Notizie UFO - No 33

Magazine Overview

Title: NOTIZIE UFO
Issue: 33
Date: January 1991
Publisher: Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (C.I.S.U.)
Description: This issue of 'Notizie UFO' concludes the 1990 year and begins 1991, serving as an informative circular for members and subscribers of the CISU. It details the organization's activities, recent findings, and news from the ufological community.

Secretariat and Membership

The issue begins by announcing the closure of the 1990 year and providing information for renewing memberships and subscriptions for 1991, including bank transfer details. They express gratitude to members who have already renewed and to those who contributed donations and supported the organization as 'sostenitore' (supporter) members. The CISU also extends warm wishes for the New Year to all its members and welcomes new adherents.

Received Material

• The secretariat reports on various materials received from members:
• Angelo Ferlicca (Montefiascone): A detailed report on the observation of three dancing lights in Vetralla (VT) on June 2, 1990, possibly explained as disco lights.
• Ali Nasri (Castelfiorentino): A report compiled according to the 'Manual of Investigation Methodology' concerning a luminous object sighted and photographed in Cavasonno Montaione (FI) on August 2, 1990.
• Antonio Cuccu (Sassari): An update to his archive of Sardinian cases with two new reports of nocturnal lights observed near Sassari in July 1984 and August 1989.
• Paolo Fiorino (Turin): Continuing his work on 'Progetto Italia 3', he collected testimonies of two third-type encounters with anomalous 'entities', though not necessarily UFOs. These cases are from Padola (BL) in August 1987 and another in August 1990.

Donations of Archives and Libraries

Several members have donated their archives or libraries to the CISU. Fabrizio Arcese and Renzo Cabassi donated rare collections of foreign magazines from the 1970s. Roberto Balbi provided a collection of newspaper clippings. Riccardo Germinario donated numerous ufological books.

CISU Activities

"In Brief"

• Videobiology: Domenico Pompa produces a monthly video magazine on astronomy, astronautics, and exobiology called 'Final Frontier'.
• Change of Address: Alberto Lazzaro's new address is provided.
• Notizie UFO 30: The issue confirms that number 30 had 7 pages, not 8.

CISU Board Meeting

A board meeting was held in Milan on December 16, 1990. Farabone was confirmed as President. New members were appointed. The status of publications was discussed, with a plan to catch up on delayed issues (numbers 10, 11, and 12 of the Rivista). Due to postal tariff increases, membership and subscription fees for 1991 were increased by 20%. The meeting also reviewed developments in Videotel and 'Eco della Stampa' services and discussed how to address sensationalist claims made by self-proclaimed ufologists to the media.

Publications

As of the publication date, issue 7 of 'Rassegna Casistica' and issue 9 of 'UFO - Rivista di informazione ufologica' had been sent. Issues 8 and 9 of 'Rassegna' and issues 54 and 55 of 'Notiziario Archivio Stampa' were in print and expected to be sent by February. The publication of the 1991 'Rivista' was scheduled for spring.

"UFO": Special Issue

Approximately 1300 copies of a special issue of 'UFO' were sent out as a sample to those who had requested information about the CISU and its publications. This 12-page issue includes excerpts from past articles, a presentation of the CISU, and its publications. It has been used as a promotional tool and has led to new subscriptions and memberships.

Press Echo

The CISU has subscribed to 'Eco della Stampa', a press clipping agency, to collect all news and articles containing the word "UFO" published in Italian media. This service, funded by several members, will provide valuable information, with summaries to be published in 'Notizie UFO' and more detailed content in the 'Notiziario Archivio Stampa'.

CISU Addresses

For general correspondence and ordinary mail, use the Secretariat's address: C.I.S.U. - Casella Postale n. 82, 10100 Torino. For registered mail, insured packages, and money orders, use the Social Headquarters address: C.I.S.U. - Corso Vittorio Emanuele 108, 10121 Torino. Checks, money orders, and postal current accounts should be made payable to "Gian Paolo Grassino", not the CISU.

