JUFOF - Issue 026 - 1983 02

Magazine Overview

This issue of 'JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG' (Journal for UFO Research), Volume 4, Number 2, dated March/April 1983, published by the 'GEMEINSCHAFT ZUR ERFORSCHUNG UNBEKANNTER PHÄNOMENE e.V.', focuses on the investigation and analysis of UFO sightings. The cover prominently features the headline 'UFO-INVASION DURCH WERBEGAG' (UFO Invasion Through Advertising Gag), suggesting a theme of misidentified phenomena.

Key Articles and Reports

UFO-Invasion durch Werbegag (UFO Invasion Through Advertising Gag) This section, featuring contributions from Hans Werner Peiniger and articles from 'BILD' and 'Abendzeitung', details the events of New Year's Eve 1983. Numerous reports of glowing objects were received from Munich, Iserlohn, and other German cities. The article explains that these sightings were largely due to promotional hot air balloons released by a Düsseldorf-based company, 'Nielen und Partner', as a marketing stunt. The 'IKZ' (Iserlohner Kreisanzeiger und Zeitung) published an appeal for witnesses and subsequently reported on the case, revealing the balloons as the cause.

UFO über München? (UFO over Munich?) This article from 'Abendzeitung' on January 4, 1983, describes hundreds of Munich residents witnessing a mysterious, reddish glowing object in the sky shortly after midnight on New Year's Eve. The object remained visible for about half an hour. A police patrol was also baffled, suggesting it might have been a weather balloon, but Munich air traffic control detected nothing on radar. The report notes similar sightings in Düsseldorf, Wuppertal, and Krefeld.

UFO vom Jokus – Jokus mit UFO: 100 Ballons aus Düsseldorf (UFO from Jokus – Jokus with UFO: 100 Balloons from Düsseldorf) This piece, referencing the Bochum Planetarium, reveals the secret behind the 'mysterious craft' seen over Letmathe on New Year's Eve. It identifies the objects as 100 hot air balloons distributed by 'Nielen und Partner' as a Christmas gift. The balloons, made of parchment paper with a red and white striped design, contained a metal plate with candles to provide lift and light, capable of reaching up to 1000 meters.

UFO oder Irrtum? Wer kann's sagen? (UFO or Mistake? Who Can Say?) This article features the testimony of Werner Buschhaus from Grürmannsheide, who reported seeing a large, bright, orange-red sphere moving at high speed over Letmathe towards Iserlohn on New Year's Eve. He was convinced it was not an aircraft and described it as an 'UFO'. His account is supported by his brother and aunt. The article also includes a detailed breakdown of witness testimonies regarding time, color, and form, with a discussion on potential discrepancies and the likelihood of misidentification.

Heinrichsallee gesehen (Seen at Heinrichsallee) This report from 'IKZ' on January 29, 1983, details a sighting by Frauke Dörsing, a 14-year-old student, who described seeing an 'egg-shaped' object on New Year's Eve. She had also recently seen the movie 'E.T.' and had dreams about aliens.

UFO-Erscheinung über dem Nahuel Huapi-See (Argentinien) fotografiert (UFO Appearance over Nahuel Huapi-Lake (Argentina) Photographed) This article discusses a photograph taken in December 1968 over Lake Nahuel Huapi, Argentina, by Dr. Sebastian Jose Tarda. The photograph, analyzed by a German firm and by CECI (Circulo de Investigacion Cientifico-Espacial), was deemed to be of an unidentified object. The analysis ruled out photographic tricks, reflections, or emulsion damage. Calculations by CICE researchers estimated the object's width at 10 meters and height at 1.3 meters, with a speed of 2100-3300 km/h, suggesting the speed might explain why it wasn't seen by witnesses.

Was haben UFO-Zeichnungen von angeblichen Augenzeugen und Nicht-Augenzeugen gemein? Teil 2 (What do UFO drawings from alleged witnesses and non-witnesses have in common? Part 2) This is the second part of an article by Richard F. Haines, which analyzes drawings of UFOs made by different test groups. The study compares drawings from individuals who claimed to have seen UFOs versus those who had not. The research involved detailed measurements and statistical analysis of the drawings, looking for patterns in shape, size, and detail. The article discusses the methodology, including the description of the test groups (A, B, C, D, E) and the stimuli used. Table 5 and 6 present average results from tests using irregularly and regularly shaped stimuli, respectively. Table 7 shows results from a reproduction accuracy test, and Table 8 correlates UFO drawings with research experience.

