JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG

Magazine Overview

Title: JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG
Issue: 2/80
Date: February 1980
Publisher: Gemeinschaft zur Erforschung unbekannter Phänomene -GEP-
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of the German UFO research journal features a prominent report on a sighting over Lüdenscheid, Germany, along with technical articles, other sighting reports, and discussions on related topics.

UFO over Lüdenscheid?

The lead story details a sighting by a 74-year-old housewife in Lüdenscheid on December 23, 1979, around 1 AM. The witness observed two objects that appeared to merge, described as chrome-yellow to yellow, approximately 20 degrees above the horizon, and about 5700 meters away. The objects were visible for about 5 minutes. The witness described them as appearing to be stacked on top of each other. Later measurements suggested the objects were about 40 cm wide at arm's length, corresponding to about 40 degrees. Due to being under a stratus cloud layer, the altitude was estimated to be below 2000 meters. The report notes that neither Düsseldorf air traffic control nor the Belgian military units in Lüdenscheid could explain the observation. The authors suggest that while a natural explanation like a reflection off a cloud layer is possible, it would require an immense light source. They conclude that the probability of a natural explanation is high.

Practical Instructions for "Field Investigations"

Part 3: Angular Height by Hans-Werner Peiniger
This section provides instructions on how to build and use a simple device to measure the angular height of an object. The device, constructed from a protractor (cut to a quadrant), a small wooden board, glue, thread, and a weight (like a screw), allows users to determine the angle of an object in the sky. The article explains how to use the device by sighting along the top edge and reading the angle indicated by the hanging thread.

Technique All-Important: Monitoring for Radioactivity a Challenge by Tommy Roy Blann
This is a continuation of an article on radioactivity monitoring. It details the proper procedure for conducting a survey, emphasizing the importance of calibrated instruments, using a pocket dosimeter, determining background radiation counts (for organic-quenched and halogen-quenched tubes), and subtracting background from total counts to get net activity. The article also explains the application of the Inverse Square Law to measure radiation intensity at different distances and stresses the need for consistent orientation of the monitoring device.

UFO Reports from the USA: A NICAP Report

This section details a case from South Hill, Virginia, on April 21, 1967. Clifton N. Crowder, a warehouse manager, reported seeing a UFO ascend from a road, leaving behind burned gravel and four holes. The object was described as round, metallic, about 12-17 feet in diameter, and shaped like a water tank. Crowder approached the landed machine, and its bright headlights illuminated the object. A white flame emerged from the bottom, and the object ascended rapidly. The road was illuminated for a few seconds after the launch. Norman Martin, a tobacco farmer, also witnessed a bright light ascending from the ground. Samples of the burned material and asphalt were taken by NICAP investigators. The report also mentions that employees of the Fort Lee Fire Departments saw two blinking, rotating red lights around the same time. Police in South Hill also reported seeing strange lights moving like lightning, with up to five objects forming a diamond formation. Police Chief Bill Williams described the UFO's movements as erratic and unlike anything he had ever seen.

Press Releases

UFO over Bonn!
A report from Bonn states that police observed an unidentified flying object that could not be located by air traffic control. The Sternwarte Bochum suggested it might be the planet Saturn. The phenomenon disappeared by late evening.

Bremen "UFO" Remains Enigmatic / Photo Seized by Police
An object was sighted for over four hours in various locations around Bremen, performing maneuvers and causing fear among US Marines. Despite conflicting details, the object was described as disc-shaped, emitting light, and capable of high acceleration and invisibility. Photographs of the object appeared, but a Bremerhaven photo amateur noticed a similar object on a slide taken weeks earlier. Experts identified such sightings as light reflections from raindrops or ice crystals. However, the significance of the Bremen case is heightened by the seizure of a color photograph taken by a local farmer by police, reportedly for state security agencies. The article notes a lack of official information and speculation about the photo's fate.

"Martians" under Nature Protection?

This short piece discusses the legal status of potential extraterrestrial visitors. Robert Freitag, a US legal expert specializing in space law, concludes that such beings would be considered "vogelfrei" (outlaws) and not protected by law, similar to wild animals.

Aake Saw UFOs
Swedish air traffic controller Lars Aake Hedin observed two high-speed moving points near Gothenburg airport that were not registered by radar. A lab technician stated that cloud cover ruled out satellites or meteorites.

UFO - Why Some Believe and Why Not

This section features an interview with Dipl.-Psychologist Jürgen vom Scheidt, who views UFO belief as a modern form of religion, driven by cultural and psychological changes, a sense of insecurity, and a search for new values.

Astro-Preview - March 1980

This section provides astronomical data for March 1980, including moon phases and the positions and brightness of Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

UFO - Definition according to Hynek

This section provides J. Allen Hynek's definition of a UFO as a perceived object or light whose appearance, trajectory, and behavior cannot be logically explained and remains unidentifiable after thorough technical investigation.

Periodicals

A list of UFO-related periodicals is provided: UFO INSIGHT (England), UFOIC NEWSLETTER (Australia), and SECOND LOOK (USA).

Advertisements and Offers

This section includes advertisements for UFO-related materials such as a cassette recording titled "UFOs: The Credibility Factor" featuring interviews with experts and witnesses, meteorite samples, and books on geophysics and radiation protection. It also lists subscription prices for the "Journal für UFO-Forschung" and provides contact information for GEP.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal consistently focuses on detailed reports of UFO sightings, often with witness testimonies and attempts at scientific or technical analysis. There's an emphasis on providing practical guidance for UFO investigation, as seen in the field measurement article. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various cases and perspectives, while also acknowledging the possibility of natural explanations, as noted in the Lüdenscheid report. The inclusion of legal and psychological perspectives on UFO belief suggests a broad approach to the phenomenon. The journal also serves as a platform for advertising related books, recordings, and subscriptions, fostering a community around UFO research.