Cielo Insolito - No 01

Magazine Overview

Title: CIELO INSOLITO
Issue Date: June 2016
Issue Number: 1
Type: Rivista di Storiografia Ufologica (Review of Ufological Historiography)

This inaugural issue of "Cielo Insolito" marks the launch of a new online periodical dedicated to the historiography of ufology. The magazine aims to provide serious, detailed analyses of the developments in UFO research, with a focus on historical aspects and archival findings. It is distributed freely online. The editors, Maurizio Verga and Giuseppe Stilo, are Italian ufologists who have previously published works in this field. They intend to cover both Italian and international ufology, from its contemporary phase starting in 1947 to earlier periods.

Editorial Stance and Program

The editors acknowledge that specialized ufology magazines are now largely marginalized, having been replaced by online content and social networks. Despite this, they are committed to producing a periodical that offers in-depth historical research. They emphasize the importance of rigorous methodology, clear documentation, and making sources available. The magazine will focus on the history of UFO phenomena and the interest surrounding them, covering both the 'rational' and 'spiritualistic' approaches to the subject.

They highlight the contributions of pioneering American ufologists such as Ted Bloecher, Loren Gross, Barry Greenwood, and Jan Aldrich, who have laid the groundwork for ufological historiography. The magazine's program includes presenting rare and significant illustrations, even if of mediocre quality, when they serve to explain a phenomenon. They plan to publish three issues per year.

Key Articles and Content

Il medium Li Volsi e i marziani (1950-1952)

This article by Giuseppe Stilo examines the early phase of contemporary ufology, characterized by 'mediated contactism' where mediums and channelers sought answers about flying discs from entities. It focuses on Saverio Li Volsi, an occultist from Milan, who, through his guiding entity 'Geos', claimed that flying discs originated from Mars and that Martians would land on Earth within three years. Li Volsi, who published several esoteric and occultist works, was interviewed by journalist Ettore Mascione for "Milano-Sera" in April 1950. Geos described the Martians as spherical, gelatinous beings with advanced technology and telepathic communication. The article notes that Li Volsi's account, as published, was possibly only a partial report of the séance, and that his later writings in 1952 showed a more cautious or even ironic stance towards the Martian hypothesis, suggesting a possible reticence or skepticism on his part regarding the channeled information.

1947 a titoli di scatola: I dischi volanti in prima pagina

This article discusses the media's role in popularizing the flying saucer phenomenon, starting with Kenneth Arnold's sighting on June 24, 1947. Arnold, a pilot, reported seeing nine 'missiles' or strange flying machines moving at an estimated 1,200 miles per hour. The term 'flying saucer' was quickly adopted by the press, inspired by Arnold's description of the objects' movement. The article details how American newspapers, particularly between July 7 and 10, 1947, gave significant coverage to UFO sightings, often with a permissive approach to credibility. Factors contributing to this media frenzy included rapid technological advancements, the Cold War context, the credibility of Arnold as a pilot, and a pre-existing public fascination with Mars and extraterrestrial contact fueled by science fiction. The article highlights how "The Oregon Statesman" published a detailed front-page report on Arnold's sighting on June 26, 1947.

Other Content

The issue also includes a table of contents listing the articles and their page numbers. The editorial team consists of Giuseppe Stilo and Maurizio Verga. Contact information for contributions is provided via email. The magazine also includes a note on reproduction rights, stating that content can be reproduced with attribution to the source and author.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

"Cielo Insolito" positions itself as a serious historical research journal within the ufology field. It emphasizes rigorous methodology, archival work, and critical analysis of sources. The magazine aims to move beyond sensationalism and speculative theories, focusing instead on the documented history of UFO phenomena and the cultural interest surrounding them. Key themes explored in this first issue include the role of spiritualism and mediumship in early ufology, the media's influence on public perception, and the historical origins of key UFO narratives, such as the 1947 wave and the concept of Martian visitors. The editorial stance is one of scholarly inquiry, seeking to understand the historical context and evolution of ufological ideas.

Title: CIELO INSOLITO #1
Date: January 2023 (implied by issue number and content focus on historical events)
Publisher: Not specified
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of "CIELO INSOLITO" delves into the significant wave of UFO sightings and media coverage that occurred in the summer of 1947, primarily in the United States, and touches upon early Italian UFO cases from the 1950s. The magazine analyzes the impact of newspaper headlines, eyewitness accounts, and the subsequent public reaction.

