Deguforum - Issue 65 - 2010

Magazine Overview

DEGUFORUM, the journal of the German-speaking Society for UFO Research (DEGUFO e.V.), presents its 17th year, issue number 65, dated March 2010. The cover prominently features a metallic, disc-shaped UFO hovering over a desert landscape, with the main headline proclaiming "Das Signal aus dem All - ein ungelöster Fall" (The Signal from Space - an Unsolved Case).

Editorial

The editorial, penned by Peter Hattwig, notes the absence of a single standout article, instead highlighting a variety of contributions. Two television critiques are featured: one on a news report about crop circles on n-tv, which the editor deems superficial and not objective for those familiar with the phenomenon, and another on a film by Bavarian television featuring Professor Harald Lesch, a UFO skeptic, whose approach is characterized as cynical and a sign of helplessness. Hattwig recounts a past experience hearing Lesch mock 'UFO believers'.

The editorial also draws attention to four short articles on SETI research, specifically mentioning an unexplained signal detected in 1977 that remains uninterpreted. Hattwig criticizes the conventional scientific approach for ignoring such anomalies, drawing a parallel to UFO research where phenomena are often dismissed if they don't fit established paradigms.

A pre-astronautics article on the "transport of super-heavy objects in antiquity" is also highlighted, with the author mentioning a discussion with Egyptologist Stefan Eggers that might lead to further insights.

Table of Contents

The issue includes a comprehensive table of contents, categorizing articles into "Sightings and Experiences," "International Sightings," "UFO Research," "News," "Pre-astronautics," "Science and Technology," "SETI," and "Books - Cinema - Television."

Sightings and Experiences

• Diamond over Dresden: Ingo Saß recounts a sighting in the summer of 1993-1995 of a large, multicolored, diamond-shaped object with vertical lights that disappeared with incredible speed.
• 3 Black Bars: A witness in Gelsenkirchen describes seeing three black bars in formation following a commercial aircraft in March 2010.
• Dancing Lights: Franko Prast reports seeing strange, silent lights ascending over a house in Geilenkirchen in January 2010.

International Sightings

• What Happened in Rendlesham: This article, by Illobrand von Ludwiger, details the Rendlesham Forest incident, where an unidentified object allegedly landed in December 1980. It discusses how the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) initially denied the event and later attempted to downplay it, with former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher quoted as saying, "You must have the facts and you can't tell the people." The article touches upon witness testimonies, including Sergeant Jim Penniston's encounter and contact with the object's occupants, who reportedly claimed to be from a future, devastated Earth.

UFO Research

• Thinking Integrally - Part 3: Integral Scanning: Dr. Jens Waldeck continues his series on integral perception, focusing on 'integral scanning' and the importance of understanding interobjective relationships and functions within a system.
• Unidentified Submersible Objects (USOs): Peter Hattwig compiles reports of USOs, including sightings near Malta (1947), Golfo Nuevo (1960), Seattle (1966), Florida (1968), Virginia (1968), Norway (1971), Puerto Rico (1977), France (1978), Italy (1988), the Aegean Sea (1990), and Canada (1999).
• In the Shadow of Roswell: Hartwig Hausdorf reports on UFO crashes that received less media attention than Roswell, including incidents in Siberia (1982, 1985), Chechnya (1995), Venezuela (2004), Taganrog (2007), and Saudi Arabia (2009).

News

• Reports on UFO sighting quote rates by CENAP and in Great Britain.
• A mention of Spiegel-online encouraging the falsification of UFO photos.
• The British Ministry of Defence releasing more UFO files.
• A humorous note about space travel deals.

Pre-astronautics

• The Transport of Super-Heavy Objects in Antiquity: This section, likely related to the editorial's mention, explores ancient capabilities for moving massive objects.

