Notizie UFO - No 55

Magazine Overview

Title: NOTIZIE UFO
Issue: 55
Date: July 1997
Publisher: CENTRO ITALIANO STUDI UFOLOGICI (CISU)
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of 'Notizie UFO' is an informational circular from the Italian Center for Ufological Studies (CISU), providing updates on the organization's activities, recent UFO sightings, media coverage, and international news related to the phenomenon.

DALLA SEGRETERIA (From the Secretariat)

DISSERVIZI POSTALI (Postal Disruptions)

The secretariat reports significant delays in the delivery of their publications due to widespread issues with the Italian postal service, apologizing to subscribers for the inconvenience and asking for patience.

NOTIZIE C.I.S.U. (CISU News)

Consiglio Direttivo (Board Meeting):
A board meeting was held in Bologna on April 19th, attended by board members and several associates. Discussions included proposals for new ordinary members, with decisions deferred to the end of the year, except for the immediate appointment of Salvatore CAPPΑΙ. The revocation of honorary member Antonio CHIUMIENTO was approved due to his behavior towards the association. The renewal of collaborator Giovanni Corbari's membership was denied, and it was decided not to adopt any official logo for CISU at this time. Massimiliano GRANDI was appointed head of the 'Progetto bambagia silicea' (Siliceous Cotton Project) for collecting and cataloging Italian 'angel hair' cases.

The meeting also reviewed the status of research projects, the foreign documentation service, and the national information week for ufology, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the first UFO sighting. A collaboration with the publishing house Armenia was also discussed. The board decided against funding a new Doxa opinion poll and approved holding the 12th national convention in Bologna in November, exclusively for members, focusing on cataloging and study projects.

IN LIBRERIA L'ANTOLOGIA DEL C.I.S.U. (In Bookstores: The CISU Anthology):
In April, the anthology "Gli UFO - Cinquant'anni di ufologia tra fantasia e realtà" (UFOs - Fifty Years of Ufology Between Fantasy and Reality), curated by Gian Paolo Grassino and Edoardo Russo, was published by Armenia. The book compiles articles from the 'UFO' magazine, offering a synthesis of fifty years of ufology. It is presented not as a sensationalist book but as a panoramic overview and assessment of scientific ufology over the past half-century. It contains twenty-four chapters by fifteen authors, including prominent Italian and international scholars. The 312-page book with 48 illustrations costs 27,000 lire, with a discounted price of 24,000 lire for CISU members. 'Benefactor' category members received it as a complimentary gift, autographed by the curators.

NUOVA MONOGRAFIA SUL 1947 (New Monograph on 1947):
To commemorate the 50th anniversary, a new monograph titled 'Documenti UFO' has been released, focusing on the year 1947, often reduced to the year of the Roswell incident.

ATTIVITÀ (Activities)

FOO FIGHTERS:
A dossier has been opened at the CISU Central Archives regarding Italian foo fighter cases, collecting photocopies of all relevant Italian and foreign books and articles on the subject. This material is available to members.

SETTIMANA NAZIONALE DI INFORMAZIONE UFOLOGICA (National Week of Ufological Information):
To mark the 50th anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's sighting, CISU coordinated a national week of ufological information from June 21st to 29th. This involved conferences, exhibitions, television programs, press releases, and articles across Italy, organized by CISU branches and representatives.

During this week, the anthology "Gli UFO - Cinquant'anni di ufologia tra fantasia e realtà" and the new monograph on 1947 were presented to the press.

IL CINQUANTENNALE DELL'UFOLOGIA SU INTERNET (The 50th Anniversary of Ufology on the Internet):
From June 20th to 28th, texts, photos, and audio clips related to the first UFO sighting and the 1947 wave were made available on CISU's websites (UFO-On-Line and UFO.it). This initiative was part of an international data collection project that rediscovered thousands of sightings from that pivotal year. On June 24th, an online non-stop chat session was held on IRC (#ufoitalia) where CISU experts discussed 50 years of ufology with enthusiasts.

DIVULGAZIONE LOCALE (Local Outreach):
The newsletter briefly reports on local outreach activities by CISU representatives across Italy, including interviews, conferences, and debates on UFOs and extraterrestrial life.

ESTERO (Abroad)

UFO: FENOMENO DIABOLICO? (UFO: Diabolical Phenomenon?):
Former British Admiral Lord Hill-Norton has joined an association called UFO Concern, which, according to its spokesperson, suggests the true nature of UFOs is anti-Christian or demonic. This theory, often supported by religious fundamentalist groups, posits that UFO phenomena are due to demonic influence.