The 1947 UFO Wave: Media Frenzy and Public Reaction

The article begins by noting how newspapers in the Northwestern United States were particularly quick to cover the emerging story of UFO sightings. On June 26, 1947, the same day Kenneth Arnold's account was widely publicized, a Seattle newspaper featured a full-page headline about other witnesses confirming similar observations, reinforcing Arnold's story and making it more credible.

The "me too" phenomenon is highlighted, where people who read about Arnold's sighting began contacting journalists to share their own experiences. This led to a surge in reports, peaking around July 7-8, 1947, before gradually subsiding. Despite the decline in reports, the phenomenon left a lasting mark on popular culture, fueled by the context of the era, which included ideas about advanced Martians and the mystery of strange, high-performance flying objects.

The issue presents several newspaper front pages from July 1947, showcasing the extensive media attention given to the sightings. Headlines from The Seattle Daily Times, San Antonio Express, Lewiston Morning Tribune, Oxnard Press Courier, The Daily Mail, The Lowell Sun, The Brownsville Herald, Spokane Daily Chronicle, The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Marysville Evening Tribune, The Vidette-Messenger, The Spokesman-Review, Twin Falls Times Union, Rocky Mountain News, Ellensburg Daily Record, The Des Moines Register, The Bellingham Herald, and San Mateo Times all illustrate the widespread reporting of "flying saucers" and "disks."

• Key themes emerging from the headlines include:
• Local Sightings: "They have arrived here too."
• Widespread Sightings: "More and more people are seeing them, there must be something real."
• Military Involvement: "We want to find them and see them up close."
• The Roswell Incident: "The 'disk' recovered by the Army will finally solve the mystery."

The article notes the frequent use of the terms "disc" and "disk" in headlines, likely for brevity.

Early Italian UFO Cases (1950s)

The magazine then shifts focus to early UFO reports in Italy, particularly an "ondata" (wave) of sightings in 1950. It is suggested that this period saw a significant number of cases, potentially reaching four hundred if all periodicals were examined. The peak of this wave occurred between mid-March and mid-May 1950, but reports were present throughout the year.

One detailed case discussed is from April 28, 1950, reported in the newspaper "Momento Sera." The article, titled "Visto in Puglia un siluro volante - Correva senza ruote sulla strada di Foggia" (Seen in Puglia a flying torpedo - It ran without wheels on the road to Foggia), was written by Attilio Tibollo. The account describes a "strange machine" observed near Cerignola, Foggia, by Carmen Giordano, Mario Lepore, and Lepore's son. They described it as a "large torpedo" without wheels, moving at high speed on the road, appearing to "slide" or hover just above the asphalt. Tibollo, initially skeptical, concluded that the object was a mysterious "landing" device.

Another case mentioned occurred eight days later, on May 1, 1950, at Lido di Venezia. An article in "Il Gazzettino" reported a "flying saucer" traveling with the regularity of a car. These cases are presented as early examples of descriptions of flying saucers "landed" or very close to the ground in Italy.

Analysis of Media Impact

The issue emphasizes the considerable visual and emotional power of the newspaper headlines. This "media weight" satisfied readers' curiosity and, in turn, generated new interest in the topic. The widespread reporting also made people feel authorized to share their own sightings, turning them into protagonists of a popular event.

While the intense reporting eventually subsided, the image of flying saucers remained firmly embedded in the public's imagination. The article speculates that a contributing factor to the extensive coverage might have been a relative lack of other major news stories at the time, although it also notes that even without major events, American newspapers had plenty of significant local and national news available.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the powerful influence of media, particularly newspapers, in shaping public perception and generating interest in UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of historical documentation and analysis, presenting eyewitness accounts and media reports from different eras and countries. The magazine aims to explore the cultural impact of these sightings and the way they were reported and perceived by the public, acknowledging both belief and skepticism.

The issue highlights the cyclical nature of UFO reporting, with waves of sightings followed by periods of less intense coverage, but with a lasting impact on popular culture and imagination.

Title: CIELO INSOLITO
Issue: #23
Date: May 1950
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of "Cielo Insolito" delves into UFO phenomena, focusing on specific sightings and reports from Italy, particularly in 1950. The magazine aims to present these events with a scientific and investigative approach, drawing from newspaper archives and eyewitness testimonies.

