Notizie UFO - No 53

Magazine Overview

Title: NOTIZIE UFO
Issue: 53
Date: November 1996
Publisher: Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU)
Country: Italy

This issue of Notizie UFO, the informative circular of the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici, focuses on recent developments, investigations, and publications within the ufology community.

Assembly and Organization

The CISU's annual assembly in Rome was a significant event for discussion and consensus-building, particularly regarding the interpretation and practice of ufology. The assembly approved the 1995 and 1996 budgets and elected a new board, including Gian Paolo Grassino, Paolo Toselli (President), Edoardo Russo, Giuseppe Verdi, and Maurizio Verga. Key decisions included decentralizing investigation coordination among Paolo Fiorino (North), Renzo Cabassi (Center), and Lello Cassano (South) to revitalize field investigations. Discussions also covered collaboration with popular magazines and improving the association's organizational structure and publication timelines. Massimiliano Grandi was appointed an ordinary member.

National Ufology Conference

The 11th National Ufology Conference, held in Rome on October 20th, was organized by CISU on the theme 'What is official ufology?'. The conference, which was closed to the public, was attended by over thirty members from various Italian regions. Edoardo Russo introduced the topic, followed by presentations from Matteo Leone on recent official documentation releases, Paolo Toselli on writing about 'X-Files', Giuseppe Stilo on Italian legal norms regarding military secrecy and UFOs, and Paolo Fiorino on Italian public bodies and UFOs. These presentations were followed by lively debates. The conference was recorded in audio and video, and an accurate transcription of the proceedings is being prepared for publication in the 'Documenti UFO' series.

Received Material

During September and October, CISU received 550 pages of investigation reports and press clippings for its Central Archives. The magazine thanks numerous members for their contributions.

Provincial Representatives

New provincial representatives for CISU were announced: Massimiliano Grandi in Arezzo and Roberto Raffaelli in Cesena. Antonio Cuccu's new contact details were also provided.

Recent Investigations

The 'Investigations Received' section details numerous reports from September and October:

• Gian Pietro Donati (NO): A report on a sighting on April 15th, 1996, of a white beam of light for two minutes.
• Claudia Ambrosio (TO): A report on a sighting on August 30th, 1996, of a red glow illuminating clouds for about 30 seconds.
• Oscar Brunello (BI): Submitted the first report via telematics, including drawings and photos, detailing a sighting on August 5th, 1996, of a large white nebulous ball with green and red lights, and another report concerning a photo taken on June 8th, 1996, showing a light above a rock.
• Giuseppe Castiglione (TP): Reported a sighting on September 17th, 1996, of a fixed orange light crossing the sky.
• Massimiliano Grandi (AR): Submitted reports on a rotating orange light near the Arezzo-Florence highway in October 1977 and a sighting in Marina di Grosseto around 1981 of a light hovering over the sea.
• Simone Grandicelli (MC): Conducted an investigation on October 1st, 1996, regarding an object falling from the sky on September 25th, 1996.
• Giuliano Monti (AL): Provided a report on a sighting on September 7th, 1996, of an oval metallic object.
• Andrea Rovelli (MI): Submitted his first investigation report on an August 6th, 1996, sighting of a luminous orange object.

Local Dissemination

Reports on local dissemination activities include:

• Marco Bianchini presenting his book on local TV.
• The establishment of a CISU branch in Viterbo, reported by local newspapers.
• Interviews with Paolo Toselli, Alessandro Cortellazzi, Claudio Cavallini, and Antonio Blanco in various media outlets.
• Paolo Toselli and Maurizio Verga appearing on Radio Capital.
• The Ufotel service being mentioned in 'Bella' magazine.
• Giuseppe Stilo being interviewed on TeleEtruria.
• Fabrizio Dividi and Matteo Leone giving a conference.

Book Reviews and Media Coverage

Paolo Toselli's book 'FBI Dossier UFO' received extensive reviews in newspapers and magazines. The article also notes the media's increased focus on UFO topics, particularly on television, in the wake of the 'Independence Day' film. It mentions programs discussing UFOs, aliens, and mysteries, sometimes with a sensationalistic or superficial approach.

