Notiziario UFO - 1987 01-06 - Vol 22 No 106

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO NOTIZIARIO
Issue: N.106
Volume: XXI
Date: January-June 1987
Publisher: Centro Ufologico Nazionale (C.U.N.)
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of UFO Notiziario, Italy's International UFO News, marks the 40th anniversary of the first official UFO sighting, using this milestone to assess the state of ufology in Italy and internationally. The magazine features a blend of historical analysis, contemporary case studies, and expert opinions, aiming to foster a more scientific approach to the phenomenon.

Editorial and Overview

The editorial, titled "L'UFOLOGIA: 40 ANNI! ...E POI?", reflects on the significance of the 40th anniversary of the first official UFO report. It highlights the Centro Ufologico Nazionale's intention to commemorate this event and emphasize the importance of deepening studies in the field. The editorial criticizes a recent congress held in Turin for its limited media impact and low public turnout, suggesting that smaller, more secluded locations are better suited for such events. It also notes a negative trend in public opinion regarding UFOs, referencing DOXA data from 1979.

A graph on page 3 illustrates the quantitative trend of UFO sightings in Italy from 1947 to 1987, comparing national and Tuscan regional data. Peaks are noted in years like 1954, 1973, and 1977.

Key Articles and Features

"Gli Ufo esistono e sono cattivi" (UFOs Exist and Are Malicious)

This article discusses the results of an investigation by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding a UFO sighting by a Japan Airlines Boeing 747 cargo jet over Alaska in November 1986. The FAA's documentation, including radar images and pilot testimonies, is available for purchase. The article suggests a shift in research, with physicists, psychiatrists, astronomers, and military personnel now engaging with the topic. It highlights the work of Budd Hopkins and Whitley Strieber, focusing on "abduction" cases, where alleged extraterrestrials conduct genetic research on humans. The article notes that interviewees, often under hypnosis, provided consistent accounts of their experiences, regardless of their background.

"A quarant'anni dal primo «avvistamento»"

This section explores the idea that UFO sightings might stem from a deep-seated human need for dialogue, with encounters resembling mystical experiences or states of profound introspection. It suggests that psychological factors and even seismic events causing ionized masses and electromagnetic fields could induce hallucinations. The article posits that by moving away from the extraterrestrial hypothesis, the phenomenon can be re-contextualized into more credible terms, though the 'modern myth' theory alone may not explain all inexplicable episodes.

"Nessuno più crede agli Ufo"

This piece comments on a congress in Turin, suggesting that the focus on surveys rather than concrete case studies led to skepticism and disbelief regarding the UFO problem. It criticizes the congress for its limited impact and low public attendance, implying that the event failed to generate significant interest.

"In America si crede agli Ufo"

A brief report indicates that in America, a significant portion of the population believes in UFOs and extraterrestrials, though they may reject evolutionary theory. This is based on a survey conducted by Professor John D. Miller.

"Brasile I Mirage per tre ore rincorrono 21 Ufo"

This article details an official announcement from the Brazilian Minister of Aeronautics regarding an encounter between six Mirage fighter jets and three F-5s with 21 UFOs. The objects were detected on radar and observed visually, appearing like stars emitting intermittent orange light and traveling at speeds between 2,000 and 4,000 km/h. The encounter lasted until midnight.

"Ufo pedina un aereo per 400 miglia"

This report from Washington describes a UFO of enormous size that followed a Japanese cargo plane for nearly an hour over Alaska. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reopened an investigation into the incident, which occurred on November 17th. The crew of a Japan Airlines Boeing 747 reported seeing three unidentified objects.

"Il Caso di Castelleale"

This is a detailed retrospective analysis of a close encounter case from 1974 involving the Sensoli family in Castelleale, Italy. The witness, Giovanna Sensoli, reported seeing a luminous "man" suspended in the air above her house, wearing a radiant suit and a helmet. The figure was accompanied by a light and a "cassetta" with a control stick. The incident lasted about 15 minutes. The report notes the difficulty in obtaining a clear recording and the subsequent deaths of some family members, which complicated the investigation.

"Ufo alle Piagge"

This article recounts an alleged close encounter of the third kind in Florence, Italy, on August 8, 1985. The witness, Domenica Cantone, described a luminous ovoid object with a transparent dome hovering near her balcony. She reported seeing two figures inside and observed three "legs" or "arms" extending from the object. The object then departed rapidly. Following the sighting, circular imprints were reportedly found in a nearby football field.

"UN PRECEDENTE? MARZIANI A MILANO"

This section presents a case from December 19, 1962, where a night watchman named Rizzi in Milan reported seeing "Martians" and a flying saucer. He described three-foot-tall beings in silver suits with helmets descending from a metallic disc. The object then disappeared. The article draws parallels between this case and the Florence sighting.

"NOVANT'ANNI FA IN USA..."

This feature revisits newspaper reports from April 1897 about sightings of "airships" in the USA. The articles from "La Nazione" describe a mysterious "airship" seen over Chicago and other cities, with some reports suggesting it was cigar-shaped and carried a pilot. A later report details an "airship" exploding near Kalamazoo, with fragments of copper wire and steel found. The article notes that these "airship" sightings are considered early manifestations of the modern UFO phenomenon.

"UFO: COSA NE PENSANO IN ITALIA"

This section compiles opinions from various Italian personalities on UFOs. Senator Angelo Cerica believes the phenomenon demands humanity's attention. Falco Accame, President of the Defense Commission, thinks the government should investigate. Professor Luigi Broglio acknowledges the existence of unexplained sightings. Colonel Alfonso Isaia expresses conviction that UFOs are piloted. Cosmologist Giuseppe Tagliaferri and Professor Paolo Maffei advocate for serious study. Astronomer Vincenzo Croce suggests examining UFOs that defy natural explanations. Meteorologist Bino Bini believes in extraterrestrial civilizations and their ability to reach Earth. Professor Antonino Palumbo emphasizes the need for the Italian scientific community to address UFOs without prejudice.

