention and illustration suggest a UFO sighting in Hannover, Germany, featuring a car labeled 'ET 927' and a house identified as the 'Hausmeister's' dwelling, referencing the movie E.T.

Astronomical Event: Jupiter

Separately, the magazine notes a significant astronomical event: the planet Jupiter was visible as a bright point in the night sky, appearing close to the Moon. This celestial alignment caused a surge in calls to the Sternwarte Bochum (Bochum Observatory), overwhelming their telephone lines. The observatory director, Heinz Kaminski, stated that this rare constellation was inexplicable to thousands of citizens. Jupiter was expected to be visible again near the Moon on July 20 and August 16.

Other Brief Reports

Darmstadt Incident

A 24-year-old motorcyclist in Mühltal near Darmstadt reported seeing a burning object fall from the sky, with flames extending over a meter high. Police identified it as the lower part of a homemade hot-air balloon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine clearly adopts a stance that UFO phenomena are real and warrant serious investigation. The detailed reporting of the Shropshire abduction, including expert opinions and police endorsements, suggests a belief in the authenticity of the witnesses' accounts. The inclusion of multiple sighting reports from different countries reinforces the idea of a global UFO presence. The editorial tone is sensationalist, aiming to captivate readers with extraordinary claims, while also attempting to lend credibility through the involvement of experts and law enforcement. The use of hypnosis as a tool for investigation is presented as a valid method for uncovering the truth.