Itufor05

Magazine Overview

This issue, Number 5, of the ITALIAN UFO REPORTER, dated June 1987, is a newsletter from the Italian Center for UFO Studies (C.I.S.U.). It consists primarily of English language abstracts from the C.I.S.U. publication "UFO Information Review" ("UFO RIVISTA DI INFORMAZIONE UFOLOGICA") No. 3, June 1987. The editors apologize for the delay in release, citing being overloaded with work. They explain that wide summaries are provided for readers who may not read Italian, encouraging them to consult the original "UFO" for references and illustrations not reproduced here. Three articles received shorter treatment: one by Hilary Evans and one by Anders Liljegren, as they were originally published in English, and one by Edoardo Russo concerning a UFO congress in France.

Sunset and UFOs by Enrico Bernieri

Dr. Enrico Bernieri, who holds a Ph.D. in physics and is a researcher at the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics, presents a study on the correlation between UFO sightings and sunset times. His work focuses on quantitative ufology.

The Pilot Study

In 1979, two regional samples of UFO reports were analyzed for time/month distribution: 128 reports from Emilia-Romagna (1977-78) and 67 from Campania. The average time of UFO sightings was calculated for each month, converted to local solar time, and compared to the monthly average time of sunset, which varied by latitude. A clear pattern emerged in both cases: UFO sightings were correlated with sunset, with the average sighting time following sunset with a delay of approximately 98 minutes in Campania and 126 minutes in Emilia.

Larger Samples

This pilot study was confirmed in 1984 with a larger regional sample of nearly 1,000 sightings from Edoardo Russo's catalogue in Piemonte. For the 499 reports with exact times, the pattern held: UFO average time followed sunset each month with an average delay of 200 minutes. Statistical verification using a chi-square test confirmed the significance of this correlation. A second analysis in 1987 on 424 reports from Marco Bottaini's catalogue of Toscana cases showed an average delay of 143 minutes, which was shorter as the region was more southern.

Evaluation

No definitive explanation is offered for this pattern, which is significant because it relates to a physical, environmental parameter (sunset time) and is constant even with unselected reports (including IFOs and UFOs). A combined physical/sociological hypothesis is suggested: the visibility of bright objects depends on contrast with the background, which increases after sunset up to a saturation point. Additionally, the number of witnesses is higher around sunset and decreases later in the night. The combined effect of these factors might explain the pattern, though deeper studies are needed.

Foreign Studies by Edoardo Russo

This section provides a detailed survey of similar independent studies conducted abroad, compiled by Edoardo Russo.

• Michel Monnerie (1975-1976): Analyzed French reports (150 from 1969, 480 from 1973) and found that sightings were more numerous when neither sun nor moon were visible. The hours of greatest UFO concentration shifted with sunset/dawn times as seasons changed.
• S.O.B.E.P.S. team (Belgium, 1978-79): Analyzed a larger sample of world reports and observed the sunset pattern and monthly "migration." They also noted that this migration followed opposite directions in the northern and southern hemispheres, and the delay on sunset time depended on latitude, suggesting that worldwide time statistics are meaningless without considering seasonal effects.
• Criticism by G.E.P.A.N.: The French official group criticized the S.O.B.E.P.S. conclusion, noting that an unscreened sample of IFOs and UFOs would yield similar results, citing weather-balloons and Venus as typical sunset sightings.
• Blue Book Special Report No. 14 (1955): This report had already examined sunset/dawn phenomena and analyzed them from the perspective of "IFO vs. UFO."

Use of Statistics

An unsigned editorial "box" by Gian Paolo Grassino warns against the naive use of UFO statistics. It highlights the importance of considering data reliability, sample homogeneity, and error margins, as correlations found may be meaningless due to imperfect human witnesses producing random and systematic errors. Samples often include a majority of IFOs, a minority of UFOs, and many reports with insufficient data, necessitating caution when evaluating UFO statistics.