"I risultati di un'inchiesta dell'Aviazione civile americana"

This article discusses the FAA's investigation into UFOs, which yielded significant documentation including radar images and pilot testimonies. It notes that the US government is increasingly acknowledging the possibility of UFOs, moving beyond mere speculation. The article highlights the work of researchers like Budd Hopkins and Whitley Strieber, focusing on abduction phenomena.

"A cura di Roberto Pinotti e con l'apporto di vari esponenti del C.U.N."

This section is a dedication to Roberto Pinotti and other C.U.N. members for their contributions to ufology. It also includes a letter from Dr. Richard F. Haines, who praises the publication "UFO" Notiziario UFO for its high quality and scientific data, encouraging a multidisciplinary approach to understanding UFO phenomena.

"JP4 mensile di Aeronautica presenta Dossier «U.F.O.»"

A brief announcement about a special 84-page dossier on UFOs published by JP4 Mensile di Aeronautica, examining mysteries and studies related to the phenomenon and its connection to aeronautics and space.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the historical evolution of ufology, the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, the contrast between public belief and skepticism, and the analysis of specific sighting cases. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of a serious, scientific, and multidisciplinary approach to understanding UFOs, moving beyond mere speculation and myth. The Centro Ufologico Nazionale is presented as a key organization promoting this research in Italy, seeking broader academic and governmental engagement.

This issue of "Il Giornale dei Misteri" from 1974 focuses on UFO phenomena, with a prominent article titled "UN "MODULO" INDIVIDUALE DA UN UFO PER OSSERVAZIONI A BASSA QUOTA?" (An Individual "Module" from a UFO for Low-Altitude Observations?). The magazine explores witness testimonies, official reports, and the broader geopolitical context surrounding UFO sightings.

The Castelleale Case

The article details the experiences of Giovanna Sensoli and her family in Castelleale, Italy, regarding UFO encounters. The author, Gianfranco Lollino, conducted interviews in 1978 and revisited the case in 1982 and 1983. He notes that initial interviews were conducted without a recorder due to the witness's fear. The case involves an encounter from August 15, 1960, and a later event in November 1974. Lollino emphasizes the 'uncontaminated' nature of this case, suggesting it was not influenced by mass media or external conditioning, making it a significant subject for socio-cultural analysis within ufology.

Key details from witness accounts include a figure described as tall, wearing a colored jumpsuit and a helmet that obscured its face, with large eyes and 'cow teeth' protruding from the visor. The figure was seen near a house, and the witness heard screams on a winter evening in 1975 or 1976. The witness's father, confined to a wheelchair, also reported an encounter.

Lollino discusses the socio-cultural profile of the witness, highlighting how a peasant life tied to astronomical and meteorological cycles, coupled with illiteracy and detachment from cultural goods, might suggest a lack of premeditation. He also touches upon the witness's interpretation of the event, which involved the entities 'descending into the cemetery and resting there for the night,' a spiritualistic explanation.

Sardinia UFO Sightings (1977)

The magazine presents a retrospective on UFO sightings in Sardinia, focusing on events from October and November 1977. An article by William Dick, originally published in the National Enquirer, details the experience of Italian Air Force pilots Maj. Francesco Zoppi, St. Corrado Giannella, and Sgt. Aldo De Muro. They reported seeing a glowing orange UFO over Cagliari on the night of October 27, 1977. The object was described as a ball of bright reddish-orange light with a violet ring, capable of high-speed maneuvers and impossible for conventional aircraft.

This section also includes a questionnaire filled out by witnesses, detailing aspects like the date, time, duration, object's appearance (color, shape, luminosity), trajectory, and speed. The questionnaire reveals that the object was seen at altitudes between 3000 and 15000 feet and exhibited unusual flight characteristics.

Further documentation includes reports from the Italian Ministry of Defense, specifically a dossier from the State Maggiore della Difesa in 1978, which investigated the case. The ministry's hypothesis suggested the events might be linked to exercises involving other aircraft and US forces. The article also references two reports from air traffic controllers at Elmas airport who witnessed a similar object on November 2, 1977.

Geopolitical Context and UFOs

The issue connects UFO phenomena to the broader geopolitical landscape of the Cold War. It mentions a statement by US President Ronald Reagan in December 1985, where he reportedly invited Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev to discuss the possibility of an extraterrestrial threat and potential US-Soviet cooperation against it. This proposal was reportedly met with amusement by Gorbachev, who considered it premature.

Crucially, the magazine highlights a 1971 agreement between the USSR and the USA on measures to reduce the danger of nuclear war. Article 3 of this agreement stipulates that both parties will inform each other immediately upon discovering unidentified objects detected by missile attack warning systems, or if such systems experience disturbances. This article suggests a formal acknowledgment of UFOs within the context of nuclear security, implying that unidentified aerial phenomena could be perceived as a potential threat to global stability.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine positions itself as a serious investigator of UFO phenomena, presenting detailed witness accounts, official documents, and analytical commentary. The editorial stance appears to favor a critical examination of UFO cases, distinguishing between genuine phenomena and potential misinterpretations or hoaxes. The inclusion of official military and governmental documents, alongside witness testimonies, suggests an effort to provide a comprehensive and credible overview of the subject. The connection drawn between UFOs and Cold War politics, particularly the nuclear threat, indicates a broader interest in the implications of these sightings beyond mere curiosity.

The publication seems to critique organizations like CENAP for their tendency to dismiss cases, advocating instead for a more objective study of UFO phenomena. The overall tone is one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial events and their potential significance.