NOTIZIARIO UFO

Magazine Overview

Title: NOTIZIARIO UFO
Issue: 40
Date: November-December 1972
Publisher: Centro Unico Nazionale (CUN)
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of Notiziario UFO, Italy's International UFO News, presents a collection of UFO sightings and research updates from the Centro Unico Nazionale (CUN). The cover prominently features the headline "AVVISTAMENTI UFO" (UFO Sightings) and highlights three specific cases from Roseto degli Abruzzi, Vibo Marina, and Napoli.

CUN Activities and Editorial Stance

The editorial section, written by Roberto Pinotti and Renzo Cabassi, acknowledges the publication's delays and attributes them to the challenges faced by a non-profit organization relying on member contributions. They emphasize the CUN's commitment to serious, scientific research, distinguishing itself from sensationalist publications. The editorial highlights the CUN's goal of contributing to the resolution of the UFO enigma through scientific methodology and notes that the CUN's voice is increasingly being heard by the scientific community.

The magazine outlines the CUN's activities in 1972, including investigations into specific flaps and cases, conferences held in various cities, and the development of UFO detection systems and research methodologies. The CUN is seeking collaborators and new members to expand its research capabilities and improve the Notiziario UFO, with aspirations for a monthly publication.

UFO Sightings in Italy

The issue details three significant UFO sightings:

• Roseto degli Abruzzi (September 19, 1972): A witness, Alessio Berardinelli, reported seeing a spherical object with a triangular tail, described as bright red, land in a field. After about a minute, it took off vertically, appearing slightly larger and blue-green. Another witness, Nicola Di Marco, corroborated seeing the object take off, noting its blue-green color.
• Vibo Marina (August 28, 1971): A 16-year-old student and his family observed a circular, tubular object moving from land towards the sea. The object emitted a white-yellow light, maintained its shape, and was visible for about 7 minutes. The observation was photographed.
• Napoli (August 30, 1972): Maria Vita in Pietropaolo and her husband observed a luminous, tube-like object resembling a fluorescent light crossing the sky. The object was described as white-yellow, moving at an estimated altitude of 1500-2000 meters, and maintaining its form throughout the observation.

Research and Methodological Discussions

An article by G. Alva discusses the "PASSIVITY OF UFO DETECTORS," arguing for the need for a global, organized network of automatic or semi-automatic detection systems to monitor the atmosphere continuously. The author suggests using infrared detectors, such as thermocouples, as a more practical approach for UFO detection by amateur groups.

Book Reviews and Critiques

There are two significant critiques of popular UFO-related authors:

• Critique of Peter Kolosimo: Renzo Cabassi reviews Peter Kolosimo's book "Non è terrestre" (Not of this Earth), which won the Bancarella prize. Cabassi, along with Claudio Finzi, criticizes Kolosimo for alleged factual inaccuracies, poor citation practices, and reliance on dubious sources. The review points out specific errors in dates, quotes, and interpretations, suggesting that Kolosimo manipulates information to fit his theories and appeals to a less critical audience.
• Review of Jacques Vallée's "Passport to Magonia": This review, by D. Camurri, discusses Jacques Vallée's hypothesis that modern UFO sightings are analogous to ancient beliefs in fairies and supernatural beings. Vallée suggests that the phenomena described in ancient legends and modern UFO reports might stem from encounters with a non-human, physically different, but biologically compatible race. The reviewer acknowledges Vallée's contribution to ufological thought by applying a "theory of relativity" to the field, suggesting that modern sightings could be a recurrence of ancient phenomena rather than necessarily extraterrestrial visits.

Program CETI and Project Cyclops

The magazine briefly mentions the CETI (Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence) program and Project Cyclops, a modest research project from 1971 aimed at detecting extraterrestrial radio signals. It notes that no such signals were detected and that the project proposed further research using a large number of antennas.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the detailed reporting of UFO sightings, the scientific approach to UFO research advocated by CUN, and critical analysis of popular UFO literature. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rigorous, scientific investigation, distinguishing itself from speculative or sensationalist accounts. CUN emphasizes its role as a serious research organization in Italy and its commitment to uncovering the truth about UFOs through methodical study.

This issue of UFO Magazine, identified as issue number 18 from 1954, is published by the Centro Ufologico Nazionale (CUN) and is written in Italian. The magazine delves into both scientific approaches to observing potential UFO phenomena and the analysis of witness testimonies.

Scientific Detection of Atmospheric Phenomena

The issue details a proposed scientific method for detecting atmospheric phenomena, particularly those related to infrared radiation. The proposed setup involves a reflecting telescope with a focal length of approximately 200 mm. Instead of using an eyepiece, the image from the telescope is projected onto a thermocouple. A rotating disc with holes, silvered on the side facing the thermocouple, periodically intercepts the image. This disc also intercepts radiation from a black body heated to a known, stable temperature, serving as a reference. The thermocouple generates a signal that indicates the temperature of the reference body and the temperature of the atmosphere. Variations in the atmospheric signal could indicate the presence of an aircraft, a cloud, or any object warmer or colder than the background.

To enhance the weak signals from the thermocouple, an operational amplifier is recommended. For recording and visualization, systems like an oscilloscope or a chart recorder are suggested. The article also proposes a mechanical or electronic scanning system to move the telescope across the sky, allowing it to 'sweep' the celestial vault. A timer is also suggested to mark intervals, aiding in the reconstruction of temporal sequences.

For those with mechanical aptitude, the construction of a paper chart recorder is mentioned, similar to those used for meteorological data like temperature and barometric pressure. However, the article cautions that this is a difficult realization and invites interested readers to contact the CUN for further details and explanations.

Analysis of Witness Testimonies and Cataloging UFO Cases

The magazine revisits previously discussed valid cases, such as those from Fornacette and Cennina. It also addresses the testimony of the national 'contattista' (contactee), Eugenio Siragusa. While acknowledging that Siragusa might have witnessed something ufologically valid, the article suggests that his subsequent statements have significantly diminished the credibility of his accounts. The author attributes this situation partly to Vallée, who compiled his catalog using primarily English and French ufological publications. A significant contributing factor is also identified as the lack of international collaboration between reputable private ufological organizations, which fortunately do exist in most nations.

The Centro Ufologico Nazionale is currently preparing all UFO-related case files for Professor Vallée, specifically for the year 1954. It is noted that testimonies like Siragusa's will not be included in this compilation. The magazine emphasizes that Vallée's catalog should serve as a guide for verification and control work undertaken by each ufological center within its respective territory.

Vallée's Prediction on UFO Exploitation

The issue expresses hope that this verification work will help counter a prediction made by Vallée in his book. Vallée foresaw that due to the lack of a rational solution to the UFO mystery and the immense public interest, charlatans would likely exploit the phenomenon in the future. The article quotes Vallée's concern: "Since there is no rational solution to the mystery (of UFOs) and public interest in the question is enormous, it is probable that in future years every new type of charlatanism will use it as a basis, although it is not possible to predict what its exact form will be."

A postscript (N.B.) clarifies that the quoted phrases attributed to Vallée are indeed from his work.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO Magazine demonstrates a dual focus: promoting rigorous scientific investigation into unexplained aerial phenomena while also critically evaluating the reliability of witness testimonies, particularly those from contactees. The editorial stance appears to favor empirical evidence and systematic data collection, as evidenced by the detailed description of the thermocouple detection method and the emphasis on verification and control. There is a clear concern about the potential for sensationalism and charlatanism to exploit the UFO phenomenon, a sentiment echoed by the quote from Vallée. The magazine also advocates for greater international cooperation among ufological researchers to build a more robust and credible body of knowledge.