Para Info - No 1 - 07 1977

Magazine Overview

Title: Para-Info
Issue: 1
Date: July 1977
Publisher: A.G.O. (Aktions Gruppe Oberhausen)
Focus: UFO and PSI (Paranormal/Psychic) Research

This document comprises the first issue of 'Para-Info', a new magazine from the A.G.O. (Aktions Gruppe Oberhausen), a private research group dedicated to the study of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and PSI phenomena. The magazine is intended to be published monthly and serves as a platform for the A.G.O. to share its own processed UFO/PSI cases. Additionally, it plans to cover related topics such as astronomy, astronautics, and astro-archaeology as needed.

Editorial Content and Stance

Introduction and Purpose

The editorial, titled 'VORWORT' (Foreword), encourages readers to take a moment to read it, stating it serves as an orientation aid. It introduces 'Para-Info' as the new magazine from the world of UFO/PSI research. The publication aims to appear monthly and will primarily feature the A.G.O.'s own processed UFO/PSI cases, with supplementary coverage of astronomy, astronautics, and astro-archaeology.

The State of UFO Research in Germany

A section titled 'ZUR LAGE DER UFO-FORSCHUNG IN DEUTSCHLAND' (On the State of UFO Research in Germany) addresses the scientific community's stance. It states that UFO and PSI phenomena are not officially recognized by conventional sciences and are often publicly dismissed as 'artifacts' or scientific impossibilities. The A.G.O., through its private research efforts in Oberhausen (PFO), aims to counteract this dismissal, working in cooperation with other private research groups. The magazine notes with interest that UFO research in France already receives state support and funding.

Defining UFOs and Evidence

The issue delves into the question, 'Was ist nun eigentlich ein UFO?' (What is actually a UFO?). It presents the general definition of an Unidentified Flying Object as something that cannot be identified. The boldest speculation suggests these UFOs might be spacecraft from extraterrestrials. The magazine asserts, 'ES GIBT BEREITS HANDFESTE BEWEISE DAFÜR!' (There is already tangible evidence for this!).

It criticizes the scientific community for easily dismissing and denying these phenomena, attributing this partly to the fact that most sightings are kept secret by police and military authorities from the press. This secrecy, the magazine argues, can lead to the public remaining uninformed, and by the time information surfaces years later, public interest may have waned. The publication appeals to readers who may have witnessed unusual phenomena, like a 'flying star', to report such cases to private research initiatives like the PFO in Oberhausen. It also encourages the circulation of their information leaflets within their social circles to shed light on their research.

The magazine acknowledges that not all sightings are necessarily UFOs but emphasizes the importance of reporting them. It contrasts their current limited means of public outreach with figures like Eduard Zimmermann, who reportedly has his own investigative TV shows that help cases get resolved faster.

Call for Assistance and Confidentiality

'Para-Info' also serves as an appeal to the public to assist in their work. Readers who have had sightings or know others who have are urged to contact the provided addresses. The A.G.O. guarantees strict discretion regarding all submitted information, ensuring names will not be released to the public without consent. This is reiterated in the context of UFO sightings.

Addressing Skepticism and Misconceptions

A significant point is made about the challenges faced by serious UFO researchers: 'ALLE ERNSTHAFTEN UFO-FORSCHER HABEN ZUMINDEST EINMAL DIE BITTERE ERFAHRUNG GEMACHT, ENTWEDER BELÄCHELT ODER GAR ALS SPINNER ODER SEKTIERER BESCHIMPFT ZU WERDEM.' (All serious UFO researchers have at least once had the bitter experience of being ridiculed or even insulted as crackpots or sectarians). The A.G.O. explicitly stresses that they are neither spiritualists nor religious fanatics, aiming to dismantle such prejudices.

Content Disclaimer

The magazine assures readers that the cases presented in this issue are not science fiction but 'WAHRE BEGEBENHE' (true events).

Sighting Report Forms

The issue includes several pages dedicated to a 'Sichtungsbericht' (Sighting Report) form, designed for witnesses to document their experiences. This form is part of the 'PRIVATE FORSCHUNGSGRUPPE' (Private Research Group) materials. It requests detailed information such as:

• Name: (of witness)
• Ort: (Location)
• Zeit: (Time)
• Datum: (Date)
• Wetter: (Weather)
• Tageszeit: (Time of day)
• Mond: (Moon phase, if applicable)
• Anzahl: (Number of objects)
• Farbe: (Color)
• Form: (Shape)
• geschätzte Größe: (Estimated size)
• Flugrichtung: (Direction of flight)
• Bahnunterbrechung: (Trajectory interruption)
• Dauer einer evtl. Unterbrechung: (Duration of possible interruption)
• Gesamtsichtungsdauer: (Total sighting duration)
• Durchgang durch bekannte Sternbilder: (Passage through known constellations)
• Besonderheiten: (Special features)
• Zeugen: (Witnesses - number, names, addresses)

Additional sections on the form include space for horizontal sketches ('Raum für Horizontskizze'), overall sketches with surroundings ('Raum für Gesamtskizze mit Umgebung und Beschreibungen'), and detailed object sketches ('Raum für gesonderte Objektzkizze'). It also includes fields for azimuth determination, horizontal angles, and whether photos or film data were taken. A section asks if noises were heard during the sighting, and a 'Helligkeitsdiagramm' (Brightness Diagram) is provided for trained observers.

Subscription and Contact Information

An 'In eigener Sache' (In our own interest) section provides details about 'Para-Info'. It will cost DM 2.- at the kiosk and can be obtained via subscription for DM 1.50 plus postage. Readers are invited to contribute articles to the magazine's content. The responsible editor for the content is listed as the 'REDAKTION "A.G.O."' with Norbert Bürgers, Ebereschenweg 88, 4200 Oberhausen-14, as the contact person. The telephone number provided is (0208) 670514.

Multiple instances of the A.G.O. Oberhausen address and postal code (4200 - 120343) are listed throughout the document.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This inaugural issue of 'Para-Info' establishes a clear editorial stance: to present UFO and PSI phenomena seriously, counteracting scientific skepticism and public prejudice. The A.G.O. positions itself as a dedicated private research group committed to gathering and disseminating credible information, emphasizing the reality of the phenomena they investigate. The magazine champions the cause of UFO research, highlighting its under-recognition in Germany while noting its support elsewhere. The inclusion of a detailed reporting form underscores a methodical approach to data collection, and the explicit guarantees of discretion aim to encourage more people to come forward with their experiences. The overall tone is one of earnest inquiry and a desire to legitimize the field of UFO and PSI studies against prevailing skepticism.