Notizie CUN - No 10

Magazine Overview

Title: NOTIZIE C. U. N.
Issue: 10
Date: September 1985
Publisher: CENTRO UFOLOGICO NAZIONALE (C.U.N.)
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of "Notizie C. U. N." serves as an informative circular from the Secretariat of the National Ufological Center, detailing recent activities, sightings, and investigations related to UFO phenomena in Italy.

Editorial and Cover Story

The cover prominently features the title "NOTIZIE C. U. N." and the issue date of September 1985. The editorial section reflects on the unusual quiet period in July after a busy June, followed by a significant "flap" of sightings in mid-August. The editorial expresses satisfaction that this wave of sightings has rekindled public interest in UFOs after a period of dormancy. It also notes the usual wave of critical letters from skeptics, but this time the criticism was directed at Antonio Chiumiento, the vice-president, to whom the CUN offered its full support and solidarity. The issue is slightly delayed but welcomes back former subscribers of "Notiziario UFO" who expressed interest in receiving "Notizie CUN".

From the Secretariat

Acknowledgements: The secretariat expresses gratitude to numerous friends for their vital financial contributions. It also thanks Solas Boncompagni for repeated reviews and citations of their publications, "Manuale di metodologia di indagine" and "Catalogo casistica italiana," in "Il Giornale dei Misteri," and Roberto Pinotti for his sustained interest.

Material Received: The CUN has received various reports and materials from contributors across Italy. Moreno Tambellini (SHADO) sent a report and attachments on UFO sightings in the Lucca area in late November 1984. Michele Sisti (Trieste) provided a detailed report on a "fluorescent cylinder" sighting in Trieste on July 22, 1985. Antonio Sorlini (Brescia) sent reports on two local cases from June and a report on a bolide sighting from June 6, 1983. The CUN branch in Parma, through Giorgio Pattera, reported on a June 1980 case, while Daniele Pioli submitted reports on two local sightings from August 1985. Vittorio Crosa (Busalla) sent sighting reports from July in Busalla and August in Ovada, along with C.S.R. Barletta's reports on Puglian sightings from 1983-1985. Luigi Di Ruzza (G.S.E. - Cassino) provided reports on local cases from 1980. Ferdinando Guazzotti (Rozzano) contributed material related to the IR-3 sighting in Viggiù in 1980. The Turin branch of CUN produced several investigation reports during the summer, including sightings of nocturnal lights, trace cases in Rezzato, Pordenone, and Domanins, and sightings in Villarbasse and Val Chisone. Gianluca Bianchi (Novara) interviewed a family about a daytime sighting on August 28, 1985.

Requests for Material: The CUN apologizes for delays in responding to requests for material and information due to an overwhelming volume of correspondence and a recent local "flap" that significantly impacted the secretariat's operations. They explain that the Turin office was overwhelmed for about two weeks due to a local flap, which virtually paralyzed all secretarial activities. This was exacerbated by an "unfortunate" decision to publish their phone number in "La Stampa," leading to over 150 reports in a few days. The CUN cannot accommodate payment by cash on delivery due to organizational limitations, accepting only advance payments (cash, stamps, checks, money orders), with an exception for former subscribers of "Violin" publications.

Special CUN News

A "special issue" of "Notizie CUN" has been prepared, containing information on the Center's activities and publications, along with a presentation flyer. This special issue was sent to approximately 500 potentially interested individuals in late August. The response was unexpectedly positive, with dozens of replies indicating interest, leading to a doubling of the print run for this issue. The production and distribution of this mailing were made possible by a significant donation from the CUN's vice-president, Antonio Chiumiento.

Subscriptions to "Notiziario UFO"

Pierluigi Violin, the publisher of "Notiziario UFO," suspended the publication last year after only two issues (101 and 102). The CUN is unable to predict if or when the magazine will resume. Complaints from subscribers and new subscription requests continue to arrive. The CUN sent a letter of apology to all known subscribers, explaining that they were not involved in the publisher's decision and cannot refund money (which was paid to Violin, not the CUN). They have offered ex-subscribers the option to convert the remaining value of their subscription (17,000 lire) into back issues of "Notiziario UFO" and "Quaderni UFO." This information is now being shared with current "Notizie CUN" recipients.

