CISU Sicilia - No 09 - luglio 1999

Magazine Overview

This issue of CISU Sicilia, number 9, dated July 1999, is a bulletin from the Regional Coordination for Sicily of the Italian Center for Ufological Studies (CISU). It covers a range of topics related to ufology, including internal organizational changes, analysis of recent and historical UFO cases, and the media's portrayal of these phenomena.

Editorial: QUALE UFOLOGIA PER IL 2000?

The editorial reflects on the upcoming end of the century and millennium, referencing the 14th National CISU Convention held in Florence on May 29th, which discussed the philosophy of ufological research for the year 2000. It highlights significant events in Italian ufology during the first months of 1999, particularly the "divorce" between Roberto Pinotti and Maurizio Baiata, who had dominated the scene for years through their company Futuro snc, publishers of 'Notiziario UFO' and 'Dossier Alieni'. This split led to the creation of new entities and publications, including Baiata's IFAS (International Federation of Advanced Studies) and the magazine 'Extraterrestre', and Pinotti's reclaiming of 'Notiziario UFO'. The editorial also notes the emergence of the 'Men In Red' collective, which claims to champion ufology for the people. Ultimately, it suggests that the Florence convention laid the groundwork for a different kind of ufology for the new millennium.

UFO NEWS SICILIA

This section provides a recap of UFO-related news and sightings from the first six months of 1999.

INVASIONE MANCATA

An article critiques a sensationalistic press release by Alfredo LISSONI of CUN, titled 'Gli UFO invadono l'Italia?', which reported only eight sightings. The author argues that this number is insufficient to justify an 'invasion' and that many cases were explainable as meteorological phenomena (like a bolide) or satellite flares, citing the case of an object seen on January 17th, 1999, near Trecastagni.

CONGIUNZIONE PLANETARIA

On February 23rd, the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus, visible due to clear atmospheric conditions in Sicily, led to numerous calls to local news outlets reporting UFO sightings. The article explains that this was an optical phenomenon caused by the planets' proximity, not an alien invasion, and that such an event would not occur again for 200 years.

FATA MORGANA

On January 31st, 1999, in Messina, Cosimo OTTANA' photographed a phenomenon identified as a Fata Morgana, described as a luminous globe surrounded by an aura and other lights. The article refers to a more detailed piece on this phenomenon by Pietro TORRE in the same issue.

INSEGNE LUMINOSE

On January 18th, 1999, near Messina, a support teacher named G. M. reported seeing five luminous red lights in the sky, described as large, well-squared windows. Two of the lights moved erratically and disappeared, while the third remained visible for a few minutes.

ANCORA BOLIDI

Several sightings of bolides (meteors) were reported in Sicily. On April 18th, 1999, the crew of Alitalia flight AZ1844 reported a glow and smoke trail near the Gulf of Castellammare. Similar sightings were reported in Catania, where a professor observed a yellow-to-blue light descending rapidly. The article attributes these to fragments of the Lyrids meteor shower.

"IL VOLO CHE NON C'ERA"

This section discusses a publicity campaign by Air Europe featuring an image of a flying saucer over Milan Cathedral, which was met with a counter-campaign by Alitalia using an image of an airplane with the slogan "Not even a UFO would fly between Milan and the South 78 times a day." The article frames this as a battle of stereotypes and media attention surrounding UFOs since World War II.

OPERAZIONE ORIGINI: LA SICILIA

Salvatore Foresta details the ongoing research project "Operazione Origini," which aims to reconstruct the historical and social context of ufology in Italy during the early years of the phenomenon. The project has collected approximately 700 articles from Sicilian newspapers between 1946 and 1954, including 'Il Giornale dell'Isola,' 'Il Corriere di Sicilia,' 'Espresso Sera,' and 'La Sicilia.' The research has uncovered significant early sightings, such as the first reported UFO sighting in Italy on July 8th, 1947, by 'Corriere di Sicilia,' and articles related to the 'dischi di Taormina' case.

The article highlights the journalistic coverage of the time, noting that 'La Sicilia' published numerous brief reports on daily sightings, while 'Il Giornale dell'Isola' used humorous cartoons. It also mentions specific incidents like the 'siliceous cotton' fall in Gela and the 'bird of fire' sighting in Alcantara. The research has also uncovered cultural references to UFOs, such as Martian costumes at the Acireale carnival and a 'Grand Gala of the Flying Saucer' event in Catania.

