CISU Sicilia - No 14 - dicembre 2003

Magazine Overview

This issue of CISU SICILIA, dated December 2003, is bulletin number 14 from the Italian Center for Ufological Studies (CISU) Regional Coordination. It focuses on UFO news from Sicily in 2003, astronomical research related to extraterrestrial life, and theories surrounding crop circles and other unexplained phenomena.

UFO NEWS SICILIA: Case by Case - All Sicilian Sightings of 2003

This section provides a detailed statistical overview of UFO sightings in Sicily during 2003. Nationally, 651 cases were recorded, fewer than the previous year but with a more regular temporal distribution. Lombardy remained the most prolific region in the north. The year saw an increase in 'paraufological' cases (15%) and a decrease in 'daytime discs' (from 13% to 7.8%), while 'night lights' remained stable at 70%. There was a notable increase in sounds associated with sightings and a decrease in photographic documentation. The article lists 42 reported sightings in Sicily for 2003, with many identified as astronomical phenomena like bolides and planets (Venus, Mars), as well as artificial satellites and iridium flares. Specific cases highlighted include a possible meteorite found in Spadafora (ME), a sighting near Etna, and a cylindrical object seen over Ramacca (CT) by a professor.

EDDINGTON: From Astronomical Research, the Definitive Answer to the Existence of Extraterrestrial Life?

This article discusses the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life, focusing on astronomical research and the upcoming Eddington space observatory. It mentions a 2003 conference in Palermo attended by international scientists. The discovery of numerous exoplanets has fueled this research. The article references the Drake equation and the potential for life on planets similar to Earth. The Eddington telescope, set to launch in 2008, will examine 150,000 stars to find rocky planets with suitable conditions for life. It is presented as a successor to the Hubble telescope.

"VORTICI DI GHIACCIO" (Vortices of Ice): A New Hypothesis to Revive the Debate Among Scholars

Pietro Torre proposes a new hypothesis to explain some UFO sightings, suggesting they might be 'vortices of ice.' This theory posits that when turbulent winds at high altitudes encounter cold air, water vapor can freeze into disc-shaped ice formations. These formations could appear suddenly, change color due to light refraction, and dissolve quickly in warmer air, mimicking UFO behavior. The hypothesis also suggests these ice structures could generate electromagnetic fields capable of interfering with aircraft. The author acknowledges that this theory doesn't explain all cases but could reduce the number of 'unidentified' reports.

"CERCHI NEL GRANO" (Crop Circles): The Opinion of Edoardo Russo, President of CISU

This section features an interview with Edoardo Russo, president of CISU, regarding crop circles. Russo argues that crop circles are the work of human artists, a form of 'land art,' and not evidence of alien activity. He points out that the appearance of crop circles in Italy coincided with the release of the film 'Signs,' which popularized the alien theory. Russo dismisses claims of no ground disturbance, stating that fields are always walked on. He believes the motivation is often linked to a market for conferences, TV programs, and books about mysteries, as 'mystery sells.' He also debunks theories involving military experiments or laser technology.

IR.3: The Last Stage of Our Journey into Sicilian Casuistry

This section appears to be a continuation or conclusion of a series on UFO cases in Sicily, though the content is not fully detailed in the provided scan. It likely summarizes or concludes the examination of specific incidents.

La foto di Acireale (The Acireale Photo)

This article re-examines the famous 'Acireale photo' from March 28, 1972. The photo, taken by a student during a school trip, shows a semi-transparent, gnome-like figure in the background. Pietro Torre, who discovered the anomaly, consulted with photographers. While some suggested double exposure, one photographer, Mr. Piccione, believed the entity was real, possibly influenced by a childhood experience. Torre's own research and site visits suggest the photo is not a hoax, but the negative is lost. The article notes the presence of other indistinct shapes in the photo, which could support the double exposure theory.

