Hangar 18 - No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: HANGAR 18
Issue: Heft 3, 1. Jahrgang
Date: März/April 2001
Publisher: DUFOA (Die UFO Auskunftszentrale)
Type: UFOlogy Magazine

Editorial

The editorial, titled "Liebe Leserinnen, liebe Leser!", addresses a critical question: "What is going wrong in UFOlogy?". The author defends individuals who study UFOs, arguing that they are intelligent and curious, unlike those who criticize without full understanding. The editorial encourages readers not to be swayed by skeptics and emphasizes the scientific value of discussing and investigating the UFO phenomenon. It states that HANGAR 18 aims to provide the necessary information and background for such discussions.

DUFOA and UFOrm-Datei

DUFOA, established in February 2000, has been officially operating for a year, building on previous material collection. Its mission is to inform the public about UFOs. Currently, DUFOA possesses over 15,600 UFO sighting reports, 1,000 newspaper articles, and 2,500 UFO documents. Interested individuals can request an overview of sightings from a specific year for a fee of 3 DM to cover return postage.

The UFOrm-Datei, a project of the IAN, aims to chronologically organize all UFO sightings to facilitate analysis. Initially, only cases classified as "Good UFO" were considered, but now all cases are included to allow for a more comprehensive examination of the phenomenon.

Impressum

HANGAR 18 is published ten times a year on a non-commercial basis by DUFOA. The editorial team includes Peter Kauert and Christian Czech. Reprints are permitted with source attribution and a copy sent to the publisher. The subscription price is 20 DM per year for 10 issues.

News and Current Events

New UFO Interest? The magazine notes a resurgence of interest in UFOs, with media outlets increasingly covering the topic. This renewed attention is observed in TV documentaries and print media. While a UFO sighting wave was speculated due to the MIR space station crash, and the "Hohenschönhausen" case was sensationalized regionally, the underlying reasons for this "UFO boom" remain unclear. The popularity of TV series like "Akte X" and "Roswell" is deemed unlikely to be the cause, as their portrayal of aliens is considered less impactful or even embarrassing.

"E.T." Goes Print: The online magazine "E.T.", published by Dennis Kirstein, is transitioning to a print format starting with its 13th issue.

Walter's New "UFO Hammer": Following his successful book "UFOs: The Truth", Werner Walters is set to release "UFOs The Impossible Truth" in late May. The magazine recommends this work, even acknowledging that Walters (CENAP founder) can be a matter of taste.

Two Meetings of UFOlogists

The magazine announces two upcoming events for UFO enthusiasts:

1. "Phantastische Zeiten" (Fantastic Times): Held on May 5th and 6th, 2001, at the Stadthalle in Kamp-Linfort. The program includes various speakers discussing topics such as pre-astronautics, space and time travel, earth history errors, astronautic sites, Giordano Bruno, pyramid stargates, and ancient instructions. Other topics include astrological and morphogenetic fields, Indian palm leaf manuscripts, ancient American myths about flying objects, anomalous archaeological artifacts, and UFOs in medieval sources. The event also features discussions on UFOs during fascism, Chinese "flying objects," and the Shamiradoran. A plea for "Paleo-SETI" is also on the agenda. Registration details and ticket prices are provided, with discounts for early registrants.
2. German UFOlogists Meeting: This event will take place on October 21st, 2001, at the "Goldener Ochsen" hotel in Griesbach. Several speakers are confirmed, and further registration details will be provided in the next issue.

Silvester-UFOs 2001

Two reports from the GEP (presumably a UFO research organization) concern UFO sightings on New Year's Eve 2001:

• Case 20010101A: On January 1st, 2001, around 1:00 AM CET, a witness in Berlin observed a bright, circular, possibly elliptical light for two minutes. It appeared greenish in clouds and white in cloud holes, flying east. The witness suggested a hot air balloon as a possible explanation.
• Case 20010111A: A few hours earlier (19:57), two witnesses in Lüdenscheid observed several point-like lights in the sky that flickered unusually. The evaluation suggested stars (Pleiades) as a possible explanation.

Quote of the Month

• "Without UFO witnesses, there are no UFO reports. Therefore, after 50 years, it is time to focus on the witnesses themselves, as well as on the presumed objective stimuli!"
• Rudolf Henke, in a letter to the editor in JUFOF No. 134, (2/2001).

