Itufor09

Magazine Overview

Title: ITALIAN UFO REPORTER
Issue: No. 9
Date: December 1988
Publisher: Italian Center for UFO Studies (C.I.S.U.)
Country: Italy
Language: English

This issue of the Italian UFO Reporter is divided into two parts. The first part provides an update on the Italian UFO scene in 1988, and the second part consists of English language abstracts from C.I.S.U.'s "UFO Information Review" No. 6, December 1988.

The Italian UFO Scene: 1988 Update by Edoardo Russo

The year 1988 was noted as being quieter than 1987 in terms of UFO sightings and public interest. Despite this, C.I.S.U. recorded 60 sightings. Two notable events were a significant flap on August 17th, where a bright object with a trail was seen by thousands across Northern and Central Italy (identified as a bolide), and a recurrent red light seen in Torriglia (Genova) during the second half of September, which involved close encounters.

A more unusual report was an alleged trace-landing case at Costeggiola, near Verona, on September 20th. An anonymous caller alerted police and a local newspaper about a UFO taking off from a field where three circles of burned grass, forming an equilateral triangle, were found. However, field investigations and chemical analysis of the soil and grass pointed strongly towards a hoax.

Books and Publications

U.S. best-sellers "Communion" by W. Strieber and "Intruders" by B. Hopkins had limited success in Italy in 1988. While "Intruders" was published by a small house, "Communion" was launched by a major publisher, Rizzoli, which owns newspapers and magazines. Many reviewers misunderstood "Communion" as a novel, failing to connect it with UFOs. A hoax entity photo prominently featured on the cover of one of Rizzoli's weeklies was noted as an attempt to boost book sales.

C.I.S.U. managed to have its address and phone number published in "Intruders", resulting in four reports of "missing time". The Italian UFO publication landscape is dominated by C.I.S.U., which publishes a journal, a newsletter, and manages a newsclipping service, along with five local branches producing their own newsletters. A new publication, "Rassegna casistica" (Case Histories), featuring field-investigation reports, was launched in 1988.

Research and Activities

C.I.S.U. initiated several new research projects in 1988, including a study group on "Effects from UFOs" coordinated by Stefano Innocenti, and a project to catalogue "pre-UFOs" (sightings before 1900) by Umberto Cordier. A study group on "Hypnosis and Ufology" was headed by Renzo Cabassi, establishing a liaison with the Society of Medical Hypnosis. "SCIENCE.CAT", a catalogue of UFO-relevant articles from scientific journals, was released by Paolo Toselli. A book service for C.I.S.U. members was operated by Alberto Lazzaro.

In November, five C.I.S.U. members attended the First European Congress on Anomalous Aerial Phenomena in Bruxelles, presenting three papers. C.I.S.U. was subsequently asked to join the International Committee on UFO Research and to nominate a national representative for MUFON.

Media Coverage

UFOs received significant media attention in 1988, with at least ten TV broadcasts on national networks. A notable two-hour debate on UFOs and extraterrestrial life occurred on RAI-1's "Mezzogiorno è...". However, a less positive example was a November 4th RAI-3 broadcast that allowed contactee Eugenio Siragusa to speak for two and a half hours about waiting for flying saucers on Mt. Etna. C.I.S.U. members also participated in numerous conferences, radio/TV shows, and press interviews, totaling over 40 events nationwide. The formation of an Italian branch of CSICOP in October was noted, with the observation that Italian debunkers were not interested in UFOs and thus unlikely to interfere with C.I.S.U.'s work.

Abstracts of "UFO - RIVISTA DI INFORMAZIONE UFOLOGICA" Issue No. 6

Do We Now Have Two Ufologies? by Jenny Randles

This guest-editorial, translated from the "MUFON UFO Journal", discusses the evolving landscape of ufology.

Three Burned Grass Circles: UFO Landing or Hoax near Verona? by Gian Paolo Grassino

This article details the investigation into the Costeggiola incident on September 20, 1988. An anonymous caller reported a field fire, leading to the discovery of three burned grass circles. Initial reports described a blinding light and flames. Field investigations by Carabinieri, the Fire Brigade, and the Environmental Protection Agency, along with analysis by C.I.S.U. members Gian Paolo Grassino and Fabrizio Dividi, found evidence of organic solvents and a vinagre-like smell. The investigation concluded that the traces were likely caused by a hoax, possibly involving inflammables and a delimiting device, with ashes and a torch found nearby. The article also mentions "Dr." Corrado Malanga's claim of "hot metallic half-spheres".

The Traces

The burned grass circles were located in a field along a provincial road, partially hidden by a wooded hill. The circles were about 3 meters in diameter and formed a nearly perfect equilateral triangle. Some grass was still green within the less prominent circle, while others were completely burned. No pressure imprints were found. The burning was superficial, only about 2 cm deep. A witness reported seeing headlights-like lightness in the dark.

