INEXPLICATA 08

Magazine Overview

INEXPLICATA, The Journal of Hispanic Ufology, Issue #8, Spring 2001, is the official publication of the Institute of Hispanic Ufology, an organization focused on increasing awareness of UFO and paranormal research in Spanish-speaking regions and South America. The issue is edited by Scott Corrales, with a contributing editorial board including Manuel Carballal (Spain), Willie Durand Urbina (Puerto Rico), Dr. Rafael Lara Palmeros (Mexico), and Lucy Guzmán de Plá (Puerto Rico).

Editor's Note: "Open the Pod Bay Doors, Hal."

Scott Corrales, in his editorial, reflects on the dawn of the 21st century and the Third Millennium. He draws an analogy to Arthur C. Clarke's "The Lost Worlds of 2001," comparing the perceived gulfs of technological and societal change to the evolution of ufology and paranormal studies. Corrales posits that just as science fiction envisioned future advancements, researchers in ufology might have struggled to predict the field's trajectory. He concludes with an optimistic outlook on the future of ufology and high strangeness.

Articles and Features

Starstrikes: Calling Cards from the Cosmos?

This feature by Scott Corrales delves into historical and recent events involving mysterious aerial objects and impacts. It begins by referencing the famous Tunguska event of 1908, describing it as a strange object, possibly a meteorite or cometary fragment, that vaporized over Siberia, leaving behind thousands of trees pointing away from the impact site. The article then shifts to South America, detailing:

• Rio Curaca, Brazil/Peru border (August 13, 1930): A similar explosion to Tunguska occurred, noted in the Vatican's L'Osservatore Romano, accompanied by a high-pitched whistling sound and a rain of fine ash.
• Rupununi, British Guyana (December 1935): A second devastating explosion occurred, with giant rainforest trees uprooted and pointing away from the impact, described by a local miner.
• Sao Félix do Xingu, Brazil (October 9, 1999): An enormous sonic boom and a scintillating object were observed, followed by a colossal explosion that shook the ground. Local radio station Rede BAND organized a search, finding evidence of a crash but no definitive meteoritic rock or machinery, with trees pointing away from the epicenter.
• Divinolandia, Sao Paulo, Brazil (Spring 1994): A farmer reported a sound like a helicopter followed by an explosion, and a large boulder enveloped in white smoke. Investigations by the University of Sao Paulo found no meteorite fragments, leading to speculation of an unknown shock wave.
• Sachayoj, Argentina (January 25, 2000): A glowing ball of flame was seen, followed by a loud explosion and ground shaking. This event occurred near the time of predicted cataclysms and raised questions about its nature, with authorities investigating.

The article notes common factors in some South American events, such as loud sounds and occurrences during meteor showers, but maintains a suspicion that more than mere cosmic junk might be involved.

UFO Crash/Recoveries in Chile

By Raúl Núñez, this article details an extraordinary event on October 7, 1998, in Paihuano, Chile. Residents witnessed a flying object, described as metallic and about 15 meters across, hovering over a hill. The object then split, with parts falling on the hill. It remained for three days before being removed by military personnel. The event was accompanied by earthquakes, electrical blackouts, and disruptions to radio and TV broadcasts. The military operation involved Carabineros and later specialized military units, who cordoned off the area. Researchers noted strange tread marks and a cleft in the ground. The El Tololo astronomical observatory attributed the phenomenon to an uncontrolled weather event, but the article suggests otherwise.

Contact: Talking to the Gods of the New Millennium

This article, by Manuel Carballal, is not fully detailed in the provided scan but is listed on the table of contents.

On the Trail of the Chupacabras

By Dr. Virgilio Sánchez-Ocejo, this article, also listed on the table of contents, likely discusses the phenomenon of the Chupacabras, a creature reported in parts of the Americas.

UFOs, The "Visitor Experience" and Personality

By Dr. Rafael A. Lara Palmeros, this article, listed on the table of contents, appears to explore the psychological aspects of UFO encounters and the personality traits of those who report such experiences.

Ex Libris (Book Reviews)

This section, appearing on page 22, is a book review section.