La Casistica Italiana della Primavera-Estate 2003 (Italian Casuistry Spring-Summer 2003)

This is a chronological list of crop circle appearances in Italy during the spring and summer of 2003. Locations include Cagliari, Pordenone, Bologna, Treviso, Ascoli Piceno, Latina, Macerata, Mantua, Ivrea, Arezzo, Pisa, and Perugia. The article notes that some appearances coincided with events or were near military bases, leading to speculation about their origin, though the prevailing theory presented is human artistry.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a rational and scientific approach to ufology, distinguishing between genuine phenomena and misidentifications, hoaxes, or natural occurrences. There is a clear skepticism towards sensationalist claims, particularly regarding alien involvement in crop circles. The editorial stance favors investigation grounded in scientific methodology, even when exploring speculative hypotheses like the 'vortices of ice.' The publication also highlights the role of organizations like CISU and projects like Eddington in advancing research in the field.

This issue of CISU Sicilia, titled "Incontri Ravvicinati del Terzo tipo: La casistica siciliana (3ª parte)", is the third and final installment of a series examining UFO encounters in Sicily. Published in November 1993, it delves into cases from 1980 to the present, with a particular focus on the period from 1980 onwards.

Analysis of Sicilian UFO Cases (1980-Present)

The authors, Antonio Blanco and Salvatore Foresta, note that within the examined period (1980-1993), only one case (1981CT002) fits the 'classic' definition of a CE3 involving direct contact with presumed extraterrestrials. Out of 15 cases analyzed, 12 are categorized as 'paraufological', meaning the observed entity was not explicitly identifiable as an extraterrestrial but rather as an anomalous or non-human being. One case (1981AG001) is described as having an arbitrary association between a UFO and an entity, while another (1994SR001) falls into the atypical category of 'flying humanoids'. The authors emphasize that the sole 'strictly ufological' case from this period dates back to 1981, making it closer to the previously examined 1960-1980 period than to contemporary times.

Case Study: The Acate Encounter (1980RG*01)

The article begins with a paraufological case from April 6, 1980. Francesco T., a 66-year-old farmer, was traveling near Acate when he saw what he initially thought were two children. These figures then transformed into very tall individuals with beards and long hair, wearing red robes and sandals. They disappeared after seemingly offering a greeting. While local reports suggested the discovery of large footprints, ufologist Giuseppe Nativo later confirmed that the police found no traces, leading the authors to suggest it might have been a prank.

Case Study: The Police Officers' Encounter (1981CT002)

This is presented as the only strictly ufological case of the period, occurring around April 1981. Two police officers returning from Catania to Comiso reported their car's engine and electrical system shutting down as a red-granate, saucer-shaped object landed on the road about 50 meters ahead. Two entities emerged from a hatch, described as wearing dark suits with a 'metallic' band and 'boots', with large red eyes and a third eye on their forehead. Their 'hands' were described as bundles of wires. After observing the officers, the entities re-entered the object, which then rapidly departed. The officer driving the car was hesitant to provide full details later, citing fears of negative repercussions, which complicates the verification of the event, though the prolonged travel time back to Comiso suggests a possible 'missing time' experience.

Case Study: The Licata Encounter (1981AG001)

This case, occurring in October 1981, involved two brothers-in-law, Giuseppe B. and Angelo R., who were fishing near Licata. They reported seeing lights emerge from the sea, followed by three luminous 'portholes'. Giuseppe then saw a tall, hairy creature in the water, about knee-deep, which he described as 'tall and hairy'. He felt a sensation of heat and his bare feet on the sand became dry. The creature was only visible for a few seconds before Giuseppe fled. The account is based on a report to the AURA group by a friend of the witnesses, as the witnesses themselves were uncooperative. The police were called but found nothing.

