JUFOF - Issue 247 - 2020 01

Magazine Overview

Title: Jufof
Issue: 01-2020
Volume: 41
Date: January 2020
Publisher: GEP e.V.
Price: 4,50 Euro
ISSN: 0723-7766

This issue of the "Journal für UFO-Forschung" (Jufof) from January 2020, published by GEP e.V., marks the 48th year of the organization's dedication to researching the UFO phenomenon. The issue opens with an editorial by Danny Ammon, highlighting the exciting contributions within.

Key Articles and Features

UFO-Foto vom Mt. Washington

A significant contribution comes from three guest authors: Manfred Rocks, Matthias Seidel, and Horst Zuse. They delve into a UFO photograph taken on Mt. Washington, which is notable not only for the apparent UFO but also for its historical context. The photograph was taken in 1870 and is a stereophoto, meaning it was captured with two parallel cameras to create a 3D image when viewed with a stereoscope. The article explores how such stereoscopic images can be analyzed using their 3D information. The authors compare this to the well-known, though later debunked, UFO photos from Ed Walters in Gulf Breeze in the 1990s, where Walters constructed a stereo camera from two Polaroid cameras.

UFO-Beobachtungen: Dokumentationen – Beurteilungen

UFO-Sichtung mit Radarbestätigung (Case File: 20000722 A)

This section details a UFO sighting that occurred on July 22, 2000, at approximately 23:45 MESZ near Stade, Germany. The witness, Torsten B., reported observing a dark, triangular aircraft from his balcony. The object had large orange lights in each corner and no conventional anti-collision lights. It appeared to be moving slowly at a low altitude in a south-westerly direction. The witness described the object's shape as a 'surface' that obscured the background stars, suggesting a triangular form. The sighting lasted about 2-3 minutes, and no sounds were heard. After a maneuver, the object appeared as a vertical line that diminished in size until it disappeared.

Recherchen, Diskussion und Beurteilung

Investigator Hans-Werner Peiniger conducted research into the sighting. Initial inquiries with the relevant aviation authority revealed no unusual occurrences or conventional air traffic during the specified time. However, a later analysis of the air situation by DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung (German Air Traffic Control) on August 14, 2000, indicated that their Nordholz radar facility detected a series of primary targets between 21:01 and 22:10 UTC on July 22, 2000, which could correspond to the witness's description. Altitude determination was not possible from the primary radar data, and no secondary radar (SSR) coding was registered, suggesting it was not a transponder-equipped aircraft.

The article discusses the object's characteristics, including its triangular shape and the lights at its corners. It considers two possibilities: a genuine triangular craft, or the perception of a triangular shape from three distinct lights (pareidolia). The witness's explicit statement that the object's surface obscured stars supports the former. The article notes that the observed shape is atypical for conventional aircraft, which would typically present a flatter or slightly tilted view.

Radar Analysis and Object Dimensions

The radar data from Nordholz covered the northwestern Federal Republic of Germany and the North Sea, with a range of approximately 270 km. The radar tracked a target moving from northeast to southwest at about 40 knots (roughly 74 km/h according to DFS, though the witness described it as 'relatively slow'). The article calculates the object's speed based on radar data to be around 47 km/h over 69 minutes, covering 53.8 km. The discrepancy with the DFS speed is noted.

Estimates of the object's size are provided, based on the witness's apparent angular size estimation (5 cm at arm's length, corresponding to about 5 degrees) and the radar-determined distance. If the radar target was indeed the observed object, its actual size could range from approximately 75 meters (based on a psychological misjudgment factor of 15x) up to 1135 meters. The article questions the visibility of such a large object if it were real.

Flight Altitude

Based on the radar-determined distance of 13,000 meters and the witness's estimated angular elevation of 35°, the object's altitude is calculated to be around 8,200 meters. Other angles yield different altitude estimates, such as 6,967 meters for a 30° elevation.

Conclusion of the Stade Sighting

The article concludes that while the radar data provides confirmation of an unidentified object, several questions remain open, and new aspects emerged during the investigation. The author initially assumed a radar confirmation of the witness's observation but acknowledges the complexities and remaining uncertainties.

Literatur

This section includes a review of a book titled "Das Geheimnis der schwarzen Dreiecke" (The Secret of the Black Triangles), with page references indicating it is a review of current book titles.