DISCHI DI TAORMINA

Antonio Blanco reconstructs the background of a famous case from over 40 years ago: a photograph allegedly showing two "discs" in the sky over Taormina. The article notes that while the photo is more known abroad than in Italy, serious ufologists consider it a photomontage. It discusses the uncertainty surrounding the photo's date and the lack of local press coverage despite its alleged international impact. The article also questions the claims made by various sources regarding the photo's authenticity and the identity of the photographer, Giuseppe Grasso.

It then presents an analysis by Larry Robinson, an American ufologist, who suggests the "discs" are reflections, possibly from a lamp and a window, or a double exposure. Robinson's analysis points out that the people in the photo are not looking at the objects and that the lighting is inconsistent with actual aerial objects. He also notes that the objects appear transparent and have the shape and characteristics of light bulbs from a floor lamp.

The article then details the discovery of a report in "Il Giornale dell'Isola" from November 20th, 1954, which identifies the "discs" as a weather balloon. This report, along with other findings, clarifies the date of the event and suggests that the famous photographs were likely staged or misinterpreted. The article concludes that the case is important for understanding what UFOs are not, highlighting the role of misinterpretation and potential fabrication in early UFO reports.

LA FATA MORGANA

Pietro Torre discusses the Fata Morgana, a complex optical illusion observed in the Strait of Messina, often described as a "beautiful and mysterious lady." He explains that it can manifest as a marine or aerial mirage, causing objects to appear reflected, inverted, or multiplied. The article delves into the optical principles behind this phenomenon and references historical accounts of similar mirages, including a detailed description from a 17th-century letter.

RECENSIONI

This section reviews two publications:

1. "Misteriosi Fenomeni nel cielo della provincia di Messina - prima parte: casi esaminati al 1974" by Pietro TORRE. This 80-page volume compiles ufological and para-ufological cases examined by the author from 1950-1974.
2. "UFO Forum," issue number 12, a quarterly publication from the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici directed by Giuseppe VERDI. This issue includes critiques of James Oberg's theories, a defense of the extraterrestrial hypothesis, and archival discoveries related to "angel hair" and the Taormina discs case.

"PRIMO PIANO" SUL CISU SICILIA

This brief note mentions that the RAI (Italian Radio Television) interviewed Antonio BLANCO and Antonio RAMPULLA for their program "Primo Piano" on April 12th, discussing UFO phenomena in Sicily.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a critical and analytical approach to ufology, emphasizing the importance of rigorous research, historical documentation, and debunking sensationalist claims. There's a clear focus on distinguishing genuine phenomena from misidentifications, hoaxes, and media hype. The internal discussions within CISU highlight a desire to redefine ufology for the new millennium, moving towards a more philosophical and perhaps less conspiratorial approach. The recurring theme is the meticulous investigation of cases, often involving cross-referencing historical documents and scientific analysis, as seen in the detailed breakdown of the Taormina discs case and the explanation of the Fata Morgana.

Title: CISU SICILIA
Issue: n. 9
Date: January 1955 (inferred from 'gennaio di quest'anno' in relation to the 1954 event)
Publisher: CISU (Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici)
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

The Testimony of Caruso

The article details the testimony of journalist Angelo Caruso, who authored a report for 'Giornale dell'Isola' on January 26th of an unspecified year (likely 1955, given the context of the 1954 event). Caruso recounts how photographer Giuseppe Grasso contacted him in the afternoon of November 19, 1954, to offer photographs he had taken. Grasso was known for his 'strange photos,' including unusual depictions of people.

Upon seeing the photos, Caruso was perplexed and decided to visit the site to verify the incident and gather more testimonies. He was accompanied by Giuseppe Di Giorgio, another photographer from the newspaper. Di Giorgio took photos of the Carnabuci family daughter and an elderly fisherman, as well as the deflated envelope of a sounding balloon. This envelope, described as a "double onion veil of vast dimensions, but weighing barely a hundred grams," was photographed at the Command of the Guardia di Finanza in Santa Teresa Riva. The Marshal, Tesoro, allowed Caruso to take the deflated balloon, which he then showed around the newspaper office, leading to amusement.

