CENAP Report - No 184

Magazine Overview

This issue of CENAP REPORT, dated June 1991 (Volume 6.91, Issue 184), with a cover price of DM 5,-, is published by CENAP, a German organization dedicated to investigating extraordinary aerial phenomena. The cover features a dramatic image of a B-17 bomber with a UFO above it, overlaid with the text 'TOP-SECRET', setting a tone of mystery and official secrecy.

CENAP: An Overview

The magazine introduces CENAP as an active and critical private association founded in 1976, focused on investigating reported UFO incidents. It publishes the monthly CENAP REPORT as its central organ, with an annual subscription of DM 50. CENAP aims to be a self-financed institution for reporting UFO sightings and serves as an information center. The organization investigates the physical causes of UFO phenomena and addresses the socio-psychological challenge posed by 'modern superstition' surrounding the topic. CENAP reports on new research findings worldwide, adopting a serious yet critical stance, not always praising proponents of the subject.

Historical Context of UFO Phenomena

The issue marks the 44th anniversary of the UFO phenomenon, reflecting on its history since June 24th. It notes the proliferation of UFO sightings, media sensationalism, and the development of an 'ufo-logical cult' that sometimes blends with esotericism and occultism. The article critiques the fragmented nature of national UFO movements and the lack of unified methodology. It points out the shift towards a more 'scientific' approach within 'Ufology,' sometimes driven by commercial interests and a confrontational attitude towards skeptics.

The article questions the progress in UFO research, noting the lack of physical evidence for extraterrestrial spacecraft after 44 years. It suggests that some researchers may be seeking personal validation rather than objective truth.

Analysis of 'Top Secret: UFOs' by Timothy Good

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to analyzing Timothy Good's book, 'Top Secret: UFOs.' The review highlights the contribution of Großadmiral Lord Hill-Norton, who advocates for a serious discussion of UFOs and notes the abundance of UFO evidence. However, the article questions Hill-Norton's reliance on 'trained observers' and his admission that he cannot prove a cover-up.

The review also discusses Chapman Pincher's assertion that UFOs are legendary and that intelligence agencies do not investigate them. Conversely, Good presents evidence from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests suggesting that UFOs have been a subject of intense secret research by US intelligence agencies since World War II. The article expresses skepticism about the authenticity of some of this evidence, particularly regarding the MJ-12 documents.

Historical UFO Cases and Government Responses

The magazine delves into various historical UFO incidents and the official responses to them:

• Ghostrockets and V-Weapons: The article draws parallels between the confusion surrounding German 'ghostrockets' after WWII and the modern UFO situation, noting that many reports were attributed to misidentifications or psychological factors.
• British Government Involvement: It discusses claims that the British government has been researching UFOs since 1943, citing the alleged involvement of Lt. Gen. Massey, though Good's research found no record of him.
• Winston Churchill's Concern: Following UFO sightings over Washington D.C. in July 1952, Winston Churchill expressed concern and sought explanations from the Air Ministry, which concluded that most incidents could be explained by astronomical phenomena, misinterpretations, or optical illusions.
• Meteorological Balloons: The article highlights instances where UFO sightings were later identified as meteorological balloons, such as a case in Kent in November 1953, which led to parliamentary inquiries.
• Radar Sightings: The issue discusses the challenges of interpreting radar data, noting that early radar systems could produce false echoes. It mentions the Bentwaters/Lakenheath pilot-radar case and the difficulty in explaining some radar contacts.
• Prince Philip and Mountbatten: The article notes Prince Philip's interest in UFOs and a reported landing of a UFO on Mountbatten's estate, though Mountbatten later expressed diminished interest.
• Major Patrick Wall's Inquiry: In April 1955, Major Patrick Wall questioned the Undersecretary of State for Air about UFOs, receiving a response that attributed most sightings to known phenomena.
• The Spitzbergen Case: This case, reported in 1955, is mentioned as a significant event.

The Rendlesham Forest Incident

A substantial section is dedicated to the Rendlesham Forest incident of December 1980. The article details the 'Halt-Memo,' a US Air Force report describing a triangular, glowing object seen by security police near Woodbridge Air Base. The memo notes physical traces (depressions) and radiation readings. The article contrasts this official report with more sensationalized accounts, including claims of alien contact and repairs to a spacecraft, attributed to individuals like 'Steve Roberts,' 'James Archer,' and 'Larry Warren.' The magazine expresses skepticism towards these embellished stories, suggesting they may have been fabricated or exaggerated.

