CISU*FLASH

Magazine Overview

Title: CISU*FLASH
Issue: No. 1
Date: 28 August 1996
Publisher: Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU)
Country: Italy
Language: English

This document is the first issue of CISU*FLASH, an experimental, free electronic newsletter published by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU). Its purpose is to keep foreign ufologists informed about the Italian UFO scene, with a particular focus on sighting reports. The newsletter is intended to be issued on an irregular schedule, roughly weekly, to complement CISU's monthly publication, the ITALIAN UFO REPORTER (ITUFOR).

Summertime UFOs in Italy

The newsletter reports on several UFO sightings that occurred in August 1996. At least three sightings were made by campers.

• Marina di Massa (Massa Carrara): On August 22, at 21:30, several campers observed a bright red ball, described as being as large as the moon. The object hovered for a few minutes before zigzagging away.
• Baia Domizia (Caserta): Nearly identical to the previous sighting and occurring around the same time, a large circular light frightened campers. It hovered for a few minutes and was filmed before speeding away.
• Varazze (Savona): On August 17, at 1 a.m., camping tourists witnessed a round light that evolved for half an hour. The light was initially white and then turned yellow.

Photo and Videos

Beyond these direct sightings, other Italian UFO cases from August are mentioned:

• Livigno (Sondrio): A photo case was reported.
• Near Vicenza: Two videos were captured in early August, one showing a bright light splitting into two, and another depicting a fiery object pacing a truck.

Trace-Landing Reports

Two trace-landing cases are detailed:

• Lugo Vicentino (Vicenza): In early August, a 7-meter circular ring of burned grass was discovered on a hill. This location was the same hill where two motorists had previously reported seeing a white-bluish brightness during the night.
• Near Fontana Rosa (Avellino): On the night of August 10, two men reported observing a red bright disc maneuvering at a low altitude above a field. In this field, a round area of yellow grass, measuring 3 meters wide, was subsequently discovered.

About CISU

The second page provides information about the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU). Founded in 1986, CISU is described as the largest and most active UFO organization in Italy. Since 1988, it has been the sole Italian member of the International Committee on UFO Research (ICUR). The association's aims include promoting the scientific study of UFO phenomena in Italy, facilitating the circulation of information on UFOs and related studies, and coordinating national activities for data collection and research.

The publication details are listed as (c) 1996 by CISU, P. O. Box 82, I-10100 Torino, Italia. Contact information includes a phone number (+39 (11) 329.02.79 for a 24-hour UFO Hotline), a fax number (+39 (11) 54.50.33), and an email address ([email protected]). A website is also provided: http://www.arpnet.it/~ufo.

The newsletter also promotes UFO-ON-LINE, described as one of the best UFO websites in cyberspace, edited in English by Maurizio Verga on behalf of CISU, with a URL: http://oasi.shiny.it/Homes/CISU/english/ufol.htm. This website reportedly had over 40,000 visitors in the first seven months of 1996.

Editorial Stance and Distribution

CISU*FLASH notes that any mistakes, faults, and typos are to be credited to Edoardo Russo, who handles CISU Foreign Relations. The newsletter can be freely quoted, copied, reproduced, stored, distributed, and retrieved, provided that CISU is credited as the source. CISU*FLASH and ITUFOR are also available as mailing lists on the Internet. Subscribers can join by sending an email with "SUBSCRIBE ITUFOR <name surname>" in the body. Back issues can be found on the WWW via the CISU homepage. A weekly mailing list in Italian, called UFOTEL, is also available; subscription requires sending an email with "SUBSCRIBE UFOTEL <name surname>" in the body.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this inaugural issue is the reporting of recent UFO sightings and related phenomena in Italy during August 1996. The editorial stance is one of objective reporting and information dissemination to the international ufological community. The newsletter aims to provide a concise overview of current events in Italian UFOlogy, highlighting specific cases with details on location, date, and observed characteristics, as well as mentioning photographic and physical evidence.