JUFOF - Issue 072 - 1990 06

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 November-December 1990 and is identified as Heft 72, Volume 11. The cover prominently features "UFO-BEOBACHTUNGEN" (UFO Sightings) and includes a special section on a GEP Sonderheft 14 by Dieter von Reeken titled "UFOLOGIE - Theorien und Tatsachen über Fliegende Untertassen" (Ufology - Theories and Facts about Flying Saucers).

Articles and Features

UFO Sightings and Case Studies

UFO-BEOBACHTUNGEN by Hans-Werner Peiniger:
This section details several UFO sighting reports.

• 1982, Dripplingsen (near Schwerte): A witness, Peter C., reported an incident on a lonely country road where his car's radio and headlights suddenly dimmed. He then saw a bright, disc-shaped object approaching. The object hovered nearby, and the witness felt paralyzed by its light for about nine minutes. Afterward, the object departed, and his car's systems returned to normal.
• 1989-12-07, Eschweiler: Herr Gert G., a school principal, and his partner, Rita F., observed an object from their home. The object, described as dark grey and absorbing light, appeared like a spider with hanging feet and oval windows. It hovered, then ascended vertically and disappeared. The witness described intense shock due to his prior disbelief in UFOs.
• Parallel Case in Zürich: The issue presents a similar case from Zürich, Switzerland, dated 1989-02-23, where a witness observed a cylindrical object with rotating parts moving horizontally. The description of this object, particularly its cylindrical components, bore striking resemblances to the Eschweiler case.

DIE WUNDERBARE FALLVERMEHRUNG by Rudolf Henke:
This article discusses the handling of UFO statistics, questioning the reliability of claims made by certain researchers. Henke critiques the methodology of some UFO researchers, particularly regarding the vast numbers of reported UFO cases. He cites an exchange with Illobrand von Ludwiger, a physicist and head of MUFON-CES, who claimed around 40,000 unidentified sightings and later mentioned 100,000 UFO cases being archived at the University of Colorado. Henke expresses skepticism about these figures, suggesting that many cases might have been identified or that the data is not rigorously vetted, referencing David Saunders' extensive UFO database which includes many non-UFO reports.

GEP and Research Methodology

DIE GEP:
This section describes the GEP (Gesellschaft zur Erforschung des UFO-Phänomens e.V.) as Germany's largest non-profit scientific association dedicated to UFO research. It emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach and the publication of its findings in the "Journal für UFO-Forschung."

GEP-MITGLIEDER:
Details benefits for GEP members, including receiving the "JUFOF" journal, access to questionnaires, discounts on GEP publications, and the ability to borrow books.

IMPRESSUM:
Provides publication details, including contact information for Hans-Werner Peiniger and Gerald Mosbleck as responsible editors. It notes that contributions do not necessarily reflect GEP's views and that unsolicited manuscripts are not liable. The "JUFCF" is published bi-monthly on a non-commercial basis.

DEFINITION DES BEGRIFFS "UFO":
Includes a formal definition of a UFO (in the narrower sense) based on Dr. J. Allen Hynek's work, emphasizing its unidentifiable nature after thorough investigation.

HELDESTELLE FÜR UFO-BEOBACHTUNGEN:
Provides contact information for reporting UFO sightings, including a UFO-HOTLINE.

Experimental Research: GEP-CENAP-WAHRNEHMUNGS-EXPERIMENTS 1988

AUSWERTUNG DES GEP-CENAP-WAHRNEHMUNGS-EXPERIMENTS 1988 by Alexander Keul:
This extensive section details an experiment conducted by GEP and CENAP to study UFO witness perception. Participants were shown a photograph of a hot air balloon for 10 seconds and then asked to provide verbal descriptions and sketches. The experiment involved four groups: Walter, Kelch, Peiniger, and Wunder. The analysis focused on time estimation, the quality of verbal descriptions, and the quality of object sketches.

• Time Estimation: Participants generally estimated the 10-second projection to be longer, with variations across groups.
• Quality of Verbal Description: The ratings indicated that descriptions ranged from "good" to "mediocre" or "wischiwaschi," with few being considered "very good" or "completely false."
• Quality of Object Sketches: Similar to verbal descriptions, sketch quality varied, with many being "mediocre" or "wischiwaschi."
• Explanations: When asked to explain their observations, most participants in all groups opted for conventional explanations (e.g., "herkömmlich-technisch"), with a smaller number suggesting UFOs or natural phenomena.
• UFO Interest and Literature: The "Wunder" group, composed of students, showed no prior knowledge of UFO literature but expressed strong interest in the topic.

Other Sections

• KURZ NOTIERT (Briefly Noted): This section contains several short items:
• "Nordlichtern auf der Spur": Information about a joint German-Swedish satellite project (Freja) to study auroras.
• "UFO-DETEKTOR": A description of a UFO detector available in the USA that reacts to magnetic field changes.
• "Arbeiten sowjetische UFO-Forscher mit wissenschaftlichen Methoden?": Discusses skepticism about the scientific rigor of some Soviet UFO research, suggesting potential for sensationalism and the use of research for personal gain.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the empirical study of UFO sightings, the analysis of witness testimony, and the statistical evaluation of observational data. The GEP appears to maintain a scientific and critical stance, attempting to distinguish between genuine unexplained phenomena and misidentifications or psychological factors. The journal also engages with broader debates within the UFO research community, particularly concerning the interpretation of statistical data and the credibility of various research approaches. The editorial stance leans towards a cautious, evidence-based investigation of the UFO phenomenon, while acknowledging the complexities and potential for misinterpretation.