APERTA LA CACCIA AL CAMERAMAN DELL'AUTOPSIA (The Hunt for the Autopsy Cameraman is Open):
The ufology magazine CNI News has launched an online search for the cameraman who filmed the controversial alien autopsy footage. The magazine has released photos of the man and a clip of his interview, which aired in Japan. The director of CNI News, Michael Lindemann, stated that the investigation aims to verify the authenticity of the footage, promoted by Ray Santilli.

FLAP NEL NEW ENGLAND (Flap in New England):
February saw a surge of sightings in the northeastern United States, with local ufologists collecting about twenty observations, including daytime sightings of oval or disc-shaped objects and a close encounter. Raymond Fowler of MUFON noted the concentration of sightings is comparable to the 1973 wave.

SANTILLI 2: LA VENDETTA (Santilli 2: The Revenge):
This section discusses the debunked claim of a billionaire compensation from an English insurer to a man (allegedly an agent posing as a witness) who claimed to have been abducted by UFOs. The insurer and the 'witness' appeared on the Maurizio Costanzo Show, maintaining their story. The evidence, including video footage and analyses, is reportedly sold to an American company. The article suggests a repeat of the Santilli case, referencing the 'alien autopsy' film, and notes that British ufologists have exposed the falsehood.

PSICOSI UFO IN ARIZONA (UFO Psychosis in Arizona):
Multiple collective sightings of luminous yellow and orange globes have been reported in Arizona, leading to local news coverage. Hundreds of witnesses, including a pilot, have reported seeing these lights. Some witnesses claim the lights turned off when military aircraft approached. Ufologists have also observed and filmed these lights, with hypotheses ranging from military operations to prank balloons.

INFORMAZIONI (Information)

AVIANO: PARLA IL COMANDANTE AMERICANO (Aviano: The American Commander Speaks):
The American commander of the Aviano NATO base, Brigadier General Charles Wald, stated in a conference that while the base has classified secrets, the Italian government is fully aware of everything, and there are no UFOs around Aviano. His remarks have fueled speculation about 'non-conventional' military exercises.

INTERROGAZIONE SUI FENOMENI DI AVIANO IN PARLAMENTO (Parliamentary Inquiry on Aviano Phenomena):
Following General Wald's statements, a Member of Parliament from the Lega Nord party has submitted a parliamentary inquiry to the Ministry of Defense, seeking clarification on the phenomena observed near the Aviano base. This follows a similar inquiry in 1995 regarding mysterious aerial noises attributed to US military aircraft.

DUE BUFALE D'ARGENTO AGLI UFO (Two Silver Hoaxes for UFOs):
The Italian Committee for the Control of Paranormal Claims (CICAP) has awarded its 'Bufala d'oro' (Golden Hoax) prize for misinformation. For the UFO category, the award went to the television program 'Fatti e misfatti' for allegedly promoting false claims about aliens and a global conspiracy to hide them, and to the insurance company GRIP for staging a hoax involving insurance for alien abductions.

NOTIZIE UFO (UFO News) - Various Sections

TORRIGLIA: ARRIVANO GLI ET (Torriglia: The ETs are Coming):
A Saturday announcement of extraterrestrial arrival in Torriglia, a town known for a famous UFO abduction case in 1978, turned out to be a prank orchestrated by the television show 'Quelli che il calcio' for comedic effect.

NUOVI LIBRI ITALIANI (New Italian Books):
Several new books on UFOs have been published, including "Dossier mistero" by Francesco Santoianni, "L'enigma degli oggetti volanti" by Danilo Tacchino, "UFO nei cieli d'Italia" by Giuseppe Stilo, and a special issue on UFOs by Corrado Tedeschi.

IN EDICOLA SU CD-ROM IL SITO INTERNET DEL CISU (On Newsstands: The CISU Website on CD-ROM):
As a supplement to computer magazines, the CISU website UFO-Online, described as the largest Italian telematic site on the topic, has been made available on CD-ROM.

UN'ALTRA ENCICLOPEDIA IN EDICOLA (Another Encyclopedia on Newsstands):
The encyclopedia "UFO - Misteri e verità" (UFO - Mysteries and Truths) has been re-released, although it covers broader mystery and occult topics rather than exclusively UFOs.

