CENAP Report - No 164

Magazine Overview

This issue of CENAP REPORT, titled 'UFO-WATERGATE', delves into the complexities of UFO phenomena, focusing on alleged government cover-ups, media manipulation, and the debunking of sensational cases. The magazine, published by the Centrales Erforschungsnetz außergewöhnlicher Himmelsphänomene (CENAP), is dated October 1989, issue number 164, and priced at DM 3.90.

UFO-Betrug in Schweden (UFO Fraud in Sweden)

The lead article, 'UFO-BETRUG IN SCHWEDEN', translated by Werner Walter of CENAP-Mannheim, reveals a famous Swedish UFO case from December 31, 1958, near Doesten, as a hoax. The case, involving a landed saucer and strange creatures reported by Stig Rydberg and Hans Gustafsson, gained international attention. The article, drawing from an AFU Newsletter, details how the story spread and was reported in various UFO publications. It highlights inconsistencies in the witnesses' accounts, their personal troubles, and eventual admissions of the hoax. The report also touches upon the psychological backgrounds of the witnesses and the influence of the burgeoning space age on public imagination. Tragically, both Rydberg and Gustafsson died due to alcoholism, with Gustafsson drowning in 1960 and Rydberg in 1984.

The Role of CENAP

CENAP positions itself as a private, independent institution dedicated to investigating UFO phenomena since 1976. They claim to have investigated approximately 380 reported UFO sightings, often finding natural explanations. CENAP acts as a public contact point for UFO reports and provides information to the media. They maintain a large archive of UFO-related materials and are associated with various international UFO organizations. CENAP is also a member of GWUP (Society for the Scientific Investigation of the Paranormal), aiming to combat occultism and modern superstition.

UFO-Watergate?

This section, also by Werner Walter, explores the concept of 'UFO-Watergate', likening it to government cover-ups of UFO information. It discusses the controversy surrounding the alleged MJ-12 documents, which purportedly detail a secret US government group dealing with extraterrestrial affairs. The article critiques the sensationalism surrounding these documents and the role of individuals like Michael Hesemann, Johannes von Buttlar, and others in promoting them. It highlights the skepticism of former intelligence officials, such as Victor Marchetti, who view such claims as disinformation tactics to conceal genuine secrets or to mislead the public.

The MJ-12 Controversy and Falsified Documents

The issue extensively covers the MJ-12 documents and the individuals involved in their dissemination. It identifies Richard Doty, a former USAF agent, as a key source, often operating under the codename 'Falcon'. Doty is accused of falsifying documents, including the alleged 'Ellsworth Case' papers and the 'Project Aquarius' telex, to create sensational UFO narratives. The article also scrutinizes the role of UFOlogists like William Moore, who allegedly received and promoted these documents, and questions the authenticity of his sources and methods. The 'Ellsworth Case' itself is presented as a prime example of alleged government-sponsored disinformation.

Other UFO-Related News and Reports

Beyond the main articles, the magazine includes several shorter reports:

• Swedish APRO Case Never Occurred: A brief mention of the Doesten case being revealed as a hoax.
• Friedrich Jürgensson Died: An obituary for the parapsychologist known for recording alleged paranormal voices.
• UFO Congress in Tomsk: A report on a large UFO conference held in Tomsk, Siberia, discussing various UFO phenomena and research.
• UFO Seminar in Petrozavodsk: Details of a UFO seminar attended by over 50 participants from various Soviet cities, focusing on research and witness testimonies.
• Steven Spielberg's UFO Films: An analysis of Steven Spielberg's films like 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' and 'E.T.', exploring how they reflect and influence public perceptions of UFOs and aliens, and refuting claims that they were based on secret government information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of hoaxes and falsifications within the UFO community, the alleged government secrecy and disinformation campaigns surrounding UFO phenomena, and the critical role of media in shaping public perception. CENAP's editorial stance is clearly skeptical of sensational claims, emphasizing rigorous investigation, fact-checking, and a scientific approach to understanding UFO sightings. The magazine aims to expose fraudulent cases and to provide a more grounded perspective on the UFO topic, warning against uncritical acceptance of unverified information and 'government-inspired' narratives.

This issue of 'The UFO Press' focuses on debunking UFO claims, presenting a skeptical perspective on numerous reported sightings. The main headline, 'The UFO Press: How Easy A Hoax,' sets the tone for an in-depth examination of cases that are often attributed to misinterpretation, natural phenomena, or deliberate fabrication.

Key Articles and Investigations

The UFO Press: How Easy A Hoax

The lead article, presented as a Congressional Record proceeding from March 6, 1952, directly challenges the notion of UFOs as extraterrestrial spacecraft. It argues that the human mind, limited by its sensory apparatus and societal conditioning, tends to rationalize the unknown by projecting its own desires and technologies onto phenomena. The article posits that the 'UFO conspiracy' is not one of government cover-up, but rather a conspiracy of human consciousness and societal organization that filters reality based on what is convenient and understandable.

