JUFOF - Issue 098 - 1995 02

Magazine Overview

This issue of "JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG" (JUFOF), issue number 98, dated March/April 1995, is published by the Gesellschaft zur Erforschung des UFO-Phänomens (GEP) e.V. It is volume 16 and has an ISSN of 0723-7766. The cover headline is "UFO-BEOBACHTUNGEN" (UFO Observations), and it features articles on UFO sightings and analyses, often with a critical or skeptical approach.

Editorial Stance and Key Themes

The editorial, "Liebe Leser" (Dear Readers), by Hans-Werner Peiniger, addresses the common perception of the GEP as a "skeptical group." Peiniger argues that skepticism is a fundamental requirement for scientific work and that critical examination of UFO phenomena is necessary to prevent the public from being misled by questionable data and speculation. The magazine aims to provide critical material as an alternative to sensationalized accounts, encouraging readers to form their own informed opinions. The core themes of this issue revolve around UFO sightings, their documentation, evaluation, and the critical analysis of evidence, with a strong emphasis on distinguishing between genuine phenomena and misidentifications or hoaxes.

Featured Articles and Case Studies

UFO-BEOBACHTUNGEN (UFO Observations)

This section presents several documented UFO sightings with detailed witness reports and the GEP's analysis:

• Hans-Werner Peiniger details several observations from Spring 1990, including:
• July 18, 1992, Bad Griesbach: A witness described a metallic, silvery object with beams ascending from a forest and accelerating rapidly northwest. The GEP suggests this could be a light-effect device.
• September 19, 1992, Großbeeren: A witness reported a stationary object with six to seven circular lights in a horizontal line, featuring a rotating red and blue light in the center. The object ascended rapidly. The GEP classifies this as "PROBLEMATIC UFO" due to insufficient data and potential misinterpretation, possibly of a helicopter.
• October 29, 1994, Lohmar: A circular object with colorful lights was observed hovering at 100m altitude. Investigations were not initiated.
• Early December 1994, Rheinfelden: A witness reported a faint light trail ending in a spherical shape, observed during evening twilight. The GEP identifies this as a likely reflection from a light-effect device.
• December 15, 1994, Murg: A bright, round object with a net-like structure was filmed. The GEP identifies this as the planet Venus, noting that the "net-like structure" was likely an artifact of the camcorder optics.
• January 12, 1995, Karlsruhe: Multiple witnesses reported a glowing object that appeared to fall from the sky, leaving a black trail. The GEP investigated this as a potential flare or light ball, later concluding it was likely a flare from a US military base.
• March 2, 1995, Stavenhagen: Witnesses observed a bright light in the clouds that moved in a circular pattern. The GEP suggests this was likely a reflection from a light-effect device.

DAS WEDEL-FOTO (The Wedel Photo)

• Rudolf Henke discusses the "Wedel Photo," a famous UFO image. He criticizes MUFON-CES for allegedly rehabilitating cases previously dismissed as hoaxes and for using new computer techniques like "morphing" to bolster weak evidence. Henke emphasizes the importance of presenting all critical facts to the public, even if it challenges popular narratives. He highlights the case of the Wedel photo, where initial skepticism towards the witness was later reversed by MUFON-CES.

Polizistenbeobachtung über Düsseldorf (Police Observation over Düsseldorf)

• Rudolf Henke reports on an incident on July 16, 1994, where a police officer, Jochen F., and five employees of the "Känguruh" transport company observed an unidentified object over Düsseldorf. The witnesses described it as a dark, asymmetrical object ascending vertically. The police officer used a Bundeswehr binoculars (10x50) for observation. The object's shape was difficult to discern due to its proximity to the sun. The GEP classified the case as having "insufficient data" due to contradictory witness accounts and the lack of independent corroboration. The article notes that the object was described differently by the witnesses, with Jäger mentioning red and green blinking lights and Fahr observing small, seemingly circular objects moving around the main mass.

UFO-Sichtungen und Analysen (UFO Sightings and Analyses)

• Fall-Nummer: 19920718 A, Bad Griesbach: A witness described a disc-shaped object with metallic, silvery beams ascending from a forest. The GEP suggests this was a light-effect device.
• Fall-Nummer: 19941029 A, Lohmar: A circular object with colorful lights was reported. Investigations were not initiated.
• Fall-Nummer: 19941215 A, Murg: A bright, round object with a net-like structure was filmed. The GEP identified it as Venus.
• Fall-Nummer: 19950112 A, Karlsruhe: Witnesses reported a glowing object falling from the sky. This was later identified as a flare.
• Fall-Nummer: 19950203 B, Stavenhagen: Witnesses observed a bright light in the clouds. The GEP suggests a light-effect device.
• Fall-Nummer: 19920919 A, Großbeeren: A witness reported a stationary object with lights, which then ascended rapidly. The case is classified as "PROBLEMATIC UFO."
• Fall-Nummer: 19940716 A, Düsseldorf: A police officer and transport company employees observed an unidentified object. The case is classified as having "insufficient data" due to contradictory descriptions.

LITERATUR (Literature)

This section briefly mentions books such as "Die Steine von Ica" and "UFOs - Und es gibt sie doch nicht!", suggesting a review or discussion of these titles within the magazine.

