Ovnis - Un desafio a la ciencia - No 02

Magazine Overview

This issue of OVNIS, published by the Círculo Argentino de Investigaciones Ufológicas (C. A. D. I. U.), is identified as Volume 1, Issue 2, with a raw date of "JULIO AGOSTO 197" and an estimated issue date of 1970-07. The cover headline is "UN DESAFIO A LA CIENCIA" (A Challenge to Science), and the price is $800. The magazine is published in Argentina and is in Spanish.

Editorial Stance

The editorial, titled "Reflexiones sobre Problemas de Método: utilidad de un cuestionario" (Reflections on Methodological Problems: utility of a questionnaire), argues that the unexplained nature of UFOs warrants thorough investigation. It posits that if UFOs appear to violate physical laws, it may reveal that these behaviors are possible within a broader, yet unknown, natural order. The editorial criticizes "presumptuous skepticism" that rejects facts without examination and advocates for a humble approach that acknowledges the limitations of human observation and interpretation.

Key Articles and Content

"Reflexiones sobre Problemas de Método: utilidad de un cuestionario"

Authored by Dr. Jean Michel Dutuit, this article addresses the challenges of UFO investigation, particularly the role of the witness as an intermediary whose testimony can be altered by cultural background and emotional state. The author emphasizes the need for precise and detailed observation reports, proposing the development of a questionnaire to standardize data collection and analysis. The article critiques the generally poor quality of existing reports and the difficulties in obtaining reliable information.

"Leyes Físicas y Fenómeno OVNI"

This section discusses how some UFO characteristics seem to defy traditional physics, such as overcoming thermal barriers, sudden accelerations, and sharp turns. It suggests that these might indicate possibilities within nature that are not yet understood, rather than the impossibility of the phenomenon. The author stresses that scientific laws are discoveries, not revelations, and can be refined or proven false by new evidence.

"Informes Generalmente Indigentes"

This section highlights the common issue of poorly detailed and often contradictory witness reports. It questions the utility of mere transcriptions of observations that lack specific parameters or clear descriptions, contrasting them with more valuable, analyzed accounts.

"Casuística: Suecia: Aterrizaje cerca del Lago Anten? se comprueba radiación gamma"

Authored by Sven-Olof Fredrickson, this article details an incident near Lago Anten, Sweden, on April 29-30, 1970. The GICOFF (Göteborgs Informations Center För Oidentifierade Flygande Föremål) investigated reports of burned marks on the ground. Ricardo Johansson, an 81-year-old resident, reported no personal observation but noted the care taken not to destroy anything. The article also mentions the observation of a strange light by the Karlsson family.

"Causas de Degradación de la Información"

This section analyzes how information about UFO phenomena degrades at two levels: the witness and the interviewer. For witnesses, factors include the phenomenon's fugacity, emotional impact, and memory lapses. For interviewers, potential biases, preconceived notions, and lack of scientific rigor can lead to distorted data. The article stresses the importance of a neutral and attentive interviewer.

"Algunas Precauciones a Tomar en el Análisis de las Observaciones"

This part of the article discusses the challenges in analyzing UFO data, even after collection. It emphasizes the need to estimate the credibility of testimonies and their coherence. The author suggests that if a significant number of cases show apparent coherence, it could attract scientific interest. It also warns against premature conclusions based on superficial studies and highlights the complexity of identifying true correlations between UFO phenomena and territorial or temporal characteristics.

"Búsqueda de una Solución para Objetivar la Información Disponible del Fenómeno: Un Cuestionario Detallado"

This section reiterates the essential problem of data collection and proposes a detailed questionnaire as a solution. The questionnaire aims to be exhaustive, precise, and usable for computer analysis, helping interviewers avoid omissions and guiding them to elicit essential information without leading the witness.

"Notas del Autor"

Includes definitions and references, such as the definition of "Ovni" as a neutral term, and references to previous studies on the Trancas case.