Independent Aerial Phenomena Research (IAPR)

Founded by Phillip Robertson, IAPR is presented as a new UFO investigation group with a critical approach. Its 'Introduction and Policy' states that IAPR does not aim to prove or disprove UFO existence but to objectively analyze data. The organization focuses on historical UFO reports, particularly from 1947-1954, and aims to provide a scientific and credible source of information, distinguishing itself from charlatans and misinformation. IAPR's commentary on the Baltimore case suggests it was a fabrication, not merely 'unidentified' as classified by Hynek.

The Baltimore UFO Case: A Detailed Re-examination

This section meticulously dissects the 1952 Baltimore UFO sighting, a case previously highlighted by Dr. J. Allen Hynek as an example of a 'Close Encounter of the Second Kind' (CE II). The report details the witness's account of a large disk affecting his car and the subsequent investigation by the OSI. The OSI's findings, however, contradict Hynek's assessment, revealing that the witness's father and uncle expressed disbelief, and the second witness admitted the story was fabricated to make it more credible. The OSI concluded the case was an 'invention,' not 'unidentified.' IAPR's commentary criticizes the tendency of UFO enthusiasts to accept such stories without sufficient evidence and points out the unreliability of anecdotal evidence, especially when witnesses attempt to bolster their claims with unverifiable details.

CENAP: Debunking UFOs

The article 'UFO-Entlarver bieten Mitarbeit an' (UFO Debunkers Offer Cooperation) introduces CENAP (Centrales Erforschungsnetz außergewöhnlicher Himmelsphänomene), a German organization that has investigated approximately 400 reported UFO sightings since 1976. CENAP's findings consistently identify supposed UFOs as natural phenomena like Venus, shooting stars, or weather balloons, with very few cases remaining unexplained due to lack of data. The article highlights Werner Walter, CENAP's head, and promotes the 'CENAP-Report' for those interested in critical UFO information. It also mentions public lectures by Walter that draw large audiences, often composed of individuals new to astronomy.

New UFO Cases from the CENAP Archive

This section presents several recent UFO reports investigated by CENAP:

• Markus Kraffczyk's sighting (1972): A witness reported a bright, star-like object in the sky for two hours. CENAP suggests this could have been a geostationary satellite or a high-altitude research balloon.
• Judith Belzner's sightings (1975 & 1976): Two sightings are described: a lens-shaped, luminous object moving silently, and three golden-red spheres falling from the sky. CENAP suggests these could be atmospheric phenomena or signal lights.
• Helmut Strüver's sighting (1989): A witness in Duisburg reported a white, circular object. CENAP identified this as a weather balloon launched from Essen, which burst at a specific altitude and location consistent with the sighting.
• The Ratzel couple's sighting (1989): A couple reported a pear-shaped object with colorful lights. CENAP strongly suggests this was a 'Party-Gag-Heißluftballon' (party balloon), a conclusion that the male witness, a pilot, initially resisted due to the perceived unusual color arrangement. The article emphasizes the psychological aspect of misinterpretation, even for experienced observers.

The UFOs of December 12, 1987

This report discusses sightings of 'fiery objects' across 14 US states, identified by the North American Aerospace Defense Command as a Soviet rocket re-entering the atmosphere. The article criticizes how such events are often sensationalized into 'UFO' sightings, citing examples where elongated objects with lights were reported, but were likely burning space debris. It also mentions cases where witnesses described objects as large as jetliners, and the phenomenon of 'close encounter' reports with low-flying, wingless vehicles, suggesting these are also misinterpretations.

Analysis of Misinterpretations

The issue delves into the psychological factors contributing to UFO misinterpretations. It highlights how witnesses often overestimate object sizes and time durations. The article points out that re-entry events and fireballs are frequently described as cylindrical or cigar-shaped UFOs with lights. It also notes that distant rocket launches or experiments can be perceived as nearby encounters. The danger of isolating individual cases from their broader context is emphasized, leading to the potential for misinterpretations when information is incomplete or distorted by personal stress.

Psychology and UFOs

A section discusses the importance of human perception and psychology in understanding UFO phenomena. It references a questionnaire developed by psychology student Mario Perz to measure attitudes towards UFOs, aiming to analyze the 'universe of attitudes' surrounding the topic. The article advocates for more human scientists to engage with UFO research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is skepticism towards UFO claims and a focus on debunking sensationalized reports. The editorial stance is clearly that most UFO sightings can be explained by natural phenomena, man-made objects, or psychological factors, rather than extraterrestrial visitation. The issue champions scientific investigation, critical analysis, and the debunking of hoaxes and misinterpretations, aiming to provide a rational counterpoint to the more credulous aspects of the UFO community. The emphasis is on understanding the 'how' and 'why' of these misinterpretations, rather than accepting the phenomena at face value.