Notizie UFO - No 40

Magazine Overview

This issue of Notizie UFO, number 40, published by the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU) in February 1993, marks the eighth year of the organization's activity. The circular provides updates on CISU's operations, news from the ufological community, and discussions on various UFO-related topics.

From the Secretariat

The secretariat is seeking volunteers for several tasks, including computerizing bibliographic data, translating foreign articles (particularly from Spanish and German), and transcribing recorded reports. Volunteers with MS-DOS compatible personal computers are preferred for data entry and translation, but it is not a mandatory requirement.

The CISU also addresses criticisms regarding its alleged commercial activities, clarifying that it is a non-profit association by statute. All proceeds from sales are reinvested in the center, and no one receives compensation for their work. The organization emphasizes its role in fostering the dissemination of information within the ufological community, a function it believes has proven useful to its members.

CISU News

A clarification is made regarding an article in "Il Giornale dei Misteri" that labeled CISU as representing Italian 'neo-ufology.' The CISU asserts that it does not align with any specific ufological theory and maintains that there is an unexplained aerial phenomenon based on current knowledge. The organization criticizes the polarization of ideological positions within ufology and insists on an objective, scientific approach.

Activities

UFO and Pilots: A new CISU project, coordinated by Giancarlo D'Alessandro, is underway to study "UFO and pilots in Italy." The project aims to create a catalog of sightings by pilots and conduct in-depth investigations, collaborating with international researchers like Richard Haines.

Local Divulgation: Several local media outlets have featured UFO-related content, including reports on sightings, interviews with ufologists, and programs discussing UFOs. These include mentions in "Corriere dell'Umbria," "Roma," "Focus," and local TV broadcasts.

Information

UFO in Italy - Autumn: This section provides a summary of alleged UFO sightings in Italy during the autumn of 1992. Reports include unusual lights attributed to laser spotlights near a naval base, sightings of luminous ellipses in Campania, a sighting of three white giants in Castellammare, a large stationary light near Leccio, lights in Tonnengo possibly from a powerful spotlight, a circular object in Sassari, and luminous round patches in San Gemignano.

The "Disappeared Train" Case: The issue debunks a sensationalist story about a train disappearing in a tunnel in Italy, attributing the report to ufologists Massimo Ferrante and Alfredo Lissoni. The article criticizes their methods and the lack of verifiable evidence, suggesting their motives are driven by a desire for personal notoriety rather than serious ufological research.

Gioacchino Robatto: The passing of Gioacchino Robatto, a long-time ufologist and witness from Liguria, is noted. He was known for his interest in UFOs and his extensive collection of ufological news.

Abroad

The Year of Abductions: 1992 is highlighted as the "year of the abduction" due to significant developments in the study of abduction cases in the United States. The J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies published its third volume of the "Journal of UFO Studies," focusing entirely on abduction phenomena. The journal features articles by Thomas Bullard, Mark Rodeghier, and Jeff Goodfaster, offering psychological and demographic analyses of abductees, and John Carpenter reports on a case of double abduction.

David Jacobs' Book: The release of David Jacobs' book "Secret Life: Firsthand Accounts of UFO Abductions" is discussed. The book details experiences of thirty-nine abductees and attempts to reconstruct a typical abduction schema based on approximately 300 cases. The book's content is described as graphic, with detailed descriptions of manipulations that border on the pornographic. Jacobs concludes that at least two distinct types of aliens are conducting a plan for human-alien hybridization. The book also features a preface by John Mack, a psychiatrist from Harvard, who has become convinced of the reality of these experiences.

"Intruders": The CBS television miniseries "Intruders," inspired by Budd Hopkins' book, is mentioned. The program, which dramatized UFO abduction cases with special effects, achieved significant public success and generated renewed interest in the topic.

MIT Conference: A major scientific conference on UFO abductions was held at MIT, bringing together approximately 150 abduction researchers, including ufologists, psychologists, and other scientists from around the world. The conference aimed to review research findings, examine explanations, foster collaboration, and recommend future research directions. Participants agreed not to disclose the content of the discussions.

Other Sections

The Roper Survey: The results of a large-scale US survey by the Roper Organization, commissioned by the Intrusi Foundation, are presented. The survey aimed to estimate the number of Americans who might have been abducted by UFOs. It involved asking interviewees about ten unusual experiences, with five considered potential indicators of abduction. The survey estimated that at least 3.5 million Americans might have been abducted.

Foreign Documentation Service (SDE): Edoardo Russo has been curating a monthly selection of interesting articles from foreign ufological magazines since 1981. The SDE provides these photocopied articles to a small group of researchers, offering access to a wide range of international ufological literature.

"Il Treno Scomparso" (The Disappeared Train): This section revisits the sensationalist story of a train disappearing in a tunnel, debunking it as unsubstantiated and likely fabricated for notoriety.

UFOs in Books: Several books are highlighted that discuss UFOs, including works on New Age topics, political science, and contactee experiences.

Radio-TV Listening Post: A list of national television programs that discussed UFOs in the second and third quarters of 1992 is provided.

Mixer Part Two (and Three): The issue continues the discussion on the RAI television program "Mixer," which featured two segments on UFOs. The program's impact on viewers is noted, with one segment reportedly having an audience of 6 million. The segments covered topics such as Roswell, Majestic 12, and alleged secret experiments related to UFO propulsion systems.

Two New Videocassettes: Two new UFO-themed videocassettes, "UFO: the contact" and "UFO: they are among us," are advertised. These documentaries cover abduction cases, contactee experiences, cattle mutilations, the Roswell incident, and classic UFO footage.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a scientific and objective approach to ufology, distinguishing itself from sensationalist reporting and unsubstantiated claims. There is a clear emphasis on research, documentation, and the dissemination of credible information within the ufological community. The CISU positions itself as a crucial resource for enthusiasts, providing access to international research and fostering a serious study of the UFO phenomenon. The issue also reflects a growing interest in abduction phenomena and the psychological aspects of UFO experiences, as evidenced by the coverage of the Roper survey and the MIT conference. The editorial stance is one of critical analysis, aiming to separate factual reporting from folklore and speculation.