Quaderni UFO - Vol 02 No 10 - 1982 09-10

Magazine Overview

This issue of Quaderni UFO, volume 2, number 10, dated September/October 1982, is an internal informative organ and bimonthly supplement to 'Notiziario UFO', published by the Centro Ufologico Nazionale (C.U.N.) in Italy. The cover features a striking illustration of a silhouetted figure facing a UFO in a forest setting.

Editorial and Organizational Updates

The issue begins with an announcement regarding the 'refoundation' of C.U.N. branches and sections, effective September 1, 1982. All previous directors, vice-directors, and regional coordinators have been dismissed. New branches will be reconstituted based on a commitment to specific investigative activities, including case investigations, local press monitoring, archive creation, public relations, and coordination of members' activities within their provinces. Ordinary members interested in undertaking these activities must submit a written request to the Directing Council. The issue also details the process for forming new provincial branches if at least three ordinary members are willing to collaborate. It emphasizes that all assignments are revocable and reminds members to complete a questionnaire by February 28, 1983, to assess their availability and interests for future activities.

The publication also addresses the financial sustainability of 'Notiziario UFO', which has been distributed as a free supplement to members. Due to the lack of a commercial publisher, the C.U.N. is bearing all costs. The survival of the magazine depends on selling at least 300 copies externally. Members are urged to actively participate in creating a local sales network by contacting bookstores and newsstands.

Defense of GEPAN

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a defense of the French UFO research group GEPAN, authored by Edoardo Russo. Russo responds to criticisms published in 'Quaderni UFO' no. 7, attributed to Sider, Petrakis, and Bosson. He clarifies that his negative opinion on publishing the article was not due to censorship but to the difficulty of accurately contextualizing foreign UFO material and protagonists. Russo highlights the problematic nature of Jean Sider, describing him as a figure who has quarreled with many in the French ufological community and whose publications are often characterized by lengthy and aggressive polemics. He recounts a negative personal interaction with Sider regarding the exchange of materials. Russo contrasts this with Alain Esterle, the director of GEPAN, whom he describes as a serious and cordial individual. He explains that GEPAN operates under the CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales) and faces the challenge of maintaining credibility within the scientific community. Russo defends GEPAN's approach to investigations, stating that they focus on identifiable cases and do not engage in public polemics, preferring to publish technical notes. He criticizes Sider's dismissal of GEPAN's technical studies as overly complex and obscure, suggesting Sider lacks the necessary understanding.

Russo also addresses criticisms from Perry Petrakis and Yves Bosson, noting that while private French UFO groups initially welcomed GEPAN's formation, they later became resentful when the Gendarmerie stopped sharing sighting reports directly with them and instead forwarded them to GEPAN. He dismisses claims that GEPAN hoards information, stating that they have provided internal material to credible researchers. He also criticizes the tendency of some ufologists to engage in conspiracy theories, such as suspecting 'Men in Black' or CIA agents, and to focus on sensationalism rather than rigorous research.

Case Investigations: Traces and Close Encounters

Cases with Traces

Maurizio Verga contributes an article defining 'cases with traces' as UFO events where physical evidence is found on the ground or in inanimate objects. He presents a definition that requires thorough investigation, including multiple witness interviews, site examination, and analysis by competent investigators, to rule out conventional explanations. Verga emphasizes that such cases, even when well-documented, should be considered as providing reliable data for study rather than definitive proof of the phenomenon's nature.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (IR3)

The issue features a section on IR3 cases, highlighting their significance in ufology as evidence of extraterrestrial visitation. It discusses the challenges of verifying such accounts, noting that hypnosis and polygraph tests can aid investigation but cannot provide final answers. Cases like Betty and Barney Hill, Pascagoula, and Socorro are mentioned as seminal examples.

#### The Betty and Barney Hill Abduction

Dr. Beniamin Simon, who conducted hypnosis sessions with the Hills, is quoted as stating that the entire case was based on fantasies induced by fear, possibly fueled by Betty Hill's sister's stories and her own exposure to science fiction. Meteorological and astronomical analysis by Robert Sheaffer suggested the UFO sighting was actually the planet Jupiter. The article also notes subsequent claims by Mrs. Hill of seeing UFOs regularly, which were found to be misidentifications of ordinary lights.

#### The Lonnie Zamora Incident

This case from April 1964 involves a police officer who reported seeing a UFO land and small figures re-enter it. An investigation by Philip Klass in 1966 reportedly found discrepancies, including the lack of heat evidence, inconsistent footprints, and unusual landing patterns. Klass suggested the incident might have been staged for tourism purposes.

