JUFOF - Issue 071 - 1990 05

Magazine Overview

This issue of the JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG (Journal for UFO Research), published by the Gesellschaft zur Erforschung des UFO-Phänomens e.V. (GEP), is dated September-October 1990, Volume 11, Issue 5 (Issue 71), and is priced at DM 4.00. The cover prominently features "UFO-BEOBACHTUNGEN" (UFO Observations) with several dates and locations, alongside illustrations and a historical reference to "The Mowing-Devil."

UFO Observations and Analysis

The issue begins with a section on UFO observations, detailing several cases:

• Münster, Germany (June 29, 1990): A witness, Peter P., observed a "tail-like" formation in the sky for about five minutes, described as larger than the full moon. The object was photographed, and the analysis concluded it was likely the condensation trail of an aircraft.
• Freiburg, Germany (April 22, 1990): Similar to the Münster case, a witness reported a "tail-like" formation, also photographed and identified as a condensation trail.
• Valle Gran Rey, Insel Gomera, Spain (July 18, 1989): Witnesses R.H. and Heidi A. observed a round, white, silent object flying horizontally at low altitude. They described it as larger than the full moon, with pink trails. The analysis suggests it could be two connected drachen (kites) or, more likely, two French Mirage fighter jets due to their camouflage and maneuverability.
• Weißenburg, France (March 8, 1982): Frau Yanka S. reported seeing two silent objects gliding in the sky, described as full moon-sized and gold/medium brown. The analysis suggests these could be explained as a rocket or an aircraft.

Special Reports and Investigations

UFO Landing at Hillerod, Denmark (September 19, 1986)

Arne S. Petersen reports on an incident where a young woman encountered a large, round, flat object that landed near her car, causing her engine and dashboard lights to fail. The object, described as having square windows emitting intense light, stood on five thin legs about 5 meters above the ground. After 5-10 minutes, a white pillar of fire shot down from the object. The analysis found no conventional explanation for the event.

Ball Lightning Observation

Walter L. Kelch discusses ball lightning, noting that while not scientifically confirmed, many witnesses report phenomena with peculiar flight patterns and effects. A report from the Soviet magazine "Sputnik" describes children encountering two luminous spheres, one large (30cm diameter) and one smaller (15cm diameter), which exhibited unusual behavior, including touching a pine tree, causing bark to peel, and interacting with houses, leaving scorch marks and burns.

Crop Circles and Historical Context

The issue revisits the topic of crop circles, noting that they are not a new phenomenon. An old woodcut from 1678, "The Mowing-Devil," describes a farmer who wished the devil would cut his wheat, and the next morning it was found cut in circles. The article questions the scientific explanations involving plasma vortices and suggests that many crop circles are likely man-made hoaxes, citing examples of individuals demonstrating how to create them quickly.

Gulf Breeze UFO Photos Hoax

A report details the debunking of the Gulf Breeze UFO photos. A model of a UFO was found in a house previously occupied by Ed Walters, the primary witness. This model was used to recreate the famous photos, indicating they were a hoax. The article also mentions that Ed Walters allegedly admitted to using a double-exposure trick photography technique with a model.

Media Critiques and Debates

Several segments critique media coverage of UFO topics:

• "Mittwochs um 8" (WDR Talk Show): The GEP representatives felt their work was misrepresented and that the show focused on sensationalism rather than factual reporting. They criticized the host's attempts at skepticism and the focus on Andreas Schneider's sensationalized accounts.
• "Forum" in SWF 2 (Radio Broadcast): This segment featured a debate between Illobrand von Ludwiger (MUFON-CES) and Professor Harry Ruppe, with a journalist moderating. The GEP representative felt Ludwiger dominated the discussion with unsubstantiated claims and dismissive rhetoric towards Ruppe's skeptical viewpoints.