Effects on the Vegetation: Close Encounter of the Second Kind at Vallenoncello by Antonio Chiumiento

This article details a sighting on August 2nd, 1978, at 10:15 p.m. in Vallenoncello (Pordenone). A 36-year-old man observed a bright oval object, approximately 8 meters long and 4-5 meters tall, hovering about 15 meters above the ground. The object descended vertically, enhancing its luminosity and emitting a lateral rotating beam of light. No noise was heard, except for an air shuffle. The following morning, a "burned trace" of irregular shape, about 2 meters in diameter, was found where the grass had turned reddish and was covered by a dark, brownish jelly-like substance. Samples were collected and analyzed by the Regional Center of Agricultural Experimentation, which found some chemical elements present inside the trace that were not outside, particularly calcium, not attributable to manuring. Vegetation began growing normally only two years later.

The Frontiers of UFOLOGY: Notes for an Interdisciplinary Approach by Hilary Evans

This section, translated from the "BUFORA Bulletin," discusses the interdisciplinary nature of ufology.

UFOs and Advertising: The UFO Image as a Vehicle for Commercials by Paolo Toselli

Paolo Toselli explores the resurgence of the "fantastic" as a reaction to positivism, with UFOs appearing in mass media, including advertising. Public interest in UFOs and extraterrestrials was recognized by economic forces before intellectuals.

• Early Italian Examples: The first Italian examples of UFO images in commercial advertising appeared in the 1960s with "Alfa Romeo" using a "Flying Saucer" for a sport motorcar and "Agnesi" using a similar image for pasta.
• Influence of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind": Spielberg's movie heavily influenced commercial advertising globally. In Italy, this led to direct references to "close encounters" for cosmetic products and the use of UFO-like spaceship imagery, lights from above, and "haunted" houses.
• "A Yogurt for E.T." (Danone): A TV spot featured a light beam from above, enthusiastic people looking at flying objects that turn into strawberries plunging into yogurt.
• Fiat "Croma" ("Planet Car"): A bright light outside a house attracts a family, who see a giant spaceship pass above, leaving a new car by the door.
• "Yomo" Yogurt: Inspired by "E.T.," this campaign featured a lizard-man alien losing time trying to taste yogurt.
• "The Zenith Example": In 1980, "Zenith" watches used "typical" UFO sighting photos with apocalyptic statements. A 1981 campaign featured UFOs beaming down on watches, making them "disappear." A report from the PR agency copywriter explained the idea behind using UFOs.
• Other Advertisements: UFO images were also used for "Peugeot" cars, "Philips" TV sets, "Pioneer" Compact Discs, "Texas" pocket calculators, "Sony" video-recorders, and a "Bidone Aspiratutto" vacuum cleaner.

The author questions whether the constant presence of UFOs/aliens in media makes them ordinary. He notes that UFO sightings are no longer extraordinary but trivial, leading to more media presence. The symbolic message conveyed is "we are not alone."

1986 Cases Histories

This section provides short summaries of recent Italian UFO/IFO sightings reported to C.I.S.U., aiming to inform about ongoing events. Not all cases have been evaluated.

• Moving Lights in Piemonte (May 30, 1986): A bar owner and his wife in Mombercelli (Asti) witnessed a faint red light moving in the sky, covering a 40° arc. The light was visible for about 10-15 minutes. Other people in the Asti and Alessandria provinces also witnessed a white light circling over Acqui Terme and Ovada. A woman in Cantalupo called the police.

• Luminous Cone in the Mestre Sky (May 21, 1986): Two independent groups in Mestre (Venezia) observed a half-conical bright object with a trail, moving horizontally. The object changed colors and appeared to rotate.

• "Abduction" Near Belluno (August 15, 1986): A couple near Calalzo di Cadore (Belluno) witnessed a bright light descend, becoming a disc-shaped, domed object. They later recalled being taken aboard by two human-like beings for a "medical examination." A dark circular trace, 9 meters in diameter, was found where the object had landed.