The Valpondi Sighting in Venice

The central piece of this issue details a significant UFO sighting by Fausto Valpondi, the respected Dean of the Istituto Nautico in Venice. The report, initially published in "Il Gazzettino," describes Valpondi as a credible witness with strong scientific credentials. The sighting occurred on the evening of May 1, 1950, around 8:35 PM, from the terrace of his home on the Lido of Venice. Valpondi, along with his wife, children, and other neighbors, observed a luminous object in the sky. The object was described as having a non-exactly determinable shape, but appearing "spherical" and surmounted by a second, smaller body, forming a single "mobile system." Both bodies emitted a continuous, regular, and "reddish" light, resembling burning naphtha.

Valpondi, a professor and engineer, provided a detailed account. The object was observed moving from northeast to southwest at a vertiginous speed. Its trajectory was described as "fugacissima" (fleeting) and "fulminea" (lightning-fast), yet perfectly visible. The apparent diameter of the larger sphere was estimated at approximately 2 meters, and the smaller one at 0.50 meters. The object was perceived as a "machine," possibly self-guided or radio-guided, due to its regular movement and course.

A Prior Sighting by Valpondi

Interestingly, the article reveals that Valpondi had a prior sighting a few days before the main event, around the same time, while at the Istituto Nautico. This earlier "disk" presence was reportedly detected not only visually but also by the instruments in the institute's astronomy lab. The nature of these instruments and the exact details of this second sighting remain somewhat ambiguous, with speculation about the use of binoculars, telescopes, or even a magnetometer.

The Marchetti Sighting in Rome

The issue also presents a case reported by Clearco Marchetti (or Elearco Marchetto, as the name varied in different reports) from Rome. This account, published in "Il Gazzettino" on May 10, 1950, was part of a series by journalist Mario La Stella on flying saucers. Marchetti, who identified himself as a passionate astronomer and a "testimone autentico" (authentic witness), described an event on the evening of March 20, 1950, around 6:30 PM, near Piazza Venezia. He observed a luminous, rotating "disk" proceeding from south to southwest. The object was described as a rotating sphere with an opaque, diffused light, and a central ring that rotated vorticosously, illuminated by a light between blue and violet. A long trail of black smoke emanated from a protuberance at its rear, remaining visible for about three minutes. The visibility time was about fifteen seconds, and the apparent size was estimated at 7 cm proportionally to the distance. The object's speed was rapid but slower than common meteors, and its altitude was estimated at 6-7 km. Marchetti speculated that such phenomena might be experimental remote-controlled aircraft launched by intelligent beings.

Other Cases and Context

The article briefly mentions a similar sighting by Filippo Volpe in Rome on the same date and time as Marchetti's observation, suggesting a potential connection or shared event. It also references the broader context of the "1950 wave" of UFO sightings in Italy, noting that over 358 cases have been identified through newspaper research. Other cases discussed include a sighting near Cerignola, Foggia, on April 23, 1950, involving a "big torpedo," and a report from Venice on May 1, 1950, about a flying object shaped like "two overlying spheres."

English Abstracts

The issue concludes with English abstracts summarizing some of the articles. "Cielo insolito. What & Why" is described as a magazine about the history of UFOs and ufology, with a focus on Italy and the world up to the 1970s. It highlights the work of researchers G. Stilo and M. Verga, their encyclopedic series on Italian UFO sightings, and their ongoing research into astronomical interest in UFOs and the ET motif. The abstract also mentions Verga's work on "Nazi UFOs" and "German flying saucers." Another abstract, "The Li Volsi medium and the martians," discusses "channeled contactism" in ufology, mentioning Saverio Li Volsi's information about flying saucers and Mars in 1950. "Large headlines in 1947: flying saucers on the front pages" by M. Verga examines media coverage of the 1947 UFO wave in American and Brazilian newspapers. Finally, "The 1950 wave in Italy: new cases" by G. Stilo provides an update on the number of cases and highlights interesting new findings, including the Valpondi and Tibollo reports.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are eyewitness testimony, the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, and the historical documentation of UFO sightings, particularly the 1950 wave in Italy. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, treating the accounts of credible witnesses like Fausto Valpondi with respect and attempting to analyze them through a scientific lens, while acknowledging the limitations of the available data and the speculative nature of some conclusions. The magazine encourages contributions from other researchers and aims to build a comprehensive history of ufology.