Deguforum - Issue 34 - 2002

Magazine Overview

This issue of DEGUFORUM, Volume 9, Number 34, dated June 2002, is published by DEGUFO e.V. and focuses on UFO research, philosophy, nature, and fringe sciences. The cover features a striking black and white image of swirling metallic spheres and highlights "Crop Circles - a phenomenon of our time" as the top theme.

Main Articles and Features

Top Theme: Crop Circles

• "Crop Circles - a Phenomenon of Our Time" by Ulrike Kutzer & Peter Kleinferchner: This article serves as the main feature, introducing the phenomenon of crop circles.
• "Crop Formations - Effects on Plants and Soil" by Raphael Maercker: This piece delves into the physical impacts of crop formations.
• "The Mother of All Crop Circles - A Problem for Skeptics" by Peter Hattwig: The editorial expands on this theme, discussing the challenges skeptics face in explaining complex crop circle formations, referencing a particularly impressive formation at Milk Hill in England. It criticizes media reports that attempt to dismiss these formations as hoaxes, quoting Andreas Haxel's assertion that the phenomenon persists and points to the presence of an unknown intelligence.
• "Crop Circle Books by Haselhoff, Glickmann and Müller": This section likely reviews books related to crop circles.

UFO Sightings and Experiences

• "The UFO of Brandenburg" by Dr. med. Dipl.-Phys. Jens Waldeck: This report details a sighting by Olaf Schulz on February 27, 2002, near Schönborn, Brandenburg. Schulz, a photojournalist, captured images of a bright, yellow-white light that hovered and then rapidly accelerated northwards. The article analyzes the photographic evidence, considering explanations like Venus, meteors, or aircraft, but leans towards a controlled, advanced technology object.
• "The Strange Appearances of Franz Baum from Neunkirchen" by Alexander Knörr: This article presents cases reported by Franz Baum, including a sighting in Neunkirchen in June 1997 of a disc-shaped object moving at high speed, and earlier experiences from January 1957 near Duisburg and in 1943 in Niedersachsen involving stationary lights and ground disturbances.
• "Sightings and Experiences from Around the World" by Hans-Ulrich Neumann: This section compiles various reports:
• Hong Kong UFO Station: Joseph Wong, a scientist and head of the Hong Kong UFO Club, discusses the group's research into UFO phenomena, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary knowledge.
• A UFO Sighting in India: Roger Sequeira reported seeing an amber-colored, cylindrical object in India on March 12, 2002.
• Earthquake Lights in South Africa - or UFOs?: An account of a light phenomenon observed in Lydenburg, South Africa, on September 15, 1998, which occurred shortly before an earthquake. The report questions whether it was earthquake lights or a UFO.
• UFOs and Abductions in Iceland: Reports of two fishermen witnessing a strange neon-like object and two teenagers in Reykjavik experiencing a 30-minute time slip after a bright light hit their car, potentially indicating the first UFO abduction case in Iceland.
• Three Cattle Mutilations in Argentina: Reports of strange lights and three cows found mutilated with surgical-like precision in Salliquelo, Argentina.
• Cuba's UFO Legends: An overview of intensive UFO activity in Cuba, including a landing case described by researcher Mike Bird.

Other Articles and Sections

• "It Was Once a Planet with Water..." by Frank Menhorn: This article is likely related to scientific discoveries or theories, possibly about Mars or other planets.
• "Riddle Solving Over Unexpected Meteor Makes Need for Funded UFO Research Clear" by Hannes la Rue: This piece argues for the necessity of financial support for UFO research, possibly triggered by an unexplained meteor event.
• "UFO Research: Ufology Survey" by Hans-Ulrich Neumann, Christoph Dittrich, Michael Preßler, Marcus Schmidt: This article presents findings from a survey on ufology.
• "Book Reviews": Reviews of books including "Fascinating Crop Circles" by Eltjo Haselhoff, "Crop Circles" by Michael Glickman, "Intelligences in the Cosmos" by Roland Roth, and "Crop Circles - Geometry, Phenomena, Research" by Andreas Müller.
• "Short Reports from Science": Brief scientific updates, including one on the planet Mars and the search for Planet X.
• "Letters to the Editor": A section for reader correspondence.