Cartoon

A cartoon depicts a speaker presenting a lecture titled "UFOs - they don't exist, we really don't!". In the second panel, the audience is shown, with one person thinking, "...and who would believe in the real existence of extraterrestrial beings? <<".

Reports: UFO-Meldungen

Case: 1990-02-02-A, Hamburg

Date: February 2, 1990
Time: 1:15 AM
Witness: Wolfgang Gutschke
Classification: NL (Not Classified)
Evaluation: Problematic UFO

The witness, a 55-year-old amateur astronomer, awoke suddenly and went to his kitchen window to observe the stars. He noticed a triangular object with rounded corners, described as having a diffuse, milky gray, self-luminous, and transparent glow. The object lacked typical aircraft features, such as engine noise or blinking lights. It moved in a straight line towards the SSW, appearing to slow down and change shape. The witness was convinced it was a UFO, stating the realization hit him like an electric shock. He filled out a questionnaire and created documentation, including drawings and photos with double exposures of the object in the landscape. Calculations were performed to estimate the object's size and flight speed. The report notes that the sighting occurred during a period of increased UFO activity over Belgium, where triangular UFOs were also reported. While the witness's credibility is not doubted, the lack of other witnesses is noted as a drawback, possibly due to the late hour. The report concludes by agreeing with the GEP's evaluation.

Analysis of the Hamburg Sighting:

Further details from the questionnaire indicate no other witnesses, and the observation lasted about 8 seconds. The object's size was estimated as significantly larger than the full moon at the time of visual contact. Its brightness was moderate to weak, with no color change. The triangular shape had rounded corners, and its outlines were indistinct, diffuse, self-luminous, and transparent. The light emission was constant, milky gray. There were no audible noises, and the flight was described as fast and straight. The estimated speed might have been supersonic. The observation was made through a window, but the view was clear. The report acknowledges the difficulty in evaluating the case, with H.W. Peiniger classifying it as a "Problematic UFO." The diffuse appearance and high speed suggest a "light effect device." The report speculates that the light beams might have been projected onto clouds, although the weather was clear. The sighting is linked to the wave of UFO sightings over Belgium. The possibility of a novel test aircraft is considered. The witness's credibility is high, but the lack of other witnesses is a factor. The report concludes by concurring with the GEP's assessment.

Do You Seek Information About a UFO Sighting?

DUFOA offers assistance and can be contacted via Christian Czech at Zeissring 46, D-37603 Holzminden.

Do We Want Contact?

This article discusses the ease of searching for extraterrestrials in the multimedia age, mentioning projects like SETI@home where personal computers analyze data from radio telescopes. While no definitive alien message has been received, the potential for such a discovery is highlighted. The article ponders the implications if humanity receives a message from extraterrestrials, and vice versa. It emphasizes that messages are encoded in mathematical formulas, assuming these principles are universal. The Pioneer F-Sonde's plaque is cited as an example of a universally readable message. The author questions whether extraterrestrial intelligence would rely on technology for communication over vast distances.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the serious investigation of UFO phenomena, encouraging open discussion and research. It defends UFOlogists against criticism and highlights the importance of witness testimony. The editorial stance is one of curiosity and a belief in the value of exploring the unknown, while also acknowledging the need for rigorous analysis and evidence. The publication aims to be a platform for information exchange and a resource for those interested in UFOs and related topics.

This issue of III/2001, identified as a report (BERICHT), delves into various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, extraterrestrial contact, and related topics. It questions the assumptions made when attempting to communicate with potential alien civilizations and explores the impact of popular culture on UFO reports. The issue also addresses the growing problem of space debris and its potential to be mistaken for UFOs, including a specific case study.

Assumptions of Extraterrestrial Contact

The article begins by discussing the assumptions made by Carl Sagan in the 1970s when designing the message plaque for the Pioneer probe. These assumptions included the existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life capable of deciphering the message, the probe being discovered and recovered intact, aliens possessing similar mathematical and chemical knowledge, and crucially, that they would be friendly.

