JUFOF - Issue 032 - 1984 02

Magazine Overview

This issue of JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG, volume 5, issue 32, dated March/April 1984, published by GEMEINSCHAFT ZUR ERFORSCHUNG UNBEKANNTER PHÄNOMENE e.V. (GEP), focuses on the analysis of UFO phenomena through film and witness accounts. The cover prominently features an article on the 'GREAT FALLS – THE MONTANA FILM', alongside other reports on UFO sightings in Hamburg and Brilon, Germany.

UFO Classification and Extraterrestrial Anatomy

The issue includes advertisements for two brochures by Lothar Richter: 'UFO-KLASSIFIKATIONEN' (UFO Classifications) and 'ANATOMIE EINES EXTRATERRESTRIER' (Anatomy of an Extraterrestrial). The 'UFO Classifications' brochure, priced at DM 8.- (DM 6.40 for GEP members), offers 40 pages with over 100 illustrations to help researchers categorize UFO sightings. The 'Anatomy of an Extraterrestrial' brochure, priced at DM 10.- (DM 8.- for GEP members), is 44 pages long with 24 illustrations and attempts to answer questions about intelligent life in the universe, their physical characteristics, and the possibility of contact.

Analysis of UFO Films: Montana and Utah

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the analysis of two notable UFO films: the 'Great Falls, Montana' film from 1950 by Nick Mariana and the 'Tremonton, Utah' film from 1952 by Delbert Newhouse. The articles detail how these films were scrutinized by military intelligence and UFO researchers alike. The analysis employs modern computer technology, including image enlargement, color contour profiling, and digital scanning, to overcome the limitations of conventional photographic analysis. The authors aim to present objective findings, using weather data, camera information, and sighting details to interpret the visual evidence. The 'Montana' film reportedly shows two bright, disk-shaped objects that rotated internally and flew silently. The 'Utah' film depicts over a dozen bright, hopping light spots in a non-geometric formation. The analysis discusses the challenges of interpreting these images, with critics suggesting explanations like reflections or aircraft, while proponents argue for the possibility of genuine UFOs.

UFO Sightings in Germany

Hamburg

An article by Hans-Werner Peiniger, titled 'LUFTPHÄNOMENE ÜBER HAMBURG 2' (Aerial Phenomena over Hamburg 2), continues a previous report by examining UFO sightings in the Hamburg area. The article analyzes observation directions and temporal patterns, noting similarities in the reported sightings. It discusses potential explanations, including conventional aircraft, solar zeppelins, atmospheric reflections, and bird flocks. The author highlights the difficulty in definitively identifying the phenomena, even when official sources like air traffic control and meteorological services report no unusual activity.

Brilon and Surrounding Areas

Several reports detail UFO sightings in the Brilon region of Germany. One incident, reported by eleven young people on May 8, 1983, involved a large, round object with red lights seen over a power substation near Brilon-Nehden. Another witness, Stefan K., also reported seeing an object with red lights in the same area. A couple reported seeing four red lights between Brilon and Marsberg on May 7, 1983. A separate report from Weiberg describes a silent, round object with red windows seen on May 9, 1983. The article 'UFO'S ODER HUBSCHRAUBER?' (UFOs or Helicopters?) by Hans-Werner Peiniger, discusses the Brilon sightings and suggests that the phenomena might be explained by the British maneuver 'Kollekted Kanter', which involved five helicopters. The author notes that while witnesses initially dismissed the helicopter explanation due to the lack of sound, the possibility of misinterpreting aircraft lights or mistaking them for a unified object is explored. The article also mentions a witness, Josef Glaser, who described an orange-red, disc-shaped object with a fiery trail, which he observed for 10-12 seconds. While acknowledging the possibility of misidentification, the article leans towards conventional explanations for some of the sightings.

GEP News and Information

The 'GEP-NACHRICHTEN' (GEP News) section provides updates from the organization. It welcomes new members, Michael Müller and Sven Hohmann. An announcement is made about a new book manuscript by Axel Ertelt titled 'Außerirdische Technologie im Mittelalter' (Extraterrestrial Technology in the Middle Ages). The section also details a reorganization of the board's tasks and a planned revision of the statutes, including a potential name change for the organization to 'Gesellschaft zur Erforschung des UFO-Phänomens e.V.' while retaining the GEP abbreviation. The cost of a 'Druckcomputer' (printing computer) led to the decision not to lease one.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the rigorous investigation of UFO phenomena, emphasizing the importance of detailed analysis of evidence, particularly photographic and film material. The magazine promotes a scientific approach, utilizing modern technology and interdisciplinary methods to understand these events. While acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena, the editorial stance appears to favor exploring conventional explanations first, such as aircraft, natural phenomena, or perceptual errors, before concluding that an object is truly of unknown origin. The magazine also serves as a platform for GEP members to share information, discuss findings, and contribute to the collective research effort.

This issue of the German publication "JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG" (Journal for UFO Research), dated February-March 1984, features a significant article by Daniel Cohen titled "GIBT ES WIRKLICH FLIEGENDE UNTERTASSEN?" (Are Flying Saucers Really Here?), presented as the first part of a series. The magazine also includes a detailed report on a Close Encounter of the Second Kind (CEII) in Juchen, West Germany, and reviews of several UFO-related books and research reports.

Article: Are Flying Saucers Really Here? (Part 1) by Daniel Cohen

The article, translated from Daniel Cohen's book "Myths of the Space Age," delves into the widespread belief in the United States that Earth is being visited by numerous spacecraft from other worlds. It highlights the existence of organizations dedicated to collecting UFO sighting reports, speculating about alien intentions, and attempting to keep the topic in public consciousness. The author notes that millions of people take these theories seriously, and the subject has been covered extensively in magazines, on television, and in best-selling books. Cohen mentions that even members of Congress have called for official hearings on the matter.

