CENAP Report - No 185 POSSIBLY INCOMPLETE

Magazine Overview

Title: CENAP REPORT
Issue: 7.91
Date: July 1991
Publisher: Centrales Erforschungsnetz außergewöhnlicher Himmelsphänomene (CENAP)
Country: Germany

This issue of CENAP REPORT, a German-language publication focused on unusual aerial phenomena, delves into a variety of topics, including the historical context of Mars canal observations, the Viking I mission, and numerous international UFO cases. The magazine also explores government involvement, secrecy, and research efforts related to UFOs.

Mars-Sonde "Viking I" and Marskanäle

The cover prominently features the Mars probe "Viking I" and a timeline, alongside an illustration related to "Mars canals." The article "Top-Secret / Teil 2: Marskanäle" likely connects historical observations of Martian canals, notably by the Italian astronomer Schiaparelli in 1879, with modern space exploration efforts like the Viking missions. The detailed diagram on the cover suggests a scientific or analytical approach to understanding potential features on Mars.

UFO-Herbsttagung and CENAP Activities

The editorial section announces an upcoming UFO autumn conference for German UFO investigators in Viernheim, Germany, for the last weekend of September. It details the conference's theme, "UFO Research: What's Next?", and encourages participation and topic suggestions. The CENAP report highlights the significant volume of material received, including reports on "legendary airships," a CE-III case mistaken for Venus, the debunking of the Kecksburg UFO crash as a hoax, and criticism of the Swedish UFO data project URD. Due to economic constraints, CENAP plans to offer this material in alternative formats, such as special brochures. A "glass book" is also offered as an archive resource for subscribers to easily find information within past CENAP REPORTS.

The editorial notes the relatively quiet summer of 1991 regarding UFO sightings and crop circle phenomena, humorously questioning if they are dependent on good weather.

Jenseits von Top Secret: UFOs (Fortsetzung)

This section continues a discussion on Timothy Good's book "Beyond Top Secret: The Government's Secret UFO Knowledge." It recounts a significant event in Rome in 1954, where thousands witnessed UFO fleets. Italian diplomat and UFOlogist Dr. Alberto Perego observed numerous white points moving at high speeds, some at up to 1400 km/h. He described formations of up to a hundred objects. Shiny, fibrous material, known as "angel hair," fell from the sky, which Perego collected. The material was described as glass-like and evaporated within hours. Notably, no mention of this event appeared in the newspapers the following day, and official inquiries yielded no information.

Another event described is the sighting of UFO fleets over Rome on November 6th, where thousands, including Dr. Perego, witnessed dozens of white points. Perego described them as frequently flying in formations. The "angel hair" phenomenon is again mentioned, with Perego collecting a handful of the substance, which was described as thin, glass-like strands that completely volatilized within hours. The lack of media coverage the next day and the failure to obtain information from the Ministry of Defense are highlighted.

UFO-Phänomen in Italien und NATO

The article details the Italian Ministry of Defense's release of a UFO case file in March 1978, containing six reports from military personnel in 1977. One case involved a round or elliptical "fireball" seen at high speed near Elmas, which was attributed to a bolide meteor. The release of this file caused embarrassment as it was obtained by two young UFO group leaders and publicized. The case of a close encounter near Mount Etna on July 4, 1978, is also mentioned, with the author noting that such stories do not constitute proof of extraterrestrial visitors.

A significant incident occurred on July 1, 1977, when a NATO base in northeastern Italy was reportedly shut down by a UFO. A soldier observed a large, bright light hovering over the "Alarmbereich Victor" for an hour, causing a total power outage. A night watchman confirmed seeing a "glowing disc." The official explanation was "the phenomenon of a moon reflection on some low clouds," which the author questions, given the power outage.

"Fliegende Untertasse" interessanter als Fußball

This section reports on an event in Florence, Italy, where over 10,000 people observed a "flying saucer" that interrupted a football match. The object reportedly dropped a rain of shiny, cobweb-like flakes that were collected and analyzed. The analysis indicated a boron-silicon glass wool substance with remarkable mechanical resistance. Similar phenomena were observed in Siena, Prato, and Sesto Fiorentino.

Falsche Marsmenschen

A brief report from Varese, Italy, describes the police charging youths for spreading false news about Martians landing in a "flying saucer." The incident involved a reported sighting of a mysterious craft and two strange figures, which turned out to be a large cloth and disguised boys.