1986 Overview

The number of 1986 UFO/IFO sightings filed by C.I.S.U. as of May 20, 1987, was 143, less than half the number from the 1985 wave. The first four months were "poorer" in reports, with numbers rising from late May onwards. Regional distribution was scattered, with Northern regions having the most reports (94), followed by Central (40) and South (9). This distribution may be influenced by the uneven presence of C.I.S.U. members.

Report patterns included: Nocturnal Lights in January-April (North); the "Milan flap" in late May/early June (maneuvering lights, mostly searchlights); activity in Central regions (Umbria and Marche) in June; activity in Northeastern provinces (Veneto coastline) in July, with bright lights hovering, entering, or leaving the sea; the "Brescia flap" in July; a lull in early August; then a shift to the Northeast in August/September, with reports of dark objects in daylight and "Daylight Discs" and Close Encounters in Lazio. October and November saw most reports from Central regions (Toscana, Umbria, Marche), with a greater number of low-level objects. December showed no clear pattern.

Congress at Lyon: Meeting with the French ufology by Edoardo Russo

This section provides an abstract of the only Italian paper presented at the First Lyon UFO Meeting (April 8-10, 1987). The paper was by Paolo Toselli and discussed "Imagine That You See a UFO": Analysis of the Stereotype.

"Imagine That You See a UFO": Analysis of the Stereotype by Paolo Toselli

This study aimed to gather information about the UFO stereotype by conducting experiments in primary and secondary schools in Alessandria between 1979 and 1982. Children aged 9-14 were asked to imagine seeing a UFO and describe/draw it. A questionnaire assessed prior UFO knowledge. Of 400 stories collected, 128 from secondary school students (ages 11-14) showed that 40% referred to CE-III sightings and 15% to CE-IV (abductions). Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (seen by 43%) and "Project UFO" TV serial (seen by 70%) had limited influence. Striking resemblances were noted with real UFO events: 84% of imaginary CE-III's occurred in the evening/night in isolated places, 85% of witnesses were alone, 39% saw one entity, and 50% described a "humanoid" shape. Abduction stories often featured a blinding light and strange sound before the object appeared.

The Ghost-Rockets of 1946 by Anders Liljegren

This section presents an abstract of an article originally published in "A.F.U. Newsletter" No. 28, December 1985, focusing on Italian reports from 1946. A research of 14 daily newspapers found 70 newsclippings between July and October 1946. Reports included "strange bolides," "rocket projectiles," "flying bombs," and "luminous bolides" in various Italian cities. In total, 20 Italian reports are in C.I.S.U. files, mostly describing bright, fast-moving, trailed objects. Initially connected to Scandinavian ghost-rockets, these were later explained away as fireballs by astronomers.

Who's Who in Italian UFology

This section profiles Italian ufologists, featuring Maurizio Verga. Verga, a textile technician, has been involved in ufology since 1977. His main interest is collecting Italian close encounter reports, having built a comprehensive file and catalogue of over 400 events ("ITA-CAT"). He has also edited a catalogue of 180 Italian trace-reports ("TRA-CAT"). Verga has published in numerous UFO journals and coordinates the Italian "Computer UFO Network" (R.U.C.), editing its bulletin and the "Computer UFO Newsletter." He contributed chapters on ground traces and computers to the book "UFOs: 1947-1987."

Next Issue

ITUFOR-6 will contain English abstracts of "UFO RIVISTA DI INFORMAZIONE UFOLOGICA" No. 4 (December 1987), and will report on the International Congress in Turin, the "National UFO Information Week," and the Italian Gallup Poll on UFOs.

Subscription Rates

Information on subscription rates for "Italian UFO Reporter" is provided, including prices in various currencies and options for surface and air mail.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, particularly through statistical analysis and case studies, and the cultural impact of UFOs as seen in advertising. The editorial stance appears to be one of rigorous, data-driven ufology, emphasizing the need for caution in statistical interpretation and a critical approach to evidence, while also acknowledging the widespread public fascination with UFOs and their potential symbolic significance. The publication aims to bridge language barriers by providing English abstracts of Italian research.