Other Mentions and Themes

• Mexican Bolides: The article discusses several bolide (fireball) events in Mexico. One notable event occurred on February 8, 1969, near Ceballos, Durango, where a fiery sphere hit the ground. Another event in Veracruz on March 27, 1968, involved a loud rumbling and light, with witnesses reporting a sensation of coolness followed by cold. A Mexican warship and an oil tanker observed "two or three objects in the center of a bright ball of fire" near Veracruz.
• Zone of Silence: The article mentions Mexico's "Zone of Silence" in the desert where Durango, Coahuila, and Chihuahua meet, noting it is a location where smaller stones are mysteriously attracted from outer space, contributing to its reputation as an enchanted region. Similar "meteorite attractors" are mentioned, such as "Campo del Cielo" in Argentina.
• North American Event (August 10, 1972): The issue briefly mentions a massive meteor in Utah that burned through the atmosphere and then rebounded into space, narrowly missing Earth.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena, meteorite impacts, and high strangeness events, particularly focusing on South America and Mexico. The magazine presents a critical examination of these events, often highlighting witness testimonies, physical evidence, and the challenges faced by researchers and authorities in explaining them. There's a consistent undercurrent of suggesting that these phenomena may involve more than conventional explanations, hinting at the possibility of extraterrestrial or unknown forces. The editorial stance, as expressed by Scott Corrales, is one of open inquiry and a belief in the enduring mystery and potential of ufology and high strangeness research as the new millennium begins.

This issue of Año Cero, identified as issue number 06-119 from 1998, delves into various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, with a particular focus on incidents and beliefs in Chile. The magazine explores alleged government cover-ups, the history and evolution of UFO contactees, and the mysterious Chupacabras phenomenon, linking it to UFO activity. It also examines the psychological and neurological aspects of the 'visitor experience' associated with UFO encounters.

Incidents in Chile

The magazine details several significant events in Chile. The "Incident at Quebrada de Huchumi" describes an object crash on June 15, 1998, near Cerro Tololo, which caused a deafening noise, shattered windows, and produced a bright flash. Eyewitnesses reported a spectacular luminous phenomenon and sudden storms. Another incident at Las Mollacas involved a fallen balloon, though official information was scarce, and CEFAA initially showed little interest.

The article "On The Trail of the Chupacabras" investigates a series of events beginning on March 17, 2000, in the 2nd Region of Chile, including Calama and María Elena. Witnesses reported seeing "two stars" moving around during attacks attributed to a Chupacabras-creature, which was seen carrying a dead fox. Animals were found slain, drained of blood, with questions raised about how the creature accessed them. The investigation found similarities between prints found in Chile and those from Miami in 1996, and discovered three holes forming a triangle, suggesting a large object, possibly a UFO, had landed.

Further events in Chile include alleged bombings by the Chilean Air Force near María Elena and Quillagua in July 2000, which caused tremors and panic. The author questions the purpose of these bombings, suggesting they might be related to controlling or attacking entities like the Chupacabras, and notes the presence of unusual vehicles and U.S. personnel in the region.

The Contactee Phenomenon

Manuel Carballal's article, "Contactees: Talking to the Gods of the New Millennium," explores the history of the contactee phenomenon, which emerged in the United States in the mid-20th century. It highlights George Adamski as a key figure, who claimed contact with Venusians and shared photographs of flying saucers. The article posits that the idea of beings from the stars is ancient, predating UFO phenomena, and that Adamski merely updated these ancient beliefs for the Space Age. It discusses other notable contactees like Howard Menger, Eugenio Siragusa, Edouard "Billy" Meier, and Charlie and Sixto Paz. The piece also touches upon the syncretism within the contactee movement, where extraterrestrial messages are blended with religious traditions. The article notes a shift in the alleged origin of alien visitors from nearby planets to more distant locations or even other dimensions, possibly to avoid detection by space probes.

Technology of Alien Contact and Belief Systems

"The Technology of Alien Contact" section examines how modern technology has been applied to contacteeism, including receiving radio signals, using videotapes, spirit recordings (psychophonies), Ouija boards, automatic writing, and even fax machines and e-mail for communication with non-human intelligences. The article "God Travels by Saucer" discusses the growing popularity of the extraterrestrial myth, suggesting it may surpass traditional religious beliefs in the 21st century. It points to the pervasive use of UFO imagery in marketing and popular culture, indicating its deep integration into society.

