Notiziario UFO - 1969 No 5

Magazine Overview

This issue of the "NOTIZIARIO" from the "Centro Unico Nazionale per lo studio dei fenomeni ritenuti di natura extraterrestre" (CUN) is dated 1969 and features a prominent alert on the cover about an upcoming article in "L'EUROPEO" magazine concerning UFOs.

Editorial and Cover Story

The editorial section, titled "EDITORIALE," discusses the impact of the 1969 lunar landing on public perception of UFOs. It notes that while the moon landing triumphed science and technology, it also helped many forget about the UFO problem, which had been 'liquidated' by US scientists. However, the editorial raises lingering questions about unexplained phenomena, specifically mentioning a white object spotted by Collins from the Columbia and two 'spots' in a photograph, questioning if they were impossible reflections or something more.

Key Articles and Themes

The 'Cosmonaut Christ' Theory

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the theory proposed by Soviet philologist Vladimir Zaitsev, who posits that Jesus Christ was a cosmonaut from another planet and the Star of Bethlehem was his spaceship. The article highlights that the Soviet government's newspaper, "Izvestia," published an article by Alexandr Rogov to discredit Zaitsev's theory, indicating its growing popularity and the authorities' concern in an officially atheist state. Zaitsev's theory suggests that Christ's aversion to injustice and his defense of the oppressed stemmed from his extraterrestrial origins. The "Izvestia" article, while not overtly aggressive, aims to encourage Soviet citizens to reject Zaitsev's hypothesis.

Ancient Astronauts and Mythology

Another major theme explores the connection between ancient myths, religions, and extraterrestrial visitors. The article "SIAMO EXTRATERRESTRI?" by Roberto Pinotti delves into ancient Indian texts like the "Ramayana" and "Mahabharata," which describe "vimana" – flying machines capable of vertical takeoff and landing, high speeds, and long-distance travel. These descriptions are compared to modern aircraft, suggesting a possible ancient technological basis for these myths.

The magazine also examines the biblical accounts of "fallen angels" and "giants" (Nephilim) from the Book of Enoch and the Book of Jubilees. It suggests that these beings, described as "Sons of God" who descended to Earth and interbred with human women, might have been advanced extraterrestrial beings. The text draws parallels between these ancient narratives and the idea of ancient astronauts influencing human civilization.

Biblical Events as Extraterrestrial Encounters

Several biblical events are reinterpreted through the lens of extraterrestrial intervention. Soviet scientist M. Agrest's hypothesis is presented, suggesting that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was an atomic explosion caused by extraterrestrials. Similarly, the destruction of the Pentapolis cities near the Dead Sea is attributed to an atomic explosion by extraterrestrial astronauts who also allegedly built the terraces of Baalbek.

The Aetherius Society and Interplanetary Parliament

The article mentions the "Aetherius Society," an association of believers in extraterrestrial life, and its founder, Dr. George King. The society claims to receive instructions from "Great Masters" from other planets and to have contact with an "Interplanetary Parliament." This parliament is credited with removing a ban on Earthlings accessing the Moon, which was supposedly used as a base for flying saucers.

Ancient Artifacts and Evidence

The magazine references the discovery of strange stone discs covered in hieroglyphs in caves in the Bayan-Kara-Ula mountains, dating back 12,000 years. These discs reportedly tell the story of peaceful "Dropas" who arrived from the sky. Additionally, the discovery of a human footprint in the Gobi Desert, dating back to a time when it was an inland sea, is presented as potential evidence of ancient visitors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the potential extraterrestrial origins of religious figures and events, the reinterpretation of ancient myths and scriptures through a scientific and technological lens, and the search for evidence of ancient alien visitation. The magazine appears to adopt an open-minded stance, presenting these theories and the supporting evidence (or interpretations thereof) for the reader's consideration, while acknowledging the controversial nature of such ideas and the skepticism they often face, particularly from established scientific and governmental bodies.

Title: IL TEMPO
Issue: N. 4
Date: July 15, 1969

This issue of IL TEMPO focuses heavily on UFO sightings and related phenomena, interspersed with scientific discussions on physics and relativity, and a bibliography of relevant works.

Articles and Content

The Dečani Monastery Fresco: Extraterrestrial Visitors or Angelic Chariots?

The article "Affresco del monastero di Visoki Dečani" (Fresco of the Visoki Dečani Monastery) discusses a 14th-century fresco in Yugoslavia that depicts two luminous, circular objects with human figures inside. The author explores the possibility that these figures represent extraterrestrial visitors or 'angelic chariots,' drawing parallels with ancient Hebrew traditions and the concept of 'Veglianti' (Watchers). The fresco's unusual imagery is contrasted with traditional religious iconography, and the artist's potential inspiration from unknown traditions or contemporary sightings is considered.