The author expresses skepticism about the 'friendly alien' assumption, contrasting it with horror-science fiction scenarios where aliens might be hostile and seek to conquer or destroy inhabited planets. The article notes that in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the idea of benevolent aliens was prevalent, partly due to 'contactees' who claimed aliens were warning humanity about war and environmental destruction. The author humorously questions the necessity of such warnings from advanced beings.

The 'Alien Invasion' in Popular Culture

A significant section of the magazine focuses on the pervasive presence of alien imagery in popular culture and merchandise. The article argues that it is virtually impossible for individuals to be completely unbiased ('nicht vorbelastet') when reporting UFO sightings, as they are constantly exposed to alien themes through movies like Star Wars and Star Trek, and a vast array of merchandise. Examples include alien-themed candles, cups, ashtrays, keychains, clothing, and even inflatable figures. The author suggests that the market capitalizes on this 'alien trend,' making it difficult to ascertain the authenticity of reports when so much of the public consciousness is saturated with alien depictions.

SETI and the Question of Communication

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) project is also discussed, with the author questioning its effectiveness and the wisdom of actively inviting contact. The article suggests that the continued pursuit of SETI, even without state funding since the mid-90s, might be seen as a PR stunt. The author posits that the SETI@home project is more of a sign of our desire for contact than a scientifically sound endeavor. The idea of sending the 'most expensive invitation in the world' to potential extraterrestrials is met with skepticism.

UFO Crashes and Space Debris

The magazine addresses the phenomenon of alleged UFO crashes, noting that while the nature of UFOs may be debated, there's general agreement that most sightings have conventional explanations. However, 'UFO crashes' are presented as not uncommon, even in Germany. The article then shifts focus to the growing problem of space debris. It highlights that the Earth's orbit is increasingly cluttered with thousands of objects, ranging from small screws to large rocket modules, posing a significant threat to satellites and future space missions.

A specific case from Bruchhagen, Germany, on New Year's Eve 1978, is detailed. Witnesses Friede and Hilde Schumacher reported seeing luminous objects, and the next morning, a metal object was found in a field. While initially considered a potential UFO crash, the article suggests that such objects are often pieces of space debris. The investigation into the Bruchhagen incident, involving the German Air Force and the Federal Ministry of Defence, ultimately pointed towards the object being a component of the Skylab space station that had burned up in the atmosphere.

The article also discusses the planned controlled re-entry of the aging MIR space station, noting that the intense heat generated during atmospheric entry (nearly 3000 degrees Celsius) is expected to cause it to burn up. However, some experts doubt that all fragments will completely disintegrate, raising concerns about falling debris.

DUFOA and Hangar 18

Towards the end of the issue, there are sections related to the DUFOA (presumably an organization) and its publication, HANGAR 18. An email address for HANGAR 18 and the DUFOA Infozentrale are provided. An 'Aktuelle Statistik' (Current Statistics) section lists UFO reports (15802), newspaper articles on UFOs (1046) and astronomy (531), and UFO documents (2614), along with 407 photos. The editors of HANGAR 18 mention efforts to improve the layout and content of their newsletter, which is published almost monthly. They also emphasize their role as an information source for the UFO topic and their efforts to establish contacts with authors, researchers, and groups.

Letters to the Editor

The 'Leserbriefe' (Letters to the Editor) section includes correspondence from readers. Michael Hesemann comments on the DUFOA and UFOrm Dat, suggesting that UFO questionnaires are not a waste of time and should be modeled after those used by the US Air Force/Project Blue Book and NICAP. Werner Walter responds to a letter, clarifying DUFOA's goals and stating that they aim to provide materials for people to form their own conclusions about UFO phenomena, acknowledging that the public may be misinformed. Roland M. Horn writes to compliment the magazine, particularly a book review, and asks for permission to print his review on a 'homage' page.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO phenomena, the potential risks and realities of extraterrestrial contact, the pervasive influence of popular culture on perceptions of aliens, and the increasingly urgent issue of space debris. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious skepticism, particularly regarding the optimistic assumptions about alien benevolence and the interpretation of unidentified aerial phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on providing factual information and encouraging readers to critically assess evidence, distinguishing between genuine phenomena and cultural artifacts or misinterpretations, such as space debris being mistaken for UFOs.