Notizie UFO - No 24

Magazine Overview

Title: NOTIZIE UFO
Issue: 24
Volume/Date: Ottobre 1988
Publisher: Circolare della Segreteria del Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU)
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of NOTIZIE UFO marks an increase in ufological activity and interest following a period of relative calm. The primary catalyst was a very bright bolide sighted over Northern Italy on August 17th, 1988, which generated hundreds of sightings and significant local media attention. The magazine highlights how this event led to the emergence of new and old sightings, including cases in Torriglia and near Verona, suggesting a more widespread, though perhaps previously underground, interest in the phenomenon.

From the Secretariat

Material Received

The secretariat reports receiving numerous investigation reports from various regions:

• Novara Province: Giampiero Donati, with contributions from Bruno Oberto, Davide Braneschi, and Alessandro Tosone, produced detailed reports on cases from Crevoladossola and Preglia (January 23, 1988, night light, 27 pages) and other sightings from August-September 1987 (100 pages).
• Torino: Paolo Fiorino, as part of the 'Progetto Italia 3', compiled reports on third-type encounters and other cases, including notes on Montecrestese (March 1943, 2 pages), Corbola (1927, 18 pages), Domodossola (August 2, 1987, 41 pages), and a recent on-site investigation at Polcanto (February 8, 1984, 8 pages).
• Florence: Giuseppe Stilo submitted investigation reports on a photographed light in Florence (August 20, 1988, 11 pages), a daytime object sighting in Castiglioncello (June 28, 1988, 12 pages), and two reports on sightings from the August 17th 'flap' (13 pages).
• Sassari: Antonio Cuccù sent a recent report on a nocturnal light sighting near Villanova Franca (mid-August, 11 pages).
• Pescara: Renzo Cabassi reported on a nocturnal light case on May 21, 1988 (1 page).
• Catania: Antonio Rampulla detailed a sighting in Riposto in July 1984 of a 'mysterious being,' a monkey-like creature, which journalists speculated might be ufological (9 pages).
• Corsica: Giorgio Pattera submitted three reports on nocturnal lights observed by Italian tourists in Corsica on August 13, 22, and 25, 1988 (12 pages).
• Barletta: Angelo Santoro contributed a large series of 74 pages of sighting reports from local events over the years.

The secretariat also thanks numerous friends for their ongoing contributions of clippings, sighting cards, and information that help update the archives. Special thanks are given to Lorenzo Bartoli, Alessandro Cortellazzi, and Giuseppe Stilo for their material related to the August 'flap', and to Bruno Mancusi and Edio Gada-Barenco from Switzerland for their regular contributions of ufological news from their country, particularly in Italian.

CISU Publications

The first issue of 'RASSEGNA CASISTICA', a quarterly publication of 12 pages curated by Alessandro Cortellazzi and distributed by Alberto Lazzaro, has been sent to CISU members. It covers case studies divided into sections like 'Investigations,' 'Testimonies,' 'Studies and Analyses,' 'Letters and Comments,' 'Borderline Cases,' and 'Foreign Casistica.' Subsequent issues are planned for October and December to complete the first year.

The issue also recaps other 1988 publications: 'NOTIZIE UFO' numbers 22 (March) and 23 (June) have been released, with number 24 (this issue) and 25 (December) to follow. 'UFO - RIVISTA DI INFORMAZIONE UFOLOGICA' released issue 5 in June, with issue 6 due in December. The 'NOTIZIARIO ARCHIVIO STAMPA' has released issues 39, 40, 41, and 42, with issue 43 being sent with this publication and issue 44 expected by year-end. 'Notizie UFO', 'UFO', and 'Rassegna Casistica' are sent to all members, while 'Notiziario Archivio Stampa' is sent to 'sostenitori' (supporting) members.

Brief Miscellany

• Video Service: The 'CISU Video Service' has resumed operations thanks to Lorenzo Bartoli and Alberto Lazzaro, who have cleared all video duplication requests. A new list of available video material is expected soon.
• Corrections: Two inaccuracies from 'Notizie UFO' #23 are corrected: Franco Ossola translated Budd Hopkins' 'Intrusi' (not Whitley Strieber's 'Communion'), and press clippings collected by Antonio Rampulla for 'La Sicilia' were for 1952 and 1954, not 90 but 142.
• BBS and Telephone Hotlines: Stefano Innocenti reports that the Rome hotline (06) 512.75.66 functions as a sighting collection service from 2 AM to 2 PM and as a 'UFO LINK' telecommunication network for the remaining 12 hours. Maurizio Verga's 'UFO-BBS' is temporarily suspended.