"Bolsa de Pedidos"

This section serves as a classified ad space for readers to request or offer information, books, or contact other researchers. It includes a request from S.I.F.E. for contact with UFO study groups and an inquiry from a law student seeking to exchange clippings and magazines.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the scientific approach to UFO investigation, the critical importance of reliable data collection, and the challenges posed by witness testimony and human perception. The magazine advocates for a rigorous, open-minded methodology that avoids premature dismissal of phenomena that challenge current scientific paradigms. The editorial stance is one of intellectual humility and a commitment to exploring the unknown, even when faced with difficulties and skepticism. The issue emphasizes that the limitations are often in our understanding and interpretation, not necessarily in the phenomenon itself.

This issue of OVNIS, dated March 1972, focuses on two distinct case studies from different continents: one from Sweden and one from Argentina, with a brief mention of a case from Spain. The magazine presents detailed witness testimonies, investigative findings, and some scientific analysis.

Case Study 1: Enebacken, Sweden

The issue begins with an account from Enebacken, Sweden, detailing multiple witness sightings of a peculiar aerial phenomenon. The primary witnesses, Mr. and Mrs. E. Karlsson, describe a bright red, round light that moved erratically over the forest, exhibiting behaviors such as hovering, ascending, descending, and disappearing and reappearing. Mrs. Karlsson also reported hearing a sound. The object's size was estimated to be about half the size of the moon, and it displayed a brilliant red glow with occasional flashes.

Several other witnesses, who were driving in the area, corroborated the sighting of a red light moving erratically. Some observed it for several minutes. The witnesses were located to the south and east of Enebacken, and one witness, Mr. F. Johansson, provided a more precise sighting time of approximately 23:45. He described the object's size as less than a full moon and noted a light beam emanating from it towards the ground. The object moved over the forest, from side to side and up and down.

Further investigation revealed ground traces in the area, described as round marks about 40 cm in diameter and 4 cm deep. These marks were not perfectly round and varied slightly in depth. The marks were interpreted as possibly being created by three 'jet-beams'. The soil samples collected from these traces were subjected to radioactivity testing at the Chalmers University of Technology. The tests revealed a low level of gamma activity (660 keV) in the soil from the marks, which persisted for at least two weeks. This activity was attributed to a barium-137 isotope, which is typically found in nuclear processes. The report notes that the natural background radiation was also measured and found to be normal.

Various explanations were considered, including a hoax involving balloons. However, the report suggests that the presence of Cs 137 in the soil might indicate something more unusual, or that an unknown substance was used.

Case Study 2: Matadepera, Spain

The magazine then shifts to a case from Matadepera, Spain, reported by José María Casas Huguet. This incident involved a single witness, an elderly woman named Antonia Soler Ríus, who was walking near her home in January 1969. She heard a loud noise, described as similar to a car passing at high speed. She then saw a flying object described as 'fish-shaped' and 'painted' with bright, vivid colors, predominantly green and yellow, with a circular, orange-yellow center and a dark blue outer ring. The object was estimated to be about 3 meters long, 1.5 meters high, and 2.5 meters wide.

The object performed a sharp, descending maneuver to avoid colliding with a 5,000-volt power line, passing below it at a very low altitude and with impressive precision. The witness noted the object's metallic appearance and intricate color patterns, comparing it to a 'besugo' (sea bream).

Following this sighting, ground traces were discovered in the area. These traces were described as four parallel lines, forming two pairs, oriented in a northwest-southeast direction, consistent with the object's departure path. The marks appeared as superficial tunnels, suggesting that a hard, rectilinear object had been pressed into the ground with great force. The report emphasizes that these marks could not have been produced by an animal or a known machine due to their specific characteristics, including their horizontal orientation, superficiality, and lateral ramifications.

Case Study 3: Santa Isabel, Argentina

The final section of the magazine details phenomena observed at the Ika-Renault automotive plant in Santa Isabel, Argentina, during the last week of September 1972. This case is presented by Dr. Oscar A. Galindez and focuses on 'anthropomorphic phenomena'.