Events and Announcements

• DEGUFO Members' Meeting: An invitation to the DEGUFO e.V. members' meeting on October 19-20, 2002, in Bad Kreuznach, with a preliminary program including elections, motions, and public lectures on pre-astronautics and UFO sightings.
• 10 Years DEGUFO e.V.: Announcement of the 10th-anniversary celebration in October 2003 in Bad Kreuznach.
• International UFO Conference in Leeds: Information about a conference from September 20-22, 2002, featuring speakers like Michael Hesemann, Alan Alford, and Tom van Flandern, discussing topics from Russian military material on UFOs to artificial structures on Mars.
• "Paranormal Sciences Forum": Announcement of a training seminar on July 13, 2002, in Braunschweig focusing on PSI and skepticism.
• "UFO Meeting in Bremen": Information about a monthly meeting in Bremen-Vegesack covering UFOs, aliens, crop circles, and fringe sciences.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are crop circles, UFO sightings, and the broader field of paranormal and fringe sciences. The magazine consistently advocates for open-minded investigation into these phenomena, often highlighting the limitations of conventional scientific explanations and the challenges faced by researchers and witnesses. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting serious inquiry into unexplained events, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond mainstream explanations, and supporting the DEGUFO's role in this research.

Title: DEGUFORUM
Issue Date: June 2002
Content Focus: This issue of DEGUFORUM, a German publication, primarily focuses on two intriguing phenomena: a recent meteor event that sparked UFO-like sightings and the ongoing mystery of crop circles.

Meteor Event and UFO Speculation

The lead article, "Rätselraten über unerwarteten Meteor macht Bedarf an finanzierter UFO-Forschung deutlich" (Riddles about an unexpected meteor highlights the need for funded UFO research), by Hannes la Rue, details the events of April 6-7, 2002. Hundreds of people in Southern Germany reported seeing mysterious lights and bright flashes, leading to widespread public concern and media speculation, with some newspapers even reporting panic and suggesting alien involvement. The Hamburger Morgenpost reported a "UFO-Alarm in Bayern." The Süddeutsche Zeitung noted that many people wanted to know if they should be worried. The media's sensationalist approach, fueled by a desire for expert opinions, led to confusion and a "mystification of a spectacular and unexpected, yet easily identifiable natural phenomenon."

Scientists from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Ondrejov Observatory in Prague managed to reconstruct the meteor's flight path. It was determined that a bright meteor, one of the brightest observed by the European fireball network, was responsible. The meteor's deep atmospheric entry suggested that it may not have fully burned up, with a possible meteorite fragment landing in the area between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Schwangau. The article criticizes the media's tendency to jump to conclusions, citing the initial speculation about re-entering rocket debris (which actually occurred over Tibet) and even the comet 'Ikeya-Zhang' as potential explanations.

The article highlights the discrepancy in witness reports, with some describing a "bright, red-yellow sphere" while others reported "bright flashes." The DLR's reconstructed flight path aligns with infrasound measurements from the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Raw Materials (BGR), which located the meteor's entry and explosion southeast of Munich.

This event underscores the need for a professional, funded reporting and investigation center for atmospheric phenomena and UFOs in Germany. Such a center would prevent official channels, like the police, from being overwhelmed during crises and would allow for systematic scientific investigation, which is currently largely amateur work outside of France, the USA, and Peru.

Kornkreise – ein Phänomen unserer Zeit (Crop Circles – A Phenomenon of Our Time)

This extensive section, spanning multiple pages, explores the history, research, and theories surrounding crop circles. It begins by tracing the phenomenon back to the late 1970s in Southern England, where farmers first reported unusual circular patterns in their fields. Initially, these were kept quiet, with explanations ranging from wind damage to helicopter rotor effects.