Telematics Recognition

CISU's online presence, particularly on the Internet, has received significant attention. The organization was featured on 'Telecom On Line', and its websites were highlighted in 'Torino 7', 'Internet News', and 'Tuttoscienze'. The official CISU website had 4,500 visitors, while the international UFO-On-Line site recorded 80,000 visits.

Recent Sightings (Brief Updates)

Brief updates on recent sightings include:

• A luminous object sighted near Sant'Apollinare (CH) in late August/early September.
• A young man in Maleo (LO) reported seeing a dark grey cone-shaped object with lower protuberances.
• Two young men in Friuli reported an encounter with a strange, hairy entity.
• Several aircraft-like objects with lights were observed over Gropello (PV).
• Reports from Naples about four lights seen in the sky, later identified as concert lighting.
• Multiple people in Milan observed three lights that disappeared and reappeared.
• A mysterious object crashed in Fermo (AP), later identified as a meteorite.
• Young people in Ronco and Valmalenco (SO) observed a white light.
• Witnesses in Rome reported a white and then red object moving in a constant straight line.
• In Rapallo (Genova), a formation of three white lights arranged in a triangle was observed.
• Two young people in Arbia (SI) observed a strange light performing maneuvers.
• A witness in Milan observed a luminous round object hovering.

International Section

Europe:

• Roswell Fragment: Further investigations revealed the 'Roswell fragment' was a hoax created by a Utah jeweler.
• USA: A cigar-shaped object landed in a pasture near Springer, New Mexico. A large green or golden light with a tail of sparks was observed across a vast area of the western United States, initially thought to be a meteor.
• Great Britain & Scotland: Multiple sightings of large, multicolored, rotating lights off the coast of Norfolk and Lincolnshire. A triangular object with flashing lights was seen near London. A loud noise on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, led to searches that found no results, though UFO sightings were reported in the area.

Other Regions:

• Israel: Numerous sightings reported, with one case involving a possible abduction by an 80cm tall entity.
• Jordan: A luminous object was observed over Amman.
• Canada: Reports of a terrible beam of light and triangular objects with flashing lights in Quebec. Hexagonal objects and 'flying wings' were observed in Manitoba and Ontario.
• Australia: A parliamentary inquiry was launched regarding UFO sightings.
• Brazil: A pyramid-shaped object was observed over a lake. A large rectangular object caused panic in Joao Pessoa. A 'strange silver aircraft' and small 'gnomes' were reported in Pilozinhas. A pyramid-shaped flying object with a transparent dome was observed near Guarabira.
• USA (Colorado): The 'mysterious valley' of San Luis experienced a flap of UFO sightings, including shuttle-like objects and red balls of light.
• Thailand: Repeated sightings of small light orbs approaching people.

Publications Received

The magazine lists numerous foreign ufological publications received, including ANO CERO (Spain), ANOMALIES (France), DESCUBRIR (Argentina), FORTEAN TIMES (UK), INTERNATIONAL UFO REPORTER (USA), MUFON UFO JOURNAL (USA), UFO MAGAZINE (UK), and UFO TIMES (UK). It also mentions the availability of photocopies of articles from these publications.

Special Dossier: Santilli Autopsy Film

An article discusses the analysis of the controversial alien autopsy film by Kal Korff, who claims to have found evidence of fabrication, including digital manipulation and inconsistencies in the film's details. Korff is preparing a book on the Roswell UFO incident.

Area 51 Secrecy

President Clinton signed a decree extending secrecy for another year regarding the operational post of the Air Force near Groom Lake, Nevada (Area 51).