Impressum

Publisher: Gesellschaft zur Erforschung des UFO-Phänomens (GEP) e.V., founded in 1972.
Address: Postfach 2361, 58473 Lüdenscheid.
Contact: Phone: (02351) 23377, Fax: (02351) 23335, Email: [email protected].
Editors responsible for content: Hans-Werner Peiniger, Danny Ammon.
Bank Details: Postbank NL Dortmund.
Subscription Information: 1 year (6 issues) costs 27,00 € plus postage (11,00 € domestic, 20,00 € international). Membership in GEP includes subscription.
Advertising: Price list available upon request. Small ads are free for subscribers (up to 6 lines) and members (up to 10 lines).
Reprint Policy: Requires written permission from GEP e.V. and a copy of the publication.
Printing: bis500 Druck, 98693 Ilmenau.
Copyright: © 2020 GEP e.V.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the rigorous analysis of UFO evidence, particularly photographic and radar data, and the detailed documentation of witness sightings. The editorial stance, as reflected in the GEP's mission and the content, is one of serious, scientific investigation into the UFO phenomenon, aiming to provide factual reporting and reasoned conclusions. The publication emphasizes its non-commercial basis and the honorarium-free nature of contributions, highlighting a commitment to the subject matter over profit.

This issue of the Journal für UFO-Forschung, dated 1-2020, Nr. 247, focuses on the analysis of historical and contemporary UFO sightings and photographic evidence. The issue features articles investigating a radar-detected anomaly near Hamburg and a detailed examination of the 1870-71 Mount Washington photograph, often claimed to be the earliest UFO photo.

Case 1: Hamburg Radar Anomaly

The first article details a sighting that occurred on July 22, 2000, near the Hamburg airport. The witness described a silent, cigar-shaped object with unusual movements, particularly a strange change in orientation along its longitudinal axis. This object was also detected by radar, leading to a discussion of its potential size and the possibility of it being a large, radar-detected craft. The investigator, Hans-Werner Peiniger, classifies the case as a 'GOOD UFO' based on the available data, while ruling out conventional explanations like weather balloons or a DC-10 aircraft.

Anomalous characteristics noted by the witness include the object's shape, its silence, the lack of blinking position lights (contrasting with known air traffic), and its peculiar change in orientation. Peiniger also notes that the object's size must have been considerable if it was indeed radar-detected.

Case 2: The Mount Washington Photo (1870-71)

The main investigative piece delves into a photograph taken during an expedition on Mount Washington, New Hampshire, in December 1870 or January 1871. The photograph, part of a stereoscopic pair, shows a cloud formation with a distinct cigar-shaped object. This image has been widely promoted as the world's first UFO photograph due to its age and the lack of advanced photographic manipulation techniques like Photoshop at the time.

The authors, Manfred Rocks, Matthias Seidel, and Horst Zuse, employ scientific methods, including stereogeometry and ray tracing, to analyze the stereoscopic images. They investigate the expedition members, including Charles Henry Hitchcock, Howard A. Kimball, and A. F. Clough, and the photographic equipment used.

Initial analysis of the image, as discussed on the internet, often focuses on the 2D aspect. However, the authors emphasize the importance of the stereoscopic nature of the photo for a 3D analysis. They trace the photo's history, noting its acquisition by Samuel M. Sherman in 2002 and its subsequent discussion online.

Further research uncovers that the original, unretouched photograph, available through the New York Public Library, reveals the object is not in the clouds but on the flank of the mountain. The title of the photograph in the expedition's records is 'Frost Architecture,' supporting the conclusion that the object is a natural ice formation or structure, not an artificial craft.

One of the key arguments against the object being a UFO is the detailed documentation of the expedition, which makes no mention of any UFO sightings or photographic attempts to capture one. Instead, the expedition's records and contemporary newspaper articles describe ice formations and meteorological phenomena.

Photo Manipulation

The issue also addresses the historical context of photo manipulation. Horst Zuse is cited as having created a UFO montage in his darkroom in 1963 using double exposure. This serves as an example of how easily photographic images could be altered even before the advent of digital technology, highlighting the need for critical examination of photographic evidence.

Technical Analysis of Stereoscopic Photography

Pages 10 and 11 provide a technical explanation of stereoscopic photography and how it can be used for analysis. The authors discuss the principles of stereocameras and the use of a pinhole camera model to estimate object size and distance. They explain the mathematical formulas and geometric principles involved in analyzing stereoscopic images, emphasizing that this method allows for a more accurate, three-dimensional assessment compared to single-image analysis.

Conclusion

Both articles in this issue conclude that the phenomena discussed, while intriguing, are likely explainable by natural causes or photographic artifacts. The Hamburg case is classified as a UFO based on witness and radar data, but the Mount Washington photo is definitively identified as a natural ice formation, debunking its claim as the earliest UFO photo. The journal underscores the importance of rigorous scientific analysis and critical evaluation of evidence in UFO research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical analysis of photographic and radar evidence, the historical context of UFO sightings, and the potential for misinterpretation or manipulation of data. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, employing scientific methods to scrutinize claims and distinguish between genuine unexplained phenomena and natural explanations or hoaxes. There is a clear emphasis on detailed research, cross-referencing historical documents, and applying technical expertise to evaluate evidence.