KURZ NOTIRT (Briefly Noted)

• UFO trieb Fahrer in Radarfallle (UFO caused driver to speed): A man claimed he sped away from radar detection because he saw a UFO landing and small green men.
• Schweizer beobachteten 1994 insgesamt 17 Ufos (Swiss observed 17 UFOs in 1994): Swiss ufologists reported 17 UFO sightings in 1994, including a sighting of a flying humanoid.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the meticulous documentation and critical analysis of UFO sightings. The GEP consistently applies a skeptical approach, seeking conventional explanations such as light-effect devices, atmospheric phenomena, or misidentifications of known objects like Venus or Jupiter. The magazine actively debunks sensationalist claims and emphasizes the importance of verifiable data. The editorial stance is one of rigorous scientific inquiry, aiming to provide a rational perspective on the UFO phenomenon and counter misinformation. The publication highlights the challenges of UFO investigation, including witness fallibility, the difficulty of obtaining clear evidence, and the tendency for some organizations to promote unsubstantiated theories.

This issue of "JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG" (Journal for UFO Research), issue 98 from 2/95, published by Verlag MG, is primarily dedicated to a critical examination of UFO phenomena, with a strong emphasis on debunking and questioning commonly accepted cases and interpretations within the ufology community. The magazine adopts a skeptical stance, scrutinizing evidence, witness testimonies, and the methodologies of UFO research organizations.

The Wedel Case: A Critical Analysis

The central piece of this issue delves deeply into the famous "Wedel UFO photo," originally taken by Walter Sch. The author meticulously dissects the photograph, pointing out several characteristics that are common to many alleged UFO photos: the "saucer" shape, the object appearing to be a model thrown in the air, the motion blur suggesting a rapidly moving object or a thrown model, and the fact that it's a single shot from a series, implying selection. The author criticizes the photographer, Walter Sch., for his alleged unreliability and for previously claiming to be a "contactee" who received messages from beings in the Andromeda Galaxy.

The article highlights how organizations like MUFON-CES and the GEP (Gesellschaft zur Erforschung des UFO-Geschehens) have revived and re-evaluated cases like Langenargen and Wedel, often using what the author dismisses as "computer game" techniques and "meaningless computer simulations." A key point of contention is MUFON-CES's interpretation of a small spot in the Wedel photo as an "object shadow," which they then used to estimate the object's size. The author argues that this interpretation is arbitrary and lacks scientific basis, as determining an object's true size from a 2D image requires knowing its distance, which is impossible to ascertain from the photo alone. The article also points out that the alleged shadow is inconsistent with the object's described features and the surrounding environment.

Furthermore, the author questions Illobrand von Ludwiger's re-evaluation of the Wedel case, suggesting that Ludwiger is deliberately misleading his readers by presenting speculation as scientific fact. The article contrasts Ludwiger's current stance with his earlier assessment of Walter Sch. as a "spinner" or "fraud."

Walter Sch.'s Claims and Psyche

The issue extensively explores Walter Sch.'s background and alleged experiences. It is revealed that Sch. claimed to be a contactee as early as 1980, sending out writings about his supposed encounters with beings from the Andromeda Galaxy. The GEP published excerpts of his "Tatsachenbericht" (Factual Report) in 1982. Sch. also presented a bizarre "Theory of the Interliving of all Bodies," which he allegedly wrote in 1972, five years before the Wedel photo. This theory posits that universes are like cells of a larger cosmic organism.

Sch. also described a purported space flight to the Andromeda Galaxy in 1984, where he was hosted by an alien named Santoran. He claimed to have met the alien commander and was served a drink and a steak. The description of the spaceship is compared to a film prop, and the alien commander is described as resembling Jesus Christ. The author suggests that Sch.'s elaborate stories and claims, including an alleged IQ of 570 (on an alien scale), point towards a disturbed relationship with reality rather than deliberate fraud, though he acknowledges that such narratives can be used to deceive.

Critique of UFO Research Methods

The article criticizes the methodology of organizations like MUFON-CES for their reliance on questionable evidence and their tendency to revive old, discredited cases. The author laments the lack of rigorous scientific investigation and the willingness of some researchers to accept dubious claims at face value. The issue also touches upon the psychological aspects of UFO witnesses, suggesting that some may have a predisposition to elaborate fantasies.

Book and Software Reviews

Beyond the main analysis, the magazine includes several reviews:

• "PSI-AGENTEN" by Ernst Meckelburg: This book is presented as a "white paper" on potential PSI weapons and psycho-strategies, with claims that they are more dangerous than atomic bombs.
• "PROJECT DELTA: A Study of Multiple UFO" by Richard F. Haines: This review criticizes Haines's compilation of UFO sightings, arguing that it lacks rigorous scientific investigation and relies on newspaper clippings and secondary sources, making it largely worthless.
• "WATCH THE SKIES! A Chronicle of the Flying Saucer Myth" by Curtis Peebles: This book is described as a precise, sociologically argumentative review of UFO history, offering a skeptical yet open-minded perspective. It is praised for its detailed register and literature references but criticized for its US-centric focus.
• "EXTRATERRESTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY" by David Hatcher Childress: The review dismisses this book as uncritical speculation, arguing that it misinterprets natural phenomena like lens flares as evidence of extraterrestrial activity and fails to consider geological activity on celestial bodies.
• "UFOS - UND ES GIBT SIE DOCH NICHT!" by Rudolf Henke: This is a critical documentation of an ARD film, analyzing 20 UFO cases presented in the film and offering new photo analyses and critiques of "UFO expert" methods.
• "JUPITER" Astronomy CD-ROM: This CD-ROM is recommended for its collection of images and texts documenting the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet collision with Jupiter, as well as useful astronomy software for UFO research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards sensational UFO claims, a critical examination of the methodologies employed by UFO research organizations, and a focus on the psychological and sociological aspects of UFO sightings and witness testimonies. The editorial stance is clearly one of critical inquiry, aiming to debunk unsubstantiated claims and promote a more rigorous, evidence-based approach to the study of UFO phenomena. The magazine appears to align with a scientific and rationalist perspective, often contrasting it with what it perceives as the uncritical acceptance of extraordinary claims within parts of the UFO community.