The Physics of UFOs: Relativity and Faster-Than-Light Travel

"UN PO' DI FISICA TECNICA & UFO" by Dott. Ing. Stefano Breccia delves into the complex theories of Special and General Relativity. The article explains concepts like non-Euclidean geometries, spacetime, and geodesics. It posits that by manipulating the 'conditions of space' and time, it might be possible to achieve apparent faster-than-light travel, a concept that could explain the extraordinary maneuvers attributed to UFOs. The author uses analogies, such as a two-dimensional universe, to illustrate these abstract ideas and concludes by suggesting that forces can be reduced to purely geometric causes.

UFO Sightings Across Italy and Beyond

Several short reports detail UFO sightings from various locations:

• Tunis, July 8, 1969: Two unidentified flying objects were observed, one reportedly exploding like a nuclear event. The other, disc-shaped, changed shape before disappearing.
• Rome, July 9, 1969: A luminous, stationary ball was seen in the sky near the Farnesina, described as 'clear as the moon' and changing size before disappearing. It was later identified as exhaust from ESRO rockets.
• Salerno, July 7, 1969: For two consecutive nights, luminous objects, one bluish and one yellow-white, were seen moving at high speed over the coast.
• Rome, September 19, 1969: Giovanni Pezzi reported being hit by a beam from a flying saucer, leaving him covered in an oily, viscous substance.
• Palermo, May 14, 1969: Numerous people reported seeing flying saucers with a red luminous ball and antenna, flying at about 100 meters altitude.
• Montazzoli, October 24, 1969: The entire town witnessed a mysterious object, described as a 'machine,' performing evolutions for two hours at an altitude of seven hundred meters. It was later identified as exhaust from ESRO 'Skylark' rockets.
• Genoa, July 1969: Hundreds observed a luminous body with a conical reddish trail moving at high speed over the sea, hypothesized to be a meteorite or part of a space object.

Other Reports and Book Reviews

• "Misterioso animale apparso in Canada" (Mysterious Animal Appeared in Canada): Three workers reported seeing a humanoid creature about four meters tall.
• "In California fuoco d'artificio spaziale" (In California, Space Fireworks): A rocket reentry caused a spectacular firework-like display.
• "I cani hanno abbaiato al passaggio degli UFO" (Dogs Barked at the Passage of UFOs): This report links the sightings near Rome to ESRO rocket launches, noting that dogs exhibited unusual behavior during these events.
• Book Reviews: The "NOVITÀ LIBRARIE" section lists several books related to UFOs and extraterrestrial topics, including works by Erich Von Däniken and Renato Vesco.

"Il Messaggero" Report on a Fake UFO Photo

An article from "IL MESSAGGERO" details the arrest of Pepe Martinez, a Brazilian photographer who created a fake UFO photograph using fishing line and cardboard, leading to his imprisonment.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the possibility of extraterrestrial phenomena, ranging from ancient astronaut theories to modern UFO sightings. While some reports are presented as eyewitness accounts, others are explained through scientific or conventional means (like rocket exhaust or atmospheric events). The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various hypotheses and evidence without definitively concluding on the nature of all reported phenomena. There is a clear interest in the intersection of science, ancient history, and the unexplained, particularly concerning UFOs and the potential for life beyond Earth. The article by Roberto Pinotti, referencing the CUN (Centro Unico Nazionale), suggests an organized effort to investigate these topics. The recurring question of whether humanity itself is terrestrial or cosmic underscores a deep philosophical engagement with the subject matter.

Title: Misterioso oggetto celeste fotografato da tre astrofili
Issue Date: Sunday, September 28, 1969
Publisher: IL TEMPO

This issue of IL TEMPO focuses on the mysterious celestial object sighted and photographed over the Rome capital area on the evening of Friday, September 26, 1969. The main article details the sighting, the photographs taken by three amateur astronomers, and the initial public reaction, which ranged from excitement about flying saucers to more grounded explanations.

The Sighting and Photographs

The primary story, "Misterioso oggetto celeste fotografato da tre astrofili" (Mysterious celestial object photographed by three amateur astronomers), reports on an object that appeared between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM on September 26th. It was seen in Rome, Ostia, and Civitavecchia, with many people believing they had witnessed a "flying saucer." The object was described as extremely luminous, brighter than Venus, and moving slowly.

Three amateur astronomers—Giancarlo Battisti (27, sales representative), Marco Bertoni (31, electrotechnical expert), and Claudio Del Sole (a painter)—operating from their observatory in Riano Flaminio, managed to photograph the object. Their photographs, reproduced in the magazine, show singular shapes and varying luminosity, which the article suggests are due to perspective and the angle of sunlight. Del Sole, the painter, had developed a passion for astronomy and, with his friends, built a 30-centimeter reflecting telescope.