This issue of the "JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG" (Journal for UFO Research), dated Ausgabe 1-2020, Nr. 247, focuses on a detailed scientific analysis of a historical photograph. The main subject is a stereoscopic image from the Mount Washington expedition in 1870-71, often referred to as the "oldest known UFO photo". The journal employs rigorous analytical methods, including mathematical calculations and stereophotography principles, to debunk the UFO identification of the object.

Analysis of the Mount Washington Stereophoto

The article presents a detailed examination of a stereoscopic photograph taken on Mount Washington in the winter of 1870-71. The photograph, featuring the observatory as accommodation for expedition members, is analyzed to determine the characteristics of an object within it. The authors first estimate the focal length of the cameras used, suggesting 16 cm as a realistic value for stereocameras of that era. They then proceed to calculate the potential size of the object at various estimated distances.

Using two-dimensional analysis and later a three-dimensional approach based on stereophotography principles (disparity), the authors investigate the object's size and distance. Table 1 suggests that at distances between 16m and 20m, the object would be between 4.5m and 5.62m in size. Table 2 explores much larger distances, suggesting a 312m object at 5000m, or a 31m object at 500m. Table 3 narrows down the possibilities for closer distances (6m-10m), estimating object sizes between 0.37m and 0.62m.

The core of the analysis lies in the application of stereoscopic geometry. The authors explain that a stereocamera captures two images with a horizontal offset (disparity), which allows for the determination of depth and distance. They utilize a simplified stereocamera model (Abb. 8) and derive formulas relating disparity (u1-u2), focal length (c), camera distance (b), and object distance (z).

Through these calculations, particularly in "Untersuchung I" and "Untersuchung II", the authors arrive at a strong conclusion. They suggest that the object is not a UFO but rather a physical object located at a relatively close distance to the camera, estimated to be between 4 to 10 meters. The size of this object is estimated to be around 60 cm, leading to the hypothesis that it could be a wooden stick or a snow depth measuring device placed on a frost structure or ice formation.

Debunking the UFO Identification

The article explicitly challenges the UFO interpretation of the photograph. It references Ragnar Larsen's [10] conclusion that the "oldest known UFO photo" is not a UFO but an object on the surface of Mount Washington. The authors agree with this assessment, stating, "It is definitely not a UFO in the strict sense." They propose that the object might be a measurement tool or a reference point for adjusting the stereocamera. This explanation would also account for the lack of contemporary reports, as meteorologists and scientists familiar with such devices might not have considered it an unexplained phenomenon. The possibility of it being a test shot for camera calibration is also considered.

Furthermore, the analysis of the stereophotography reveals that structures in the background, like mountain peaks, show no measurable disparity, indicating they are distant. In contrast, the object in question exhibits disparity, confirming its proximity to the cameras. The authors also address potential issues with camera alignment, noting that slight deviations might occur but are unlikely to significantly impact the overall distance estimation.

Related Topics and Authors

The journal also includes a review of Frank Schwede's book "Das Geheimnis der schwarzen Dreiecke" (The Secret of the Black Triangles). The reviewer criticizes Schwede's approach, labeling it as part of the "conspiracy scene" and accusing him of promoting unfounded fears and conspiracy theories, such as the idea that the "broad mass is deliberately fooled by mainstream science." The review mentions Schwede's speculation about Nurflügler (flying wings) being behind the Kenneth Arnold sighting and his discussion of George Adamski's alleged UFO photos.

The article also provides a list of literature and internet references related to the Mount Washington UFO photo, acknowledging that online content can change. The authors of the article are identified as Dr. Manfred Rocks (Mathematician), Matthias Seidel (Computer Scientist), and Horst Zuse (Electrical Engineering), who are interested in computer development, history, and astrophysics, posing the question of whether humanity has had alien visitors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the critical and scientific examination of UFO phenomena, particularly historical photographic evidence. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of sensationalist claims and conspiracy theories, favoring empirical data and mathematical analysis. The journal aims to debunk misidentifications and provide rational explanations for alleged UFO sightings, as demonstrated by the thorough analysis of the Mount Washington photograph. The review of Frank Schwede's book further highlights the journal's opposition to unsubstantiated UFO narratives and conspiracy thinking.

