JUFOF - Issue 107 - 1996 05

Magazine Overview

This issue of Journal für UFO-Forschung (Issue 107, September/October 1996) is published by the Gesellschaft zur Erforschung des UFO-Phänomens (GEP) e.V., a German scientific organization dedicated to UFO research. The magazine, with ISSN 0723-7766, is in its 17th year of publication and costs DM 5.00. The cover prominently features UFO sightings and a critical article titled "SCHILLING-FOTO GEFÄLSCHT!" (Schilling Photo Falsified!).

GEP Activities and Publications

The magazine begins with an announcement for an updated and expanded 1996 edition of the bibliography on "Extraterrestrial Life, UFOs, and Pre-Astronautics," covering literature from 1703 to 1995. This brochure, GEP-Sonderheft 10, is available for DM 20.00 (DM 16.00 for GEP members).

The "Impressum" section details the GEP's role as a non-profit scientific association founded in 1972, focusing on investigating UFO phenomena. It notes that the German Federal Ministry of Defense refers UFO-related inquiries to the GEP. The journal "Journal für UFO-Forschung" (JUFOF) is its official publication. GEP members receive the JUFOF as part of their membership, get assistance with sighting investigations and literature retrieval, can borrow books, receive discounts on GEP special issues, and can deduct contributions and donations for tax purposes.

The definition of a UFO (in the narrower sense) is provided: an object or light whose appearance, trajectory, and behavior cannot be logically or conventionally explained, remaining puzzling even after thorough examination.

Editorial and Reader Correspondence

The "Liebe Leser!" (Dear Readers!) section addresses a critique from Dr. Lammer regarding previous editorial comments, clarifying that personal remarks are intended as journalistic freedom and not scientific discourse. It also recounts an incident where a comparison photo of a telephone booth was misrepresented as a UFO photo by the press, though assurances were given that the misuse had ceased.

The editor expresses disappointment with the MUFON-CES for their handling of the "Wedel-Foto," which was allegedly exposed as a hoax by the photographer's confession. The section also praises Werner Walter's critical UFO book and thanks GEP member Hans Reinhard Kühnreich for setting up an internet homepage for the GEP, making cases accessible worldwide.

UFO Sightings and Case Studies

The issue presents several UFO sighting reports and their analysis:

• Case 19940101 A (Berlin, Germany): Maria Struwe reported a round, deep orange object hovering at 150 meters altitude on New Year's Eve 1993/94. The author, Hans-Werner Peiniger, identifies this as likely a model hot-air balloon, a conclusion that Maria Struwe rejects, speculating about a powerful energy source.
• Case 19940815 A (Berlin, Germany): Maria Struwe reported observing a "flying star" that blinked, which she interpreted as a telepathic communication. Peiniger classifies this as a satellite, explaining the blinking as a result of the satellite's rotation and reflection of sunlight.
• Case 19940720 A (Götz, Germany): Andreas R. and his mother observed a bright object hovering and then descending slowly. The object was described with internal bright light and external colored running lights. The investigation was limited due to insufficient data, but the description is compared to a hot-air balloon, though the light effects are considered unusual.
• Case 19950522 A (Markdorf, Germany): Vinzenz Boos photographed a mysterious object. The investigation was hampered by the witness's mother, who was reluctant to provide information, possibly due to prior instructions. The case is classified as DD/IFO (Insufficient Data/Identified as Other) and the photo is compared to known hoax examples.
• Case 199507 (Prerow, Germany): Three photos taken by a group of youths showed unusual bright spots. Upon examination, these were identified as film defects, likely caused by a damaged negative or camera malfunction.

Photo Analysis and Hoaxes

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to critically examining UFO photography and alleged hoaxes.

• The Schilling Photo (1977): The article delves into the Walter Schilling photo, presented by some as evidence of a large UFO. The author recounts his correspondence with Schilling, who allegedly sent primitive photo collages and stories about extraterrestrial contact. The article includes a letter from Schilling, dated August 11, 1983, confessing that he built and flew a "mini-UFO" and took the photo himself as a prank to contact aliens. The author concludes that this is another falsified case, questioning the methodology of researchers like Rolf-Dieter Klein and Illobrand von Ludwiger.
• The Wedel Photo: The issue mentions the Wedel photo case, where MUFON-CES allegedly promoted it as authentic, despite evidence of it being a hoax. A case involving two schoolboys from Fehrenbach who tricked Klein with a toy UFO is also cited.
• Methodology Critique: The article criticizes the approach of some UFO researchers, particularly MUFON-CES, for allegedly distorting facts and promoting unverified cases. It highlights the importance of examining negatives and considering meteorological data, referencing a German Weather Service report that contradicted claims about the Schilling photo's shadow.

Parallel Cases and Literature

• Eschweiler Case (1989) and Parallel Cases: The journal revisits a 1989 UFO sighting from Eschweiler, described as a large, spider-like object. It notes two parallel cases: one in Zurich (1989) involving a dark, cylindrical object with appendages, and another in Vilar-Alfena, Portugal (1990), with a similar description. The Eschweiler case is classified as 'PROBLEMATIC UFO' due to anomalous characteristics.
• Literature Section: A section titled "LITERATUR" lists books related to UFO encounters, alien contact, and related topics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of UFO evidence, particularly photographic, and the debunking of alleged hoaxes. The journal emphasizes rigorous investigation and scientific skepticism, contrasting its approach with what it perceives as less critical or pseudoscientific methods employed by some other UFO organizations. The editorial stance is one of cautious inquiry, prioritizing verifiable data and logical explanations while acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena. There is a clear critique of researchers who are seen as promoting sensationalism over factual accuracy.