"UFO-Angriff" over Spain

This is a major focus of the issue, detailing an incident on November 11, 1979, involving a Spanish Caravelle aircraft with 109 passengers. Captain Francisco Lerdo de Tejada reported being pursued by three unidentified flying objects that forced him into an emergency landing in Valencia. The objects were described as strong, red lights moving erratically. The Spanish Air Force scrambled fighter jets, but the objects disappeared. The incident caused significant alarm among passengers, some of whom refused to re-board the aircraft, suspecting a cover-up for technical issues. The article includes newspaper clippings from "Kasseler Zeitung," "General-Anzeiger," "Neue Kronen Zeitung," and "Die WELT" related to the event.

UFOs in Spain: An Overview and Insight

This section delves deeper into the Spanish UFO incident, noting that the Spanish armed forces take UFO reports seriously. Journalist Juan Jose Benitez received a dossier from the Spanish Ministry of Defense detailing twelve unusual UFO cases. One case involved Dr. Padron Leon observing a transparent, spherical UFO with two large, 3-meter-tall figures inside, described as wearing "black diving helmets." The object expanded to the size of a "twenty-story building" before ascending rapidly. The article discusses the possibility of these sightings being related to submarine-launched rockets or barium chemical releases, creating optical illusions. It also mentions the skepticism of some passengers who believed the UFO story was a cover for technical problems with the aircraft.

The article discusses the possibility of these sightings being related to submarine-launched rockets or barium chemical releases, creating optical illusions. It also mentions the skepticism of some passengers who believed the UFO story was a cover for technical problems with the aircraft. The article analyzes the event from a scientific perspective, considering astronomical alignments and the possibility of meteors, while also acknowledging the persistent UFO narrative.

UFOs in Australia

The magazine reports on the investigation of UFO phenomena in Australia, noting that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is responsible for investigating "Unusual Aerial Sightings" (UAS), with approximately 100 reports per year. The RAAF has found no "tangible evidence for life forms from other planets." Historical cases are mentioned, including a 1942 sighting of a "glittering bronze-colored flying wing aircraft" and a 1954 incident near Goulburn involving two "strange lights" approaching a Sea Fury jet.

A notable case is the 8mm film taken by Tom Drury in 1953 over Port Moresby, showing a UFO moving at high speed. The film was sent to the USAF Pentagon and nine months later, some "crucial frames" were reportedly missing. The article also mentions the "Queensland Flying Saucer Research Bureau" being monitored by the Australian Security and Intelligence Service (ASIO), suggesting a cautious government stance on UFO groups.

The disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich in 1978 is detailed, where he reported an encounter with an unknown flying object before his plane vanished. The search for his Cessna 182 is described, with claims of divers finding the wreckage. The article questions whether Valentich, a UFO enthusiast, might have staged the event.

UFOs in Canada: Project Magnet

This section focuses on the work of Wilbert B. Smith and Project Magnet in Canada. Smith, working for the Department of Transport, initiated a research project in 1950 to investigate UFO phenomena. The Canadian government has reportedly downplayed Smith's work, with official statements suggesting the research was limited to geomagnetism and not UFOs. However, the article suggests that the project did investigate "flying saucers" and their potential "new technology." Smith's 1952 interim report theorized that UFOs might be extraterrestrial craft operating on electromagnetic principles, recommending further research and the involvement of experts. Smith later established a UFO observation station in Shirleys Bay, equipped with various detection devices, though the Defense Research Board reportedly distanced itself from the project.

UFOs in China

The article notes a surge of interest in UFOs in China starting in 1978, with publications like "Renmin Ribao" and "Guang Ming" featuring articles on the topic. The Chinese UFO Study Association was established in 1980. The magazine mentions a significant UFO sighting in 1985 involving a Chinese Boeing 747 that encountered a massive object with a diameter of nearly 10 kilometers.

ORBITER News and UFOs in Yugoslavia

This section includes a brief report from "ORBITER" magazine, mentioning a large fireball observed in New England in March 1991, and discussions about an "alien body" photograph, with some suggesting it was a dummy. It also touches upon UFO sightings in Yugoslavia, noting parallels with Western UFO phenomena and referencing a report from the English society BUFORA.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of CENAP REPORT include the persistent mystery of UFOs, the potential for government secrecy and cover-ups, and the scientific investigation of aerial phenomena. The magazine presents a wide range of UFO cases from different countries, often questioning official explanations and highlighting inconsistencies. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to consider the evidence and possibilities, while also acknowledging the challenges in obtaining definitive proof. There is a clear interest in exploring both the physical evidence and the psychological and societal aspects of the UFO phenomenon.

