CENAP Report - No 146

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP-REPORT
Issue: 4/1988, Nr.146
Publisher: CENAP-Mannheim
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of the CENAP-REPORT, published by CENAP-Mannheim, focuses on UFO phenomena with several detailed case studies and reports from various locations.

CENAP Organization Profile

CENAP (Centrales Erforschungsnetz außergewöhnlicher Himmelsphänomene) presents itself as a private, independent organization dedicated to investigating the UFO phenomenon. Founded in 1976, CENAP has investigated approximately 350 reported sightings. The organization claims to approach its investigations with scientific rigor and a 'detective-like' intuition. Representatives of CENAP were reportedly the only UFO researchers invited to the German Ministry of Defence, where they discussed matters with the Air Force leadership. In 1986, CENAP was recommended by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Interior as a point of contact for UFO reports. The German Federal Aviation Office and Frankfurt Air Traffic Control have also been relaying UFO sighting reports to CENAP for many years. Police departments, regional authorities, and aerospace institutes occasionally support CENAP's research, and German embassies abroad assist with investigations. CENAP's work has gained national recognition through numerous press reports, radio, and television interviews, often described as 'meticulous,' 'objective,' or 'critical.' The organization investigates both current and historical UFO events, maintaining an extensive correspondent network and archive. CENAP also engages in 'psychohygiene' to combat occultism and superstition, and aims to expose charlatans and dubious authors. They also claim to expose media manipulation. The CENAP REPORT is published monthly and is available via annual subscription for DM 40.

Morlenbacher Fass-UFO

This section details a sighting reported by Lydia Gehron from Morlenbach. On the night of January 27-28, 1988, Ms. Gehron contacted CENAP about a UFO she had seen. She described a 'barrel-shaped and completely silent object' approximately 2.50 meters in circumference, 1.50 meters high, and 1 meter in diameter. The object was orange-red, self-luminous, and had a pulsating light. It was observed hovering near birch trees before ascending rapidly towards the west. Ms. Gehron's adult son, Armin, also witnessed the event. The object was described as having a band with 'teeth' in the middle and a light yellow interior. It was compared to a 'blown-up balloon' or an 'Easter egg.' The witness emphasized the unusual nature of the sighting, stating, "You never forget something like that, it was somehow so impossible, but it was there." The report notes that local astronomical observatories and institutes showed little interest, with one suggesting it might have been a balloon released during a local wine festival. The witness was insistent that she was not under the influence of alcohol.

Dossenheim: The Pizza Plate

This article, dated April 1988, reports on an incident that occurred on the evening of February 5, 1988. Rudolf Henke from Sandhausen reported a conversation he overheard at the Dossenheim indoor swimming pool. A pool attendant allegedly described seeing a luminous object descend into a forest near Strahlenburg, causing a fire. The incident was said to have occurred about thirteen days prior, on Saturday, January 23, 1988, between 5:45 PM and 6:15 PM. The pool attendant's name was reportedly Bayrer. CENAP investigator Werner Walter contacted the Dossenheim fire department and the swimming pool. The fire department had no record of a fire, but suggested checking with the Schriesheim fire department. Walter eventually identified the pool attendant as Günter Beyrer. Mr. Beyrer described seeing a "remarkable glowing body" around 6 PM. He stated that 3-4 people outside the pool saw a luminous object approaching from the southwest. He described it as a "round, orange-red ball" that emitted sparks and moved towards a quarry, where it descended and appeared to burn. He described the object's light as "glowing yellow-red" and that it seemed to illuminate the rocks, suggesting it had burned. The object's form was described as "somewhere between triangular and round" and moved slowly, appearing like a large balloon. Later, on January 23, 1988, a police officer on patrol in Dossenheim observed a "fireball" moving slowly and silently, initially thinking it was a burning aircraft. It then descended into the Vatter quarry, emitting sparks and burning material. The police investigated the quarry with quarry personnel but found nothing due to darkness. The next morning, a search was conducted again without success. However, during routine work in the quarry, personnel found an "aluminum plate, Ø 25 cm" with "wire ends" attached and the "charred remains of a cotton-like substance" inside. The material burned with a "beautiful orange flame." The police concluded it was likely a homemade PARTY-GAG model hot air balloon whose envelope caught fire and burned, with the "burning plate" descending into the quarry. They decided against a press release, informing only two witnesses.