Directory

Board of Directors

The CISU Board of Directors met in Milan on July 31, 1988. Present were councilors Farabone, Grassino, Russo, and Verga (Chiumiento excused). Also present were members Bartoli, Cortellazzi, Lazzaro, and Toselli. Following the Assembly's directives, Dr. Roberto Farabone (Milan) was elected President of the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici. Farabone, a former member of the National Committee for the Investigation of Anomalous Aerial Phenomena (CNIFFAA) and director of the international magazine 'UFO Phenomena', is also a councilor for the 'Cooperativa studi e iniziative UPIAR' and has authored numerous articles, recognized as a leading Italian ufologist.

The meeting addressed the 1988 membership status and discussed the content of upcoming publications, particularly 'UFO' magazine and 'Rassegna Casistica'. A plan to relaunch the Regional Catalogues Project and other decentralized initiatives for regional coordination was also presented.

Regional Coordinations

• Lombardy: Maurizio Verga has accepted the role of Regional Coordinator for Lombardy and has sent a circular to Lombardy ufologists with information on collaborating with CISU locally.
• Emilia Romagna: An regional meeting organized by Alberto Lazzaro and Renzo Cabassi was held in Bologna on September 18th to assess the possibility of forming an Emilia-Romagna coordination. However, the number of responses did not seem to justify this need at present.
• Various: Umberto Cordier (Savona) and Arcangelo Cassano (Bari) have sent circular letters to their respective regions informing them of their roles as Regional Coordinators. Alessandro Cortellazzi (Trento) continues to publish the 'BLITZ' circular, noting that it is exclusively for ufologists in the Tre Venezie region.

Activities

An Example of Local Activity

The issue highlights the work of Giampiero Donati from Novara, who has established a robust provincial structure over the past year. His activities include conducting retrospective investigations into local sightings, contacting airports and authorities for information, and meticulously documenting his written reports. He has also created a Provincial Archive and compiled a list of individuals involved in ufology in Novara over the last twenty years, verifying their interest and gathering local information. This has led to the discovery of new testimonies and collaborators, as well as the distribution of the magazine. Donati's efforts have established a strong local information network and a comprehensive approach to ufology, serving as an example for others.

Work in Progress

• Regional Catalogues: Giorgio Russolillo, Mimmo Ferrara, and Marcello Tarallo (CNR Solaris, Naples) have produced an updated version of the regional catalogue of sightings in Campania, totaling 509 cases with provincial maps.
• Operation Origins: Antonio Rampulla (Catania) is actively researching newspaper archives from 1946-1954, having photocopied 59 clippings from 'Corriere di Sicilia'. Giuseppe Stilo (Florence) has photocopied the entire 1950 year of 'La Nazione' (74 clippings) and collected information on the 'cancer of the windshield' phenomenon, reportedly spread from the USA to Italy that year (7 pages).
• Magazine Distribution: The distribution network for the semi-annual 'UFO' magazine is expanding to newsstands in Bologna, Genoa, Como, Novara, and Savona. Distributors are asked to return unsold copies and cash collections together, and to wait for a significant quantity before sending back 'returns' as 'printed matter'.
• Translations and Typing: Thanks are extended to Antonio Cuccù, Matteo Leone, Massimo Nebbia, and Edoardo Russo for their translations. Leone, Nebbia, and Russo also typed the translations on personal computers, facilitating text composition.

Interviews and Dissemination

• On May 28th, Giuseppe Stilo gave a conference in Montalcino (SI) on 'Marian apparitions and ufological issues,' organized by the local group 'GLI ARGONAUTI'.
• An interview with Gian Paolo Grassino was published in the weekly 'Notes Citta' on June 30th.
• Massimo Greco was interviewed on 'Radio Montecarlo' on August 2nd.
• An announcement about a local CISU representative was published in 'Giornale di Sicilia' on September 16th.
• The activities of the Turin Provincial CISU office were featured in 'La Stampa' supplement 'Torino Sette' on September 29th.
• Numerous interviews and public announcements regarding CISU contact information were made in August and September, coinciding with the August 17th sightings and the Verona landing on September 20th.