Case Study: The Siracusa Encounters (1983SR*01, 1983SR*02, 1993SR*01, 1994SR001)

Several cases from Siracusa are discussed. The 1983SR*01 case involved Corrado C. waking up to find two 'people' in his room. One became transparent and disappeared. The visitor was described as being about 1.50-1.70 meters tall, with grey-blue skin, watery eyes, thin lips, wearing a tight green suit, gloves, and boots, and a brown conical hat. This entity reportedly reappeared briefly on another evening.

The article also discusses the phenomenon of 'flying humanoids' which appeared in Sicily in the mid-1990s. Two cases from Siracusa are highlighted: one on November 7, 1993 (1993SR*01), where three witnesses saw a small, green-colored humanoid about 1.20 meters tall levitating in a construction site. The other, on March 27, 1994 (1994SR001), involved a teacher observing an orange, anthropomorphic object, about 1.5 meters tall, with specific features, performing twisting movements before disappearing.

Case Study: The Torre Archirafi 'Monster' (1984CT*01)

In July 1984, a panic erupted in Torre Archirafi due to reports of a hairy, monkey-like creature with fiery eyes, sometimes seen with a person in a luminous suit. This event was sensationalized by a tabloid, which suggested an extraterrestrial connection. Ufologist Antonio Rampulla later investigated, and a key witness claimed it was indeed a monkey that had escaped captivity.

Case Study: The Gela 'Animal' (1987CL001)

In November 1987, a fisherman near Gela reported seeing a dark, large animal swimming towards the shore and then disappearing into a field. The witness described it as a 'dark animal, ready to reach the road by jumping'.

Case Study: The Santa Caterina Villarinosa 'Sprites' (1950CL*01)

An older case from the 1950s, reported in 1987, involved a woman recalling an event from her childhood near Santa Caterina Villarinosa. She saw small, human-like figures running into a field, described as 'sprites' ('stregoncini'). These beings were short, wore round headwear, and moved very quickly.

Case Study: The S. Angelo di Brolo 'Folletti' (1988)

In 1988, an elderly couple in S. Angelo di Brolo reported their isolated house being invaded by mischievous 'folletti' (elves or goblins) who could enter even locked premises and would disappear in a flash of light when confronted.

Case Study: The Castelvetrano 'Shadow' (1991TP*01)

In 1991, an adolescent in Castelvetrano reported seeing a 'black shadow' with defined features playing with water, which then vanished. This case was included in the regional UFO sighting catalog due to the witness's efforts to publicize it.

Case Study: The Isola 'Figure' (1997SR*01)

The most recent case, from January 10, 1997, in Isola, Siracusa, involved a 39-year-old police inspector who saw a short figure (about 1.20 meters tall), dressed in grey-silver, leap over a 2.20-meter fence and disappear into a field.

Discussion on Interpretation and Evidence

The authors discuss the difficulty in classifying these cases, noting that many border on folklore or psychological phenomena. They highlight the debate between rationalist explanations (hallucinations, hypnopompic visions) and more exotic interpretations (alien-induced visions). The article questions whether the public's interest in UFOs has waned or if the phenomenon itself has changed. Ultimately, the authors reiterate that despite numerous reports and investigations, no irrefutable evidence of extraterrestrial visits to Earth has been found.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the categorization of UFO encounters beyond the classic 'alien' model, the prevalence of 'paraufological' and folkloric elements in Sicilian sightings, and the challenges of verifying witness testimony. The editorial stance, as expressed by the authors, is one of critical analysis, acknowledging the sincerity of witnesses while emphasizing the lack of concrete proof for extraterrestrial visitation. The article concludes by noting that the Sicilian UFO case catalog has not recorded further CE3 incidents since 1997, suggesting a potential decline in reports or a shift in the phenomenon.

CISU Sicilia and Collaborators

The issue also includes a list of CISU Sicilia members and collaborators, along with contact information for reporting UFO sightings or seeking information. It also details the 'CAMPAGNA ADESIONI 2004' (Membership Campaign 2004) for the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU), outlining different membership tiers and benefits, including a subscription to the 'UFO' magazine.