The phenomenon gained public attention in 1980 when a tourist discovered a crop circle near the 'Westbury White Horse' in Wiltshire. This led to the formation of the UFO research group PROBE, which began investigating. Early theories, such as meteorology expert Terence Meaden's "Plasmavortex Theory," suggested that unusual atmospheric conditions and vortices could create these patterns.

As the phenomenon evolved, with more complex designs appearing, including five-circle formations (quintuplets), theories shifted towards extraterrestrial spacecraft landings. The article discusses various interpretations, from abstract ideas about otherworldly beings to more specific notions of contact attempts or warnings from intelligent forces. Some even proposed that the circles were energy imprints or messages from cosmic forces.

The research into crop circles involved various scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and engineering. Military aspects, such as secret weapon tests, were also considered.

The Bower and Chorley Confession: A significant turning point occurred in September 1991 when Douglas Bower and David Chorley claimed to have been creating crop circles since the early 1970s using simple tools like ropes and poles. Their confession, initially met with skepticism, gained traction when they demonstrated their ability to create complex patterns. This revelation led to a division within the crop circle community. Some researchers, like Pat Delgado, were deeply affected, questioning their life's work, while others, like Colin Andrews, remained convinced of non-human origins.

The Debate and Diversification: The confession led to a re-evaluation of the evidence. Researchers like Dr. Levengood's findings on bent, un-broken stalks and microbial changes were challenged. The article details how many previously accepted 'proofs' of non-human origin were re-examined and found to be explainable by natural processes or human ingenuity. The "Cropcircle Making Competition" in 1992 further demonstrated the human capacity to create intricate designs.

Despite the increasing evidence of human involvement, the debate continued. Some researchers clung to the idea of non-human intelligence, attributing simpler designs to humans and complex, aesthetically pleasing ones to 'gods.' Others adopted a more nuanced approach, considering factors like stalk anomalies, the 'bent but not broken' characteristic, and overall composition.

The Role of Media and Skepticism: The article criticizes the media for often presenting a distorted view of reality to maintain public interest. It also highlights the scientific community's initial resistance to unconventional phenomena, which inadvertently created space for amateur researchers and speculative theories. The article suggests that a dogmatic stance by science can lead to irrational speculation.

Crop Circles in 2001 and Beyond: The phenomenon continued to evolve, with increasingly complex and aesthetically sophisticated designs appearing. The article notes the rise of 'pictograms' and formations with three-dimensional effects. Crop circles have also become a significant tourist attraction in areas like Wiltshire, England, and Zierenberg, Germany.

Human vs. Non-Human Origin: The issue concludes by summarizing the ongoing debate. While many accept that crop circles can be made by humans, the question of *why* they are created persists. Some believe there is an underlying drive or 'force' behind the phenomenon, possibly related to a human need for connection to something cosmic. The article acknowledges that while many circles are clearly man-made, the complexity and beauty of some formations continue to inspire awe and fuel speculation about their true origins.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently contrasts the sensationalist, often speculative, reporting of the media with the more grounded, scientific approach advocated by researchers. There's a clear emphasis on the need for rigorous investigation and evidence-based conclusions, particularly in the face of public fascination with the unexplained. The editorial stance supports the idea of professionalizing UFO and atmospheric phenomena research while acknowledging the enduring mystery and appeal of phenomena like crop circles, even as their origins become more understood.

This issue of DEGUFORUM, titled "Kornkreisforschung" (Crop Circle Research), dated June 2002, delves into various aspects of crop circles, from scientific investigations to public perception and related phenomena like UFOs and Mars exploration.