National Conference

The "4th National Ufology Conference" was held in Bologna on October 13, 1990, with the theme "Ufology of the 1980s: Balance and Prospects." Three reports were presented, covering ufology in the USA, France, and Italy during the 1980s. Edoardo Russo discussed American ufology, Paolo Toselli covered French ufology, and Gian Paolo Grassino summarized the Italian ufological scene. Approximately fifty scholars and enthusiasts attended. The event was followed by a debate. The CISU thanked members who collaborated in organizing the conference.

Dissemination

Lorenzo Massai curated a series of articles for the periodical 'Informazioni culturali' featuring excerpts from the CISU's informative booklet "UFO and Ufology." The CISU's photographic exhibition was presented in Vercelli. The issue also mentions interviews and articles by CISU members in various local newspapers and magazines.

Ongoing Projects

Regional Catalogs

A meeting in Bologna following the National Conference gave impetus to the 'Regional Catalogs' project. Lello Cassano has produced the first volume, a regional catalog for Puglia, detailing 65 cases from 1946-1959. This 16-page booklet is available by photocopy for 3,000 Lire.

Operation Origins

Research into old newspaper archives for ufological news continues, particularly driven by Giuseppe Stilo. Lello Cassano has extended his work on Puglian newspapers up to 1967. The project aims to compile a comprehensive database of historical UFO sightings.

Photographic Database

Maurizio Verga has digitized over 280 photos of UFOs taken in Italy between 1950 and 1990. He is also preparing iconography for a new edition of his catalogs on ground traces (TRACAT) and close encounters (ITACAT).

Information

September Sightings

• The issue resumes its presentation of September sightings, including:
• Bergamo Province: Hundreds observed luminous discs on the evening of September 7, possibly related to disco lights.
• Milan: Similar sightings were reported, attributed to stadium lighting.
• La Spezia: A pear-shaped red-orange aircraft was reportedly seen hovering.
• Castronovo di Sicilia: A very luminous object hovered over Monte Cassar for twenty minutes on the night of September 17-18.

No sightings were reported in October. However, November saw a significant "flap."

The "Flap" of November 5

On the evening of November 5, thousands of people across Western Europe witnessed a notable luminous phenomenon, described as a formation of three or more fiery objects followed by one or more trails. Observations were reported from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and northern Italy. The phenomenon was identified as the re-entry of the third stage of a SL12 Proton missile that had launched a Soviet satellite on October 3. The missile stage re-entered the atmosphere over France and Germany, passing relatively low over northern Italy. While radar systems did not register the objects, the event was widely reported in the press. Initially, some speculated it was an atmospheric re-entry phenomenon, possibly a meteor or satellite. The French and German press gave significant coverage, with differing opinions from observatories. Ultimately, the official explanation, confirmed by NORAD and UK radar data, identified it as the re-entry of the Proton rocket stage.

Luminous Beams and False UFOs

On November 1, luminous globes were observed moving rapidly near Ivrea (TO). This event was later linked to a bomb threat that caused the closure of Turin's Caselle airport. The lights were attributed to aircraft and photoelectric beams from fire services. The issue notes a significant increase in sightings of "false UFOs" caused by disco lights, circuses, and concerts. These IFOs (Identified Flying Objects) have become a primary cause of reported sightings in the Italian press.

Several examples from October and November 1990 are listed, including red lights in Parabiago (MI), white and red beams in Genoa, multicolored luminous spots in Uggiate Trevano (CO), fast-moving luminous discs in Brugherio (MI), and luminous circles in Albinea (RE). Other sightings include white halos dancing and splitting over Parma, light circles moving rapidly over Rome, red lights over Sanluri (CA), and luminous trails over Milan.

The CISU is investigating this phenomenon further, having identified the companies that supply the "laser beams" used in such installations. They have obtained technical data and information on the locations and dates of their use, which have generated numerous sightings. A detailed report will be published in the next issue.