This issue of "JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG" (Journal for UFO Research), dated 5/96 (issue 107), focuses on statistical analysis of UFO phenomena, debunking of contactee claims, and critical reviews of UFO-related literature and media. The cover prominently features the "GEP-Fallstatistik 1972-1996" (GEP Case Statistics 1972-1996), presenting a breakdown of UFO sightings by category.

Key Articles and Features

GEP Case Statistics 1972-1996

The central graphic on the cover illustrates the GEP's statistical analysis of UFO sightings between 1972 and 1996. It categorizes sightings into "IFO" (77%), "Near IFO" (6%), "Insufficient Data" (9%), "Problematic UFO" (6%), and "Good UFO" (2%). This data suggests that a vast majority of reported phenomena have conventional explanations.

Contactee Confessions and Hoaxes

The issue details several instances where alleged contactees have admitted their stories were fabricated. Cedric Allingham's alleged encounters, previously documented in the book "FLIEGENDE UNTERTASSE VOM MARS" (Flying Saucer from Mars), are revealed to be a hoax orchestrated by British astronomer Patrick Moore. Similarly, Salvador Villanueva Medina confessed to Michael Hesemann that his first encounter with an alien and subsequent journey to Venus was invented to gain attention.

Literary and Media Reviews

The magazine includes numerous reviews of books and media related to UFOs and fringe science:

• "Cedric Allingham alias Patrick Moore": Discusses the debunking of the Cedric Allingham contactee case, attributing it to Patrick Moore.
• "Salvador Villanueva Medina gestand Schwindel": Reports on Medina's confession of fabricating his UFO experiences.
• "Deutscher Jugendfotopreis 1995 Sonderthema 'Außerirdische'": Reviews a photography competition where young people interpreted 'aliens', noting the creative and sometimes abstract approaches.
• "Hollands Militär jagte UFO": Recounts an incident in the Netherlands where a military UFO alert was triggered by a large Japanese kite.
• "Idiotentest wegen UFOs": Describes a case where a man's UFO sighting led to a psychological evaluation and the confiscation of his driver's license.
• "UFO-Konferenz in Schweden": Announces an upcoming conference by 'UFO-Sweden'.
• "'NEW SCIENTIFIC TIMES' eingestellt": Reports the cessation of the Swiss magazine 'NEW SCIENTIFIC TIMES'.
• "VICTIMS VOICE": Introduces a newsletter from a support group for abductees.
• "Schutz vor Entführungen": Mentions a device marketed as an 'alien defense' sender.
• "Astronauten und UFOS": Examines claims of UFO sightings by American astronauts, including Gordon Cooper, and questions their validity.
• "LITERATUR" Section: This section provides extensive reviews:
• "UFOs - DIE WAHRHEIT" by Werner Walter: A critical examination of UFO phenomena, aiming to debunk mystification and provide plausible explanations.
• "UFO-NAHBEGEGNUNGEN" by Helmut Lammer and Oliver Sidla: A review of a book focusing on physical effects of UFOs, photo analysis, and abductions, with criticism regarding its reliance on foreign research and dismissal of critical viewpoints.
• "UNCONVENTIONAL FLYING OBJECTS" by Paul R. Hill: A scientific analysis of UFOs, attempting to reconcile them with the laws of physics, though the reviewer notes the reliance on popular sources.
• "A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO UFOS" by Betty Hill: A review of a book by a known abductee, questioning the objectivity of her perceptions.
• "DIE WAHRHEIT ÜBER AKTE X" by Ngaire Genge: A book exploring the secrets and conspiracies behind the TV series 'The X-Files'.
• "UFOs: ÖFFNUNG DER X-AKTE" by Werner Walter: A report from CENAP presenting critical material on UFO research.
• "SIND WIR ALLEIN?" edited by Ulrich Dopatka: A collection of lectures from the 15th World Congress of the Ancient Astronaut Society, discussing pre-astronautic themes and UFO phenomena.
• "DIE AUSSERIRDISCHEN VON ROSWELL" by Johannes von Buttlar: A reconstruction of the Roswell incident, criticized for lacking new information and for being sensationalized.
• "THE ALLEGED ROSWELL ARCHIVE FOOTAGE" by Graham W. Birdsall: A critique of the Santilli film, arguing for its authenticity.
• "THE BIBLE... AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL TRANSMISSION. IS PLANET X PLANET HEAVEN?" and "EXTRATERRESTRIALS ARE ON THE MOON AND MARS" by C. L. Turnage: Reviews of books that blend biblical interpretations with extraterrestrial theories.
• "SOFTWARE MYSTERIUM": A review of a CD-ROM on parapsychology, highlighting its comprehensive content on PSI phenomena.

Leserbriefe (Letters to the Editor)

This section features a heated exchange, primarily between Michael Hesemann and Uli Thieme, regarding the authenticity of the Santilli film and the Roswell incident. Thieme accuses Hesemann of racism, superficial research, and suppressing opposing views. Hesemann defends his work and criticizes Thieme's arguments. Another letter from Rolf Schweizer suggests increasing the font size for better readability.

New Members and Announcements

List of new members joining GEP and announcements regarding subscription payments and special offers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal consistently adopts a critical and analytical stance towards UFO phenomena. While acknowledging the existence of unexplained sightings, it emphasizes the importance of rigorous research, debunking hoaxes, and distinguishing between credible evidence and sensationalism. The editorial stance appears to favor a scientific approach, often questioning claims made by contactees and proponents of fringe theories, while also providing a platform for diverse viewpoints within the UFO research community. There is a clear effort to present a balanced perspective, even when reviewing controversial topics or authors.