JUFOF - Issue 064 - 1989 04

Magazine Overview

This issue of JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG (ISSN 0723-7766), published by the Gesellschaft zur Erforschung des UFO-Phänomens e.V. (GEP), is the 4th issue of Volume 10, dated July-August 1989. It is priced at DM 4.00.

Featured Articles

The Tunguska Catastrophe - Triggered by an Artificial Object?

This extensive article by Thomas Mehner delves into the Tunguska catastrophe of 1908. It revisits previous discussions on the event, particularly the hypothesis that it was caused by an artificial object. Mehner focuses on the "Mechedow Article" from the Dubna Nuclear Research Institute, which he presents as a significant, though often overlooked, research report supporting the extraterrestrial hypothesis. He discusses the findings of W. N. Mechedow, who analyzed soil samples from the Tunguska region for radioactivity. Mechedow's research suggests that the observed radioactivity patterns, particularly the presence of certain isotopes and their distribution in tree rings, are inconsistent with a meteoritic impact and might point towards an annihilation explosion, possibly from an extraterrestrial spaceship. The article also touches upon the discovery of a mysterious metal fragment near the Washka River, which exhibited unusual elemental composition and was speculated to be part of an extraterrestrial craft.

The Incredible Flight of JAL-1628

This section, authored by Bruce Maccabee, is a German translation of his contribution to the "International UFO-Reporter." It details the events of November 17, 1986, when the crew of a Japanese cargo plane, JAL-1628, observed unidentified aerial phenomena over Alaska. The significance of this case is highlighted by the extensive material released by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Precursors to Contact Phenomena - Religious Manifestations

Ulrich Magin's article explores the phenomenon of religious visions and encounters with celestial beings throughout history, drawing parallels between these experiences and modern UFO abduction accounts. Magin argues that many reported UFO encounters, particularly abductions, can be understood as manifestations of fundamental human experiences, similar to historical religious visions. He uses the example of Christoph Kötter, a 17th-century prophet, to illustrate how encounters with angels and divine messages might be interpreted through a modern UFO-contact lens. Magin suggests that the core experience might be universal, with the interpretation shaped by the witness's cultural and religious context. He provides a detailed table of historical religious encounters in Germany.

Short Reports and UFO Sightings

Kurz-Notiert (Short Notes)

This section includes brief updates on various topics:

• New UFO Magazine: Announcement of "SIGN - Prä-astronautik / UFO's," a new German-language UFO magazine edited by Luc Bürgin.
• New BUFORA Publication: Information about the discontinuation of BUFORA's bulletins and the launch of their new publication, "UFO-TIMES."
• New ALPHA Issues: Announcement of new issues of the "ALPHA" series, which focus on biblical interpretations related to UFO phenomena.
• Rael Movement: A note on the membership fees and activities of the Rael movement.

UFO Sightings

Several recent UFO sightings are reported:

• August 31, 1988, Tenerife: A "red light streak" observed by two witnesses, described as pulsating and unusual.
• May 8, 1989, Lüdenscheid: A stationary, bright white point observed by H.-W. Peiniger and a colleague, initially thought to be an aircraft but later classified as problematic.
• March 21-23, 1989, Nersingen: A partial disc-shaped object observed by Angela V., described as less bright than the moon.
• June 16, 1989, Lüdenscheid: A pear-shaped, reddish-glowing object observed by Martin P. and others, later identified as likely a model hot-air balloon.
• November 7, 1988, Frankenau 3 (Dainrode): A triangular object with bright yellow light observed by an 80-year-old man, currently classified as a problematic UFO.

Behavior of a Dog

A report describes a dog's unusual reaction (barking, lowered ears) to a hot-air balloon landing nearby, drawing parallels to reports of animals reacting to UFOs.

UFO Survey

A survey conducted by Swiss UFO researchers indicates that a significant percentage of Austrians believe in extraterrestrial visitors and have seen UFOs.

CLUB 2 Discussion on UFOs

A report on a television discussion program about UFOs, featuring various guests including Nina Hagen, a bookseller, a scientist, and a UFO contactee.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the extraterrestrial hypothesis for UFO phenomena, with a particular focus on scientific investigation and historical analysis. There is a strong emphasis on detailed case studies and research, as seen in the articles on the Tunguska event and the JAL-1628 incident. The publication also acknowledges and analyzes the intersection of UFO experiences with religious and psychological phenomena, suggesting a potential underlying connection. The GEP's stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging rigorous research while remaining receptive to unconventional explanations.