England's UFO Wave '87/88

This section, attributed to CENAP-Mannheim, discusses a wave of UFO activity in Britain. It references the magazine 'QUEST,' which published reports of numerous sightings. Between October and December 1987, 'QUEST' reportedly received 52 reports from 100 witnesses in just 14 days. The article highlights several specific incidents:

• December 26, 1987 (Leeds): An amateur astronomer, Richard Smith, observed a "green-grey, round light" that pulsed and was later seen by others. It vanished suddenly.
• December 29, 1987 (South Yorkshire): The Newton couple reported seeing an intense white glow, followed by a "hemispherical object" with a large orange light, moving slowly.
• January 2, 1988 (London): A sixteen-year-old amateur astronomer reported a "bright globe" which was also observed by police. The situation was described as a "military affair" by Scotland Yard.
• January 2, 1988 (Leeds): Mr. Barron reported seeing a "strange, orange-yellow plate" rotating in the sky, emitting smoke. Two women in Dewsbury also reported seeing a "light ball."
• January 3, 1988 (Humberside): Witnesses reported seeing two "strange flying objects" described as "small triangles" resembling the F-19 Stealth.
• January 4, 1988 (Grimsby): A mother and daughter saw two bright white lights in the air that moved towards them before ascending.
• January 4, 1988 (Northern England): A couple reported a "massive white spherical light" over Harewood. Later that day, a witness reported a "glowing white spherical body" moving towards Leeds.
• January 4, 1988 (Rotherham): A witness reported seeing a "cluster of glowing yellow and red lights."
• January 4, 1988 (West Yorkshire): A former RAF officer reported a "fuselage without wings" that glowed orange and had dark spots, moving slowly.
• January 4, 1988 (West Yorkshire): Two women saw an object with three brilliant white lights moving directly overhead.
• January 4, 1988 (Derbyshire): Two youths described a "large, round object with a dome-shaped structure."
• January 4, 1988 (York): Four observers reported a "brilliant, 'pumping' object" moving slowly.
• January 4, 1988 (West Yorkshire): Three civilians reported a "brilliant, white light ball" that moved slowly and emitted a "smoky outbreak."
• January 2, 1988 (London): Approximately 20 million BBC viewers saw a report about a "bright globe" observed by a sixteen-year-old amateur astronomer and police.
• January 2, 1988 (Leeds): Mr. Barron described a "strange, orange-yellow plate" that rotated and emitted smoke.
• January 6, 1988 (South Yorkshire): A YUFOS investigator filmed "five large, white-yellow, pulsating balls in a grape cluster formation."

Close Encounters of the Tyke Kind

This section, authored by Mark Ian Birdsall, "Director of Investigations" for YUFOS, details UFO sightings in the UK, particularly in the Leeds and Yorkshire areas. It begins with a report from Leeds on December 26, 1987, where an amateur astronomer observed a "green-grey, round light" that pulsed and vanished. The article then describes a "wave of unidentified flying object phenomena" in the UK. On December 29, 1987, in South Yorkshire, the Newton couple reported seeing a "hemispherical object" with an intense white glow and a large orange light. On January 2, 1988, a witness in Leeds described a "strange, orange-yellow plate" rotating in the sky and emitting smoke. The report notes that two women in Dewsbury also saw a similar "light ball." The article also mentions reports of "small triangles" resembling the F-19 Stealth. Birdsall concludes that the sightings are "highly interesting" and possess "unknown qualities."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CENAP-REPORT consistently emphasizes the need for scientific investigation into UFO phenomena, distinguishing itself from sensationalism and superstition. The magazine aims to provide objective reporting and analysis, often contrasting its findings with official explanations or media portrayals. There is a recurring theme of official bodies (police, military) investigating sightings but often concluding with mundane explanations or remaining silent. The publication also highlights the challenges faced by UFO researchers in getting their findings taken seriously. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, seeking to uncover the truth behind reported anomalous aerial phenomena while also debunking hoaxes and misinformation.