When asked if he knew the photos were fake, Caruso explicitly stated he did not, as Grasso had claimed they were of sounding balloons. However, Caruso admitted that Grasso would have done anything to sensationalize a case. Caruso was also unaware that Grasso's photos had circulated globally, speculating they might have been sold or taken to America by an ambassador passing through Catania airport.

The article's author believes it's almost certain that Grasso managed to sell his photographs abroad, given their clarity in international publications like the cover of Aimé Michel's book. The author notes that Grasso, being a professional photographer well-connected in journalistic circles, could have easily facilitated this. The exact role of the ambassador remains unclear, brought up by the author to clarify Grasso's potential involvement.

Caruso also denied that any fighter jets intervened in the event, a detail he only mentioned when prompted by the author's questions.

My Hypothesis

The author proposes a probable scenario: On the morning of November 19, 1954, people in Taormina and surrounding areas simultaneously observed two innocuous sounding balloons. These were mistaken for UFOs, a topic widely discussed at the time. The news spread quickly due to the objects' low altitude, making them highly visible. In Giardini, photographer Giuseppe Grasso, renowned in the town, was either called or was among the first witnesses. He went to the piazza above the seafront with his equipment and took photos of people observing the 'evolutions' of the two sounding balloons.

The author notes that photocopies do not allow for a definitive conclusion on whether Grasso framed the balloons themselves, but the focus was on the witnesses. It's suggested that Grasso, even before seeing the developed photos, might have already considered replacing the sounding balloons with images of "flying discs." After processing the photos in his studio, Grasso visited 'Giornale dell'Isola' in the afternoon and offered the pictures to Caruso, with whom he had a privileged relationship. As usual, these photos were published the next day with Caruso's report, creating a small scoop for the local newspaper.

Other newspapers, like 'Giornale di Sicilia' in Palermo, would report the story a day later.

Ongoing Investigation

The author states that the investigation is not concluded. They intend to find Grasso's family to clarify aspects of the case and potentially obtain original copies of other "strange photos" Grasso specialized in. Furthermore, the investigation will continue collaborating with Larry Robinson to better understand the quality and reliability of his analyses. This collaboration aims to gain access to the article published in the New York Herald Tribune, which is believed to have initiated the international fame of the "Taormina discs" photo, potentially adding another piece to the puzzle of flying saucer history.

Notes and References

The document includes extensive footnotes (Notes 1-22) citing various books, articles, and publications related to UFO sightings and the history of ufology, including works by Frank Edwards, Donald H. Menzel, Juan Josè Benitez, Aimé Michel, M. Sachs, Harold T. Wilkins, A. Schneider, and H. Malthaner. These notes provide context and sources for the information presented in the article, referencing Italian and international publications that discussed the Taormina incident and other UFO cases.

The CISU Review

In Edicola (On Newsstands):
This section provides a list of bookstores in Sicily where the magazine "UFO," a bi-annual publication of the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU), is available. It also provides subscription details and contact information for ordering back issues.

CISU SICILIA - Periodic Bulletin:
This section identifies the bulletin as an aperiodic publication by the Regional Coordination for Sicily of the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici. It lists the address, phone/fax number, and email address for the Sicilian branch. The editorial team is listed as Antonio Blanco and Giuseppe Verdi. Contributors to this issue include Davide Ferrara, Salvatore Foresta, and Pietro Torre. Massimiliano Teso and Edoardo Russo are thanked for their contributions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine, CISU Sicilia, appears to be a regional bulletin focused on ufology, published by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU). The primary theme in this issue is the critical examination of a well-known UFO photograph from Taormina, Sicily, dated November 19, 1954. The article meticulously investigates the origins of the photograph, the photographer Giuseppe Grasso, and the journalist Angelo Caruso, presenting a hypothesis that the objects were actually sounding balloons, not extraterrestrial craft. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry and investigative journalism within the field of ufology, aiming to uncover the truth behind reported sightings and media phenomena. The publication also serves to promote CISU's activities and its magazine "UFO."