Kornkreisforschung (Crop Circle Research)

The main focus of the magazine is the scientific investigation of crop circles. The article "Kornkreisforschung" by Raphael Maercker of MUFON Inc. highlights the work of the BLT Research Team, led by biophysicist Dr. William C. Levengood. Their research over more than a decade has involved analyzing plant and soil samples from over 100 crop circles worldwide. The findings suggest that the changes observed in plants, such as elongated growth nodes and "burst holes," and in soil, such as increased magnetic material concentration, cannot be attributed to human hoaxers. These effects are hypothesized to be caused by microwave-like energy, possibly from a plasma vortex, with the intensity of the effect correlating with the distance from the circle's epicenter, as described by the Beer-Lambert Law.

Experiments conducted by the BLT Research Team in 1997 on a wheat field in Maryland, USA, aimed to differentiate the effects of crop circles from factors like over-fertilization or light and gravity. The results indicated that plants within crop formations showed visible bending towards light, attributed to hormonal growth substances (auxins) and potentially microwave energy.

Further analysis of plant samples revealed "burst holes" at the growth nodes, a phenomenon exclusively found in crop formations and not in control samples, suggesting internal cellular pressure. Additionally, seeds within formations were often underdeveloped, deformed, or missing, which could be explained by dehydration during the formation's creation. The study also noted that the germination and growth of seeds from crop formation plants can be either inhibited or promoted, depending on the age of the plants, the size of the formation, and the type of energy involved in its creation.

Regarding soil, samples from crop formations showed a significantly higher concentration of magnetic material, up to 700 times more than control samples. In some cases, a magnetic-attractive glaze, identified as a mixture of Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄, was found on plants, indicating it was formed at high temperatures.

The article concludes that the claim that all crop circles are made by humans is no longer tenable, and more intensive scientific research is needed. The plasma vortex theory, proposed by George Terence Meaden, is presented as a potential avenue for understanding the phenomenon.

Polarization and Truth

Another section discusses the polarization within the crop circle community. It notes that each group has its own perspective and truth, leading to internal discussions rather than inter-group dialogue. The FGK (Forschungsgesellschaft Kornkreise) in Germany is mentioned as an organization that attempts to bridge different opinions. The article also touches upon the ritualization of the crop circle scene, with events like the Glastonbury Conference gaining cult status.

Literature and Film Reviews

The issue features several book reviews related to crop circles and UFOs:

• "Faszinerende Kornkreise" by Eltjo Haselhoff: A scientific and well-researched book that examines the history of crop circles, discusses the possibility of hoaxes versus genuine phenomena, and explores scientific investigation methods. It also touches upon biophysical anomalies and popular reactions to crop circles.
• "Kornkreise: Geometrie, Phänomene, Forschung" by Michael Glickman: This book categorizes and presents various crop circle formations, focusing on their visual aspects and geometric complexity. It aims to provide a comprehensive overview of known patterns.
• "Intelligenzen im Kosmos" by Roland Roth: This book explores the possibility of extraterrestrial civilizations and UFOs, discussing projects like SETI and ancient astronaut theories, including the construction of pyramids.
• "Das Kraftfeld der Symbole" by Hartwig Fritze: This book delves into radiesthesia and the concept of energy fields emitted by symbols, including crop circle patterns. Fritze uses radiesthesia and pyramids to analyze these fields.
• "Kornkreise" by Andreas Müller: This book provides a historical overview of crop circles, particularly in England, and presents findings on plant growth and phenomena within crop circles, consciously omitting discussions about human hoaxes.

A film review for "A Place To Stay" is also included, describing it as a Hollywood film that explores crop circle mysteries.

UFO-Forschung (UFO Research)

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to UFO research, featuring an extensive survey conducted by Hans-Ulrich Neumann, Christoph Dittrich, Michael Preßler, and Marcus Schmidt from DEGUFO. The survey, involving 111 students and their families, explored knowledge of UFO authors and films, perceived frequency of sightings, and beliefs about UFOs and extraterrestrials.