ANCORA POLEMICHE FRA RIVISTE UFOLOGICHE (More Polemics Between Ufological Magazines):
Disputes continue between commercial ufological publications. The magazine 'Notiziario UFO' has issued a cease and desist order to 'UFO Contact' for reprinting articles previously published by the Centro Ufologico Nazionale (CUN), citing copyright issues. This follows an attempt to prevent the release of 'UFO News Magazine'. The conflict appears to stem from differing views on extraterrestrials and potential commercial rivalries.

UFO notes - cinquant'anni inutili? (UFO notes - Fifty Useless Years?):
An excerpt from an editorial by Sebastiano Fusco, published in 'UFO Magazine', reflects critically on the past fifty years of ufology. Fusco, a journalist with extensive experience in the field, argues that despite half a century of investigation, UFOs remain elusive, scientists are divided, military secrecy persists, and ufology has degenerated into a commercialized 'supermarket of the alien,' overshadowing serious research. He blames not only scientists for not studying the problem but also those who have turned ufology into a 'bazaar.'

CENTRO DI ASCOLTO RADIO-TV (Radio-TV Listening Center):
This section provides a list of television programs that discussed UFOs between February and June 1997, based on data collected by Paolo Toselli. It includes program titles, dates, and brief descriptions of the UFO-related content, noting which programs are available in the CISU video archive.

AVVISTAMENTI (Sightings):
This section provides a summary of recent UFO sightings reported across Italy from February to May 1997. Reports include sightings of luminous objects, spheres, and disc-shaped craft in various regions such as Marche, Umbria, Tuscany, Lazio, Abruzzo, and Sicily. Specific incidents include sightings of fast-moving lights, stationary objects, and close encounters. Some reports mention physical traces, such as burn marks on the ground.

FLAP SULL'ITALIA CENTRALE (Flap Over Central Italy):
A significant luminous phenomenon, described as a large green globe or triangle with a reddish trail, was observed across much of central Italy, with most reports coming from Tuscany and Umbria. Astronomers at the Arcetri Observatory suggested it might have been a bolide.

CLAMOROSO RAPIMENTO IN FRIULI (Sensational Abduction in Friuli):
Media attention was drawn to an alleged abduction case near Udine on April 29th, where a 22-year-old cook claimed to have been lifted by a red light beam and taken to a luminescent room by three monstrous beings. He reported undergoing examinations and having blood samples taken. The incident was reported by various news agencies and media outlets.

FOTOGRAFATO UN OGGETTO DIURNO (Daytime Object Photographed):
A 13-year-old boy in Alessandria photographed a dark object in the sky on May 22nd.

INSEGUIMENTI AEREI NEL FRIULI? (Aerial Pursuits in Friuli?):
Local and national media reported on alleged incidents where US military aircraft from the Aviano NATO base were scrambled to intercept UFOs. Reports describe sightings of pulsating lights and radar detections of unidentified objects. Some sources suggest these events might be related to the arrival of a new, secret fighter jet at the Aviano base.

UFO: FENOMENO DIABOLICO? (UFO: Diabolical Phenomenon?):
Former British Admiral Lord Hill-Norton has joined an association called UFO Concern, which suggests the true nature of UFOs is anti-Christian or demonic. This theory, often supported by religious fundamentalist groups, posits that UFO phenomena are due to demonic influence.

APERTA LA CACCIA AL CAMERAMAN DELL'AUTOPSIA (The Hunt for the Autopsy Cameraman is Open):
The ufology magazine CNI News has launched an online search for the cameraman who filmed the controversial alien autopsy footage. The magazine has released photos of the man and a clip of his interview, which aired in Japan. The director of CNI News, Michael Lindemann, stated that the investigation aims to verify the authenticity of the footage, promoted by Ray Santilli.

FLAP NEL NEW ENGLAND (Flap in New England):
February saw a surge of sightings in the northeastern United States, with local ufologists collecting about twenty observations, including daytime sightings of oval or disc-shaped objects and a close encounter. Raymond Fowler of MUFON noted the concentration of sightings is comparable to the 1973 wave.

SANTILLI 2: LA VENDETTA (Santilli 2: The Revenge):
This section discusses the debunked claim of a billionaire compensation from an English insurer to a man (allegedly an agent posing as a witness) who claimed to have been abducted by UFOs. The insurer and the 'witness' appeared on the Maurizio Costanzo Show, maintaining their story. The evidence, including video footage and analyses, is reportedly sold to an American company. The article suggests a repeat of the Santilli case, referencing the 'alien autopsy' film, and notes that British ufologists have exposed the falsehood.