Science and Technology

• A Lifting Attempt - Paranormal or Not?: Professor Werner Schiebeler's experiments on a group lifting phenomenon are discussed, suggesting physiological rather than paranormal explanations.
• UFOs from Air: An article discusses a large airship designed for heavy-lift transport.
• Trees on Mars?: A brief mention of this topic.

SETI

• Why Haven't We Seen Extraterrestrials Yet?: An article exploring reasons for the lack of contact.
• The Signal from Space: Discusses the 1977 signal mentioned in the editorial.
• Website for Hobby Alien Hunters: A resource mention.
• The Search for Aliens Continues: A general update on SETI efforts.

Books - Cinema - Television

• Crop Circles - Myth and Truth: A review.
• TV Critique: Professor Harald Lesch and UFOs: A critical look at Lesch's skeptical stance.
• Book Review: Martin Fieber: The Secret of Our Thoughts.
• Book Review: Illobrand von Ludwiger (Ed.): Contributions to UFO Research from History, Biology, and Physics.

DEGUFO Call for Collaboration

The DEGUFO is actively seeking collaborators as press spokespersons, sighting investigators, and support for their internet and editorial teams, emphasizing that the honor is the sole compensation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a critical stance towards conventional scientific dismissal of UFO phenomena, advocating for open-minded investigation and the integration of multiple perspectives (integral research). There's a strong emphasis on documenting sightings and historical cases, even those officially suppressed. The magazine also engages with fringe topics like pre-astronautics and ancient civilizations, suggesting a belief in phenomena beyond mainstream scientific understanding. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for a more comprehensive and less dogmatic approach to unexplained phenomena, challenging the status quo of scientific skepticism and government secrecy.

Travelogue: Malta and Gozo

A detailed 9-day travelogue by Alexander Knörr outlines a reader's trip to Malta and Gozo, focusing on ancient megalithic temples (Hagar Qim, Mnajdra, Gigantija), the Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni, the 'silent city' of Mdina, and the mysterious 'Cart Ruts' found on land and underwater. The itinerary includes visits to historical sites, discussions on potential pre-diluvian civilizations, and explorations of natural beauty, culminating in a special dinner at Selmun Palace.

DEGUFORUM, Issue Nr. 65, dated March 2010, is a German-language magazine focused on ufology, ancient mysteries, and related fringe science topics. The issue features a diverse range of articles, including investigations into UFO reports, theories on ancient construction methods, discussions on the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), and critiques of scientific skepticism.

Cover Story: Ufo-Meldungen in Großbritannien in 2009 verdreht

The cover story, by Peter Hattwig, addresses alleged misrepresentations of UFO reports from Great Britain in 2009. The article suggests that official accounts or media coverage may have distorted the actual sightings.

Article: Der Transport überschwerer Objekte im Altertum (The Transport of Super-Heavy Objects in Antiquity)

Authored by Dr.-Ing. Peter Hattwig, this article delves into the perplexing question of how ancient civilizations managed to move and place massive stone blocks, some weighing hundreds of tons, in structures like the pyramids of Egypt, Stonehenge, and Baalbek. Hattwig challenges conventional archaeological explanations that rely solely on human or animal labor, citing physical calculations that suggest such methods are insufficient. He presents the immense forces required and the logistical impossibilities of using thousands of oxen or large teams of horses. The article explores alternative hypotheses, including the possibility of antigravitation or levitation techniques, possibly linked to sonic phenomena or advanced mental capabilities, drawing parallels with ancient texts and esoteric traditions.

Article: Warum noch keine Außerirdischen gesehen wurden (Why Haven't Extraterrestrials Been Seen Yet?)

This article, attributed to Ulrich Dewald and sourced from welt.de, examines the Fermi Paradox – the contradiction between the high probability of extraterrestrial civilizations existing and the lack of evidence for, or contact with, them. It discusses various theories proposed by scientists, including:

• Civilizations never leaving their worlds: Due to short lifespans or lack of technological advancement.
• Lack of interest in contact: Extraterrestrials might be content with their own worlds or find humanity not ready for interaction.
• The Embargo Hypothesis: Advanced civilizations might observe emerging ones like ours without direct contact, possibly to avoid interference.
• Camouflage: Advanced civilizations might be capable of hiding their presence.
• We are alone: The possibility that humanity is unique in the Milky Way.