Key findings from the survey include:

• Knowledge: Erich von Däniken is the most recognized author, while films like "E.T." and "Independence Day" are widely known.
• Beliefs: A majority (67%) believe in the reality of UFO phenomena. Most believe extraterrestrials come from other solar systems or parallel worlds.
• Attitudes: Extraterrestrials are generally perceived as positive (55%) rather than negative (45%).
• Contact: A direct official contact would likely lead to the uncovering of secrets (68%) and a cultural shock (68%).
• Information: A large percentage (85%) feel insufficiently informed about the topic.
• Preparation for Contact: The majority (55%) believe in preparing as "one world," with secrecy (50%) and military defense (31%) also being considered.
• Nature of Aliens: Most believe aliens exist (71%) and visit Earth (32%), with fewer believing in abductions (22%) or genetic manipulation.
• Personal Experiences: A notable percentage reported experiencing sleep paralysis (12%), "time slips" (6%), or the sensation of flying (33%).

The survey's analysis suggests that while many people are interested, they often lack in-depth knowledge and rely on popular media portrayals. The article also notes the difficulty in distinguishing between informed interest and mere fascination.

Astronomy: Mars Exploration

The magazine also features an article on Mars exploration, titled "Es war einmal ein Planet mit Wasser..." (Once Upon a Time, a Planet with Water...). It discusses recent findings suggesting that Mars may have had significant amounts of water in its past and could potentially have water on its surface again under specific atmospheric conditions. Data from the Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey missions are cited, indicating the presence of water ice and potential subsurface water reservoirs. The article also touches upon the possibility of life on Mars and the potential dangers for future astronauts, including toxic Martian dust and microbes.

Other Astronomy News

Briefly mentioned are articles on the origin of heavy elements through neutron star collisions and the search for Planet X, a hypothetical tenth planet in our solar system.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are crop circles, UFOs, and astronomy, particularly Mars exploration. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded scientific inquiry, encouraging deeper investigation into unexplained phenomena while acknowledging the role of skepticism and public perception. The magazine aims to provide a platform for discussing these topics from various perspectives, including scientific research, personal experiences, and critical analysis.

Title: DEGUFORUM
Issue: Nr. 34
Date: June 2002
Publisher: DEGUFO e.V. Deutschsprachige Gesellschaft für UFO-Forschung
Country: Germany
Language: German
ISSN: 0946-1531
Price: 3.75 Euro (single issue in Germany)

This issue of DEGUFORUM, a German-language magazine focused on UFO research and related topics, presents a variety of articles and reader contributions. The cover prominently features the upcoming issue's top theme: 'Abducted by Aliens! Illusion or Reality?' by Dr. med. Dipl.-Phys. Jens Waldeck.

Reader Letters

The issue includes several reader letters offering feedback and engaging with previous content. Gisela Ermel praises the magazine's content and layout, particularly highlighting the article on the 'true aliens' and the Drake Equation, as well as pieces on Pre-astronautics and SETI. She notes the increasing presence of Pre-astronautics discussions in the forum and finds no clear distinction between Pre-astronautics and modern phenomena due to the depth of history involved. She also commends the book review of an Eschbach science fiction novel.

Another reader, identified only as 'Liebes Redaktionsteam, liebe Leser,' expresses satisfaction with the current issue's content and appearance. They particularly enjoyed articles by Alexander Knörr and Roland Roth on Pre-astronautics, and Peter Hattwig's SETI report. This reader also points out a factual error in Hattwig's report regarding the age of the Earth, stating it is approximately 4 to 5 billion years old, not 12 billion. They also offer detailed critiques and alternative perspectives on the conditions for the emergence of life on planets, as presented in Hattwig's report, specifically addressing points a) to k) concerning the sun's size, gas giants, magnetic fields, gravity, rotation, axial tilt, moons, atmospheric density, and planetary age. The reader argues that nature finds ways to adapt life to various conditions and suggests that a planet might not need a magnetic field or a specific axial tilt to support life. They also question the necessity of a moon and the role of atmospheric density, suggesting evolutionary adaptations could compensate.