Explanations and Witness Accounts

The article explores various explanations for the phenomenon. Initially, many were convinced it was a flying saucer. However, the amateur astronomers themselves, along with officials from the radio beacon at Santa Marinella, leaned towards the explanation of an artificial satellite or a fragment of one. They noted that the object's visibility and changing appearance could be explained by it being illuminated by the sun after sunset, while the area below was no longer receiving direct sunlight.

Further investigation points towards a weather balloon as the most likely explanation. The article mentions that the object's changing shape and luminosity could be attributed to its movement and the way sunlight hit it. The photographs, while intriguing, were also analyzed by experts.

The BEA Pilot Incident

A separate article, "Un velivolo della BEA stava per scontrarsi con il «disco volante»" (A BEA aircraft was about to collide with the 'flying saucer'), details an incident from Tuesday, September 23rd. A BEA pilot reported a near-collision with an object, which he described as a "thing" and strongly protested to Italian air traffic control for the lack of warnings about potential air traffic obstructions. This incident occurred at an altitude of 11,800 meters.

The Alitalia Pilot Sighting

Also on Tuesday, September 23rd, around 1:30 PM, the crew of an Alitalia DC-8 flying towards North America (flight "AZ 660") spotted a mysterious object about 1,000 meters below their flight level, near the Elba region. The pilots identified this object as a weather balloon.

The "Fuggita" Sonda from Fiumicino

An article titled "CHIARITO L'AVVISTAMENTO DI VENERDI' Era una sonda «fuggita» da Fiumicino" (Clarified Friday's Sighting: It was a runaway probe from Fiumicino) provides a more detailed explanation for the September 26th sighting. According to a report from the meteorological service of the Aeronautica Militare at Fiumicino Airport, a large weather balloon, intended for meteorological observations, deformed and escaped control during its launch. This "runaway probe" remained suspended at a great altitude. The article explains that the balloon, when inflated, had a diameter of about 1.5 meters but could expand significantly at higher altitudes. The unusual luminosity and shape observed were attributed to the balloon's deformation, the angle of sunlight at sunset, and the specific atmospheric conditions. The article suggests that the balloon's slow descent was due to gas leakage, causing it to float at an unspecified altitude.

The Mystery of the Tuesday Sighting

While the Friday sighting is largely explained as a runaway weather balloon from Fiumicino, the Tuesday sighting by the Alitalia and BEA pilots remains a point of discussion. The article notes that while the pilots identified it as a weather balloon, its trajectory and origin are less clear. It questions whether it could have been launched from Fiumicino that day, given the wind conditions and its location. The possibility of it being launched from other cities like Milan, Udine, or Cagliari is considered, but without definitive proof.

Reader Reactions

The magazine includes several short interviews with readers offering their opinions. Some, like Silvana Venditti, were initially surprised by the photos. Palmira Fiori suggested it might be a special aircraft from Japan or a Russian rocket. Alfredo Martelli, a bookstore director, speculated it could be a meteorite or a weather balloon, emphasizing the need for data on light angle and speed. Gaetano Torre, a shoe shiner, thought it might be a Russian experimental launch. Remo Belli, a doorman, recalled a similar sighting years ago and was unsure of its origin. Ettore Remazzaroli, a pensioner, found the photos confusing and expressed fear of the stars. Manlio Gori, also a pensioner, dismissed flying saucer stories, suggesting it was likely a prank with a balloon and lamp. Antonio Mongia recalled hearing it might be an artificial satellite.

C.U.N. and UFOlogy

A small notice congratulates the advisor Di Girolamo for his efficiency. The magazine also touches upon the broader UFO phenomenon, mentioning the "friends of the martians" (amici dei marziani) who might gain credibility from such events. It also includes obituaries for Dr. Miran Lindtner, an ornithologist killed in a train accident, and Ernesto Thayaht, founder of C.I.R.N.O.S. (Centro Indipendente di Raccolta di Notizie ed Osservazioni Spaziali), an early Italian UFO research group.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the public fascination with unexplained aerial phenomena, often labeled as "flying saucers." The editorial stance, as presented through the investigative articles, leans towards rational explanations, primarily identifying the objects as weather balloons or, less commonly, satellites. While acknowledging the public's imagination and the allure of extraterrestrial explanations, the magazine prioritizes scientific and meteorological analysis to demystify such sightings. The tone is investigative, aiming to provide factual clarity while recognizing the persistent public interest in the unknown.