UFOs and National Security

The article explores the concept of 'cover-up' in the context of national security. It discusses how the British government, through figures like Leslie, sought to downplay UFO phenomena to avoid public panic and maintain confidence in the authorities. The idea that the government might advise against publicizing UFO reports is presented as a measure to prevent unnecessary strain on administrative resources.

International UFO Cases

• London UFO Sighting (1959): A sighting of a pale, yellowish light over London Airport is described, with police, air traffic controllers, and others observing it. The lack of radar echo is noted.
• Madrid UFO Incident (1968): This case is presented as a classic example, with the Spanish weather office denying any lost balloons and suggesting a re-entry from space.
• München UFO Event (1973): The issue covers a widely reported event in Munich where a weather balloon was initially mistaken for a UFO. It also mentions a claim that the object was a Russian spy satellite.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Throughout the issue, CENAP REPORT maintains a critical and investigative stance. It emphasizes the importance of evidence-based research and expresses skepticism towards sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims within the UFO community. The magazine highlights the role of official documents and government responses in understanding UFO phenomena, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by secrecy and potential disinformation. The recurring theme is the complex interplay between genuine unexplained phenomena, misidentifications, psychological factors, and deliberate obfuscation or cover-up by authorities. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, seeking to separate fact from fiction in the vast landscape of UFO reports.

This issue of stern magazine, dated March 8, 1991, focuses heavily on the UFO phenomenon, particularly a surge of sightings in Belgium. The cover headline, "Ufo-Notruf 5 24 28 48," and the sub-headline, "Ganz Belgien ist auf der Jagd nach Außerirdischen," signal the issue's primary theme: a nationwide investigation into unidentified flying objects.

Belgian UFO Wave

The magazine details a significant increase in UFO sightings across Belgium, with over 10,000 reports from both Flemish and Walloon residents. The military, police, and scientists are actively involved in investigating these phenomena. The Belgian Air Force (BAF) has reportedly scrambled F-16 fighter jets fifteen times to intercept these objects, and twenty observation stations have been established. Over 8,000 citizens have called a dedicated UFO hotline.

Generalmajor Wilfried de Brouwer is quoted as stating that the military possesses radar recordings of "something inexplicable and extraordinary," described as a "rhombus with a tail." Civilian witnesses, including meteorologists, have reported seeing "triangular discs with strong headlights" hovering near power lines, suggesting a potential "UFO refueling station."

Auguste Meessen, a physics professor, asserts that these phenomena cannot be explained as aircraft, balloons, laser beams, or weather events. Lucien Clerebaut, Secretary-General of the "Society for the Study of Phenomena from Space" (Sobeps), notes that the objects were "house-high" and could accelerate from 280 to 1800 km/h in seconds.

However, the magazine also presents skeptical viewpoints. Werner Walter, a spokesperson for Germany's "Central Research Network for Extraordinary Phenomena" (CENAP), dismisses the Belgian sightings as "ultra-light aircraft," citing the triangular shape, engine noise, and lights. He argues that the immense size and speed of the objects are contradictory to this explanation.

The issue raises questions about why these phenomena are predominantly observed at night, suggesting that the brightly lit Belgian autobahns might be a visible landmark from space, alongside the Great Wall of China during the day.

Historical UFO Cases and Investigations

The magazine revisits several historical UFO cases and related controversies:

• Rendlesham Forest Incident: The article references the well-known Rendlesham Forest incident, questioning why such events would be a concern if the USAF consistently found no national security threat.
• UK UFO Investigations: It discusses the alleged UK Ministry of Defence document from 1978 listing UFO witnesses and the Earl of Clancarty's inquiry in the House of Lords. The document was dismissed as a forgery.
• French UFO Research (GEPAN): The article touches upon the French GEPAN (Group for the Study and Information on Non-Identified Aerospace Phenomena), with researchers like Dr. Pierre Guerin expressing skepticism about its effectiveness and suggesting that true research might be happening elsewhere.
• Roswell Incident: A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to debunking the famous "Roswell Alien Photo." It details how the photo, initially presented as evidence of an extraterrestrial crash, is likely a hoax. The article traces the photo's origin to a 1967 exhibition of a latex dummy and discusses the conflicting accounts from individuals involved, including Maj. Jesse Marcel and photographer Christian Page. It highlights inconsistencies in the story, such as the presence of a modern zipper on the alien's suit and the evolution of the narrative over time.
• Kecksburg UFO Crash: The Kecksburg incident is mentioned as a "new Roswell-like incident," with the article referencing a MUFON report and suggesting that the government may be in possession of the object.
• Tunguska Event: The magazine reports on new findings regarding the 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia. A Siberian fur trapper, Vitali Woronow, reportedly discovered a second large area of flattened forest and a 200-meter diameter crater, which aligns with the presumed flight path of the impacting object. This discovery lends credence to theories involving a massive impact, potentially from a comet fragment or even an extraterrestrial spacecraft.