Autumn Sightings

• Not all recent sightings were due to artificial lights:
• Ciciano (NA): A group of boys observed a violet light hovering at low altitude, which then shot into the sky. Three circular marks were found on the ground, forming an isosceles triangle.
• Val Sesia: A circular imprint, over two meters in diameter, was found with surrounding ferns burned.
• Varallo Sesia (VC): A black "egg-shaped" object was observed moving horizontally, changing course, and descending.
• Cairo Montenotte (SV): A daylight light was observed moving slowly towards the sea.
• Como and Varese provinces: A fiery ball, described as large as the moon, was seen falling, followed by a multicolored trail. This event is being investigated by the Varese Geophysical Observatory, which hypothesized a meteorite fall.
• Baia (CE): A brilliant luminous trail was observed, possibly another meteor.
• Osimo (AN): A reddish spherical object was observed hopping.
• Chiaravalle (AN): A white light was seen moving in the sky, varying its brightness.

Abroad

Crop Circles of '90

The summer of 1990 marked the peak of the "crop circles" phenomenon, with formations becoming more complex and resembling "pictograms." New types of circles appeared, including "lines," "keys," "handles," "coffins," and concentric rings. The number of formations exceeded 420. The British press extensively covered the crop circles. A third group of researchers was formed to study the phenomenon.

The issue discusses the growing divergence of opinions regarding the origin of crop circles, with three main explanatory models: the "paranormal fringe" (suggesting earth spirits), meteorology (Terence Meaden's plasma vortex theory), and ufology (the hypothesis that many formations are man-made). Some researchers, like Jenny Randles and Paul Fuller, believe that the increase in complexity and variety of formations suggests intentional human creation. The issue mentions the release of several books and bulletins on crop circles. It also notes that some "pictograms" have been revealed as hoaxes, created by pranksters, military personnel, football teams, rock bands, and even farmers.

Belgium: Update

UFOs returned to Belgium in October, with reports of low-altitude "triangle" sightings. There were also confusions with identified aircraft, including an AWACS radar plane and the re-entry of a Proton rocket. The Belgian ufological organization SOBEPS is investigating interesting sightings. Professor Auguste Meessen obtained radar data from a March 1990 sighting, but initial results suggest no correlation with the observed lights. The magazine 'Science & Vie' suggested that the UFOs observed were merely stars. SOBEPS's journal 'Inforespace' has criticized forced interpretations of Belgian UFO cases.

CISU Abroad

The CISU is gaining international recognition. Jacques Vallée's book "Confrontations" cites Antonio Chiumiento's investigation of the Vallenoncello case, previously published in 'Notizie UFO'. An article by Paolo Fiorino on humanoids was also republished in the US magazine 'Would You Believe?'. The CISU also received an invitation from a Brazilian UFO magazine to subscribe to its publications, and the French magazine 'OVNI prèsence' mentioned the CISU.

In Memoriam

• This section commemorates the deaths of several prominent figures in ufology and related fields:
• D. Scott Rogo: American writer and parapsychologist, found murdered in August.
• Alfred Nahon: Swiss pioneer of ufology, who directed the magazine 'Le Courrier Interplanetaire'.
• John Fuller: American author of influential UFO books such as "Incident at Exeter" and "The Interrupted Journey."
• Felix Zigel: Russian ufologist, whose work was previously featured in the magazine.

CISU Membership Fees 1991

• Details of membership fees for 1991 are provided:
• Subscription to 'Rivista UFO' (2 issues): £12,000
• Subscription to 'Notiziario Archivio Stampa' (6 issues): £12,000
• CISU Members (non-subscribers): £24,000
• "Collaborator" Membership: £30,000
• "Sostenitore" Membership: £60,000

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings and related phenomena (such as luminous objects and crop circles), the dissemination of information through publications and media, the organizational activities of the CISU, and the international scope of ufological research. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious, methodical investigation, distinguishing between genuine phenomena and misidentifications or hoaxes, while also acknowledging the growing public interest and the need for accurate reporting. The CISU actively engages in collecting data, publishing findings, and collaborating with other organizations and researchers globally.