Title: Magazin für Neues Bewußtsein
Issue: 2
Volume: 2
Date: March 20, 1991
Publisher: Verlag Michael Hesemann
Country: Germany
Language: German

Early UFOlogy in Yugoslavia

The issue begins by tracing the origins of UFOlogy in Yugoslavia, noting that the serialization of Donald Keyhoe's "Flying Saucers From Outer Space" in the "Slovenian Weekly TT" magazine, which achieved a high circulation of 100,000 copies, ignited significant interest. This led to Yugoslavian newspapers picking up the material, effectively introducing the UFO phenomenon to the country. While initial reports focused on aerial objects, cases of close encounters were reportedly suppressed by the media. The article highlights the polarization of opinions, with some media outlets promoting UFOs as extraterrestrial visitors while others dismissed them as illusions or secret weapons. It is suggested that many reader letters containing potentially interesting details were never published.

In the following decade, UFO reports in Yugoslavian media were scarce, with only occasional mentions of the American Project Blue Book. The mid-1960s saw a resurgence of interest, with the weekly newspaper featuring articles from John Fuller's "Incident at Exeter" in 1966. Another weekly, TOVARIS, began publishing a series on ufological topics, presenting a range of viewpoints from George Adamski to the military's Project Blue Book. Other Slovenian and Yugoslavian newspapers also published smaller UFO-related articles.

Significant changes occurred in 1967 with the formation of the first UFO organization in Slovenia, the "Sky Scouts," which was the Yugoslavian branch of the British organization CONTACT UK. This group was officially registered and functioned as a private discussion club until 1970.

A major UFO flap occurred in late 1971, characterized by radar observations and numerous visible UFO flights across the nation. This wave lasted until December. Following this, some former SKY SCOUTS members, having developed an interest in the UFO phenomenon, joined NICAP and APRO. Milos Krmelj, a student at the Central Technical Library in Ljubljana, became a key figure, discussing UFO questions with other students and leading to the formation of a UFO group that published its own journal. This group, initially a discussion forum, evolved into the official UFO/NLP society ZVEZA SOLT in March 1972. They launched the publication "NLP INFORMATOR" in April 1972, which gained access to the Slovenian weekly NEDELJSKI DNEVNIK. The internal "UFO-Informator," published quarterly in Slovenian, reached a circulation of 500 copies. By the end of 1975, Yugoslavia experienced another UFO wave, similar to 1971, with radar sightings and close encounters.

In 1976, the UFO group was renamed ODISEJA, expanding its focus to other unusual phenomena. The journal began appearing in Serbo-Croatian in 1977, initially bi-monthly, but due to printing costs, it reverted to quarterly publication. From 1978 onwards, it was published solely in Slovenian. Sightings decreased significantly from 1978 until 1987, with a notable increase in 1988.

Skepticism and Media Conflicts

The magazine highlights a contentious relationship between UFO proponents and skeptics in Germany, describing it as a "mud-slinging" environment. The R*W*E magazine's second issue is criticized for its aggressive stance against organized skeptics, accusing them of spreading misinformation and using personal attacks. CENAP, in turn, defends its position, asserting that it promotes 'psychohygiene' and seeks to protect others from 'mental harm,' while also facing legal costs for defending its positions.

A letter from Torsten Reckmann suggests a desire to avoid mutual "mud-slinging" and points out common ground in opposing "contactee nonsense," "channeling nonsense," and commercial exploitation within the UFO sector, which is described as a billion-dollar market.

The issue also details a legal dispute involving Johannes von Buttlar (formerly J. Busacker) against CENAP. Von Buttlar reportedly withdrew his lawsuit, with the article suggesting he was preoccupied with his next book and promotional activities, including "Esoterik-Urlaub" (esoteric holidays) organized by the "New Age" magazine 2000.

Michael Hesemann, the publisher, is mentioned in relation to a fax sent to his company, alleging that an employee, Werner Walter, was using the company's fax machine and phone number for private purposes related to CENAP. The fax claims that CENAP is under investigation by the public prosecutor and has been involved in antisemitic tirades and campaigns against public figures. It requests that Walter be prohibited from using the company's communication facilities for his "mud-slinging" activities.