This issue of the "JOURNAL FUR UFO-FORSCHUNG" (GEP) from 1989, with a focus on UFO history, particularly the January-February period of 1953, presents a critical analysis of UFO phenomena and research methodologies. The magazine features a detailed critique of Rudolf Henke's article on the 'Gill case' from Papua New Guinea, questioning his interpretations and translation accuracy. It also reports on the GWUP conference in Bad Tölz, highlighting its focus on debunking medical quackery and the scientific approach to parapsychology, as well as the MUFON symposium on UFO abductions.

Articles and Content

Critique of Rudolf Henke's 'Gill Case' Analysis

The issue dedicates significant space to correcting perceived errors in Rudolf Henke's analysis of the 'Gill case' from Papua New Guinea. The critique, presented by Rudolf Henke himself (writing as a "serious seeker"), meticulously dissects Henke's claims regarding dates, object descriptions, and potential identifications, particularly challenging the 'Venus hypothesis.' The author argues that Henke misinterprets or omits crucial details from the original sources, such as E.G. Cruttwell's reports, and questions Henke's translation and interpretation skills. The critique emphasizes the importance of original literature and accurate analysis, suggesting that Henke's approach is biased and lacks the rigor of genuine skepticism.

GWUP Conference Report

Gerald Mosbleck reports on the GWUP (Society for the Scientific Investigation of Parascientific Phenomena) conference in Bad Tölz. The primary theme was combating medical charlatans, led by GWUP President Dr. Oepen. For UFO researchers attending, the contributions were of limited interest, except for Andreas Dill's presentation on the links between pseudoscience and fascism. The conference, held in conjunction with the American CSICOP, was conducted in English, despite the predominantly German attendance. The report notes that the Freiburg Institute for Parapsychology, where the GEP representatives visited beforehand, is largely a repository for its library due to funding issues.

Literature Reviews and Book News

The magazine includes reviews of several books and publications relevant to UFO research:

• "UFO's: A HISTORY 1953: JANUARY-FEBRUARY" by Loren E. Gross: This is presented as a valuable contribution to understanding the historical UFO phenomenon, detailing events and media reactions from that specific period. The review highlights Gross's meticulous research and analysis.
• "Die Augen der Sphinx" by Erich von Däniken: A review of Däniken's book, which explores the mysteries of ancient Egypt, particularly the Sakkara region. The review praises Däniken's narrative skill in drawing the reader into ancient enigmas and posing challenging questions about extraterrestrial influence.
• MUFON 1988 INTERNATIONAL UFO SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDINGS: This report covers the proceedings of the MUFON symposium, focusing on UFO abductions. It highlights discussions on the 'Post-Abduction Syndrome' (PAS) and the challenges in finding psychological explanations for abduction phenomena.
• "JOURNAL OF UFO STUDIES" (New Series, Vol. 1): Published by the J.Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies, this journal aims to provide scientific contributions to UFO research, fostering a more professional and objective discussion of the topic.

Letters to the Editor and GEP News

The "LESERBRIEFE" (Letters to the Editor) section features a lively debate, primarily concerning the 'Gill case' and the interpretation of UFO sightings. Rudolf Henke responds to critiques from Illo Brand, defending his interpretations and questioning Brand's methodology. Another letter from Morris Venturini criticizes the "JUFOF" (presumably the journal itself) for its perceived negative and dismissive approach to UFO phenomena, suggesting a lack of objective analysis and a tendency to label witnesses as mistaken.

GEP news includes announcements of new members and the release of a new GEP brochure, "UFO's: A HISTORY," which is a translation of Bruce Maccabee's work on the JAL flight 1628 incident. RTL-Plus also conducted filming for a youth program at the GEP office.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of UFO evidence and research methods, the historical study of UFO sightings, and the ongoing debate between proponents and skeptics. The journal appears to favor rigorous, scientific investigation and challenges what it perceives as uncritical acceptance or biased interpretations within the UFO community. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of accurate documentation, translation, and the scientific method in understanding the UFO phenomenon. The editorial stance leans towards a cautious but open-minded approach, encouraging detailed analysis and discouraging hasty conclusions or dismissals of witness testimony without thorough investigation.