PSICOSI UFO IN ARIZONA (UFO Psychosis in Arizona):
Multiple collective sightings of luminous yellow and orange globes have been reported in Arizona, leading to local news coverage. Hundreds of witnesses, including a pilot, have reported seeing these lights. Some witnesses claim the lights turned off when military aircraft approached. Ufologists have also observed and filmed these lights, with hypotheses ranging from military operations to prank balloons.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of 'Notizie UFO' revolve around the active engagement of the CISU in ufological research, publication, and public outreach. There is a strong emphasis on documenting and disseminating information about UFO sightings across Italy, often in collaboration with local media. The magazine also highlights the challenges faced by ufological organizations, such as postal delays and inter-organizational rivalries. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting a scientific and critical approach to ufology, as evidenced by the critique of sensationalism and commercialization in the field, particularly in the 'UFO notes - Fifty Useless Years?' section. The publication also engages with international UFO news and debates, including the controversial 'alien autopsy' film and military statements regarding UFOs.

This issue of "Notizie UFO" from July 1997, published by CISU, focuses on a variety of international UFO-related news and analyses. The cover story highlights a scandal involving a forged US military document concerning UFOs. The magazine also reports on sightings in Great Britain, official statements from the Pentagon and Chilean authorities, and ongoing debates within the ufology community.

UFFICIALI AMERICANI SUGLI UFO (American Officials on UFOs)

The lead article reveals a scandal concerning a recently discovered, supposedly forged, official US military document about UFOs. Ufologist Robert Todd found the original of a document classified as "secret" from October 1947, drafted by the office of General George Schulgen of the U.S. Air Force. This document was intended to solicit reports of flying saucer sightings from military attachés abroad. Todd discovered that the widely circulated copy was a crude forgery. The original text, which discussed suspicions that flying saucers were Russian secret weapons, had been replaced with phrases explicitly mentioning "interplanetary vehicles," thus completely changing the document's meaning. The forger had even retyped the entire memo, including the original cover letter and attachments, on a different typewriter. Suspicion falls on ufologist Bill Moore, known for his role in publicizing the Roswell case and the alleged "Majestic 12" documents, both of which were later revealed to be false. Moore had previously admitted to disseminating false information under the direction of American secret service officials.

ALLARME UFO IN GRAN BRETAGNA (UFO Alarm in Great Britain)

On the evening of March 24th, shortly after 10 PM, an alert was raised in England due to reports of what appeared to be a burning aircraft near Sheffield. Approximately fifty witnesses reported seeing a white luminous ball or explosion in the sky. Simultaneously, a loud boom was heard across the area, detected by seismographs at the University of Edinburgh. Experts analyzing the seismic data indicated atmospheric characteristics similar to those of a supersonic aircraft or a meteor. Police and alpine rescue searches in the suspected crash area lasted two days without success. Some witnesses claimed military aircraft and helicopters participated in the search, fueling speculation that a secret military aircraft might have crashed.

PER LA PRIMA VOLTA IN 25 ANNI IL PENTAGONO PARLA DI UFO (For the First Time in 25 Years, the Pentagon Speaks About UFOs)

Following the collective suicide of 39 members of a pseudo-ufological religious sect, the Pentagon issued an official statement on UFOs for the first time in over 25 years, since the closure of the U.S. Air Force's investigative office (Project Blue Book). Kenneth Bacon, the spokesperson, stated in response to a journalist's question that the USAF investigated UFO reports from 1947 to 1969 but found no evidence of extraterrestrial craft or threats, thus ceasing investigations. Bacon also added that the American government is "not in a position to support the existence" of UFOs.

L'AERONAUTICA CILENA AMMETTE: ERA UN UFO (The Chilean Air Force Admits: It Was a UFO)

Minutes before 1 AM on March 31st, air traffic control personnel at the airport of Chacalluta in northern Chile observed three lights hovering motionless in the sky for about two hours before moving towards the Andes. The following day, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation publicly admitted that the three objects had been detected by both civilian and military radar at hypersonic speeds. A ministerial spokesperson confirmed that "the phenomenon is real, not meteorological or meteorologic."

DEL CONTATTISTA MEIER (From the Contactee Meier)

New controversies have arisen in Germany regarding the Swiss contactee Eduard "Billy" Meier, known for his spectacular and seemingly unbelievable UFO photos. Driven by the birth of an illegitimate child, Meier's estranged wife has initiated divorce proceedings, during which she openly admitted that her husband faked his UFO photos. She detailed the models used, photos discarded due to poor quality, and other behind-the-scenes details in an interview with ufologist Luc Burgin. Despite his followers and some American cultists, no serious ufologist has credited Meier for fifteen years. German writer Michael Hesemann, who has authored hagiographic articles and books about Meier, remains a defender. A comprehensive debunking of the Meier case was published last year in the Italian magazine UFO of CISU. However, Meier's photos continue to be easily accepted on video cassettes and commercial magazines.