Title: JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG
Issue: NR. 247
Volume: 1-2020
Date: 2020-01-01
Publisher: GEP (Gesellschaft zur Erforschung des UFO-Phänomens)
Country: Germany
Language: German

This issue of the "JOURNAL FÜR UFO-FORSCHUNG" primarily features a critical review of Frank Schwede's book "Das Geheimnis der Schwarzen Dreiecke" (The Secret of the Black Triangles). The journal, published by the GEP, maintains a factual and critical stance on UFO phenomena, aiming to document and analyze reports scientifically.

Review of "Das Geheimnis der Schwarzen Dreiecke" by Frank Schwede

The review, authored by Hans-Werner Peiniger, dissects Schwede's book, which is described as a collection of conspiracy theories rather than rigorous research. Peiniger criticizes Schwede for presenting legends as facts, particularly concerning the Nazi "Glocke" (Bell) project and alleged alien involvement in German aerospace programs, citing William Tompkins' claims about reptilian advisors.

Schwede's work is accused of lacking proper research, with the reviewer pointing out factual errors, such as misattributing photographs and misrepresenting historical events. For instance, the reviewer clarifies that the classic Adamski saucer photos were taken on December 13, 1952, and that the eyewitness accounts mentioned by Schwede relate to a different event on November 20, 1952, involving an encounter with Orthon from Venus. The reviewer also debunks Schwede's assertion that Adamski was chosen by the CIA to distract from secret projects, noting that Adamski never worked at a university but ran a restaurant near the Mt. Palomar Observatory.

The review further scrutinizes Schwede's claims about the alleged German origin of the Roswell crash craft and his speculation about the Roswell autopsy film, suggesting Schwede overlooks the possibility of financial motives by the film's producer, Ray Santilli.

Schwede's discussion of triangular craft and the Belgian UFO wave is also criticized for linking them to alleged Nazi technology and secret service staging. The Rendlesham Forest incident is also mentioned as an example of Schwede's poor research.

The book delves deeply into conspiracy theories, including mind control and the MK Ultra program, suggesting a hidden agenda to manipulate humanity. Schwede's belief that "at least 80 percent of truth" exists in every conspiracy theory is highlighted, along with his mischaracterization of abduction researcher Budd Hopkins as a "known psychologist."

Schwede's analysis of the TR-3B ASTRA, a supposed "triangular reconnaissance platform," is presented as another instance of unsubstantiated claims, with allegations of suppressed facts and even deaths of those who try to report on it. The reviewer dismisses claims that technologies like laser, CD players, and smartphone screens were first tested in the TR-3B, stating these developments are well-documented and not from a secret "power."

The book also touches upon unexplained disappearances, the Montauk Project, and the Philadelphia Experiment, suggesting that Hollywood sci-fi classics are often based on true events. Schwede's embrace of "alternative online media" as more credible than traditional sources is noted, as is his apparent inability to distinguish between speculation and fact.

Ultimately, Peiniger concludes that Schwede's book "Das Geheimnis der Schwarzen Dreiecke" offers little value to UFO research due to its extensive misinformation and ideological leanings, recommending against it for UFO enthusiasts.

Related Publications and GEP Information

The issue also includes information about a book edited by Ulrich Magin titled "Luftschiffe und Aeronauten: Eine historische Betrachtung des Luftschiffphänomens 1896 bis 1915." This book explores historical airship sightings and their connection to the modern UFO phenomenon. It features contributions from Jerome Clark, Loren E. Gross, Nigel Watson, and Ulrich Magin himself, covering topics like UFOs, Zeppelins, and airship sightings in Germany.

Details are provided for ordering this book and other publications from the GEP's current series, including contact information for the GEP shop and their postal address.

GEP and UFO Definitions

The journal outlines the role of the GEP as a scientific UFO research association in Germany, emphasizing its interdisciplinary approach and support from authorities and institutions. It also provides a definition of a UFO as an unidentified object or light whose appearance, trajectory, and behavior cannot be conventionally explained, remaining unidentifiable even after thorough investigation.

Reporting UFO Sightings

Information is given on how to report UFO sightings to the GEP, including a dedicated hotline number (02351-23377), an email address ([email protected]), and website resources like www.ufo-forschung.de and www.jufof.de, which include a web forum and chat.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly reflects the GEP's editorial stance: a commitment to rigorous, scientific, and critical investigation of UFO phenomena. The review of Schwede's book serves as a prime example of this stance, actively debunking unsubstantiated claims, conspiracy theories, and what the journal considers poor research within the UFO community. The emphasis is on factual evidence, verifiable sources, and a methodical approach, contrasting sharply with the speculative and often ideologically charged content presented in the book under review. The inclusion of historical airship research and the detailed explanation of the GEP's investigative methods further underscore their dedication to a grounded and evidence-based exploration of the UFO topic.