Cielo Insolito - No 04

Magazine Overview

Title: Cielo Insolito
Issue Date: June 2017
Issue Number: 4
Type: Rivista di Storiografia Ufologica (Magazine of Ufological Historiography)

This issue of Cielo Insolito, a magazine dedicated to the history of ufology, presents several in-depth articles exploring different facets of the phenomenon's past.

Article 1: Luciano Salce non era repubblichino (Luciano Salce was not a Republican)

This article, written by G.S., examines a misconception surrounding the Italian director Luciano Salce. It addresses a claim made by essayist Antonio Carioti in "La Lettura" that Salce was a member of the armed forces of the Italian Social Republic (RSI). The author argues, based on documentary evidence, that Salce not only did not join the RSI but suffered because of it. The piece reflects on a broader tendency within Italian ufology to attribute radical right-wing political affiliations or military service in the RSI to prominent figures from the 1950s-60s ufology scene. The author posits that this is often based on legend and a desire to legitimize certain figures, rather than factual evidence. While acknowledging exceptions like Alberto Perego, the article suggests that documented cases of "fascist ufologists" are statistically insignificant. The author concludes that the historical study of ufology must rely solely on documents and evidence, not on desires or fears.

Article 2: Febbraio 1946: veri e propri dischi volanti in un fumetto italiano (February 1946: Real flying saucers in an Italian comic strip)

This article, also by G.S., discusses a significant discovery made by collector Giancarlo D'Alessandro: an Italian comic strip from February 1946 that depicted flying saucers. This predates the widely recognized "flying saucer" era that began in the summer of 1947. The comic appeared as a supplement to the weekly magazine "Viaggi e avventure." The article highlights the necessity of systematic study to understand how Italian publications represented visual elements associated with flying saucers before and after the famous Kenneth Arnold sighting. The comic features an adventurer named Zamorro and his adversaries, with flying objects described as "autogiri" (autogyros). The illustrations, by Ivo Cappellato, show circular craft with domes and openings, some resembling flying fortresses. These "autogiri" are depicted as being part of an army that is ultimately defeated by Zamorro's more advanced "potentissima flotta aerea" (most powerful air fleet), which consists of jet-propelled missiles with cabins. The article notes the discrepancy between the term "autogiri" and the depicted craft, attributing the visual representation to Cappellato's creativity. The author emphasizes that these flying objects, despite their advanced appearance, are ultimately portrayed as "too human" and vulnerable, failing to achieve victory. The article concludes that the most important takeaway is that an Italian comic artist, in early 1946, almost perfectly depicted the arrival of flying saucers a year and a half before they became a widespread phenomenon.

Article 3: The alleged historical provenance of the Hessdalen UFO phenomena

Authored by Ole Jonny Brænne, this article investigates the historical background of the Hessdalen UFO phenomena in Norway. Hessdalen valley has been the site of reports of luminous phenomena, lights, and strange objects since late 1981, continuing through 1982-1983 and in subsequent years, albeit less frequently. In 1983, a project named "Project Hessdalen" was initiated by UFO researchers from Norway and Sweden to investigate these phenomena. The article cites claims that transient luminous phenomena have been observed in Hessdalen for over 100 years, with documentation dating back to 1811, when priest Jakob Tode Krogh recorded seeing a "star with two tails." Later reports from the newspaper "Fjeldljom" in 1895 and observations during World War II also mention strange lights. The article also references claims that the phenomena have been observed for at least 200 years. Numerous websites and a documentary movie ("Portalen") mention UFO sightings in Hessdalen dating back to 1811. The author, with an interest in historical UFO and fortean reports, has extensively searched local history sources and found various reports of phenomena in and around Hessdalen. The article then proceeds to detail specific historical accounts:

• 1772: A local history book quotes a diary entry from February 18, 1772, describing a "star with two tails," which is suggested to be an unknown, short-lived comet as it predates the discovery of Biela's comet.
• 1791: A wedding accident is mentioned where some witnesses claimed to have seen "something that looked like a white sheet in the cloud," interpreted as a warning.
• 1811: This year is frequently mentioned, with references to local history books and the diary of priest Jacob Thode Krogh, indicating significant events or observations.