Information

Sightings: Before the 'Flap'

The magazine reports on various sightings from previous months:

• April: A group in Capecchio (PS) observed a luminous red and blue spherical object.
• May 11th: A 'third kind' encounter was reported in Mugnano (NA) involving three teenagers chased by two strange, hopping beings in phosphorescent suits.
• May 21st: An ex-carabiniere in Pescara observed an elongated object with a trail heading towards the sea.
• June 19th: A tourist in Campiglia Marittima (LI) photographed a metallic object with a double cone shape emerging from a red cloud and moving at incredible speed.
• July: Fishermen in Sirolo (AN) reported luminous balls diving into the sea. In Porlezza (CO), four German tourists observed a stationary yellow-orange sphere that then moved vertically. Another witness in the same area saw a dark disc.
• July 30th: Two people in Corio Canavese (TO) observed a luminous red and white ellipsoidal object that remained stationary for five minutes before disappearing.
• Early August: A luminous sphere was reported in Reggio Emilia, moving at times with a trail, typically between 10:30 PM and 11:30 PM. A yellow luminous sphere was seen moving in Villanovafianca (CA) and Segariu (CA) over three consecutive nights.
• August 16th: In San Gavino Monreale (CA), people observed a stationary light in the sky that appeared to change shape.

The 'Flap' of Mid-August

On the evening of Wednesday, August 17th, at approximately 10:16 PM, a strongly luminous object followed by a trail crossed the sky from North to South over all of Northern and Central Italy. It was observed by thousands of people and reported from Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy, Veneto, Trentino, Friuli, Emilia, Tuscany, Umbria, and the Marches. The description was remarkably consistent, though the color was variously reported as yellow, green, blue, or red. Most newspapers identified the phenomenon as a bolide (a meteor of exceptional size and luminosity). Many astronomers, both professional and amateur, recognized it as such, providing precise data on its angular direction and movement. Several CISU members also personally observed the phenomenon.

CISU members and collaborators immediately responded by publishing appeals to witnesses in local newspapers. Notable among these were Edoardo Russo's interviews in 'Stampa Sera' and 'Corriere della Sera', Lorenzo Bartoli's interviews in 'Gazzetta di Reggio' and 'Gazzetta di Modena', and Maurizio Verga's article in 'Provincia' of Como. Renzo Cabassi, Giuseppe Stilo, and Alessandro Cortellazzi contacted witnesses to gather data.

After the 'Flap'

Following the August 17th and 18th sightings, reports of nocturnal lights continued throughout the latter half of August.

• August 20th: In Sassari, a luminous object followed by a smaller one was observed disappearing after a few seconds. In Florence, numerous people saw a white ovoid light moving in circles. Local journalists were among the witnesses and photographed the phenomenon.
• August 23rd: A spherical light with a trail was observed near Assisi (PG) and other Umbrian locations shortly before midnight.
• August 27th: In Turin, dozens of people saw a red light moving slowly in the sky, identified as the planet Mars, which was particularly visible due to its proximity to Earth.
• Late August/Early September: Several sightings were reported from the Marches. On August 29th, a 'flying crescent' was seen in Senigallia (AN). On the same evening, two fiancés in Jesi (AN) observed a metallic oval object moving rapidly towards the sea. On September 2nd, a brown object moving at high speed was seen in Ancona. The following morning in Ancona, six yellow luminous points were observed. On September 7th in Ancona, three red triangular objects moving in different directions were seen crossing the sky.
• Mid-September: Recurring sightings of an oval blue ball near Monte Prela in Torriglia (GE) were reported over several nights, with dozens of witnesses, some fleeing in terror. In one instance, a silhouette as large as a child was seen passing in front of the light.

A Case with Traces

A classic second-type encounter with ground traces occurred in Costeggiola di Soave (VR) between September 19th and 20th. Following a report of a bright light in a field, military personnel found no anomalies. The following morning, three burned grass circles, approximately 1.80m in diameter, were discovered forming a perfect equilateral triangle with 10m sides. An anonymous witness later reported seeing a luminous object with undefined contours and visible flames lifting off from the area around midnight. Two elderly women in the area also reported seeing glows. The local newspaper 'L'Arena' is investigating the case, and CISU's Turin secretariat was contacted for commentary.

Further investigations and analyses were conducted by Alessandro Cortellazzi and Federico Della Corte. The burned areas were described as unevenly burned grass, sharply defined, with blackish color contrasting with the surrounding green. Signs of pressure or crushing were absent, and the soil beneath the surface layer was not burned. The case is complex due to the unusual traces but the lack of precise, detailed testimonies, as the primary witness remained anonymous despite attempts to contact them.

Chemical analyses of the burned soil samples are underway, with one by the local USL and another by CISU. Civil protection officials conducted radioactivity measurements, which yielded negative results. Further details will be published in future issues.