This issue of JOURNAL FUR UFO-FORSCHUNG (GEP, Issue 5490) from 1990 delves into various facets of the UFO phenomenon, featuring articles on alleged government cover-ups, analyses of specific cases, and reviews of relevant literature. The publication, originating from Germany, maintains a critical yet open stance towards UFO research.

Key Articles and Reports

The MJ-12 Documents and Stanton T. Friedman

The issue dedicates significant space to the controversial MJ-12 documents, with a report on Stanton T. Friedman's defense of their authenticity. Friedman, a nuclear physicist turned UFO researcher, has spent years investigating these documents, which purportedly detail the US government's handling of a 1947 UFO crash near Roswell, New Mexico. The article details the origins of the documents, including Jaime Shandera's involvement and alleged insider information from Richard Dody. The GEP's review, however, is highly critical of Friedman's arguments, deeming them weak and his reasoning 'irrational' and 'brain-dead.' They conclude that Friedman's $16,000 investment in this defense was a waste, and that the MJ-12 case is effectively over.

The MYSTERIA-MEETING

The fourth MYSTERIA-MEETING, held in Holzhausen, is reported to have shifted its focus from pure pre-astronautics to 'civilization studies.' While some presentations touched on cosmic ice ages and ancient floods, the GEP representatives found the pre-astronautic content lacking. A notable presentation by Reinhold Lück on 'earth ray theories' and their potential connection to crop circles was met with skepticism. The meeting's organization and content were deemed satisfactory, but the lack of traditional pre-astronautic themes led to the absence of many regular attendees.

Mars Anomalies: The 'Face on Mars'

Vincent DiPietro and Gregory Molenaar's book on 'Unusual Mars Surface Features' is reviewed. The book revisits the 'Mars Face' and other alleged artificial structures on Mars. While acknowledging the authors' extensive work and the symmetry of the 'face,' the reviewer notes that this does not necessarily imply an artificial origin. The review expresses reservations about the presentation of other alleged artificial monuments, such as 'pyramids' and 'Inca cities,' and criticizes the attempt to link these structures to potentially life-sustaining climatic conditions on Mars, suggesting it stems from a lack of understanding of Martian geology.

The Gulf Breeze 'Ghost-Demon' Photo Controversy

Zan Overall's analysis of the Gulf Breeze photos is discussed. Overall's investigation suggests that the famous 'ghost photo' taken by Ed Walters was a double exposure, contradicting Walters' claims of it being a random reflection. The report highlights that Walters organized meetings with teenagers to stage such photos, and that Overall's detailed analysis, supported by witness testimonies, points to a deliberate fabrication.

'Out There': The Government's Secret Quest for Extraterrestrials

Howard Blum's book, 'Out There,' is presented as a significant work detailing a secret US government effort to determine the existence of extraterrestrial life. The book explores NASA's SETI program and a clandestine UFO research group within the Pentagon, reportedly initiated by President Reagan and continued by George Bush. The review notes Blum's credentials as a New York Times reporter and Pulitzer Prize nominee, lending credibility to his research. The book reportedly investigates the Pentagon's renewed interest in UFOs following a mysterious object detected by the Navy Space Surveillance Network in 1987.

Fireballs, Meteors, and Meteorites

Harold R. Povenmire's book on 'Fireballs, Meteors & Meteorites' is reviewed as a valuable resource for UFO researchers. The book provides detailed optical descriptions and photographic evidence of these phenomena, which are often mistaken for UFOs. The review emphasizes the importance of understanding these natural events to properly assess UFO reports. Povenmire's work includes observations from automatic camera stations and his own meteor camera.

Natural Explanations for UFO Sightings

Ulrich Magin contributes an article exploring natural phenomena that can be mistaken for UFOs. He discusses a 1905 lightning ball (Kugelblitz) report from France, detailing its unusual effects, including electrical discharges and physical impacts, which bear similarities to reported UFO effects. Magin also references historical accounts of 'flying fireballs' and whirlwinds, suggesting that some crop circles might be explained by such phenomena. He concludes that many 'CE II' landing traces and physical impacts attributed to UFOs can be explained by unusual meteorological events, urging skeptics to consider these possibilities.

Other Reports and Reviews

The issue also includes a report on the GEP's new office, a list of new members, and a review of Dieter von Reeken's bibliography of German-language literature on extraterrestrial life, UFOs, and pre-astronautics. A brief mention is made of Erich von Däniken's seminars and a UFO museum being established in Reno, Nevada.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The JOURNAL FUR UFO-FORSCHUNG consistently addresses the need for critical analysis within the UFO field. While open to investigating unusual phenomena, the publication emphasizes rigorous research and the consideration of natural explanations. There is a clear skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a critique of what is perceived as 'sectarianism' among some UFOlogists. The journal also highlights the importance of distinguishing between genuine research and sensationalism, as seen in its reviews of the MJ-12 documents and the Gulf Breeze case. The editorial stance encourages a balanced approach, acknowledging the complexities of the UFO phenomenon while demanding evidence-based conclusions.