Q&A Section

• Flying Platforms: The section addresses the international frequency of sightings of large, silent, colorful objects and discusses potential explanations, suggesting stealth aircraft or ultralight vehicles for some, and disco lighting effects for others.
• IFO Caused by Lights?: This section begins to address inquiries about whether lights, particularly from discos, are mistaken for UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a continued focus on documenting and investigating UFO sightings, analyzing evidence, and disseminating information through publications and media. The editorial stance emphasizes a serious approach to ufology, moving beyond sensationalism and towards factual investigation. There's a clear effort to debunk hoaxes (like the Roswell fragment) while also reporting on numerous credible sightings. The CISU positions itself as a unique reference point for serious ufological interest, encouraging members to engage actively in research and fact-finding. The magazine also highlights the growing media interest in UFOs, often framing it as entertainment, and the organization's efforts to maintain a scientific and critical perspective.

Title: NOTIZIE UFO
Issue: 11
Volume: 1996
Date: November 1996

This issue of Notizie UFO focuses on the common misidentification of aerial phenomena with 'laser effect lights' and delves into the complexities of UFO classification and investigation.

"Laser Effect Lights" and Misidentification

The lead article, "detti fari 'ad effetto laser'" (so-called 'laser effect lights'), addresses a frequent cause of UFO reports. These lights, originating from powerful projectors that became widespread in the 1980s, are often mistaken for UFOs. The article explains that the illusion is created not by the visible beam itself, but by its absence. When the beam is invisible due to clear air near the ground, and the light reflects off mid-level clouds, it can form circular or oval shapes that appear to have physical, three-dimensional characteristics. The movements of these lights—circling, approaching, receding, appearing, and disappearing—further enhance the deceptive effect. The challenge for investigators is compounded by the mobility of these projectors, which can be moved to different locations, and the factor of distance, which can distort the observer's perspective.

UFO Classification: The IR-III System

A section titled "I TIPI DI IR-3" discusses a query from reader Massimo Pulliero regarding UFO classification systems. The article references the "IR-III" system, an extension of the "Year of the Humanoids" classification by Ted Bloecher and David Webb, which goes beyond Hynek's original six classes. This system categorizes encounters based on the relationship between the witness and the phenomenon:

• A: Entity observed only inside a UFO.
• B: Entity seen entering or exiting a UFO.
• C: Entity seen only outside a UFO.
• D: Entity observed in the vicinity of a UFO but not contemporaneously with it.
• E: Isolated entity (no contemporary UFO sighting).
• F: Telepathic contact only (no entity observation).
• G: Witness experience 'on board' the UFO.

The Debate: UFOlogists vs. IFOLOGI

A significant portion of the issue features a dialogue between readers Gianluca Visconti and e.r. concerning the approach to UFO investigations. Visconti expresses concern that the Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU) might be too focused on providing rational explanations (IFO - Identified Flying Object) for sightings, potentially trivializing unexplained phenomena.

In response, e.r. outlines the philosophy behind CISU's approach, presenting three main arguments:

1. Addressing Public Demand: Media reports often sensationalize UFO sightings, frequently misclassifying them as IFOs. Ufologists, as voluntary researchers, fill a void by providing accurate information and explanations where official institutions often fail to do so.
2. The Nature of Investigation: Until a thorough investigation is conducted, no case can be definitively classified as UFO or IFO. All cases, initially considered UFOs in a broad sense (unidentified by the witness), deserve attention. Classification as IFO or UFO is a post-investigation process, and even IFO cases can be challenging to explain.
3. Scientific Value of IFO Analysis: Investigating IFO cases is not about 'dismantling' beliefs but about refining investigative skills applicable to truly anomalous cases. Identifying conventional causes is a positive outcome that contributes to the scientific understanding of aerial phenomena. The precise definition of both UFO and IFO sets allows for the analysis of constants and characteristics of genuine UFOs, building a theoretical model within a scientific framework, with IFOs serving as a valuable control group.

This perspective emphasizes that the goal is the pursuit of truth, not the confirmation of pre-existing beliefs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently addresses the need for critical analysis and rigorous investigation in ufology. It highlights the importance of distinguishing between genuine unexplained phenomena and misidentified conventional objects or events. The editorial stance, as articulated by e.r., supports a scientific approach that prioritizes evidence-based explanations while remaining open to the possibility of truly anomalous cases. The publication aims to educate its readers and the public, providing a platform for discussion and research within the field of ufology.