Activities

Regional and Provincial Catalogs: Marco Bottaini has sent updated listings for the Pistoia province (47 cases, 6 pages) and 1985 updates for other Tuscan provinces. He is also compiling the entire region's case files on an Apple IIo. Claudio Cavallini has provided an update on the Pavia province, adding 14 new cases to the existing 65, along with a complete list of sources and 6 pages of comments and observations, plus 50 pages of documentation.

Project Cartesio: The CUN has received the concluding report (50 pages) of "Progetto Cartesio," a project by the Gruppo Studi Extraterrestri (G.S.E.) of Cassino. This project aimed to rationalize the group's organizational and knowledge-based approach to handle potential "flaps." It involved defining their operational area, identifying useful contacts (media, airports, police, external consultants), and establishing alert protocols. The project also proposed tests to identify the onset and development of an "authentic flap" using innovative methodologies. The CUN considers this one of the most interesting and original products of Italian ufology in recent years, particularly given the young age of the authors. Copies of the report can be requested from the CUN or directly from G.S.E.

Interviews in Newspapers

During the summer "wave" of sightings, newspapers extensively covered statements from "serious" ufologists. Antonio Blanco from Catania was interviewed, writing an article in "La Sicilia" and being featured again during the flap. Daniele Pioli had an article in "Gazzetta di Parma." Maurizio Verga was interviewed by "La Provincia" of Como regarding an aerial-missile encounter. Antonio Chiumiento was interviewed by numerous newspapers, including "Brescia Oggi," "La Stampa," "Gazzetta di Reggio," "Resto del Carlino," "Vicenza Oggi," and "La Città" of Florence. The Ufological Section of Florence also had its representatives interviewed. The CUN itself was interviewed by ANSA on August 20, with the report being picked up by Italian and Swiss press. Turin CUN branch press releases on local sightings were published, and appeals for witnesses were featured in "La Stampa" and broadcast on TG-3. The CUN notes positively that journalists focused on serious study of UFOs, leading to an unusually good level of commentary.

Summer of Sightings

August was an exceptionally rich month for sightings and reports, leading to a "wave" across Italy. The "Notizie CUN" space is insufficient to detail every testimony, so the magazine provides a synthetic overview and encourages collaborators to investigate local sightings. Original sources, primarily journalistic, are available upon request.

Detailed Sightings:

• Trieste (July 20-22): A young man observed a fluorescent yellow-orange cylinder that disappeared, followed by two "flying cigars" and then four lights, one disc-shaped.
• Varese (August): A multi-degree holder observed a strange luminous phenomenon every evening from 10 PM to 5 AM, described as a large red light with white glares forming a rhomboid.
• Venetia (August 4): Seven people in Pordenone observed three luminous bodies maneuvering. A couple near Oderzo and Ponte di Piave (TV) illuminated a creature about 1.20 meters tall crossing the road, which was then "sucked up" by a circular object emitting a bluish cone of light.
• Siracusa (August): A teacher observed a light's evolutions in the sky for about half an hour.
• Bibione (VE) (August 7): A "flying egg" arrived, stopped in the air, and departed quickly.
• Torino (August 8): A hum drew attention to a white and then red light moving in the sky.
• Castions di Zoppola (PN) (August 8): A 60-meter diameter circular trace was found in a cornfield, with plants bent outwards and a central area of flattened plants.
• Florence (August 8): A lady observed a spherical object approaching her balcony, described as silvery with a transparent dome containing two figures. Three long arms emerged from the object.
• Northeastern Italy (August 11): Numerous reports of a luminous body, sometimes rotating and leaving a trail, perceived as falling from the sky. Sightings reported in Mantua, Vicenza, Villafranca, Ponte Ilario, Udine, and Brescia.
• Verona (August 12): A luminous object flew over the city.
• Alberobello (BA) (August 14): An object described as dark, shiny, and elongated with a protruding tube remained stationary 50 meters above the ground.
• Portonovo (AN) (August 15): Campers observed an intense red beam of light descending from the sky towards the sea, witnessed by Carabinieri.
• Camogli (GE) (August 19): An automobilist encountered a large, shiny pyramid topped by a cube on the road.
• Pontinia (LT) (August 19): About twenty people observed a light moving in the sky.
• Parma (August 19): A lady reported a bright red object.
• Silvi Marina (TE) (August 20): A couple observed an oval light that lit up, changed color, rotated, and zigzagged.
• Verona (August 21): About 30 people observed a green and then orange rhomboid-shaped object moving erratically.
• Paterno (AN) (August 21): Two luminous yellow spheres connected by a third smaller flashing object were observed for about 20 minutes.
• Portonovo (AN) (August 21-22): 28 luminous bodies of various colors evolved and then moved away in formation.
• Genoa (August 23): A lady saw an intense "silvery-red" light that turned on and off.
• Bobbio (PC) (August 23): Three objects resembling upside-down plates performed maneuvers in the sky.
• Parma Province (August 23): A "thread of light" was observed connecting 4-5 stars.
• Imperia (August 23): Reports of sightings in Sanremo, Taggia (IM), and Livorno coincided with seismic tremors.
• Alassio (SV) (August 23): A couple observed a luminous object moving in a zig-zag pattern.
• Torino (August 23-24): Several reports of a red luminous body in the sky, and a luminous green trail observed between 3 and 4 AM on August 24.
• Monteiasi (TA) (August 25): Seven white luminous bodies, some stationary and others moving, departed together, leaving a red luminous trail.
• Taranto (August): A globe with greenish glares and a green tail was seen.
• Avolasio (BG) (August 27): Twelve people observed three round flying objects with multicolored lights, described as "rotating half-eggs."
• Novara (August 28): A family observed a red object with metallic reflections and intermittent white light slowly approaching.
• Vicchio and Borgo S. Lorenzo (FI) (August 29): A luminous blue sphere evolved, rising and falling.

Airplanes, Missiles, and... Balloons

On August 15, a widely reported incident occurred around 4:05 PM at an altitude of approximately 8000 meters over Lombardy, involving a Greek airliner and a dark, streamlined object moving at high speed. Linate radar did not detect anything. The pilot reported it as a "missile." Newspapers speculated about a "near tragedy," recalling the Ustica disaster. The ANAV (Autonomous Airline Company) suggested it might be a "Ufo-solar" balloon, which the pilot denied. A commission was formed to investigate. On August 20, an "Ufo solar" balloon enthusiast from Asti claimed to have launched his balloon on August 14. On August 23, a Ticinese couple claimed responsibility, stating they launched and photographed the balloon an hour before the sighting. Around 4 PM that day, people in Lugano (Ticino) observed a black object in the sky for about fifteen minutes. On September 4, the investigation commission concluded the object was a toy balloon. The CUN is still investigating, with the Asti enthusiast cooperating and Bruno Mancusi attempting to obtain photos from the Ticinese couple. Umberto Telarico is preparing a detailed report. The incident is considered a "catalyst" for the subsequent UFO wave in Italy.

The Mid-August Wave

Following the aforementioned incident, sightings multiplied, receiving increasing media attention.

• Falconara Marittima (AN) (August 16): Two "circles" on the sea were observed for three-quarters of an hour before rejoining and submerging. Later that morning, a luminous disc-shaped object was sighted.
• Chioggia (VE) (August 16): A luminous object, red-orange and moving slowly, was observed.
• Prata (PN) (August 16): A luminous object, red-orange and moving slowly, was observed.
• Florence (August 16-17): A witness described a fixed light in the sky, sometimes changing shape and color.
• Lunigiana (MS) (August 17): An object shaped like a dome with green-yellow color was observed.
• Pavia (August 17): Several people observed a green-orange circular object moving in a zig-zag pattern.
• Florence (August 17): A strong, stationary light was observed in the sky.
• Prato (FI) (August 17): Residents observed a mysterious object changing color.
• Verona (August 20): A luminous object was observed.
• Taranto (August): A globe with greenish glares and a green tail was seen.