Article 4: I fenomeni solari: un enigma scientifico e storiografico (Solar phenomena: a scientific and historiographical enigma)

This article, marked with page number 21, is not fully transcribed in the provided OCR data. However, its title suggests a discussion on solar phenomena as a subject of both scientific and historical inquiry.

Abstracts

Marked with page number 28, this section likely contains summaries of articles or research papers, possibly including those from international sources, given the "Abstracts" title.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Cielo Insolito are the historical investigation of UFO phenomena, the evolution of UFO imagery in popular culture (specifically comics), and the detailed examination of specific historical cases like the Hessdalen phenomena. The magazine's editorial stance, as suggested by the article on Luciano Salce and the emphasis on documentary evidence, is one of rigorous historical research and a critical approach to unsubstantiated claims or legends within ufology. The magazine champions the importance of primary sources and meticulous research over speculation or personal beliefs.

Title: The Hessdalen Report
Issue Date: 1985
Publisher: NIVFO
Country: Norway
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Historical UFO Reports in Hessdalen and Surrounding Areas (1772-1946)

This document, "The Hessdalen Report" by Jan S. Krogh, published by NIVFO in 1985, investigates historical accounts of unexplained phenomena, often referred to as UFOs, in the Hessdalen valley and its vicinity in Norway, spanning a period of 174 years from 1772 to 1946. The report meticulously examines various incidents, cross-referencing them with historical records, local folklore, and scientific explanations.

The Great Comet of 1811

The report begins by addressing a common misconception regarding an "UFO report from 1811." It clarifies that a quote attributed to priest Jacob Thode Krogh about a "star with big shining brushwood" was actually from the diary of Lars Dybdalen, as reported by Anders Jonsen Reitan. This phenomenon is identified as the Great Comet of 1811 (C/1811 F1), a well-documented celestial event observed globally from October to December 1811.

1816: Strange Signs in Trondheim

Another report from Reitan, quoting Dybdalen's diary, mentions "strange signs" seen in Trondheim during the winter of 1816. However, the report notes that it is unclear if these signs were in the sky and that Trondheim's distance makes a connection to Hessdalen unlikely.

1870: A Possible Flying Object

Jan S. Krogh mentions a report from 1870 concerning Lars Lillevold's grandmother observing what she described as a flying object, with someone in it beckoning to her. The location is noted as Ålen. The source of this report is unknown, and while a balloon is considered, its likelihood is questioned. The report also dismisses the possibility of it being the balloon "La Ville d'Orleans."

1895: The "Draksten" Phenomenon

An old newspaper article from 1895 describes fishermen at Hesjøen lake witnessing a luminous body, resembling a "broom," falling between them and a mountain slope. The phenomenon was observed from the time it became visible against the mountain until it disappeared. The observer recalled childhood stories of "draksten" (dragon stone), described as a luminous broom that rushed down and plunged into the ground where treasures were buried. The report identifies this event as a meteor, the visible path of a meteoroid.

1910: Balls of Color near the Orkla River

A newspaper report from 1910 details an experience of three fishermen on the Orkla river during the night of a comet. They observed thousands of balls, large and small, in all colors of the rainbow, coming over the river. These balls burst like soap bubbles and were accompanied by a foul smell. The fishermen, experienced in the river, had never seen anything like it. The report suggests this might be an unknown natural phenomenon, possibly unrelated to the Hessdalen UFO phenomena.

1943: Objects in the Hessdalen Valley

Arne Wisth's book "UFO-mysteriet i Hessdalen" recounts the first confirmed UFO sighting in the Hessdalen valley in June-July 1943. Jon Aspås and his uncle Martin Lyng observed three "objects" in the sky of varying sizes. A cloud enveloped them, and then they disappeared rapidly northward. Aspås noted that they didn't know what UFOs were at the time and only understood later.

1945: A Mysterious Light during WWII

This report from the end of WWII (January 12, 1945) describes Rubin Langmo, a resistance fighter, and two companions encountering a gleaming, whirling bright eye in the darkness while skiing through Hessdalen at night. Langmo speculated it might be an electrical phenomenon caused by the storm.