One incident involved Teodoro Merlo, a 56-year-old security guard at the plant. On September 21, 1972, at 5:40 a.m., Merlo entered the locker room and noticed that one of the lights was off. He then saw a person sitting on a washbasin. He approached, and as he passed a mirror, he noticed the entity. The lights in the locker room then flickered, and the entity disappeared. Merlo described the entity as having a large, rounded head, a slender neck, and wide, slanted eyes. Its skin was described as very white, like plaster. The entity's right hand was touching its nose, and its left arm was resting on the edge of the washbasin. Its right leg was extended, and the left was bent. The entity's height was estimated to be between 2.40 and 2.50 meters. Its garment was a dark blue, tight-fitting suit.

Merlo did not report the experience immediately, fearing he would be accused of negligence. He created a sketch of the entity. The observation was accompanied by several physical effects on Merlo, including increased temperature in the area, eye irritation, a reddish mark on his nose, and persistent headaches and lumbar pain.

Another incident at the plant involved witnesses Moreno and Rodríguez, whose testimonies were known to the investigators. The report also mentions a second anthropomorphic phenomenon observed at the 'Sala de ingeniería' (engineering room) and a third at the 'Teletipos' (teletype room).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of OVNIS consistently presents cases with detailed witness accounts and attempts to provide some level of scientific or investigative rigor. The magazine appears to be open to unusual explanations for observed phenomena, particularly those involving unidentified aerial objects and potential extraterrestrial or unknown entities. The editorial stance seems to favor the serious investigation of such reports, exploring various hypotheses, including the possibility of hoaxes but also leaving room for genuinely unexplained events. The inclusion of scientific analysis, such as radiation testing, and detailed descriptions of physical traces and entities, suggests a commitment to documenting and understanding these phenomena.

This issue of OVNIS magazine, identified as Volume 19, Issue 21, published in 1972, focuses on UFO (OVNI) phenomena with a strong emphasis on detailed case studies and investigative reports. The magazine is published in Argentina and written in Spanish.

Cover Story: OVNI DESCENDS IN DELPHOS

The main cover story details an incident that occurred on November 2, 1971, near Delphos, Kansas, USA. The report, translated from English by Hilda Tornadú de Bagú, recounts the observation of a luminous object by the Johnson family: Durel Johnson (52), Erma Johnson (49), and their son Ronald Johnson (16). Ronald was the primary witness, observing a bright, luminous object descend close to the ground while he was tending sheep. He described the object as a multicolor mass with a domed upper part and a slight protrusion at the base, hovering about 30 cm above the ground. The object emitted a loud, sordo noise, compared to a washing machine. The luminosity was intense, described as blue, red, and orange, and it illuminated the surrounding area. Ronald experienced eye irritation and headaches after directly observing the object. The object ascended rapidly, and later, a circular mark was found on the ground, approximately 2.40 meters in diameter, with a dry central area and muddy outer edges. The incident also involved damage to a tree and unusual behavior from the sheep. The report includes an investigation by local police and further inquiries.

Case Study: Merlo's Reflection Phenomenon

Another significant case detailed in the magazine involves Teodoro Merlo, who reported an experience on September 21, 1972, in Villa Oviedo, Argentina. While traveling on a bus, Merlo observed a reflection in the rearview mirror that he identified as an entity. He described the entity's features with remarkable detail, including its mouth, cheeks, eyes, and nose. The reflection was identical to a previous sighting but with greater clarity. Merlo's account is accompanied by a bust modeled by himself, shown in 'Foto 2' and 'Foto 3'. The magazine explores a parapsychological interpretation of this phenomenon, suggesting 'Retrocognitive Telepathic Suggestion,' where the subconscious mind might receive and later project images, possibly facilitated by reflective surfaces and heightened emotional states.