Abroad

1988: The Year of Books

1988 has seen the publication of numerous significant ufological books worldwide:

• Philip Klass's "UFO Abductions: a Dangerous Game" and Jenny Randles' "Abduction" focus on abduction cases.
• Brad Steiger's "UFO Abductors" is also noted.
• Whitley Strieber's "Transformation: the Breakthrough" is a follow-up to "Communion," detailing his experiences with visitations.
• John Spencer and Hilary Evans curated "Phenomenon: from Flying Saucers to UFOs" (a sequel to "UFOs 1947-1987"), a 36-chapter anthology by various ufologists covering different aspects of the phenomenon.
• Hilary Evans also published "Gods, Spirits, Cosmic Guardians."
• Richard Hall's "Uninvited Guests: a Documented History of UFO Sightings, Alien Encounters and Coverups" has been published.
• John Keel's "Disneyland of the Gods: the Many Faces of the Cosmic Tricksters" suggests Earth is a playground for extraterrestrial entities.
• Jacques Vallee's "Dimensions: a Casebook of Alien Contact" is also mentioned.

In France, two new books have been published: "Les OVNI face à la religion" by Jean-Pierre Rémy and "Les soucoupes volantes - une nouvelle croyance religieuse?" by Jean-Bruno Renard, focusing on cult groups and contactees.

Foreign Book Service

The Foreign Book Service can procure these books for CISU members, with a slight delay for American publications. Members can order by phone.

• Hilary Evans, "Gods, Spirits, Cosmic Guardians" (285 pages, £26,000)
• Richard Hall, "Uninvited Guests" (384 pages, £28,000)
• John Keel, "Disneyland of the Gods" (174 pages, £18,000)
• Philip Klass, "UFO Abductions" (200 pages, £38,000)
• Jenny Randles, "Abduction" (240 pages, £36,000)
• Jean-Bruno Renard, "Les soucoupes volantes" (125 pages, £12,000)
• Brad Steiger, "UFO Abductors" (£7,000)
• Whitley Strieber, "Transformation" (256 pages, £38,000)
• Jacques Vallee, "Dimensions" (304 pages, £36,000)
• John Spencer & Hilary Evans, "Phenomenon" (412 pages, £15,000)

Copies of the previous anthology "UFOs 1947-1987: the Forty Year Search for an Explanation" (380 pages, £28,000) are still available.

CISU Abroad

CISU continues to receive recognition from abroad:

• Antonio Chiumiento's investigation of the photographic-radar-visual case in Treviso (1979) was featured in the March 1988 issue of the English magazine "Flying Saucer Review."
• An article by Bruno Mancusi on "star wars" among Italian ufological associations appeared in the French magazine "OVNI prèsence," with an elogative presentation of CISU and its activities.
• Alessandro Cortellazzi has been appointed responsible for the Tre Venezie region for the American organization "Mutual UFO Network."
• Maurizio Verga's contribution on ground trace cases is the only Italian input in the English book "Phenomenon," and CISU's address is listed alongside BUFORA's.
• Roberto Enrique Banchs, a noted Argentine ufologist, expressed interest in collaborating with articles for the magazine.

Still on "Majestic 12"

Polemic surrounding the alleged "super-secret" commission established by President Truman in 1947 continues in the USA. Ufologist Stanton Friedman suggests that astronomer Donald Menzel (a MJ-12 member) may have written anti-UFO books as part of a disinformation campaign. Most debates, however, focus on the authenticity of "filtered" documents. The Foreign Documentation Service has produced two 44-page special fascicles on the issue (£7,000 each; £5,000 for CISU members).

Brief Miscellany

• Death of Carrouges: French writer Michel Carrouges, a journalist and early ufologist, has passed away. He authored the 1963 book "Les apparitions des martiens" and later wrote about UFO encounters, offering a structuralist interpretation of third and fourth-type encounters.
• Further Information on Foreign Sightings: Readers of 'Rassegna Casistica' will note a new initiative to provide more details on international sightings. Matteo Leone has been writing to ufologists abroad to gather information. Following cases from England and Australia in January, reports on a "UFO sound" recorded in France, the Gulf Breeze photographic case, and a sighting in Madrid in April will be published in upcoming issues of 'Rassegna'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue emphasizes the resurgence of UFO activity and public interest, particularly following the August 17th bolide event. It highlights the crucial role of ufologists and organizations like CISU in documenting, investigating, and disseminating information about these phenomena. The magazine also showcases the expansion of CISU's network, both domestically and internationally, through regional coordinators, publications, and collaborations. There's a clear stance on promoting rigorous investigation and scientific analysis, as evidenced by the detailed case reports and the ongoing research projects. The editorial also touches upon the international landscape of ufology, including book publications and foreign case studies, underscoring a commitment to a global perspective on the subject. The recurring theme is the active pursuit of understanding and documenting UFO phenomena through organized efforts and public engagement.