September: The Tail of the Wave

• September 3: Hundreds, possibly thousands, in Sicily and Southern Italy observed a spherical, luminous object with flashes and a persistent trail, identified by the Catania Observatory as a meteorite. Simultaneously, reports of a "formation" of 15 luminous bodies came from Northern Italy (Genoa, Novara, Mantua, Pordenone, Trieste).
• September 4: Two students in Chieti photographed a disc-shaped object with a dome moving rapidly in the sky.
• September 7: Two vacationers in Ovada (AL) noticed two red lights side-by-side that disappeared after a few minutes.
• September 8: Two young men in Venaria and Pianezza (TO) observed the complex evolutions of two gray, top-shaped objects and two others resembling silver missiles.
• September 10: A fireball was seen descending, stopping, turning white, and then disappearing in Paularo (UD).
• September 13: Several people in Terranuova Bracciolini (AR) saw a luminous globe stop over the Valdarno and then disappear.
• September 15: Numerous people in Imperia observed a luminous object stationary in the sky for an hour.
• September 17: In Imperia, a sudden flash preceded the appearance of a luminous disc-shaped object with lights around it, moving rapidly northward. A fireball (possibly a meteorite) reportedly caused a fire on the Karst near S. Croce (TS).

"Flap" in Piedmont

On the morning of September 15, thousands of people across Piedmont and the Aosta Valley observed a stationary, very high white object in the sky, reflecting sunlight. It was visible for varying periods depending on cloud cover and was photographed and filmed. Witnesses described it as a partially transparent "upside-down pear" with dangling "legs" or "ropes." A RAI (Italian public broadcaster) crew from Aosta filmed the object from a chartered plane during an attempted approach. The radar at Milan-Linate did not detect the object. A CUN intervention group from Turin conducted an on-site investigation, interviewing the pilot, journalist, and cameraman, and reviewing the footage. Appeals for witnesses were issued, generating about 150 calls. Based on the findings, the object was identified as a large sounding balloon, likely French. Investigations into its origin are ongoing.

Conclusion

The magazine concludes by stating that the detailed conclusions of their investigation are not yet ready for publication but that they are responding to criticisms from those who, without proper knowledge, have contested the "hasty" identification of the Piedmont object. The CUN emphasizes its role as the primary entity following the case in depth and providing clarifications to the press. They also highlight that ufologists can reach conclusions without relying solely on official commissions. The following week (September 17-22) saw another "flap" in Piedmont, with numerous sightings, calls from witnesses, and requests for information from journalists. Many reports involved stationary or slow-moving lights. Some sightings were identified as stars, while others involved "close encounters." A night-time film was also made. Dozens of witnesses were interviewed, and reports are being compiled.

Convention in Como

A convention on "UFO: What's Happening in Italy" is scheduled for Sunday, November 10, in Cernobbio (Como), organized by the Como branch of the National Ufological Center. The event begins at 9:30 AM. For more information, contact Maurizio Verga.

A Phone Number for CUN

The Turin CUN office has installed a 24-hour telephone answering service for collecting UFO sighting testimonies, described as an unprecedented service in Italy. Direct communication with the Secretariat is possible on Tuesday evenings after 9 PM. The CUN phone number is 011-329.02.79.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread UFO sightings during the summer of 1985, particularly the "flap" in August, and the CUN's role in investigating and reporting on these phenomena. The magazine emphasizes the importance of collecting and analyzing data, collaborating with media, and providing a structured approach to ufological research. The editorial stance is one of active engagement, seeking to inform the public and counter skepticism with evidence-based analysis, while also acknowledging the limitations of their resources and the challenges of managing public interest and inquiries. There is a clear focus on documenting specific cases and providing detailed reports on investigations, as exemplified by the "Project Cartesio" and the analysis of the Piedmont balloon sighting.