1946: The Scandinavian Ghost Rockets

The year 1946 saw reports of "Scandinavian ghost rockets," luminous phenomena often missile-shaped, across Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark. In Røros, Norway, Rolf Wintervold observed a phenomenon resembling a smoke ring that sailed above a hotel and disappeared. He estimated its altitude and speed, noting it changed course and accelerated away. This report is considered similar to the Hessdalen UFO phenomena.

Conclusion and Analysis

The report concludes by summarizing ten historical reports, noting that two have insufficient information, four are not local to Hessdalen, and four have natural explanations. Only four reports from 1910-1946 are considered unexplained, with only two of those originating from Hessdalen. The author's conclusion is that the alleged historical provenance of the Hessdalen UFO phenomena is "just a myth."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the document is the investigation of historical anomalous aerial phenomena, particularly in the Hessdalen region of Norway. The editorial stance is one of critical analysis, seeking verifiable evidence and plausible explanations, whether natural, celestial, or folkloric. The author systematically debunks or categorizes reported events, ultimately questioning the historical basis for the Hessdalen UFO phenomenon, suggesting it is largely mythical rather than based on a consistent series of unexplained sightings.

This issue of the magazine, identified by page numbers 21 through 28, focuses on the scientific and historical investigation of 'solar phenomena.' The title, "I fenomeni solari: un enigma scientifico e storiografico" (Solar Phenomena: A Scientific and Historiographical Enigma), sets the stage for a deep dive into unusual aerial events.

The Historiography of Solar Phenomena

The article begins by noting that for a long time, the historiographical research on 'solar phenomena' was stagnant and often viewed with skepticism. It questions why ufologists should concern themselves with these events, which were sometimes dismissed as irrational fantasies mixed with religious beliefs and based on unreliable sources. However, the author asserts that available documentation now suggests prudence, even for scholars using scientific methods.

Numerous documents reveal that since the early 19th century, witnesses from various parts of the world have described strange aerial phenomena. These events reportedly involved unusual characteristics such as the Sun losing luminosity, changes in color, emission of luminous rays, rapid movements, and the appearance of luminous spheres or bubbles. Initially, scholars were hesitant to study these phenomena, partly because they were thought to be confined to specific geographical areas like Southern Europe and often associated with religious visions, particularly within Roman Catholicism. This led to their dismissal as apologetic and analytically unusable material.

Challenging Preconceptions

The author highlights that ufologists' attention was first significantly drawn to solar phenomena in 1958, using the events at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917 as an example. This led to a perception that solar phenomena were intrinsically linked to religious visions, Catholicism, the Mediterranean region, and confessional press. However, the article strongly refutes this, stating that solar phenomena did not originate in a religious context, did not first appear in Southern Europe, and were more widespread in largely Protestant societies, predating 1917.

The "Invasion of the Solar Bubbles" Monograph

A key turning point in this research is the monograph "Invasion of the Solar Bubbles" by English ufology historians Martin Shough and Chris Aubeck. This work presents forty-six cases from 1561 to 1975, starting with pamphlets from the religious wars in Basel and Nuremberg and focusing on cases from 1808 onwards, including one in Biskopsberga, Sweden. The authors identify the emission of luminous bubbles from the solar disk as the central characteristic, rather than axial rotation. The article notes that most of these cases are not linked to religious contexts or mystical visions, with many originating from scientific or popular science periodicals. Notably, no cases are reported from Italy, with Southern Europe represented only by the Fatima episodes. The majority of events are linked to Great Britain, the United States, Scandinavia, and Germany. This catalog effectively dismantles the conviction that religious matrices were the primary driver of these testimonies, suggesting that such associations are largely post-1917.

Early American Cases

The article then delves into specific historical accounts. One particularly interesting case from 1831, over eighty years before Fatima, documents American newspapers clearly describing typical solar phenomena, intended as unusual meteorological-astronomical events rather than supernatural occurrences. The "Baltimore Patriot" reported on August 19, 1831, an observation made by the director of the "Annapolis Republican" in Annapolis, Maryland, on August 13, 1831. The description detailed an unusual sky with a general atmospheric haze obscuring the Sun, allowing it to be viewed directly. Around twenty to thirty circles, similar in size to the solar disk, were seen moving rapidly around the Sun, exhibiting brilliant, evanescent scintillations. The phenomenon lasted for ten to twelve minutes, after which the Sun took on a peculiar clear blue-green hue, casting a strange shadow. This event was observed without optical aid and was followed by a dark blue sky.