Crop Circles and Media Narratives

The magazine discusses the phenomenon of crop circles, referencing Jenny Randles and Paul Fuller's book "Kreise im Kornfeld - Ein Mysterium wird aufgeklärt." The authors are quoted as questioning the certainty of ET existence and the interpretation of crop circles as proof of alien visitation. They suggest that the "truth about UFOs" might be found elsewhere and that the fascination with the extraterrestrial fuels speculation. The article notes that a significant portion of the population, particularly in Britain and the USA, believes in UFOs and aliens.

The authors of "Kreise im Kornfeld" are presented as questioning the mystical allure that draws people to believe in UFOs and aliens. They cite BBC contributor Gloria Hunniford, who, despite admitting a preference for believing in something unusual, suggests wind from rotating helicopter blades as a possible explanation for crop circles. The article also mentions Richard Lawrence of the Aetherius Society, who states that the main problem is that UFOs can become invisible, and criticizes sensationalist media coverage that amplifies such views, leading objective observers to dismiss UFOs and crop circles as nonsense.

The article points out that the "Wall Street Journal" reported in August 1989 that crop circles might be a "cry for help" from aliens, a statement that allegedly fueled belief in extraterrestrials in the United States. The magazine also references the "Flying Saucer Review" and its controversial theories, including the idea that djinns control UFOs and that AIDS is an alien-sent plague.

Randles and Fuller's book is said to lean towards Dr. Meaden's whirlwind theory and the concept of UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena), distancing themselves from theories involving "unexplainable intelligence" or "manipulated forces."

UFOs and Media Profit

The issue touches upon the commercial aspect of UFO reporting, referencing an Esquire magazine article titled "Die UFOs bitten zur Kasse" (The UFOs ask for money). The article suggests that the magazine's publisher, Ralf Meeske, relied heavily on CENAP material for his report, which focused on the financial exploitation of the UFO phenomenon. CENAP's experience with Esquire is described as negative, with the magazine refusing to pay for interviews or materials, claiming the report served as advertising for CENAP.

German UFO Case: CE II

A detailed account is given of a German UFO Close Encounter of the Second Kind (CE II) case from July 1984 near Nördling. Frau Josepha R. and her daughter Marianne reported observing a small, round object with a tentacle-like appendage hovering over a wheat field. The object reportedly changed shape, moved westwards, and then ascended rapidly before disappearing. Frau R. also claimed to have seen two fish-like creatures emerge from the object.

UFOs in the Media and Publications

The magazine highlights the publication of "CENAP's Gläsernes Buch" (CENAP's Glass Book), a comprehensive index of 181 CENAP Reports covering 15 years. This index, compiled by Rudolf Henke, contains 5800 pages of data, 6000 keywords, and 1300 documented UFO cases, organized alphabetically and chronologically. It also includes registers for congresses, names, and opinions, categorized by "Scene Inland" (domestic) and "Scene Ausland" (international).

Specific Sightings and Reports

Several specific UFO sightings and incidents are mentioned:

• Vagen, Germany (February 28, 1991): An elderly couple reported seeing two unknown flying objects.
• US-Camp, Germany (January 19, 1991): Police officers observed two unidentified flying objects.
• Wörsdorf, Germany (May 1991): Mysterious signs were reported in a rapeseed field.
• Nördling, Germany (July 1984): A CE II case involving a silver object and possible occupants.
• Vringsveedel, Germany (April 9, 1991): Strange symbols appeared in a retirement home garden, interpreted by residents as UFO landing marks.

Astronomical Warnings

The issue includes astronomical warnings for July and August 1991, detailing planetary conjunctions and meteor showers, suggesting that UFO-meteor reports might be more likely during the Perseid meteor shower in August.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the historical development of UFOlogy, the interplay between UFO phenomena and media coverage, the role of skepticism, and the commercialization of UFO topics. The editorial stance appears to be critical and analytical, aiming to provide a balanced perspective that acknowledges both unexplained phenomena and potential hoaxes or misinterpretations. The magazine emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and factual investigation, positioning itself as a platform for serious discussion rather than sensationalism. It also highlights the challenges faced by independent researchers due to legal costs and media bias.