The 'Visitor Experience'

Dr. Rafael A. Lara Palmeros's contribution, "UFOs, Personality and the 'Visitor Experience'," provides a physician's perspective on the phenomenon. The 'visitor experience' is described as an intense variant of the 'sense of presence,' often occurring in the early morning hours, and is associated with behavioral changes, altered perception, fear, and immobility. The article links these experiences to electrochemical fluctuations in the temporal lobes of the brain, which are associated with meaning, self-awareness, fear, and memory retrieval. Patients with partial complex or limbic epilepsy often report similar symptoms. The experience frequently convinces the percipient of its reality, leading to a sense of profound significance and sometimes a desire to proselytize.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena, alleged extraterrestrial contact, and potential government secrecy or involvement. There is a recurring theme of official agencies downplaying or ignoring significant events, while independent researchers and witnesses pursue the truth. The magazine seems to adopt a stance of open inquiry into these phenomena, presenting evidence and theories from various perspectives, including those that challenge conventional explanations. The integration of ancient myths with modern UFO beliefs, and the psychological impact of these experiences on individuals, are also central to the issue's narrative. The Chupacabras investigation, in particular, highlights a blend of cryptozoology and ufology, suggesting a unified, possibly extraterrestrial, origin for these phenomena.

This issue of INEXPLICATA, dated 2000, delves into UFO and paranormal phenomena, with a significant focus on events in Mexico.

Ex Libris: A Random Sampling of Hispanic Ufology in Print

The "Ex Libris" section highlights recent publications related to ufology. It mentions an upcoming review of Manuel Carballal's book on Spain's intelligence agency, CESID, and its connection to UFO-related cover-ups. Contributing Editor Lucy Guzmán and her husband Orlando Plá are reportedly working on a book.

Martha Rosenthal's book, "Hermanos de las Estrellas...¿Donde Están?" (Brothers of the Stars...Where Are You?), published in Caracas in 2001, is discussed. The book explores contacteeism in South America, where it is considered to hold a privileged position. Rosenthal's work includes transcripts of telepathic dialogues and automated writing with entities like Amir and Ashtar, and quotes from experiencers. She suggests that the contactee experience can be transformative or lead individuals to believe they are "chosen," often imbuing the experience with a religious element and demarcating contacteeism with promises of salvation tied to millennial prophecies.

Ignacio Cabria García's "Entre Ufologos, Creyentes y Contactados" (Between Ufologists, Believers, and Contactees), published in 1993, is described as a comprehensive social history of ufology in Spain since the 1950s. The book examines the cultural and societal forces, including movies, television, and books, that shaped belief in the phenomenon, and profiles key personalities in Spanish ufology. It discusses the ebb and flow of belief in aliens, the rise of skepticism, and categorizes Spanish UFO researchers into three generations. The review praises it as a world-class treatment of regional ufology.

MEXICO WATCH: Keeping an Eye on our Southern Neighbor's Skies

This section, authored by Dr. Rafael A. Lara Palmeros, details outstanding UFO and paranormal events in Mexico during the Year 2000.

January 5, 2000

At 00:35 hrs, a considerable number of witnesses observed a large object moving at a moderate speed over Alto Lucero and Mesa de Guadalupe in Veracruz. The object was described as a square structure emitting a reddish-yellow light without making any sound. A photograph taken by "Mr. Ruiz" reportedly shows a polygonal shape with well-defined contours, yellow in color against a dark background.

February 14, 2000

One of the most significant UFO cases in Mexico's history occurred when countless witnesses, including police officers and radio operators, saw a UFO approximately 10 meters in diameter with multi-colored spotlights flying over Mexico City for over an hour. The event received extensive media coverage, particularly from the "TV Azteca" network.

February 23, 2000

At 2:45 a.m., strange lights were observed over the Veracruz coastline, moving towards the sea near Isla de Sacrificios. Fishermen Francisco Domínguez, Aurelio Estrada, and Luis Martínez encountered a circular structure of undetermined weight that shone in the early morning darkness. The object, described as a light ochre sphere with signs of having experienced high temperatures, was approximately 16 centimeters tall with an estimated weight of 30 kilograms. It was taken to the Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz for analysis, but its composition and fate remain unknown.

March 13, 2000

In Los Limones, Veracruz, archaeology students led by Lic. Marino Real Trujillo discovered an important archaeological area featuring primitive pyramids, ancient pottery, and a large number of petroglyphs. These carvings, arranged on enormous boulders, include spirals, concentric lines, and human shapes seemingly in aerial structures. The area, located five kilometers from Los Limones, is archaeologically unknown and has not been dated to a specific Pre-Hispanic period. The Director of the Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology of the State of Veracruz, Dr. Rubén Morante, was informed and visited the site.