The US Air Force has investigated UFO sightings for years, with the CIA also becoming involved. The article references Dr. Edward U. Condon from the University of Colorado, who, by the end of 1966, was involved in an investigation. The text touches upon the historical context of UFO phenomena, including early sightings and the public's reaction. It also mentions the role of figures like Ray Palmer in American UFO literature, whose work is noted as being less known in Germany.

The author's background is described: Daniel Cohen, a journalism graduate from the University of Illinois, developed an early interest in science and its fringes through science fiction magazines. He has since pursued the scientific aspects of his interests and has been a science writer throughout his career. He lives in New York with his wife.

The article is accompanied by a bibliography of relevant UFO literature, including works by George Adamski, Gray Barker, Frank Edwards, John C. Fuller, Donald E. Keyhoe, Donald H. Menzel, Edward J. Ruppelt, Carl Sagan, Frank Scully, Brad Steiger, and Jacques Vallee.

Case Report: CEII Case in Juchen, West Germany

This section details a Close Encounter of the Second Kind (CEII) that reportedly occurred on May 24, 1983, near Juchen, West Germany. The witness, a 14-year-old grammar school boy named Jurgen R., observed a red, relatively round object descending from the sky and hovering above an electric power transmission line. The object then ejected a pyramid-shaped array of colored light rays towards the ground, which slowly disappeared downwards. Subsequently, the object sped away. The duration of the sighting was approximately 10 minutes. During the event, there was no contact with other CB radio partners, but the CB radio itself was disturbed by hum-like sounds.

The investigation team from GEP (Gemeinschaft zur Erforschung unbekannter Phänomene e.V.) believes the witness's report to be authentic. They rule out a helicopter due to the absence of motor sounds and ball lightning due to the lack of storm activity. GEP assigns a reliability index of 75% to the witness. The report includes a sketch of the object and the location, with estimates of the object's size calculated between 15 and 23 meters, based on cloud altitude and distance. The report also notes that the witness had no prior knowledge of UFO sightings.

Case Report: Nuremberg UFO Becomes IFO

This report addresses a UFO sighting near Nuremberg, West Germany, previously published in the journal. It states that the case has since been solved and identified as a research weather balloon. Dr. Kenneth C. Schellhase and Hans-Werner Peiniger of GEP confirmed the identification as a balloon in the stratosphere, likely from Eastern Europe. Vicente Juan Ballester Olmos further identified it as a large, high-altitude sounding balloon from the French CNES, launched from Aire-sur-l'Adour in Southern France.

New Books Section

This section reviews several UFO-related publications:

• "REPORTS INVOLVING VEHICLE INTERFERENCE" by Mark Rodeghier: This work, published by CUFOS, is a catalog of UFO sightings involving electromagnetic effects on radios, car motors, etc. It presents over 400 reports from 1909-1979, primarily from the USA, with one case from Germany. Rodeghier provides statistical analyses of witness demographics, weather conditions, sighting times, object characteristics, and physiological effects. His conclusions suggest that natural phenomena do not adequately explain UFOs, citing unusual occurrences like the preference for unpopulated areas and the avoidance of daylight hours by EM events.

• "Flygande tefat" - kosmiska rymdskepp by Boris Jungkvist: This Swedish book is described as an overview of the UFO phenomenon, including recent cases and rumors. The reviewer notes the author's uncritical approach, presenting common explanations like clouds and reflections. The book touches upon controversial topics, such as whether Jesus was an extraterrestrial. It is considered suitable for beginners but offers little for experienced UFO researchers.

• "THE SEED" by Brad Steiger: This book is presented as a narrative about Brad Steiger and his wife Francie, who allegedly convince many people of their extraterrestrial origins, leading to a new sect called 'Star People.' The reviewer suggests it is a sensationalized account of Steiger's life and encounters.

• "TORNADOS, DARK DAYS, ANOMALOUS PRECIPITATION, AND RELATED WEATHER PHENOMENA" and "EARTHQUAKES, TIDES, UNIDENTIFIED SOUNDS AND RELATED PHENOMENA" by R. Corliss: These are presented as catalogs of anomalous phenomena, similar to a previous work by Corliss. The reviewer highlights their detailed classification and extensive source citations. Specific examples include giant snowflakes in Fort Keogh, Montana, in 1887, and unusual lens-shaped hailstones in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1887.

• "GWP 2 GIGANTISCHE SCHNEEFLOCKEN" and "GWP 4 UNGEWÖHNLICHE HAGELKÖRNER": These are specific entries from R. Corliss's catalogs, detailing the aforementioned phenomena.

• "DER MENSCH - SORGENDKIND DER INTERSTELLAREN GESELLSCHAFT?" by Lothar Richter: This book is described as a collection of 242 pages with illustrations, exploring the question of humanity's place within an interstellar society. It discusses the fall of the UFO phenomenon from public interest and the shift towards more speculative theories, including the possibility of Jesus being an extraterrestrial and the concept of 'Star People.'

GEP Sonderhefte (Special Issues)

The magazine also lists several special issues available from GEP, covering topics such as life on other planets, the Condon Report summary, bibliographies of extraterrestrial intelligence, and specific UFO cases and theories.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing investigation and public fascination with UFOs, the historical context of the phenomenon, and the critical analysis of reported cases and theories. The editorial stance appears to be one of thorough research and a willingness to publish both unexplained cases and their eventual explanations, aiming to educate readers about unusual but potentially explainable observations. There is a clear emphasis on scientific investigation and the presentation of evidence, even when discussing controversial topics. The inclusion of detailed bibliographies and reviews of academic works suggests a commitment to providing in-depth information for serious UFO researchers.