GEP Activities and Membership

Information is provided on GEP membership benefits, including receiving the "JUFOF" magazine, ordering special publications at a discount, and accessing the GEP library. The issue also announces an upcoming GEP members' meeting and the German UFO Researchers' Autumn Conference in Lüdenscheid on October 26-28, 1990.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal consistently adopts a critical and analytical approach to UFO phenomena. While acknowledging the existence of unexplained sightings, it emphasizes rigorous investigation, the debunking of hoaxes, and the identification of conventional explanations (IFO - Identified Flying Object). There is a clear skepticism towards sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, particularly those promoted by certain individuals or organizations within the UFO community. The GEP's stance is to pursue scientific inquiry and provide factual information to its members and the public, often contrasting its methods with those of other UFO groups perceived as less rigorous or more prone to speculation. The recurring theme is the meticulous examination of evidence, the importance of distinguishing between genuine mysteries and fabricated accounts, and the ongoing effort to understand the UFO phenomenon through rational investigation.

This issue of "JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG" (Journal for UFO Research) spans pages 146-159 and focuses on various aspects of UFO phenomena, including book reviews, historical analyses, and theoretical discussions. The publication is from GEP e.V., a German UFO research organization.

Book Review: "Earth Lights Revelation" by Paul Devereux

The issue begins with a review of Paul Devereux's book, "Earth Lights Revelation: UFO's and Mystery Lightform Phenomena: The Earth's Secret Energy Force." The reviewer, Ulrich Magin, notes that while he personally favors the psychosocial theory for UFO phenomena, the 'earthlight' theory is fascinating. Devereux's book aims to demonstrate the existence of these phenomena through numerous eyewitness accounts, describing consistent patterns of red and yellow light spheres. The book traces these accounts from ancient and medieval descriptions to modern UFO waves in Britain, Wales, and the United States, highlighting the localized nature of these UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) sightings, often linked to place names and local legends.

Devereux attempts to explain earthlights using Persinger's 'tectonic strain theory,' linking them to fault lines and micro-earthquakes. However, the reviewer finds this part weak, as Persinger has not provided a convincing mechanism for earthlight generation, and his statistics are questioned. Devereux's central thesis posits Earth as a living organism using its energies, with earthlights serving as a communication medium, influencing human concepts and religions, and even manipulating witnesses through psychokinetic forces.

Despite some speculative 'New Age' notions, the book is considered one of the best UFO books of recent times for describing the existence of an unknown natural phenomenon, even if its origins remain unexplained. The book is praised for its 240 pages, illustrations, maps, statistics, color plates, and a useful index, though the literature references are deemed imprecise. The price is £7.95.

Book Review: "Examining the Earthlight Theory: The Yakima UFO Microcosm" by Greg Long

Another book reviewed is Greg Long's "Examining the Earthlight Theory: The Yakima UFO Microcosm." This study focuses on UFO sightings over the Yakima Indian Reservation in Washington State, an area reportedly plagued by UFOs for about 20 years. The book, published by the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies, features extensive color photographs. The ranger supervisor of the reservation, Bill Vogel, collected reports from watchmen about unexplained phenomena.

The reviewer notes that while Long suggests filtering out 'IFO' (Identified Flying Object) reports, the collected data still contains many potentially explainable sightings, such as celestial bodies or aircraft. The most frequent sightings involved large, flickering orange-red balls hovering near the ground, which the reviewer suggests might be 'party balloons' in the sparsely populated reservation, though this explanation is questioned due to the lack of found remnants.

Long argues that earthlights cannot explain all UFO phenomena, such as metallic saucers, CE III encounters, or abductions. However, the reviewer criticizes Long for neglecting psychosocial explanations that could lead to misinterpretations of lights as saucers. Furthermore, many of the CE II and III reports, as well as alleged abductions, originated from only two couples, raising questions about their reliability. The reviewer points out that 99% of witnesses only reported lights.

The argument that Bigfoot sightings coincide with UFO sightings is also dismissed. The reviewer concludes that while Long's book is a detailed study of a specific sighting area without sensationalism, his attempt to refute the earthlight theory and find 'exotic' UFOs weakens its overall value.