Comparative Analysis and Parapsychological Interpretation

Section 6, 'Análisis comparativo,' discusses Merlo's comparison of the entity's features with illustrations from other cases, specifically noting similarities with the 'Villa Santina' case but differences with the 'Hopkinsville' case regarding ear shape. Section 7, 'Intento de interpretación parapsicológica del fenómeno de reflexión,' delves into the hypothesis that the reflection was a parapsychological event, specifically 'Sugestión Telepática Retrocognitiva.' This theory suggests the paranormal induction of ideas or feelings, facilitated by emotional states or altered consciousness. The text explains that the latency time between an event and its telepathic perception can vary, with the impression remaining latent in the percipient's spirit before emerging into consciousness.

Other Incidents and Reports

Case of the Bright Ring (Delphos, Kansas)

Following the main Delphos sighting, the report details the discovery of a bright ring on the ground near a shed. The surface was illuminated by a white-gray light, and nearby trees also appeared to shine. The texture of the ground within the ring was described as unusually smooth, almost crystallized. Both Ronald Johnson and his mother experienced numbness in their fingertips after touching the surface. The report notes that Mrs. Johnson was unable to take a patient's pulse for two weeks due to this condition. Photographs of the site were taken.

Journalistic and Police Reports (Delphos, Kansas)

Section IV, 'Informe Periodístico,' presents an account by journalist Thaddia Smith of the 'Delphos Republican,' who investigated the Johnson case. She describes visiting the site, observing the circular mark, and noting damage to a tree. She also mentions contacting the Department of Meteorology and KSAL Radio. Section V, 'Informe Policial,' includes a report from Deputy Chief of Police Harlen Enlow, detailing the police investigation, including interviews with the Johnson family and the collection of soil samples from the ring for radiological analysis.

Yugoslavian Cases

The magazine also features reports from Yugoslavia. One case, 'OVNIS EN PAISES SOCIALISTAS: DESCENSO EN YUGOSLAVIA,' details an observation near Rasanac, close to Ohrid. The primary witness, who wishes to remain anonymous, describes a luminous object that appeared square and then elliptical, emitting a strong light and a loud noise. The object was observed by members of a band and later by others, including a museum administrator (N.C.). The object reportedly landed or hovered, and the witness experienced a blinding light and a momentary blackout. Another witness, Milorad Dusanovic, describes a similar experience involving a bright light and a loud noise. The report also mentions a historical account from 1942 involving animals stopping suddenly due to a bright flash.

Aldridge, England Case

'EVALUACION DE LAS FOTOGRAFIAS DE ALDRIDGE' (Evaluation of the Aldridge Photographs) by Dr. J. Allen Hynek and Julian Hennessey discusses a case from August 16, 1971, near Aldridge, England. Joseph Wilcox and his wife observed a large, yellowish, luminous object. Police officers photographed the object. The investigation involved measuring the location and comparing the object's position with celestial bodies. The authors concluded that the photographed phenomenon was likely a street light, demonstrating how easily misidentifications can occur even with seemingly clear evidence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of OVNIS consistently emphasizes detailed witness testimony, physical evidence (like ground traces), and investigative journalism. The magazine appears to maintain an open stance towards UFO phenomena, exploring both conventional and parapsychological explanations. There is a clear effort to document cases thoroughly, including interviews, photographic evidence, and police reports. The editorial stance seems to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, encouraging readers to consider various possibilities, including those that challenge conventional scientific understanding. The inclusion of parapsychological interpretations suggests a willingness to explore less conventional theories within the UFO field.

This issue of OVNIS magazine, identified as issue number 29, features a prominent cover headline: "CONSTANTES EN LOS INFORMES DE HUELLAS DE ATERRIZAJE" (Constants in Landing Trace Reports). The magazine is primarily in Spanish, with some content potentially originating from English sources.

Article 1: LA EXPLICACION DEL HECHO (The Explanation of the Fact)

This article addresses a specific case where a police officer took photographs of a mysterious object. The author explains that the object only appeared in four out of a dozen negatives because the officer moved the camera. The object was likely Mars, which was exceptionally bright at the time. The author suggests that the blurry image captured was actually street light. This incident is presented as a cautionary tale for UFO investigators, emphasizing the importance of returning to the original sighting location at the equivalent time of day or night for reconstruction. However, the article also notes that not all cases are easily explained, and some investigations have led to the strengthening of UFO reports due to the lack of conventional explanations.