ERA UNO STEALTH L'OGGETTO PRECIPITATO A BOSCOMBE DOWN (It Was a Stealth Object That Crashed at Boscombe Down)

Coinciding with the UFO sightings reported in England on March 24th, the British aviation monthly 'Air Forces Monthly' announced the solution to a mystery surrounding an incident near the British experimental range of Boscombe Down, two and a half years prior. Despite denials from the Ministry of Defence, witnesses reported alerts, unidentified radar contacts, strange low-frequency sounds, recovery operations, and the presence of British and American aircraft and helicopters, some unmarked. The arrival of CIA agents and, most significantly, a dark, triangular object were noted. Journalists' investigations clarified the enigma: the object was an American spy plane, the ASTRA, capable of flying over Mach 5, often referred to as the 'Aurora.' This confirmed details previously published by UFO magazine of CISU. The article also mentions the connection to the Northrop Tacit Blue prototype and the use of the Machrihanish airfield in Scotland as a support base, a location previously associated by ufologists with sightings of a mysterious "flying black triangle."

ALLARME UFO IN AMERICA? (UFO Alarm in America?)

A news item circulating on the internet caused a stir: on Wednesday, April 16th, the GOES-9 meteorological satellite repeatedly photographed an unusual, large, dark object approaching from Alaska towards California. This coincided with the disappearance of a military aircraft off the West Coast and NORAD entering a state of alert. The satellite images showed a completely black square area. Initial interpretations ranged from a massive alien object to an automatic masking of a UFO image. However, American ufologists later determined that the strange image was due to a specific defect in one of the algorithms used for processing satellite data.

ANCORA FILMATI FASULLI (More Fake Footage)

Following the Santilli affair, there's an increase in the appearance and blatant recycling of footage of alleged alien beings. A US television program, 'Strange Universe,' featured a film allegedly stolen from Area 51, showing the telepathic interrogation of a captured extraterrestrial by military personnel. Pseudo-experts like Bob Dean, Whitley Strieber, and Sean Morton offered positive opinions. The complete six-minute film, of poor quality, was expected to be released on video cassette. Shortly after, the Italian RAI program 'Misteri' aired footage presented by Sean David Morton, claiming it showed cloned human bodies secretly produced by the US government in the 1970s. Critics harshly criticized this gaffe. However, ufologists recognized the footage as the same one Morton had previously sold to Japanese TV and to German ufologist Michael Hesemann as evidence of alien bodies hidden at Area 51. This footage had also been distributed in Italy with a UFO magazine. Sean David Morton is described as a well-known figure in the UFO-business fringe, often exposed by American ufologists as a "pure and simple" hoaxer, yet he presents himself as a "world-leading ufologist," a "police psychic consultant," and more.

GRUPPO DI PRESSIONE SUL PARLAMENTO USA (Pressure Group on the US Parliament)

The ufological group CSETI (Center for the Study of Extraterrestrial Intelligence), led by Dr. Steven Greer, organized closed-door seminars in Washington for about thirty parliamentarians and government officials. The aim was to present documents, photos, films, and testimonies from military personnel about UFOs and to push for a parliamentary debate on the topic, guaranteeing immunity for military witnesses. While the press gave significant coverage, major ufological organizations criticized CSETI's initiative as counterproductive to ongoing work in Washington, arguing that CSETI, despite its scientific facade, promotes New Age and conspiratorial concepts.

IL PROMOTORE DELL'INIZIATIVA ROSWELL FA MARCIA INDIETRO (The Promoter of the Roswell Initiative Backs Down)

Kent Jeffrey, the promoter of the "International Roswell Initiative," which has been collecting signatures for four years to urge the US President to open military archives regarding the alleged 1947 UFO crash, has publicly stated he no longer believes a non-terrestrial spacecraft crashed at Roswell. His change of mind was influenced by the inconclusive results of a hypnotic regression session with Jesse Marcel, a witness to the recovery of debris. Walter Haut, the officer who issued the famous press release stating the Air Force had recovered a "flying disc," now believes the object was a balloon. This sudden reversal has led paranoid cover-up theorists to suspect Jeffrey of being a secret service infiltrator aiming to discredit the Roswell case. However, reputable ufologists, including Roswell expert Kevin Randle, have defended Jeffrey.