The article also mentions the Allen Telescope Array (ATA) and the ongoing SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) projects.

Article: Präastronautik (Pre-astronautics)

This section features two articles. The first, by Peter Hattwig, titled "Der Transport überschwerer Objekte im Altertum" (The Transport of Super-Heavy Objects in Antiquity), is a continuation or related piece to the earlier article on the same topic, likely elaborating on the challenges and potential solutions for moving massive ancient stones. The second part of this section, also by Peter Hattwig, discusses "Transport eines Obelisken unter Wasser" (Transport of an Obelisk underwater), suggesting a method using ship-rafts to reduce the effective weight of the object, though questioning the feasibility of the required transport structure.

Article: Astronomie: alsme auf dem Mars? (Astronomy: Signs on Mars?)

This short piece discusses recent images from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, taken in April 2008. While some images initially gave the impression of trees on Mars, closer inspection revealed them to be dark deposits on the surface caused by melting carbon dioxide ice disturbing sand and dust.

Article: Kino - Fernsehen: „Kornkreise – Mythos und Wahrheit“ (Cinema - Television: "Crop Circles – Myth and Truth")

This is a commentary by Peter Hattwig on a documentary or film about crop circles. Hattwig seems to be critically evaluating the film's content, possibly questioning its claims or offering his own perspective on the phenomenon.

Article: Kino - Fernsehen: Professor Harald Lesch und die Ufos (Cinema - Television: Professor Harald Lesch and UFOs)

Authored by Alf Bodo Graf, this article critically examines the views of Professor Harald Lesch, a science communicator, on UFOs, as presented in a television program. Graf argues that Lesch's arguments are not objective and often rely on generalizations and dismissive claims. Lesch is portrayed as attributing UFO sightings to misidentifications, psychological factors, or even pranks, and is criticized for his seemingly simplistic explanations and lack of engagement with the complexities of the phenomenon. Graf also touches upon Lesch's presentation style, suggesting it is designed to appear authoritative rather than engaging with critical thought.

Book Review: BEITRÄGE ZUR UFO-FORSCHUNG AUS GESCHICHTE, BIOLOGIE UND PHYSIK (Contributions to UFO Research from History, Biology, and Physics)

Written by Kurt Diedrich, this review discusses a MUFON-CES report edited by Dipl.-Phys. I. v. Ludwiger. Diedrich praises the book for its comprehensive approach, covering historical cases, biological aspects of alleged alien beings, and physical phenomena associated with UFOs. He highlights the report's detailed analysis of UFO literature, its critique of government secrecy, and its exploration of speculative topics like extraterrestrial genetic experiments. The review also commends the contributions on the biology of alleged alien beings and the historical context of UFO research.

Akte DEGUFORUM (The DEGUFORUM File)

This section presents a compilation of articles from the DEGUFORUM and guest authors, covering various UFO-related topics. It is divided into sections on Roswell and Santilli, investigations and revelations, the darker side (animal mutilations), and possibilities of the cosmos. The content includes analyses of the Roswell incident, the Billy Meier case, UFOs and the German military, and discussions on extraterrestrial life and encounters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of DEGUFORUM include the persistent mystery of massive ancient constructions, the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence, and the critical examination of UFO phenomena. The magazine appears to adopt a stance that encourages open-minded inquiry into these subjects, while also engaging in critical analysis of both conventional scientific explanations and the claims made within the ufology community. There is a clear interest in challenging established paradigms and exploring alternative interpretations of historical and contemporary events. The editorial stance seems to favor detailed research and thoughtful discussion, even when dealing with controversial or speculative topics.