Article 2: CONSTANTES EN LOS INFORMES DE HUELLAS DE ATERRIZAJE (Constants in Landing Trace Reports)

This is the main analytical piece, reproduced from 'Stendek', Barcelona. It is authored by Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos, an investigator specializing in Type I UFO phenomena. The article is based on the work of Ted Phillips, a North American investigator who focuses on UFO landing traces. The authors acknowledge that this work is not based on their own investigations but rather on statistical interpretation of data published by Phillips.

UFO-Witness Distances

The article challenges the skeptical view that UFOs are poorly observed phenomena. It presents a graph (Fig. 1) showing that 44% of reported cases occurred within 250 feet (85 meters). This close proximity suggests that if these were conventional objects, they could be more easily identified. The authors note that Aimé Michel, building on Dr. Allen Hynek's ideas, found that the 'strangeness' index increases as the witness-UFO distance decreases. This leads to the conclusion that UFOs are likely something different.

Estimated UFO Dimensions

Another aspect analyzed is the estimated diameter of UFOs. Based on Ted Phillips' data, the article presents tables and graphs (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) showing the distribution of reported UFO diameters. The analysis indicates that the majority of reported UFOs fall within the 10 to 30 feet (3 to 10 meters) range, with 70.3% of cases falling into this category. The article also examines the dimensions of landing traces, finding that most affected areas are between 1 and 12 meters in diameter. This measurement is suggested as a useful indicator for understanding the phenomenon's nature.

Coherence in the Data

The article concludes by comparing the dimensions of UFOs with the dimensions of the reported landing traces. It finds a clear correlation, suggesting that the alleged UFO diameters are of the same order of magnitude as the circular landing areas. The authors argue that this statistical consistency is unlikely to arise from random misinterpretations or frauds. They posit that the UFO phenomenon possesses a coherent structure, not dependent on the witness or location, but rather on its own unique origin, which remains unknown. The authors personally lean towards a physical explanation and acknowledge the need for further research into the possibility of intelligence behind these cases.

Catalog of Argentine UFO Manifestations (Type I)

This section, prepared by Prof. Oscar A. Uriondo and Dr. Oscar A. Galíndez, presents a preliminary catalog of Argentine UFO manifestations of Type I. It is divided into two parts:

Section Two: Processing of the Catalog

• This part details the methodology and conventions used in the catalog. The conventional signs indicate:
• Object touching the ground
• + Existence of tracks or marks
• Observation of entities
• Δ Object situated on or near an aquatic surface (within 10 meters)
• • Object suspended or hovering (within 10 meters of the ground)

Table V: Catalog Listing

This extensive table lists numerous UFO sightings in Argentina from 1950 to 1972. Each entry includes a number, class, date, location (province), time, event symbol, and day of the week. The catalog covers a wide range of locations across Argentina, including Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Córdoba, Mendoza, Salta, and others. The events range from objects touching the ground and leaving traces to hovering objects and observations of entities.

Next Issue Preview

The "PROXIMO NUMERO" (Next Issue) section previews articles for the upcoming issue, including topics such as biometric data in occupant cases, continuation of the Argentine catalog, investigative techniques, UFO lexicon, casuistry from Finland, France, Canada, and the USA, theoretical discussions on the current state of ufology, studies on UFO occupants, and international bibliographic updates.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the empirical investigation of UFO phenomena, particularly focusing on physical evidence like landing traces and object dimensions. The magazine adopts a stance that challenges purely skeptical explanations, presenting statistical data and detailed case studies to support the idea that UFOs represent a distinct and coherent phenomenon with an unknown origin. There is a clear emphasis on rigorous analysis and the pursuit of scientific understanding, even while acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge. The publication also serves as a repository for documenting UFO events, particularly within Argentina, contributing to a growing body of ufological data.