UNA NUOVA SPIEGAZIONE PER IL CASO ROSWELL (A New Explanation for the Roswell Case)

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Roswell incident, a new theory has emerged, promoted by UFO deniers. This theory, widely reported in Italian media, suggests that in July 1947, no alien spacecraft crashed in New Mexico. Instead, the Roswell myth is attributed to the recovery of weather balloons and dummies dropped from high altitudes as part of the secret Mogul Project, designed to monitor Soviet nuclear activity. This explanation, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the first UFO sightings, was met with coldness by both proponents of the extraterrestrial hypothesis and those favoring conventional explanations.

SPIEGATO ANCHE IL CASO ARNOLD? (Is the Arnold Case Also Explained?)

Coinciding with the Roswell anniversary, a new explanation has been offered for another classic UFO case: Kenneth Arnold's sighting of nine flying saucers on June 24, 1947. Aviation writer Philip Klass, a prominent UFO skeptic, now suggests that Arnold actually saw meteors, a claim that contradicts the details of the sighting itself. Over the years, various explanations have been proposed for Arnold's sighting, including experimental aircraft, mirages, fighter jets, or outright fabrication. Klass's latest theory is seen as another attempt to ridicule the UFO phenomenon.

GLI AMERICANI CREDONO SEMPRE PIU' AGLI ALIENI (Americans Believe More and More in Aliens)

Despite these repeated explanations, Americans continue to believe in the existence of UFOs as extraterrestrial craft. A recent CNN and Time poll found that 80% of Americans believe the government is hiding evidence of aliens, 50% believe aliens have abducted humans, and 37% believe extraterrestrials are in contact with the government. Two out of three Americans surveyed believe a UFO crashed at Roswell, representing the highest pro-ET data since 1947.

ARRIVI IN BIBLIOTECA (New Arrivals in the Library)

This section lists recently received foreign language books added to the CISU library, including titles on MUFON proceedings, abduction reports, Australian UFO stories, Russian UFO phenomena, the Chupacabras, the Roswell incident, Brazilian UFOs and abductions, Project Delta, Brooklyn Bridge UFO abductions, and various other UFO and alien-related topics.

DOMANDE E RISPOSTE (Questions and Answers)

PARTECIPARE AL SETI? (Participate in SETI?)

A reader from Parma proposes an initiative to collect funds for a research project, suggesting CISU's organizational structure would be suitable. The proposal involves contacting the "Seti League" for technical support. The writer notes that SETI and ufology are distinct: SETI searches for extraterrestrial emissions, while ufology studies observed phenomena that might be extraterrestrial. SETI is considered scientific, while ufology is not, due to its folklore and the preponderant interpretation of UFOs as extraterrestrial.

COSA STUDIA L'UFOLOGIA (What Does Ufology Study?)

This section features a discussion on the definition and scope of ufology. The author argues that ufology has evolved beyond simply studying "Unidentified Flying Objects" to encompass "Unidentified Presences." It involves collecting witness reports of "Identified Extraterrestrial Presences" (or "Presences that the witness identifies as Extraterrestrial"). The author acknowledges that if "ufos" did not exist, ufology would still continue to collect reports. The discussion touches upon the "intrinsic definition" of a UFO and the challenge of defining it. It also critiques the current trend in some Italian UFO magazines to focus on "new age" and conspiratorial aspects, contrasting it with the historical focus on physical objects. The author distinguishes between genuine ufologists and "pseudo-ufologists" who, according to the author, do not study but rather seek validation. The piece concludes by noting the difficulty in refuting the current "extraterrestrial hypothesis" (ETH) as presented in some commercial Italian magazines, which describe omnipotent aliens and global conspiracies, while paradoxically allowing for the revelation of truth by "True Heroes."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on UFO phenomena, often with a critical eye towards sensationalism and alleged cover-ups. There's a clear distinction made between scientific investigation and what the magazine terms "pseudo-ufology" or "folklore." The editorial stance appears to favor a more rigorous, evidence-based approach, questioning claims and exposing alleged fabrications or misinterpretations. The recurring theme is the ongoing effort to understand and demystify UFO phenomena, often highlighting the challenges posed by misinformation, government secrecy, and the subjective nature of witness testimony. The magazine also seems to advocate for the scientific study of UFOs, differentiating it from parapsychology and other fringe topics.