Another case from December 1886 in Elkhart, Indiana, reported in "The Bremen Enquirer," describes a teacher, Minnie Shafer, observing a black spot on the Sun and the Sun appearing agitated. Fiery balls, like rockets, shot out from this black area, leaving smoke trails. This observation was corroborated by students, indicating it wasn't a solitary hallucination.

International Sightings and the Halley's Comet Connection

The year 1910, marked by the Halley's Comet psychosis, saw several relevant cases. On May 18, phenomena were observed in Norway and Canada simultaneously. On May 18, 1910, in Augusta, Georgia, USA, solar phenomena were observed at sunset, coinciding with Halley's Comet reaching perihelion. The "Augusta Chronicle" reported strange rotational and oscillatory movements of the Sun. Jesuit priest Joseph B. Franckhauser suggested the cause might be the comet's nuclei passing in front of the Sun. Witnesses described the Sun's color changing to a reddish hue and exhibiting an undulating and rotating motion. A transparent body, about six inches wide, seemed to cover the Sun and moved rapidly clockwise.

Another case from March 26, 1910, in Slaughter, Louisiana, USA, reported by S. R. Davis to the "Times-Democrat," described objects resembling Japanese lanterns and toy balloons of various colors moving around the Sun. These objects appeared to descend towards the ground, accompanied by columns of clouds changing color. The phenomenon was also observed in Slaughter and raised questions about whether it was related to Halley's Comet.

Italian Cases and Later Developments

The article then shifts focus to Italy, noting that the work by Aubeck and Shough largely overlooks Italian cases, which is considered a serious omission given Italy's significant history with solar phenomena over the past seventy-five years. The first case mentioned in Italy occurred in Ghiaie, near Bonate, in the second half of May 1944, linked to religious apparitions. The period of the CISU's "Operazione Origini" (1946-1954) is marked by forty-five documented solar phenomena cases, though their timing is not uniform.

An enormous wave of solar phenomena occurred in Italy between October 1947 and June 1948, comprising at least thirty-five episodes. The author dedicates a chapter in his new book, "Un cielo rosso scuro," to this series. This wave appears to have been initiated by religious visions in Casanova Staffora in June 1947, but it expanded geographically and was sometimes independent of religious circumstances. These events were covered by provincial newspapers and astronomical and geophysical publications.

After mid-1948, Italian cases decreased but reappeared significantly from April 1950. New cases from the autumn of 1950, discovered through research by Elvio Fiorentini, suggest that events in Casanova Staffora might have continued to be relevant. Two news items are presented: one from the Piacenza newspaper "Libertà" on November 7, 1950, describing an 'apparition' of the Madonna in Bobbio, during which a solar phenomenon occurred that drew everyone's attention. The second, from "Libertà" on December 6, 1950, mentions a solar phenomenon occurring about thirty kilometers from Casanova Staffora, possibly coinciding with Angela Volpini's altered consciousness experiences.

The author notes that the dates for these episodes might need to be retroactively adjusted by one day, to November 4 and December 4, 1950, as these were the dates of Volpini's perceptual experiences.

Conclusion and Future Research

The article concludes by emphasizing that research into both foreign and Italian solar phenomena is still in its early stages. While documented cases exist in many countries since the early 19th century, the author questions if they only appeared in Italy after World War II and then spread like an epidemic. The peculiar nature of these testimonies, their cross-century and cross-cultural persistence, and their occasional link to religious visions (often Catholic) while frequently occurring outside such contexts, remain open questions.

The historian of ufology is urged to focus on promising newspaper sources and periods to gain a better understanding of these phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the historical documentation of unusual aerial phenomena, the challenge to conventional explanations (particularly religious ones), the importance of scientific and historiographical rigor, and the global nature of these sightings. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, advocating for a thorough examination of evidence and a willingness to challenge established narratives in the field of ufology. The issue emphasizes the need for continued research into less-explored areas, such as Italian case histories, to build a more complete picture of solar phenomena.