Das Dilemma der UFO-Forscher (The Dilemma of UFO Researchers) This case study, based on an account by Russel Matson from Apple Valley, MN, USA, dated August 10, 1981, describes a sighting of a large, hexagonal object. Matson, a former helicopter mechanic, initially thought it was a helicopter but ruled it out due to its size, shape, and silent operation. He estimated the object to be about 50 meters above him. The article highlights the challenges in UFO research, such as the need for multiple independent witnesses, the difficulty in obtaining timely information, and the skepticism faced by researchers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the critical examination of UFO sightings, with a strong emphasis on identifying natural or man-made explanations for phenomena. The 'UFO invasion' case serves as a prime example of how promotional activities can lead to widespread misidentification. The journal promotes a scientific approach to UFO research, encouraging critical analysis of witness testimonies, photographic evidence, and drawing comparisons between different cases. The editorial stance appears to favor rational explanations while acknowledging the existence of genuinely unexplained phenomena, as seen in the Nahuel Huapi-See photograph analysis. The article by Richard F. Haines further underscores the scientific methodology by employing statistical analysis of visual data (drawings) to understand perceptual differences.

This issue of JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG (Journal for UFO Research), volume 5, issue 5/82, dated November 1982, published by GEP in Germany, delves into theoretical physics related to space travel and UFO phenomena, alongside investigative reports and case studies.

The Einstein-Rosen Bridge: A Pro and Contra Report

This main article, authored by Lothar Richter and Gerald Mosbleck, explores the concept of faster-than-light (FTL) travel, a topic intrinsically linked to UFO discussions. It addresses the limitations imposed by Einstein's theory of relativity and the 'light barrier'. The article discusses speculative ideas like 'hyper-spaces' and 'linear spaces' that have emerged in science fiction and UFOlogy. A recent 'discovery' highlighted is travel through 'black holes', a concept popularized in science fiction and films, and notably discussed by author Johannes von Buttlar in his book 'Die Einstein-Rosen-Brücke'.

The report details how travel between stars, even across vast distances of light-years, might be theoretically possible if a spacecraft could approach the speed of light. However, Einstein's Special Relativity theory predicts time dilation, meaning time would pass much slower for the occupants of such a spacecraft. For instance, traveling at 99% of light speed across the Milky Way (100,000 light-years) would result in 90,000 to 100,000 years passing on Earth by the time the travelers returned.

A faster method proposed involves traversing 'black holes'. These are described as collapsed stars with immense gravity, so strong that not even light can escape. Within a black hole, normal physical laws are said to break down, and spacetime behaves differently. The theory, based on work by Roy P. Kerr, building on Einstein and Rosen's earlier concepts, suggests that rotating black holes might have openings, akin to whirlpools, leading to 'white holes' elsewhere in the universe. Johannes von Buttlar posits that matter entering a black hole reappears through a white hole.

The article questions the scientific validity of such theories, particularly when presented as factual by authors like von Buttlar. It highlights that while science fiction can be prescient, presenting speculative physics as established fact can be misleading. The concept of 'Twistoren' (twistors), proposed by mathematician Roger Penrose as fundamental building blocks of the universe or 'spacetime knots', is introduced as a potential component for future spacecraft capable of traversing spacetime itself, rather than moving through it conventionally. Such a 'Twistor-Spaceship' could theoretically traverse vast distances instantaneously by entering a black hole's singularity and emerging elsewhere, potentially even in the past, similar to tachyons.

The authors then critically examine the physics behind black holes. They explain that black holes form from the collapse of massive stars, creating a singularity of infinite density. The 'event horizon' is the boundary beyond which nothing, not even light, can escape. Information about the interior of a black hole is inaccessible. The article points out that the concept of a black hole having a diameter is a misinterpretation; the singularity itself has no dimension, and any perceived diameter relates to the mass of the progenitor star.

It is also noted that black holes must rotate due to the conservation of angular momentum as they collapse. The idea of a passage through a black hole, as proposed by von Buttlar, is deemed to contradict current physical theories, as it would imply matter and energy escaping from a region from which nothing can escape. Therefore, the possibility of travel through such a tunnel is classified as fiction.

However, the article entertains the fictional premise further, exploring the implications of instantaneous travel. It suggests that a spacecraft could theoretically travel across the galaxy and return within an hour, creating a time paradox where the traveler arrives before departing. This is linked to Einstein's own arguments against time travel, citing the causality paradox (cause cannot be its own effect).

The article concludes that while the concept of twistors is highly speculative, the idea of instantaneous travel through black holes remains firmly in the realm of fiction based on current scientific understanding.