Helmut Kopecky writes in response to the previous issue, expressing gratitude for the magazine's content. He specifically thanks the magazine for allowing him to reaffirm his faith, noting a clear distinction between the Old and New Testaments. He sees the Old Testament as a source for Pre-astronautics research while believing it does not affect his faith in Jesus' teachings. He also acknowledges the validity of H. Kopecky's (presumably himself) objections, which led to the shortening of a relevant chapter in the report.

Ralf Härtel also sends a positive message, complimenting the current DEGUFORUM issue and the magazine's website, attributing the website's success to Frank Menhorn.

Articles and Reviews

Pre-astronautics and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence:
Alexander Knörr's article on Pre-astronautics is described as being thoroughly enjoyed by a reader, aligning with their own interests. The article is seen as a means to disseminate knowledge and stimulate discussion that could eventually influence textbooks. Roland Roth's article is also well-received, with particular satisfaction expressed regarding the emergence of European and Anglo-American groups dedicated to Pre-astronautics research. The reader notes initial skepticism towards Erich von Däniken but has since gained a more nuanced perspective.

Personal Reflections on Faith and Science:
A significant portion of the summary is dedicated to a reader's personal journey of reconciling their Christian faith with scientific and historical knowledge. The reader recounts their intensive study of Christian teachings approximately 20 years prior, transitioning from skepticism to belief. They emphasize the importance of understanding the Bible. Having previously read Erich von Däniken's works like 'Erinnerungen an die Zukunft' and 'Aussaat und Kosmos,' the reader initially viewed his citations from the Old Testament as heretical. However, over time, they found numerous contradictions between scientific discoveries, historical events, and cultural phenomena, and the Christian doctrine. The reader eventually realized that Jesus Christ fulfilled the Old Testament, and that access to God and eternal life is through Jesus alone. The New Testament remains the standard for Christians. The reader discusses the Old Testament as a collection of 66 works, some orally transmitted, which were later compiled by the clergy. They acknowledge the presence of mythology within the Old Testament that is difficult to interpret, a point that Erich von Däniken also highlighted. The reader concludes by stating they can no longer disapprove of von Däniken's actions and are even grateful to him.

Book Review:
Roland Roth's book, "Intelligenzen im Kosmos - Auf den Spuren außerirdischer Zivilisationen" (Intelligences in the Cosmos - On the Trail of Extraterrestrial Civilizations), is featured with its ISBN (3-932540-25-5), page count (64), number of illustrations (10 black and white), and price (6.60 Euro).

Editorial Information

The magazine is published by DEGUFO e.V. (Deutschsprachige Gesellschaft für UFO-Forschung). The responsible editor for this issue is Dr. Peter Hattwig. The editorial staff includes several individuals, and the production was done using Adobe® Pagemaker® for Windows 6.52. The publication schedule is quarterly, with a four-week lead time before the end of each quarter. Subscription prices are listed for inland (15.- Euro/year, 3.75 Euro/issue) and abroad (20.- Euro/year, 5.- Euro/issue). Membership in DEGUFO includes the subscription. The terms for subscription renewal and cancellation are outlined. Reprints are allowed only with written permission from DEGUFO e.V. The magazine states that contributions with bylines do not necessarily reflect the views of DEGUFO e.V., and they are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photos. Advertising prices are available upon request. Contact information for DEGUFO e.V. includes a postal address, phone number (with a 24-hour hotline), fax number, bank account details, and website (http://www.alien.de/degufo).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of DEGUFORUM continues its focus on UFO research, Pre-astronautics, and the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence. The magazine provides a platform for readers to share their views, correct factual errors, and engage in discussions about scientific theories and their implications, including their intersection with personal beliefs and faith. The editorial stance appears to be open to diverse perspectives within the field of ufology and related subjects, encouraging critical thinking and the dissemination of information, as evidenced by the inclusion of reader letters and detailed articles. The recurring theme of Pre-astronautics, exploring ancient evidence of extraterrestrial influence, is prominent, alongside discussions on the scientific search for life beyond Earth (SETI) and the philosophical implications of these topics.