Controversies and Skepticism

The issue delves into various controversies within the UFO community:

• CENAP's Role: The article criticizes individuals who resort to legal action against critics, particularly mentioning CENAP's involvement in such disputes. It defends CENAP's research methods and its ability to scientifically analyze claims.
• Hoaxes and Misinformation: The magazine highlights instances of alleged hoaxes and the spread of misinformation, particularly concerning the Roswell incident and the "Alien Photo."
• Media Sensationalism: There's a recurring theme of how media outlets can sensationalize UFO reports, sometimes leading to public confusion and the promotion of unsubstantiated claims.
• Witness Credibility: The article discusses the challenges of witness testimony, noting that even experienced pilots can misidentify objects, and that memory can be unreliable, especially over long periods.

Upcoming Events and Personal Accounts

The magazine previews the "First World UFO Congress" in Tucson, Arizona, listing various speakers and their topics, including alleged alien contact cases, UFO landings, and abduction experiences. It also features personal accounts, such as a Colombian farmer's claim of abduction by a beer-bottle-shaped UFO.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of stern adopts a critical yet open-minded approach to the UFO phenomenon. While it presents numerous witness accounts and reports of unexplained aerial phenomena, it also actively investigates and debunks potential hoaxes and misidentifications, particularly concerning the "Alien Photo" and the Roswell incident. The magazine emphasizes the importance of scientific investigation and critical analysis, while acknowledging the persistent mystery surrounding many UFO sightings. There's a clear editorial stance against sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, favoring evidence-based reporting. The recurring theme is the ongoing search for truth amidst a complex landscape of witness testimony, official investigations, and media coverage, with a particular focus on the Belgian UFO wave of early 1991.

Title: Astrowarnung
Issue: Juni 1991
Date: June 1991
Publisher: Not specified
Country: Germany
Language: German
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Main Article: "Astrowarnung für Juni 1991"

This article, written by R. Henke of CENAP-HD, details a significant astronomical event occurring in June 1991, referred to as a "planetary race." The author notes that this event is entering a particularly "hot phase" and issues a strong warning about potential UFO sightings.

The primary focus is on the planets Venus, Jupiter, and Mars, which are expected to set around the same time each night (late evening, with Jupiter disappearing first by the end of the month). The article highlights that these three planets will engage in several close encounters throughout the month. A particularly notable meeting between Venus and Jupiter is anticipated on June 17th.

Adding to the celestial spectacle, three bright stars—Kastor, Pollux, and Regulus—will also be positioned near these planets, forming what the author describes as a rare constellation. The article includes diagrams illustrating the positions of these celestial bodies on various dates in June (12th, 16th, 20th, 24th, and 28th), showing their proximity to each other and the horizon.

Beyond the planetary alignment, the article also mentions the expected occurrence of six meteor showers during June. However, it downplays the likelihood of observing particularly remarkable objects associated with these showers.

UFO Warning

A significant portion of the cover and the article is dedicated to a "UFO Warning." The repeated headline "UFO-Warnung! UFO-Warnung! UFO-Warnung! UFO-Warnung! UFO-Warnung!" underscores the urgency and importance the author places on this aspect. The text explicitly states that if the weather is favorable, it would be highly unusual if no UFO reports were received during this period of planetary activity. This suggests a belief or hypothesis that such astronomical configurations might be linked to increased UFO appearances or observations.

Additional Information

Below the main text, a section reiterates the planetary alignment: "Rechts: Das Planetentrio Venus, Mars und Jupiter zusammen mit den Sternen Kastor, Pollux und Regulus jeweils um 22:30" (Right: The planet trio Venus, Mars and Jupiter together with the stars Kastor, Pollux and Regulus each at 22:30). This reinforces the visual information provided by the diagrams on the right side of the page.

The page number is indicated as '40'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine, or at least this issue, appears to focus on astronomical events with a strong emphasis on potential UFO phenomena. The editorial stance seems to be one of alerting the public to unusual celestial occurrences and encouraging vigilance for unexplained aerial phenomena, possibly suggesting a correlation between astronomical events and UFO sightings. The author, R. Henke, is associated with CENAP-HD, likely an organization involved in UFO research or astronomical observation.