GEP-Nachrichten (GEP News)

This section provides updates from the Gemeinschaft zur Erforschung unbekannter Phänomene e.V. (GEP - Community for the Research of Unknown Phenomena). It welcomes new members: Wolfgang Fuhrig, Dietmar J. Kandolf, Joachim Eichhorn, and Hans-Joachim Ahrenberg. The GEP emphasizes its pursuit of 'Gemeinnützigkeit' (public benefit) and seeks recognition for UFO research as scientific. To achieve this, they require statements from scientists and official affirmations regarding UFO research. They also mention a need to amend their statutes, with further details provided in a separate member communication.

Letters to the Editor

Richard F. Haines, Ph.D. from Los Altos, USA, commends the journal for its professional presentation and offers his professional assistance, particularly highlighting the technical difficulties faced by scientifically trained individuals in UFO research.

John P. Timmerman from CUFOS, Lima, USA, requests permission to translate an article from the journal into English for their CUFOS Associate Newsletter.

Book Reviews

'UFO's...Canada: A Global Perspective': This review discusses the proceedings of the 13th MUFON Symposium held in Toronto in July 1982. It highlights contributions on professionalism in ufology, the UFO phenomenon's relation to parapsychology, predicting UFO events, UFO propulsion models, radiation sickness caused by UFOs, and an updated investigation into the Roswell incident. A particular focus is given to John F. Schuessler's work on radiation sickness, citing the Cash-Landrum case as an example, and William L. Moore's evidence for UFO crashes.

'Skandinavisk UFO Litteratur 1950-1982: En Bibliografi': This bibliography lists books and brochures on UFOs published in Scandinavia between 1950 and 1982, along with some journals.

'AN INVESTIGATIVE REPORT INTO THE ALLEGED ALIEN BODY PHOTOS': This review discusses a brochure by THE OHIO UFO INVESTIGATORS LEAGUE, INC. (OUFOIL) analyzing two photos purportedly showing burnt alien bodies and debris from a UFO crash in Mexico on July 7, 1948. OUFOIL's analysis found the brochure containing the story to be full of contradictions and undocumented facts. The review details how OUFOIL identified four specific indicators on one of the alleged alien bodies (a metal spectacle frame, welding, a hexagonal screw, and normal screws) that suggest an earthly crash and pilot. The investigation also considered the V-2 rocket and monkey test theory but concluded that the bodies were likely human, not alien or monkey, and the crash was probably a normal military aircraft or test plane.

'AAS Kongress-Geschichten': A short review of a booklet compiled by Axel Ertelt for the 8th AAS Congress in Vienna, featuring humorous photos and text from previous AAS meetings.

'Von UFO's Entführt' (Abducted by UFOs): This review discusses Budd Hopkins' book, which details cases of alleged UFO abductions. Hopkins posits that thousands of individuals in the USA may have experienced abductions without conscious memory. The book examines seven cases where individuals, some of whom did not know each other, reported being abducted and subjected to medical tests. The reviewer notes that while hypnosis is a controversial tool for evidence, the striking similarities across numerous abduction accounts suggest a real phenomenon, even if the victims' experiences might be misinterpretations or fantasies.

'A SURVEY OF PRESS COVERAGE OF UFOS 1947 - 1966': This is a scientific study of press coverage of UFOs during the specified period, authored by Herbert J. Strentz.

'The Kaikoura UFOs': This review covers a book by Capt. Bill Startup and Neil Illingworth detailing UFO sightings in Kaikoura, New Zealand, leading up to a filmed UFO encounter on December 31, 1978. The book describes the events, including radar observations and film analysis, but the reviewer remains uncertain if the filmed object was a natural phenomenon, a lens reflection, or a genuine UFO.

Letters to the Editor (Continued)

Richard F. Haines is seeking sighting reports, newspaper clippings, and details from pilots, having already collected over 3000 such reports.

G. Mönck is looking for older UFO publications, specifically 'UFO-Nachrichten' from Ventla-Verlag and the book 'Planetenmenschen besuchen unsere Erde' by K.L. Veit.

GEP is also seeking translators for Danish and German and inquiring if anyone receives the 'CUFOS ASSOCIATE NEWSLETTER' and can lend it out regularly.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal consistently explores the intersection of theoretical physics, particularly concerning advanced propulsion and spacetime manipulation, with the phenomenon of UFOs. There is a clear emphasis on critical investigation, as seen in the detailed debunking of the alien body photos. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, while maintaining a skeptical and analytical approach, distinguishing between scientific theory, speculation, and outright fiction. The journal also highlights the importance of international UFO research and documentation, featuring reports and reviews from various countries and organizations.