Hypotheses

Three hypotheses were considered: a hot body, irradiation, or a hoax. The anonymously-described hovering UFO with flames was deemed inconsistent with the neat delimitation of traces. Microwaves or radiation beams were contradicted by the irregular combustion and the vinagre smell. A hoax was considered the most fitting hypothesis, given the accessibility of the field, the superficial burning, and the possibility of using measuring and delimiting devices with inflammables.

Close Encounter with Vallee

A confrontation with the "Father" of Paraphysical Ufology, an interview by Linda Strand, and a shorter item "Vallee in Bruxelles" by Edoardo Russo.

CE-III Photos in Italy by Paolo Fiorino

This section examines photographic evidence of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (CE-III) in Italy. Out of 431 catalogued CE-III cases, only 13 involved photographic reports. These are categorized as:

1. Hoaxes: This category includes "Classic" hoaxes like the Giampiero Monguzzi photos from Mt. Scherschen (1952), which were admitted as a hoax. It also includes the Mario Salmaso photos from Piove di Sacco (1963), also admitted as a hoax, "Goliardic" hoaxes where a group admitted faking photos to show ufologists' gullibility, and "Advertising Hoaxes" such as a blurred photo of a "UFO Occupant" published by the weekly "7" to advertise W. Strieber's "Communion".
2. Photos by Contactees: Italian contactee Antonio De Rosa claimed to have photographed two Venusians in 1972, but the picture was identified as a reproduction from a Hungarian SF film.
3. Photos by UFO Buffs: Several humanoid photos were taken by UFO buffs, including members of the "Gruppo Osservazioni e Ricerche Ufologiche" (GORU) in La Spezia. These buffs theorized that UFOs were "ex-terrestrials" from the future. They often "found" images of flying lights, landed saucers, and entities in photos taken during sky-watches when their instrumentation detected a "presence". A notable case involved a photo taken on January 13, 1976, of a figure on Mt. Verrugoli, which was hypothesized to be a Navy incursor.

Conclusions on CE-III Photos:

• Only 13 photographic CE-III cases were reported in Italy.
• Half of these (6) are outright hoaxes.
• All non-hoax cases, except one (Mt. Bondone), were taken or found by UFO buffs during sky-watches.
• Most of these photos showed "invisible" beings whose images were found after development.
• Only one case involved photos intentionally taken of a visible entity, witnessed by a casual observer.

The Mount Bondone Case by Alessandro Cortellazzi

This CE-III case, which occurred on September 18, 1978, was not published before. A 35-year-old clerk driving home noticed a fire-like reflection above trees. He investigated and heard rhythmic, metallic ticking sounds. He saw a human-like figure behind a tree and took photos. The witness described the figure as 1.5-1.6 meters tall, stocky, with pointed ears and a "tube" coming from its mouth. He also noted glove-like hands and dull, almond-shaped eyes. After the figure fled, he found a circular trace, 3 meters in diameter, where the grass was flattened and withered, and the ground was warm. The witness, a professional social worker, asked to remain anonymous. Unclear points include why he had sensitive film loaded and why he took a longer route home. The negatives are reportedly lost.

The Bruxelles Congress

This section provides an overview of the "First European Congress on Anomalous Aerial Phenomena" held in Bruxelles on November 11-13, 1988, hosted by SOBEPS. Speakers from ten European countries attended, including prominent researchers. Full proceedings were available in English. Italian papers were published in ITUFOR-8.

The author notes a "communion" with European researchers, sharing a critical approach to ufology. The rise of "critical ufology" as the dominant ideology in Europe, with the establishment of national organizations sharing this approach, is highlighted. Such meetings are seen as useful for improving theoretical and methodological tools, strengthening European ufology.

Who's Who in Italian Ufology

This section profiles Dr. Roberto Farabone, a physicist active in ufology since 1973. He was instrumental in forming CNIFAA, served as editor of "UFO Phenomena International Annual Review" (UPIAR), and became Director of the Scientific Committee of Centro Ufologico Nazionale (CUN). He was a founding member of Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU) and was elected its President in 1988.

Subscription Rates

Information on subscription rates for "Italian UFO Reporter" (ITUFOR) and "UFO - RIVISTA DI INFORMAZIONE UFOLOGICA" is provided, including prices in various currencies and options for surface and air mail.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue emphasizes a critical and investigative approach to ufology, as evidenced by the detailed analysis of hoaxes and the focus on rigorous investigation, such as in the Costeggiola case. The magazine highlights the growing trend of "critical ufology" in Europe, contrasting it with potentially less critical approaches. There is a strong emphasis on scientific methodology and the importance of international collaboration among researchers who share this critical perspective. The publication also serves as a platform for disseminating research and news from the Italian UFO community, particularly C.I.S.U.