#### The Pascagoula Abduction

Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker claimed to have been abducted by extraterrestrials in October 1973. The article points out inconsistencies in their accounts regarding the UFO's dimensions and the entities' eyes. Hickson's background is described as suspicious, with prior accusations of extortion and bankruptcy. The article notes that Hickson was reportedly upset that others were profiting from UFO sightings while he was not. A subsequent interview with Hickson in 1981 suggested he believed he was chosen to spread a message of peace from extraterrestrials.

Information and Disinformation

Another section discusses the 'galoppante disinformazione' (rampant disinformation) in Italy, where some publications allegedly compare ufology to science using false cases and promote sensationalist topics like 'Men in Black' and the Philadelphia Experiment. The author laments the difficulty of accessing valid foreign research texts and criticizes the lack of effort among some Italian researchers to do so.

Bibliographical References

A bibliography lists several key works in ufology, including 'Scientific Study of UFOs' by Edward U. Condon, works by Philip Klass, J. Allen Hynek, and others.

Participation

The C.U.N. emphasizes the importance of member participation and proposes regional or interregional meetings to foster exchange and collaboration. The National Coordination will work to stimulate local representatives to organize such events. The upcoming General Assembly in February 1983 will also focus on these themes, underscoring the necessity of active participation from all members.

Meeting Minutes

Minutes from a C.D. meeting in Florence on October 9, 1982, are included. Topics discussed include organizational matters, a personal letter from Honorary President Giancarlo Barattini regarding his past mandate, the proposal of new members (Giorgio Pattera and Antonio Mucignat), and the budget for upcoming publications like 'Notiziario UFO' and 'Quaderni UFO'. The meeting also confirmed the renewal of membership fees for 1983.

Membership Updates

An updated list of members and collaborators is provided, noting changes in status and addresses. A reminder is issued for members to renew their annual fees by the end of February 1983 to avoid suspension and potential expulsion.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently promotes a scientific and rigorous approach to UFO research, advocating for detailed investigation and critical analysis of cases. It expresses concern over disinformation and sensationalism within the ufological community, particularly in Italy. The C.U.N. positions itself as a serious research organization, emphasizing the need for member participation and a structured approach to understanding the UFO phenomenon. The defense of GEPAN highlights a stance against what it perceives as unfounded criticisms and personal attacks within the field, advocating for the scientific methodology employed by the group.

This document is the third part of a series titled "E' UTILE SAPERE CHE..." (It's Useful to Know That...) and focuses on the technical aspects of infrared photography, specifically addressing focusing techniques and the visual characteristics of infrared images.

Focusing for Infrared Photography

The article begins by explaining a fundamental challenge in infrared photography: infrared rays do not focus on the same plane as visible light. For cameras equipped with a specific red mark on the focus scale, users are instructed to use this mark for infrared focusing, slightly adjusting the lens. It is recommended to use the smallest possible aperture (highest f-number) to minimize the effect of any slight lens shift and improve image sharpness and depth of field. For cameras without this specialized mark, the advice is to use smaller apertures like f:II or to estimate the focus point. For example, on a 35mm camera with a 50mm lens, focus for distant subjects should be set around 20 meters, and for subjects at 5 meters, focus should be set around 4 meters. For critical work, a test exposure is suggested.

Daylight Infrared Photography Effects

The article then details the distinctive visual results of infrared photography in daylight, particularly for black and white images:

• Sky: Appears almost black.
• Clouds and Snow: Appear bright white.
• Shadows: Are dark but generally reveal a lot of detail.
• Vegetation (Grass, Leaves): Appears very light, almost as if covered in snow.
• Distant Details: Are reproduced with remarkable clarity, overcoming atmospheric haze.

Infrared photography in black and white is noted for its ability to create good separation between planes in buildings and to provide a contrasting background by darkening the sky. When infrared photographs are taken outdoors in sunlight and printed with a higher than normal density, they can resemble images taken in moonlight.

Color Infrared Photography

Color infrared photography is also discussed, highlighting its unique color renditions:

• Foliage and Grass: Appear in brilliant reds.
• Sky: A blue sky with white clouds can appear distorted or altered.
• Clothing and Accessories: Colors are modified; for instance, a black wig might appear red on the final slide.
• Skin Tones: Tend to appear pale and greenish.

The article acknowledges that predicting the exact colors in color infrared photography can be difficult, suggesting it remains a valid medium for experimentation.

Daylight Exposure Settings

Indicative exposure settings for daylight infrared photography are provided:

• Distant Scenes: 1/125 sec. at f:II
• Close-up Scenes: 1/30 sec. at f:II

The information is attributed to "Fotografia all'infraresse, della Kodak" (Infrared Photography, by Kodak).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This installment continues the practical, instructional tone of the series, providing technical guidance for photographers interested in exploring specialized techniques like infrared photography. The stance is informative and experimental, encouraging users to understand the unique properties of infrared light and how to capture them effectively, while also acknowledging the unpredictable nature of color infrared results. The emphasis is on practical application and achieving desired visual effects.