April 20, 2000

A multidisciplinary study was conducted on 16 individuals, rural primary school instructors, who reported strange experiences. The study included neurologists, a neurosurgeon, psychiatrists, psychologists, and a pneumo-allergy specialist. While initial psychological tests and cranial X-rays showed no pathology, two patients presented X-ray images with unusual metallic structures at the cranial level. One patient underwent a craniotomy, revealing metallic material composed of nickel and titanium. This research was supported by video and audio recordings, and a preliminary report was published in a UFO magazine. The cases originated in the Chavarrillo region and "Rancho Viejo," known for UFO sightings.

May 16, 2000

Jerónimo Flores and Santiago Iturria of Monterrey reported a large silver-hued, metallic object flying at low altitude along the slopes of Cerro de la Silla. Photographs of the object were taken and analyzed as potentially authentic. Concurrently, reports of a strange winged creature, about three feet tall, covered in feather-like material and possessing enormous round eyes, dubbed "Owl-Man," intensified.

May 27, 2000

Medical tests began on a 27-year-old woman known as "Diana," who claimed unusual paranormal experiences, including clairvoyance, dermovision, and poltergeist phenomena, following contact with luminous spheres measuring between 7 and 8 meters in diameter in her backyard in Jalapa, Veracruz. Initial psychological tests and cranial X-rays were normal; a CAT scan was pending.

June 21, 2000

At 00:40 hrs, massive luminous objects were reported over the Alchichica Lagoon, an area known for UFO sightings and electromagnetic anomalies. Three disk-shaped objects, approximately 300 meters over the lagoon surface, glowed with an intense yellow light and were enveloped in a "fog." The event, witnessed by about twenty people, lasted two minutes and was captured on videotape.

August 15, 2000

Decades-old declassified documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by researchers Stan Gordon and Scott Corrales were made public in Mexico. These documents detailed events from February 7, 1967, in General Terán, Nuevo Leon, concerning NASA's involvement in the recovery of a spherical artifact that appeared to be made of titanium. An initial analysis by U.S. investigator Abernathy suggested it was a rocket component, and the investigator returned to Washington to prepare a full report. The case was later made public by a Mexican UFO magazine.

September 2, 2000

A million-dollar scam involving Jaime Maussán Flota became public. Ing. Arturo Roble Gil presented Maussán with photographs of an alleged UFO. Maussán promoted these photos extensively on Televisa programs, claiming they were the best of the century. The authenticity of these photos was later questioned, leading to a conflict between Televisa and Television Azteca and the dismissal of several individuals. This incident became another controversy involving Maussán and his associates.

October 5, 2000

Sightings of the "Owl-Man" intensified in the mountainous region of Nuevo León, with local communities associating its presence with animal mutilations. Spain's Karma-7 magazine published an article linking the entity to the Chupacabras and animal deaths.

October 23, 2000

An important Pre-Hispanic region was discovered on the border of Puebla and Veracruz, known as El Triunfo. It features a cliff with numerous petroglyphs, including anthropomorphic, zoomorphic, and spiral figures, as well as engraved signs. The petroglyphs, which took three days to outline, have not yet been classified within a specific Pre-Hispanic period.

November 3, 2000

An unidentified person provided Lic. Marino Leal Trujillo with a photograph showing three lights forming an apparent triangle, taken one or two weeks earlier in Chavarrillo, Veracruz. Nearly 40 witnesses attested to seeing a great brightness related to a large "floodlight." The photograph, when developed, revealed the presence of two additional lights forming a triangle. The authenticity of the photos was confirmed after being shown to experts, though media coverage was limited.

November 27, 2000

Following pressure from a UFO-related publication, an effort was made to reopen the case of the "foam-rubber alien" found in Jalapa. It was reported that Sixto Paz Wells visited the contactee who owned the alleged extraterrestrial figure, claiming it originated from Zeta Reticuli and that the author's previous investigation was "baseless." The magazine in question ordered its correspondent to reopen the case to determine the extraterrestrial origin of the figure.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO sightings, alleged extraterrestrial encounters, and related phenomena, often with a critical eye towards potential hoaxes and misinterpretations, as seen in the Jaime Maussán case. There is a strong interest in both historical and contemporary events, with a particular focus on Mexico and Spain. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, while also acknowledging the need for rigorous investigation and verification. The inclusion of archaeological findings alongside UFO reports suggests a broader interest in anomalous phenomena and historical mysteries. The magazine also highlights the psychological and societal aspects of belief in UFOs and contacteeism, as evidenced by the discussion of trauma and perinatal memories in relation to UFO experiences.