Book Review: "Lexikon der Astronomie" (Lexicon of Astronomy) Vol. 2

This review covers the second volume of an encyclopedia on space research. It highlights the inclusion of recent findings from space probes like Voyager, as well as information on telescopes and astronomical projects. The volume covers topics from the 'missing mass' problem to Ceti stars and includes extensive illustrations and an index. The review notes its relevance and up-to-date information, mentioning the Hubble Space Telescope and the Supernova 1987A.

Book Review: "UFOs: Die Kontakte" (UFOs: The Contacts) by Michael Hesemann

Michael Hesemann's book focuses on contactees and their alleged encounters with extraterrestrials. The book covers early contactees from the 1950s and discusses alleged government agreements with aliens. It also details numerous other contactees and their stories. The reviewer criticizes Hesemann for not critically evaluating the claims, suggesting the book is aimed at UFO enthusiasts rather than critical scientists. The reviewer notes that the book relies heavily on speculative wishful thinking and unsubstantiated stories, with a lack of concrete evidence.

Book Review: "UFO's: A History 1953: March - July" and "1953: August - December" by Loren E. Gross

Loren E. Gross's brochures are reviewed for their detailed historical account of UFO phenomena in 1953. The reviewer praises Gross for meticulously compiling and analyzing material from this period, including press and military reactions, and documenting over 200 days of sightings. The brochures are noted for their illustrations and comprehensive source references, making them a valuable contribution to UFO research.

Book Review: "Die Zeichen Mehren Sich" (The Signs Are Increasing) by Pat Delgado & Colin Andrews

This supplement to a previous book discusses crop circle phenomena. The reviewer notes the increasing complexity of the 'signs' and suggests that while wind whirls might explain simple circles, more complex patterns could be hoaxes. The reviewer expresses doubt about a single cause for crop circles.

Book Review: "The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence" by Edward Ashpole

Edward Ashpole's book provides a good overview of SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) and related topics. It discusses the biological and astronomical aspects of life beyond Earth, the SETI project, and speculative theories about colonization and extraterrestrial visits. The reviewer finds the book readable for laypeople but notes its lack of depth due to its 170-page length.

Book Review: "Das Drachen Dreieck" (The Dragon Triangle) by Charles Berlitz

Charles Berlitz's book identifies a 'Dragon Triangle' in the Pacific Ocean, analogous to the Bermuda Triangle. The book details mysterious disappearances of ships and aircraft, exploring both natural causes like tectonic plate shifts and tsunamis, and more speculative theories involving ancient underwater cultures and UFOs. The reviewer finds the book's exploration of natural causes interesting but notes that it offers little new for those familiar with the literature.

Letters to the Editor

A letter to the editor discusses the 'ABC protective mantle hypothesis' and triangular UFOs, questioning the nature of these objects and their propulsion systems.

"Sind Wir Doch Die Einzigen?" (Are We The Only Ones?) - Part 6 by Rudolf Henke

This concluding part of an article by Rudolf Henke critically examines the possibility of extraterrestrial life and contact. Henke argues that based on current scientific understanding, the existence of other inhabited planets is highly improbable. He dismisses the idea of advanced civilizations visiting Earth due to the immense distances and technological challenges involved. Henke also questions the claims of contactees, suggesting that paranormal phenomena, while intriguing, do not provide credible evidence of extraterrestrial contact. He concludes that humanity must accept the possibility that Earth may be unique and focus on preserving its own environment. He also touches upon the philosophical implications of this uniqueness and the potential for human evolution.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal consistently adopts a critical yet open-minded approach to UFO phenomena. While reviewing books and articles, there is a recurring emphasis on scientific verification, distinguishing between evidence-based phenomena and speculation or wishful thinking. The journal seems to lean towards natural explanations for many reported sightings, such as 'earthlights' or misidentified objects, while acknowledging the possibility of unknown phenomena. There is a skepticism towards sensationalist claims and 'contactee' stories, often highlighting the lack of concrete proof. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous research and a balanced perspective, encouraging readers to critically evaluate information rather than blindly accepting extraordinary claims. The recurring theme of questioning the uniqueness of Earth and humanity's place in the cosmos is evident throughout the articles.